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AGE OF ADMISSION.

In the early years of the school the time allowed to the beneficiaries of the several States was very short, and that the pupils might be able to accomplish the most in the time allowed, the age of admission was set high, as the following extract from the twenty-seventh annual report will show

"Those children who were to receive no aid from any public body, and whose term of instruction was therefore not limited, like that of beneficiaries, have always been admitted to the Asylum at the age of ten years, if their friends desire it; and in a few cases they have been taken at an earlier age, because, it was presumed, that if five years were not sufficient, they would be kept still longer under instruction. But for the larger class of its pupils, the Asylum, in view of the whole subject, and after much consideration, fixed upon fourteen years at first, and afterwards upon twelve, as the best time for the commencement of their education. This course was adopted in accordance with the views and wishes of a most respectable board of commissioners, appointed by the legislatures of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, to examine into the state and condition of this institution, as respects its funds, and the instruction, treatment, and employment of the pupils, and to ascertain the terms and conditions upon which the deaf and dumb, who may be sent to the Asylum by those States, will be received."

In 1843 the age of admission was again reduced, as will appear by the following vote passed by the board of directors

"Voted, That the earliest age for the admission of pupils into the Asylum be eight years; with the hope that all such that are admitted at an earlier age than twelve years shall be continued for the term of six years at least."

It is interesting to notice the change in the age of pupils at admission since then. An examination of the records shows that of the first one hundred pupils only eight were under ten years of age, when they began their school course; fifty three were sixteen years of age or over; forty-two were eighteen years of age or over; fifteen were over twenty five years of age, and one had reached the age of fifty.

Of the last one hundred admitted previous to May, 1889, forty-eight were under ten years of age; nine were over sixteen years of age, and only four had passed the age of eighteen. One had reached the age of twenty-seven.

The average age of the first one hundred pupils at admission was 17.91 years. The average age of the last one hundred at admission was 10.77 years -- a gain of 7.18 years in the right direction.

TIME ALLOWED FOR INSTRUCTION.

In the matter of time allowed at school, the deaf-mute children of this generation are highly favored above those of two generations ago. On this point the seventh annual report of this school speaks as follows: "Some pupils stay at the Asylum only two years, and four is thought by many a pretty considerable time for completing their education. And yet in this time some hope that these infants in knowledge, though they may be men in stature, as ignorant of knowledge of language, when they begin, as the little child who is taking his first lessons in his primer, can be taught how to write English with grammatical accuracy, and to read books with understanding, and also have their minds opened to the reception of moral and religious truth, and to an acquaintance, perhaps, with arithmetic, geography, and history, and in addition to all this, become tolerable proficients in some mechanical employment. Could such things be accomplished in the education of those who are deprived of two of the most important faculties which man enjoys, it would put to shame all that is done by the most ingenious and attentive parents, and at the most celebrated schools, in training up to knowledge and usefulness those who are favored with hearing and speech and all the superior facilities of acquiring information and improvement, which these valuable privileges afford."

In 1825 the commissioners above referred to visited the school, and after full consultation with the board of directors, the latter passed the following preamble and resolution, viz:

"WHEREAS, it is necessary, not only for the good of the pupils, but for the convenience of the Asylum, that every pupil should continue at least four years, that being the least time in which they can acquire even an ordinary education,

"Resolved , That it is expected that no one will be placed here for a less term than four years."

In 1835, the regular term of instruction was extended to five years.

As we look back over this history, and consider the very short time allowed for the school course, and consider, moreover, that the majority of the pupils on entering the school had reached an age when the mind had lost its pliability, we do not wonder that the attainments in language were so limited that they failed to free themselves from deaf-muteisms, but, rather, considering the circumstances, we marvel that they were able to accomplish so much as they did. All honor to them! All honor to the teachers, who, in spite of all drawbacks and discouragements, fitted their pupils to take their parts in life so well! What would be thought in these days of two years, or four years, as the period allowed for the education of deaf-mutes?