Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-12-30
THE DE AZ AID DIM

demand; indeed, few Of our residents realize
that Washington is fast becoming a center for
such, and that within the District limits there
are those that are equal IL not superior to
any similar institutions in this country or the
world.
Among the principal OF these is the in stitu
ton named at the head OF this article. and we
have been struck with its rapid gro with and
prosperity, as evidenced in the annual report
OF the trustees Just published. Probably there
are many amongst us who if aware OF the ex-
istence of such an Institution. know nothing
OF the magnitude OF its design or the rapidly
of It's advancement. From the little frame
building In which IL had its origin on the
borders OF Kendall Green, In tne northeastern
section Of the city, numerous fine buildings
have sprung, which will compare fayorably
with any of the city's improvements both in
size and beauty of design, many OF them being
architectural gems, aud decided innovations
on the e'aid, stiff and homely structures so
generally presented 70 the eyes of Washing
tonians- special feature in the history O,
this institution il the noiseIess and unob,ru.
sivs manner in which such great results have
been accomplished. by which a great philan-
thropic work has been inaugurared and AL
ready carried To such point TO give IL
rank with the foremost, not only here but in
Europe
In February last, the Board of Director,
adopted q resolution instructing tn. Presidep,
20 visit the schools OF Great Britain, France
Prussia. Germany, Belgium, Switzerland ana
Italy, examine carefully int the merits of tn.
various methods and sy stems pursued therein
make full memoranda of all facts of value
elected. and report the result of his Iabors %
tbs Board.
In pursuance OF these instructions Prasl-
Gen. Gsiiauder visited Europe and examined
the workings OF hfty-fo distinct institutions
Tor Gear mutes IN fourteen countries, the re-
cults OF which are given in tbs very able asd
comprehensive report before US So wide a
tour of inspection OF schools OF this class has
never before been made by a single individual
The results deduced and opinions formed by
him are therefore entitled 10 special considera-
ton In his report be divides the establish.
rents Ne has seea into three classes, accord
ing 20 the method or system Of instruction en-
picyed.
FIRST. Those that make use of THE Natural
Method" founded by the Able de TEpee. in
Paris, IN 100, wherein the sign language i, the
basis Of effort:
Secondly. Those conducted oa The Art.
ncisl Method" founded by Samuel Hsinicke
n Germany, I760, ard which has for its priu'
opal AIM the development by unnatural pro-
essse= OF the power OF speech; and
thirdly. Those schools which make use O,
VIA: may Be- termed "rhe Combined system
where an attempt Is made to harmonize the
valuable elements In the two methods origin
ally IN opposition TO each other.
In schools Of this latter class the pre..e.t
csSree Of progress Il attained and the report
onmsuds the adoption OF articulation as 8
regular branch OF instr ction TO ali those
capable Of success.
Ii - found that less than q ma jority of the
deaf and dumb can acquire artificial speech 70
an extent which mSy render it a yaluabls
accomplishment; hence the sign Language
mur contin ne TO be the basis Of general effort
m behalf Of this class of persons-thus demon
stra'ins the wisdom OF the early teachers Of
nHtes In THIS country who preferred the
French 20 the German method
The interesting fact was established in tbi.
fCreig2 Investigation that no country IN IN.
world has carried the practical education o, !
ne deaf and dumb TO so high q point As mas
been done IN this country To our CITY belonRs
tie bon or Of possessing the first ami thus far)
tie On ly college for deaf mutes in the world
les department of the lnx rirution was opened
N Il 4. and already contains thirty students
reP rssenting fifteen States of The Union, having
attracted also, by the superior opportunities il
Is snsoled 20 offer, one young man from Eng.
Hard
AGc puolIC keLefdiiy, we conCelye- know
little of the history and progress OF this uniqus
educational undertaking, that we propose 20
lay before them az account or the origin and
grcvtn Of what is now a leading and repre-
sentative institution During the years 1856
az adyeuturer brought a few poor deaf-muta
children 10 this city, and opened q private
school FOR the instruction OF this class of per-
sens, including the blind as we'll. He succeeded
II existing the sympatnies and co-operaton
OF many benevolent citizens, among whom
Hen Amos Kendall, Rev. Dr. Sunderland. w
W CC-eorsn, Esq, George w. Rigs, ESQ,
James G. Mcclure, Esq, and Dasid A. Han,
ESQ., Of this city, and the late VIM H. Edes,
Esq., and Judsos Mitchell, Esq, Of George
lowe may Dc mentioned as the most promi.
ne2t- These gentlemen gave largely OF their
tine or money 10 the undertaking and ar
leigh formed an association. and pe,itioned
Cor sress FOR an act incorporating the .sCoIuua.
oia Institution for the Deaf ard Dumb and the
blird-" Such an act was passed in February
leSs- Before his, however, the disreputable
ana unreliable Character OF the person referred
10 as having private school for deaf 20 utes
appeared, and he took no part in the In sritu.
ucn, So u existed under the law Of Congress-.
In May. 1-57, Edward NJ GaIIaudet, then an
Instructor IN the parent American institution
established BY his father in Hartford, Conuec.
roliy tuc pfceeEt century, ylted
20 organize and take charge OF the In FAINT insti-
ton he entered upon his duties In June and
Caring The first year the Institution received
eighteen pupils
The buildings used for The il stitution were
OF temporary cnaracter-one having been
presented, together with two acres of ground,
oy mr Kendall, and the other on an adjoining
lot being rented In 1850 Mr.. Kendall added
20 LIS previous benefsctions by erecting on the
iot already given, a substantial brick struc-
ture at q cost OF about eight thousand dollars
fnasing this ever 70 the institution as a gift a,
10 C mpleiio1. From he first, Congress as
Suued The support OF the Institution, by max
Ing appropriations sufficient TO meet all its
Eeeessary annual expenses, and when in Isa
y became necessary 20 enlarge the buildings
Al appropriation Of nine thousand dollars for
tnat purpose was granted without objection
IL l-si, the idsa of q collegiate department
which bad been previously advanced in re-
ports Of The ipstltunon, WAS developed-Con-
g-ess passing law in April OF that year an.
thorizing the institution TO confer degrees i'm
the Aria and Sciences, snd in July making an
appropriation Of twenty-six thou sand dollars
TO secure tract of land suitable for the work
OF the Institution In It's W field OF operattoa.