most praiseworthy efforts of the officers and employees, the main building was totally destroyed, and several of the side wings greatly damaged. One hundred of the 614 inmates were sent home owing to this calamity, and the remainder were crowded into the buildings which had escaped destruction, where the good work of the institution was carried on, notwithstanding the inconvenience of insufficient room, for three years before the work of rebuilding had been completed. Profiting by the experience of this disaster, fire proof materials were used in the construction of the new building; and additional security for the safety of the inmates in case of fire, provided by iron stairways erected on the outside walls of the building leading from each story and extending several feet away from the outside walls of the lower windows to the ground. Electric bells also communicate with the main office from every quarter of the building, so that a fire alarm can be instantly given and the fire located.

Objects of the Institution.-At the close of the last school year, July, 1888, the institution contained 725 inmates, and it is a sad fact to record that only 125 had homes to visit during the vacation season, leaving 600 idiots without any home except that provided by the State.

"The important objects of the institution are the amelioration of the condition of the imbecile, the accompanying relief of the family of the burden of care and anxiety for them and their future, by so training them that they may attain the greatest possible degree of self-helpfulness and even usefulness; the obtaining of such information as will reduce as far as possible the hereditary and accidental cases of idiocy and imbecility by so informing the world in regard to the conditions liable to their production that they may be avoided. The first is accomplished by the careful training and development of the child, surrounding it with the most efficient influence for the unfolding of a capacity for usefulness in its station. The second, by the careful study of the cases individually, as near as possible, to the events that have reduced them to the condition, and which will offer a better opportunity to arrive at reliable conclusions, no matter how patiently the histories may be pursued at a later age.

Fortunately, the rights of the child to its opportunity for education go hand in hand with the sympathies of all in this case; indeed, they have the double right as enjoined by the people, not only of special means of education, but of the care and custody of those of minds diseased. If the duty of caring for them at all is enjoined, then, certainly, the doing of it in the best manner is not to be questioned. There is no excuse for neglecting them as children, that they may be taken charge of when of adult age and size, to be cared for frequently in all respects as infants whose infancy has been prolonged by neglect. Nor is there reason for the admission to an institution of an adult imbecile for simple care and custody, to the

exclusion of a young and improvable child from a family of young children, who may be saved from the depressing influence of being reared with such associations, and from which they never recover, the parents from the discouragements and depression which frequently causes pauperism of the whole family.

The duty of the public to provide for all is clear, but in making provision for them it should be done in an intelligent and efficient manner, with the view of lessening the burden to the utmost by the highest possible development of them as children, in order that they may, when of adult age and strength, contribute to the extent of their ability toward their own support. To the State it matters little whether a helpless case is in an institution or in the family; if there should be any difference it would be in favor of the institution, even granting the best of care possible in the family. In the institution their care is associate and with proper facilities. In families they are single and do not have these facilities, and are expensive to the State in the proportion that their helplessness withdraws from the general body of workers and producers to attend upon them; their condition frequently requiring the public to support a whole family on account of one imbecile member consuming the energies of those who should give it support while sustaining all others dependent upon them. The object of the institution is to prevent this condition of things by assuming the care and development of the child.

Beauty of the Location.-A ride of about two miles directly west from the state house at Columbus brings the visitor to the site of the present institution. Passing through the entrance gate one cannot fail to be impressed with the beauty of the grounds. A broad avenue, shaded on each side by overhanging branches of rows of trees, leads to the main building, which is upon a rising knoll, about one-eighth of a mile from the main entrance. Immediately in front of the buildings is a magnificent park of many acres and covered with grand old trees, under which the inmates pass many a happy hour deriving the benefit of healthful exercise in the air and bright sunlight. In the woodland beyond the park are about thirty Shetland ponies, which are the property of the superintendent and have been provided for the amusement of the juveniles of the establishment.

We were conducted through the buildings and grounds by Miss Harriet F. Purple, who has been the able and efficient matron of the institution for nearly thirty years. Every department gave evidence of a system of management which only years of experience, devotion and intelligence on the part of those in charge could produce.

The educational department is under the charge of twenty-five teachers and graded according to the capabilities or mental condition of the pupils. School hours are from 9 A. M. to 12.30 P. M. and 2 to 4 P. M. While it seems a hopeless task to attempt to instruct

these unfortunates, the results obtained by persistent effort and great patience on the part of the teachers is most beneficial in the majority of cases, while the proficiency obtained by some of the pupils excites the wonder of visitors.

Devices for Instruction.-In the department containing low-grade pupils the work of instruction is necessarily slow and laborious. Many on entering are unable to talk, and the teacher considers that much has been accomplished when the pupil's mind and attention has been concentrated upon one special object. Many ingenious devices have been invented for this purpose. Bright-colored toys, strings of beads and similar articles are given to the children, who finally learn to separate and fit together the different parts. When evidence is thus given of the possibility of advancement it is taken advantage of and the especial point reached opens an avenue for further development.

In the high-grade department the pupils are taught geography, arithmetic, history, penmanship, calisthenics, etc., and while considerable difficulty is experienced owing to weak memory the results accomplished by patient and persistent effort are remarkable when a comparison is made between the condition of the pupil before and after receiving the benefits of the institution. Examples in arithmetic of no little difficulty are solved, the specimens of penmanship are remarkably well done, while considerable proficiency is shown in geography and history.

An Exhibition in Calisthenics.-We were favored with an exhibition of calisthenics, which was most skilfully executed, the pupils going through the different movements to musical accompaniment and without an error. Their leader was a boy about seventeen years of age, whose display of memory in leading the pupils through a long series of movements was most remarkable. When the performance was over the class went through several intricate marching figures, each in turn depositing their dumb-bells in the space designed for them at the end of the hall, and marched out of the door, the sound of their footsteps marking perfect time to the music as it gradually died away in the distance.

The Imbeciles' Band of Music.-We were next favored with a performance that excited wonder and surprise that such results could be obtained in an art that requires not only many long hours of faithful, laborious study, but also intelligence and natural aptitude. We refer to the concert by the band of the institution. This organization is composed of about thirty-five performers and is what is known as a military reed band, the leading instruments being composed of wood or reed wind instruments, such as clarionets, flutes, piccolos, oboes, bassoons and saxaphones. Good performers on the last three named instruments are very rare everywhere, owing to the difficulty in mastering them.

Standard overtures, operatic selections, and even classical compositions of the old masters are performed by this band and in a style

that would do credit to professional musicians. Only those who have studied the beautiful art of music can fully appreciate what an immense amount of labor and perseverance it requires to go through the many intricate steps that are necessary to bring a band of musicians of normal intelligence to a degree of proficiency. That so much has been accomplished by this band of feebleminded musicians is another evidence of the efficient work that is being accomplished at this institution toward the improvement, development and happiness of this unfortunate class of our fellow-citizens.

While permanent cures of idiocy are seldom effected, yet there are instances in the history of this institution where they have occurred and the patients became useful citizens. We were told of one man who, having learned the carpenters' trade at the institution, is now earning $2.50 a day working at his trade and has saved sufficient money to buy a home. While cures are only possible when idiocy is caused by disease, the improvability of all is practicable to a greater or less degree, except with the class known as **cretins. Some of these latter are congenital cases, deformed in body as well as in mind, and are generally small in stature, with large, flat heads, thick necks and short limbs.

Their Gratitude.-While physically they are capable of improvement, little can be done to advance their mental condition. Sometimes they are taught to say a few words, and they also understand some things that are said to them, but their condition is more like that of the lower order of dumb animals than of human beings. The kindness and humanity that governs all the officers and teachers in their treatment of the inmates is fully appreciated by the "cretins, who show affection and gratitude for their attendants similar to that of a dog for his master. Generally the inmates are feeble and stunted in body as well as under size. Children apparently ten or twelve years of age we found to be on inquiry sixteen to eighteen. In going through the institution it seems as the home of one huge family.

Consanguinity, or the inter-marriage of persons of the same kin, contrary to the general public impression, is not a prolific source of imbecility. The records of this institution, for all that period of time from its foundation to the date of the fire of 1881, showed that comparatively few cases could be charged to consanguinity. That these records were destroyed by the fire is a great misfortune, as much valuable matter, from which to form a basis of calculation as to the causes of idiocy and its prevention, was thereby lost.

Employments.-Many of the inmates are employed in various ways, and it has proven of great physical as well as mental benefit to them. The girls are taught to sew, and become sufficiently skillful to do all the mending for the asylum. The laundry work is done entirely by the inmates, and many be

come very good shoemakers, tailors, carpenters, and plumbers, and not only do all necessary work of this kind for the institution, but thus obtain a means of livelihood upon leaving it. One man is employed in the plumbing department who has shown remarkable mechanical skill in the building of a working miniature engine. Although almost a hopeless idiot, the constructive faculty has been developed when other faculties of the mind were totally deficient.

The beautiful and extensive surroundings, consisting of 188 acres, contribute not a little toward the mental as well as physical improvement of the inmates. The garden supplies all of the vegetables used here. Milk is furnished by a fine herd of cows, fifty in number, who have been trained to enter the barn at certain hours, walking in single file, each one stepping out of the line into its own accustomed feeding-place as it comes to it. They are milked night and morning by the inmates.

Healthfulness-That there is so little sickness in an institution filled with persons, whose infirmities cause weak and delicate constitutions, is owing to the perfection of its sanitary regulations. In its entire history there has been but one epidemic which was attended with serious results: that was in November, 1882, when there were 183 cases of scarlet fever. The death-rate was the largest since the foundation of the asylum. The school-rooms and dormitories were converted into hospital-rooms, and the teachers and attendants became nurses. Every precaution was taken to prevent the spread of the disease, which finally disappeared after twelve weeks of self-sacrificing devotion, courage and fortitude of the attendants, during which time they were constantly exposed to the dangers of a disease, the results of which are fearful even when death does not ensue.

The General Results.-The reports show that 69 per cent. of its inmates learn to work, 74 per cent. to read and write, 43 per cent. make useful progress in arithmetic, while all are improved in personal habits.

A Public Duty. -With the increase in population of the State, and consequent farger number of this unfortunate class, the necessity for making permanent provision, and enabling them to make the best possible use of such faculties as they already possess, together with the necessity for placing them under such restrictions as will prevent the increase and perpetuation of their kind, must be apparent to every thoughtful citizen; and this the spirit of humanity demands of the State.

Except in very few cases this class is not fitted to go out into the world; yet under proper management a large proportion could not only earn sufficient to support themselves, but largely aid in the support of their kind. There is at the present time a large number of adult imbeciles who have arrived at maturity since entering this institution, and this number is constantly increasing. They have

no place to go except to the county infirmaries, or to wander at large through the community, dependent upon the charity of the public for support; no longer under improving influences, but relapsing into their former helpless condition, to become criminals or paupers. The institution is at present crowded far beyond its capacity, and between 300 and 400 applications for admission were refused last year owing to this fact.

An Outlook for the Future.-For the permanent provision of this class it has been suggested that an appropriation should be made by the General Assembly to purchase a large tract of land at a convenient distance from the institution, on which should be erected plain and substantial farm-buildings, with all needful appliances for the various industries of the farm and workshop. As there are in the asylum at the present time a sufficient number of unemployed inmates to work 1,000 acres of land, the value of such an arrangement needs no argument. The sale of the products of the farm and workshops would realize enough to pay all its expenses, thereby utilizing what has been heretofore a public expense and burden, and permitting the asylum to carry out the objects of its foundation.

The education of the feeble-minded youth in Ohio has been unusually successful, and it is the largest institution of the kind on the globe. Its success is largely owing to the ability and efficiency of both past and present trustees and officers, and the untiring energy and zeal of its superintendent, Dr. G. A. Doren, who, having held this position since 1859, has made the bettering of the condition of this class his life-work.

The officers and trustees in 1888 are: Trustees-Silas A. Conrad, Massillon; Robert Mehaffey, Herring; Benjamin B. Woodbury, Chardon; Edward Squire, Defiance; Ross J. Alexander, Bridgeport; superintendent, G. A. Doren; steward, George Evans.

THE OHIO PENITENTIARY.

The penitentiary system was introduced into Ohio in 1815. Previous to that date certain crimes, afterward punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary, were punished by whipping. For instance, upon conviction of larceny the offender was sentenced to be whipped; not exceeding thirty stripes on the naked back for the first offence, and not exceeding fifty stripes upon a second conviction for a like offence.

In 1815 was enacted the first Ohio statute for the punishment of larceny by imprisonment in the State prison. It provided that conviction of larceny of the value of ten dollars and upward should be punishable by imprisonment at hard labor for not less than one nor more than seven years. In 1821 the amount of larceny to constitute a State-prison offence was increased to fifty dollars, but, in 1835, was reduced to the present amountthirty-five dollars.

The first penitentiary in Ohio was built in