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'The Institution for the Education of the Blind at Paris, as it is the oldest, and as there is about it more of show and parade than any other in Europe, has also the reputation of being the best; but if one judges the tree by its fruit, and not by its flowers and foliage, this will not be his conclusion.

'Its founder and the great benefactor of the blind, the Abbe Hauy, invented and put into practice many contrivances for the education of the blind; and otherwise rendered the institution excellent for the age, and the time it had existed; but as he left it so has it since remained. It receives, supports and educates about a hundred blind youth; and there being no other in France, it follows that there are only one in 300 of their blind who receive an education. The great fault in the Parisian Institution, is the diversity of employment to which the pupils are put; and the effort made to enable them to perform surprising but useless tricks. The same degree of intellectual education is given to all, without reference to their destination in life; and a poor boy, who is to get his livelihood by weaving or whip making, is as well instructed in mathematics and polite literature, as he who is to pursue a literary career. Now there is no reason why a shoe maker, or a basket maker should not be well educated; provided he can learn his profession thoroughly, and find the necessary leisure for study. But if this would be difficult for a seeing person, how much more is it so for a blind one, who, to attain any degree of excellence in a trade, must apply himself most intensely and most patiently. The necessity of this is made apparent by the situation of those youths, who come out from the Institution at the end of the seven years passed there; they have devoted five hours per day to mechanical employment, but to so many different ones, that they know but little of any. Weaving, whip making, mat, and net making, and spinning, &c., &c., have so effectually divided their attention, that at the end of the year devoted to learning the one, they have almost entirely forgotten that which they have acquired the year before.

'It has however with all its faults been productive of great good, and has sent out many pupils who are not only well educated and happy men, but most useful members of society; among others may be cited Mr. Paingeon, the celebrated Professor of Mathematics at the University of Angiers. This interesting young blind man came forward as a candidate in the public controversy for the prizes in Mathematics at Paris; -- and after carrying them all off, was named to the professional chair at Angiers.

'There are in Germany five institutions for the education of the blind, which are carried to different degrees of perfection: some are under the direction indeed of men of science, but who are cramped in their exertions by various causes; others however are less fortunate.

'The one at Dresden for instance, is under the management of a most excellent lady, but whose only merit is extreme kindness to her interesting charges; the intellectual education of the pupil is almost entirely disregarded, and they are not taught to read or write: nor am I aware that if she had the disposition, she would have the power, of giving them a better intellectual education.

'The Institution of Berlin, under the direction of the excellent Professor Zeune, is better managed; but that gentleman cannot carry his views into operation; for instance, he is obliged to employ seeing teachers, because a commissioner wills it, where blind persons in his own opinion might perform the duty infinitely better. How often is it the case that in institutions of various kinds, the practical knowledge and experience of those immediately engaged are overruled by those who look into the subject but once or twice a year, and insist upon directing the whole.

'It may be safely said, that none are so well fitted for teaching the blind, as the blind themselves; nay! more, the blind can become most excellent teachers of seeing persons: I have known a blind person manage a class of twelve seeing boys to perfection; and what was astonishing, he had sufficient moral influence over them to keep them in the greatest order, and prevent them from playing those tricks which boys will do when their master does not see them.

'In the Berlin Institution, as always must be the case in well regulated ones, great attention is paid to instructing the blind in music. Who does not know that the blind generally evince greater capacity and inclination for music than seeing persons; and who can doubt, that the blind man who has acquired his knowledge of music scientifically, may teach it scientifically also, and thus fill a useful sphere in society.

'The Institution owes its existence indirectly to the illustrious Hauy who passed through that place on his way to St. Petersburg, whither he was summoned by the Autocrat to establish an institution for the education of the blind. This latter, however, though founded and encouraged by an emperor, has fallen into decay; while the Berlin establishment is continued almost solely by the philanthropic labors and hearty zeal of a few simple citizens.