Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

MODERN YORK. 125
of Clifton. The hall of the school, is a very beautiful
building ; forming a conspicuous object on the northern
approach to York..
goriushtre School for the 33IhrtJ.
This is one of the most efficient of the institutions which
now abound in England, for the purpose of affording the
means of enjoyment and support to those deprived of light
and sight ; following the injunction :—
So much the rather, thou celestial light,
Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers
Irradiate ; there plant eyes, all mist from thence
Purge and disperse 1
Foreigners, who have travelled in this country for the
purpose of obtaining information on the subject of the
education of the blind, have recorded their admiration at
the management of this school ; and the rules of the
Yorkshire school for the blind have been recommended for
adoption to the Belgian government ; being also translated
and extensively circulated in France. The object of the
institution, as the general rules state, is to give the pupils
such instruction as may enable them to obtain a livelihood,
attention being, at the same time, paid to their moral and
religious education. The pupils attend at the places of
religious worship which their parents desire ; or which,
if adults, they themselves prefer. Such mechanical arts
are taught in the school as the blind can exercise to ad
vantage : with whatever other branches of knowledge may
appear conducive to the above-mentioned ends. The
institution is managed by a committee chosen annually.
The girls are chiefly employed in knitting, sewing, net
ting, &c.—Most of the boys in basket-making, weaving,
&c. Some of the boys are educated as musicians ; and
some are organists at churches ; the whole of the pupils
being taught singing more or less. These occupations
alternate with reading, by help of books printed in raised
letters, arithmetic, tangible and mental geography, religious
exercises, &c., &c.