Intellectual instruction is primary and superior. Primary Instruction includes Reading, (with raised letters), Writing in raised points, Arithmetic, French, Grammar, Orthography, and the elements of the Natural Sciences. Superior instruction, (intended for the children of the wealthier classes), in addition, comprehends Literature, Mathematics, Geography, General History, History of France, and Common Law. Musical Instruction embraces the Scales, Harmony, Composition, the Organ, and the practice of one, or more, Instruments. Industrial Instruction includes, for Boys, Tuning of Pianos, Turning, Net-work, Basket-making, Brush-making, Bottoming Chairs, and all work which the Blind can be taught to do; for the Girls, Spinning, various kinds of Knitting and Netting, Straw, and various Fancy work.

A Chaplain gives Religious Instruction and prepares the children for their first Communion. Measures are adopted in concert with the Parents, relative to the Religious Instruction of children, not Roman Catholic.

The Girls are under the special care of female Teachers and Attendants, who watch over them with maternal solicitude. The best Medical Practitioners are appointed to the Institution and the infirmaries are under the charge of Nuns.

Every three months a Letter Report is sent to the families of the Pupils, giving

a detailed account of their health, conduct and progress.

The period of time allowed to Pupils to complete their education is eight years. The age for their admission is from nine to thirteen years.

The expense of Board and Tuition, etcetera is, 1,000 francs, or $200 per annum, which is provided for by the Minister of the Interior for poor children; and for children of Parents of slender resources, half-bourses, (bursaries), or quarter-bourses, are provided to defray one-half, or one-quarter of the expenses of their children, according to circumstances.

Departmental Councils and Municipal Administrators also provide the whole, or part, of the support of children, whose Parents are in humble circumstances and resident within their respective jurisdiction.

All applications for admission, and for assistance, are to be addressed to the Minister of the Interior, or to the Prefects and Municipal Administrators of Charity. A preliminary deposit of 320 francs, ($64), is required to defray the expenses of the Trousseau with which each Pupil must be provided on entering the Establishment.

More attention is paid to Music and Fancy work, (some of which is very beautiful,) than in the London School for the Blind. Music constitutes an important part of the education of the Blind, in both the French and German Schools. The sweetest instrumental Music of the Blind, to which I ever listened, was in the Royal School for the Blind at Munich, in Bavaria. There are many Blind Organists in the Churches of the Towns and Villages in both France and Germany. In the order of Providence, a talent for Music, and often of a high order, is perhaps, more general in proportion to numbers among the Blind than among any other class of youth.

3. Schools for the Blind in the United States.

The Institutions for the Blind in the neighboring States, like those for the Deaf and Dumb, are, in my opinion, superior to similar Institutions of Europe. They are, at least, for a state of Society more like that in Canada, and, therefore, better adapted to our wants and pursuits.

The New York Institution for the Blind has been in operation for more than thirty years. Its situation, Premises and Buildings, in the City are convenient and magnificent. Its invested Funds from individual Donations and Legacies, amount to Fifteen hundred thousand dollars. The State appropriation for 1865, amounted to $59,159,-$15,000 was to make up deficiency of 1863, and $22,128 to make up the deficiency of 1864. For the support of Pupils from that State $1,704; and the Counties of the States of New York, for the clothing of State Pupils. The proceeds of the

sales of Manufactures of the Institution amounted to $4,979. The Receipts of the Institution from all sources, in 1865, amounted to $81,740.52.

The Legislature of the State of New York, at its Session in 1865, increased the allowance of State Pupils, (of whom there were 109,) from $200 to $300 each, exclusive of clothing, which is provided by the several Counties from which the Pupils are

sent.

The Institution has three Departments of Instruction,-Literary, Musical and Mechanical, and its avowed purpose is to instruct each Pupil in any, or all, of these, as the circumstances and ability of the Pupil may seem to determine.

The Pupils are received at twelve years of age, and the period of instruction is seven years. The Course of Study in the Literary Department embraces the subjects of a thorough high English education. Each year is divided into two terms. Besides the ordinary subjects taught in the Common Schools; the last two years of the Course embrace Physiology, and Hygiene, Algebra, Geometry, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, Geology, Mental and Moral Philosophy, Logic, and the Science of Government.

In the Musical Department, Instruction is given on the Piano, on the Organ, in Vocalization and Chorus singing.

In the Mechanical Department-Mat, Broom, and Mattress making are taught. The object of this Department is stated to be, to enable male Pupils who can not make Music, or Literary Pursuits available in a business way, to earn a living by following these branches of industry. The female Pupils are taught Knitting, Sewing and Beadwork. The number of Pupils in the School was 124; of whom 60 were males, and 64 females.

The Illinois State Institution for the Education of the Blind

Is founded on a scale and conducted in a manner better adapted to the circumstances of Canada than that of New York. It is called one of the pioneer Institutions of the West. It was originally established and supported one year by benevolent citizens of Jacksonville, when the Legislature of Illinois, in 1849, passed an Act, authorizing a special Tax of two-tenth mills on the hundred dollars for the purchase of Ground, Erection of Buildings, and Support of the School. The amount of this Tax was more than was necessary to support the Institution; the law was repealed, and an annual appropriation of Twelve thousand dollars was substituted. The Report states, that "this sum has been sufficient to provide every desirable comfort and instruction for all the young Blind of the State."

The Buildings are plain, elegant, and very commodious. When I visited the Institution in the Autumn of 1866, there were about seventy Pupils, nearly equally divided between male and female; the neatness and order of the Pupils and Apartments appeared all that could be desired, as also the Furniture, Apparatus, Books in Raised Letters for the use of the Blind, and even a very considerable Library of Books, printed in Raised characters. The Music and Chorus singing would have done credit to any Institution, and the venerable Superintendent and Matron-Doctor Joshua and Mrs. Rhoads, seemed indeed the loved and revered Parents of the whole sightless family.

There are Daily Prayers and reading of the Scriptures, and on the Sabbath, the Pupils attend the place of Worship, directed by their Parents. But every Pupil must attend some place of Worship. Nearly all the male Pupils can walk over the Town, and go to any Shops in it, with no guides but their Canes. Some of them come from and return to their Homes by Railroad without any Attendant.

In a previous page of this Report I gave an extract from the Law passed by the Legislature of Ohio in 1866, providing for the free education of the Blind, as well as of the Deaf and Dumb. I also stated, on authority, that Illinois had made the same

humane and liberal provision for the education of its own Deaf Mutes. It has likewise provided, in the same manner, for the education of the Blind. The Report

The Legislature of Illinois has opened her benevolent Institutions to all her citizens who may be the children of sorrow, without respect to their wordly position. No questions are asked for admission into this Institution, except, is the Applicant a resident of the State, blind, and of a suitable age, capacity and character to receive instruction? These facts being ascertained, its doors open, and probably the child of misfortune and want will be seated at the same Table, and receive the same Instruction, as the child of the owner of thousands of acres of its fertile Prairies, both equally provided for by the liberality of the Legislature."

The following extracts from the Superintendent's historical Report of the Institution are very suggestive, while they present a practical view of the character and operations of this excellent Estabishment:

My experience also freely warrants me in asserting that a child, remaining until the age of twelve years in its "home, however homely," would arrive at maturity more learned, more amiable, and more active, than if placed in an Institution conducted in the best manner, and with the utmost attention to the details of its management. Nothing of equal value can be substituted for the Home life of a young child.

Blindness is often a consequence of a vitiated state of health; sometimes the result of fever, in others of a scrofulous condition of the system. The timidity of ignorance of Parents prohibits the Blind from employing the only remedies for these conditions for the general health, videlicet, active exercise in the open air, and a cheerful occupation of the mind.

The Blind often arrive at the Institution dull, timid and inactive, health delicate and organization feeble. We subject them to perfect regularity of duties, insist upon free exercise in the open air, provide a liberal diet, of which they freely partake. All signs of indisposition quickly disappear, and vigorous health, if not renovated constitutions, is characteristic of the Inmates of the Institution.

To produce these results, many concurrent causes must conduce. The most efficient, and, without which no success will attend our efforts, is the arousing into action of all their faculties, both mental and physical. Indeed, strange as it may seem, the secret of success in promoting the health and happiness of the Blind is the same as was said to be necessary to a perfect Orator, videlicet: Action, action, action.

In accordance with the above principle, we have established as a fundamental rule for the conduct of the Pupils, that they must be in action all day. Their whole time must be passed in Studying, Working, or Playing. No listlessness, or idleness, is encouraged, or permitted, except in cases of sickness.

The better to promote the health of the Pupils, care is taken in the arrangement of the Lessons to alternate them with relaxation. We are also careful to arrange the hours of employment, so that, although the Pupils are occupied nine hours per day, no two successive hours are devoted to one Exercise.

The instruction of the Blind is founded upon the employment of characters in relief, by which letters, notes, etcetera, ordinarily printed for the eye, are rendered sensible to the fingers.

It is perfected by oral instruction, which cannot be dispensed with. All the branches of a Common School Education are taught to the Blind in this Institution. and many of its Pupils have attained to an enviable degree of proficiency.

All the Pupils, who have been in the Institution for some length of time, can read with considerable facility. Indeed, a blind child will learn to read as quickly as one who sees. But the Instances are rare in which the Blind will ever be able to read as fast as the seeing, for the finger can feel only a single Letter at once, while the eye can see a whole word.

All the female Pupils attend Singing Lessons daily, and we provide Musical Instruments for all the male Pupils.

The department of mechanical Arts of the Institution is viewed with much favour by most practical Visitors. They consider the industry and skill of our Pupils with much interest; and whilst some doubt the utility of Music, and abstract Science, all appreciate the importance of teaching those to labour who wish in future to learn a subsistence.

The male Pupils are taught to make Brushes, and Brooms, and to weave Carpet. The female pupils do plain Sewing, Knit stockings, Tidies, Bed-spreads, etcetra, also make Worsted work and fancy Bead work.

Concluding Remarks and Suggestions.

1. I have thus, with all possible brevity, presented examples of the teaching, character and working of Institutions for the Education of the Blind, as well as of the Deaf and Dumb, and the modes of Establishing and supporting them, without entering into any speculations as to the cause of one malady, or the other, or theories in regard to their treatment,

2. One thing is clear, the claim of both classes to public consideration in every civilized community; and I am profoundly impressed with the patriotic and truly liberal spirit in which that claim has been recognized by our American neighbors,—an example worthy of respect and imitation.

3. From the comparative helplessness of the Blind, and the kind of Apparatus, Instruments and Books for their Instruction in the ordinary elementary subjects, as well as in Music, the education of the Blind is proportionably more expensive than that of the Deaf and Dumb, although suitable Teachers for the Blind can be more easily obtained, and Premises for their accommodation may be less extensive than for the Deaf and Dumb.

4. When procuring Premises and erecting Buildings for the Lunatic Asylum in Toronto were contemplated, a small tax of a fraction of a farthing in a pound was proposed by the late Sir John Robinson, and sanctioned by the Legislature of Upper Canada.

That tax was never felt; yet the proceeds provided a Building Fund, out of which the Lunatic Asylum, Normal School, and other public Buildings, have been erected, leaving a large balance unexpended. If a similar course be adopted for a limited period, in providing Premises and Buildings for Institutions of the Deaf and Dumb and Blind, no addition will be made to the Public Debt, the ordinary Public Revenue will not be touched, no appreciable addition will be made to the Public Taxes, yet each citizen will have the pleasure of thinking that he is doing something specific in what marks the highest civilization and humanity of a people, and ample provision will be made for the education of the only two hitherto neglected and afflicted classes of our fellow countrymen. A special Tax of five cents on a hundred dollars of the assessed property of Ontario, for one year, would produce about $150,000, more than sufficient to procure proper Premises, erect and furnish suitable Buildings for Institutions of both the Deaf and Dumb and Blind; and a special tax of one cent per annum on every hundred dollars of assessed property would more than provide for the support of two Institutions of which the Country might well be proud, and which would confer unspeakable blessings upon the two classes which have the strongest claim to our sympathy.

5. I need scarcely add, that I think the Institution for the education of the Blind should be placed under the same oversight and responsibility as that for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb.

TORONTO, May, 1868.

EGERTON RYERSON.

ᏟᎻᎪᏢᎢᎬᎡ X.

RETURN IN REGARD TO THE SALARIES AND EMOLUMENTS OF THE OFFICERS OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR ONTARIO, 1869.

On the 8th of January, 1869, Mr. Edward Blake moved in the House of Assembly an Address to the Lieutenant-Governor, asking for copies of certain Letters and Documents relating to the Salaries and Emoluments of the Officers of the Education Department for Ontario.

The Provincial Secretary having sent a copy of this Motion to the Chief Superintendent of Education, Doctor Ryerson replied as follows:

LETTER TO THE PROVINCIAL SECRETARY FROM THE CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION:

In your Letter of the 9th instant, you transmitted the following Resolution of the Legislative Assembly:

"On Motion of Mr. Blake, an humble Address was voted to His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, praying for copies of the following Papers:

"1. The Memorandum referred to in the Letter from the Chief Superintendent of Education to the Provincial Secretary of Canada, dated April 17th, 1861.

"2. The Accounts, including the extra payments made to Messieurs Hodgins, Marling and Taylor in 1863, sent by the Chief Superintendent to the Government, or to the Audit Office, and the Explanations accompanying those Accounts.

"3. The Accounts, including the various extra payments made to the various Employés of the Education Department, sent to the Government, or to the Audit Office, for each year since 1863, with any Explanations which accompanied such Accounts.

"4. Any Communications made to the Government, or to the Auditor, by the Chief Superintendent of Education, or to the Chief Superintendent by the Government, or the Auditor, since the year 1862, on the subject of the Expenditure of the Education Department.

"5. The Accounts sent to the Government, or to the Audit Office, of the Expenditure of the Normal and Model Schools, for each year, since 1863.

"6. Copies of any of the above Documents to be found in the Education Department."

The Address of the Legislative Assembly speaks all through of "Accounts," including certain items, but specified no limitations. To send all the "Accounts" would be to transcribe the Account Books from 1863 to 1868 inclusive. I cannot suppose that this was intended. I take it for granted that what was intended was a statement of all sums paid to the Officers named, and any extras paid to other Employés in this Department, together with the other Returns and Communications specially named in the Address.

As thus directed, I herewith transmit:

1. The Memorandum attached to my Letter to the Provincial Secretary of Canada, dated 17th April, 1861.

2. A Memorandum from each of the Officers of the Education Department, named in the Address of the Assembly, stating in detail the sums which he has received, and for what services. The first part of one of these Memorandums was addressed by Mr. Hodgins to me at Quebec, where I was detained in May, 1863, in consequence of a motion made by the Honourable George Brown for the appointment of a Sub-Committee of the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Assembly, with himself as