Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-01-18
COLUMBUS CORRESPONDENCE,
The Pashe institutions.


CoLUMnUs, Jan. IL, 1860
The Legislature not being in session to-day,
! availsd myself Of Senator Sianloy's invita-
ton to accompany him in brief tour through
the various Public Institutions
First, we went to the Asylum for the Deaf
and Dumb, tho Superintendent of which is
Collins Stone, gentleman whose qualities in
every way fiji him for SO responsible a position
When we eutered, morning exercises were just
commencing in the Chapel. About one hun
dred and sixty deaf nd dumb persons of both
sexes, Of various ogcs, wero attendant upon
the devotional services, and the earnest and
fixed attention with which they entered into
them, a1tested their sincerity and perfect faith
The prayers over, DR. Some introduced TO them
Rev Mr.. Sinclair of Scotland, who entertained
them with several pleasant stories illustrative OF
the bad effects of intemperance. Tho eager
ness and delight with which they followed the
rapid signs Of Dr. Stone as he interpreted Mr..
Sinclair's words, and tho certainty and facility
with which they caught his meaning, were exc
coedingly surprising to me. And their neat
dresses and healthy Appearance, together with
their perfect cheerfulness and bright, intelligent
and happy eountenances, were gratifying evil
donees Of the kindness of the preeeptors, and
tho correctness and efficacy Of tho system OF
education pursued in this Institution.
We were conducted through the various
school rooms, commencing with the newest
classes and proceeding to those more advanced
until we reached the oldest, which will be
graduated in July next. When We remember
that these scholars came TO the Institution but
few years ago with minds as blank as the
paper am writing upon, and the patient labor
involved In impressing upon them even the
slightest ideas ofthings, the results are certainly
beyond expectation. Some of the scholars in
this graduating class evinced a surprising
knowledge of Bible and civil history, and
drew many Of their illustrations of the meaning
Of words from these sources. Their excellent
chirography wRs also pleasing feature Of
their performances. The pupils seemed ex
ceedingly pleased when noticed by the stran.
gers, and took a commendable degree of pride
in answering questions prOpOunded TO them
From the school room we were conducted to
the play room Of the female pupils, and from
thence to the dinner table. Here, alter ell had
been comfortably seated, one of the older
scholars, with bowed head and earnest air, i'm
plOred, in the language Of signs, the Divine
blessing upon their humble meal, while the
sincerity and reverence Of the others were
pleasing testimonials to their pure and beauti.
ful faith. ~ "a.
In the afternoon we visited the Blind Asy-
lum, the Asylum for the IndiOtic and Imbecile,
and the Lunatic Asylum. In the former are
one hundred and ten pupils; nearly all of their
countenances wearing the sad and subdued ex-
preston 90 Characteristic of the Blind. But
they were all well-drsssed and cheerful, and
seemed happy and contented.
In the Asylum forthe Idiotic and Imbecile are
about thirty children. One or two Of them
were really handsome and comparatively intel
Ggent lOoking-but they all had vacant, staring
ewes that were most painful to behold A gym
nasium is now attached to this institution, and
has proved of vast benefit to the inmates
We also visited the Lunatic Asylum. The
number Of inmates is over two hundred. 1t is
q welI>ordered and wellScOnducted Institution /;
remarkable for its cleanliness and excellent ar
rangements Fiity-eight per cent. of the in
sane who entered the Institution last yelr were
discharged cured. These are all magnificent
charities, and one cannot but feel that all the
money expended in their behalf is devoted to
the noblest of Christian purposes.
hear It ssid that the effort will probably be
made during the winter to procure an appro-
priation for the erection Of new building for
the Deaf and Dumb. If made, hope it may
be successful ALLiFooTE.