Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-04-01
LETTER FROM HARRIsBURGH.
HARRISBURG, March 10th, /

NK. EDIroR OF JOURNAL This week has
been one of unusual excitement and entertain
ment-ssa feast of reason and flow OF soul.''
We had lecture by the very celebrated Hen
~ Ward Beecher, on Tuesday evening, in the
Presbyterian church, before the Youngmen's
Christian Association an exhibition by the
pupils OF the Pennsylvania Institution for the
instruction Of the Blind, on Tuesday evening,
in the chamber of the House of Representa-
tives, and again repeated on Wednesday eve
ming at Brant's Hall, on Market street; and
the Peoples convention TO nominate candi-
dates for State offices, to be supported on the
2nd Tuesday of Oct. next, by all those hostile
60 the present National Administration, and to
a base cringing and bowling of the knee to the
arrogant demands of the slave power, is now
in session. These things have kept the mind
in constant excitement, and have left us but
little time for the more usual employments OF
life.
The Pennsylvania Institution for the instruc-
tion OF the Blind was incorporated by .he Le-
Fislature of this State about twenty OF twenty
five years ago, and received generous grant
90 aid IN the benevolent design Of its mana
gers. The State pays certain sum for the
tuition and care of the INDECENT blind of the
Commonwealth. Similar aid is also received
from the States of New Jersey and Delaware
for the blind of their citizens. With this
State support, the contributions OF benevolent
individuals, the fees from paying pupils, and
the sale OF articles manufactured by the pu-
pills, the institution is supported, and has be-
~ fba 81 of fha L ind
in the Union. From small school of some
half dozen pupils twenty years ago, it has in
creased to an institution of one hundred and
thirty-six in number. These are taught to
read, write and work sums in arithmetic on a
slate particularly adapted to their use. They
are also instructed in both instrumental and
vocal music, and in various branches of han
dicraft. In these, some of them excel. The
institution has store, No. South Sth street,
below Market, for the sale of the articles OF
their manufacture. For the year 1856, the Ia
Dor of the pupils produced in money, the sum
of near eleven thousand dollars. The articles
Of manufacture are mostly brushes, brooms,
door-mats, carpets, beadwork, and tides.
Mr. Wm. Chaplin, the Principal of the 1nsti-
tuition, with about thirty of the pupils, came
to this place on last Tuesday, and he and a
number of the pupils put up at the hotel where
am boarding. They had an exhibition on
that evening, in the chamber of the House of
Representatives, before the members of the
Legislature (who had not been drawn oil to
hear Mr.. Beecher's lecture and large num-
Der OF ladies and gentlemen, citizens of this
place. This exhibition was repeated on the
next "wednesday evening at Brand,'s Hail. to
very large and delighted audience.
The object of this visit TO the State capital
Is to exhibit to the Leg esislature and citizens
the result of the benevolent provision made
by this State for the education of the blind.
The exhibition was in vocal and lnstrumen-
tai music. The band played admirably, and
some of the ladies sang delightfully."-; and on
the whole, the exhibition grand affair.
Two pieces were particularly grand. The
Railroad Excursion represented the starting
and running of the cars almost equal TO the
real s'smoke icdgon." You could hear a gen.
eral murmur, and blowing of steam, and con-
fusion of noises, such as is heard at the station,
or depot. The bell rings, you hear the con
ductor's voice cry out, call aboard - you hear
fhe steam whistle sharp and shrill. The en-
gine begins to work the heavy locomotive
moves upon the iron rails, giving its peculiar
rattle as the wheels pass every joint; the mo-
ton increases, and the train flies on at rapid
speed, keeping up ali the time the peculiar
rattle Of the locomotive and cars. This is
heard distinctly, with the music Of the band,
and gives one the idea Of band Of music
pl4y'nS on pozEg train, on a pleasure eLcur