CIHM Microfiche Series (lUionographs) ICMH Collection de microfiches (monographies) Canadian Instituta for Historical Microraproductions / Institut Canadian da microraproductions historiquaa Technicai and Bibliographic Notes / Notes techniques et bibliographiques Th« Insttut* hn attampted to obtain ttw iMtt original copy avatabla for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy wtiieh may tw l)il)liogfapf)ically umqua. wtiicfi may altar any of tha imagaa In tha raproduction, or which may aigniflcantty changa tha uaual mathod of filming ara chadcad balow. D D Colouradcovari/ Couvartura da couiaur Covwa damagad / Couvartura andommagto Covara raaiorad and/or laminatad / Couvartura raataurte at^ou paliicuite Covartitia miaaing / La titra da couvartura manqua I Cotouradmapa/Cartaag^raphiquaa an couiaur 0Colourad ink (i-a. othar ttian blue or blade) / Encra da couiaur (i.a. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured platea and/or iiiustrations / D D D D D Planchea et^ou illustrations en couieur Bound with other material / Reli^ avec d'autres documents Only edition available / Seule Mition disponibie Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin / Ia reiiure senrte peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distorsion la long de la marge intdrieure. Blank leaves added during restorattons may appear wiihh the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming / Use peut que certaines pages blanches ajout^es lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, k)rsque cela dtait possible, ces pages n'ont pas M filmtos. AdditkHial comments / Commentaires S(4)pMmentaires: L'Inatitut a micn^im* le meilleur exempiaira qu'il lui a M poaaibia de aa procurer. Lea d«taila da cet exem- piaira qui sent peut-«tre unkiuaa du point da vua bibii- ographiqua, qui pauvent modifier une image laproduila. ou qui peuvent wdger une modifkartkm dana la m«tho- da normala de fHmaga aont Indkiute d-dassous. I I Cokxiiedpagaa/Pageade couieur I j Pages damaged/ Pages endonrtmag^ea □ Pagea restored and/or laminated / Pages restaurtos et/bu peiHcuitea Q Pages discokHjrsd. stained or foxed / Pages d6cok)rtes, tachet^es ou pkjutoci I I Pages detached/ Pages d^tach^es \y[ Showthrough/ Transparence □ Quality of print varies/ Qualit« in6gale de rimpresskm Indi'jdes supplementary material / Comprend du materiel suppMmentaire Pages wholly or partially obscured by enata slips, tissues, etc.. have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image / Las pages totaiement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuHlet d'enata, une pelure, etc., ont M fiinWies h nouveau de fa^on h obtenir la meilleure image possible. Opposing pages with varying colouration or discokHjrations are filmed twk» to ensure the best possible image / Las pages s'opposant ayant das cotorattons variables ou des dteotorations sont filmtes deux fois afin d'obtenir la meilleure image possible. 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Theae too torge to be entirely inekidad in one expoMire are Aimed b egi n n i ng in the upper left hend eomer. iefi to right and top to bottom, aa many frames aa required. The f oNowing diegrams Bhiatrata the Ua aaempleiree erigineuK dent la eauvartura an papier eet imprimde sent filmas tn eamman^ant par la premier ptot et en termlnent teit par la damiire page qid eomporte une ampraima dtmpraesien ou dlNustratien. soft par la second plat, selon le ea^. Teua laa autrea axampiaires orl^naux sent fUmie t* eommen^nt par le pranMre page qui eomporte une amprainte d*impraaaian ou dlihiatration at an tarminant par la damlAra pege qui eomporte une telle amprainte. Un dee aymbolee suhrents spparahra sur la damiire imege do eheque microfiche, selon le cos: le symbolo — ^ signlfie "A SUIVRE". le symbole ▼ signHIo -nH". Lee eertee. p l en ehes . taMaaus. etc.. peuvent «ue fiimda i dee taux d9 rMuetion diff«rents. Lorsqua la teeument eat trap ^and pour Atra reproduit en un soul cttchA. il est film* « partir da rangia supdrlaur gauche, de gauche A drohe. et de haut an boa. an pranant la nembre dlmegea nAeaaaaire. Lea diagrammas suivants Uhistrant le mdthede. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 mOUinON TKT CHAir (ANSI and ISO Tf ST CHAUT No. 2) 1.0 1.1 IttiZA 1Z5 u m 1*0 ^ ^^y^LIED M/GF Inc 1 CU tatk Main stra*! (7I«) 4«2-0J00-Phont (716) 2M - StM - m 14009 USA IP ONTARIO INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION AND INSTRUCTION OF THE BLIND WHERE IT IS : WHAT IT IS : WHAT IT DOES. A. H. DYMOND PRINCIPAL HURLEY & WATKINS, PRINTERS, BRANTFORD, ONTARIO 1902 ^it€i,ifpr i^at OMrto liittMici for m CMcMMi of He BUM BRANTFORD. ONTARIO ALTHOUGH thirty ycara have clapMd since the (tetario Itutitutioa fur the Hdncation and Instruction of the Blind was established at Brantford, many persmis are still unacquainted with its character and objects. Yet in that period, seven hundred and forty-eight pupils have been admitted to a participatim in the privil^fes it offers, and a large prt^wrtion of these are scattered over the Province of Ontario snd enjoying the fruits of the education they have received within its walls. The pur- pose of this little pamphlet is to answer enquiries as to what the Institution does or attempts to do ; what class it proposes to benefit ; and on what terms those who are eligible can be admitted. A few words as to the site and surroundings of the Institution, and a brief account of its origin will firat be in wder. The Ontario Institution for the Blind was one of the several {>lans of the first government of the Province for disposing, in the nterest of the community at large, of the conidderable surplus of income over expenditure which had accumulated in thie four years succeeding Confederation. The work was carried on under the administration of the Hon. Edward Blake and completed about the time in the fall of 1873 when the Hon. Oliver Mowat assumed the office he subsequently held for nearly twenty-four years. It waa bcilt and is supported exclusively by Provincial funds voted by the Legislative Assembly. Although it is not connected with the Bducation Dmartment, the grants made are of the same nature as those for the Public Schools, only that the latter are supplemented by local rates or taxes, while the funds of the Institution being required fo^ the youth of the whole of Ontario, come as already mentioned, entirely out of the cmnmon Provincial Treasury. The site selected was an elevation at the western limits of the town (now city of 18,000 ir.b«T tants) of Brantford, over- Site looking the valley of the Grard 1«. ./, and including some sixty- five acres of land since increased to nearly one hundred acres. Part of this is laid out ornamentally and part is in farm land or orchard.s, the produce of which supplies roots, tree-fruits, and potatoes for domestic use, and food for the cattle kept to furnish the large' quantity of milk required for daily consumption. The oppor- II X tanities afforded to the pupils and other residents of the Institution for healthful recreation are more than usually ample. No Institution for the Blind in either Great Britain or the United States will, it is believed, compare with this otie in that regard. And it can be had by tbt pi^tia with perfect safety. Accidents to pupils in the grounds are all but unknown. Contrast the condition of these young pwp i g W^ thitt a£ moat blind youths or children living at home and the superior advantages afforded by the Institution are obvious. The Institu- tion is also greatly favored by its close relation to the City of Brantford. one of the most enterprising in Ontario The interest taken by the ministers of the several churches in the welfare of the pupils, the frequent intellectual entertainments to which the latter have access, and the healthy moral and social conditions generally, all act most favourably on the lives and characters of the young people thus brought in contact with them. Qualifications. Terms of Admission Of the pupils, and the terms of admission, it is now time to speak. The Statute defines the Institution as being *' for the purpose of educating, and imparting instruction in some manual art, to such blind persons as are bom of parents, or ate wards of a person bona fide resident of and domiciled in the Province of Ontario." The term "blind persons" is liberally interpreted to mean those who, by reason of actual blindness or impaired or defective vision, are incapable of receiving instruction in the public schools or of being trained to habits of industry by ordinary methods. It will be seen that this gives considerable latitude, when the question of a pupil-applicant's eligibility for admision is under consideration. As a matter of fact, about half the pupils have some perception of objects, although all are still fairly entitled to the privileges the Institution affords. A few have already attempted to wrestle with the ordinary work of a school for the sighted. But they have fallen hopelessly behind notwithstanding the teacher's stimulating injunction to " hurry up," or, not unfrequently, kind individual help and patient forbearance. There is here or there a young person of either sex whose eyesight is in such a critical condition that to strain it is to run the risk of losing it. Here again, although there may be no actual present visible defect, the Institution steps in and gives the pupil the education needed for the purposes of success in life, and saves the sight. With respect to age, the rule as to the limit being twenty-one years is not too rigidly enforced. If pupils attain that age before their course of instruction is completed, or if a young man or woman can show special reasons for admission although over twenty-one, the Inspector can authorize the Principal to admit him or her from session to session for a limited term and definite object. But the admission of adults has, of late, been viewed with increasing disfavor. A person who suffers from deafness in addition to blindnessis not inelligible, as there are methods of instruction applicable to such cases. But, in other respects, pupils must be f ee from bodily infirmity or mental deficiency. It is not always easy all at once to dcdde whether the defect in mental yigor is radical o/ only dormant owing to the neglect of the child's deirelopment. People often know so little of What a blind child can do, that they do not attempt to teach it to do any- thing. Where a doubt exists the practice of the Institution is to admit the af^Ucant for a session or perhaps two sessions, while his or her capacity for receiying and profiting by instruction is fairly tested by experienced teachers. Parents and guardians who have doubts on any point, will do well to ccmmunicate with the Principal, and not allow time to be lost, as the earlier even a somewhat deficient child is put into proper training, the more hope there is of a successful result. Attention to the early training of a blind child in its efforts to help itself at the table, or with its dress, and, very particularly in habits of cleanliness and self-respect, is most necessary. It is just as easy for a mother to do her duty in these regards as the officers or attendants of the Institution, who have enough to do to attend to reasonable requirements. The question " what is the cost of education or, what are the terms of admission?" is easily and satisfactorily answered. Board and education are entirely gratuitous if the pupil is from within the Province. All the expense is comprized in the cost of clothing and railway fares The great boon of free education for the Blind is secured by the legislative grant already mentioned. It can be accepted without reluctance or humiliation, for it is provided from revenues to which all have contributed. The Course of Instruction Pupils enter at such a variety of ages and with such different antecedents, attainments, and objects, that it is not possible to define in writing the precise course any one will pursue. One merit of the system adopted, is its flexibility and adaptability to circumstances. In matters affecting the pupils' education there are no cast iron rules. But, taking a child, say of seven or eight years, his usual course will be as follows : — His first lessons will be those of the Kindergarten class. In this class he will learn all the little handy arts taught in the public kindergarten schools, such as weaving, .sewing, plaiting, and modelling familiar objects in day. He gets his first ideas of music in the Kindergarten songs, con- veying as these also do some moral lessons. His religious instruction may be said to begin here, in that simple form common to all Christians and suited to the childish intelligence. Then his physical powers are sys- tematically developed by exercises in the well- warmed, well- ventilated and amply furnished gymnasium. He will devote a short time daily to leam- inlg arithmetic in its elementary stages, and also be taught to read. Arithmetic is rendered easy by the use of blocks or other objects, and the aphabet is mastered by the aid of embossed cards. In this way a clever child will, at the end of a session, surprise his friends by the progress, in reading small words or even sentences, he has made While in the ■MIMM ■ l^ndergarten class the pupil will have been, during his school hours, under the watchful eye of a trained Kindergarten graduate expressly selected as pc^essing ability as a teacher and the motherly instinct so essential to the effective training and guiding of the young. As the pupil progresses he will gradually withdraw from the Kinder- garten into more advanced classes. Among these, Geography, taught by the aid of raised sectional maps, will be one of the most interesting. On these maps our own province with its counties, lakes, rivers, railways, cities, towns, etc., is carefully studied. The Dominion with all its political divisions and geographical features is mastered. Great Britain with its commercial centres and other characteristics is made perfectly familiar to the young Anglo-Canadian, while the United States and the Continents of Europe, Asia, Africa and America are all handled in turn on the same principle. That Geography can be most successfully taught objectively is admitted. Many are the envious looks cast by public school teachers at our handsome maps, all of them made in the Institution, but too costly for the ideas of the prudent and economical school trustee. Another very interesting subject of objective study is Natural History. This is taught with the aid of stuffed birds, animals, reptiles and fishes. In a higher class the several parts of the human frame are made familiar by the same method. The pupils there learn something of the laws of health, and all that tends to the development and maintenance of a robust and vigorous physical condition. Among the other literary classes are those in Grammar, Reading, Writing— both in cipher and in the ordinary text— the higher branches of Arithmetic, English and Canadian History, and English Literature, with the history of which, and the great writers in the Anglo-Saxon tongue, the pupils become thoroughly acquainted. A pupil of this institution taking our regular literary course will, in all essential particulars, hold his own with the highest class in the public schools, while it is probable he will really have a more complete acquaintance with certain subjects than his sighted competitors. Young persons entering at a more advanced age than those we have been considering take up such a course as they may be likely to find most useful, or as may be most in accord with their requirements. And if a student has higher literary aspirations with a distinctively practical object he can be prepared by fully qualified teachers for university matriculation. Music The question is often asked whether the blind are not gifted with musical talent to a greater extent than the average of sighted persons ? The answer must be in the negative. There is nothing in blindness to quicken musical perceptions. But, if the question is put, " Is not music a study particularly adapted to the blind ?" the reply will be " Certainly, always provided the pupil has an ear that may be trained and a musical sense that may be developed and cultivated." Then the concentration of the mind on the study, which i» «;f »«/J° » "2*lS!S than to a seeing one. will help the work wonderfully and Pe'»»*I?,P^"?; rei.rk.ble results. Every pupil in the I^^!""^^,^'^ ^'^ .^^'JjgJ mu9ic to reMon.ble adv.nt.ge h.s the opportunity. If he ^"Jhe musical Sstinct or the perseverance that will en.ble h m to develoi)e ev« «o^*t« TOwTni he may .tt.in to a very high poMtion indeed m his course of rtuTy PupUs Jf the Institution have creditably taken the examination of tie CanadUn College of Organists. Others ^v%p.Med mth hcmors the examinations of the Toronto Conservatory and the Toronto College of Muric. One pupil last June received the Artist's I>»PloXTaL ^! Associate'. Degr^ of the College. The curriculum of t^e latter is ordinarily followed in our course of instruction. Many are reapmg the ?eward as organists and music teachers of the instruction i^ey re«»J.«^^ =i Se Institution and there only. That instruction "^^ >°<=S1« ^^^ -f^^'J^ onran piano theory and vocal music. There are not a few pupils who S^v^^itSeriplJations and prospects. They may have but limited abi^^^^ or little means of turning a long course of tuition to account when they fiSe s'h^l But the knowledgf of how to play the reed organ or piano ^rrectly. or the ability to take part in a choir, or social entertainments^ Sdrgr«;atly to the pleasure of life and gives the possessor of such resources a standing those ignorant of music cannot en]oy. The object ot Sr?StSsto^ake4ople happy as well as ^--^ -;"*-;, *°t^ music becomes a powerful agent to that end. Where, without sucli qualifications, a bli^d man or woman might spend a dreary hfe in hstles« ?dlenei he or she may in this way attain a social position many sighted ones will envy. People ofun enquire how the blind are taught music. Do they play bv ear onlv pick it up so to speak, and play from memory ? No doubt the muSc hS to be^memorized. But that is only one sUge in the operation Blind pupits are taught music just as are seeing ones, by note, ffiy practSthey will play just as deftly and correctly as those who hJVethe^Sst vision. The notes, etc., are taught in the ordmary way^ Then the exercises are dictated by the teacher to the pupil who writes them Tn rcipher consUting of raised dots made with a stylus on stout paper. and Z arranged as to constitute the several musical signs. These are read by Such and the pupil practising at the piano reads with the one hand while he practri with the other. ri|ht an.' left alternately, so that c ther hand rnfurn serves for the eyes, and the piece is committed to n^jmory and played over until the teacher is satisfied ifis played correctly And as the bSd pupils usually spend several years in the Institution they probably Stafn^a Fa ger measurfof thoroughness than many young Pe^"« ''^p^ time at school is limited. One reason among many others why a blind chTd shouldte sent to school early is, that perf«:tion --«--«, ^-f^^ bo secured unless the study begins very early m ^^f^-^ ^vf^^ y/" **^J^;^J after the child has reached an age of inteUigence is so much taken off the •y. 5? probabilities ot excellence. In music, as in the literary classes, the teachers have a standing and experience equal to the demands of the ambition or abilities of the most advanced pupil. Examinations are held annually in both the literary and musical departments by gentlemen of the highest reputation in the respective professions, and the results are fully set forth in the published reports. This is a new feature in our course of instruction, and Typewriting is now to be found in most well organized schools for the blind. It supplies the pupils with a means of correspond- ence very superior to the pencil and grooved card. It has even enabled the blind expert to act as copyist or amanuensis, although in this direction the opportunities for profitable employment must be limited. INDUSTRIAL BRANCHES For those who have, in a correct ear, the first essential Piano Taping for a piano tuner, and an opportunity for carrying on such a vocation, none is more suitable for a blind young man than that business A pupil usually enters the tuning class at about fifteen or sixteen years of age, after having had some instruction on the piano in a music class. One is sometimes found who is not likely for various reasons to become a thoroughly successful pianist and yet he may make an excellent tuner. The piano tuning class usuall> consists of about twenty-five pupils The tuning pupils are each allotted a portion of time daily for practice. All the pianos used in the music and tuning classes are repaired in the Institution, and the pupils have the benefit, in this way, of learning from a sighted expert much about the structure of the instrument and the execution of such repairs as a tuner is expected to undertake. The instruments are under the particular charge of the two seniors of the year, who assist beginners and generally oversee the class in its daily work. A pupil graduating from the tuning department receives a complete outfit of tools, subject of course, to a report favorable to his conduct and quali- fications. The instructor is a resident otficer and consequently the pupils practice under immediate and constant supervision. He is also a qualified repairer and thus supplies much information in that line of which his pupils are able to take advantage. In this branch of industry 3 number of male pupils Basket and of various ages receive instruction. It is under the Chair-riaking and care of a thoroughly competent instructor, and affords Cain-Seating a favorable outlet for the energies of pupils not special- ly adapted for the business previously mentioned. Its advantages are mainly : (i) The facility with which it may be carried on anywhere, either in town or country ; (2) the readiness with which the product may be marketed owing to its lightness ; (3) the small proportion of the cost of the material to the value of the finished product ; and (4) the readiness with which the willow may be grown where the pupil lives in a country district. Cane chair seating, too, is not onl> soon learned, but can be carried on anywhere without inconvenience or a disturbancce of domestic surroundings. The same remark applies to the finer rattan work generally. Then there is a coarse rattan, now imported in connection with other industries, which is obtainable at a very low figure, and is suited for the rougher class of baskets. The Instructor, who is always on the watch to take advantage of whatever may benefit his present or former charges, has introduced this material to them and some of the latter have done a flourishing trade in it. A number of the younger pupils even, although in many cases they arr .lot likely to go permanently into the workshop, attend there daily to learn chair seating and to get such an insight into mechanical methods as may be useful to them in after life. With respect to all these industries or any that may be taught to the blind, it has to be remembered that they must always labor under certain disadvantages which they personally, or by the help of others, have, in order to be successful, to overcome. Perseverance, industry, fidelity, good workmanship are as necessary to a blind as to a sighted workman. He and his friends have no right to expect that the customer or the employer will allow their interests to suffer because he is blind. There is every reason why the sighted should be more than ready to help the blind, but that will be developed just in proportion as the blind are willing to help themselves. Failures among blind graduates have almost invariably been traceable either to want of proper spirit and energy and sterling moral qualities, or to their environment having checked whatever qualities they possessed in them- selves for doing well. 1 he willow shop graduates, like the tuners, are furnished with a liberal outfit ^f tools, materials, and the blocks or models used in their work, and which enable them to give it form and solidity equal to that of the seeinpr craftsman. The illustration given will show what first-class goods the blind pupils can turn out. While some the female pupils can adopt music as The Sewing Class a profession, and may become excellent musicians, it will be evident that the chief prospect of a blind young woman must be bounded by home limits. Whatever she does must be under protection. Her movements are thus circumscribed, and it is nece.ssary to give her those courses of instruction which are fitted to the circumstances. The faculty of passing spare moments delightfully, and of entertaining others w'*'- music, vocal or instrumental, has been already referred to and is by means to be depreciated. But the usefulness in the family circle wil b^ ^..mplete, if in addition to a delightful accomplish- ment, the homelier ones of sewing knitting, fancy work, yes, and cooking, are available. And all these are attainable by a moderately intelligent blind "8 o ^ » 7D 35 r > o 5c \ "^ ir > ' ' ^i' ' ^ .-It ^^ 1 •■..M^jl.fj^.Mtr:. / T J 1 • ' ■ [ \ \ J, / " «- - - - . lit, - '- » 1 ■IHh. .. I > < a I I i 4 ) pupil. In the sewing room both hand and machine sewing are taught. And not only plain sewing, but every form of work for which the ingenuity of the inventor has supplied an ' ' attachment' ' to the sewing machine. We do not pretend that cutting-out and fitting can ordinarily be accom- plished by a blind girl, nor is it our practice to use exceptional cases to illustrate our ordinary methods and experience. Enough to say that the blind daugher of the family can hold her own, with the limitations just indicated, with any member of the household. The clas.ses in knitting and fancy work afford a rather wider scope for earning money than does the former Knitting and branch however u.seful in a domestic sense the art of Fancy Work sewing may be. The knitting machine is easily mastered by the pupils, and there have been cases of the latter turning their knowledge of the macb'ne to good and profitable account. All are taught to use it if they desire co do so or see an opening for its employment before them. But, to the variety of uses to which hand- knitting can be put, there i.s really no limit, and in the making of almost every description of knitted articles the way to moderate pecuniary results is always open. To this art the pupils take more readily than to almost any other work. All find it a most agreeable mode of occupying their leisure and many execute orders from friends who are glad to pay a fair price for the goods. Under this head crocheting, string work, and the production of other fancy articles are included. At the great exhibitions on this continent and in Great Britain both our Sewing and Knitting room specimens of work have been most favorably commented on. Let it be understood once for all that this class is no*t designed for turning out what are known as professed cooks. The To that distinction the most ambitious of our pupils does not Cooking aspire. But no one will deny that, as affecting the health and Class comfort of the family, cookery takes a front place. And if the blind daughter can cook the dinner, lay the table, and wash up the dishes while her sisters mind the store or teach in the school, and the mother performs her numerous matronly duties, the blind girl will be a treasure. All this the blind female pupils are being taught to do. At present this class is limited for want of space to a small number and its operations have been somewhat curtailed in consequence. But sufficient progress has been made to show how much may be done. Nor is the cooking class a novelty in the education of the blind. It is now to be found in several institutions. The experienced head of one of these not long since mentioned the case of a blind girl who had nursed a sick mother and done all the housework, including cooking for a large family, the other members of which were engaged during the day in various avocations, for six weeks, after which the young lady returned to school and resumed her music studies, in which she was a proficient. But it was the cooking clatui that had prepared her for one of the emergencies of her life. The cooking class devotes its time alternately, day by day, to the practical and theoretical, the preparation of food, and the study of the nature of food and its relation to the wants and support of life. Bead Work. Netting, etc. A large number of pupils, both male and female, learn bead-work, and find, both when at the Institution and later, a profitable sale for many beautiful little productions of this kind. Not a few have also been indebted to the sewing instructress for a knowK dge of the art of netting. Hammocks, and goods of that description, have been the line chiefly cultivated. In all that is done, the object is to attain the practical, not merely the showy and ornamental. What has been often said can hardly be too often repeated, namely, that the question is, not what can a blind boy or girl be taught, but what can they turn to account profitably when they have been taught. It is very difficult to put a limit to the possibilities nf what some blind persons may or can do. But in the first place the blind as well as the sighted are not to be measured by the capacity ol a few, but by the average capacity of the many, and secondly, mere capacity of even the average of the class does not decide what is their best resource in the competition with the world in which they are in a small minority. The importance of first considering the physical needs of the pupils by selecting the finest and most healthy of Piiyslcal localities as the site of the Institution was, as has been Culture— shown, duly recognized. But, given the most healthy QymiuisiuRi surroundihgs, it is now universally admitted the blind youth wants some.hing more. Those robust exercises in which sighted youths indulge, and which go so far to develop the muscle and give a tone to the whole system, are almost altogether beyond the reach of the blind. The tendency of blindness is to limit all physical exercise and to acquire an ackward gait and a generally inactive habit. Nothing but a well-equipped gymnasium and an expert instructor can overcome this. For the past ten years or more the In.stitution at Brantford has had the bene^t of these advantages and with the most marked beneficial results Well warmed and ventilated, the gymnasium can be used at all seasons, and is a splendid place for recreation even when not needed for systematic instruction. • The classes assemble at hxed periods as part of the regular curriculum, and are put through their several exercises according to a perfectly scientific method. The girls execute the several movements ccnnected with marching drill, cIub-swinRing, use of dumb bells, bar bells, etc., the boys the foregoing, aud in addition vaulting, climbing, swinging, use of parallel bars and other well-known moveineuts In these they become so expert as to excite the astonishment of sighted athletes. lO ■MH ■ 7; o a » .* How the Day !• Sptnt ' A brief sketch of the (Uily life of the pupils will be ittUrckting. The day begins with the ringing of the Urge bell at six a. m. That ts the signal for everyone to be stirring. Seven o'clock is the pupi s' breakfast hour, and at eight it is expected that beds shrill be made and the dor- mitories in order for the domcN:ics to perform their duties. Pupils on both sides of the house arc required to make their own beds, although some juniors are unequal to that task, and a good deal of "tidying" is necessary in the cases of not a few others. At eight the bell summons the pupils t>ll-c.ill and prayers. The attendance of all is obligatory on this occasion. The services, consisting of singing, Bible-reading and prayers, is, so far as the members of Protestant churches are concerned, conducted by the Principal ; the Roman Catholics retire t ) a separate room, where prayers are read by an officer of their communion. At eight-thirty, on three days in the week, the pupils assemble in cUisses for Bible study. On the two days not thus exercised the classes are exercised in spelling and correct language. At a quarter past nine the .-teveral literary, musical and inlustrial classes begin the day's work and, with brief intervals, continue in session till twelve. Dinner shortly follows, then recess till one-fifty, when classes resume till four. After that hour all are at liberty except those who have music practice, or duties connected with piano tuning, the workshop department or gymnastic exercises. At five-thirty conies sup per and a recess at the disposal of the pupils till eight. Then the bell summons all, except juniors who retire early, to reading, which consists of selections from the daily papers, so as to keep all well informed of currtnt events, and some entertaining book. At eight- forty-five, letters received during the day are read to the recipients ; at nine comes evening roll-call and prayers, and all retire for the night. On Sunday in the forenoon the time is partially occupied by Sunday school classes and attendance, under care of the officers, at church. A religious service is held in the Music Hall in the afternoon, conducted by the ministers of the city in rotation. In the evening there is reading as on other days During the intervals of recess a large amount of out-of-door exercise is insisted on. Broad side- walks and other facilities make walking safe and pleasant. There is a fine open space available as a playground for the boys ; there are seats under the shade trees for the girls, and ample opportunities for recreation every- where. And all without any risk o/ accident or intrusion of an objection- able character. The male pupils capable of taking care of themselves resort to the city by special leave. For indoor employment, in addition to various games played by the use of .special contrivances which need not be here described, reading in books supplied by a well-furnished library, and writing in the point print cipher already alluded to letters to friends, or transcribing books or music for private use, fill up the hours of leisure. As a rule the blind crave employment and eagerly seize on whatever will afford it Unlike sighted children the blind boys and girls have no fixed tarks to prepare out of school hours, but they have studies by way of preparation for the morrow nevertheless,- and much done in recess is really II ^5 rr^w *** l^"" ''°"' °' l^^ ^'^^**- '^««' '^ith th« g«r'«. knitting and crochet work are a never-failing resource. Music practice again with he more advanced pupi s. leaves little time for leisure.^ So it will S Tin that life m the Institution is a busy, active life, very difierent from what tJ^SS" °f*" fPtures and altogether ihe reverse of that wUh I« ^ .? ^*^ ?/ y°"*^, '^ condemned to pass at home It may safely be Shrn*;; »nH''ff°T,l°^^°J "? '^^ defects incidental to their virions con! fiv Shv f °^*" ^^"^ '^?^ ^^ !^^y ^"^y *^^»"'°«' 't ''o»Jd be hard to find any body of youn^ people in this Province more happy, lively, intellieent and self-respecting than the pupils of the Ontario Institution & the S Domestic Arrangements • 1. character of the main building of the Institution is shown in the frontispiece. The ground floor is devoted to class rooms, business offices, reception room, etc., etc On the floor above are the pupils' dormitories, officers' . ,. P"vate rooms, nurses' apartments, and library. On an upper floor in the centre ot the building is the large Music Hall, with its fine pipe organ, and a few rooms used for tuning and music practice In the rear annex are the dining rooms, domestics' quarters, kitchens, store- rooms, and bakery ; while, beyond these again, are the engine rooms and laundry. The workshop is in a separate building. At a short distance from the mam building are the houses of the Principal and Bursar The engmeer occupies the lodge house at one of the entrances to the grounds. With two or three exceptions the officers reside on the premises The general management devolves upon the Principal, while the Bursar attends to all financial matters and the purchasing of supplies. The matron, sub- ject to the direction of the Principal, has entire charge of the domestic departments Then, in either wing, is a thoroughly competent nurse who attends to the boys and girls under her charge in all matters relating to clothing or health, subject, of course, to the matron's general oversight The dietary is a very generous one, quite equal to that of any high-class boarding school, if not superior to most. The pupils have a hot dinner daily, with dessert, and as great a variety as can be desired. At the same time, the pampering of the appetite is discouraged, and pupils so indulged as .soften the case, at home, soon learn to enjoy the plain but plentiful and wholesome provision made for them. The warming of the building and workshop is provided for by two targe steam boilers connected with some twenty-thousat d feet of steam pipe and ensuring perfect comfort in the most inclement season Ba'hs and lavatories are all connected with the main building, and hot water is at all times available. Watehfulness over the pupils' health, and prompt treatment in case of sickness are further secured by the attendance daily, unless he is specially notified he is not required, of an experienced physician 13 •y. v: 'y. tmi - I I It is pleasant to be able to state that the maintenance of Discipline order and discipline is no difficult task. This is not because the pupils of an Institution for the Blind are free from errors of will and temper, or such faults as are to be found in the sighted youth of ourcountr . In some respects they may be a little more difficult o deal with because not a few have been more or less either neglected or over indulged as a result of their condition. But. without any active measures, the home life of the Institution and constant association and contact with a body of officers who understand thoroughly the characters and tendencies of the young people around them, beget a habit of restraint and self-control and supply a preventive more effectual than severe rebuke or punishment of any kind. On the other hand, discipline has to be maintained, and no hesitation is shown in its salutary exercise when H is required. Corporal punishment is only resorted to at very long intervals, and when it is felt that a sense of the disgrace attaching to it rather than the pain inflicted is necessary to meet some grave delinquency. In other cases a curtailment of privileges for a time, or a little period of solitary meditation in the " reflection room," usually leads to an early admission of the fault and a promise of amendment. In this connection it may be well to remark that no rule is more stringent than the one prohibiting the use of tobacco in any form. Unfortunately this habit is too often acquired before the pupil joins the Institution ; and enough care is not taken by the parents and others to prevent the indulgence in it during vacation. Hence the struggle has to be renewed again and again, much to the disadvantage of the pupil's standing and greatly to the annoyance of those in charge. It is well all concerned should understand that a persistence in this offence has meant, and may at any time mean, the pupil's exclusion and loss of all privileges. The male pupils are under the special charge of a male officer when not actually engaged in their i-«.«^pective departments of study. Pupils can correspond with their friends as often as Correspondence y please, and once a month it is obligatory on them to do so. On that occasion the postage is provided by the Institution. All letters received for pupils are opened by the Principal an-' handed by him to the respective officers on duty in closed envelopes, t be read to the receivers. The strictest confidence is observed in regard to the contents of such letters. Money remitted for pupils is placed in the hands of the Bursar, who gives a deposit note for it, and it can be drawn out as required. This method avoi:is the risk of money being dropped or lost, with the disagreeable results such accidents are likely to entail. . liC pupils of the Institution are, as may be supposed, of Religious many religious denominations. And it is pleasant to be able Instruction to say that, while the opinions of all are respected, no case of undue interference with those of anyone is ever known. It has been already mentioned that the Roman Catholic pupils, of whom there are usually quite a number in attendance, retire for their daily devotions to 13 a room where prayers are read by an officer of their own communion. The latter also conducts their course of religious instruction in Sunday School and Sunday afternoon services and acts as guide when they attend their own church. A lady tcadier has dttrge of the daily scriptaral iB s ti u c ti ui i of the INqpili of her own (Roman Catholic) communion. The pupils of other churches attend them on Sunday a. m., in charge of officers, and the respective ministers in rotation coodiwt the services in the Institutiaa Music H^ on Smday after loon. They take a deep personal interest in tkoK pupils who are members of thur several congregations. It will be seen by the above that, dnring the important ;iericd in the lives of the puptis passed in the Institution, all reasonable care is taken to cultivate those influences which are likely to conduce to ? well ordered and religious life. The vacation extends from the second Wednesday in June Vacation to the second Wednesday in September. A number of pupils whase residences are within a comparatively short distance of Brantford usually take a few days at Christmas but on that occasion their friends and not the Institution are responsible for their safety. Previous to the summer vacation all parents or guardians are notified of the place and hour at which the pupil may be expected to arrive, and a reply is requested in order to avoid any possibility of mistake. A similar exchange of notices takes place when the pupils re-assemble. A guide accompanies every party of pupils to their destination. The railway companies grant special rates for the roi;nd trip on very liberal terms. It is cause for profound satisfaction that, in the thirty years of the Institution's existence, no accident attended with bodily injury has ever befallen a travelling pupil. The care taken by the guides and the very kind and thoughtful attentions of the railway officials, who take a friendly interest at all times in the blind travellers, have conduced doubtless to their immunity from harm and danger. Visitors desirous of inspecting the work and methods of the Visitors Institution are welcomed at any time during school hours ana conducted through the building by an attendant. Saturdays and Sundays, however, are closed days. It may here be remarked that, while every attention is paid to the enquiries of visitors who are invited to exercise an intelligent curiosity at all times, remarks on the personal condition of the pupils and questions as to individuals, are much to be deprecated however kind the motive that prompts them. Exclamations of sympathy or wonder often wound their objects when, possibly, a verj- different intention pervades the mind of the visitor. Pupils' friends and relatives are entitled to visit them when they please, except on closed days, and hospitality is extended as far as possible ; but, unless by previous appointment and under special circumstances 14 V. ♦ ? ttccommodation at night cannot be guaranteed. It is believed that a personal visit by parents will tend to strengthen the confidence they feel in the arrangements made for their children's education and welfare. The free public concerts held at Christmas, and on the dispersion of the pupils in June, are opportunities for showing the character of much of the work accomplished. Much has been said in the foregoing pages to ataow what What the the Institution is ; a few words will not be ont of place to Inatitution show what it is not. It is not an asylmn in any sense of the Is Not word. A very liberal policy is pursued witli regard to the Educational term. Pupils as a fact remain as loag as they can be shown to be gaining practical benefit thereby and conduct ttacm- selves properly. But, whatever their needs, a permanent home or a^Innt either for them or others of the adult blind must be found elsewhere. The Institution is not a hospital or infirmary for the treatment of blindne.ss. But, once a year, an eminent oculist visits the Institution and examines the pupils with the view of ascertaining if there be a prospect of treating the eyes surgically or otherwi.se with advantage. If the oculist repcMts of any case affirmatively, and the friend^ of the pupil consent, the latter is sent to one of the ho.spitaIs with an ophthalmic infirmary attached to it, and is there treated accordingly. The expense is met by the Institu- tion. This arrangement should be borne in mind by the friends of young f>ersons whose vision is affected and who frequently allow even years to elapse, to the permanent injury of the pupil's education, when, if placed in the Instituiion he would be able to obtain the most skilful treatment and intellectual training concurrently and without cost. Especially should the inducements held out by quack faith curists and the like be disregarded. The science of ophthalmatology is now so thoroughly understood by men who have spent the better part of their lives in its study, that it is repugnant to common sense to suppose pretentious ignorance should succeed when they fail. Such cases usually drift into the Institution at last, but the waste of money and time the snares of these empirics involve is often painful to contemplate. •; The establishment of a Circulating Library for the Blind in connection with the Institution has been a great boon to the Blind of the Province. It is available by all blind persons within provincial limits. The books are carried to and fro by the mails without charge. They are in type suited to the conditions of all classes of blind readers. Application to be placed on the list of borrowers should be addressed to the Principal of the Ins-titution. Circulating Library for the Blind 15 ii The general circumstances governing the admission of How to applicants for the privileges of the Institution will have been Obtain 2F^^^y ^"^'y gathered from the information already supplied. AdmlMiofi The friends of anyone presumably eligible should write to the Principal and state the grounds of their application. They will then receive a paper containing questions the answers to which will enable the Principal to decide as to the applicant's eligibility. The decision being favorable a pupil can be admitted at any time. If the applicant is over twenty-one years of age the consent of the Inspector is required. Any facts bearing upon the history of the pupil and the loss or deterioration of vision should be communicated, especially when there is the least prospect of benefit resulting from such treatment as the oculist may recommend. Where there is partial vision too, it is well the Principal should be in possession of the reasons which may make any modification of the curriculum of the pupil or the methods of instruction desirable. The Institution is under the direct supervision of the Inspection Inspector of Public Institutions and periodically visited by that and officer. To him, as the representative of the government, all Control the officials are strictly responsible. And while it is very satisfactory to be able to state that, for many years, an appeal to the Inspector as against the management has been unknown, it is desired that all persons having a complaint to make or suggestions calculated to be of service will frankly communicate them. The last thing those in charge require is, that anything should be withheld that may enhance the comfort and happiness or aid the progress of the pupils and thus strengthen the Institution in the confidence of the public. It remains only to add that all applications for admi.ssion or information should be addressed to THE PRINCIPAL. Institution for the Blind, Brantford, Ontario. X •X T,