LIST of the Superintendents of the Institution, with the year during which they have severally served:

J. T. AXTELL, March, 1850, to August, 1851.

A. MCDONALD, December, 1851, to November, 1852.
HENRY DUTTON, December, 1852, to March, 1853.

C. B. WOODRUFF, 1853 to October, 1855.

P. LANE, October, 1855, to March, 1856.

W. H. CHURCHMAN, August, 1856, to October, 1861.

T. H. LITTLE, October, 1861, and present superintendent.

The operations of the school fall naturally into three departments. In one, instruction is given in the subjects usually taught in our ordinary schools. Some use is made of books printed in raised letters; but instruction is mostly given orally. In another department, musical training, vocal, instrumental and theoretical, is imparted to an extent sufficient to furnish to most an important source of enjoyment, and to some the means of support. These two departments were opened at the commencement of the school, and have been ever since maintained. A little later, the third department was opened. Broom making is taught to the boys; sewing, knitting and various kinds of fancy work to the girls, and seating cane bottomed chairs to both boys and girls.

ADMISSION OF PUPILS.

Any person wishing to make application for the admission of a pupil into the institution, must address the Superintendent, giving definite and truthful answers to the following questions, viz.:

1st. What are the names and post office address of the parents or guardians of the person for whom application is made?

2d. Are such parents or guardians legal residents of the State of Wisconsin?

3d. What is the name and age of the person for whom application is made? 4th. At what age did he or she become blind, and from what cause? 5th. Is he or she of sound mind, and susceptible of intellectual culture? 6th. Is he or she free from bodily deformity and all infectious diseases? 7th. What are his or her personal habits and moral character?

Upon the receipt of such application by the Superintendent, the applicant will be notified as to whether or not the person in question will be admitted; and no one must be sent to the institution until such notification shall have been received.

No person of imbecile or unsound mind, or of confirmed immoral character, will be knowingly received into the institution; and in case any person sha.l, after a fair trial, prove incompetent for useful instruction, or disobedient to the wholesome regulations of the institution, such pupil will be thereupon discharged,

The Wisconsin Institute for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, is located in Delevan, Walworth county on the Western Union Railroad. The site is a very eligible one for a public institution, and has been rendered attractive by the tasteful arrangement of the grounds, and the carefal training of foliage. The land first occupied, being 11 46-100 acres, was donated by Mr. F. K. PHOENIX, a member of the first Board of Trustees. The original boundaries were enlarged on three sides by the purchase of twenty-two acres. The building is attractive in appearance, both externally and internally, furnishing a pleasant home for an unfortunate class. The institute is under the charge of five Trustees, appointed by the Governor, each for the term of three years. It is supported by annual appropriations by the Legislature. It was originally a private school for deaf-mutes, near, and subsequently in, the village of Delavan, but was incorporated by act of the Legislature, April 19, 1852. A complete organization was effected in June following.

The design of the Institute is the education of that portion of the children and youth of the State who, on account of Deafness, cannot be instructed in common schools. None are admitted because of impairment of speech, the whole method of instruction being based on difficulties consequent on lack of hearing.

The education which it endeavors to furnish involves more than pertains to an ordinary school, inasmuch as it combines training which belongs to the home, but which is impracticable in the case of deaf mutes, intellectual culture which is almost the only aim of common schools, moral instruction has been unavoidably neglected, and mechanical training which will secure self-support.

Instruction is given by signs, by the manual alphabet, by written language, and, to one class, by articulation. In the earlier stages of education, the books used are prepared expressly for the deaf and dumb; more advanced pupils study text books used in our common schools. The chief study is written language, which will qualify them for communication with their fellow men.

Two trades are taught-cabinetmaking and shoemaking. The shop for

the former was opened in March, 1860; the latter, subsequently. While their profit, or even paying expenses, ought not to be the test of their valuewhich consists chiefly in fitting the pupils for earning a livehood - these shops have become self-supporting.

The whole number of pupils who have been instructed, in twenty-one years, is three hundred and seventy-four; of whom one hundred and forty-eight were in attendance October 1, 1873, which is nearly as large a number as is practicable in the present edifice. Besides these there are, according to the census and other returns, at least one hundred more between the ages of ten and twenty, and it is believed that fuller information would greatly increase the number of those who ought to be under instruction. The census list and the books of the Institute contain the names of about five hundred deaf mutes of all ages in the State. Probably the number is much greater.

TABLE showing the appropriations made each year.

Pupils.

.....do......1853.

TABLE giving the attendance each year since the incorporation of the Insti

In the year 1852.

tute to the present time:

Pupils.

8 In the year 1863....

89

16

.do......1864.

80

.....do......1854.

.....do......1855.

.....do..

...1856.

.....do......1857..

.....do......1858..

.....do......1859..

112

79

.....do......1870.

144

.....do......1860..

87

.....do......1871.

149

.....do......1861.

86

.....do......1872.

.....do......1862..

164

83

.....do......1873..

176