"Within the past year, the subject of day-schools for the deaf and dumb, where the children board at home and are taught for four or five hours a day, as other children are, has received some attention in this country, and schools of this kind have been opened at Pittsburg, Boston and Chicago. They must of necessity be confined to the vicinity of large cities, and are not practicable elsewhere. The early instruction of mute children is very desirable, and the philanthropy which searches our great cities, where most of them are found among the poorest and lowest classes, and which seeks to elevate them, deserves our highest commendation. Still, while the influence of a wellordered home is so happy, the disadvantages of one that is not are so great, that our large institutions, caring for the physical, intellectual and moral welfare of their pupils, in every way, and all the time, and also providing instruction in the trades, would seem to be better adapted to the needs of these neglected ones than day-schools can be. Much good can undoubtedly be accomplished in the day-schools before the child is old enough to be sent away from home, and the results of these benevolent enterprises will be looked for with great interest." TERMS OF ADMISSION. I. The Asylum will provide for each pupil, board, lodging and washing, the continual superintendence of health, conduct, manners and morals, fuel, lights, stationery, and other incidental expenses of the school-room; for which, includ ing TUITION, there will be an annual charge of one hundred and seventy-five dollars. II. In case of sickness, the necessary extra charge will be made. III. No deduction from the above charge will be made on account of vacation or absence, except in case of sickness. IV. Payments are always to be made six months in advance, for the punctual fulfilment of which a satisfactory bond will be required. V. Each person applying for admission must be between the ages of EIGHT and TWENTY-FIVE years; must be of a good natural intellect; capable of forming and joining letters with a pen, legibly and correctly; free from any immoralities of conduct, and from any contagious disease. Applications for the benefit of the legislative appropriations in the States of Maine and New Hampshire should be made to the Secretaries of those States respectively; in Massachusetts, to the Secretary of the Board of Education : in each case stating the name and age of the proposed beneficiary, and the circumstances of his parent or guardian. Applications as above should be made, in Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut respectively, to His Excellency, the Governor of the State. In all cases, a certificate from two or more of the selectmen, magistrates, or other respectable inhabitants of the township or place to which the applicant belongs, should accompany the application. Those applying for the admission of paying pupils may address their letters to the Principal of the Asylum; and on all letters from him respecting the pupils, postage will be charged. The time for admitting pupils is the second Wednesday of September, and at no other time in the year. Punctuality in this respect is very important, as it cannot be expected that the progress of a whole class should be retarded on account of a pupil who joins it after its formation. Such a pupil must suffer the inconvenience and the loss. It is earnestly recommended to the friends of the deaf and dumb, to have them taught to write a fair and legible hand before they come to the Asylum. This can be easily done, and it prepares them to make greater and more rapid improvement. When a pupil is sent to the Asylum, unless accompanied by a parent or some friend who can give the necessary information concerning him, he should bring a written statement embracing specifically the following particulars: 1. The name, in full. 2. Post-office address, and correspondent. 3. Day, month, and year of birth. 4. Cause of deafness. 5. Names of the parents. 6. Names of the children in the order of their age. 7. Were the parents related before marriage? If so, how? 8. Has the pupil deaf-mute relatives? If so, what? The pupil should be well clothed; that is, he should have both summer and winter clothing enough to last one year, and be furnished with a list of the various articles, each of which should be marked. A small sum of money, not less than five dollars, should also be deposited with the Steward of the Asylum, for the personal expense of the pupil not otherwise provided for. Packages of clothing, or boxes, sent by Express, will reach the pupils safely The Express charges should in all cases be prepaid. A Careful attention to these suggestions is quite important. There is but one vacation in the year. It begins on the last Wednesday of June, and closes on the second Wednesday of September. It is expected that the pupils will spend the vacation at home. This arrangement is as desirable for the benefit of the pupils, who need the recreation and change of scene, as for the convenience of the Institution, thus affording opportunity for the necessary painting, cleansing, &c. The present facilities for travel enable most of the pupils to reach home on the evening of the day they leave Hartford. Every pupil is expected to return punctually at the opening of school, on the second Wednesday of September. On the day of the commencement of the Vacation, an officer of the Asylum will accompany such pupils as are to travel upon the railroads between Hartford and Boston, taking care of them and their baggage, on condition that their friends will make timely provision for their expenses on the way, and engage to meet and receive them immediately on the arrival of the early train at various points on the route previously agreed on, and at the station of the Boston and Worcester Railroad, in Boston. A similar arrangement is made on the Connecticut River Railroad as far as to White River Junction. No person will be sent from the Asylum to accompany the pupils on their return, but if their fare is paid, and their trunks are checked to Hartford, it will be safe to send them in charge of the Conductor. |