into drams-cordials, I repeat it, which may give the heart a transient warmth, but which gradually rob it of its mental worth, its best affections. The child of this delicate, fashionable, and feeling nurse pines away for want of proper nourishment; and then begins the supplementary diet of thick gruel and panada, totally unfit for those diges tive powers which languish for the want of the diet of nature. Yet the little one lives, and in the intervals of cholic it smiles, and presses with its hands the bosom that ought to supply its only nourishment. The delicate mother often sinks herself into a permature decline by vain exertions, fruitless anxiety, by obstinately keeping an improper resolution, or at least she saps her health, and contracts evil habits from the injudicious experiment. But is it in a crowded, contaminated city of Europe, of Britain, or of Ireland, where ripeness, rottenness, and. immaturity are compressed together -where the female breast heaves not so much with love and tenderness, as with anxious solicitude to rank with a higher station, never casting its reflection on the rank below, and deriving at least comfort from the comparison-is it in a city, where we see in the streets wretched infants suspended, I may literally say hanged, from the arms of insensible and intoxicated mothers; where in higher rank we see infants brought into company themselves, under the influence of intoxicating draughtsIs it where--I cannot, or rather will not proceed farther-miserable mothers!-unfortunate children!

A. P.

For the Belfast Monthly Magazine. THE SECOND ANNUAL REPORT OF THE

COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT, LAID
BEFORE THE GENERAL MEETING

OF THE RICHMOND NATIONAL IN-
STITUTION, FOR THE INSTRUCTION
OF THE INDUSTRIOUS BLIND, IN
GREAT BRITAIN-STREET, DUBLIN ;
HELD ON MONDAY, THE 6TH OF
MAY, 1811. WITH THE GENERAL
RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE INSTITUTION,
AND AN ACCOUNT OF THE FUNDS,

THE managers feel great satisfac

tion in being able to inform the subscribers, that the institution is considerably improved since their last report was published.

In the month of December, they came to a resolution to admit six pupils in addition to the original number of twelve; and there are now fifteen pupils in the house, and four candidates for admission on the books, whose case will be considered on the next day of meeting. They have admitted one day pupil, who merely receives, at his own choice, instruction in manufacture.

The conduct of the pupils has been, upon the whole, very regular and orderly; many of them have made rapid progress in the trades at which they are employed; and a sensible improvement in constitu tion, and external appearance is observable in all, since the time of their admission.

The manufactures hitherto carried on in the institution, have consisted of nets of various kinds, but chiefly for gardens, mats, and matting made of bent or sedge, and baskets.

It will be gratifying to the subscribers to observe by the accounts submitted to them, that the two first of these manufactures have yielded a profit, even after deducting the expense of the instructors.

The basket manufacture appears under less favourable circumstances: but it nevertheless promises to afford a profit as large as, or even larger than the other branches,

Among the difficulties with which the managers have had to contend, the principal has been to provide materials in the last mentioned manufacture. A considerable quantity of willows was lost at the commencement of the manufacture, by the negligent and injudicious manner in which they were stowed by the first instructor; and when the pupils began to attain some expertness in the trade, the stock of materials became exhausted.

The managers have taken great pains to procure an additional supply, but without effect:-persons who stipulated to furnish them with large quantities have failed in performing their engagements; so that at present they have only a few hundred of bundles remaining, which are in a state of preparation for what in the trade is called white work; and the manufacture in the mean time, is necessarily suspended. The loss is much to be lamented, as the earning of some of the pupils has amounted to two shillings per day, and on an average the profit on the work of the pupils, who have been kept at it for a few months, has been more than equivalent to the cost of their maintenance. The managers earnestly entreat that such of the subscribers as have any means, or opportunity of procuring a supply of willows amongst their country friends, will exert themselves to that desirable effect.

To promote industry and exertion, the committee, since the first day of the present year, have adopted the plan of allotting a proportionable part of their earning to the pupils. One-sixth part of the value of their labour is set apart for them, and of this allowance, onesixth is given them for immediate encouragement, the remaining fivesixths are left to accumulate for them, till they leave the institu

tion-subject to deduction for wanton or negligent loss of cloaths, or wilful mischief.

The annual donations, subscriptions, and dividend on stock, are estimated at £500.; to this sum is to be added the profit on the manu facture, which, if materials can be procured, at the accustomed rates, and taking into consideration also, the improving expertness of the pupils, the managers expect will be considerable. At the same time, the public ought to be reminded, that the institution is not to be viewed in the light of a lucrative manufactory, but as a school, for such indigent and helpless blind persons, as are disposed to industry, from which the pupils are expected to depart, in order to make room for others, as soon as they shall have acquired sufficient knowledge and dexterity to maintain themselves.

In the schedule of the property of the institution, the whole cost of the house and premises, repairs and alterations, will be seen at one view, The expenditure which comes under this head, together with the yearly rent and taxes, have subjected the institution to a weighty burden-weightier perhaps, some may think, than was suitable to its means, or requisite for its purposes in its present infant state. But the managers have to observe, that the same consideration which induced the present subscribers to originate this scheme of mercy, equally inspired the hope, that the beneficcat concurrence of the public, would soon advance the institution to that magnitude, which it must attain in order to full utility. In this event, less extensive premises would not have served the purpose, and should the managers be enabled to realize their hope, so as to fill the present house, the expense incurred by its capaciousness will then appear much

less in comparison with the number accommodated, than it can now be deemed disproportionate. The committee will not relinquish the sanguine prospect they have cherished, until the utter failure of their representations compels them to despair of adequate aid from the public. They will trust, that a claim on humanity, which speaks for itself, and which no arguments can make more im

pressive, will not be blighted by a coldness which in no other instance has been exemplified. Should this however unhappily, in defiance of every present expectation, prove the case, the committee have the comfort of reflecting, that instead of being embarrassed, they will be, materially aided, in adopting a narrower scale, by a profitable disposal of the present premises.

DR.

General Rules and Regulations for the Richmond National Institution, for the instruction of the industrious blind.

THE purpose of this institution is, the instruction of indigent and well disposed blind, in such useful arts or trades, as they shall be found capable of acquiring, whereby they may be enabled to provide for themselves, and to become useful members of society.

The institution is under the direction of a president, eight vice presidents, three trustees, a secre

tary, and twenty-one additional members, constituting a committee of management.

A subscription of one guinea, annually, constitutes an annual member, and of twenty guineas at once, or within twelve calendar months, a member for life.

General meetings of the members are to be convened by public advertisement, (inserted five days before, in two news-papers), on the first Monday of May, and first monday of November, in every year: seven members present, shall be

competent to transact business. The president, one of the vice-presidents, one of the trustees, or, in their absence, any member present, to be then chosen, is to preside. An extraordinary general meeting may be called, in the like manner, either by the committee of management, or by the president, or by any of the vice-presidents, or by the requisition of any ten members addressed to the president, one of the vice-presidents, or one of the trustees; the purpose or purposes for calling such extraordinary general meeting to be specified in the public advertisement, and no other business to be then discussed or transacted.

The general meeting is to have the ultimate controul over the whole institution; and particularly the power to make, alter, or annul laws; but the determination of any general meeting in those respects must be confirmed by the then next general meeting. No determination of a general meeting respecting the property of the institution, is to bave effect, unless confirmed by the then next general meeting, consisting of not less than twenty-four members, of whom three-fourths, at least, must vote for such confirmation.

Twenty-one members are to be elected from the members at large, at the general meeting on the first Monday of May, in every year, who, with the president, vice-presidents, trustees, and secretary, are to be a committee of management.

The committee is to meet at such times as they shall deem most useful. Three members are to constitute a meeting for the transaction of business; and the president, one of the vice-presidents, one of the trustees, or, in their absence, any member to preside. The committee is to order and direct all necessary

buildings, works, and repairs, and all requisite supplies of implements, materials, and accommodations. The committee is to determine on the number of objects to be received, and on the nature and extent of the beneficence to be granted; to admit such applicants as circumstances may point out to be the most proper objects; to frame regulations for their own conduct, and for the internal management of the establishment, as well as for the instruction and moral government of the pupils; to hire, suspend, or discharge all persons employed in the institution, to receive and collect the subscriptions, and pay same into the hands of the treasurer; to audit all accounts, and order all payments; and, in general, to exercise the complete superintendance of the institution, subject to the controul of the general meeting. The committee is to keep such a registry of proceedings, as shall enable them at all times to exhibit a detailed view of the progress and state of the institution, in order, that under the direc tion of the general meeting, an account of the funds, income, expenditure, and every other particular necessary to full information, may from time to time be laid before the public. The trustees are to have all interests in houses or ground, and all funded property vested in them; and when necessary, they are to convey the same, as they shall be directed by the general meeting, under the foregoing regulations.

The secretary is to assist at the meetings of the committee, and at the general meetings.

The treasurer is to account with, and act under the direction of the committee; and the committee is to lay all the accounts of the institution, and all their own transactions before the ordinary general meeting, for inspection and controul.

3. Is it deemed incurable? 4. Has applicant had the small pox or cow-pock?

5.-Is applicant free from epileptic and other fits, and from every disease which could prove injurious to fellow pupils ?

6.-Does applicant labour under any bodily infirmity, which may

render him a burden to the institution?

(Queries to be answered by a clergy man, pries, or minister, or some other respectable person.) 1.--What is the name and age of the applicant?

BELFAST MAG, NO. XXXVIII.

2. How long has applicant been blind?

3. At what place, or in what parish, was applicant born? 4. Where does applicant now reside?

5.-How long has applicant resided there?

6-Has applicant been employed other manner? in any handicraft work, or in what

7.-How has applicant been supported?

8-Are applicant's parents living or dead?

9. If living-What are their names, residence, condition, or circumstances; and what family have they?

ed about as a beggar; or played on 10. Has applicant ever wander.. any musical instrument in the streets, or at public-houses;-and if so, how long since?

11.-Does applicant bear a character of integrity, regularity, decency and sobriety?

12-Is applicant of sound intel. lect?

Applications, accompanied with answers to the above, to be addressed (post paid, if from the country,) to the Superintendant of the Richmond National Institution for the instruction of the Industrious Blind, Great Britain-street; and signed respectively by the several parties required, residing within the parish to which the candidate shall belong.

N.B. Persons applying for admission, are desired to observe, that the object of the institution being not to provide for the permanent support of those taken under its protection, but to teach them the means of providing a livelihood for themselves; therefore, as soon as they shall have received all the instruction of which they shall be found capable, they must necessa} D d