Memoranda to Table 67. Location. Chicago, Ill. (423 W. 12th st.). Baltimore, Md New York, N. Y. (Station M). Louisville, Ohio.. Baton Rouge, La............. Roman Catholic School for the Deaf and Dumb.. No information received. Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and No information received. St. Joseph's Institute for Deaf-Mutes.. Discontinued. II.-EDUCATION OF THE BLIND. REPORTS OF INSTITUTIONS. The College for the Blind, at Vinton, Iowa, presents the unique feature of a literary society modelled and conducted after the manner of similar organizations in the best colleges. Such a body, composed entirely of students in the higher classes, and others over fifteen years of age, and conducted without interference on the part of officers or teachers, has flourished in this institution for seven years. Aside from the main end in view, the practice in parliamentary usages, the caucus meetings, the clans formed, the little strifes (absurd as it may seem) are like green vines entwining the routine of institution life. The course of bodily training, pursued in the Perkins Institution for the Blind, at Boston, has been prosecuted with uncommon energy, and no pains have been spared on the part of those in charge to improve and systematize a regular, intelligent, and, to some degree, scientific series of exercises, consisting of free gymnastics, calisthenics, and military drill. The favorable results of a strict adherence to this system of physical training are strikingly noticeable in the health and symmetrical growth, as well as in the appearance, gait, manners, and disposition of the pupils. This institution owns an assortment of forty-six grand, square, and upright pianos, which are in constant use from morning until evening. Also, for the tenth time, the contract has been renewed for another year, whereby the pianos of the public schools of Boston, one hundred and thirty-four in number, have been put in charge of the tuners of this institution. In the Michigan School for the Blind, at Lansing, the general character of the employment afforded the pupils has been very much as indicated formerly, although in the girls' branch there has been a noticeable improvement in the quality of the manufactured articles. Sewing by hand and machine, both fancy and plain, the hemming of sheets, napkins, and towels, knitting and crocheting, darning and mending, constitute the main features of the girls' work. An exhibit was made at the Central Michigan Fair, at Lansing, in 1886, of the work of this department, together with samples of the work and apparatus of the other departments of the school. The quality of this exhibit excited considerable attention and enlisted a very general interest in the peculiar work which this institution is accomplishing. The superintendent of the New York Institution for the Blind, at Batavia, in report for 1886, animadverts upon the manifold benefits of the "New York point system." It was favorably discussed at the late Convention of the Instructors of the Blind, and has the following advantages: It is simple in construction. Its tangible power adapts it to the tactile capacity of all. It is equally adapted to literature and music. It can be both written and printed. By the aid of the point tablet, it furnishes the measure for outline map-drawing and mathematical operations. With the aid of the type-slate a combination of the musical signs with the numeral signs furnishes a means of writing in harmony and thorough bass. The literary department of the Ohio Institution for the Blind, at Columbus, offers six grades of study, as follows: Sub-primary, including kindergarten, primary, interme diate, grammar, sub-senior, and senior. The pupils and studies present the following distribution: The Wisconsin School for the Blind, at Janesville, graduated in June, 1886, five young women and three young men who had satisfactorily completed the prescribed course of study, and who received the diploma authorized to be bestowed in such cases. As an evidence of the practical character of this education, it may be stated that not a few of those who have gone out from the school in years past are maintaining themselves comfortably and honorably through the equipment which it gave them. TABLE 68.-Summary of statistics of institutions for the blind. TABLE 69.-Statistics of institutions for the blind for 1885-'86; from replies to inquiries by the United States Bureau of Education. Louisiana Institution for the Blind and Industrial Home for the Blind. 1871 P. Lane. 91 1,500 90,000 12,000 12,000 13, 575 168 679 196, 115 30,000 31, 606 33, 583 130 1,000 373, 839 29,000 25,889 37 160 1,344 310,000 35, 523 38, 656 32, 286 85 500 200, 000 21, 917 21, 917 21, 603 Maryland Institution for the Instruction 1853 Frederick D. Morrison, M. A. d12 63 800 337, 400 €300 18, 900 17, 224 of the Blind. 13 Baltimore, Md Maryland School for the Colored Blind 1872 Frederick D. Morrison, M. A 7 16 205 (S) (S) g8, 600 (5) and Deaf-Mutes. 14 Boston, Mass. Perkins Institution and Massachusetts 1820 M. Anagnos... 82 153 9, 508 366, 216 30,000 117, 202 82, 946 School for the Blind. 15 Lansing, Mich Michigan School for the Blind.... 1880 J. F. McElroy, A. M. 28 93 1,000 217, 870 80, 000 31, 101 22,828 Raleigh, N. C Janesville, Wis Arkansas School for the Blind. Name. North Carolina Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind. Wisconsin Institution for the Education of the Blind.. Remarks. No information received. No information received. No information received. The Massachusetts School for the Feeble-Minded, at South Boston, reports an event of the greatest moment placed to the credit of 1886. The parent who now puts his child in this institution, even though unable to pay for its education, is no more pauperized than he would be if he sent his child to any of the public schools in the State. An act of the Legislature, approved by the Governor, restores the school to its rightful place among the educational institutions of the State, from which it had been driven by the unfortunate legislation of 1883. TABLE 70.—Summary of statistics of schools for feeble-minded youth. |