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ADDRESS.

THERE is perhaps no class of human beings, whose situation appears at first view more deplorable and irremediable than that of the blind poor. Cut off from every means of occupation and amusement, their faculties become torpid and inactive. Those with whom they are compelled to associate, are unable to supply their minds with sources either of information or comfort, and during that portion of their time which they are condemned to pass in solitude, they are left to dwell upon the reflection, that through the whole of their existence, they must remain in their present helpless state, a burden to themselves and to their relations. It remained for the present age to discover a remedy for this evil. The hand of benevolence, guided by the suggestions of ingenuity, has at length succeeded in rendering these unfortunate objects no longer burdensome to society, has enabled them to become happy and useful, and has, in short, opened the eyes of the

blind.

About twenty years have now elapsed since an attempt was made to afford relief to those persons who were labouring under the complicated misfortunes of poverty and blindness, by forming an institution where they might be cheered by conversation, and where, by being engaged in different occu pations, their minds might be relieved from the fatigue of inactivity, at the same time that their labour might, in some

degree, contribute to their support. The experiment of a few years proved that the object was not unattainable, and even the first efforts that were made were so far successful, as to meet with the decided approbation of the public. Increased experience has, however, enabled the managers of the institution to improve the nature of the establishment under their care, and as they extended their views, they have continued daring each successive year to render it less of an asylum, where the ease and comfort of the blind were principally considered, and more approaching to a school, where they should be instructed in some useful art or trade, by which they might be enabled to procure for themselves a comfortable livelihood.or

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In so novel an undertaking, it might naturally be expected, that a considerable period of time must elapse before the plan could arrive at maturity. Many unsuccessful experiments would necessarily be made, and both time and expence would not improbably be lost in the attempt to accomplish objects, which were after all found to be unattainable. Some manufactures that were conceived to be peculiarly adapted to the management of persons deprived of sight, were upon trial found to prove less advantageous than was expected, and were at length abandoned. It has also happened in a few cases, that persons who have been admitted into the school, have, in consequence of bodily or mental incapacity, depending probably upon the same cause which produced their blindness, been unable to receive any useful instruction, and were under the necessity of returning to their friends. Notwithstanding, however, the occurrence of some circumstances of this na

ture, it may be confidently asserted, that the present state of the institution is highly gratifying to the friends of humanity, and that it has already produced more real service to those persons who have been the objects of its care, than could reasonably have been predicted. At the opening of the present school, in the spring of 1800, the number of pupils was increased to seventy, and since in 1809 to 100, the number at present in the school: they are all of them usefully employed, and they exhibit a picture of cheerfulness and comfort which can perhaps scarcely be paralleled by an equal number of individuals, of any description whatever, collected under the same roof. Few persons have for the first time been eyewitnesses of the scene which it presents, without shedding tears of sympathy and delight. Nor has their interest in the establishment been diminished by a more intimate acquaintance with it. To behold a number of our fellow-creatures, whose previous situation was so truly deplorable, become at the same time happy and useful, produces a sensation of heartfelt satisfaction which words are unable to express..

A circumstance, which at the same time that it is highly gratifying to the feelings of the committee, proves decidedly the favourable opinion which the public at large entertain of the benefits derived from the institution is, that five similar schools have been established on the plan of the one at Liverpool, viz. in the cities of London, Dublin, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Norwich. The committee have embraced every opportunity of conveying information to the managers of those institutions; and they take this method of expressing their

readiness to co-operate with them in any way, by which the welfare of those charities may be promoted.

The principal occupations of the pupils at present are,— spinning, hamper and basket making, the plaiting of sash line, the weaving of worsted rugs for hearths, carriages, and doors, of linen, and of floor cloth and sacking, the making of sacks and list shoes, the manufacturing of twine, pack thread, log lines, clothes lines, and fish lines, of stair carpeting, and of foot bears, points and gasketts from old ropes, and the learning of music. In this last department, the attention of the committee is principally directed to qualify the pupils for the office of organists, and they have so far succeeded, as to have already procured appointments of this kind for seventeen of the young men who have been educated at the school. The pupils are also instructed in the method of teaching music to others, and in tuning, quilling, and stringing musical instruments; by these means seven of the pupils, besides those who are organists, are enabled to procure for themselves a comfortable livelihood, and have met with very considerable encouragement. The committee think it may not be improper to remark, that the young men whom they educate for organists are, for the most part, qualified for teaching music, and for tuning musical instruments, a circumstance which, in country places particularly, may be an important advantage to the neighbourhood where they are introduced. Besides the means which are adopted to instruct the pupils in these several employments, a strict attention is paid to their moral and religious conduct. The health of the pupils is also made

an object of especial care, and a medical committee is ap pointed to superintend and regulate all circumstances relating to it. This committee particularly direct their attention to -the state of the eyes, and consider it their province to ascer 'tain whether any means can be employed for the recovery of sight: it may be necessary to remark, that no operation of this kind is ever performed without the express consent of the parties and of their friends.

The first object of the governors in erecting buildings was to provide the pupils with a school, where they might spend a certain number of hours daily, and receive instruction in their several trades; and in the year 1800, a commodious building for this purpose was erected, principally from the contributions of the inhabitants of Liverpool. The pupils were lodged in different houses near the school, but although every care was taken to provide them with suitable accommodations, yet it was found, on many accounts, desirable to have them more under the immediate inspection of the governors. Every year afforded fresh proofs of the importance of accomplishing this object, and the committee were induced from the encouragement which they received from the public, to commence an extensive range of additional buildings, connected with the present school, in which those pupils, whose friends do not reside in Liverpool, may be lodged. The reasons for 'adopting this measure will, upon a little reflection, be sufficiently obvious, and it will be also evident, that the projected improvement is particularly desirable for the younger part of the scholars, who are in every respect the most eligible objects of the institution.

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