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Technical Department

From: Fiftieth Annual Report Of The Trustees Of The Perkins Institution And Massachusetts School For The Blind
Creator: n/a
Date: October 1881
Publisher: Rand Avery, & Company, Boston
Source: American Printing House for the Blind, Inc., M. C. Migel Library


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TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT.

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"Other creatures all day long
Rove idle, unemployed, and less need rest;
Man hath his daily work of body or mind
Appointed, which declares his dignity
And the regard of Heaven on all his ways."
Milton.

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This department continues to perform its important part in our system of education, both as an essential element in enlarging the sphere of the activities of the blind and as an agent in training them in habits of industry and in the practice of useful handicraft.

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As has been often stated in these reports, the influence of manual labor is of inestimable value to all men, but most especially to the blind. It promotes physical strength and soundness of health. It induces confidence in the use of their bodily powers, and independence of character. It prevents them, in the midst of the mental exercises required of them, from underestimating the practical needs of life. While their studies add to their intelligence, increase their social accomplishments, and dignify their calling, patient and daily labor will prove the real source of their material prosperity. Moreover, experience has proved that pupils who are occupied a part of the day with books in the schoolroom, and the remainder with tools in the workshop, or with practice on the piano or in singing, make about as rapid intellectual progress as those of equal ability who spend the whole time in study and recitation.

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For these reasons the work has been carried on during the past year in both branches of the technical department with the same earnestness as heretofore, and with equally satisfactory results.

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1. -- Workshop for the Boys.

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The pupils in this branch of the industrial department have been carefully trained during the past year in the elements of handicraft, and have worked at the usual trades with more or less success, which is attainable in proportion to the natural activity and aptitude of the learner.

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Instruction has been given in a simple and practical way, and the boys have been made to feel that, from the moment that they are able to use their hands skilfully and manufacture a few plain articles, they enter into the sphere of real business. Moreover, they are constantly taught, by precept and example, that practical industry, wisely and vigorously applied, always produces its due effects, and that it carries a man onward, brings out his individual character, and stimulates others to a like activity.

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Several of the advanced pupils, -- in whose case some handicraft seemed to be the chief reliance for self-maintenance, -- after having learned the rudiments of upholstery in the juvenile department, have devoted most of their time to the practice of making mattresses in the workshop for adults, under the immediate care of one of the experienced journeymen.

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2. - -Workrooms for the Girls.

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It affords me great pleasure to report that a higher degree of efficiency has been attained in this branch of industry during the past year than ever before, and that particular pains have been taken to render the workrooms attractive and useful.

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The girls have been taught to sew and knit, both by hand and machine, and have given much attention to various kinds of fancy-work. The articles manufactured by them indicate a degree of skill, taste and thoroughness which does honor to their teacher and credit to themselves. Perhaps the specimens which represent the work of our pupils in the Mechanics' Fair this year are among the finest ever produced.

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The art of making Indian baskets of different sizes and forms has again received as much attention as the private affairs of an experienced instructress permitted her to devote to it. It is hoped that some of our advanced scholars will soon have a fair opportunity to master this trade.

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Our girls have continued to take turns in the lighter household work, and a few of them have received such special training in the domestic circle as to be able to become useful to themselves and helpful to others in this direction in after-life.

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