AMERICAN

ANNALS OF EDUCATION

AND INSTRUCTION.

JANUARY, 1834.

VISIBLE ILLUSTRATION OF BENEVOLENCE. (With a view of the New England Asylum for the Blind.) THERE is a depth, and strength, in the impressions produced upon the mind through the medium of the eye, which surpasses all that is discovered in the influence of the other senses. it is, we know not that any have pretended to explain. But the fact, we believe, none have doubted; and on this principle have been founded the multiplied methods of visible illustration, adopted in the instruction of children.

Why

But the truth of the principle is not less certain in adult age. The great public works which have traced the name of Napoleon in the memory of our race, in characters which centuries cannot obliterate, inspire more awe and admiration, than volumes of history, or scores of panegyrics. The traveller, who has seen the Bridge of Jena or the Column of the Place Vendome, or the Road of Mount Simplon, has perceptions, and sensations, if I may so speak, of the greatness and energy of the mind that conceived these works, which can never be known by those who only read of them.

The question has occurred to us - Why may we not employ this principle to aid the cause of benevolence? We never pass the noble edifice presented to the Institution for the Blind, once the abode of wealth and luxury and now devoted to the protection and redemption of the unfortunate, without an involuntary act of homage to the individual who conceived and executed this noble act of beneficence-without an earnest wish,

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Visible Illustration of Benevolence.

[Jan.

that we could bring around it the wealthy of our country, and let them hear the soft but impressive voice which issues from it GO THOU AND DO LIKEWISE!

It was only in the month of February, of the last year, this noble charity was destitute of funds, and its patrons were indebted, several hundred dollars, beyond the amount which they had contributed to send its teacher abroad, and commence the course of instruction. Within two months after, Mr Perkins offered his own family mansion as the future “ Asylum for the Blind," provided a sufficient sum, not less than $50,000, should be raised before the expiration of the month of May, to provide for their wants. This single testimonial of interest for the blind roused others to effort; and a sum even larger than he required was raised, and devoted to this object, within the time prescribed. The institution, in place of a debt, now possesses a building valued at $30,000, and improvements and grounds that afford ample means for exercise and air, worth about $28,000 more, together with an available fund of not less than $35,000; and all this the result of a donation from a single individual, such as hundreds of others might make.

We present our readers with a view of the mansion which has thus been made the means of permanent blessings to the blind of New England. Does it not say to others,-Go AND DO LIKEWISE?

We have visited the institution; and we find its interior correspond to its imposing exterior. It is not a cast off, decaying mansion, which wealth was compelled to desert. Its large and airy rooms present the same substantial comfort, and means of health, to its present, as to its former inmates.

We were particularly struck with the provisions made for the physical comfort and education of the pupils of this institution. In addition to the regular provision of simple food, and proper clothing, they are kept in well ventilated rooms, during the hours of confinement. At other times, the play ground purchased for the express purpose, gives them more ample room to enjoy air and exercise, than were possessed by their wealthy predecessors. We rejoiced to find that here, as at Hofwyl, the house is closed at certain hours, in good weather, and the pupils compelled to remain abroad for recreation, as much as to attend to study during the hours of school.

We were not less rejoiced to find provisions equally liberal for personal cleanliness. The guardians of this institution believed that other parts of the body require washing, as well as the hands and feet. A bathing room is provided for the male