Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1889-05-18

class In Green Hill Presbyterian Church,
and his class, paid visit to the Institu-
tlon for Feeble Minded Children, near
Hlwyn station, Delaware County, Pa, on
the Baltimore and Central Railroad, on
Wednesday. The Pennsylyania Training
School, which, In Its concrete shape, con-
sists OF clusters Of granite buildings and
cottages, Is situated on beautiful and
wooded eminence wesi of the b. and e.
X r., between Media aud Elwyn sta
tions, aud within short walk OF the lat
ter. The farm abounds with pleasant
resorts, which are made the rendezous
fer the circles and clubs on alternating
days. These, in the parlance of the
nuts" "The South Walnuts," "The
Breezes," "The Three Oaks" "The
North Glen," ""The South .Glen," "The
Fox's Den," ''Beach Haven" "The
Ferns" etc. The names fittlngly suggest
tho variety which enters into the daily
life Of the child.
Perhaps the best idea which can be
given OF the susceptibility to improve
ment of these children will be to de-
scribe them as seen In their various occu-
pations during the day.
They rise at $50 a, m., proceed TO the
bath rooms, in charge of their teachers
and nursts, and prepare for breakfast al
$50. They use knives, forks, spoons,
napkins and napkin rings, like othei
well bred children. After breakfast
they are distributed to their va ious
duties in the main building, the boys oc-
cupying the north and the girls the south
wing.
The windows have been thrown wide
open during the breakfast hour, and are
now well aired, ard the beds are ready tc
be made. The beds are excellent hali
mattress, soft and spiiuRy. and are manu-
factured by the boys OF the establishment
| under the direction of one individual.
Over the pillows OF tue older girls are
spread shams which they have themselves
| embroidered, some in large initials only,
others In pictures like "Good Night
"Good Morning" the work as beautifully
wrought as II done by the most skilful
young lady in the land.
The next room we enter Is one of the
two sewing rooms. In the fra boys
undershirts, pillow cases, sheets, towels
and aprons are made. In this room, at
different hours of the day, thirty girls
are Instructed.
The three hundred child-an OF the
middle and high grades, residl < IN the
main buildings, are sub-div led into
bCNin EIiute. WO Ol ItIr T.
are instructed by kindergarten methods
In rooms OF the main building, while the
children of the other five grades go daily
to the different rooms OF the new and
commodious school building, a few hun.
dred yards distant.
| The next room we enter is the exercise
room. In a few minutes n teacher Mt a
piano struck up tune, and at a word
from her several of the classes stepped
upon the floor and went through interest
Ing, graceful and mplicated exercises III
calisthenics. Then followed recitation.
in concert, singing, dumb-bells, and othei
exercises. TEe children are organized
into five circles of girls and ten clubs o.
boys, classified in some respect, accord
ing to age, but also with reference t
their adaptability to each other. Some o
the circles were named "Faith, ""IIope, .
"Good VIII" and "Liberty." Otheli
were named after prominent men o
leading beneiactors OF the school. Every
child knew the group to which he be
longed. The children seemed to take {
keen delight In the recllations and sing
ing.
After the exercises were over one of th
very pleasant teachers showed u
through all the buildings. We came t,
the laundry where tn, re are II 900 piece
OF clothing, &c. washed every week. To,
next building we visited was the bakery
1n this three hoys are employed. Two o
these will pass for skill ed workmen undel
the direction of the principal baker. sil
hundred sugar cakes are required fv
Sunday supper, and about four thousand
live hundred ginger cakes are necdeC
weekly for the children's lunch.
We went from the buildings to The
Elwyn picnic grounds and got our supper
Then we walked over TO Rockdale au(
rode to Chester, took the b. * o. and ar
rived in Wilmington ut $50 o'clocl
much pleased with our trip.
Among those present were Mr.. JOIN
B. Kelley, teacher, and his two sons. Mr.
J. Windett and the Misses Miller, Moore
Scanlan, Corcoran, lIatherton, Cunning
ham aud Fleming. G.F,
We accidentally overheard thn fnIlnyp,