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Now, I will venture to add, in speaking of the ultimate results, that the intrinsic usefulness, comfort, and happiness of the subject of the special education is as much promoted in the case of the idiot as in that of the deaf-mute or the blind; that the comfort and happiness of the friends is in still greater measure promoted by such education in the case of the idiot than in later subject of other kindred charities.

But I may say, more specifically, that the ultimate results of our instruction will be of this character.

In the first place, there are cases which may be called cases of simulative idiocy. These are children whose development has been retarded from congenital or other causes of a physical nature and where these causes have been removed by the recuperative effort of nature; but the subjects are left bound down by the strong force of improper habits, which can be overcome only by the judicious labors of a suitable instruction. In these cases the result can be predicted with the utmost certainty. It will be the complete preparation for all the ordinary duties and enjoyments of humanity. Another class, embracing what may be called the higher grades of idiocy, will be fitted at our asylum for entering common schools, to continue their education there with the same ends and objects as the other pupils; to be qualified like them for civil usefulness and social happiness.

But the lowest class of our pupils will receive here corresponding benefits, and comparatively, perhaps, equal improvement, for the lower the pupil in point of intelligence, the more practical will be the instruction. Even those will be rendered decent in their habits, more obedient, furnished with more extended means of happiness, educated in some simple occupations and industry, capable of self support under judicious management in their own families, or in well-conducted public industrial institutions for adult idiots.

With this confident assertion of the general ultimate and practical good results of a proper educational course for idiots, I am yet ready to admit the existence of exceptional cases which may be called incurable; I say incurable rather than insusceptible- because this incapacity for development resides not in any peculiarity of size or quality or even function in the brain -- but is always, in my opinion, the result of disease involving an actual disorganization of the nervous centres, the brain or spinal cord.

Oftentimes this diseased condition cannot be predicated in a given case, and we are authorized to form such an opinion only after a faithful trial of suitable remedial and educational means.

But the good results of such benevolent institutions as our own will not be confined to the idiots within their walls, as may be plainly seen in the history of all other public charitable institutions. They will affect favorably the condition of every idiot in the State.

I have attempted to set forth in this report the leading characteristics and phenomena of idiocy, the deviations, as I regard them from the natural standard of humanity; I have given an imperfect exposition of the principles and modes of a system of management and education designed for the relief and elevation of idiots; I have stated what, it would seem to me, to be the obvious results of such adapted measures, as a matter of theory. It only remains to add, that just such measures, in several countries, and under a variety of circumstances, have entirely satisfied the reasonable expectations and hopes of the friends of humanity in their behalf.

Institutions exist in France, in Switzerland, in Wurtemberg, in Prussia and in Saxony, and they have been crowned with abundant success as is confirmed by a multitude of authorities who have been eye witnesses. Four years have now elapsed since the establishment by private endowments of the English asylum for idiots, and complete realization of the hopes and wishes of its founders, is the only inference from the fact, that in the three first years of its history the number of its pupils had increased from 15 to 156, and the means for their support had been proportionately increased. But the successive reports of that institution contain positive testimony of an unquestionable character, of the practical benefits already obtained by their own pupils.

Two schools in Mass., now in the fourth year of their existence, have by corresponding results confirmed the experience of European philanthrophy, that the education of idiots is both practicable and expedient. Furthermore, I think I might with safety appeal to your own observations to sustain me, when I say that even in the short period since our asylum was organized, some improvement has been witnessed within its walls. You will confirm my testimony when I say that the observation of a single day in our asylum, of the habits of order, of regularity, and obedience, and of manifest interest on the part of the pupils, in the various exercises of the school-room; of increased capacity for self-assistance in all personal duties; of the access of some degree of propriety of behavior at the table, and of the substitution of occupations and amusements for disagreable habits, would alone convince of the entire practicability of the scheme for the amelioration of the condition of idiots.