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This is not a common call, nor is it a common case; for the object proposed, differs materially from most charitable establishments; first, in that there is no possibility of deception, since no one can doubt or deny the claim which the blind have upon the charity of their more fortunate fellows; and second, that the object is an economical one to the community. It is to take from society, so many dead weights, that it is proposed to educate the blind, and enable them to get their own livelihood: and society ought to consider any capital so invested as a sinking fund for the redemption of its charitable debt; as a provision for for -sic- preventing the blind from becoming taxes to the community. In proof of this the Trustees would try to draw the attention of the public to the different kinds of work which are performed by the blind in the different institutions in Europe; some of which may also be seen at the infant institution under their direction.

That a blind man may become a first-rate professor of music, frequent example has taught every one; it remains however for many to be convinced, that a blind man may become a good teacher of mathematics, the languages and almost any science; that he may gain a decent livelihood by the labor of his hands in the fabrication of baskets, mats, mattresses, twine, &c., &c. To do these things, he needs only an apprenticeship in an establishment devoted entirely to this purpose, and pursuing a peculiar plan of education adapted to his wants: and it is in aid of their efforts to establish such an institution, that the Trustees call upon their fellow-citizens for encouragement and support.

It is alike the character and honor of our age, that society is not content with administering charitable aid to the distressed, but that it seeks to strike at the root of the evil and prevent its recurrence; it remains yet for our country to apply this principle to the pauperism of the blind. It is not now the time to discuss the direct and indirect tendency of blindness to produce pauperism; suffice it to say the blind are generally paupers; they have always been so, and the place to seek the blind, has always been at the way-side begging for alms. Nothing was done for their education until about forty years ago, when the humane Abbe Hauy undertook to educate some blind children in his own house, and his success was so great, that the Government of France employed him to establish an institution in Paris. This he did, and it became so interesting an object that he was called by the Emperor of Russia to St. Petersburg for a similar purpose; and after successfully putting his system into operation there, he laid the foundation of a school for the blind at Berlin. He invented the method of printing in raised characters, made tangible and sensible to the blind; he also constructed maps, musical notes, &c., but left the subject in a very imperfect state at his death.

Similar institutions have been since founded, and are in successful operation in Amsterdam, Vienna, Dresden, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool and other places; the condition and operation of which have been thus noticed in a Report made to the Trustees by Dr. S. G. Howe:

'The European institutions for the education of the blind may be divided into two classes; those established and supported by the Governments, and those which owe their foundation and support to the charitable efforts of individuals, the latter are by far more useful than the former.

'There can be no more delightful spectacle than is presented by these establishments, where you may see a hundred young blind persons, changed from listless, inactive, helpless beings, -- into intelligent, active, and happy ones; they run about, and pursue their different kinds of work with eager industry and surprising success; when engaged in intellectual pursuits, the awakened mind is painted in their intelligent countenances; and when the whole unite in sacred music, there is a display of deep felt interest, of fervid zeal, and animating enthusiasm, which I have never seen equalled.

'The proposed end of these different institutions is to give to the blind the means of supporting themselves; and this is effected with different degrees of success.

'I visited all the principal institutions for the education of the blind in Europe, and found in all much to admire and to copy, but much also to avoid.

'Those institutions, which are founded and supported by the Government, labor under many disadvantages necessarily attendant upon such a connexion; and it may be said without injustice to the persons employed, that they are obliged to follow such a system, and make such exhibitions, as will redound rather to the glory of the State than the good of the pupils. Hence so much of useless parade and show -- hence so much time and patience spent upon learning to perform surprising but useless things. Those on the other hand, which are kept up by individual effort and public benevolence, fall into the error of considering their pupils too much as objects of charity, and of petting and caressing them too much.