organizing a post-graduate course. The history of the blind plainly shows the expediency of such a course. There is hardly a department of learning or science which has not had blind persons in its foremost ranks of success and eminence. When we consider that such persons have emerged from obscurity with the most scanty educational aid till they had shown themselves capable of self-help, it seems probable that their number would be greatly enlarged were their means and opportunities of early culture in various directions increased. In this connection it should be borne in mind that the absence of the one sense that more than all the others distracts the attention, is favorable to concentrated thought and mental action on subjects adapted to call the intellectual powers into vigorous exercise. No man ever rendered more valuable service as a naturalist than the blind Hüber, whose keen inward vision made him master of the entire field opened to him by other eyes than his own; but it was the intensity of his study in his favorite department in his early boyhood that made him blind. Blindness will never prevent a man of real genius from obtaining the fame and the power of usefulness which he fairly deserves, if he can once be placed on the arena of competition. The only difficulty will be in his reaching by preliminary education the standing-ground from which he may rise to fame; and the furnishing such education fittingly forms a part of the work of our school. To this end we need added branches of study with qualified teachers, scientific collections, models, and illustrative apparatus of various kinds. One of the purposes to be held in view should be the preparation of boys and girls for our best colleges, or for the position of teachers. Another, and perhaps practically a more important purpose, should be the furnishing a thorough and scientific musical education for those capable of it. Thus our graduates may not only become performers and teachers, but may aspire to foremost places as proficients and adepts in the one art in which the absence of sight can be no obstacle in their way to eminence. While much may be done in this behalf from the general funds of the institution, the plan can be fully organized, and conducted with due efficiency only by gifts or bequests for this special purpose. 11. DEATHS OF MEMBERS OF THE CORPORATION. Since our last annual meeting the corporation has lost by death the following members: Mrs. John F. Andrew, of kindred spirit with her father, the late Nathaniel Thayer, in all works of love, one of whose last deeds of mercy was a fresh gift of a thousand dollars for our kindergarten; Mrs. Eleanor J. W. Baker, who has for many years made her wealth a treasury for ample beneficence in more forms and ways than can be numbered, and who has not forgotten this institution in the numerous bequests which bear witness to the breadth and to the wisdom of her charities; Mrs. Eleanor Bennett of Billerica, of a family well known for its generosity; Samuel C. Cobb, than whom no man among us has been more, or more deservedly, honored for integrity, benevolence, and eminently judicious and faithful public service; Mrs. J. Malcolm Forbes of Milton, tenderly loved and deeply lamented by a large circle of kindred and friends; Amos T. Frothingham, who served our institution as auditor for many years, with the utmost assiduity and faithfulness; Rev. Frederick Frothingham of Milton, preëminently a Christian philanthropist; John Richardson Hall; Mrs. Zenas C. Howland; Oren S. Knapp, a recent but most valuable friend to the institution; Mrs. Sarah E. Lawrence, a constant friend and helper of those in need, privation and suffering; Henry Lippitt of Providence, R. I.; Daniel G. Littlefield of Pawtucket, R. I.; Augustus T. Perkins, respected for his large and liberal culture, and endeared by traits of character most prized where best known; Knyvet W. Sears, a worthy heir of a widely honored name; Charles F. Shimmin, held in the highest esteem in his business relations and in the nearer circles of his family and his friends; his heart and hand were in many charities and philanthropic enterprises, and he was an ardent, helpful friend of culture, art and music; H. H. Thomas, Providence; Joseph B. Thomas; Royal W. Turner of Randolph, whose interest in the cause of the little blind children was repeatedly shown in a substantial way, and led him to bequeath to the kindergarten the sum of three thousand dollars; Anne Wigglesworth, full of almsdeeds and good works; George W. A. Williams; J. Huntington Wolcott, always a generous giver, whose life, enriched with the graces and virtues that make life beautiful, was in its influence, and will be in its memory, a perpetual benefaction to all who knew him; and Alexander Young, who by his sterling worth adorned his growing reputation as a journalist, a critic, and a man of letters. All which is respectfully submitted by JOHN S. DWIGHT, WILLIAM ENDICOTT, JR., JOSEPH B. GLOVER, J. THEODORE HEARD, ANDREW P. PEABODY, EDWARD N. PERKINS, WILLIAM L. RICHARDSON, LEVERETT SALTONSTALL, THOMAS F. TEMPLE, S. LOTHROP THORNDIKE, GEORGE W. WALES, Trustees. THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR. "Les ans peuvent naître et mourir; Qu' importe à ceux que l'espérance Des biens que le ciel doit offrir?" TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. Tremblay. Gentlemen-In discharge of a duty prescribed to me by usage and precedent I beg leave to submit to you the annual report of the director for the last twelve months. The year just closed has been one of general prosperity to the institution. A larger attendance of pupils than ever before, an entire freedom from untoward events, harmony of feeling and faithfulness of effort on the part of the instructors and officers in all the departments of the school, and increased success in educational work, have been its principal characteristics. At the beginning of the past year the total number of blind persons connected with the institution in its various departments as pupils, teachers, employés and work men and women, was 201. Since then 38 have been admitted, and 31 have been discharged, making the total number |