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Presently M. HAUeY found his plan seconded by the Philanthropic Society, and the benefactions and advice of several persons, no less distinguished for understanding than benevolence, contributed not a little to encourage his zeal in its prosecution. The following were the primary objects of the establishment. To withdraw the blind from the dangerous paths of idleness.
The children that M. HAUeY had to educate were, in general, of the class of artisans, though a few belonged to that of artists and men of science. Some were born with a little aptitude for mechanical labours, others with a great disposition for the arts and sciences. These considerations naturally pointed out to him his plan of instruction, which is divided into four branches.
From that moment, M. VALENTIN HAUeY, brother to the celebrated mineralogist of that name, animated by a noble enthusiasm, conceived the project of teaching the blind to write and read, and of placing in their hands books and music, printed by themselves. After employing twelve years in maturing it, at length, in 1784, he ventured to carry it into execution.
It is also in contemplation to teach a blind pupil pasigraphy, or universal language, invented by DEMAIMIEUX. M. HAUeY details to strangers every part of his plan with the most patient and obliging attention. When he had concluded, I could not avoid expressing a wish that the art of instructing the blind in the fullest extent might be speedily introduced among all nations.
The process alone of printing in relief would require a vast number of pages, and some plates, in order to make it perfectly intelligible; but the greater part of what composes these branches of instruction is amply detailed in a work, which I shall communicate to you, entitled "Essai sur l'Education des Aveugles, par Valentin Hauey, auteur de la maniere de les instruire," printed under the sanction of the ci-devant Academy of Sciences.
At the present moment, he is engaged in founding a second establishment, of a similar nature, which is to take the name of On my asking M. HAUeY, whether he would not retire, as it was intended he should, on his pension? "This favour of the government," replied he, "I consider as a fresh obligation, silently imposed on me, to continue to be of service to the blind.
An apartment is specially appropriated to the systematic order adopted by HAUeY in his new treatise on mineralogy; another is reserved for the method of WERNER. In both these oryctognostic collections, minerals of all countries are indiscriminately admitted.
"I am persuaded," interrupted I, "that were the advantages of such an establishment made public in England, it would receive the countenance and support of every friend of human nature." "It is an unquestionable fact," concluded M. Hauey, "that an institution of fifty blind, well conducted, ought, by their labour, to produce more than would defray its expenses.
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