are bestowed upon their race, but from which they are held. back by some incomprehensible and irrevocable decree. It has been said of certain sects of ancient philosophers, that they extinguished sight in order to withdraw more effectually from sensual pleasure to mental exertion; and it is doubtless true, that after knowledge has been acquired by the senses, the mind will become more vigorous, the more it is compelled to rely upon its own exercise for recreation; and for mere abstract study the senses are not required, but are so far a hindrance as they attract attention to surrounding objects. Still, study cannot be pleasant or profitable without knowledge; and how can knowledge be gained, if it is at "one entrance quite shut out," and that entrance by far the most important? Pleasure has its source in the world and in our relation with it, but its existence is almost exclusively in the mind. If we have been able to acquire ideas, which may not inaptly be termed materials, the mind will find agreeable occupation in working them up into the great machinery of thought. Our ideas are mostly gained by means of the senses, and more than all the rest by the organs of vision. To the sight nearly all things are addressed by nature, and our common modes of instruction, following her example, are adapted to education through the eye alone. To instruct the blind, therefore, it has been found necessary to devise modes of conveying information to the mind in a manner totally different from that pursued with those who possess, in full exercise, all the organs of sense. The organ of touch is made to subserve nearly all the purposes of sight; and not only the abstract sciences, but even mechanical operations and sculpture have been successfully pursued by the blind of all ages. We have the history of a number of blind persons, of the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, who became distinguished for skill in various branches of mental and physical labor; and though they were eminent for great ability, as is manifest in the writings they have left, yet no trace can be discovered of the manner in which they were educated. These individuals were isolated, however, with thousands around them, who, for the want of fortuitous circumstances, must have lived in utter ignorance and wretchedness. No institution was established for the relief of the blind, till the year 1784, when Louis XVI. created l'Institu tion des jeunes Aveugles. The education of the residents was maintained at the cost of the Royal Academy of Sciences, - until 1790, when they were removed to a more convenient residence than that they had first occupied, and all their expenses were defrayed by the state. Since that period, Asylums for the blind have sprung up in many places in Europe, all crowded with pupils, and all enjoying high, though different degrees of success. Next to the Institution in Paris; those at Edinburgh and at Liverpool have sustained the highest reputation; the former is considered the most successful in mental, and the latter in physical education. We may now congratulate the friends of humanity here, on the prospect of the speedy establishment of an Asylum in this city, which shall contribute to the comfort of many who are not the less deserving of compassion, because, by the very nature of their misfortune, they are withdrawn from common observation. Perhaps our readers will be surprised to learn, that careful calculation, founded on returns made by order of the Legislature, show that there cannot be less than five hundred blind persons within this commonwealth; and of those, the number under thirty years of age is more than one hundred, some being born blind and others made so at an early period of life, by disease or accident. The age of thirty years is mentioned, because that is supposed to be the latest period at which education can be advantageously commenced. The New England Asylum for the Blind, as its name denotes, is designed to supply the want of instruction for all the blind of the New England states. And when we increase the estimate, stated above, for this state alone, so as to embrace all this section of country, we shall at once have a just idea of the vast amount of wretchedness to be alleviated, and of ignorance to be enlightened. It is not to be supposed that the number of blind will decrease in any material degree. We have had no especial calamities for many years, such as the ravages of the small pox, to cause an inordinate loss of sight. The present may be taken with great safety as about the standard proportion of those, who, by the ordinary allotments of life, will be subjected to this misfortune; and if the surgeon's skill should reach a higher state of perfection, so as to prevent or cure blindness, still there will always be found, especially as population becomes more dense, a very large number of objects for this peculiar and interesting charity. Besides, this Institution is not, like others, that for the Deaf and Dumb, for instance, intended for instruction alone, where the pupils are to be dismissed as soon as they have completed a course of studies, or an apprenticeship to some trade, but it is probably designed as a permanent residence for all who choose to dwell within its walls. Those who enter in early youth may have a home in the Asylum, with every convenience strictly adapted to their condition, house comfortable and commodious, books and other means of mental culture always supplied, grounds provided for exercise and recreation, suitable shops for labor in whatever vocation they may adopt. They may have these accommodations by paying for them, either from the income of such property as they may possess, or by the fruits of their labor. It is common for the Institutions in Europe to allow the value of whatever is produced by the labor of the blind, and to sell the articles of manufacture on account of the Institution. Many individuals have been enabled to support themselves and also dependant relatives from the price of their work at the Institution. A strange reverse of circumstances! Those, apparently the most helpless, have been enabled, by modern art, to become the support of others, who, with ample powers, have been deprived of the means of obtaining a livelihood. It will be perceived, that this charity is also unlike all other charitable establishments in the support to be demanded from the community. All that is desired from the public in regard to this Institution, is a sufficient fund to establish it with such buildings and furniture as may from time to time be needed. A direct and most important benefit will accrue in return for this investment. For the blind paupers, who are now entirely dependant on the public through life will, after a few years' support at the Asylum, be enabled to maintain themselves, at least, and thus to relieve the public of a share of its burden. The establishment of such an Asylum, therefore, is not only a duty resulting from our relations with the human family, but is interesting as part of a correct system of political economy. A great many useful arts are taught the blind, which they follow with eagerness and success. We have before us Guillié's "Essai sur l'Instruction des Aveugles," in which are described minutely, with drawings of the apparatus used, fourteen different profitable modes of employment for the blind, as introduced into the Institution in Paris, exclusive of music. This very book, handsomely printed and illustrated with cuts, was executed by the blind themselves. They print all their own books, with the letters raised in such manner as to be sensible to the touch; and after some practice the blind can read with surprising facility, by running a finger over the line. A young lady of this city, for whom a book of this kind was procured, a few weeks since, is now able to read with as much ease as persons of her age usually read in our common books. For globes and maps the lines and names of places are raised, and may be readily found with the fingers. Mathematics are attained with astonishing success by the blind, whose abstract mental operations, when once properly directed, are prosecuted with wonderful vigor. Writing is even made easy to the blind, not only with ink, in such manner as to be read by the eye, but with a stiletto, so as to be read, like their printed works, by the touch, either by the writer or any other instructed blind person. We cannot speak intelligibly of the manner of teaching the blind, without plates to exhibit views of the apparatus, and must therefore content ourselves with saying, that everything relating to their education has been reduced to a simple and easy process, which cannot fail, when properly persisted in, to render them intelligent, useful and happy. Perhaps no one of their occupations is productive of more pleasure to themselves, or is in greater demand in the community than music, for which they possess, almost universally, superior talents. The great difficulty has been to give them a knowledge of music as a science, and to provide means by which they could acquire a knowledge of tunes, otherwise than by rote. This being accomplished, that unfortunate class have every facility for becoming the best musicians in the world. In considering the value of such Institutions as we have alluded to, let the reader think for a moment of the number of churches which pay a salary to organists or other musicians; of the number of teachers of music which are and must be always employed in the commonwealth; and of the importance of offering these pleasant and lucrative situations to this most destitute class of human beings, when left to their own resources, and to the common neglect which is now their portion. We feel it a duty to commend the proposed Institution in this place to general patronage. Apart from the considerations to be found in the foregoing remarks, self-interest should influence every individual to contribute according to his ability; because, who can tell, save he who rules the destinies of men, how soon even the reader of these remarks may need its aid? Who can tell how many fathers, whose children now enjoy the inestimable privilege of walking in the light, will ere long have cause to mourn over them sitting in the shadow of darkness? Without such an Institution, no man can consider himself provided with an antidote against the severest deprivation which falls to the lot of mortals; with it, the loss of sight is rendered scarcely a calamity. We say, go on and prosper, to those benevolent individuals who have commenced the work of providing happiness for the blind of our country. They will have the thanks of the community, and the prayers of the sightless for their reward. LAKE OF THE MOUNTAINS. (A Picture by Doughty.) How beautifully still! how passing fair, Like some bright vision fallen from heaven's own air, Oft have I mused on thee, and silent stood, "Twas hushed around thee as the halls of death, I've wished that fancy-like I had the power To rove with thought to those bright evening stars, S. |