Schools for the education of the Poor.

Schools for the Education of the Poor.

Incorporated Society. - This Society, which meets at a large building in Aungier-street, was incorporated by act of parliament, in 1790. The plan was suggested by the example of Scotland; and in 1793, the Duke of Dorset, then Lord Lieutenant, raised large subscriptions amongst the nobility and gentry, for the endowment of charter schools. Twenty-nine schools were established through Ireland for the rearing and educating of Protestant children solely, that is, the children were to be reared in the Protestant faith alone. Of these charter schools, two are in Dublin, one in Kevin-street, in the once splendid residence of the Coopers, and the other in Upper Baggot-street.

Kevin-street school - contains about 200 girls, and Baggot-street maintains and educates 60. In the moral education the master and mistress are assisted by a catechist (a clergyman), who attends once each week, for the purpose of lecturing and examining the children in the sacred Scriptures.

The society’s affairs are managed by a committee of 15 persons, mostly bishops, who meet every Wednesday. His Excellency is President. **

Erasmus Smith’s Schools**. - In the rebellion of 1641, a large property was sequestered, part of which was adjudged by the Commissioners of the Act of Settlement, to Erasmus Smith, Esq, who endowed with it sundry grammar schools, and left a fund for establishing professorships in the university.

The directors of this fund were incorporated by Charles II. and enabled to economize, farm, and bestow the funds on various objects, by an act of George I. These governors are numerous and respectable; and the Primate, Lord Chancellor, and Provost of Trinity College, are *ex officio *governors. Several schools have been endowed throughout the kingdom, and two have lately been opened in Dublin, one on the Coombe, in the liberty, and a second in New Brunswick-street; in both which places excellent school-houses have been built, and the children are taught reading, writing, and the elements of a sound education. **

Deaf and Dumb Institution**. - This Institution is situated at Claremont, near the village of Glasnevin, in the North Liberties of the city of Dublin; and, though not within the circular road which surrounds the city, cannot, from its national importance, be omitted in an account of the present state of the metropolis, within which it was first establisbed, and was for some years carried on.

A few years ago, the celebrated Robinson, who had been instrumental in bringing Romana’s army from Denmark, proposed to the Irish government to establish and direct a national school for the education of the Deaf and Dumb, upon the Abbé Sicard’s plan. His proposal failed, and he abandoned the project.

Public attention, however, was again called to the subject, in 1816, by Doctor Charles Orpen, who after devoting his leisure hours, for a few months, to the partial education of a Deaf and Dumb boy, at his own house, whom he had taken for this purpose out of the House of Industry, gave a few popular lectures at the Rotunda, in which he brought forward the most striking features in the melancholy condition of the Deaf and Dumb, and the principal facts with respect to the history of their education, as a science recently in-vented, and the establishment of schools in various countries for their relief.

He gave, also, a general view of the different modes of instruction, adopted in the Continental and British Institutions, as far as he could collect them from the works to be procured in these kingdoms on the subject. His object, in trying to commence the education of this poor boy, was partly to have an amusing and useful occupation at home, when, from the effects of illness, he was disabled for some months from attending to his profession, but principally with a view to excite public sympathy in behalf of this unfortunate and neglected class, by bringing. forward to their view an example of how much could be done for their relief, even in a short time, and without any previous practical acquaintance with the subject. The reason why they had been hitherto neglected and overlooked, was, that the Deaf and Dumb do not, like the Blind, strike a casual observer as deficient, and their chief want being a want of language, with all its inevitable effects of ignorance of all the stores. of knowledge communicated by words, and of every truth contained in Revelation, or, even known to natural religion, brings this affliction also, that it incapacitates them from making known their destitution, and prevents others from being aware of their ignorance and total want of mental cultivation or spiritual knowledge.

What first suggested this idea to him was the success of a, similar attempt made at Birmingham, a few years before,** **by his friend Dr. De Lys, and Mr. Alexander Blair. Having partly educated a little Deaf and Dumb girl for their amusement, for some time, Dr. De Lys brought her forward in a course of lectures, the result of which was that such a degree of public interest was excited, that an institution was formed in that city for their relief. The perusal of the first report of this asylum, which had been given him by Dr. De Lys, in 1814, had made him determine, if ever an opportunity should present itself, to endeavour to effect the same in Ireland, where, until then, the Deaf and Dumb had been totally neglected.

An extraordinary degree of public attention was excited in Dublin, by the exhibition of Thomas Collins (the Deaf and Dumb boy before mentioned), in illustration of the lectures, then delivered. His progress in written language, in calculation, and in articulate speech, after only a few months’ instruction, was so satisfactory that the cause of the Deaf and Dumb was immediately taken up by the public, and a society was established to provide means for their education.

The great difficulty at first was, to find a master, competent to instruct them. Dr. Charles Orpen’s object was merely to call public attention to the subject, and not to undertake any thing more; and he expected, that when once funds were provided, it would be easy to procure a teacher from some of the English or Scotch schools. This hope, however, was disappointed. Dr. Watson, the Master of the London Deaf and Dumb Asylum, said he could not point out any one fit for the undertaking; and the Master of the Edinburgh Institution was bound to Mr. Braidwood, the Master of the Birmingham school (who had instructed him in the science), not to teach any one for seven years, of which two still remained unexpired.

In this dilemma the committee were obliged to intrust a small school, which they opened in part of the Penitentiary, in Smithfield (by permission of the Governors of the House of Industry, under the sanction of the Lord Lieutenant), to two young men, who had been Ushers in Lancasterian schools. As, however, they were quite unacquainted with this branch of education, Dr. C. Orpen and other friends, gave the school as much superintendence as was compatible with their other avocations and explained to them, as well as they could learn it from English and Foreign publications on this subject, the mode of instruction to be pursued, and assisted them in preparing lessons.

In 1817 the committee hired a small house in Brunswick-street, for their pupils; who were still, however, boarded by the House of Industry

In this way the school was kept alive, and public interest extended, and funds collected and husbanded, while the pupils made considerable progress in spite of every difficulty, until the time arrived when Mr. Kenniburgh, the Edinburgh teacher, became released from his engagement, and offered, as he had promised before, to teach a Master for this country, if remunerated. The committee selected Mr. Joseph Humphreys, the present master (at that time Registrar to the Society for promoting the Education of the Poor of Ireland), as the most proper person to undertake the charge of their intended Institution; and sent him to the Institution in Edinburgh, to study this peculiar branch of Education.

In the mean time, they selected and purchased their present establishment at Claremont, near the village of Glasnevin, about a mile but of town; and on his return from a residence of some months in Edinburgh, after having also visited all the other Deaf and Dumb schools in Scotland and England, they removed their pupils to Claremont, and placed the whole establishment under his care.

It was now only that the pupils began to be instructed in a regular systematic manner, and the education of the pupils should in fact be dated from this period. At this time also female pupils were first admitted. The Institution has since advanced steadily in public estimation, and has yearly increased in the number of its subscribers.

Claremont has about 18 or 19 acres of land attached to it, and its grounds are beautifully laid out, and command some of the finest views of Dublin Bay, and its shores. Since 1822 the committee have erected, at a considerable expense (provided by a separate subscription), a new school-room and dormitories, capable of accommodating at least 100 pupils. They also made such other additions and alterations, as were necessary to complete the arrangements of a great establishment. Previously to this, the difficulties in the management, instruction, and separation of the pupils were so great, as to he a source of constant discouragement and anxiety to the master. Every part of the arrangements as to buildings &c. are now simplified; the moral management is made easy, and the pupils also advance twice as fast as they used formerly

Tile number of pupils has gradually increased to nearly 50, and in the course of the last two or three years several have left the school, having finished their education, to be apprenticed to various trades, or settled in different situations. It is to be regretted, however, that at every half-yearly election of poor pupils, from 30 to 40 or 50 candidates are disappointed, for want of annual funds to ensure their support if admitted; The committee have formed Auxiliary Societies in Cork, and Belfast, which seek out and select Deaf and Dumb children, belonging to their respective districts, and support them at the Institution.

All this has been effected, without any pecuniary aid from government:- and the whole of the new buildings and alterations were completed out of a separate fund, commenced for this special purpose. This fund was raised, partly in Ireland, and partly in England, in the west of which, about seven or eight hundred pounds were collected Mr. Humphreys, during a tour with two of his pupils, Thomas Collins and William Brennan; in the course of which he delivered lectures at Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, huddersfield, Bath, Bristol and Clifton. Another beneficial result, which has incidentally arisen from this tour has been, that Deaf and Dumb schools are likely to be established in Bristol, Manchester, and Liverpool. Mr. Humphreys has also offered to teach Masters for any of these town, in gratitude for their liberality.

This Institution has been recently honoured by the patronage of their Royal Highnesses, the Duke of Gloucester and the Duchess of Clarence. The list also of Vice-Patrons is and Vice-Patronesses contains some of the most respectable names in Ireland.

Out of school hours the pupils are employed in useful works, contributing either to their health, or. to form industrious habits. The boys are occupied in gardening and farming, and other mechanical labours, the girls in needle-work, housewifery, laundry-work, and dairy management, &c. &c, The buildings, yards, and grounds are so arranged that the boys and girls in the poor establishment have distinct school-rooms and play-grounds besides which the master has entirely separate apartments, and walks, &c. for his own family and for private pupils of both sexes, who are either Deaf and Dumb or afflicted with impediments in speech.

This Institution is the first that has established a general correspondence with almost all other similar establishments in Great Britain, the Continent and America; and it has collected a valuable library, containing almost every work that has ever been published, relative to the Deaf and Dumb. It has also done much to induce those other schools to correspond with each other, and has offered to each to act as its agent, in circulating reports, or other publications, among such institutions in other countries.

Its own eight reports, and other pamphlets, &c. &c. already circulated, contain a great deal of interesting information. The committee have also recently purchased a small printing press, for the employment of some of the pupils, and to print lessons for their own use, and for the Deaf and Dumb in general. **

Asylums for the Blind.

Simpson’s Hospital**. This asylum was established by George Simpson, Esq. A merchant of this city, who himself laboured under a disorder of the eyes, and was a complete martyr to the gout: it was natural enough, therefore, that his own sufferings should have directed his attention to the melancholy situation of many, who, like himself, sustained the tortures of the gout, or a partial or even total blindness, while they were not possessed of pecuniary means to render their situation supportable. He accordingly bequeathed his estate, in 1778, for the foundation of this hospital for blind ant gouty men, in reduced circumstances, which was opened in 1781, and the governors incorporated 1799.

The hospital is situated in Great Britain-street, and forms a good termination to Jervis-street: it is of mountain-granite, and perfectly plain; and in the rear is a small garden with accommodations for the exercise of the patients. There are 24 wards, which contain about 70 beds, and an additional one has been lately built over the new dining-room, so that, were the funds sufficient, the house could now accommodate 100 patients. The number which is supported is about 50, and in the admission of patients, the preference is given, caeteris paribus, to those who have been the most affluent, and whose moral character is unblemished.

The income of the hospital amounts to nearly 2,700l.

Petitions for admission are to be laid before the board, or lodged with the registrar, one month, at least, previous to the second Monday in May and November.

There are two physicians, one surgeon, a registrar and agent, a steward and a housekeeper. **

Richmond National Institution, for the Instruction of the Industrious Blind – Sackville Street.** - This institution was opened in the year 1809, by subscription, for the purpose of instructing the indigent blind in various trades; they are taught weaving, netting, basket-making, and many of them have made considerable progress in these trades.

The greatest number of pupils at any one time in this institution is 32, although there is accommodation for 50. There are at present 27 pupils in the house, independently of a certain number of externs, who, having been educated at the institution, are allowed to work there, the produce of their labour being disposed of for their benefit while they maintain themselves. Several of the former pupils have settled in different parts of the country, and are enabled to support themselves by their own exertions.

The religious instruction of the pupils is committed to the care of the clergy of their respective persuasions.

The matron, superintendent, teachers and servants are the only persons who receive salaries or emoluments. His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant is Patron, and the affairs of the institution are conducted by seven Vice-Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer. **

Molineux Asylum - Peter-street**. - This institution was opened in 1815, in the family mansion of Sir C. Molineux, Bart., which first fell into the hands of Astley, when it was converted into a Circus, and was subsequently held by Mr. H. Johnstone, after whose departure from Dublin it was taken by the subscribers to the Asylum for Blind Females.

It is supplemental to the Richmond Institution and Simpson’s Hospital, for as these establishments confine their benefits to males, so the Molineux is for the accommodation of females solely; and, as of the former institutions, one serves as an asylum for the old, and the other as a seminary for the instruction of the young, the Molineux combines within itself both objects.

The house, which is of brick, is large and commodious, and the expenses defrayed by the profits of a chapel, charity sermon, and private subscriptions. The family, whose name it bears, have contributed handsomely. There are a patron, patroness, guardian (Lady Molineux), treasurer, sub-treasurer, secretary, chaplain, physician, surgeon, and apothecary. On the site of the Circus, is a neat and convenient chapel, where service is performed agreeably to the forms and canons of the established church.

Blind females, above the age of 50, have here a permanent asylum; and those below that age enjoy the benefits of lodging, clothing, diet, and instruction in such employments as will enable them afterwards to obtain a livelihood. There are 20 at present on the establishment, but the building would accommodate 50.

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