Washington telegraph., 1859-03-30
CRor ~ JyashiagtcH Telegraph.
The ArkadelpE Institution for the
Sind.

FlilaEe OF Ark-aNiPnia; D" V"A Si9'Si
county of Clark, and while. there received
a very polite invitatioa to visit the insti-
tute for 1.-The blind, and in company with
our fellow-citizen, Col. Z. ". CAN'T, and
Mr. Thomas a. Heard, Of Arkadeiphia,
accepted the invitation and made the call,
ard really, sir, | must say that | have
rarely spent i more agreeable hour. Mr.
Howck, the principal and founder IF the
institution, received Us with an urbanity
which is only found in the truly well bred
gentleman lie IS q man Of varied and
superior attainments, acquired before he
was deprived BY misfortune ofs the loss of
his eye sight, which, though we'would at
first naturally suppose, would cast a gloom
over the minds Of most persons, in his
case has been net BY calm resignation,
and with will and energy known only in
but few persons, has made himself master
of the various branches Of education and
industry 10 bs acquired BY the blind In
tbs. IIpwck, We found a
bcautiinf aiia -l6:hplishcd lady. and thc
only person in the institute who j. not
sightless. There arc NOW some seven ~
eight students, the greater number Of
whom are females, who have been there
but short iimc, but you would be aston
ishcd when informed Of the rapidi,y with
which they acquire knowledge of the
various branches taught. They arc not
only tgught " Icad aud genera! knowi-
edge Of letters, bnt aFl Instructed in va-
rious industrial branches. The young
/ ladies are learned M scw. tu work cm-
broidery and f.ucy neeilework; knitting
and netting. WILLOW work, and many other
I light but useful aud profitable employ
meBts. Oar attention wa cllCl to thc
sewing Of unc II the young ladies. which
Was equal M anything have ever sceu
l come from the hands OF the most cx7crt
s1amstrcss, lc lcI eyes ever so hri=Lt.-
They exhibited some beautiful specimens
Of bHaidWurh. consisting uf ornamental
Z baskets. dol Eai-, &c., Do which VARIOUS
celorrd b.aids a-l u4ul uHd blended with
the utmost harmony. ald p rerie. AZ doiic
as oould be- hy pgr-.n witA tAc bs-t ryc
/ -i.ht imaginable.
Tie branches taught thc young mau
are those more suited e. their strength
and more iH=zauliue ID thr.f character.
We were shown some specimens If their
/ work. ia iAc WHY uf II mattress. sa4lu uf
common corn shurhs and cotton, v-iirL
[ was equal ~ 4uy;hiHg WI thc kini | cvrg
saw Also, riuth-brishes. horse brushes.
/ a.. *. u.ate .u tht ra1.t finished .tylg
O.. workmanship. lAoy Mn thfir oNa
I planning, saving. vancrr.uw. vanishing
/ giue!nc. painting, &c. ani in shosl, du
and perform almost eycryiliu, III thc
workshop watch persons with iheir cye-
ight could ly; =Ii when VIZ take intu
{ consideration the fact tiat IN In done hy
/ those who are totally blind. aul who arc
I guided solely hy their scn.. of touch, IL
seems incredible that tLcy could -g-um-
pIish 50 much. But the wisdom and
mercy Of the A.aiighty has w large de-
gree supplied the l1ss Of sight. by enlarg-
\ i'm aud adding acute8rss ~ tie rcnilin-
I ~. senses.
The system W. instruction iu many
/ branches j. cral-by lectures delivered
I by tie Professor we were much pleased
and graiided with ihc examination Of n
! li;tle girl, WHO could not have been more
] than twelve years MI ann, and who had
I been but three weeks III the institution
in geography. Her responses were quick
and ready. and She eyinccd a knowledge
Of il which 1 have never scen approached
by any child IL the same length u time /;
] readily giving the number of square miles
. "a.
/ capitals, rivers, &C., a.. Several lessons
we're read by one OF the young ladies,
from the Bible, which was printed ID
raised letters
To close our entertainment, the yonng
gentlemen gave specimen Of their kill
upon the violin, executing several plain
hut beautiful pieces in good style, aud
I clearly demonstrating thnt with practice
and care they can make fine musicians.
aud thereby open up a new source NJ cu-
I joymeut aud pleasure to themselves aud
to others. While gazing upon this group
/ Of persons, whose sightlcss orbs should
never again, thls side of eternity, behold
I Gods shining san-the green earih-the
varied aud varying hucs which make rlad
the heart OF man-the gay fiosers-the
gaudy pIumagc % feathacrcd sOnrsters
that carol in the scented groves-the
starry heavens-the silvery moon - the rip
| ling brook, my waTmcst 5ympathies
we're aroused, and think the mans heart
is made Of adainant, whose sympaihes
and better feeling would not be softened
| by such a scene. "Thore is a divinity
in everything and Omnipotence has
some great eud to accomplish in every dis
pensation. Doubtless 80 in this
This institution is an individual enter
prise, unaided from any source save vol
untary contributions, and the proceeds Of
their labors and manufactures. Applica-
tion wss made to the last Legislature for
aid, but ip their contentious over "per
diems,' and parallels" the claims Of q