^. ■*^. a; %, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) M 7' w A {/ ^ ^^ ^ 1.0 I.I 1^ £ la 12.0 1-25 III 1.4 1.6 "3 % >" 'y.^ c^ cl ^> '^^' >^ V '^ ^^^* Pl 1 . Sdennes Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STRICT WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^V iV '% V ^ \\ 6^ '%2jjb*~ ^^^^ G>' % y^^^ % CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibl^ographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. [~T! Coloured cowers/ Ll. 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L'Institut a microfilm* le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a iti possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-itre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la methods normale de filmage 3ont indiqute ci-dessous. □ Coloured pages/ Pages de couieur □ Pages damaged/ Pages endommag^es □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restauries et/ou pellicul^es v/ D n Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages ddcolor^es, tacheties ou piquies r~7] Pages detached/ Pages d ratio checked below/ Ce document est film* au taux de reduction indiqu* ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X i / 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X Th« copy filmed h«r« has b««n rsproducad thanks to tha ganarosity of: Legislature du Qii^^''- |^'5 «-' If [■'. .--v- ■• ^:.': I « - , . ' ^^^bSM '" '' ^ • • o <^- y«S'Pi^H^H V. H • "^ :^ w . ,. .-^^^^^^^m . > 7i ■'./-. ■^';--%^^l '-• ^'^^^^^^H ^H y • .t*?;/ ..l m ' . '^^^iWHHBP^^H o ►' - • HI . : - .. ,- i :^::-.'": '-^ "2, .\ '-'.i^* t ^ tlMBH W '• ,,. ... <<- -.i?^. ) •''^e . "-^ > B^^^^^^^^l _ H /T,- '" / ' ..■:*•• ■•..'■ '^^^^^^^l ^O < ^ . * " . »>«t 3 -^ • >: ^H^^^^^HH. ■' :So ^^^^^^^^^^^^V . ' JO ^^^^l^^^r* H .^ ^^^^^^^K* ffi * ' •^i^^^^^^H w ■»■ * • ^^^^1 w * •^■' ^ ■ ■ kj^^^l r 1' jtNk * ^^Igaj^^^^^^l 1— . ■ . w ,» . ^ ^ .A'-.y^/.'^'v ^^^^^H u • > ■ - ■ - ■ «K... 1 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 one in that regard. And it can he had by the pupils with perfect safety. Accidents to pupils in the grounds are all but unknown Contrast the condition of these young people with that of most blind youths or children living at home and the superior advantages afforded by the Institution arc obvious. The Institution is also greatly favored by its close proximity 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 fre(|uent 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. Of the pupils, and the terms of admission, it is Qualifications now time to speak. The Statute defines the Institu- tion as being for the purpose of educating and im- Terms of i)arting instruction in some manual art, to such blind persons as are born of parents, or are wards of a Admission person bona fide reL.uent 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 re- ceiving instruction in the public schools or of being trained to habits of industry by ordinary methods. It will be seen that this gives con- siderable latitude, when the question of a pupil-applicant's eligibility for admission is under consideration. As a matter of fact, about half the pupils have some perception of objects, a'though 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 eye-sight is in such a critical con- dition that to strain it is to run the risk of losing it. Here again, although there may be no actual present visible defect, the Institu- tion steps in and gives the pupil the education needed for the pur- poses 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. A person who suffers from deafness in addition to blind- ness is not ineligible, as there are methods of instruction applicable to such cases. But, in other respects, pupils must be free from bodily infirmity or mental deficiency. It is not always easy all at once to decide whether the defect in mental vigor is radical or only dormant owing to neglect of the child's development. People often know so little of what a blind child can do, that they do not attempt to '■each it to do anything. Where a doubt exists the practice of the Ir ■ Jtion is to admit the applicant for a session or perhaps two sessions, vv'hile his or her capacity for receiving and profiting by instruction is fairly tested by experienced teachers. Parents and guardians who have doubts on any point, will do well to comn.unicate with the Principal and not allow time ^i be lost, as the earlier even a somewhat deficient child is put into proper train- ing, 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 se!'"-c-L. jct, 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 Insti.ution, who have enough to do to attend to reasonable require- ments. The question " what is the cost of education or, what are the terms of ad lission?" is easily and satisfactorily answered. Board and education are entirely gratuitous if the pupil is from within the Pro- vince. All the expense is comprised 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. Pupils enter at such a variety of ages and with such The Course different antecedents, attainments, and objects, that it is not possible to define in writing the precise course any of Instruction 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 clay. He gets his first ideas of music in the Kindergarten songs, conveying 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 intelli- gence. Then his physical powers are systematically developed by exercises :n the well-v/armed, well-ventilated and amply furnished gyrnnasium. He will devote a short time daily to learning 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 alpha- bet 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, > O H > W H H d H O 2! Tl O ?o H w w r hi O > en O H H O o W w hi o in reading small words or even sentences, he has made. While in the Kindergarten class the pupil will have been, during his school hours, under the watchful eye of a trained Kindergarten graduate expressly selected as possessing 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 in- teresting. 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 Britian with its commercial centres and other characteristics is made perfectly familiar to the young Anglo-Can- adian, 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 ad- mitted. 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, rep- tiles, 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 de- velopment and maintenance of a robust and vigorous physicial con- dition 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 he can be prepared by fully qualified teachers for university matriculation. The question is often asked whether the blind are Music 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 con- centration of the mind on the study, which is easier to a blind person than to a seeing one, will help the work wonderfully and perhaps produce remarkable results. Now every pupil in the Institution who can be taught music to reasonable advantage has the opportunity. If he has the musical instinct or thv^ perseverance that will enable him to de- velop even moderate powers, he may attain to a very high position indeed in his course of study. Pupils of the Institution have credi- tably taken the examination of the Canadian College of Organists. Only last June two of our pupils passed with honors examinations in piano and theory at the Toronto Conservatory of Music. And others without these distinctions are reaping the reward as organists and music teachers of the instruction they received a^ the Institution and there only. That instruction may inclulde the church organ, the piano, theory, and vocal music. There are not a few pupils who have other aspirations and pros- pects. They may have but limited abilities or little means of turning a long course of tuition to account when they leave school. But the knowledge of how to play the reed organ or piano correctly, or the ability to take part in a choir, or social entertainments, adds greatly to the pleasure of life and gives the possessor of such resources a standing those ignorant of music cannot enjoy. The object of the Institution is to make people happy as well as money earners, and so music becomes a powerful agent to that end. Where, without such qualifications, a blind man or woman might spend a dreary life in list- less idleness, he or sh i may in this way attain a social position many sighted ones will envy. People often enquire how the blind are taught music. Do they play by ear — only pick it up so to speak and play it from memory ? No doubt the music has to be memorized. But that is only one stage in the operation. Blind pupils are taught music just as are seeing ones, by note. And by practice they will play just as deftly and correctly as those who have the best vision. The notes, etc., are taught in the or- dinary way Then the exercises are dictated by the teacher to the pupil who \> iites them in a cipher consisting of raised dots made with a stylus on stout paper, and so arranged as to constitute the several musical signs. These are read by touch, and the pupil practising at the piano reads with the one hand while he practises with the other, right and left alternately, so that either hand in turn serves for the eyes, and the piece is committed to memory and played over until the teacher is satisfied it is played correctly. And as the blind pupils usually spend several years in the Institution they probably attain a larger measure of thoroughness than many young persons whose time at school is limited. One reason among many others why a blind child should be sent to school early is, that perfection in music can hardly be secured unless the study begins very early in life. Every year of delay after the child has reached an age of intelligence is so much taken off the probabilities of excellence. In music, as in the literary classes, the teachers have a standing and experience equal to the demands of the ambition or abil- ILICD Wi Liiv: liiObt dUVaiii^^u pupix. XLt^-vcLixiiiicttlOiiD 4iic xicii-l cllinuHliy Hi 6 ?0 > > D > < O I— ( H W w > w r Iq > < O t— ( H W > a w >: ^i ■^Vi*?«; A,W -A, ■ .r ,,:a '> .+ ■ Wr» fe ■ •#i i '?'• • >V:.^'?'- ^^*s^ /'- ■'-. t 1 tk-' .-■■ m m T 'ii^si^IDH * B^ " >. • ■;;..' ^^S^BS^SSKuA^Mi^. f. „j, HHI^SSwr^^ ■ ,...^^.L '■ ■ !kf^ mia^^« ? * -i ^-**'' -- - I (1 both the literary and musical departments by gentlemen of the high- est reputation in the respective professions and the results are fully set forth in the published reports. INDUSTRIAL BRANCHES. For those who have, in a correct ear, the first Piano esssential for a piano tuner, and an opportunity for carrying on such a vocation, none is more suitable for Tuning 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 usually consists of from twenty-one to twenty-five pupils. Their instructor attends twice weekly. The latter is a former pupil of the Institution, who, as the result of the training and advantages he received there has conducted a large and thriving business in this city for some years and has been honored by election to the mayoralty. He takes a deep and sympathetic interest in his pupils' success in life and has assisted many of them to attain very good positions. 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 took, «5nHiprt of course to a report favor- able to his conduct and qualifications. In this branch of industry from twenty to thirty Basket and male pupils of various ages receive instruction. It is under the care of a thoroughly competent in- €hair Making structor, and affords a favorable outlet for the ener- gies of pupils not specially adapted for the business and Cane-Seating previously mentioned, Its advantages are mainly : (i) The facility with which it may be carried on anywhere, either in town or country ; (2) the readi- ness 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 only soon learned but can be carried on anywhere without inconvenience or a disturbance 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 are doing a flourishing trade in it. A number of the younger pupils, even although in many cases they are not 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 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 the want of proper spirit and energy and sterling moral qualities, or to their environment having checked whatever qualities they possessed in themselves for doing well. The willow shop graduates, like the tuners, are furnished with a liberal outfit of 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 seeing craftsman. The illustration given by the aid of the pho- tograph will show what first-class goods the blind pupils can turn out. While some of the female pupils can adopt music The as a pofession, and may become excellent musicians, it will be evident that the chief prospect of a blind Sewing young woman must be bounded by home limits. What- ever she does must be under protection. Her move- Class ments are thus circumscribed, and it is necessary to give her those courses of instruction which are fitted to the circumstances. The faculty of passing spare moments delightfully, and of entertaining others with music, vocal or instrumental, has been already referred to and is by no means to be depreciated. But the usefulness in the family circle will be com- plete if, in addition to a delightful accomplishment, the homelier ones of sewing, knitting, fancywork, yes, and cooking, are available. And all these are attainable by a moderately intelligent 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 accomplished by a blind girl, nor is it our practice to use excep- i I— I n > 'J) K O c! w m tionai cases lO iiiuSLras.€ our cfuina 8 ii t O O) X 5« I— I ^ W m n > en C/5 M o n r > in ^ I— ( o 3 1 t > o o o > i X w o o o O n > n o 72 ff D O W o a w > D W 5^ w I ! y '. i fl ercise -n intelligent curiosi*:y at all times, rema-ks on the personal condition of the pupils and questions as to individuals, are much to be deprecated however kind the motive that prompts them. Excla- mations of sympathy or w^onder often wound their objects when, possibly, a very 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 a possible, but, unless by previous appointment, accommodation at night cannot be guaranteed. It is believed that a personal visit by parents will tend to strengthen the confidence they feci in the arrangements made for their childrens' 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. i 1 » 4 1 4 Much has been said in the foregoing pages to What the show what the Institution is; a few words will not be out of place to show what it is not. It is not Institatitn an asylum in any sense of the word. A very liberal policy is pursued with regard to the Educational is not term. Pupils as a fact remain as long as they can be shown to be gaining practical benefit thereby and conduct themsel /es properly. But, whatever their needs, a permanent home or asylum either for them or others of the adult bl nd must be found elsewhere. The Institution is not a hospital or infirmary for the treatment of blindness. But, once a year, an eminent oculist visits the Institu- tion and examines the pupils with the view of ascertaining if there be a prospect of treating the eyes surgically or otherwise with ad- vantage If the oculist reports of any case affirmatively, and the friends of the pupil consent, the latter is sent to one of the hos- pitals with an ophtralmic infirmary attached to it, and is there treated accordingly. The expense is met by the Institution. This ; rrangement should be borne in mind by the friends of young persons whose vision is affected ard who frequently allow even years to elapse, to the permanent injury of the pupil's education, when, if placed in the Institution he would be able to obtain the most skilful t«-eatment 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 ophthal- matology is now so thoroughly understood by men who have spent the better part of their lives in its study, that it is rep gnant 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. 15 The general circumstances governing the admis- How to sion of applicants for the privileges of the Institution will have been pretty fully gathered from the infor- Obtain mation already supplied. The friends of anyone presumably eligible should write to the Principal and Admission 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 piyM .id the loss or deterioration of vision should be communicated, es^ y when there is the least prospect of benefit resulting from such treatment as the oculist may recom- mend. Where there is partial vision too, it is well the Principal should be in possession of the reasons which may make any mod- ification of the curriculum of the pupil, or the methods of instruction desirable. 4 The Institution is under the direct supervision of Inspection the Inspector of Public Institutions and periodically visited by that officer. To him, as the representative and of the government, all the officials are strictly respon- sible. And while it is very satisfactory to be able to Controul 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 applica- tions for admission or information should be addressed to THE PRINCIPAL, Institution for tlie Blind, Brantford, Ontario. Supplementary Note Piano Since tlic t'oregoiiij< was written an important change Tuning ^^''•'^ been made in the Piano Tuning Department by the engagement of a resident Instructor. This places every pupil in that branch under the eye of the teacher during the former's dail_\- practice, and gives him a correspondingly increased number of lessons. The Instructor is also a highly qualified repairer, and can thus impart to his pupils all the information in that very important jnirt of their future business they will be able to turn to good account. Typewriting This is a new feature in our cour.se of instruction, and is already to be found in most well-organized schools for the Blind. It supplies the pupils with a means of cor- respondence very superior to the pencil and grooved card. It has even enabled the Blind expert to act as a copyist or amanuensis, although in this direction the opportunities for profitable employment must be limited. Circulating Library for the Blind The e.stabli.shnient of a Circulating Library for the Blind in connection with the Institution has been a great Ijoon 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 Ije addressed to the Principal of the Institution.