Year: 1877




compliance with the and the
Report


The pupils during past present ses
fever occurring the close of last session. have had
little disease throughout the year


The usual being in the literary musical
and mechanical departments and the pupils making
mendable progress.


The of pupils attending the year
twenty eight less than registered the year pre-
vious In explanation of this falling off, it may be stated that
eight of the number sought the Institution nfmar
than educational establishment. Two, it is believed
benefited by the treatment given them predecessor
left before the session closed One died. and the
ing ve being only partially blind and finding they
by the treatment left tue session
did not again return


exhibit only twenty eight pupils which believed
is the largest number received here if except those
poor one when it that this institution
in operation twenty-five years. 1t is estimated there
least five hundred blind in the State of which
number hundred eghyseven the ages
eight and twert yearsthe most approved for
standing State has provided for this unfortunate class Of
people, charge few have avaed themselves of its
beray but find that the experience of all Institutions
for the Blind has been the same in this respect.


The Indifference whatever else it be called on the
part parents and friends Of the blind regard to their
education may be ascrbed to variety OF causes In the first
place. in the State both blind and
know of the existence of nstuton and
many knowing do not properly appreciate the advana
ges education to the blind Again. parents from
tenderness for their sghtess children unw
part with them to trust them the of persons
unknown to them. certain the attendance of pupils





shed condition people, especially in that class where
blind mostly found and that there many of these
afflicted who under favorable circumstances would
avail themselves Of the advantages offered them by this
Institution.


! am in correspondence now, with several pupils who
having session here are desrous OF returning put lack
the do To most of those living remote from the
Institutions expenses attendant upon journey OF hun
dred and fifty hundred miles, virtually excludes them
the last year the railroads for the most part
the pupils this Institution Now however as far as am
informed full fare exacted of them by all the roads with
the exception of the Vckburg and Meridian road which only
requires half fare


To meet some of the difficulties have here
aed it has suggested that intelligent agent be sent
out to parents and friends of blind children that an
Institution for their education does exist and to explain to
them the advantages offered by it. This suggestion doubt
less good one and in proof of it, extract from the Report
of the of Arkansas Institution, Mr. Otis
Patton ripe and varied experience in all that apper
tans to the the blind the following observations


OF the thirteen Southern Institutions for the blind in
cudng those Maryland and West Virginia. the Arkansas
Institute is the Youngest only have greater
number of pupils This favorable result is doubtless owing to
the efforts which made inform the blind of Arkan
as and their friends and object of the Ins


bv exhibitions personal visits the blind in their
@ will appear from the fact that of fifty pupils who
homes the privileges of Institution during the last
have enJoye eight are from where have given
wbbtons: eight from counties where nave mace per
sonal visits and only four from oener S M t @
two hind persons who have been connected WIN Tue lnsse
wv m nnnis since it's organization, elghtyh hve are from
twenty two counties which have peeh '' ' ' N
represent other countles.


ware hat any effort this kind has been resort
ID this Institution though two of ther


suggested to Legislature the proprey OF some sucn
H3 the effort been upon the plan of Mr. Patton
have not doubt Institution would years ago. nave pee
% 70 the State of Mississippi that having embarked In the
onavolent enterprise Of taking OF her
at advance o ede oe M bv her
State whose material resources as weli as n
much less cannot doubt however, e e W It would
made in furtherance of this object at the proper
have been favoraby responded to by the


In the remote counties and especially IN .nos d M nn
from the highways OF traVei Sonie sao ~
Ito he absolutely necessary