Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-11-02
WHAT GOV. BABsTow AND THE SUPERVISORS
TEE INSANE SAW AT NORTHAMPTON.

TEE INSANE SAW AT NORTHAMPTON.
In an item last week we mentioned the
fact that Gov. BArstow and the Supervisors
of the Insane, after visiting the Vermont asy
lum, had gone TO Northampton Mass. 10
look over two public institutions there. In
this weeks Argus DR.. L. C. Butler makes
some 'jottings' of the trip. After mention
ing the Governors qualification at the gen.
eral appearance" of the Vermont ASYLUM he
writes as follows Of what was seen at North
ampton:
accompanied by the board of supervisors
and Hon. Charles Thatcher OF the board of
directors Of the state prison, the Governor
visited also the Massachusetts state ASYLUM
for the insane, at Northampton, and also the
Clark institute for deaf mutes, where Yer
mont has six benefciaries, under the instruc-
ton of Mrs. Harriet B. Rogers, the accom-
plished and enthusiastic principal of that in
stitution. Three of these benefciaries, Frank
A. Spaulding of Rockingham, Annie L. For
rest of Wilmington, and Celia King of West
more, have been admitted during the present
year. Amanda Pearl, of st. Johnsbury. was
admitted in 1878; Thomas O'Neill of Bur
hngton, in 1881 and John W. king, of Ben
son, in 1873. The Clark institute was en-
dowed by Mr.. Clark with a fund of $3.50.
600, and is a private institution Ii is prac
tically a school for instructing deaf and dumb
pupils to talk as other people do without the
use Of the sign method used in other similar
institutions, which the principal repudiates
wholly in her teaching. There are some 90
children in the institution, and they are as
bright and promising looking as are ordinari
ly found in any of our schools As thew
gathered in the scLocLIQom one would hard
ly suspect that the important faculties of
hearing and speech we're wanting. But these
faculties are Supplied by the method of teach
ing employed. Practically the deaf hear, the
dumb speak, and, after few years training
three or four, it may be-they return 10
their homes, able to converse intellgently
with their friends. The task is accomplished.
of course, through the medium of The per
ceptive faculties, cultiyating the vocal organs
SO as to indicate the letters of the alphabet
by the position these organs assume. and the
use of the blackboard in putting them 10.
gether in words ard sentences. OF necessity
the process is slow, and the result only ae-
eomphshed by patient, persistent instruction.
1t Is one OF the wonders of the age in which
we live The institution has not been long
IN existence, but II has already accomplished
much good for this unfortunate class of peo-
pie The pupils are supported in part by the
state that sends them, and in part by the
fund of the institution.
The asylum for the insane has large and
spacious grounds, neatly laid out, with shady
walks and cool retreats, and with sufficient
diversity OF level and rising ground to make
the landscape pleasant aud agreeable. The
number of inmates is about 40, nearly equal.
ly divided between the sexes. A large pro.
portion of the cases are chronic and hope
less a considerable portion of them, we
were informed, are harmless and not danger