From the Report of the Commissioner of Education for 1886-87.

a Includes department for the blind.

b Includes $105 from farm products sold; $225 from individuals, as legacies, and

$1,815 from congregations.

o From insurance companies on account of fire.

d Includes Donations," $81; cash on hand Oct. 1, 1887, $266, and a loan of $650. e Includes cash on hand Oct. 1, 1888.

f Other sources.

g Subscription.

EDUCATION OF THE BLIND.

GENERAL REMARKS.

New institutions.-The dual Institution for Colored Deaf-Mutes and Blind at Austin, Tex., began its work in the fall of 1887. Its management is wholly independent of the older institution, also located at Austin. Mr. W. H. Holland is superintendent. Building accommodations on the "cottage plan" are provided for fifty pupils, and a hundred acres of rich land are the property of the school.

A legacy of $25,000 was left for the establishment of an institution for the blind in western Pennsylvania, provided that an equal sum for the same purpose be subscribed by citizens. This amount has been raised, and owing to rapid increase in value of the property representing the original legacy the sum of $75,000 is now at the disposal of the gentlemen in charge of the funds. It is proposed to locate the school within easy reach of Pittsburg.

No report has been received from the Wyoming institution, which was prepared to begin work in October, 1887.

Systems. Mr. Battles, of the Pennsylvania institution, in his report for 1887, says: "A year or more ago we commenced a series of careful, exhaustive, and unprejudiced tests relative to the comparative tangibility of line and point letters. The pupils were taken individually and their speed per minute recorded. In the first test, which was entirely in line, a large number, in fact about 25 per cent. were found unable to read at all, and of the others many read very slowly and with great difficulty.

"Six months later another trial was made; in the mean time those unable to read had been placed in New York point; at this time all could read with more or less fluency either in line or point.

"The fact is the line letter has been over-developed; its very advantage of compactness having been gained at the expense of its tangibility, until now it can be taught only to the young, and even those who have learned it lose the power of distinguishing the letters when they follow any industrial pursuit. On the contrary, we have found no one unable to distinguish the point letters, and generally after but little instruction. In addition to which the ability to write as well as read a system places the blind more in equality with the sighted; their slates and stylus acting the part of pen or pencil, enabling them to take notes, point their lessons, and incidentally aiding materially in an objective method of improving their spelling, in which they are commonly deficient. "This, in addition to the fact that but 9 per cent. are of educable age, leads us to the conclusion that it would be wisest to confine the literature of the blind entirely to point." Mr. Rainey, of the Texas Institution for the Blind, advocates the establishment in cach State of a working home and retreat for the blind of both sexes, where the intelligent could work for wages and those unable to help themselves could be properly cared

for.

At the ninth biennial meeting of instructors of the blind a committee of thirty-three was appointed to push forward the matter of establishing a college for the higher education of this class. The tenth biennial meeting was held at the Maryland institution during the past summer, but the proceedings are not yet published and we are uninformed as to the results of the efforts of this committee.

NOTES FROM CATALOGUES AND RETURNS.

CALIFORNIA.

Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind, Berkeley, Cal.-The course of instruction in this institution is carried somewhat beyond the grammar grade of public schools. The New York point and Howe's Boston raised print are used. Twenty of the thirtyone pupils receive instruction in vocal and instrumental music three hours daily. No provision for industrial training for the blind is at present made.

ILLINOIS.

Illinois Institution for the Education of the Blind, Jacksonville, Ill.-The Wait point system has been adopted in school work and musical notations. Stenography and typewriting are to be taught, and drill work has been introduced and is conducted by an expert drill master.

MARYLAND.

Maryland School for the Blind, Baltimore, Md.-This institution is controlled by a board of directors, eighteen in number, elected annually. It is designed for the education of blind persons between the ages of seven and eighteen years, and those who are only partially blind are also received. The course of instruction is continued somewhat beyond the grammar grade of the public schools. Point and line systems are in use.

The es

Pupils are trained in tuning, chair-caning, broom and mattress making, etc. tablishment of a kindergarten is recommended, and the superintendent in his printed report calls special attention to the need of a gymnasium.

OHIO.

Ohio Institution for the Education of the Blind, Columbus, Ohio.-This institution completed its fiftieth year of existence in July, 1887. Five pupils were present at its opening, a number which had increased to two hundred and fifty on June 1, 1888. The course in the literary department includes kindergarten work and the regular high school course of studies. Vocal and instrumental music are taught, and considerable attention is given to instruction in tuning. Up to November 15, 1887, nine young men had been graduated as "tuners;" of these, five are reported as doing a 'fine business," and two are engaged in the sale of musical instruments, and find their knowledge of tuning a great help to them. Instruction is also given in broom-making, chair-caning, etc.

OREGON.

Oregon Institute for the Blind, Salem, Oregon.-Hitherto there has been no provision for industrial training in this school, but during the past year a beginning was made, by the introduction of broom-making, and the superintendent hopes to enlarge this department in the future, as means become available.

PENNSYLVANIA.

Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind, Philadelphia, Pa.-An act was passed by the last State Legislature, extending to twelve years the time during which pupils may be maintained at this institution at State expense. Heretofore no pupil has been received under ten years of age, but the recent law makes the length of residence practically unrestricted, and children are now admitted at five years of age. The principal, in his report for 1887 to the board of managers, calls attention to the overcrowded condition of the school-rooms and dormitories, making it impossible to separate properly the sexes and pupils of different ages.

VIRGINIA.

Virginia Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb and of the Blind, Staunton, Va.-The board of directors constituting the controlling body, formerly seven in number, now consists of nine members. Three were appointed for one year, three for two years, and three for three years, thus constituting a continuing board, of which three are appointed each year for a period of three years. The principal expresses the opinion that this change will be found advantageous in giving more of a settled character to the policy of the institution."