: dence that the discipline is kind and parental, and based upon those principles intended for their present and future good. The present number of teachers is ten, three of whom are deaf and dumb they are all gentlemen of highly cultivated education and deportment, and seemingly well fitted for the high and responsible duty entrusted to them-that of educating this unfortunate class of their fellow-beings, in which may they be ever governed by the same characteristic incentive as at present displayed! From the principal, (Mr. Weld,) the committee learn that the most desirable age for a child to enter the asylum is ten, and remain six years, a time sufficiently limited for the instruction of such benighted minds, and of which so large a portion must be spent in the incipient stages, devoid as they are of all other cultivation than Nature's teachings. Much credit is due to the principal and his associates, for their untiring efforts in the discharge of their several trusts, and particularly so, to one, the matron of the institution, which office has been ably and satisfactorily filled by Mrs. Phebe C. White, for several years past. Deprived as the pupils are, whilst at the asylum, of a mother's daily care, she must necessarily represent that endeared relative at all times and seasons; and, from the appearance of every department under her control-displaying the most perfect order, neatness, and convenience-the committee were convinced that she truly merited the approbation of all friends of the asylum. Situated as this institution is, without this Commonwealth, the committee have thought it would be gratifying to the legislature to be made more fully acquainted with the history and character of the same, in addition to the mere result of their present examination. Its origin was caused by a. Doct. Cogswell, and several other benevolent individuals of Hartford, whose sympathies were enlisted in the education of a daughter of Doct. C., and others similarly situated, which they thought could be as well done in this country as in Europe; the obstacle to which, that of a teacher, (to commence the good work,) was removed by the warm interest taken in the success of this project by Mr. T. H. Gallaudet, who, to some personal sacrifice of his then future prospects, embarked for Europe in May, 1815, for the purpose of visiting the asylums, and qualifying himself as a teacher for the school to be commenced. He re turned in August, 1816, accompanied by Mr. Laurent Clerc, a deaf and dumb gentleman, who had been a professor in an institution in France. He now remains as a teacher at the asylum. During the absence of Mr. Gallaudet, an act of incorporation had been procured from the legislature of Connecticut, and, after raising the necessary funds, the school was commenced in April, 1817, with but seven pupils; but, before the year closed, it had thirty-three. The asylum has had two locations prior to its present one, which was erected and dedicated in May, 1821. Up to January, 1819, it had been supported by annual subscriptions, contributions of churches in Connecticut, and individuals of other states, amongst which many from Massachusetts are honorably mentioned, and also by an appropriation of five thousand dollars by the legislature of Connecticut, which was devoted to the education of indigent pupils of that state. After two years' experience, the asylum contained sixty pupils, five teachers, and other necessary officers, and seemed to be in a promising condition, otherwise than a debt of eight thousand dollars; this led to an appeal to the Congress of the United States for assistance, which met an immediate response, by a grant of twenty thousand acres of land in Alabama. This not only removed all fears for its future success, but also relieved its embarrassing dependence previously entailed upon it. As early as the year 1819, Massachusetts made provision for the education of twenty pupils, who entered the institution that year: similar interest was shortly manifested by other states. In 1825, Massachusetts, and other New England states, by commissioners sent for that purpose, arranged with the directors a permanent system for the education of all that might be sent to the asylum from any state in the Union. The charges have been altered, from time to time, as the income from the funds would admit; at present, they are, for each pupil, one hundred dollars for tuition, and twenty dollars for clothing, per year. The asylum has been gradually progressing in numbers, and in its desired object, and now contains two hundred and three pupils, seventy-three of whom are from Massachusetts, and seventy of which are its beneficiaries. Lewis Weld, Esq., the present esteemed and popular superintendent, (or principal,) succeeded the Rev. T. H. Gallaudet, the orginal head, in 1830, who, in consequence of impaired health at that time, was compelled to resign the charge of the asylum, much to the regret of all who had ever felt an interest in this praiseworthy institution. The present funds of the institution amount to two hundred and twenty-one thousand eight hundred dollars, invested in stocks, bonds and mortgages, yielding six to eight per cent., and the personal property of the asylum, valued at from fifty to sixty thousand dollars. These funds are consecrated to the benefit of the deaf aud dumb who may be placed at the asylum for education, each pupil now receiving, from the interest thereof, a sum equal to seventy-five dollars per year, being the excess of cost, for their tuition and support, over the one hundred and twenty dollars received. Every exertion has been, and is being, made, by the government of this institution, for its convenience and prosperity. New officers have been created, additional buildings erected, and every facility adopted to insure not only a more rapid means of education, but the highest happiness of these unfortunate beings, all deserving of the strongest commendation of the citizens of this Commonwealth toward this model institution. In connection with the discharge of their duties at Hartford, the committee cannot but embody, in their report, their grateful acknowledgments for the very polite attention received from several distinguished citizens thereof, manifesting not only a respect to the committee individually, but distinguishing, with honorable regard, the legislature of a sister state, under whose appointment they were sent. The visit of the committee to the Lunatic Hospital, at South Boston, February 16, was attended with much satisfaction. The original building was erected by the city of Boston, (under an act of the legislature,) in 1839, for the pauper insane, and has been recently very much enlarged, sufficient to contain about two hundred and twenty patients. Its halls and dormitories are well lighted, ventilated, warm and clean, and furnished in every respect for the comfort and convenience of its inmates, of which there are now one hundred and sixty,-eighty-one males and seventy-nine females,—in all stages of this dreadful malady. Connected with this institution is a building for the furiously insane, superior to any for this purpose that the committee have seen, being erected in that manner as to insure safety, and all other desirable objects for the unfortunate class here confined, and so far separated from the main building as to remove all complaint of annoyance. The grounds around the building are well laid out, and of sufficient extent, bordering, as it does, upon the harbor, to insure a free circulation of air. The arrangements at this hospital for amusements and for cleanliness, are complete in the provided means of swings, bowling-alleys, library and sea-bathing. The institution is now, as it has been for several years past, under the superintendence of Doct. Chas. H. Stedman, a gentleman every way suitably qualified for this important station. The number of state paupers here are one hundred and twenty-seven. On the 26th February, the committee visited the Asylum for the Blind, located at South Boston. They were politely attended upon, during the examination, by Doct. S. G. Howe, whose popularity, as its superintendent, is so deservedly established. With mingled emotions, the committee were much excited towards its inmates with sympathy and gladness,— sympathy for the many before them deprived of that inestima ble blessing, sight; and glad, that skill and contrivance had, by the philanthropy of the age, found out so much to alleviate, to so great a degree, this particular deprivation. In witnessing their exercises, the committee were highly gratified. Their proficiency in mental arithmetic, their rapid reading from the page of raised letters by the sense of feeling, their acquaintance with geography, sewing, writing, &c., and their masterly execution upon musical instruments, and singing, were truly exhibitions of patient assiduity on their part, and of skill and perseverance of their accomplished teachers. In addition to their mental education, they are employed in mechanical labor, principally upholstery, by which means some, who have grad uated from the asylum, earn a support. Happiness seemed to prevail among them, for, by the cultivation of their other senses than sight, they can now enjoy companionship with each other, their teachers and friends, and reciprocate the interchange of affectionate acts and intercourse. The convenience of the building, and its locality, seemed to combine all that is desirable for study, health, exercise, air, and amusement; and the general appearance of every thing witnessed seemed to indicate that the institution is conducted in the most creditable manner. The number of blind now at the asylum is ninetyfour, of which thirty-nine are beneficiaries of the Common wealth. The Lunatic Hospital, at East Cambridge, was visited on the 28th of February. This institution is under the immediate charge of Mr. Nathaniel Watson, master of the House of Correction. It is a pauper institution, the sexes occupying distinct buildings, the construction and arrangement of which is neat and convenient; but the enclosure so limited, (being within that allotted to the house of correction and jail,) that its inmates must necessarily be debarred from that best of remedial agents, exercise in the open air. The present number of patients are thirty-two, all state paupers,-sixteen of each sex. They are mostly incurable cases, from whom no change for the better can ever be expected. In attendance, conveniences for cleanliness, and comfort, they seem to have every care bestowed upon them. An experienced physician visits them as circumstances require. At this institution, there is no provision for the furiously insane. At the Lunatic Hospital, at Ipswich, there were, on the 29th of February, sixty patients, forty-nine males and eleven females, of which thirty-six are state paupers. This hospital is pleasantly located, and conveniently constructed with the exception of its arrangement for ventilation, which is decidedly bad, having no advantages but by the windows. The halls and dormitories appeared clean and comfortable, and the inmates quiet and well cared for. The apartments for the furiously insane, in the basement story of the building, were well lighted and warm. To those of the committee who visited this |