Connecticut Historical Collections

"The system of instruction adopted at tliis institution is substantially the same as that of the French school at Paris. It has however been materially improved and modified by Mr. Gallaudet and his associates. This system, and indeed every other rational system of teaching the deaf and dumb, is based upon the natural language of signs. By this we mean those gestur(;s wliich a tieaf and dumb |)erson will naturally use to express his ideas, and to make known his wants previous to 1827718 HARTFORD. -tSKBSI^^^^m <^^ instruction. These gestures and sii;ns are rather jnrtorial, tliat is, an exact outhne of the ohject, delinealed by the hands in the air; or de- scriptive, giviiit: i\n idea of an ohject by presenting some of its promi- nent and striking features; or conventional, such as may have been agreed upon by a deaf and dumb person and his associates. As there are very few objects which can be expiessed with sufficient clearness by the delineation of its outhne alone, a descriptive sign is usually con- nected with it. Thus, in making the sign for a book, the outline is first delineated by the ihve finger of both hands. To this is added the de- scriptive signs of opening the book, placing it before the eyes, and moving the lips as in reading. It may therefore simplify the classifica- tion of natural signs if the first two divisions be united ; and it will be suf- ficiently accurate to say that all the signs used by the deaf and dumb, are either descriptive or convcntiomd. By far the greater part of these signs belong to the former class ; as it includes the signs for most com- mon objects, actions and emotions. A deaf and dumb child constructs his language u[)on the same principle as the child who can hear; that of imitation. "In the school-room, tlie instructor makes use of natural signs to communicate ideas to his pupils, of systematic signs to enable them to translate their own into written language ; of the manual alphabet, or signs of the hand corresponding to the letters of the alphabet ; and of written symbols to express the grammatical relations of words. A more particular account of the mode of instruction would be inconsistent with the limits assigned to this article. Indeed it can hardly be neces- sary to enlarge on this topic, as visitors can at all times have access to two of the classes, and on Wednesday afternoon to all the classes, when they are permitted to witness the process of imparting instruction by signs, and lo make such inijuiries as will enable them to understand tlie subject. " The pupiLs usually remain at the Asylum four or five years, in which time an intelligeni child will acijuire a knowledge of tlie common ope- rations of arithmetic, of geography, granmiar, history, biography, and of written language, so as to enable him to understand the Scriptures, and books written in a familiar style. He will of course be able to converse with olliers by writing, and to manage his own affairs as a farmer or mechanic. There are workshops connected with the institu- tion, in which the boys have the opportunity of learning a trade, and many of them, by devoting four hours each day to this object, become skillful workmen, and when they leave the Asylum, find no difficulty in supporting themselves. The annual charge to each pupil is one hun- dred dollars. '• The department of instruction is under the control of the principal of the institution, who has also a general oversight of the other depart- ments. The pupils are distributed into eight or nine classes, the im- mediate care of which is committed to the same number of assistant instructors. When out of school, the pupils are under the care of a steward and matron. 36 II A K T F O U I> . "Five or six similar institutions have been established in difTerent parts of the country, all of which have obtained their system of instruc- tion, and some of their teachers, from the American Asylum. Nearly one half of the states allbrd the means of obtaining an education at some one of these schools, to their own indigent deaf and dumb; and it is greatly to be desired that the legislatures of all the other states should furnish the san)e assistance to these children of misfortune."* Eastern view of the iietreiit for the Insane. " l^his institution is situated on a commanding eminence, at the dis- tance of a mile and a (juarter, in a southwesterly direction, from the State House in Hartford. The elevation overlooks an ample range of fertile country, presenting on every side a most interesting landscape, adorned with every beauty of rural scenery, that can be found in rich and cultivated fields, and meadows of unrivalled verdure ; in extensive groves and picturesque groups of forest, fruit and ornamental trees; and above nil, in the charming diversity of level, slojiing and undulating surfaces, terminating by distant hills, and more distant mountains. "The city of Hartford is conspicuously seen on the left, and in dif- ferent directions, five flourishing villages, rendered nearly continuous by numerous intervening farm-houses. On the east, the prospect is enlivened by the perpetual passing and repassing of carriages and trav- elers, on the two principal thoroughfares of the country, that extend along the front of the building, one at the distance of fifty or sixty rods, the other within three fourths of a mile. Still fartlier eastward, but within a mile and a half, the prospect is frequently enlivened by the splendid show of passing steamboats, and the white sails of various wa- ter craft, plying up and down the Connecticut river, which is distinctly seen in many long windings. " This site was selected as one pi'e-cminently calculated to attract and engage the attention, and soothe and appease the morbid fancies and feel- ings of the patient, whose facidtles are not sunk below or raised above the ♦ Anii-'iicaii Magazine, Vol. I, \Soj, II A R T F O R IJ . 37 sphere of relations that originally existed. And if he is not heyond tlie reach of genial sensations, connected with external objects, he will un- doubtedly feel the conscious evidence that this situation most happily unites the tranquilizing intluence of seclusion and retirement, with the cheering eflect of an animated picture of active life, continually passing in review before his eyes, while himself is remote, and secure from the annoyance of its hustle and noise. '•'The edifice for the accommodation of the patients, and those who have the care of them, is constructed of unhewn free stone, covered with a smooth white water-proof cement. Its style of architecture is perfectly jilain and sim|)le, and interests only by its symmetrical beauty, and perha[)s by the idea it impresses of durability and strength, derived from the massy solidity of its materials — yet notwithstanding these, its general aspect is remarkably airy and cheerful, from the amplitude of its lights, and the brilliant whiteness of its exterior. The whole build- ing is divided into commodious and spacious apartments, adapted to various descriptions of cases, according to their sex, nature and disease, habits of life, and the wishes of their friends. The male and female apartments are entirely separated, and either sex is completely seclu- ded from the view of the other. Rooms are provided in both male and female apaitments for the accommodation of the sick, where they are removed iVom any annoyance, nnd can continually receive the kind at- tentions of their immediate relations and friends. Attached to the build- ing are about seventeen acres of excellent land, the principal part of wliich is laid out in walks, ornamental grounds and extensive gardens. ^Vith each wing and block of the building is connected a court-yard, en- compassed by high fences, and handsomely laid out, designed to afibru the benelit of exercise,*pastime and fresh air, to those who cannot safely be allowed to range abroad. " Coimecled with the institution, there are horses and carriages, which are appropriated exclusively to the benefit of the patients, and wliicli afforii them much pleasant exercise and anuisemmit. The male patients frcijuently employ themselves in the garden, and amuse them- selves at the backgammon board, draughts, and the like. Tlie female patients employ themselves in sewing, knitting, drawing, painting, play- ing on the piano, and other amusements. The various exercises and amusements are adapted to the age, sex, and former habits of the pa- tients, and in all cases the two sexes are kept entirely separate. There is a library in the Retreat, coniposed of light and agreeable works, and several periodicals and newspapers are constantly taken, for tlie perusal of which the inmates manifest much fondness. On the Sabbath, those that are in a jnoper condition, are taken to church, and unite in reli- gious worship. Every thing connecteil with the institution, is ilesigned to make it a i:)leasant and agreeable residence for all the inmates. " This institution commenced its operations on the 1st of April, 1824, under the immediate charge of the late Eli Todd, M. D. He pursued a course of ntedical and moral treatment which has been crowned with a success, second to no other similar public institution of which we have any knowledge. The same systeni of management has been adopted by 38 )I A H T V O 11 U ,