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Strict attention is paid to the health of the pupils; and although the time during which they are occupied may seem long, it is so varied by music and by work, that it has no injurious effect. Every fair day the house and school-room is closed upon the male pupils, once at least, and sometimes oftener; so that they are obliged to resort to exercise in the open air. Once a week every pupil has the opportunity of having a warm bath; and on all occasions they are required to keep their persons clean.

The females, when not occupied in school, are under the care of the matron, whose duty it is to watch over their conduct. They are taught to do various kinds of house-work, needle-work, knitting, plaiting straw, &c.

The object ever kept in view, is to enable the pupil to gain his own livelihood in after life, and for this purpose it is necessary to throw him on his own resources entirely; to teach him that the deprivation of one sense does not cut him off from the human family; that he is to compete for a livelihood with those who have an advantage over him no greater than may be counterbalanced by superior industry and ingenuity, and by the application of powers to such pursuits as require the aid of but four senses. There are many such pursuits; and, when we contemplate the field that opened for the Blind, in music, -- in the profession of teacher of various sciences, -- in the practice of several kinds of handicraft work, we cannot but anticipate for many of our pupils a happy independence, and for some an honorable distinction; for even were we without historical proofs of the intellectual eminence to which many blind men have raised themselves, we should find in our own school the sure indications of future mental superiority.

Independently however of any positive or pecuniary advantage to be derived by the pupils from a course of instruction, there is opened to them, as it were, a new world of intellectual enjoyment; the degrading sense of inferiority and dependence is removed, and the whole moral nature is elevated; while a constant and active use of the physical and intellectual powers gives health and strength to the body, and food and happiness to the mind. The expression of one of the pupils, "that she had never known before she began to learn, that it was happiness to be alive," may be applied to many.

For an account of the finances of the Institution, we would respectfully refer you to the clear and able Report of the Treasurer: remarking, however, that although it will be seen, that after all the expenses are paid, a considerable balance remains, it should be borne in mind that the wants of the Institution are still considerable; and that its permanent usefulness as yet is dependent entirely upon the grant made by the Legislature, which at any moment of State embarrassment may be withdrawn, and then the greater part of the pupils would be thrown upon the charity of their fellows. In a country like ours, provision should be made for the education of the Blind which should be dependent upon no contingency; an Institution should be so amply endowed, as to be able to extend its operations without any fear of a sudden cessation of its income.

Upwards of two thousand dollars will be required for an organ, piano-fortes and other instruments; a collection of books is needed, and the first surplus funds of the Institution should be devoted to the printing of books for the benefit of the blind, not only of our own Institution, but of all those who know the English language; and a fund should be established for the clothing of such poor blind persons as have no relatives to support them, and whose home is the alms house. Most of the Institutions for the education of the Blind are calculated merely for the education of the indigent, and do not afford such advantages as persons in affluent circumstances would desire for their children; we have endeavored so to regulate ours, that a proper division of the pupils may be made, and the education of each one may be conformable to the sphere he is destined to fill in life; so that persons in affluence who have children born blind, may here find a school where they may acquire a knowledge even in the higher departments of science, as well as be qualified to appear advantageously in society.

For the success which has attended the efforts to educate our pupils, praise is due to the persons immediately concerned in teaching them. It is gratifying, moreover, to pay the tribute due to the persevering industry of our Mr. Trencheri, the instructor from the French institution, who, though blind from his infancy, possesses a great fund of acquired knowledge which he imparts to his pupils with remarkable success. Indeed, it is one of the most gratifying circumstances connected with the education of the blind, that they themselves when properly educated become the best teachers of their fellow blind.

Above all, we must notice the labors of our Director, Dr. Howe, who has applied the large experience, acquired in Europe, with great success to the instruction of the pupils under his care, and has watched over their personal and moral welfare with a truly parental interest.