Library Collections: Document: Full Text
![]() |
Annual Report Of The Trustees Of The New-England Institution For The Education Of The Blind, 1834
|
Previous Page Next Page All Pages
![]() |
Page 2: | |
10 | In order to accommodate a large number of pupils, it was necessary to make some alterations in the disposition of the premises in Pearl-street; and the stables being of brick and built in the best manner, it was concluded to convert them into school-rooms and work-shops. It was also necessary to provide a large play ground; and the estate in the rear of the mansion house, and fronting on Atkinson-street, being fortunately for sale, it was purchased for the sum of $14,000; and thus the Institution became owners of the whole square from Pearl to Atkinson street. All the arrangements having been made, and the estate on Atkinson-street having been laid out as a play ground, the inmates took possession in September, and the Institution was advertised as ready for the reception of pupils from all parts of the country. Since that time, the number has gradually increased, and many more are expected: the whole number admitted has been thirty-eight; the actual number is thirty-four; one having left voluntarily, two having been discharged on account of illness, and one from a neighboring State, discharged for want of funds for his support. | |
11 | There are now twenty-four from Massachusetts; four from New-Hampshire; two from Connecticut; one from Rhode-Island; one from New-York; one from Ohio; and one from Virginia. Three of the pupils from this State are beyond the age stipulated in the act of incorporation, at which the Governor may send pupils by his warrant; one of these pays her own expenses, the other two are at the charge of the Institution; as is also one from the State of Ohio. It will be seen that more pupils have been received from the State of Massachusetts than were strictly required by the terms of the grant; we have, however, considered it our duty rather to extend the advantages of the Institution to as many pupils as possible, than to accumulate funds. | |
12 | With regard to the internal economy and arrangements of the establishment, your body will perhaps obtain a better idea of them from examination than from a detailed statement. The regulations of the school are simple: such pupils as manifest a disposition for intellectual acquirements, or whose relatives are in a situation to provide for them the means of subsistence, devote the principal part of their time to study; and it is proposed to give them as thorough an education as their situation will admit; some of them will doubtless be enabled to pass a collegiate examination, and may if they choose gain collegiate honors. Those now in school are occupied in the study of arithmetic, history, geography, the English and French languages; and, in fine, of all the branches taught in common schools. Others are occupied part of their time in study, and a part at different kinds work. A third class, whose age or situation in life requires that they should devote their whole energies to the means of acquiring a livelihood, pass their time solely in learning handicraft work and music: the whole give their attention more or less to music, the vocal department of which is under the sole direction of Mr. Lowell Mason, who also has a class whom he instructs upon the piano-forte, preparatory to the organ. Music is the field which seems to offer to the blind the fairest opportunity for competition with clairvoyans; the post of church organist is one which a blind man can fill equally as well as a seeing person, and it should ever be an object to qualify as many of them for it as possible. | |
13 | The trades introduced are the manufacture of doormats, which are woven from the Manilla hemp in looms; different kinds of basket work; and the manufacture of mattresses. Some of the pupils have already attained considerable skill in the fabrication of these different articles, and we may hope soon to render them so perfect, that their work will command a market from its real value. | |
14 | With regard to the hours of work and study, they are arranged as follows: -- | |
15 | Winter Term. | |
16 | First bell rings at half past 5 A. M. | |
17 | At 6 roll is called for the male pupils, while the females are engaged in making the beds. | |
18 | At half past 6 all assemble for prayers; after which school continues, also the work in the shops, until 8. | |
19 | At 9 A. M. bell rings for school and work. | |
20 | At half past 10 recess until 11. | |
21 | From 11 until 1 P. M. school and work. | |
22 | From 1 until half past 2, recess. | |
23 | " 2 " 4, principally devoted to work. | |
24 | From 4 until half past 4, recess. | |
25 | " half past 4 until 6, school and work. | |
26 | " 6 to 7, recess. | |
27 | " 7 to 8, such as choose, listen to reading. | |
28 | At 8, prayers; small pupils retire to bed, and all retire at 10. | |
29 | On the Sabbath all the pupils are required to attend church: the rule of the Institution is, that each pupil may worship at whatever church he, or his parents, may select; but in case any other is selected than the one at which the majority attend, (at present the Park-street Church,) the pupil must furnish his own guide. It is desirable that the most perfect freedom in regard to religious matters should be enjoyed by the pupils; but it would be very inconvenient for the Institution to provide guides for each one; therefore this rule has been adopted. With respect to the religious services in the interior of the establishment, they consist of the reading daily of the Scriptures without any comment, and the Episcopalian form of prayer, besides a weekly meeting for reading and explanation of the Scriptures, at which the attendance is voluntary |