experienced teacher, who says, "I find no difficulty, in the course of eighteen months, in conveying to the mind of an intelligent (Deaf and Dumb) pupil all the essential doctrines and important facts of the Sacred Scriptures." And if, by the side of such testimonies as these, be placed the results of a careful inquiry into the proficiency made by the Deaf and Dumb in this country, in intellectual, moral, and religious acquirements, your Committee cannot doubt, that the fullest conviction must be produced, in every unprejudiced mind, that there is room for most essential improvement in the system of our domestic Institutions, Influenced by these considerations, a portion of your Committee, who had been deputed to examine into the actual state of the Asylum, subsequently to the visit of Mr. Woodbridge, referred to in the last Report, after mature deliberation, adopted the following Resolutions: 1. That the Sub Committee coincide with Mr. Woodbridge in opinion, that an alteration in the system of instruction, hitherto pursued in the Institution, is highly expedient. 2. That the Sub-Committee are of opinion, that the principle of a more extended and definite use of the language of signs, as explained and recommended by Mr. Woodbridge, is worthy of adoption, as the basis of the system of instruction, hereafter to be pursued in the Institution. 3. That it be earnestly recommended to the Committee, to take immediate measures, for placing the Institution under the direction of a master, whose general attainments and character may qualify him, with the necessary instructions, to undertake the introduction of this system into the School. The above Resolutions received the sanction of the General Committee at its next meeting, and directions were given, to make inquiry for a master, who should be qualified to conduct the Institution upon the principles above recommended. Just at this juncture, your Committee learnt that the Committee of the Institution, for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, at Claremont, near Dublin, had been for some time engaged in an inquiry similar to their own, under the impression, that Mr. Hum. phreys, the highly valued master of their Institution, was about to leave them. In that event, the Dublin Committee had determined to confer the appointment on Mr. LOUIS DU PUGET, a Swiss Protestant, who had been, for twelve years, a pupil and assistant, suc cessively, in the School of the celebrated Pestalozzi, and had subsequently been a teacher, during seven years, in an Institution of the first respectability in Ireland So high was the opinion entertained of his talents, acquirements, and general character, that though he had never been accustomed to teach the Deaf and Dumb, the Com mittee felt no doubt that after spending a short time at Claremont, previously to the departure of Mr. Humphreys, he would be found fully qualified to undertake the superintendence of that flourishing Institution. His acquaintance with different languages, his skill in mathematical and natural science, and, above all, his long experience in the instruction of youth, were thought amply to counterbalance the temporary disadvantage of his deficiency in that partieular branch of education, Mr. Humphreys having been prevailed upon, however, to retain his situation, Mr. du Puget was introduced to the notice of your Committee, with the strongest recommendations, and testimonials of the most honourable nature, as well -from the Swiss Commune of which he was a native, and from the venerable Pestalozzi, as from several persons of the first consideration in Ireland, who bore the most decisive testimony to his private virtues and professional merit. Under these circumstances, your Committee felt, that they should be fully justified in placing Mr. du Puget at the head of your Institution, and they accepted the obliging offer of the Dublin Committee, to have him gratuitously initiated in the duties of his office, in the School under their care; where, during a residence of less than three months, he so confirmed the opinion, previously formed of him, that Mr. Humphreys himself not only spoke in the highest terms of his abilities, but expressly acknowledged that he had himself derived important benefit from his suggestions. Your Committee, however, did not expect that a transition from the course of instruction, which had been for some time followed in 'your Institution, to one in several respects materially different, would be effected without some temporary difficulties. Not to mention other reasons, which rendered it not wholly improbable, that such difficulties might arise, they could not be ignorant that the children themselves might naturally be expected for a while to feel some reluctance to exchange modes and hábits, which use had rendered familiar, for others, which would appear difficult, for no other reason, but because they were new. They were prepared also to expect some degree of unwillingness, on their part, to transfer their attention to an entire stranger, from an instructor, to whom they had been so long and so deservedly attached, as they were to Mr. Bingham, the under master. They will not deny that their antiĕipations on this head were painfully realized. The collision between different systems of instruction produced effects, unfavourable to the docility and prompt obedience of the pupils; they became refractory, and even refused to receive the instructions of their new teacher, alleging (though, as the event afterwards proved, not with perfect sincerity) that they could not understand them. High testimony to Monsieur Du Puget's conduct. .105 In this state of things, the under master tendered his resignation to the Committee, which was accepted. And though, for a short time after that event, symptoms of insubordination continued to manifest themselves, the ferment gradually subsided, the pupils became attentive to their instructor, and soon expressed a lively interest in the new lessons and mode of instruction, introduced among them. Your Committee have much pleasure in adding, that this improvement has been progressive-order has been, for the most part, restored among the pupils-method introduced into the system of instruction-a new and more vigorous arrangement of time adopted, and, on the whole, your Committee have every reason to expect that, in a very short time, not only the transient difficulties, with which they have had to contend, will be entirely surmounted, but also the advantages which they sought for, in a change of system, will become more and more apparent. A temporary Assistant has been engaged: and it is the wish of your Committee to procure at least one such Assistant, permanently, for the instruction of the younger classes. Your Committee have thus stated, without reserve, the unpleasant occurrences, which have for a while retarded the progress of the Institution during the past year; and having thus discharged their duty to the subscribers and to the public, they feel themselves at liberty, to claim a reciprocal exercise of candour, on the part of their constituents. They trust, that no precipitate judgment will be formed, as to the tendency and ultimate effects of the changes, which have been introduced into the Asylum, and that no misconceptions, founded on an imperfect acquaintance with the real facts of the case, will be allowed to operate to the prejudice either of the Institution itself, or of those connected with it. In closing this subject, they deem it an act of justice to Mr. Du Puget, to bear witness to the patience and forbearance, with which he has conducted himself, under circumstances peculiarly painful and embarrassing; and to the unremitting attention, systematic arrangement, and inventive ingenuity, which he has exhibited, during the short period, that any full opportunity has been afforded him of exercising his powers in the Institution. There is, however, another individual,* a member of their own body, to whom, if your Committee failed to express their deep sense of obligation, they would be guilty of the most unpardonable injustice and ingratitude. If delicacy to the feelings of that individual forbid their mentioning his name thus publicly, they are not • Alexander Blair, Esq. 106 Indispensability of Master's residing among his Pupils. the less bound to acknowledge, that to the same humane interest in behalf of the Deaf and Dumb, which prompted his first benevolent exertions for the establishment of your Institution, they have been indebted, for the most important and efficient aid, under their recent difficulties. Nor can they sufficiently express their admiration of that disinterested Christian feeling, which has led him to devote his time, his labour, and his personal attendance at the Asylum, for so many weeks, with unwearied patience and paternal solicitude, to the good of the Institution." The Committee then mention the importance of the master rèsiding in the Institution, in the following terms: "Your Committee are more than ever convinced of the importance of giving effect to the last of your Fundamental Laws, which expressly enacts, that the Head Master shall reside in the Asylum; and for that purpose they are extremely anxious to provide a house for him, at the earliest possible period. Without living on the spot, it is clear, that he cannot maintain an efficient superintendence of the Institution, or make himself fully responsible for its welfare. Another important addition to their present buildings is contemplated, in the erection of a large and more convenient school-room, accommodated expressly to the peculiar purposes of instruction in your Institution, leaving that now in use to be occupied as a sitting and play room for the boys, which, on many accounts, is much needed." His Grace the Duke of Devonshire is President-Joshua Scholefield, Esq. and Thomas Green Simcox, Esq. Auditors-William James, Esq. Secretary. All Members of the Institution, not resident in Birmingham, and thirty others, (residents,) are Members of the Committee. There is also a Ladies' Committee of sixteen. Five children were admitted-four discharged, since last anniversary, besides two, whose whole expense is paid by their friends, (p. 12.) Four new pupils were elected at this anniversary, (p. 15, 16.) The income and expenditure, in the year ending 30th September, 1826, was as follows: INCOME. L. S. d. Subscriptions for 1826, and Arrears 497 9 0 Pay Pupils, board and clothing for do. and Arrears 263 14 6 Donations-Sermon- Collection at Anniversary, The number of pupils was 34, or rather 34, as a new one was admitted about the middle of the year-consequently, each pupil eost about 361. and a fraction, and were all clothed by their friends, except a few articles provided by the Institution. |