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We perused with interest a communication in the February No. of the Southern Literary Messenger with regard to the "Education of Idiots," containing interesting extracts from letters of Dr. Conolly and Mr. Sumner concerning the condition of this unfortunate class of beings in the institutions established in Europe for their relief, and it was not without some feeling of pride in the reputation acquired by our ancestral State that we read the following sentence of the conclusion of the article to which we refer -- "we do not know, but we will lay any wager, even 'our dukedom to a beggarly denier' that Massachusetts has done something decided, something generous upon this subject before now!"

Through some delay in the reception of our Nos. of the Messenger, the communication of which we speak has but recently met our eye, or we should sooner have replied to it, for it has been both our duty and our pleasure to procure such information as we might with regard to the degree of attention which this subject has received from the Legislature of Massachusetts, happy, if through our humble efforts, a wider sympathy may be created in behalf of these sorely-stricken ones, and if the example of our own State may impel sister-states to exertion in their cause.

Through the kindness of Dr. S. G. Howe, Principal of the Perkins Institute for the Blind, at South Boston, a gentleman whose philanthropic exertions are too well known to need comment here, we have been furnished with works (1) from which is derived the information which we present to the correspondents and readers of the Messenger.

"Strange," says Dr. H. in an article on this subject in the Massachusetts Quarterly, "strange how men reading the lessons of the past can be heedless of the cries and demands of humanity in the present! but so it ever is. Nobility in his saddle, Aristocracy in his coach, Respectability in his gig, Property in his counting-room, Propriety in his pew, ever have, and still do cry 'Peace be still!' when the poor and lowly strive to struggle up a step higher upon the platform of humanity. The foremost countries of the world (and Massachusetts is one of them) are, however, beginning to heed the warning of the past and the threatening of the future. Some of the claims of the poorer classes are beginning to be understood, and granted, though still too much as boons, rather than rights. The time was when colleges were considered all that was necessary for national education; the time has come when the common school is considered still more necessary; and the time is at hand when universities for the rich alone shall dwindle into insignificance compared with the vast machinery which shall be put in operation for the education of the children of the poorest citizens. The pay of the dismissed soldier, and the honor now paid to his tawdry tinsel shall go to encourage and elevate the teacher, and the hulks of navies shall be left to rot, that the schoolhouse may be built up and adorned. In the way, too, of what is called charity, but which should be called religion and duty, we are advancing. The time was when deformed children were exposed and left to perish; a Saygetus and Eurotas were everywhere at hand for those who could not be reared to beauty and strength, but now the more deformed they are the more solicitude is manifested in their behalf. The sick are gathered into hospitals, the dumb are taught to speak, the blind to read, the insane to reason, and at last the poor idiot is welcomed into the human family."

"The frightful number of these unfortunates," remarks in another place the same writer, "will dwindle away as the light of knowledge makes clear the laws which govern our existence. But in the meantime," he urges, "let none of them be lost, let none of them be uncared for, -- but whenever the signal is given of a man in distress -- no matter how deformed, how vicious, how loathsome even, he may be, -- let it be regarded as a call to help a brother."

Under an act of the Massachusetts Legislature, April 11th, 1846, Dr. Howe was appointed chairman of a Committee "to inquire into the condition of the Idiots of the Commonwealth, to ascertain their number and whether anything can be done in their behalf." A report was returned in March, 1847; in the meantime the commissioners had been actively employed, both in personal visits and inspection, and also in extensive correspondence, not only in their own State and country, but in Europe. The result of a second year's labor in this cause was reported to the Legislature in February 1848. The first part of the report contains remarks upon the various definitions of the terms Idiots -- Idiocy -- upon their numbers, condition and capacities in Massachusetts, followed by many valuable suggestions as to treatment (gentle or harsh) physical care, &c., from which we would gladly quote did the limits of this article permit. Kind and gentle management has been uniformly found in their case as in that of the insane, most beneficial; and illustrative of this we would cite here an affecting instance mentioned in the Supplement to the Report, of an idiot youth of violent and irritable disposition whose parents had endeavored to overcome this temper by corporal punishment but without success. We will give the account in the narrator's own words.

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"The father spared not the rod, but healed not the child who, on the contrary, grew worse and worse. The lessons in punishment were not lost upon him. Whatever object offended him he would beat and punish just as he had been punished. If it were a tool of any kind he would smash and break it in pieces; if it were a dumb beast he would beat and abuse it.

"It happened one day that a zealous member of the Peace Society was a visitor at the house and witnessed a scene of contest in which the father barely came off victor. The visitor urged the father to follow a different course with his unfortunate son, to abandon all blows, all direct use of force and try mild measures. By his advice Johnny was made to understand that if he should commit a certain offence he would be mildly and kindly remonstrated with, have nothing but bread and water for supper and be obliged to lie upon the floor with only a little straw under him. Very soon he began to practice this mode of punishment upon the cattle. If the cow offended him instead of flying into a passion and beating her, he addressed her gravely, telling her the nature of her offences, and assuring her of the consequences. He would then lead her out, lay some straw upon the ground, bring a little water and a crust of bread, and tell her that was all she could have for supper. One day being in the field he hurt his foot with the rake, and instead of getting angry as he was wont to do and breaking the instrument to pieces, he took it up mildly but firmly, carried it home, got some straw and laid the offending tool upon it; then he brought some bread and water, and demurely told the offender that it had been very naughty that he did not want to hurt it -- but it should have no other supper and no bed to lie on.

"By such means he has been much improved, not only in behavior but in temper. He is growing less violent and more manageable every day."

Truly --, "he that feareth is not made perfect in love."

The first attempt in Europe for the education of Idiots is thus noticed by Dr. Howe -- "It is a singular and interesting fact that the first regular attempt upon record to educate an idiot was made with a view to prove the truth of the theory of the sensualist school of philosophy which was so much in favor, in France, during the Revolution. A wild boy who had been found in the forest, was brought to Paris and became famous as the Savage of Aveyron. Great was the delight of the wise men when they found that this man could not speak any human tongue, and was devoid of understanding and knowledge. The celebrated Itard undertook to teach him, and it was expected that he would prove that all our ideas are derived immediately from the senses and that our mental faculties are only sensations transformed. According to the theory, by causing certain sensations, certain ideas would be generated, and from these a given character produced. No one was better fitted than Itard for giving the experiment a fair trial, and he labored as far as man can whose feet are upon moving sand. But it was all in vain, and would have been nearly in vain under any system, for it became evident that the supposed savage was only an idiot. Itard, however, was not merely a philosopher, but a man of humanity, he became interested in the subject and followed up his attempts to instruct this poor creature with great zeal and ability for several years, and his labor was not lost. He saw what might be done for idiots and his thoughts and hints have been since acted upon by a disciple worthy of such a master -- Mr. Edward Seguin." Dr. Howe also mentions the praiseworthy efforts of Dr. Belhomme, of Paris, Mons. Ferrus, Mr. Falret, and Dr. Voisin. Their principal exertions have been made since the year 1824. "It is however," says Dr. Howe, "due to Edward Seguin to say that to him, more than to any other person, seems to be owing the great and rapid improvement which has been made in the art of teaching and training idiots. He has labored with that enthusiasm and zeal in a beloved object which almost always ensures success. He has put forth a degree of courage, energy and perseverance, which, if exerted in the art of destroying men and cities would have covered his breast with those crosses and decorations and tawdry baubles, so highly prized by vulgar minds. But how utterly worthless would be such tokens of excellence in a bloody and barbarous art compared with the high reward of an approving conscience which must ever follow labors of love in the field of beneficence. We do not know that Seguin has a title; but surely one of field-marshal or peer of France, which might have been given at the whim of a man, could never equal in true honor that of friend and benefactor of the most afflicted of the human race; a title which he has gained by long years of patient toil, and which shall be held in honor when that of destroyer shall cease to be prized by any but barbarians."

Extracts are also made from letters describing the schools for Idiots -- from those of Dr. Conolly and Mr. Sumner, already quoted by the correspondent of the Messenger, and which we therefore omit here, proceeding at once with Dr. Howe's appeal --

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"No systematic efforts," says he, "have yet been made in this country to teach a class of these sorely bereaved creatures, but individual efforts have not been wanting in Massachusetts. The success here obtained for the first time in the education of persons who by the English law are considered to be necessarily idiots as 'wanting all those senses which furnish the human mind with ideas,' has encouraged attempts to educate idiots. (2) The results thus far are most satisfactory. In view of all these circumstances, we earnestly recommend that measures be at once taken to rescue this most unfortunate class from the dreadful degradation in which they now grovel.

"It is true that the plea of ignorance can made in excuse for the neglect and ill-treatment which they have hitherto received; but this plea be can avail us no longer. Other countries have shown us that idiots may be trained to habits of industry, cleanliness and self-respect; that the highest of them may be measurably restored to self-control, and that the very lowest of them may be raised from the slough of animal pollution in which they wallow; and can the men of other countries do more than we? Shall we who can transmute granite and ice into gold and silver, and think it pleasant work, shall we shrink from the higher task of transforming brutish men back into human shape? Other countries are beginning to rescue their idiots from further deterioration and even to elevate them, and shall our Commonwealth continue to bury the humble talent of lowly children committed to her motherly care, and let it rot in the earth, or shall she do all that can be done to render it back with usury to Him who lent it? There should be no doubt about the answer to these questions. The humanity and justice of our rulers will prompt them to take immediate measures for the formation of a school, or schools, for the instruction and training of idiots."

Acting upon these suggestions of their Commissioners, the Legislature of Massachusetts appropriated the sum of $2,500, annually, for three years, to try the experiment of education upon ten idiots. Mr. James B. Richards, who was appointed teacher, visited the schools in Europe, to derive such information as might aid him in his task, and in October, 1848, began his labors with four pupils, whose number has since increased to eleven -- all of them boys. The establishment is under the supervision of Dr. Howe, and under the same roof with the Perkins Institute for the Blind, -- a large and commodious building, occupying an airy and delightful position upon that part of South Boston known as Mt. Washington.

The benefits of the Institution are not limited to the ten for whom the present fund provides, private pupils being also received. The school is yet in its infancy -- only seven months having elapsed since its commencement. No report of its progress therefore has been offered to the public, but we are happy to lay before our readers such information as a recent visit thither afforded us.

The unfortunate children who a few months since were unable to control their limbs, had no idea of size, form, or number, we found seated at desks, of the usual kind, and when called upon to do so by their teacher, stood up before the black-board, on which was printed in chalk part of the alphabet, designated the letters, and combined them into words of three letters. After this they proceeded to exercises which would enable them to control and direct their muscles at the example of the teacher; such as folding their arms across the chest, placing them at the side, and extending them - the lessons not having been yet applied to the use of the left arm or of the feet. In the room were also placed ladders which they were taught to climb; (a straw mattress being placed on the floor to prevent injury in case of any falling.) Pupils who, when first received into the school, manifested much timidity, and indeed almost entire inability to mount one step, are now climbing up and down with facility, and seem to enjoy their newly acquired knowledge. One child who, on his arrival, knew the names of but four objects, and was not able to bring any of them when called for, went for several articles when sent, brought the teacher's hat when told, placed it on his head, and gave other indications of improvement. It should be remembered that these pupils were for the most part apparently from six to ten years of age, selected from pauper families, and suffering when brought to the school from every disadvantage and neglect.

One child only is incapable of using his lower limbs; but Mr. Richards hopes to find him much improved in that respect in the course of a couple of months more; his other faculties had made sufficient progress to excite the wonder and gratitude of his father, who burst into tears, on marking his improvement when he visited him a few weeks since.

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The school, as we have before stated, is but an experiment, and a recent one; but its results are such as to encourage renewed and continued exertion. Shall not little ones like these whom a few months has seen so far reclaimed from their miserably abject state, as to be at least "fed and clothed," be at length found sitting at the feet of Jesus and in their right mind? Yes, truly; in the heavenly home they shall; but let us hope with striving for such a state of things even here!

We have collected the above statements, not in boast of what has been done, but to show what may and ought to be done. And, we ask in conclusion, what will our other States do in behalf of these, their desolate, and helpless children? Let those whose voices may be heard in our public councils protest in the name of humanity, against a neglect which leaves, sunk in degradation, any portion of our population!

As surely as the good seed is sown in faith, so surely shall the sunshine of Gods's grace, and the dew of his blessing descend upon it, till it bring forth an harvest.

We know that the work is not one of weeks, or months, but of years -- years too, of long, unremitting, patient toil, but -- shall it not be undertaken? We doubt not that true-hearted ones will rise up in our midst ready to devote themselves, with an heroic patience, to the prosecution of this truly noble enterprise -- whose reward shall be great, for they shall be called the children of the Highest!

M. F. D.
Boston, Mass.