INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB. them, and learned Europe to whom his fame introduced them." This is the character the Abbé Sicard has given his master; a character which he was richly entitled to. Only let us see imposed upon him, and what additional what this priest did to fulfil the trusts glory he has added to his former laurels, by representing to the world at large by every possible means, in the biographical works published in France, and with the assistance of teachers of the Deaf and Dumb Asylums in this country, to induce all the Encyclopedias in Great Britain to misrepresent the character of the good Abbé de l'Epée, and state that his system was good for nothing that he taught his pupils "words by signs" and not" words by things," and suppressed all his valuable books and manuscripts. This is the universal legatee, who on the death of the donor did all he could to vilify his character; and after doing so to a most shameful extent, by attempting to impose upon the public a fabricated letter which he says the good Abbé wrote to him, wherein he acknowledged that he taught his pupils only to write, under the dictation of signs, without their knowing either question or answer, and after all such fallacies, he had the impudence to add another, the greatest of all, in the following words:" But does it become a scholar to push his master so hard, above all when he told me frequently that so great a glory ought to be suffithat his success satisfied all Europe, and (To the Editor of the Mirror.) SIR, The Manual Finger or Dumb Alphabet* I have sent, in hopes that you will insert the same in your widely-circulated and respectable paper, that, together with the following remarks, may stimulate every parent and schoolmaster in Great Britain to endeavour to relieve that class of unfortunates the Deaf and Dumb against whose universal education so much prejudice has been excited, by a set of men who have done every thing in their power to depreciate and vilify, one of the greatest men France ever produced the late Abbé de l'Epée. This great and ever to be lamented priest was, on his death, succeeded by his pupil, the late Abbé Sicard, who succeeded him in his office, as well as in the possession of all his books and manuscripts, as appears by his own language in his "Course of Instruction of one born Deaf and Dumb," which he published; wherein he says, "Receive our first homage O thou! who was the creator of that art which has produced such wonders. Oh! how dear to us ought to be the name of this holy priest, of this friend to humanity, who believed himself, with much reason, called by providence to this useful and difficult apostleship, devoted himself entirely to this work so worthy the tender piety which animated him all his life time. They will bless him for ever as their father, and thankful posterity will unite with them in honouring his memory, and in recommending him to the respect and homage of all generations. For myself who have the honour to be his immediate successor, I who was a witness of his zeal, and whom he charged when dying to be the promoter of his work-if I have added to his successful endeavours, if I have extended this sublime discovery, if I have made of it a complete system, a theory, the principles of which are now invariable, I must de clare that I have only worked for the glory of a master so justly celebrated, and that we owe to him all that may be found useful in this book. Here is the spirit of those oral lessons that I received from his friendship; in publishing them I only acquit, as universal legatee, a sacred debt. It is sufficient for me to have the magnificent title of disciple of this prodigious genius, who had no guide, no model, and whose first master-pieces astonished the city which was witness of cient for those who wished to imitate him;" adding this modest confession, moreover, "I have found the glass, and you are destined to make the spectacles!" To prove the fallacy of this assertion, I refer the reader to the books published by the good Abbé de l'Epée, in which there is not a single sentence to justify the imputation of so gross a calumny. I am in possession of all the works of the good Abbé de l'Epée extant, and lately lent the volume to a teacher at an Asylum, where none but the Deaf and Dumb are taught, the last edition of it to read, he having never read it before, when he returned it me with a note, in which he thanked me for the perusal, as he says, of "de l'Epée's excellent and comprehensive little work which I have read with great pleasure and advantage, and in which the true method of instructing the Deaf and Dumb is clearly exhibited." This gentleman's opinion of the good Abbé's method, is very different from that of Dr. Watson, although equally capable of judging of its merits or demerits. Dr. Watson declares to have passed a heavy censure on the good Abbé's method of educating the Deaf and Dumb, and endeavours to justify himself through the stories of Sicard. To refute the assertions of Dr. Watson, Sicard, and the Encyclopedias, that the good Abbé taught his pupils "words by signs," and not "words by things," and that his pupils were so ignorant when they returned to their parents, as not to be able to put a single question of their own accord, or answer by more than one word to those put to them." Let us refer to the first chapter, 2nd edition, of the Abbé de l'Epée's "Method of educating the Deaf and Dumb;" where he says" It is not by the mere pronunciation of words in any language, that we are taught their signification. The words door, window, &c. in our own, might have been repeated to us hundreds of times in vain; we should never have attached an idea to them, had not the objects designated by these names been shown to us at the same time. A sign of the hand or of the eye, has been the sole means by which we learned to unite the idea of these objects, with the sounds that struck our ears; whenever we heard these sounds, the same ideas arose in our minds, because we recollected the signs made to us when they were pronounced." This clearly proves that the Abbé taught his pupils words by things ;" and in a letter of the Abbe's published in this book, it is shown that his pupils could answer questions in writing, as well as, if not better, than any scholar of Dr. Watson's or Sicara's, as by the following question, which was put by the late learned Dr. Linguet, when he visited the Abbé for the purpose of ascertaining to what extent his system had been carried. After minute examination in every respect, and being perfectly satisfied of the utility of his method, he appeared to have, as it is said, "only one desire left," which was to know whether the Deaf and Dumb scholars "who displayed such sagacity in rendering ideas, communicated by methodical signs were able to define a metaphysical idea." The Abbé adds ›— question? I have seen many of them, As soon as the Abbé de l'Epée had published his "Method of Education," the tranquillity of all other teachers was disturbed, and produced the same effect as all new inventions which alarm interest and contradict prejudice: the natural consequence of all new discoveries and improvements being always offensive at the beginning, thereby making it extremely difficult to destroy habits deeplyrooted and upheld by prejudice. To convince the public that the education of the Deaf and Dumb is not beyond the means and power of common charity schools, and to stimulate other schools to try where there is an object to be found, I shall quote an extract from the Liverpool" Report of the Committee of the Methodist Day and Sunday Schools for the year 1822," just published. "Since the publication of their last report, the committee have had their attention directed to the very melancholy situation of those children of the poor who are deprived of the faculty of speech. The lectures of Mr. Humphreys of Claremont, near Dublin, on this subject, first roused the state of the committee to the deplorable state of the Deaf and Dumb, and led them to an active inquiry as to the probable number of such objects amongst the poor in this town. The result was such as to induce them to believe there were considerably more than one hundred in such circumstances. The mode of instruction pointed out by Mr. Humphreys, though he considered it as only applicable to those institutions solely set apart for the instruction of mutes, appeared to the committee so plain and simple, that they were anxious to try the experiment upon a few children; but they were for some time discouraged from the attempt, by the fears Can Dr. Watson's' pupils answer this of those who seemed best acquainted with "To satisfy him in this point, I wrote upon the table, What do you understand by a metaphysical idea? While I stood conversing with him, in no pain about the result of the question, one of the scholars presents a solution of it in these terms: By metaphysical ideas, I understand ideas of things which are independent of our senses, which are above our senses, which cannot be perceived by which nowise affect our our senses, senses!"" the subject, lest greater harm than good should be the result. But finding no immediate prospect of the formation of an establishment for the purpose of instructing such very interesting objects of charitable feeling, they endeavoured to procure the best printed instructions on this subject. In prosecuting their inquiries for such publications, how were they astonished to find the work explanatory of the art the simple, the blessed art of instructing the Deaf and Dumb, by the late venerable and ever to be admired Abbé de l'Epée, had been as far as possible suppressed, and the professed teachers, both in France and this country, had not only made it a subject of mystery, but had actually in most instances enjoined those admitted into their seminaries in order to learn the system, not to teach it to others, under a heavy penalty! On applying for the works of the Abbé de l'Epée, not a copy could be purchased either in London or Paris, although a considerable edition of a translation into English of the good Abbé's 'Method of teaching the Deaf and Dumb,' was printed a few years since in London. After diligent inquiry among the booksellers for a copy, none could be procured; and one of the committee was informed, that the whole edition was bought up a few days after it was announced, and thus suppressed. Fortunately the committee met with the work of Mr. Arrowsmith on the 'Method of teaching the Deaf and Dumb,' and this publication so convinced them of its practicability, that they immediately inquired and found out four or five mutes in the neighbourhood of their schools. They determined to take the advice of Mr. Arrowsmith, and to instruct them along with the other boys, in the first instance, merely teaching them the use of the Manual Alphabet, but in other respects giving them no advantage over the other children with whom they mixed. In less than six months after their admission, four of these children could go through their Manual Alphabet, had learned the names and uses of various things, and could write a fair legible hand. Their improvement in writing was far beyond any instance before met with in children who could hear and speak. Four of these five children still remain in the school; the eldest a girl, and the most promising of them, after having learnt to write a fair copy, was taken away by her friends who were Roman Catholics, on which account they would not allow her o continue longer in the school. Of the remaining four, one boy has learned to weave during the last few months, and is remarkably clever at his employment and well pleased with it. Another who is a cripple from an accident he met with when a little child, seems only fit for the occupation of a tailor, in which he is likely to make sufficient progress to ena ble him to get a livelihood. Of the others no experiment has yet been tried beyond teaching them their letters and to write. The committee, however, are so much encouraged to go on, from the success that has already crowned their exertions, that they shall not hesitate for the future, to take any mutes into their schools along with children who can hear and speak, being confident that in the general schools they can teach them whatever it is necessary the children of the poor should know; namely, their duty to God, their parents, and their neighbourhood; by training them up in habits of industry, and instructing them in their civil and religious obligations, preserve them from many of those moral lapses to which uninstructed youth are liable. To go more into detail on this very interesting subject, would occupy more room than the limits of an annual report would allow; but the committee cannot conclude their observations without acknowledging their great obligations to Mr. Arrowsmith, the author of the book of instructions before referred to, (and who is at present engaged in a translation of the entire works of the Abbé de l'Epée, which it is hoped will very soon be published,) for his very valuable and extensive correspondence, with the committee as well as for his personal attention to them both here and in London." This fully justifies and proves the utility of the plan, suggested by the reviewer for the Quarterly Review, No 52, published in March, 1822, in reviewing the work of Mr. Arrowsmith, who says, "The national metropolitan schools, conducted upon Dr. Bell's plan, are opened not only for the instruction of children, but likewise for the reception of young men, who may be sent thither in order to become practically acquainted with the details of a system of tuition, which they may afterwards introduce into other seminaries. We earnestly submit it to the consideration of the gover nors of the Asylum for the gratuitous in struction of the Deaf and Dumb Poor, whether this establishment might not be opened with great advantage for a simila purpose. "A residence for two months at this institution would, we are almost certain, enable any young person of ordinary capacity to acquire a competent knowledge of the system there pursued. It would not surely, be unreasonable to require of all the teachers of the national schools, atrasf in populous districts, a preparation which would qualify them to undertake the instruction of the Deaf and Dumb with the other children of the more indigent classes. Our common seminaries might then become available for educating children of parents in better circumstances. This would relieve the public from the enormous additional expense, at present unnecessarily incurred in boarding as well as instructing them; and it would save the pupils themselves from the danger, by no means imaginary, of contracting tastes and habits, inconsistent, as we have said, with their subsequent situations. If opulent individuals, to whom the expense is no object, give this preference to institutions exclusively devoted to the instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, let their wishes by all means be gratified. Schools of this description will always offer to caprice or prejudice, in favour of the occult system of instructing the Deaf and Dumb, the means of ample indulgence." Intending to resume the subject, I shall only now observe, that the Alphabet may be taught a Deaf and Dumb Child by any person who knows the 26 letters. Words will suggest themselves-sentences will follow and a language be acquired in spite of all prejudice. No apology is necessary for being so prolix; the subject alone demands the particular attention of every one, in behalf of the objects it is intended to beneYours, fit. A FRIEND TO THE UNFORTUNATE. APOPHTHEGMS, MAXIMS, &c. AVOID law-suits; they are fires which men have much ado to extinguish when once kindled. It is a great act of life to know how to sell air; that is, to take advantage by giving good words. Beware of uttering biting jests; the more truth they contain the greater wounds they give,the greater smarts they cause,and the greater scars they leave behind them. If thou shouldest have the misfortune to be obliged to beg pardon, do it quickly, to avoid the blame of obstinacy. There is as much difference between us and ourselves, as between us and others. Contradict not, to vex others; it shows an ill temper, and provokes most persons, but profits nobody. Always take the most pleasant view of a dubious event; at least, side with hopes; for, why should we call in supernumerary ills, antedate those sufferings which we shall too soon undergo, and destroy the happiness of the present time, with superficial views of futurity. If thou hast knowledge, let others light their candle at it. Broach not thy odd opinions to such as are not fit to hear them. Thou wilt do them no good by it, perhaps hurt; and mayest well expect discredit and mischief from it to thyself. An ill-placed paradox, and an ill-timed jest, have ruined many. Such is human life, that thou wilt frequently have need of all the moral virtues, especially of patience. For we are obnoxious to so many infelicities and imbecilities, that if thou dost not accustom thyself to receive and suffer them, as thou dost to eat and drink, thou shalt find constant trouble, instead of tran quillity. Be prudent and wary, and take heed of being caught, and presume not too much on thine own sufficiency. Men are every jot as easily imposed upon as beasts, birds, and fishes, whilst the eagerness of appetite suspends the exercise of reason. A treat, a bottle of wine, a woman, are the same thing to us, as a worm, a grain of corn, or a bit of flesh, is to those animals. We snap at the bait without ever dreaming of the trap, the share, or the hook. Never put it in any one's head to do you a mischief, by acquainting him that it is in his power. Those are thought to have read much, who speak of it often, which is only a sign of not digesting what they read.Praise is no match for blame and obloquy, for were the scales even the malice of mankind would throw in the casting weight. If a fool knows a secret, he tells it because he is a fool; when a knave knows one, he tells it whenever it is his interest to do so but women and young men are very apt to tell what secrets they know, from the vanity of having been trusted. Trust none of these. Man is the only animal that is endowed with the power of laughter: perhaps he is the only one that deserves to be laughed at. The most fatiguing ill-manners is that which proceeds from an excess of politeness. Though good breeding and politeness are generally thought the same, they are qualities very different. Politeness is the influence of a natural refinement; goodbreeding the form of an artificial civility. The last but restrains us from giving offence; the first empowers us to give pleasure. Politeness is the happy mixture of greatness with benignity; it is a sunshine from the soul, on the looks, words, and actions. Good breeding is often a surface without depth; and like the painter's gay colours on dark primings spreads a gloss over the outside, even of vice and mean-spiritedness: whereas politeness, like the chrystal, is transparent as well as shiny; and always appears lovelier, the fuller light it is placed in. If the spring put forth no blossoms, in summer there will be no beauty, and in autumn no fruit; so if youth be trifled away without improvement, riper years may be contemptible, and old age miserable. Philosophers assert, that nature is unlimited in her operations; that she has inexhaustible treasures in reserve; that knowledge will always be progressive; and that all future generations will continue to make discoveries, of which we have not the least idea. T. BROWN. ON EARS, EAR-RINGS, AND (For the Mirror.) AMONG the Athenians, it was a mark of nobility to have the ears bored, or perforated; and among the Hebrews and Romans, it was an indication of servitude. Suetonius speaks of the beauties of Augustus's ears; and Elian, describing the beauties of Aspasia's, observes she had short ears. Martial also ranks large ears among the number of deformities. Several naturalists and physicians have held, that cutting off the ear rendered persons barren and unprolific; and this idle notion is what first occasioned the legislators to order the ears of thieves, &c. to be cut off lest they should produce their like. Loss of one ear is a punishment, enacted by 5 and 6 Edward VI. for fighting in a church-yard: "Earless on high stood unabashed Defoe, And Tutchin flagrant from the scourge below." РОРЕ. The ear-rings worn by the East Indians, both men and women, are of an immense size, among whom it is the fashion to lengthen out the ears, and to enlarge the hole by putting in pendants of the size of saucers set with stones. In the West Indies, Columbus named a certain coast Oreja, because he found people with holes in their ears big enough to pass an egg through. They likewise make holes in their lips and nostrils, and hang pendants at them; which is also practised by the Mexicans and other nations. Ear-picks are instruments of ivory, silver, and any other metal, somewhat in form of a probe, for cleansing the ear. The Chinese are particularly fond of entertaining themselves with picking and tickling their ears; this they do either for themselves, or interchangeably for one another, and have a great number of instruments of peculiar shapes and structure, invented for the purpose. But Sir Hans Sloane very justly observes, that the use of them seems very prejudicial; for, that among many people in England, who applied to him on account of deafness, the far greater part were thrown into their complaints by too often picking their ears, and thereby bringing humours, or ulcerous dispositions on them. See Phil. Trans., No. 246, page 406. A fellow with only one ear, went into a haberdashers, and asked the woman how much she would charge for a shoe string, that would reach from one of his ears to the other, she said, one penny, and began to take measure, and finding but one, exclaimed, and said she could not see the other; upon which the fellow said he had left it nailed to a pillory, at York;-the poor woman sorely repented her bad bargain, and determined in future never to sell her goods by the ear measure. P. T. W. ANCIENT BRITISH TORQUES. To the Editor of the Mirror. SIR,-Before I proceed in the retrospective notices, to which I alluded in my last communication, permit me to present to the readers of the MIRROR a short cently discovered in the vicinity of Cader account of an ancient wreath of gold, reIdris, in Merionethshire, together with a few observations naturally suggested by the occasion. It was on the 2nd of last September, that a gentleman, residing near Cader Idris, while grousing in that neighbourhood, discovered the valuable relic in question. At first he was totally ignorant of its nature, and conceived it to be no thing more than a mere iron chain. HowLondon, it has been ascertained to be ever, upon sending it to a gentleman in pure gold, and, consequently, in all probability, one of the wreaths anciently worn by the Welsh chiefs as marks of distinction. Its weight is twelve ounces, and when fully extended, it measures nearly four feet, and, according to an assay that has been made of it, its intrinsic worth is twenty-five pounds; but, of course, its value as a piece of antiquity is considerably greater. It remains at present, in the possession of the gentleman last alluded to. This, as far as I have been able to as This custom, (as well as the one with us, of picking teeth after dinner,) I should think "more honoured in the breach than the obscr. vance." |