Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-10-08


The addition of each member 10 the num-
Der supported brings also a corresponding
increase Of expense, however small OF rea-
sonable that may be.
Last year, the capacity Of the institution
was increased nearly one-halr, by Tempo
rarily fitting up building on the premises,
TO be used for the infant department., u
branch which is considered one of the
most important. This was occupied by
twenty-one infants.
This arrangement Of room was necessari-
ly too inc Jnvenient and incomplete t. be
permanent. The necessities of each year
seemed 10 demand, still mole imreralyely,
a permanent enlargement Of the inslilu-
ton. Already the number Of applications
which the managers have been compelled
TO refuse erceedS four hundred. And one
year ago last spring, encouraged by the
past and the promise of friends for the fu-
ture, they resolved 10 post pone no longer
the enlargement of their building and
now it is most gratifying TO say, that an adj
| dition to the former house has been COM
pleted, by which one hundred children can
be more conveniently and comfortably ac-
commodated than were the forty, the limit
of the building before its enlargement.
The plan adopted by the board was 10
place a mansard roof upon the old build
ing, which would practically amount to adj
ding TO it a third story, and at the same
| time give it sufficient height for proper
architectural effect and tlen by extend
ing wings from it, seYenty-two feet each
way, TO the north and south, make ii event.
ually the centre of building, the total
| length of which would be one hundred
and ninety-five feet. For the present, only
the south wing has been finished. This
extension contains, in the basement, the
kitchen, the laundry and wash room, fur
nished with modern conveniencies so nee
essary TO economy in labor, and therefore
in the expense of caring for SO large num-
Der of inmates. On the first floor is a large
and pleasant school room, a library, and a
reception room for visitors. The second
floor is arranged with commodious and
well ventilated dormitories, provided with
closets and bath rooms. The attic will be
used for drying clothes and storage pur-
poses. An elevator, connecting the laundry
with The attic, renders each floor equally
accessible, and is especially useful for the
distribution of clothing. BY this arrange
ment the old building, which is substsn-
tally fire proof, can be devoted to the use
of the infant department and the hospital.
The cost of this addition is about $4,000.
In conclusion, we may add that Of the
two hundred and seventy-six children who
have been taken by the Home since its es-
Enlistment in 1865, only six have been re-
moved by death seventy are al the present
time inmates of the charity, fifty of whom
are boys, and two hundred have been
adopted into good families, where they are
being nurtured and trained by those who
feel a personal interest in their welfare,
and where they will be fitted TO become in
telligent and useful members Of society.
This has been accomplished at a total ex-
pense, for the ten years, of about $4,000.
This, it will be understood, is exclusive of
the cost of the premises. To this amour.
should be added the value of the donations
of clothing and provisions which have
been given periodically by generous
friends of the charity. The annual average
of the actual cost of supporting a child at
the Home is about seventy dollars in mon
ey.
When we realize The fact that this small
sum per year has provided everything es-
sential 10 the health and comfort of the
child including the constant service of ca
pable teachers, and a matron, 1t can hardly
be stated that the Home has not been from
the very beginning economically conduct
ed.
In rd In ba nil
ed by the Home during this decade, who
can measure it? The future Of our State
and country is intimately involved in the
success of institutions which shield the I'M
protected waits of society from The terrible
evils TO which they are exposed, and sur
round them with wholesome and benefi-
cent influences which teud TO develop,
strengthen and mould character upon
which the prosperity Of that future de-
ponds.
Can, then, the people of our State consci-
entiously withhold from a charity which
has for its object the care and education of
our destitute children, the encouragement
to which it seems entitled?
And when it is remembered that "edu-
cation ends only with life, and a child is
given to the universe TO educate" the du-
ty and responsibility of the public, of the
parent, and of the indiv idual, to contribute
TO the maintenance and prosperity of the
Home, is too clear and too great to be eth
err wholly neglected or but partially dis
charged.
Let, then, 'every man do according as be
is disposed in his heart, not grudgingly or
of necessity for God loveth cheerful Civ
err"