New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-01-11
INSTRUCTION OF DEAEMUTE CHILDREN

Iron the easerly bank of the Hudson opposite New
bureh Washngtons Headquarters is one OF the most no
mantle end beautiful villages Of that beautiful region
known as the Highlands" IL is not however, my pur
pose 10 describe familiar, doubtless to most OF
your reade bat rather to call their attention to remark
able school lately opened in Fishkn the village referred
to- for the instruction Of deaf mute edreH from ace gears
Of age and spr0rd.
As is perhaps known to you such children are not usually
received large public institutions for the education OF
the deaf and dumb until they ten or twelve or even
older practical result Of which rule that
of the deaf utes remain from birth almost entirely unedu
Gated NJ 10 the time of their admission to one of these in
sutions-a fearful waste when consider how much Is
usually learned by other children in these early years
Some two years ago, Mr.. David E. Bartlett lately an
Instructor in the New York Institute undertook 10 re
duce to practice idea which had long possessed him.
viz that the education Of little deaf mutes ought aud
should be commenced at early age as with other
children He opened his school and the result has SANS
fed not only himself but all who have had occasonto
know the facts that great mistake has hi hertopevaed
not only among people generally uponths suoJeeL put
among both teachers and parents OF deal m1tes for
while many parents satisfied that the ''le dear mIIs
so interesting to them because of his mhrny win ms
yoiceess tongue, but his bright earnest watchni eyes
beamirg with intelligent curiosity is in no sense intel
ecuay inferior his little chattorDg play mates stu
they entertain belief that they the nselyes cannot teacn
him for want of time for systematic attention OF FOu
other causes while at the same time fearing that none
can so wei understand his wants OF so accurately reaa
expressive little features they, who have wat he'd ana
known him from his BIRTH they think better at any
hazard TO keep him at home, until he has become prob
ably violent uDgovernsbe boy rather than to send MN
forth at tender age the of strangers who cannot
as they fear take such interest as they themselves do
or teal as they would ii they could.
An parents OF deaf mutes probably also fear the indu
ence Of public school education away from home upon
their children in this that feeling OF estrangemen may
grow no in the bre of the little mate thus cut OF from
The influences of his home, and that all those dear ties
even a mothers and fathers love, will become un6pprc
ciated or aforementioned and the gushing emotions
of fa love will be transferred to those with whom their
little child is sent TO pass many years in such intimate
association In whatsoever degree painful result
may be induced by public school education; however
lie tbosp 9TH m
Institutions II may be confidently hoped that the system
pursued by Mr. Bartlett will prove safeguard against
such evils His pupils compose his family the children
eyince by their manners that Kind Of confident trusting
familiarity which expects 10 SEQ in well governed
home and their smiling gleefn faces express their happ
ness and contentment The family and the school
however intimately blended that il is impossible to
speak of distinct from the other and hence any
minute descriptions of everyday life in the house would
seem be a violation of the ssncy OF private home
cannot, however refrain from saying OF Mr. Bartlett
that he Is well known all interested in the education OF
deaf mutes especially in New York, accomplished
scholar and thoroughly Christian gentleman. No ono
can see him. have him, without conviction that
lie animated by all that patient ZEAL devotion energy
capacity and cultivation that 60 TO make up the character
of the phlanthropst His excellent, accomplished and
beautiful wife will trust pardon me for saying that she
is literally help meet for such man.
Beside Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett there is young lady. "a
deaf mute who is assistant teacher governess also
deaf mute ard Others who have the of the children
Mr. Bartlett believes that his pupils are to be won and
led not driven and let any behold this little house
hold joining their teacher at the close OF the school in
earnest though vOiceess acknowledgment: to God for his
goodness and prayer for his blessing and favor and
they will upon what foundation the teacher builds
The land about the house extensive and well cut waited
The play ground is ample and every facility given for the
development of the bodily powers and the cultivation Of
such for mechanical other pursuits the pupils
may display.
haye written thus much not for the purpose of putting
whom am proud to speak of friend, but because
believe there many parents in this State who will
oice to know that such school have nperectly de-
scribed is in successful operation. am the father of
deaf mute nine years old and consider myself so
fortunate in being able place him in the hands of such
Mr. Bartlett that desire to have other parents
similarly interested know that there is such school, so
conducted that they may lay aside all fear and anxiety and
enrust their children confidently to its influences OF the
teacher can say conscentiously that believe man
was more peculiarly qualified supply peculiar
than is Mr.. Bartlett.
The distance from New York is passed in hours on
the Hudson River Railroad.
this communication shall the eye of any who feel
as keen anxiety have felt for the welfare of child
hope may lead them to experience feeling Of relief
and thonunes strong that which has prompted this
letter. C. N