absolutely no points in common. The experience of numerous institutions, both in this country and in Europe, where the experiment has been tried, has been that nothing has been gained by uniting the two classes. The wants of both can be better provided for by gathering them into separate institutions. Doubtless it is premature to urge the erection of an institution for the blind, but it does not seem improper to call the attention of our legislators to the desirableness of such an arrangement as soon as circumstances will admit. This Institution was incorporated as the Michigan Asylum for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, and the Blind. Its object is clearly stated, and that is, the education of the deaf and dumb, and the blind; but, in speaking of the establishment, people very naturally abbreviate the full legal title, and call it “The Asylum," in which term there is nothing to remind them of its real character. Hence, the idea commonly associated with the place is that of a place of refuge. Instead of looking upon it as a school, many persons regard it as a home, or hospital, for those who are poor, aged, infirm or diseased. The idea has obtained currency that we are under obligations to receive such deaf mutes and blind persons as are unable to support themselves, no matter at what age they may present themselves for admission-no matter whether they are capable of learning anything or not. In fact, applications have been made for the admission of blind persons, in the hope that here, if anywhere, they could be restored to sight, and in behalf of invalids, in the hope that our treatment might be of service to them. Visitors sometimes ask, with entire innocence, what kind of diet and treatment we give our patients. There is a good deal in a name. It is by no means desirable that an institution of learning should be regarded a poor-house, prison or hospital, and we think the word "Asylum" has misled many persons. Would it not be better to change the name to that of "The Michigan Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, and the Blind?" With such a name, its object could hardly be misunderstood.

It gives me pleasure to call your attention to what has been done, during the past year, to furnish our pupils, as well as teachers, and others connected with the Institution, with suitable reading matter. Our older pupils love to read books that are not too difficult for them to understand. Until recently, no arrangement had ever been made, by which they could have anything to read except their text books.

Last year, a small number of juvenile books was purchased, as the foundation for a "Pupils' Library." These books were loaned to all pupils who desired to draw them. They were read with avidity, and the importance of making additions to this library, became daily more apparent. In several instances we have received contributions of money, to be expended for books, from the parents and friends of our pupils, and from visitors. We have now in our "Pupils' Library," 238 well selected little volumes. The benefit to be derived from these little books cannot be too highly estimated. A taste for reading, as well as the ability to read understandingly, must be acquired by deaf mutes, during their pupilage, or it never will be. The difficulties of language, which they meet at every step, are formidable, but with the certainty of receiving assistance from their teachers, whenever they meet with new words or perplexing idioms, they are stimulated to read at an early period in their course, and before they leave us, we trust they will have acquired, not only the inclination, but the ability to read books of a far higher character than they could have read without that constant practice which ready access to a library will give them.

During the past year, we have also commenced a library for the use of teachers and others connected with the Institution. It needs not a word of argument to prove that an institution of learning should have a good library. Valuable books of refer- . ence should be at all times accessible to the teachers. There are many subjects brought before the classes, to illustrate which properly it would be necessary to consult some more copious authority than the text book. Until the past year the library of this Institution consisted of a few Patent Office Reports,

some Agricultural and School Reports, some odd volumes of the United States Coast Survey, and three or four volumes of the Congressional Globe. Such books, of course, are worthy a place in a public library, but if they are the only intellectual pabulum that can be offered, hungry indeed, must be the mind that can feed upon them. We have now 131 volumes in our "Teachers' Library." Many of them are choice works of history and miscellaneous literature. It is to be hoped that frequent additions may be made to the stock of books that we have already secured. We regard the purchase of books from time to time as one of the legitimate expenses of the Institution. The libraries of our colleges are often enriched by contributions from men of learning and of wealth. May we not feel that we have a just claim upon the parents and friends of our pupils, to do what their circumstances will permit to make both our libraries, all that they ought to be. We would also gladly enlist the kindly cooperation of all who may feel disposed to place volumes upon our shelves. Our hearty thanks are due to Senator Chandler, and to the Hon. John F. Driggs, for frequent contributions of public documents, as well as to the proprietors of the Michigan Argus, the Detroit Tribune, the Lansing Republican, and the Wolverine Citizen, for sending us their valuable and welcome papers. We are also under special obligations to the Michigan Central, Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana, Detroit and Milwaukee, Flint and Holly, and Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad Companies, for their generous courtesy in passing our pubils over their respective roads, when returning home at the close of the term.

We have great reason for gratitude to a kind Providence, for the excellent health that has been enjoyed by the inmates of the Institution during the past two years. But one death has occurred during the time-that of a blind pupil, named Mary Johnson. Special pains have been taken to provide for the comfort of those committed to our care, and for the success with which such efforts have been crowned, we are largely

indebted to the untiring watchfulness of our excellent Matron, and to the skill of the attending physician.

It will be your duty, at the coming session of the Legislature, to urge the immediate completion of our buildings. Undoubtedly, as the result of your own observations, reasons enough will occur to you, to lay before that honorable body, in favor of such a step, and yet there may be considerations which would have more weight with you, if you could view them as those do whose daily life is in the Institution, and among the pupils. You now clearly see their wants, and the wants of those who labor for them. Were you among them all the time, you would not only see them, but feel them, to a greater extent than you can possibly realize. The State of Michigan has committed herself to the erection of a suitable edifice for the education of her Deaf and Dumb, and Blind children, and the accomplishment of that noble purpose, is but the work of time, She will not repudiate her obligations to those for whom she has already done so much. With the State, the completion of our buildings, immediately, or at some future time, can make but very little difference, but with those who daily feel the need of more ample accommodations, "hope deferred, maketh the heart sick." I shall endeavor to lay before you, as plainly as possible, even at the risk of tiring you with uninteresting details, some of the inconveniences to which we are subject, and which are steadily increasing as our numbers increase.

The entire edifice, as you are well aware, is divided into five distinct parts, exclusive of the Engine House. Each part is planned for a specific use, and when the whole structure is completed, so that each part does just what it is designed to do, the accommodations will be all that we could ask. We have, first, a front building of ample size and beautiful proportions, designed to be the home of the family and teachers, and others employed in the Institution. This part of the building awaits completion. Next, there is a centre building, which comprises the kitchen, dining-room and chapel. This part of the

building is completed, and is in the highest degree creditable to those who planned and erected it. On each side of the centre building, and separated from it by a spacious area, there is a wing for the use of the pupils. The East Wing is completed, and is occupied by the girls. The West Wing is not completed, and is sadly needed by the boys.

In the rear of these four buildings, and connected with them by corridors, is the school-house. That is completed, though when it comes to be used only as a school-house, certain parts of it will be somewhat modified. I would respectfully call your attention, and through you, that of the Legislature, to the following statements:

1. Our boys and girls are under the necessity of studying their lessons in the same room, every evening. The room in which they study is the girl's sitting room, and should be used exclusively by the girls.

2. We have to make the bath-room, designed for the use of the girls only, answer the purpose, not only for the boys, but for all connected with the establishment.

3. We have no place that is decent for our boys to spend their time in when out of school, and not engaged in evening study. There are two rooms under the school-house, where they stay when the weather will not permit of their running out of doors.

4. Our boys' wash-room is entirely unique in its character and accommodations. In the girls' wing there are two large tanks, into which rain water is pumped as often as is necessary, and from which an abundant supply of both hot and cold water can always be obtained. The slops find their way out through conductors. But in the boys' wash-room, the water is brought in a wash-tub by two boys and stored in barrels. The slops are caught in a tub, which is carried out and emptied from time to time. Such accommodations are not of the character that a State like this ought longer to be satisfied with.

5. Our boys keep their clothes in their trunks, and their trunks in one small room, destitute of wardrobes, shelves or