been proposed in a former number of these Reports; and which also made a part of Mr. Pitt's plan for the relief of the poor. The answer to the general objection to such a measure may be here repeated ;-that though some deficiency in the funds might eventually occur," the expense of providing for that deficiency could never amount to a tenth part of what is now incurred in supporting aged, infirm, and widowed pensioners, who have had no inducement to adopt a system of saving, and of providing for themselves."

10th Nov. 1806.

No. CXXXV.

Extract from a further Account of the School for the Indigent Blind, at Liverpool. By THOMAS BERNARD, ESQ.

THE establishment of the Liverpool school for the blind, has been reported in one of our former numbers. It is a subject of great satisfaction, that continued attention, and judicious arrangement, should have been in this instance, attended with such eminent advantage and success. Since the first establishment of the school, 291 persons have been admitted. Of these, who came into it a burthen to themselves and useless to mankind, the greater part have gone out capable of earning, or nearly earning, their own livelihood. At the end of the year 1804, there were 75 pupils in the school; and 20 more were admitted in 1805; principally from Lancashire and Yorkshire, but some

from other English counties, or from Wales, or Ireland. In the same year, 1805, 20 pupils quitted the school. Seven of these had received but little benefit from the Institution; four have left the school with the power of contributing considerably to their own maintenance; and the other nine* are much more capable of supporting themselves comfortably in the world, than the generality of the labouring class.

The

scope and power of this charity has been greatly increased by the general rule adopted and adhered to, that (except in cases of day-scholars, when the pupils are maintained by their friends or parish) an allowance must be made to the charity for their board in the house. The sum received for these allowances in the preceding year, amounted to £338. 5s. 2d., which makes

*These blind persons are comfortably settled in business for themselves. John Davies, Robert Clough, Egerton Stott, and Joseph Davy, are basket makers ; Adam Hampson, Joseph Williamson, and William Graham, weavers; and Henry Galley and James Staith, are organists of churches, and teach music,

a considerable addition to the means and support of the establishment. In order to secure the regular payment of this allowance, the Governors have found it necessary to require the half year to be paid in advance; and that some respectable inhabitant of Liverpool, should become responsible to the committee, for the regular half yearly payment of such allowance in future.

Numerous applications have been made for the admission of blind infants; and many persons have erroneously supposed that the blind were to be boarded, lodged, and maintained, at the expense of the charity. The Committee has therefore been obliged to give notice, that this Institution is merely A SCHOOL for teaching the blind useful trades, and occupations, by which they may be enabled to earn their livelihood; and that children of less than twelve years of age, cannot be admitted, except under very particular circumstances.

OBSERVATIONS.

It is a very gratifying occupation to trace the progress of the streams of benevolence through a country, which derives from them the increase of every moral and religious virtue, and reaps the rich harvest of industry, contentment, and piety. Few more pleasing examples of this are to be found, than in the Liverpool school for the blind; and the instances are rare, in which the general rules have been more wisely framed, or more strictly adhered to. The patronage of the Committee of the Liverpool School for the blind, would be greatly extended by the gratuitous admission of applicants, at the Committee's discretion, and without any reimbursement or restriction: but this would be attended not only with prejudice to the funds, but even to the administration and credit of the charity; which might not merely be liable to the reputation, but would be subject to the actual existence of a job, if incumbered by such a patronage.