Eighth report of the directors of the American Asylum at hartford for the educaiton and instruction of the deaf and dumb exhibited to the asylum May 15, 1824

EIGHTH REPORT

OF THE

DIRECTORS

OF THE

AMERICAN ASYLUM,

_.,..,

AT HARTFORD,

FOR THE

EDUCJJ.TION JlND INSTRUCTION

OF

THE DEAF AND DUMB,

EXHIBITED TO THE ASYLUM,

l\lA Y 15, 1824.

--™_-=.

HARTFORD:

W. HUDSON AND L. SKINNER, PRINTERS,

.

,

_{OFFICERS OF THE ASYLUM .}

PreBident.

Hon. Nathaniel Terry.

Vice-Preaidenta for life, by ,ubaciption of

3200

and upwarch.

Hon. Wfll)am Phillips,

Boston.

I

Hon. Ste_p. Van �enssela1;r, Albany�

Hon. Wilham Gray,

do

•Hon. EliasBoudmot,Burlmgton, N. J

.

Hon. Israel Thorndike,

do

Robert Oliver, Esq.

Baltimore.

William Parsons, Esq.

do

I

John Caldwell, Esq.

Hartford.

Samuel Appleton, Esq.

do

Chauncey Deming, Esq. Farmington."

Daniel Wadsworth, Esq. Hartford

..

Charles Sigourney, Esq.

Hartfonl

,

Vice-President! elected at the anm,al meeting, May

15. 1824.

Mason F. Cogswell, M. D.

II

Henry Hudson,

David Porter,

"

Rev. Benoni UpMon, D. D.

Joseph Batte!,

Thomas Day,

Ward Woodbridge,

Samt1el Tudor,

lJirectorafar life by subscription ef"SlOO and upwards.

Joseph Batte!,

Yorfolk.

P. C

"

Brooks,

Boston.

Daniel Buck,

Hartford.

Mason F. Cogswell,

do

John B. Coles,

New-York.

Joseph Coolidge,

Boston.

Simeon Fbrrester,

Salem

.

Henry Hudson,

Hartford.

William ff Imlay�

do

James Kane,

Albany

.

Eliphalet Kimbal,

Salem.

David M'Kinney,

Hartford.

Israel Munson,J

Boston.

H

.

Overing,

New-York.

Samuel Parkman,

Boston.

Daniel P Parker,

do

James Perkins,

do

Joseph Peabody,

Salem.

B

.

Pickman, Jun.

do

David Porter,

Hartford.

P Remsen,

New-Yo1·k

.

Andrew Ritchie,

Boston.

Samuel Salisbury,

do

•David Sears,

do

John Cotton Smith,

Sharon.

j

No<h••;eJTmy,

Hartford.

"

Ward Woodbridge,

do

S V

.

S. Wilder,

Paris,.

John Jacob Astor,

New-York.

Christopher Coft,

Hartford.

Henry W Delavan,

Albany.

Samuel Elfiot, Jr.

Washington City.

Daniel D. Rogers,

Boston.

•Luther Scarborough,

Hartford.

Eliphalet Terry,

Hartford.

Rev. Benoni Upson, D. D. Berlin.

Stephen Whitney,

New-York.

Thomas H. Gallaudet,

Hartforlil

Eliphalet Averill,

dll

Directors cho,en at the annnal meeting, May 15, 1824.

John Russ,

William Ely,

David ,vatkinson,

James Ward,

William Walson,

!

Ch,cl<' Seymoo,,

.

Roswell Bartholomew,,

John Butler,

James B Hosmer,

Daniel P. Hopkin�,

Seth Terry,

Secretar·y.

James H. Wells,

Treasurer.

Mason F. Cogswell, l\:C. D.

Phy,ician.

Instn,ctors.

Thomas H. Gallau<lct, A. M.

Pri11cipal.

Laurent Clerc,

}

'William W. Turner, A. l\f.

_{A "}

_lit

_t

Ha1

·

vey p Peet, A" H.

ss1 an s.

Horatio N. Brfosma<le. A.

n.

Harvey l'. Peet,

Steward.

:Mrs, Peet,

JJfatro11.

• de�<l.

•

✓

'

-

.

_{TO THF;}

PATRO.NS AND F

R

IEND.8

OF THI:

AMERICAN ASYLUM,

AT HART

.

FORD,

iFOR THE EDUCATION AND �bi'STRUCTION OF THE DE . .\F AND

DUM:B,

TR,F; �uµa;OTQJl.$ lU!iSP;F;OTFULLY PRESENT THE FOLioWING

••

_REPORT

H

.

IT will be recollected by those who read the Report of the

last year, that the Directors of the Asylum expressed a deep

interest in the introduction of labour and mechanical employ­

ments among the pupils, and gave an assurance that, notwith­

standing the intrinsic difficulties which lay in the way of ac­

complishing this desirable object, no reasonable efforts would

be spared to encounter, and, if possible, to remove them.­

Some of these difficulties were stated, for the sake of convin­

cing the public that they were both real and great; almost in­

herent in the first stages of the progress of aQ. Institution, so

unlike all others in its qesign and the iµeans of carrying this

design into effect ; and tQ l?e overcome only by patient and

persevering exertion.

It was observed, that it was important to procure some

suitable person to superintend this department of the Institu­

tion, but extremely difficult to find one; that certainly at

prese,

nt, and perhaps always, a pecuniary sacrifice must be

made, in order to instruct the pupils in any of the mechanical

trades, as their labour in this way, during the short time of

their continuance at the Asylum, would not refund the ex­

penses incurred ; that the friends of the deaf and dumb de­

µ1and impossibilit�e$ of th�m, anq of tlwse who �re �n�rl.\ste<l

4

with their

·

education, if they expect, that these infants in

knowledge, although they may be men in stature, and labour­

ing, too,

-

under the peculiar embarrassments of their situation,

are, by some mysterious process, to be taught, in the course

of

four or six years,

what it takes children and youth who

have all their faculties, some

twelve or fourteen years

to ac­

quire ; and that, therefore, either the public must be persua­

ded to keep the pupils longer at the Asylum, or else some

sacrifice must be made, either on the part of intellectual im­

provement, or the acquisition of a mechanical trade.

In addition to this, it may be observed, that the

materials

out of which the mechanical department of the Institution is

to be formed, are exceedingly

heterogeneous.

Some of the friends of the deaf and dumb, regarding them

as prodigies, gifted by Nature wi

t

h· a wonderful and secret

power, perhaps as a sort of compensation for the difference

which is made between them and their fellow-men ; and

recollecting the old adage that the loss of one faculty always

sharpens the rest; and thinking little, or knowing nothing, of

the slow, patient, and gradual process which must, of 11eces­

sity, be employed in the instruction of those who are excluded

from the common sources of improvement, that children who

are in possession of all the�r faculties, enjoy ;-consider iwo

or three years

spent at the Asylum, as quite sufficient to ad"'.

vance a pupil, from his alphabet, of which, at his admission,

he is ignorant, to a correct knowledge of the English language,

so that he may both read it with understanding, and write it

with accuracy ; to an acquaintance with moral and religious

truth; to the use of figures; and to the outlines of geography.

All this is to be accomplished, and, at the

·

same time, some

progress to be made in the acquisition of a mechanical trade;

or, at least, the pupil' is to contribute, in part, to his support,

by manual labour.

·

From this cause, and from the indigent circumstances in

which many of the deaf and dumb are placed, they are often

removed from the Asylum at the expiration of the third or

even second year.

·

·

Again, some of the pupils are too young, and others are too

old, to commence the learning of a trade, and, among those

who are of a suitable age, and expect to continue a few years

at the Asylum, there is �uch diversity of incli

₁₁

ation and opin­

ion, both on their own part and that of their parents and

friends, with regard to the particular trade most suitable for

them to follow.

A simple statement of a few facts wili serve to illustrate the

truth of the above remarks.

'

During the last term an attempt was made to ascertain�

'·

whether any and what classification of the young men and

boys, could be effected, so as to introduce among them some

branches of mechanical employment. They were thirty-six

in number; of whom eight were between the ages of eight

and si,cteen; seventeen between fifteen and twenty-one; siic

between twenty and twenty-six; and five between twenty-five

and thirty-one.-How much longer

.than the present year

·

many of them would remain at the Asylum, was very doubt­

ful.-Eight, from their youth and .other causes would not

probably engage in learning a trade ; of the remaining twen­

ty-eight, three were shoe-makers or knew something of the

trade; one was a cooper, and one w:ished to learn that trade ;

.�me was a joiner, ancj. two wished to learn that trade; one was

a blacksmith and cutler, and three wished to learn that trade;

four wished to be shoemakers ; four to be tailors; one to be

a book-binder ; one to be a cabinet-maker; and no less than

six to be printers. In making this choice of a trade, the pa­

rents and friends of the pupils were written to ; in some cases

they themselves decided, while in others, they left the matter

wholly to the inclination of the pupil; and, indeed, it is well

known that, without this inclination, and somewhat, also, of

what is termed a natural tastt: or bent of the mind, for any

particular mechanicai employment, success �n it is �lways dif­

ficult, and often doubtful.

.

How was this incongnious mass W be moulded into any

thing like form or regularity? How were such difficulties to

_

be overcome? They h,ave been thus minutely stated, not to

produce discouragement, and the abandonment of sq import­

an): an object as that of qualifying a deaf and dumb person to

take a respectable and useful station in society, and to sup­

port himself, if necessary, by the labour of his own hands;

11or to justify remissness and delay on the part of those to

whom the management of the Asylum is entrusted; nor un­

duly to enhance the value of any efforts or sacrifices which

they have ma<le in endeavouring to encounter these difficult­

ies; but simply to enlighten the public mind on a subject

which, from its peculiar nature, is very little and imperfectly

understood ; to engage public confidence, by a frank avowal

of the obstacles with which such an Institution has to con­

tend ;-to awaken public sympathy, by letting it be fully

known under what numerous and singular embarrassments, a

very interesting and unfortunate class of our kindred and

J;ountrymen labour, in attaining to any thing like an equality

with those whom a kind Providence has distinguished by

more exalted privileges; and thus to produce public co-ope­

ration in the adoption and prosecution of such comprehen�ive

yet prudent plans for the reljef of all our deaf and dumb

popu-6

Jation who are capable of instruction, as

,will result in the ac­

complishment ot' an object which no

,

t only benevolence but

justice forces upon our regard.

In forming and proposing such plans, the Directors have

felt the importance

,

of not being too precipitate. It is but a

few years sinct the Institution was founded. Our country is

;m extensive one

.

, and it takes time both to diffuse informa­

tion on a new and difficult subject, and to collect the public

sentiment with regard to it. Experience is a wise counsellor.

Besides, every year since the very generous grant of land in

Alabama, made by Congr.ess to the Asylum, the prospect has

been brightening, that it would e:ventuaUy be in possession of

funds sufficient to enable it to propose such terms to the public.

as would lessen very much the e�pense of providing for the

education of the deaf and dumb, and lead to their being sent

at an earlier age, and for a longer period of ye

,

ars, to the In­

atitution; thus enabling them to devote a �onsiderable part of

their time to manual labour and tb.e -'C;quisition of a trade,

while enough would be left for all the purposes of maldng

them acquainted with the duties of morality and religion, and

of imparting to them that knowledge which is necessary for

their usefulness and happiness in life • ...,.. The Directors regret,

that the time has not yet arrh·e

.

d when they can do this,

though their hopes of its approach are constantly becoming

stronger.-Much expense and J.,tbour, however, will yet be

necessary, in addition to what has air.!,!ady been bestowed, to

convert the lands in Alabama �nto money.-They lie at a

distance, and in a part of our country where great pecuniary

embarrassment exists. They have all been patented, but ia

consi4erable portion is yet unsold.-Of what has been sold,

much the greater part ytt remains to be paid for. Failures,

to a considerable amount, on the part of some of the purcha.

sers, to meet thdr payments, have occurred, and urgent soli­

citations for still further indulgence, continue to be presented

to the Directors.

Trusting, howeve�, in that Providence which has heretofore

so kindly watched over this ln-,titution, to enable them to

overcome the embarrassments which attend some of its opera­

tions; and anxious to satisfy the public and the friends of the

deaf and dumb, that their great desire is to do good to the

interesting objects of their care ;....,.the Directors have lately

made an attempt, at a considerable expense, to introduce me­

chanical employments among the pupils, upon a regular and

systematic plan.

Two neat and commodious brick workshops have been

erected near the Asylum. An ingenious and skilful mechan•

i�, himself a cabinet-maker, has beeq employed to over�1=·�·

7

this department of the Institution. He resides with the

'

pu.;

pils; the

,

better to becomi:: familiar with their language ot

signs and to be able to discharge the duties of his station.­

Tools and othi::r necessary accommodations have been provi­

ded, and, although it is vacation, a considerable number of

the pupils are at work, while others are expecting to join

them, on their return.-Six are now engaged in learning the

trade of a cabinet-maker or joiner; and another who had ac­

quired considerable skill in this branch before he came to the

Asylum, aids in instructing them. One who understands the

cooper's business, is at work.-In one of the shops, a forge is

erected, at which a very ingenious blacksmith and cutler is

employed, while three of the pupils, under his instruction, are

learning the same trade.-Six shoemakers are at work ; two

of whom had previously made considerable proficiency, and

another, a first rate workman, gives instructions to the rest.

Several of the female pupils are employed in binding the

shoes. It is hoped, that those who wished to be tailors will

soon be placed at

work;

much effort has been made to find a

suitable person to instruct them, but, as yet, without success.

In the present state of the Institution, it was impossible to

make provision for the six pupils who wished to be printers;

three of them, however, have begun to learn the trade of a

cabinet-maker, and two others will join them at the end of

vacation. Some of the articles, already made by the pupils,

evince much skill, and command a ready sale ; the patronage

and custom of the friends of the Institution, in this depart­

ment, are respectfully solicited.

From what has been previously stated, it will be easily seen,

that these arrangements for the introduction of mechanical

employments among the pupils, must have been attended with

a considerable pecuniary sacrifice on the part of the Institu­

tion, It was made, however, in hopes that the way might

thus be prepared, for meeting the wishes of the public, and

of the friends of the deaf and dumb, with regard to this very

interesting and important part of their education, and prepara­

tion for the active duties of life. This object will be kept

steadily in view by the Directors, and hastened to its com­

plete accomplishment, as rapidly as the funds of the Institu­

tion, now having an encouraging prospect of an increase, will

permit.

There is another topic, which though not, perhaps, properly

forming a part of the report of the operations of the Institu­

tion, is, nevertheless, connt:cted so intimately with the inter.

ests of the deaf and dumb generally, that the Directors wish

to avaiLthemselves of so good an opporttmity of expressing

tbei1· sentiments uron it to the public. In doing thif> thq

8

profess to be actuated, by what they conceive to be liberal

and comprehensive views, with regard to the best mode of

promoting the education of the deaf and dumb throughout

our common country; and, while they offer their thoughts

with freedom and frankness, they disclaim all feelings of

rivalry or competition towards other Institutions either now,

or yet to be, in existence.

How far it is desirable to increase the number of establish•

ments for the instruction of the deaf and dumb in our country,

and especially in this northern section of it, is an inquiry

which certainly deserves the patient and candid consideration'

of all who take an interest in this unfortunate class of our

fellow-men. In forming an opinion on this subject, possibly

the following remarks, founded on a considerable course of

experience and observation, may not be without their use.

A school for the deaf and dumb is so entirely different from

those for the education of youth in possession of all their fac•

ulties, that it is difficult to give one correct ideas respecting it,

without actual inspection. A prominent feature of such a

school is, that one instructor cannot successfully teach but a

comparatively small number of pupils ; and hence, the in­

struction of this class of people is attended not only with a

considerable increase of labour but of expense. It is one of

the greatest difficulties which such a school has to encounter,

to procure individuals of such an education, and more espe­

cially of such peculiarity of talents and skill, as to qualify them

for the employment of teaching the deaf and dumb ; an em­

ployment, which, strange as it may seem to those not 'familiar

with it, demands for its successful prosecution a certain natural

turn of mind, somewhat like that, though directed to a very

different object, which is called, a genius for mechanical pur­

suits. In addition to this, a training of several years is ne­

cessary to make one competent to the task of undertaking the

complete instruction of a deaf and dumb person in the com­

mon branches of education. To induce one to engage perma­

nently in such an employment so unlike that ofan instructor in

a school, academy, or college, which is usually considered as

but temporary, and introductory to son'le professional pursuit,

a prospect not only of present, but of future support, must be

offered ; for nothing would be more embarrassing to the pro­

gress of an Institution for the deaf and 9umb, than to have its

instructors frequently changing; inasmuch as each new in­

structor must himself, for some time, become a learner, while

the task of teaching him devolves upon his more experienced

colleagues. Hence the department of instruction in such an

establishment, is attended with much greater expense than is

necessary for the education of youth who are in possession o

fi

all their faculties.

. .

•

9

1n a school for the deaf and dumb, if it is ever to have any

accession to its numhers, it is absolutely indispensable to have

more than one well-qualified instructor; for pupils who have

just entered cannot possibly be introduced into a class which

has been some time under a course of instruction. If pupils

,vere admitted at all times, perpetual confusion and embarrass­

ment must ensue. Once a year seems to be, on the whole, the

most suitable period ; and since four or five years are abso­

lutely necessary to give the deaf and dumb even a tolerably

correct command of language; in a school of such a kind,

especially a public one, intended for the general good, there

must be, at least, four or five classes, and as manv instructors.

Besides it would be unwise to suspend the fa·te of such an

establishment on the precarious life o:· health of an individual.

Temporary indisposition may occur. The occupation is an

exceedingly laborious one, demanding a great deal of patience

::md perseverance. Several instructors together keep alive

each other's interest; aid each other in difficulty ; make new

discoveries, or invent new modes of instruction ; and thus

give life and vigour to an Institution, which, it is to be feared,

under a solitary individual, ( even if no other obstacles existed,)

would soon languish, from the fact, that human nature is so

constituted, as to make loneliness in any diflicult pursuit soon

produce irksomeness and irresolution.

To conduct an establishment for the deaf and dumb with

success, the pupils should be assembled together. To have

them board in private families would exceedingly impair, if

not quite destroy, the efforts made for their improvement and

government. Now, they can a5 well be assembled in considera­

ble numbers

1

as in small ; for there would be no difficulty in

providing for them, if suitable accommodations and instruct­

ors were furnished.

To have schools for the deaf and dumb in each town, or

county, or even State, would be attended with an expens<:

which would be so great as to result, at last, in the entire

abandonment of them to their native and hopeless ignorance

.

,Vithout such an expense instructors could not be found, and

trained, and supported for such a purpose.

It might seem, indeed, at first sight, to justify the establish­

ment of such a school in any section of the country, that one

hundred deaf and dumb persons were found within it. But

these one hundred have been accumulating for fifty or sixty

years. l\1any of them are too young, and some too old, to be

instructed. Other causes, too, will prevent many from at­

tending the school. But, even supposing that the one hundred

were all assembled, and, in the course of a few years, educa­

ted ; it is obrious, that, aftawards, pro,isio:1 would ha \·e to

"

,.,.

10

be made only for the

annual increase of the deaf and dumb.,

It is for

this only that permanent institutions need to be es­

tablished; just as our common schools are necessary, not for

the whole population, but only for the ri!,ing generation.

It is the

_{rising generation of the deaf and dumb, for which}

j1erma11e11t institutions are needed, and a considerable extent

of territory must be included, to furnish a sufficient number

of pupils, to justify the time, labour, and expense necessary to

the getting even

one such establishment into successful opera­

tion. For it will be founct, that the

annual cases of deafness

and dumbness, whether at birth, or from any subsequent cause,

bear a very small ratio to the

whole number of deaf and dumb

persons within any district of country. What individuals of

intelligence and skill in such a pursuit, would devote them­

selves to it, without a prospect of the school with which they

are connected, becoming both permanent and flourishing. To

become so, it seems to be capable almost of demonstration,

that it must derive its pupils from a considerable extent of

territory.

It was with such views, that the Directors of the Institution:

have so conducted its affairs, as to prepare it to become ade­

quate to the wants of at least all this northern section of our

country. It has been but a few years in operation, and has

had, like all other infant establishments, to contend with man

y

'

difficulties. Yet it has all along furnished the means of edu­

cation and support, at a rate considerably less than what it has

cost to provide them, and has reduced the charges as low as

the state of its funds would permit. It has, as peculiar exi­

gencies required, dispensed charitable aid to several of the

ptcpils, among whom by far the greater proportion belonged to

other states than that in which the Institution is located. Its

expenditures have always exceeded the income derived from

the pupils by an amount of from three to four thousand dollars

annually, aml this, wiihout taking into consideration the large

sums expended in tlie buildings and grounds, now occupied

and used by the As�•lum. Thus it has aimed to be in fact, if

not yet in name,

a charitable Institution. There is now a fail"

pro;pect of its soon being able to furnish the means of instruc­

tion to the deaf and dumb, at the lowest possible rate, and also

to extend charitable aid to the indigent.

If no other consideration, therefore, we1·e deserving of at­

tention, it might be ,, ell for any section of our country, con­

templatmg the estabfrshment of a school for the deaf and dumb,

to calculate the probable expense and difficulties of such an

tmdertaking ; of inducing instructors to devote themselves to

j ts interests; of insuring its

permanent

prosperity ; and of

foquire, whether, even on

principles of economy,

it might not

be best to have the same objects accomplished at an Institution

already �stablished, possessing the e.xperience of several years

in this novel and arduous department of education, and having

overcome many of those embarrassments

,

with which a new

Institution must, of necessity, have to

contend.-Heretofore, the return of .each vear has furnished occasion

of devout gratitude to Almighty God, for His singular preser­

vation of the lives of all who have been inmates of the Asylum.

Since the last report was published, however, an affecting

instance of mortality has occurred in the death of one of the

female pupils, who had been residing in the Institution five

years. W,ith this exception, the pupils have still continued

to enjoy unusual health ; a fact, no less r�markable in itself,

than deserving of heartfelt thanks to

.

that Being on whom we

are dependent for life, and breath, and aU things. To His

paternal care, the Directors would o)lce more commend the

Institution, beseeching Him, by His Good Spirit, so to guide

all their deliberations and direct their doings, and so to bless,

counsel, and support both those who teach, and those who ate

;taught, that the happy result may be, the preparation of all the

unfortunate entrusted to their care, not only for usefulness and

r

_espectabilit

y

in life, but, thrcmgh

the

merits of that Redeemer,

who is emphatically the Friend of the wretched, for an admis­

sion to the mansions of eternal rest.

In the name of the Directors.

T. C. PERKINS,

Clerk

.

�artford, May 15th, 1824

_

.

---

----DONATIONS TO THE AMERICAN ASYLUl\f.

Miss Seely of Pittsfield,

$1

A Stranger by Rev. Mr. Gallaudet,

-

3

A Stranger by Rev. Mr. Whittelsey, -

2 53

A Stranger by Mr. Clerc,

1

Franklin Ruggles,

1

j'Samuel T. Cutler�

1

Two Strangers by Rev. Mr. Gallaudet,

60

'W-indlrnm Cqunty Char. Soc. l1y Rey. Mr. Whittelsey, 1

$11 13

...

TREASURER'S

ACCOUNT

CURRENT.

Dr.

·

r1ie

American

'

Asylum

in

Account

Current

with

JAMES

H.

WELLS,

as

T

r

easurer.

Cr.

'-""''-""-""'"""""""""'""'"""'°"'"""��\,'-"''-""'"""' � """""°VV\.�VV\.�Al\l'-"'°""""""""""'"""""""""""'-""'""""""""'"""''-""�"""'""""""'-� """""""\IV\."""""'-"''\,""'\,'"\."'-'-"'-"V\IV

Dollars

C.

9S6

24 50

40

49

15,180

95

1824 ]\Jay

6.

To

cash

paid

for

board

of

pupils,

do

do

Tuition,

•

do

do

,v

ood

for

school

rooms,

clo

do

Stoves

and

pipes,

-do

do

Sundr)

repairs,

making

closets,

&c.

do

do

E.

Averill's

bill

for

erecting

work-do work-do work-do work-do

clo do do do do do do do do do

do do do do

do do do do do do do do do do

shop

s

and

superintendance,

Hartford

Bank

for

land,

Insurance

on

buildings,

Advanced

\V

.

Ely

as

Agent,

Balanced

of

S.

Teny's

bill

as

Att

or-ney

and

ch

airm

an

of

committee,

Dr.

Cogswe

ll's

services

as

physician,

·

Stationary

and

printing

ann,

report,

Clothing

&c.

for

Backus,

a pupil,

Support

of

Julia

Brace,

-Thos.

C,

Perkins'

Clerk's

bill,

Thos

1

S

Williams'

lega

l services,

Phrenix

Bank

!:Hock,

The

debt

at

Phrenix

Bank,

-Discounts

at

Phrenix

Ilank,

Sundry

incidental

cxpences,

•

Balance

credited

in

new

account,

JAMES

H.

,v:i:LLs,

Treas1l1'e1',

Hartford,

6th

May,

1824,

Dollars

C

.

5779

14

4399

78

37

9

42

336111

_lOllllO

785

115

50

300

1·

114

33

144

50

196

10

I

22

1

84

100

27

95

75

85

500

0

5000 101

,2

7

212

51

1668

1�

12

5 ,

477

1�11

1823 May 1824 May

By

balance

of

old

account

,

Error

in

discount

last

yea,·

,

J

Beckwi

th's

note

pa

;

d

to

S,

Te

rry,

Esq.

-Receive

d

for

sale

s of

Alabama

lands,

-From

the

Pupils,

•

Divi

dend

s at

Plirenix

Ba

nk,

Donations

from

indivi

du:i.ls,

Interest

on

Mr

..

.\Vhittelsey's

notes,

'The

foregoing

account

has

this

day

been

examined,

and

sufficient

vouchers

ha

ve

be

en

exhibited

for

al

l

I

the

charges,

and

a bal

ance

of

sixteen

hundr

ed

and

780

3 1

46

1400

11

13

105

11

six

ty-e

ight

dolla

rs

and

ei

gh

ty-nine

cents

is

now

in

the

h:i.nds

of1he

Treasurer

.

1 _

__

1_

HENRY

HunsoN,

(

.

.I}_

d:to

j

2 5

,

4

-77

1

8 8

c,�utLES

SEYMOUR,

5

1l '

r

8•

=

Ilartforcl,

6th

M:

ay,

1824.

SPECIMENS QF OR1GINAL COMPOSITION.

The four first compositions were written by pupils who had been in the Asylum

nearly severi years, and the two succeeding ones by those who had been in

it about six; (there are two vac

,

ations yearly of one month each.) The

thoughts, language, orthography, and p

,

unctuation are entirely their own.

In the single sentences,, following the compositiotls, the words printed in

Italics were given to the pupils, with a direction to write a phrase in which

such words should be introduced.

BY A YOUNG MAN 27 YEARS OF AGE .

.11. LETTER SUPPOSED TO BE FRO.Ar .11. GREEK TO l/IS FRIENI)

,

IN 1'HIS COUNTRY.

Argos, :February, the 20th 1824.

Sir,:-At length I sit down to write to you my

,

dear f

r

_{iend. I will apprize}

you of the agreeable advantages gained by olit·

,

country over the Turks.­

Though several of our villages, set on

'

fire

'

by the barbarous forces of Turkey,

were entirely

'

reduced to ashes, and many of our poor villagers were also mas­

sacred by the atrocious barbarians with great slaughter, yet the number of the

Greek forces, gathered together, was successful in resisting the cruelty of the

Turks. We all have suffered the destruction of the villages by fire, and also

sustained a great loss of several hundred inhabitants put to the sword. The

Greek fleet has lately defeated the Turkish ships of war, destroyed a few of

them, and captured the other ves�e)s The affairs of Greece seem to wear a

more brilliant asi{ect, but there ai·e many persons in some parts of our country,

who are in great distress, and who are very destitute of clothes, and of villages

which have been destroyed by fire. I am in hopes that Greece will soon ob­

tain her independence from the oppression of Turkey. The newspapers inform

us of the assistance from ]:forth America to this country in money for our re­

lief. We make sincere expressions of gratitude to your countrymen for their

aid; and we say that w.e s�aU ::.lw�ys ch�rish_a cordi�I recollect\on of gratitude

for the benevolent

·

Amer,oans. fhe v1ctor1es obtamed by this country over

the Turks are more successful than they have been ever. \Ve hope the Greeks.

will soon put a stop to war with the Turks, then a great deal of commerce be­

tween England and America and Greece will probably be prosperous.

I am yours respectfully and with very g1·eat esteem .

.11.N INSTRUCTOR OP YOUTH.

The experienced teacher, with a great deal of kindness and patience,

is

qualified to give the young children instruction about many good things. They

!lre first instructed how to spell words. ft is the duty of the instructor to give

the youth a good education, to advise them Very kindly to conduct well and

h

onestly,

'

and to speak the truth to or of others, to do them good, to love them

without partialit}, and to help and encourage them in leaming, It is the duty

of the young children to obey and love their instructor, to treat him with re­

spect, to be attentive to his explanation, to put a stop to their conversation

with each other, while in school, and to sent themselves gently on the benches.

The instmctor teaches the youth how to understnnd the bible containing many

difficult figurative sentences and parables. He spends his time in teaching,

with diligence, the young children lnany good words, and in instructing them

in the principles of religion and about r;od and Christ. The youth employ

their time in studying their lessons with attention, and in reading them to him

with correctness. They are punctual to·come into the school conformably to

his strict rule, before the time is at hand. He strikes a bell or his desk with a

stick, to disband them out of school at a punctual period oftbe time .

.Jl PED.11.NT.

This learned man is employed in literature. He exceeds any of his fellows

in the accomplishments. He prides himself upon acquiring the science of the

14

:ll.stronomy, without much difficulty. He tells his companions th:1.t he learns in the wisdom; :1.nd that he writes the complicated compositions with elegance. His companions are convulsed with laughter by hearing his bombastic speech

and words. Though he is not.ashamed of his vanity in the sight of every srec­

\ator, yet he boasts himself of being acquainted with the history, ancl science of

the astronomy, from this, his heart is over·flowing with vanity and conceited­ ness His conversation with a company on subj�cts, is more exceeding th.an that of that party, yet he is very flatulent in learning .

.!l LE1''1'ER FROM JJ. DE.flF' JJND DU.il:IB PUPIL TO HIS JNS'l'IlUC1'0R.

My dear instructor,

You asked me, as I prized your confidence, not to neglect my writing a few

ljnes to you, when I arrived here. Nothing has injured my health, while I was

proceeding on my journey from Hartford to this town; and I arrived here in safety, hence I should make an expression of gratitude towards God, for he has

�)reserved me in health, fr_{om danger. I find that all our family are enjoying}

.good health. I remember that you have instructed me in many good things, all(] about religion, whence I finrl that improvement in my mind is cultivated in consequence of diligent study. I love to receive the good advice given by you, n1y dear teacher, to conduct well. My friends in this town, appear to be much astonished at my improvement, and also to be much pleased with my conver­ sation. As I was riding in the stage through the road, the sight of the beauti. fol views tended to impress me with admiration. Although the worldly plea­ sures and enjoyments gratify me with happiness, I prefer the friendship with

God, even to place my affectiClns on all the things above. I have not the least

expectations of returniug to the Asylum, till the expiration of the vacation. I anticipate much happiness in meeting- you when I arrive While the rain was prcYenting me from visiting my friends, during the vacation, I reYiewed my lessons, as you had advised me to do. I sometimes employ the time in learn­ ing my lessons; in which I have been taught, out of company, when I am at leisure. My object in corning to this to,vn, is to visit my friends, and also to have some recreation frnm my hard study. I will inform you of the arrival of the two young Chinese at this town from Canton. They will be sent by the public to Cornwall in Connecticut, to receive a complete good education, then they will return to Asia, to !'each their heathen natives about the principal pri­ vileges of religion, and to preach to them the joyful tidings of the �ospel, whic4

may make th�rn refo,·med in the truth of1:eligion, and which may make them

happy. Do write me very soon, before the vacatioa exp,res on the 26th of )lay. I am your affectionate pupil.

The experienced Captain managed his ship, although the storm was terns

pestuous

The declivity of the mountain was very steep, and rather dangerous, yet I endeavoured to ascend it, and reached its top, without any injury.

Many of the watchmen are chosen by the inhabitants of New York, to watch and follow the incendiaries and seize them, lest they should bum the city.

It is very doubtful whether this country will be joined with England to aid the South American states against the oppression ofi:lpain.

Since they nipped the springing pla11ts from the corn-hills, and ate them, the

crows were shot by the farmers.

He was compelled to go horne,for his mother was near dying.

,'Volsey was very ambitious of glory and power, whence he was deprived of all his splendid wealth, hy Henry the eighth king of England.

The apostles went throughout the earth, and preached the gospel to the

heathen, as Christ had commanded ihem to do.

The wisdom and power of God, who is amnipatent, are very inconceivable to us. After dea1h, our souls will eternally live in pe1-fect happiness, if we truly repent of all out· sins, a11d trust in Christ The i·esnrrection of all mankind will be a very wonderful event, and all shall stand before the sight of Christ, at th(t �,ay ofjuclgrne11t.

Bi' A YOUNG MAN 21 YEARS OF AGE.

JULIUS CJES.11.R.

lie who was born in i::pain, was of an illustrious and noble family. In hiS>

:vouth, he began 10 dress gaily and vainly, and his hair was so sleek that he

�vould not scatter it with his fingers, but he carefolly scratched it with his little

finger, and then stroked 1t smoothly. On his arrival at Rome, he was·ambitious;

and the inhabitants saw that he wished to be emperor of Rome. In c�nse­

quence of.a conspiracy against-Cresar, he I esolve<l to retire, and inten<le<l to

.

embark for Rhodes, to be taught by Apollonius Mola, an eminent teacher of

oratory, and he sailed from Rome there, but !1e was captured by the pirates;

and brought as prisoner, to sojourn with them, and was permitted to stay and

set free from confinement. He endeavoured to speak the Latin language elo

0

quently, because he wished to be applauded by the pirates, but they were very

ignorant of the oration, and Latin language, and Cresar was angry at them, and

said that they were like beasts, and did not approve of his eloquence. Soon

afterwards, he went to Rhodes,. and gained a great deal of knowledge of elo­

quence and oratory from the practice of Apollonius Mola. At the request of

his f

r

_{iends at Home, he returned there, and met with no accident. He fixed}

l1is residence at Rome, and his purse was always open to the poor, and he was

a defender of the profligate and accused, so that he \Yished that they would in­

fluence the people to exalt him to be a good and benevolent emperor. ,Yhen

Ca,sar was in Africa with his a,·my, he received an intelligence of the death of

Cato, who was in Utica, and he was disappoir.ted because he wished to have

brought Cato as prisoner to Rome, and set him f

r

_{ee from custody, and to gain}

g-rea! glory from the people, who would be s

u

r

pr

ise

d

.

to hear that he would

have set Cato at liberty magnanimously, but he was greatly struck with sorrnw

that Cato resolved to prevent him from receiving the honour of the populace,

in order to be set free, a11d then stabbed himself near his heart with his sword.

Sixty senators entered into a conspiracy with Marcus Junius Brutus, against

Cresar As Cresar, one day in l\farch, entered the Senate house, they stabbed

him twenty three times, who covered his head with his robe, and then fell down

<lead at the feet of the

statue

of Pompey.

./1. letter sujJjlosed to be fr_{om Cicero, after he had returned to Rome J,-om his lan•}

·

_{i,·hme11t, to a friend in Greece.}

Rome,June 27th,

55

years Before Christ.

l\f v dear f

r

_iend,

I am ve1·y sorry that I eon!,] not write a letter to you after my return frmw

Greece, because I have been very busy. I have 11ot forgotten you clming two

years. I will g-ive you a description of my arrival fror� Greece at Home. I

landed at the harbour of Hrundusi11m, without any accirfont. I unexpecteclly

met my daughter TuHia there, on her birth day. l was surprised to see her

weep, and she was very joyful to see me. Then I took a pleasant journey from

Brnndusium to Home witl1 her On my way, the,·e, the road was crowded will,

a great many people, who were Very glad to see me, and s111·rou11ded a carriage,

. in which I rode, and they continued to throng me to 1'ome. Sen,ral of

my

f

r

_{iends hastened to Home, and gave intelligence of my approach, to the sencct<t}

.and people

..

The report of my coming near to the city was immediately pro­

pagated They were exceedingly joyful to hear that I was coming

.

They

came out to see me. l !mew they were all ashamed ,if having banished me

from the Homan E1'hpi1·c

_{As I entered tl,e gate of the city, I noticed all the}

steps and roofs of the temples and buildings wc:re nowde<l wid1 rnullitucles,

who stood, and exclaimed ,vith acclamations, they were cxceerlingly full of joy

to see me. I heard some people f

r

_{om �ome parts of Italy came to Home, i11}

0rder to protect me from Clodins ,rnd several enemies. The senate and

\l<'O·

pie received me into the splendid house ve,·y cordialiy. Tl,;:y inquired ofrm,,

and I explained to them about my journies in some pal'ts of Asia, when 1 wa,

in exile.

I

was very tired of my t1

·

avel from Brnndusium.

l

was very much

interested 1o talk with 1hem ,vhen Clodius was in llome, I heard he was ven

envious of the inhabitants, who were very cordial and cc)lldesce11ding to m._'.

.

The se1:!lle and people regretted lo iuform me Iba, rnv villus wei·c bl!rtrcrl by

1.6

my enemy Clodius, and also all my property was confiscated, and besides when

all my estates were put at auction, the Romans said they would not out bid for

them, and they were sorry, and feared that I should greatly he in sorrow. They

told me that my villas would be rebuilt at a public subscription. I am on friendly

terms with Pompey, and Julius Cresar. Pompey had abancloned me before my

banishment, and while I was in Greece, he began to be ashamed of it, and re.

formed. By the interest of Pompey I was recalled f

r

_{om Greece. There is no}

Roman emperor, but now the first triumvirate is formed, and Pompey, Crassus

and Cresar are chosen. I think you have not heard of the tidings ofCresar's ex­

peditions in Britain. At this time he took possession of Britain, which now

belongs to the Roman Empire

.

I think he seems to aspire at the throne of the

Roman Empire, and to gain the affections of the people. I fear that there will

be contentions between the triumvirate. I shall not be a public character soon,

and then I shall retire into my country-villa, and study literature and write some

works,

lest l should be troubled and accused. Give my best regards to your

family and any friend who may enquire for me. My consort Terentia and two

children are in good health. Tell me, if you please, what news is there in

Greece ? I have no interesting ne,"s to communicate to you at present. I shall

be very happy to receive an epistle f

r

_{om you.}

I am your affectionate friend.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO .

.!l DESCRIPTION OF TJ/E TVORK8llOPS OF 'I'JIE .11.SYLU.M.

The two workshops which are northwest of the asylum, are about two hun­

dred feet from it. They, having been built of brick in a corner, belong to the

asylum. I suppose one of them is forty by sixteen, and the other is the same.

They are of one story, and have two garrets They are pretty handsome

buildings. \Vhen strangers and visitors come to those shops, they are, I think,

interested to see things, which are made by the male pupils

.

The cabinet

maker, from West Hartford, who can speak an<l hear, saw in the newspaper

last Feb:·uary, that the Directors of the American Asylum wished to ha Ye a

suitable person to oversee the workshops and to instruct several pupils, who

wished to be cabinet makers. He came here this month and is employed to

overlook and aid in business. Six male pupils in the left shop make new family

furniture to sell in the city. A cooper in that same shc

-

p makes barrels, pails,

tubs and keelers A deaf and dumb mature g·entleman, who is from Maine, is­

a very skilful and ingenious blacksmith and cutler. In the right shop, having

made a great many new blades, which are made of cast steel, he puts them in

the old handles, which belong to the owners He brightens the blades and

then sharpens them. One blade costs fifteen cents, and the people arc very

much astonished to see that it is very cheap. He makes some new handles

and different handsome instruments. If a person brings a strange thing to him,

he says he can make it Very easily. It is very easy for him to make all differ­

ent hardwar

e

s

.

I think he is the most expert and ingenious blacksmith and

cutler in the United States. His apprentices are employed to learn the busi­

ness of a blacksmith and cutler. A deaf and dumb shoemaker, who was from

tlie state of New York, makes elegant shoes for the laclies, whjch are made of

morocco, kid, prunello, seal and Denmark satin in the right shop. When a lady

buys a new pair of shoes, they will answer to her very suitably. Another deaf

and dumb shoemaker, from one town in the state of Connecticut, makes shoes

and boots for the gentlemen and boys and ladies and girls. "'hen a pair of

shoes are worn out, he can make them, which would be thought to be new.

He cuts off the old vamps of a pair of shoes, and seams the 11ew vamps in the

quai·ters, and then makes them fitly. The orchards in the field, which are cast

a1id southeast of the workshops, produce a great many apples.

Cc,ns!antine the Great, who was proclaimed Emperor of Rome in Britain, em­

barked for Rome to reside, and then established ch ristianity in the Roman

Empire.

Caius Marius, who was born nf poor and nhscure parents, was_ chosen c�nsul

of Rome 6ix times, :u1d bravely vanquished a great many barbamms and k.11le(l

them.

17

As there were many insurrections and tumults among the people i� Rome,

Lartius was appointed

dictator

by the Senate, and courageously and easily quel­

led them.

Pliny the younger was

proconsul

_{in I�ontus. anil Bithynia during the r':ig_n of}

Trajan the Roman Emperor, and advised Jum not to persecute the clmst,ans

who were in distress

While Draco was chosen

archon

of Athens, he was a cruel lawgi\·er, and

wrote severe laws in blood.

Demosthenes was the most excellent Greek

orator,

who corrected speaking

hadlv with pebbles in his mouth, and soon after stood near the sea and endea­

voured to speak quietly, while the waves were in great tumult and noise,

llrutus, who was a Homan

Senator,

killed Julius Caesar in the Senate House,

and then was victorious over Anthony and Octavius, and heard that Cassius was

defeated, and he killed himself

Sir ,:Villiam jones was a very

learned

man, who used to study eighteen hours

a day, to sleep four hours, aud to exercise and eat two hours

Cicero, who was very

eloquent

in his address, could not write poetry elegantly.

Cyrus, who beseiged Babylen some months,

defeated

the city in the 11ight,

when the king of that country was at a very pleasant feast.

BY A YOUNG MAN 19 YEARS OF AG� .

./1 letter s11jJJ1osed to be fr0111 l1otzaj1arte, wldle at St. Helena, to ids ,uife.

St. Helena, August 14th, 1818.

To Maria Louisa,

Very beloved wife,--Finding a good opportunity of writing a letter to you,

I am going to think about the news of this place, by splendid reflections, and

by telling you about them. My hope is to have you kindly receive my letter,

which you will read with the most sincere pleasure, and happiness; and un

for­

tunately find the news of this island

.

My health is often changeable into both

goodness, and sickness, from my departure from my government till my re­

maining in this isla1od. I am far from you, but I hope you are free from sick­

ness, since my departure from my �:mpire: moreover my dear son, young Na

­

poleon enjoys the same blessing.

My wish is so zealous as to return to my

Emp-ire, to take govemment of it, and to see you, and young Napoleon: but it

is impossible for me to leave my remaining in this piace, and to cross over the

ocean, on account of St. Helena's having the soldiers prevent my intencled es>

cape, and being surrounded with the ocean. Having 110 freedom, I am under

obligations of receiving repeated permissions from the Governor of that island,

to take exe,·cise, and to do many most important business, and things, by ask­

ing him. I always conside1·, that while 1 am in this island, I have many depri­

vations of highly prosperpus events, and successes; and of producinl$' my own

Empire a great deal of prosperity, power, happiness, and superiority to any

nation. Had I continued to hold a sceptre, until my death, I couln have made

France the most powerful, and prosperous nation in the world; and bequeathed

my own son, and my future generation to my Empire

.

I do not think that [

shall shake, ffmy bondage in St Helena, and again govern on my return to

France

.

I easily know that my French subjects are still struck with much

sor-1·ow for the loss of my reign.

·

With frankness, I tell you, that discontentment

with St. Helena is very great; on account of its being in a. damp, & miserable

situation; and that lam greatly unwilling to remain in this island, till my death.

As I take exercise, the soldiers guard me, as a prisoner. Anxiously expecting

to ha

.

ve young Napoleon come to the French throne, he may order the fleet

to­

bring me to my empire, for the purpose of supporting me during my life: but

bis very youth is too high to restore my former crown, and besides he cannot

usurp it; because the king of }'ranee, as my successor is in power to keep

it

from his usurpation. My dear wife, as a late Empress, my capital desire is to

have yuu, and young Napoleon write long letters to me after the receipt ofmy

letter, as a convenient opportunity as you can; and to have you tell me about

the news, and events of my Empire, :.ucl yoni· O\Yn sitaation. Tell me that if n::r

18

son comes lo the throne of King Louis XVIII, he must take me from St. Helenii. I see that the monarchs in Europe have a great many prosperities, and sdperiol" events, and successes ; and nPver fail on them, in superiority to me; as I shall never return to these in my gove,·mnent. The climate of St Helena is not very pleasant, and fine, and it is inferior to that ·of France. Give my best love, a:nd regards to yo 11, and my son, and my friends. Adieu.

I remain your sincerely affectionate husband.

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.

To Maria Louisa,-Vienna.

ON TIIE CONDITION OP .11 DP..JlF .JlND DU.MB PERSON BEFORE

BEi.NG INSTRUCTED.

By birth, a deaf and dumb person was deprived of the senses cf speaking and hearing by the will of the Almighty hand. In his infancy, he was seen void of speaking; but was thought able to bear. He, finally arrived at his childhood, when he was found unable to speak, and hear His parents thul>_{s,aw, and were,} according to the will of God, submissive to it, and contented with the loss of the

· two senses of their child. His parents and friends sa,v this child »as a person

of misfortune, and also saw he would 11ever receive the knowledge of much profit from the various books, and the instructions; and advices from his parents and friends; but yet their hard attempts were to teach him about pretty and

easy signs when they were on conversation, and amusements. They thought

\hat in his childhood, he would rather continue to go to scliool where he learned to write on the lines of a writing book, and studied arithmetic every clay, ex. cept Sunday, than stay home, and work; afterwards he would, in his youth, leave the school ; in order to learn some trade, ere his manhood. W'hen at school, his schoolmaster could not teach him about religion, and words; and a <leaf and dumb youth could not read, nor understand them, because his signs

were not good and fi_{t Thus was the sorrow for this youth having no know!.}

edge of religion and words, with which his parents were greatly struck His friends wished to know, and try the sense of hearing of this youth ; and resol. ved to clap, with their hands, a sound, or noise, which this youth might be able to hear; but he could not hear it, in token of the senselessness of hea1-ing; and besides their wish was to talk with him, by speaking about any words; but he could not speak. He was called dcrnf and dumb .

.11 DESCRIPTIO.NOF.llFUJ'/t:fUJ.L OP.11. fJE.llF.Jl.N'DDU.WBPUPIL

IN THE JJ.1WEJUC.!1N .JlSYLU.;W.

Miss Il. was taken sick on Saturd"y: So the increase of her sickness obliged lier to lay on a bed at the hospital room in this asylum. Her confinen·,ent con. tinned for a few d:,ys under the care of the watchers. Un Friday night, �3d of January, her soul 'was set apart fr_{om her body, Her solemn death caused the} sorrow of all her fr_{iends, thinking of seeing her no more. Her breath was out,} soon afterwards her corpse was prepared for her funeral in the u;ght-time. To morrow, all her fr_{iends saw her corpse, laying on a bed: they considered} that all their souls must be taken away by God's win, as her life was ended. Her mother immed;ately continued her way to the asylum, in order to see her corpse; on Sunday ·morning, her arrival was safe: and in the afternoon, she went to the asylum, to see her as her dear daughter. On monday afternoon, when her funeral began, the coffin beneath her·corpsC', which was laid in the chapel, was seen lying on the bench, covered with a white eloth, attended hy a small number of the persons, coming to tl,e asylutn. 'fhere were many per. sons, who, assembling together in the ch<ipel, sat on the"l1enches with sufficient accommodation, by making our prepa1·ations for atrencling the prayers of the principal of this asylum by his own signs, and also one of the ministers in Hart. ford, by speaking for the solemn ceremonies of the death of Miss B. The prin. cipal, choosing Psalm XC, 3 verse, " Thou tnrneEt man to destruction ; and sayest, Return, ye childl'en of men:" and 12 verse, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom," wrote these on one of

"the slates, and then made solemn and clear signs to which all the deafan<l dumb