New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-05-15
PUBLIC MEEIING.S.
EXHIBITION OF INSTRUCTED IDIOTS.

Dr. H. Il. WILBUR, Superintendent OF the New
York State Asylum for idiots, gave private exhibit
,on of his pupils before the Governors of the Aims
Uouse and the Board of Education last Friday after
noon at the hall of the latter in Grasd-st. There was
n full attendance of both Boards. The rest of the
audience consisted Of two three hundred citizens,
chiefly c!ergymen and teachers and their wiyes-ail
of them men and women with hearts, who had re-
ceiyed special invitations. The exercises were com-
menced by the Hon. JAMES II. TITUS of this City,
Trustee of the Asylum, and formerly one OF the Ten
Governors who stated the object of the exhibition and
It's programme. Prayer was offered by Chancellor
FERRIS.
DIR WILBUR then explained the system pursued in
instructing idiots. OF bis interesting remarks our
SINCE allows Of only summary. lie said that when
,he Asylum near Albany was opened in 1851 many
ceu,bers of the Legislature who had voted for It's
establishment did not expect that il would successfully
accomplish tie proposed aims. The Trustees and
himself in the outset were cautious in their statements
as to the probable results but they did venture TO
rromise that in almost every case, If nothing more
the pupils woud be rendered decent III their habits,
more Obedicnt, and furnished with more extended
means of happiness, so that they would cease to be
reoar,led - annOvances and membranes to thel
families During its existence of three and halt
wears il has been vsed by majority OF the members
of each successive Legislature, who have witnessed
with orcat interest and surprise the everyday working
of ita system of instruction and management and ti
happy results Their legislative action during that
period is sufficient evidence thai they regard ulS
A ,ylum In tic most favorable manner He system OF
To- I'll prC Cees upon the same principles ar ordinary
instruction, nj il commerce. much over down. anu
il somewhat similar 10 the teachings OF noiher III inc
.ase of an infant Y0 il proceeds more gradually ana
more slowly and requires more varied means and IN
centyoa The ultimate aim Is to bring these unior-
tunate beings to close resemblance to persons wen
endowed by nature and possible TO render them capa
bic for useful occupation.
DIR. WILBUR then brought forward pupil, Charles
L. seven years of age whose idiocy was caused
when three-and-a-haf years old by convulsons and
eIeptc paroxysms with disease OF the brain. Charles
now appears TO combine his acquired knowledge with
n more than usual share of childish oolshncss and
ninth; he correctly selected the forms and coors asked
Tor by Dr. w. and spelled words ypulllng up wooden
tvpes on board The second pupil exhibited was
Susanna c. Canadian French giil, 10 or ii years
old who has been in the Asylum for II months Nnen
admitted she could not articulate but she now pro-
nonnced many words with considerable distincineSs,
also wrote them on the black board and pointed on
the blank map TO the various States OF the onioh.
Her personal appearance was more pleasing tnan 'na'
of the other children. "Naity aud Willie, the
two bows originally taken from Randalls Island
in December, 1851, and now . and 10 years
old, were then brought forward. W men .n, u,I4
were selected by Dr. w. his choice was regarded
nv DR. Nh.ttlcsey physician of the Island, as very
unfortunate; and Dr. Wilbur only preference Tor
them was thot they were free from epilepsy ana APP
reared to have sort of friendship for each other'
both we've then entirely dumb, were partially par,
alygcd 90 that they could scarcely walk, uaderstool
only few commands and the names OF lew iamlhai
personal objects ms the hand, foot, etc., ana had per
regarded as idoiiC from birth. They were examiner
In reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, ETC. wv
ing TO their partial paralysis they could not arlcuate
distinctly, but showed their requirements mainly oy
writing ON the blackboard, by signs, etc. In conmu'
ncating with DIR. W. they chiefly use the deaf
nnd-dumb signs The fifth pupil was large boy,
probably Is years old, who IN infancy was rendered
deaf and lido. by scarlet fever lie was at the Deaf
ond.Dumb AsylIm for three months but was dis
missed on account of his general deficiency. Nhen
brought 10 the Idiot Asylum nc could not arlcuiae, bn
can now read quite well in simple words, lihough no
rery distinctly, and IN other branches Is IN the mrs.
class.
The audience were assured by Dr. w. that all these
five pupils performed in their several exercises much
better at the Asylum, and several gentlemen who had
seen them there confirmed his statement. IL wa:
plainly evident TO every that the pupils were much
embarrassed, might almost say frightened IN thus
displaying their requirements before the attentive
assemblage.
Several gentlemen were then invited TO express their
opinions of tie exhibition.
Dr. BETBrSE remarked that he had no doubt the
whole audience held a unanimous opinion as to the
great value Of the Asylum of the States nobes
educational institutions. Most convincing proofs OF
It's beneficial results had just been given them; and
eaSh spectator should hcnceforth lie all in his
oI nef power to advance it's cause Abiding to the
s.ea' numoer two or three thousand o. idiots in this
s,a'e' nc asked If measures should not be adopted
when would afford to all Of this class, the means OF
Improvement The varied wants of mankind are
only in part supplied by Providence. and we must by
our Own exertions, supply tie rest This worthy in.
struetor Of these benighed human beings has doubt
icss been specially called Of God TO engage in his noble
work, but we should second lis endeavors. Among
n ha,..
y speaking been more neglected than among PAGAN
nailnne and n b hni few sinco - ...anaz..