In accordance with these views, notices were published in the several county papers, and a circular was issued and forwarded to each postmaster and supervisor throughout the State, giving notice, that the Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind would be opened for the admission of pupils on the first of February last. A convenient private edifice was hired, in the village of Flint; Mr. Fay arrived in January, eighteen hundred and fifty four, and commenced his services as Principal, Mrs. Fay acting as Matron.

Mr. Fay's Report, appended hereto, will exhibit the success thus far met with, and contains some important suggestions which are worthy of consideration. Nineteen Deaf Mutes and four Blind, have received the care of the State, and the number is likely to increase rapidly. In the appendix will also be found a Statement of the Expenses of the Institution, both for Educational and Building purposes. The total amount of the former, including salaries of Principal and Matron to January, 1855 Rent of Buildings, Furniture, Books and Slates, and everything necessary for School and Boarding establishments, is two thousand four hundred and five dollars and eighty-one cents; from which is to be deducted one hundred and twenty dollars received for tuition.

TERMS OF ADMISSION.

A section of the Act passed by the Legislature, April 3, 1848, provides that "the Trustees shall be the judges of the ability of the candidate for admission to defray his or her expenses, and shall require the parent or guardian, in all cases, to pay the necessary expenses, where they possess the ability; otherwise, the same to be defrayed out of the Asylum Funds."

In accordance with the above Statute, the Trustees require those who expect to be supported out of the Funds, to present a certificate of their inability from the supervisor of the township in which they respectively reside. Such applicants are required to furnish their own clothing, and defray their traveling expenses.

Paying pupils are required to pay the sum of sixty dollars per annum, semi-annually in advance, and give security for punctual payment. Candidates are required to be under thirty years of age, of sound mind, and susceptible of intellectual culture, free from infectious disease, and of good moral character.

6

The amount thus required to be paid by the paying pupils is somewhat less than the cost of board and tuition. This was thought advisable, since the price is equally low in other State institutions, and it was deemed to be the duty of the State not to suffer any of this class of her citizens to go elsewhere for the instruction which they might receive within our own borders. It is strongly recommended by the principals of most of the State institutions, a recommendation which is warmly concurred in by Mr. Fay, that admission be made free to all. This is not left to the determination of the trustees. will be seen that out of the twenty-three pupils in our State Institution, only four are paying pupils, and the amount required for those being very small, (one hundred and twenty dollars being thus far received,) it be wise to consider how far a just State pride, in opening the door freely to all, without discrimination, will prove a fair set off against the little advantage to the funds which may be expected under the present regulation.

may

ASYLUM BUILDINGS.

It

In deciding upon the plan for the erections contemplated by the act of 1853, much difficulty occurred owing to the proposed union of the deaf mutes and the blind in one Institution. Each of these classes of unfortunates requires entirely different provisions for their treatment and education. The plan adopted by the New York Institution for the deaf and dumb, now in progress of erection, seemed to offer the best basis for such an instiution as our State required, and a plan similar to this in general structure, has been adopted, but modified and reduced in detail. Its advantages are, that it may be adapted temporarily at least, to both objects, and being in nearly detached portions, one portion may be completed and occupied while the remainder is in progress. This building when finished, is expected to accommodate from three hundred to three hundred and fifty pupils. Plans of this edifice are submitted with the report. It consists of partially detached structures, intended for the various purposes of school rooms exercise and work rooms, dining rooms, dormitories, and the rooms of the Principal, officers of the Institution, and kitchen and domestic offices. It covers a ground of two hundred feet in width, by two hundred and forty in depth, including several open areas, and is fifty-six feet height. The entire cost is estimated at one hundred thousand dollars

The rear or school wing of the edifice only, has been commenced, and this it is designed to appropriate, during the temporary necessity, until the other parts of the whole structure are completed, by using the basement for culinary and domestic purposes; the first floor for the residence of the Principal and his family and assistants, for library, receiving rooms, &c. The second floor for school rooms, and the third floor for a lecture room, chapel and sleeping rooms for the pupils. But little alteration of this building will be required to adapt it to the ultimate purpose designed, when the whole shall have been completed.

The erection of this building was commenced in June last, and has progressed as far as the appropriation would warrant. The average height of the walls as they now stand, is about twenty-four feet. The height, when completed, will be fifty-four feet, to the eves. The amount expended in buildings, and for materials on hand, so far as the bills are closed, is six thousand five hundred and forty dollars. The details of this expenditure are exhibited in the appendix. The estimated amount required to complete this wing for present occupation, is about eighteen thousand dollars.

It is important that this building should be ready for occupation by November next, as the premises now occupied are rented until the twenty-third of that month only, and are inadequate to our purpose.

PURCHASE OF SITE.

For the site and use of the Asylum for the Deaf Mutes, and the Blind T. B. W. Stockton, Esq., of Flint, had donated ten acres, and the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Detroit, ten acres more, making twenty acres of land, pleasantly situated, adjoining the village. The tract was found, however, to be divided by the line of the Port Huron and Lake Michigan or Northern Rail Road, which, there is a reasonable prospect will soon be constructed. The present Board deemed it advisable that the land belonging to the Institution should not be divided by a Rail Road. It was also found to be absolutely necessary, to obtain the advantage of an ample supply of pure water, and the tract owned by the State, though extending to the bank of a fine living stream, did not include any part of it. They accordingly entered into a negotiation with the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, which resulted in the exchange or sale to the Bank of nine, and thirty-nine one hundredth acres, lying on

the north side of the Rail Road line, for an equal number of acres lying on the south side, and adjoining land already owned by the State as Asylum land, on the west; and in addition purchased of said bank thirteen and forty-five hundredth acres, at the rate of fifty dollars per acre. The new land, thus acquired, includes a portion of Schwarz's Creek, where there is sufficient fall to constitute a water power, conveniently situated, and ample for the purposes of the Institution, and it affords a jocation for the immediate site of the buildings, much better adapted than any on the land previously donated. The present site is covered with a fine grove of the original forest, enough of which should be suffered to remain to add shelter and beauty to the situation, and afford desirable walks and drives, through grounds ornamented by nature, more highly, usefully and cheaply, than could be accomplished by art. The ground now belonging to the Institution embraces thirty-three and forty-five hundredth acres, which is not more than is required; of which about eleven acres are in a cleared condition, ready to be used for the farming and garden purposes of the Institution.

ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

Of existing Institutions for the Insane in the United States, that established at Trenton, New Jersey, a plan of which was submitted by the late Board, is probably the best adapted, in its general features, to the wants of this State; but the present Board came to the conclusion that none of the existing Institutions combine all the improvements which are important to be adopted. It further seemed to them advisable to secure the early appointment of the Medical Superintendent, in order that the building might be erected so far under his supervision as to secure his approbation when completed. The frequent and expensive repairs of Institutions, erected without such supervision, led them to look upon this as a matter of the greatest economy. Many of the Asylums of the United States were erected according to plans furnished by architects only, or by Trustees without practical medical experience, and when supposed to be finished, have been found so ill arranged and defective as to call for very large additional expenditures, before the building could be used.

Acting upon these suggestions, the Board, in January last, tendered the post of Medical Superintendent of the Michigan Hospital for the

Insane, to Dr. John P. Gray, acting Superintendent of the New York State Asylum, at Utica. The appointment was accepted by Dr. Gray, conditionally; the condition being that a satisfactory salary should be fixed, and commence from the time he should enter upon the duties proper, of Medical Superintendent and Principal-after completion of the necessary buildings for reception of patients. Dr. Gray agreed, meanwhile, to devote so much of his time and attention to the buildings and fixtures as should be important, at a compensation not exceeding eight hundred dollars per annum, for his services and expenses. All the plans have been submitted to Dr. Gray, with whom an active correspondence has been had, and he has several times visited the State in furtherance of the interests in view. The plans which under his valuable suggestions were adopted, have been put into the hands of A. Jordon, Esq., Architect at Detroit, for the proper architectural details, and will be presented to the Legislature for inspection and approval, together with drawings of the elevation. It is confidently believed that no Institution of the kind, in any country, better combines all the necessary accommodations and conveniences, with economy of construction, which the service and skill of modern times has suggested.

PLAN OF THE RUILDINGS.

In order that the plans which we submit may be better appreciated, the Board deem it appropriate to refer to a series of propositions relative to the construction and arrangement of Hospitals for the Insane, which were unanimously adopted by the "The Association of Medical Superintendents of American Institutions for the Insane," at a meeting held in Philadelphia, May 1851, and which are appended to this report.

The principles laid down in those "propositions" are fully carried out in the plans adopted, with the addition, it is believed, of some important improvements. No pains have been spared, either by the Board or by Dr. Gray, in arriving at the most just conclusions; and althoughthis has occasioned some delay and expense, it is believed no course could have been so judicious.

The building consists of a centre and six wings. It has a front of seven hundred feet, and with the two end wings, which are at right angles to the others, has an entire length of abont one thousand feet; the whole being designed to accommodate two hundred and fifty patients,