The sun., 1890-10-19
FOR DEAF-MUTES,
DEG REEFS CONFERRED ON sTuDENIs
VINO CANNOT MEAN,
The wonderrni Progress n the EdueatioA
orthe Deaf and Dumb-Ths CurricuiuWa |
OF the National College at washlnuton,


The woaderrai Progress n the EdueatoA
orths Deaf and Duab-Ths CurricuinVa
or tho National College at waphIngton.
VERY little Ia known about tho ancient treat
ment OF the dent. but Aristotle IL credited with
saying, somewhere In his mustv works, that
the deaf arc wholly Incapable of receiving In
tellectual Instruction. History tells us, how
ever, that deafness was sometime, deemed a
visitation OF Divine wrath, and that tho poor
victim was fieQUently destroyed TO save the
family honor, or was cassyd with the idiotc
and insane and treated as an outcast. This
opinion must have prevailed for many cen
turtles, for 1t was within the last l50 years that
II was discovered that tho deaf woro CAPABLE
OF receiving intellectual instruction.
\ college for deaf-mutss was founded In tho
city of Washington about twenty-sx years
ago 10 combat tho popular prejudice. Tho
college grow and thrvel. Fow pcople know
anything about the National Dea.-Mute Col
lcRe. or the Columbia Institution for tho Deaf
and Dumb, as 1t Is known Officially at Kendall
Green, Washington. A man VINO, had he lived
1000 years ago. might have bocn roasted bc-
cause he could neither hear nor speak. to. day
studies moral philosophy. the calculus, and
ancient and modern languages, and graduates
from college with degree.
The Columbia Institution was Incorporated
In 1857, and has since then beon sustained by
Congress MS an institution where deaf-mute
children living in the District Of Columbia and
chi dTen OF soldiers and sailors should receive
free education. Ample provision Is also made
for deaf-mutcs from the States and Territories
who have not the means OF delraying the OK
pensos Of tuition which amount to $3.50 year
The institution continued Tor sovcn years us an
ordinary high school. hut in 1864 It was decided
tn p,,ltn ,r,nt,, u (N.p-
gress passed an act authorizing ho institution
to confer collegiate degrees. Tho institution
was then divided into two departments. the
school and the National Denf- Mute College. In
one of his annual reports DR.. Edward NJ. Gal
laudet the President If the college. says:
The object of the directors in establishing
a school oil this grade. thus taking a step un-
precedented in tho history OF deni-mute in
struction, was in part to prove, what had becn
doubted by some, that persons deprived OF
henr ng and speech could, In spite Of their dis
ability. engage successfully In the u advanced
studies pursued in colleges for the hearing.
The more important end IN view. however,
was to afford TO q class OF persons in the com
steadily with the nopuiGticn, an opDortuuity
to SECURE the advantages OF rigid and thor
ouGh coursS OF intellectual tran,nG In tho
higher walks OF literature and the liberal arts"
The best evidence Of the success OF the
from the annual report Of 1887. wIieh teIys els
wh2t pursuits some or the graduates followed: :
tuty VINO nave EOnO out from inc cOlego
have been engaged in aching: one has en-
tered tho ministry: three have become edi-
tors and publishers Of news2apers; three
Journalism: ten have entered the civil service
OF the Government: one. white I'LL ny a posi-
tion as instructor in a Western Institution. has
renlered important service to the Const Sur
vey as microscopst: two have become ac-
compshed draug ltemen in nrc hitects offices /:
one has been repeatedly elected Recorder OF
Deeds In u Sont hern city. ami two others ars
Recorder s clerks in tho West; another has
hNan al. tnlI ify Trn a ia ,pt
cashier OF o national bank: one has become
emil. ent as q practical chemist and assayer; !;
two have taken places in the faculty OF their
alma mater. and are rendering valuable SER
vice as instructors; some have gone into mer-
eaIntile and other Offices; ! somc have under. der
not q few have chosen AGRICULTURAL and me-
chancal pursuits In which the advantages Of
superiority over those % not so well We'll % educated." "
Congress has be n liberal with the institu-
peted which cost sI4.G00. Most of the stu
dents in the college are graduates OF the lower
received their early education In separate local
school, Is. Tho entire curriculum. including an
Introductory year. embraces period Of i've
duc,ory class are examined in these subjects:
The command Of the English as shown in orai
sight paragraphs selected from school books
and from newspapers: IN cxtemporaneous
ntsG s,aas n to
beRinni9,G of tie reign OF Horny VII, political
geography: physical geography. and elements
OF natura philosophy.
The currcuum OF the college is about the
same as that Of amy other college. 1t includes
2oalosy betanE nS ehemistry physies, efe nhSs
ology, French, German. logic mental and
moral science, and political philosophy. Tho
degrees which the college has conferred are:
Bachelor Of Arts, Bachelor OF Science. Bachelor
Of Philosophy. Master, OF Arts Master Of
Science. and Doctor OF Philosophy.
A few years ago student in the college died.
who, had he lived. would have graduated with
tss dest hEEass wtoo hSnoF nc 5i iotnSht before his
1t will take away half the bitterness OF
death to have been allowed to learn something
and valleys AWAY of into that promised
land OF perfect Knowledge. perfect love perfect
glass dnrky' for such is the true result OF
study. Tn. more one learns. the clearer does
he see Gods wondrous goodness, the closer Is
nm lr NEHa IN a linz hIAln, -