The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-28

Il
About half way between Albany and Troy stands
q house that used to be o famous rendezvous for
races fairs sieighing parties drinking and all man
ner OF merry making-the old "Bull's Head" tavern.
Two years ago the sign Of the Bulls Head was taken
down, and the place sold to the State Of New York.
If you 60 there now, you viii find plain, UMPIRE
tending, dark colored edifce everything about
which is kept with the most scrupulous neatness.
You enter, and you nnd black boards, pictures,
books, dumbbes, ladders, and other apparatus, in
dcating that 1t Is either school gymnasium,
both. And SO it is. But there is strange set of
scholars Boys with the vacant, lackl stare Of
confirmed unatics; girls with look of senseless ami
NAL mbecility-children on whose faces there has
never been one ray Of intelligence and nearly grown
up young men and women engaged in the occupa-
tons and plays Of children five or six years old.
Their instructors have watchful care worn look as
If they knew their charges could not be trusted to
perform even the simplest avocations, without con-
slant help and guardianship. Itisthe State Asylum
for Idiots.
From the annual report of the institution just is
sued we learn that there are now forty-two pupils
under treatment. Applications have been made for
the admission OF nearly as many more, but were re-
fused because there was no room for them.
During the time this experiment has been in opera
ton its results have been of the most gratifying cha
racter-far more gratifying than could have been an
hclpated. Three years ago 1t was matter oil serious
doubt whether it was possible ever to educate this
unfortunate class of beings so as to be OF any use to
themselves Others. Now, it may be considered
demonstrated beyond doubt BY a system OF gra-
dual framing lst In pnysca exercises, tnen by SLOW
stepsto simple mental exertion they are led finally
to knowledge Of duties responsibilities, and the
truths of religion.
To use the words of the Superintendent "We have
taught a child to walk when had first to awaken
and cultivate fear OF falling incentive to any
efforts on her part. We have vakened perceptions
of sounds in where the Of hearing resided
without the use of it.. We have developed percep-
tons of sight through eyes that had never perform
ed their appropriate Office. We have been teaching
children to speak in every stage of articulation
Cases that three years since only promised to be
hopeless, helpless burdens to their friends, all their
lives have been elevated to the rank Of happy useful
members of society.
In almost all cases and with very few if any excep
tions those usually called idiots under the age of II
useful to themselves and fitted to learn of the ord
nary trades to engage in agriculture Their minds
and souls be deveo ped that they become
sponsbe beings acquainted with their relations to their
Creator and future state and their obligations to obey
the laws and respect the rights Of their fellow citizens
In all cases. believe-for have what has been
made clearly and neat in their personal habits, and
bed to enjoy the bOuntes of Providence and the comforts
of life and to being membranes and annoyances
to the families in which they reside.
1t remains now for the State to do its share in
rying on the work successfully commenced. 1t Is
estimated that there in the State $500 idiots of
whom at least Onequarter or 70O are under fourteen
years of age and suitable subjects for instruction
The annual appropriation of 81 600 is insufficient to
meet the requirements of q school containing more
than the present number Of inmates 1t is asked that
accommodation be granted for loo pupils, and for
such improvements in the buildings, increase Of the
number Of instructors, &C., may become necessary
from time to time The appropriation under which
operation, expires on the 10th of July. 1t will be
question for the present Legislature whether so be-
nefcent public charity is not worthy Of being
placed upon permanent basis.