The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-03-14
Laura Brldgman,a Appeal.

In another column We publish an interest,"
ing fac simile reproduction of an appeal by
Laura Bridgman for the establishment of a
kindergarten school for blind children. This
is work in which the benevolent who are
especially interested in the condition of the
sightless have been for some time earnestly
engaged, and second appeal to the public
has lately been issued by Mr.. Anagnos, a
devoted friend of these unfortunates, and
an enthusiast in the system of instruction
for little children, of which Froebel was the
first philosophical and practical organizer,
and which seems peculiarly applicable to the
education of this class He says:
There is in New England large number Of blind
children, between the ages of four and nine for
whose instruction and training there is no provis.
ion whatever; whereas, owing to the nature of
their nhrmity and to the undesirableness Of their
surroundings, these afflicted members Of the hu-
man family need more care and cultivation than
all others. They are shrouded from the cradle in
the cesseless gloom that has settled down like
night upon them. They oppressed by poverty.
and threatened by degradation. They are doomed
to an existence Of ignorance and misguided indul-
gence. They parch and pine within short distance
Of a bezevolence known all over the civilized
world.
Such school, in small way, is already
In operation in connection with the Perkins
Institution for the Blind, in South Boston.
1t is desired to found and substantially en-
dow separate school, for which purpose
the sum of $4,000 is asked for. Many
earnest philanihropists are helping en- this
design, and the treasurer is Mr.. Edward
jackson, 1873 Devonshire street, Boston.
There is singular pathos 10 the simply
worded appeal of Laura Bridgman. We
print the fac sfnaile reproduction OF her let
ter for this reason, and because we know
many will be glad to sec such aa evidence of
what can be accomplished ia the education
OF those who are bereft of the common
means of developing intelligence Miss
Bridgman is now "a years old. BY severe
illness when she was two years old she was
made bliRd, deaf and dumb, and the senses
Of smell and taste we're greatly impaired At
the age Of eight she became an inmate of the
Perkins Institution, and the late DR.. s. G.
Howe undertook the work of instructing
her, which was carried on with patience
through many years. Her mind was bright
and she never wearied of instruction. The
beginning was made by placing in her hand
some object with which she was familiar, as
fork or spoon, and at the same time Its
name in raised letters, until she perceived
the relation between the thing and its name.
For two years instruction was confined to
the uames of objects and then the attempt
was made to give instruction in their quail
ties, and still later in their relations. She
was then taught to write, aad her first letter
written unassisted was to her mother. She
became skillful performer on the piano
forte, has practical knowledge of needle
work and Of many household duties. The |
mysteries of the christian revelation have |
been explained to her. Her disposition is |
cheerful, her department modest and digni- |
fed. She is pattern of order and neatness |
In all her ways. Ten years ago DR.. Howe |
said Of her, "She enjoys life quite as much, |
probably more, than most people do. She
reads whatever books she finds in raised |
print, but especially the Bible. She makes
much of her own clothing, and can run a |
sewing machine. She seems happiest when
she can find some person who knows the
finger alphabet and can sit and gossip with
her about acquaintance. the news and gen.
eral matters"
She knows if anyone does how great a
boon education will be to those who "liVe |
now in darkness and gloom"