The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-11-08
New England Institute for the Blind

The examination of pupils Of the New Eng
land Institute for the Instruction OF the l'llha
took place in the Representatives Hail, at Mont
pelier, on the evening OF Nov. 7th.
The Hall was crowded at an early hour Will
members and others interested.
Mr.. Campbell, himself a blind man, connect
cd with the Institute, addressed the assembly
stating the circumstances that had induced him
and female teacher also blind, and four pupils
to appear in public at this time and place.
There were in the State of Vermont ten blind
children, who desired to enjoy the blessings OF
education. 4 yearly appropriation OF two thou-
sand dollars was needed, that the application
which tho friends Of these children had made
for them to enter the Institute might be tavora-
bly, answered. 1t wae, that members OF Legs
lature might judge Of the proficiency made by
blind pupils that they had come before them
Hc presented letter he had just received from
one of the applicants referred to, and requested
that some gentleman would read it to the audi
ence D. H. Ranney of Brattleboro, Chairman
of Committee OH Education, complied with tie
request The letter fully sustained the repre-
sentations in reference to the anxiety of the
blind to avail themselves of the privileges of the
Institute
The examination commenced with exercises
in reading. The two older pupils, young ladies
in their teens, read any portion OF their books
with entire Huency. Passages from the New
Testament were called for, quickly found, and
rapidly read
Examinations followed in arithmetic and
geography, using a map cased in wood. We
give an example of their mental arithmetic.
Mr. Hrrrick. representative from the town Of
Wolcott, asked for the interest to be given OF
one dollar for one day. The question was an
swered thus ANY sum of money at interest
doubles in two hundred months; the interest Of
one dollar then, for two hundred months is one
dollar, for two montlF, one hundrcdth part Of
a dollar, or one cent, for six days, one-tenth Of
one cent, or one mill, for one day, one-siXth OF
one mill. or Onc-sixtcth of one cent.
The interest Of the audience continued to III
crease as the examination progressed, and
amounted to enthusiasm before ts completion
Words Of sympathy were heard on every side :;
and Of wonder, at the requirements of the pu-
pills.
The singing Of the pupils WA. much admired
thar of the youngest, a little girl Of
eight years, whose enumeration was Il Lesson -
many older singers.
There IL something about the efforts Of tie
hii"' w VI" "ii'e WV NhAt W tAlt ih'-
fortunes Of their lot, that we believe always
awakcns feeling akin to pity perhaps, but not
with admiration. Surely the Rep
resentatiyc Hail. never reaoundel with applause
80 kindly given, and 50 thoroughly felt by those
who gave it, az that which greeted the efforts of
thcse children Of sorrow.
At the close Of the examination, Specimcns Of
the printed pages read, also Of The writing of
the scholars were distributed among the audi
nncc. A few specimens Of tho writing Of tie
we'll known blind and deaf mute, Laura Rridg-
man, were reserved for members Of the Legis-
aturr.
Rev. Mr.. Batch gave expression 70 the feel
ngs of pleasure and sympathy awakened by the
examination, in brief address.
Mr.. Ranncy stated that it would be his mind
to allow, those who wished, to contribute some
thing to pay the travelling expenses of Mr..
Campbell and pupils. Mr. Camp bell stated that
they wished for no such collection; and should
apply money given, to assisting blind children
in Vermont, 10 come to the Institute a Boston.
After q collection OF tifty-lour dollars had
,ccn announced, the audience dispersed.