The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-07-02

Auatfutttoh u tHo hitHus
We were honored by receiving In
yitatioDs TO visit the closing exercises
of the Pennsylyanlu Institution for tn,
Instruction Of tho Blind, at Goth ans
Race streets, Philadelphia, on Tues
day, June %. 1891. at 1890 q. m.
We found the chapel well filled b!
an audience who seemed to appreciate
the noble work carried OH bytiiis earn
est band of teachers. TO those aaoni
us who have been employed as teach
ers. or have had the direction OF III,
intellectual faculties OF the ordinar,
child, in the various voeations upoi
which the young con enter;-the inf
mite patience and perseverance requir
ed to instruct these dear children, lie
reft, rs they are. OF the greatest aid Il
comprehension, the sense of sight
must be beyond power of belief.
The degree Of excellence to whici
their graduates have attained is rarely
excelied among our more favored chil
dren. We noticed that the lady grad
uating In Instrumental music whose
performance during the day enchanted
us with its power, spirit and accuracy
has been an inmate OF the school bul
four years.
Think of that, young ladiesl Have
you, who cab SEE the notes. the persis
tent patience to 10 fully perfect your
selves in that short space OF time? Tt
prove that this proficiency was moi
limited to the favored few, we were en-
tertained by class of boys. whose
close attention, accurate transcription
and pure rendering OF eeveral chords
given them by letter by their teachers
Prof. Wood. the blind organist. PROVED
how general has been the musical in
struction.
This same class also sang two hymns
at first sight, (touch) the music oil
which had been written FOR this special
occasion, and had never been placed
in their hands until they were in our
presence.
How many classes in our seminarles
are SO faithful to the work assigned
them This success is not due to any
superiority OF natural talent, but its
culture.
Another phase OF the entertainment
which was particularly interesting in
that 1t exhibited In o marked degree
the educational system OF patience
and perseverance carried out In SO ex.
ceptionul manner In this Institution,
was the tambourine drill, kindergarten
games. and ealisthenic exercises, the
music for which was played by blind
student.
Tho classes marched to music to
their places, making every change OF
position. every evolution and motor
with such harmony and grace and per
rect unison with the music as to make
the whole exercise perfect poem.
Do you realize what it must be to bs
the instructor To thus perfectly drill
a class of blind children? A elias;
whose every motion must he taught
them by touch and by verbal instruc
ton.
In our own schools, an observing
child can readily assume the many
graceful positions. by initiating theil
leader, and the number OF pupils In NJ
way binders the advancement of thu
class. In this case every child ha'
need OF special touch instruction ant
constant oversight.
During the past winter and spring
several delightful Entertainments have
| been given In these beautiful exercises
by this school The readings done by
touch. having raised letters, also the
Rotations were fine and proved O
good conception OF the subject and Q
well drilled fiexibility Of voice.
As closing exercise the school as
sembled upon the platform and JOINED
in rendering Aud Lang Syne" with
wonderful spirit and precision, NOV
ing on and of the stage in perfect or
der and quiet. O marvel indeed Of
training and good management. Az
ter the entertainment, visitors wers
permitted to inspect the samples oil
work remaining on hand, where In
decd still greater Surprises were II
store.
In the kindergarten rooms figur.
stitching, paper weaving, clay model
ing, etc, proved the excellent state o
attention among the little ones, not
mentioning the heroic patience OF theil
teachers
In the work department. we can con
celye OF no more perfect success with
pupils having all the senses, than have
been here attained.
Lace of exquisite design, every mesl
exact, and worthy indeed of a place In
Memorial Hail." We'd with hand and
machine sewing, bead work, cabinet
work, brooms, carpets, ETC., etc., al
made by blind students and all well
and artistieally done.
Dear reader, please call to mind
the blind children yRI have met.
As rule we find them, while under
home discipline, an undeveloped and
rather troublesome class, bellev
ing themselves absolved from most
of life's duties because of their atiiic.
ton, and willing to throw themselves
upon the compassion and charity oil
father, mother, brother, or friend IA
Their than to battle with LIES duties
for themselves.
BY contrast We see these pupils c. eer-
full, capable and willing. earnest to Sc
stand among mankind that their attic,
ton shall be ignored, and happy with
consciousness of duties well done
As public, we owe heartfelt thanks
to Mr.. Allen and his most efficient
corps OF teachers, for thus brighten
ing tho lives OF SO large proportion
of our population. MRs A. w.