Anecdotes & Incidents Of The Deaf And Dumb Part 7

I have proved this by personally testing several deaf mutes.

The pauses between words occupy the s.p.a.ce of one letter each, so we must deduct one sixth of the whole thus:--

Letters in alphabet 26 Number of times spelt 10 ___ Total letters per minute 260 Deduct about one sixth for pauses 45 ___ Average letters per minute 2155 --- Result 43 words per minute.

PORTOBELLO SWIMMING CLUB.

On the mornings of Wednesday and Thursday the deep-diving medal of this club was competed for by five members. The depth of water varied from 13 to 18 feet. Mr. Robert Smith was very successful in recovering the plates from the bottom, bringing up six on the first and two on the second morning, with which number he secures first honours. The second place was taken by Mr. J. Wallace James. Mr. Smith, the medallist, is deaf and dumb.--_Scotsman_, Aug. 29th.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

"DEAR TAMMAS."

A poor old deaf man resided in Fife; he was visited by his minister shortly after coming to his pulpit. The minister said he would often call and see him; but time went on, and he did not visit him again until two years after, when, happening to go through the street where the deaf man was living, he saw his wife at the door, and could therefore do no other than inquire for her husband. "Weel, Margaret, how is Tammas?"

"None the better o'you," was the curt reply. "How, how, Margaret,"

inquired the minister. "Oh, ye promised twa years syne tae ca' and pray once a fortnight wi' him, and hae ne'er darkened the door sin' syne."

"Weel, weel, Margaret, don't be so short! I thought it was not so very necessary to call and pray with Tammas, for he is so deaf ye ken he canna hear me." "But, sir," said the woman, with a rising dignity of manner, "the Lord's no deaf!" And it is to be supposed the minister felt the power of her reproach.

ROYAL SCOTTISH ACADEMY EXHIBITION FOR 1880.

John S. Rennie Reid, a young Aberdeen lad, now resident in Edinburgh, who, though labouring under the great disability of being deaf and dumb, has for some years back been an enthusiastic art student, has succeeded in procuring admission for three oil paintings, each of which gives good indication of his deftness and skill in the delineation of nature, and the ardour with which he has followed up his studies. "Hide and Seek"

represents some children playing at that game in a hay field. "Largo, the Beach at Low Water" gives us a pretty coast scene, with figures on the beach. "Baiting the Line" is a very effective study of a common incident in fisher life.

IN DERBY POLICE COURT.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PUPIL AS TAKEN FROM THE POLICE COURT.]

A few years since the Head Master of the Deaf and Dumb Inst.i.tution at Derby was sent for, with a request that he would hasten to the police court to see what could be done with a little deaf and dumb boy. The sketch is a faithful picture of the little fellow as he stood in the dock charged with stealing. The police, in giving their evidence, said that many complaints had been made of the boy's conduct. One lady complained of his illusing her dog, another a cat, and another killing her bird; others that he was always throwing stones or stealing, and that he had actually tried to upset a railway train. It appeared that twice previously the boy had been taken up by the police, but owing to his tender age nothing could be done with him. The Mayor, addressing the Head Master of the Inst.i.tution, said something must be done with the boy; unfortunately he was getting worse and worse; the case was a very sad one, the boy being deaf and dumb, but the public must be protected.

The other magistrates present concurred with the Mayor's remarks, and after consulting with Mr. Bailey, J.P., Chairman of the Committee of the Inst.i.tution, who was on the bench at the time, the boy was sent direct to the Inst.i.tution, where food was given to him, after which his photograph was taken. The sketch given on the previous page is copied from it. The boy settled down, but not without giving considerable trouble; it was not to be expected that a boy, though so tender in years yet hardened in bad habits, should at once conform to the rules of the Inst.i.tution. The teachers were not, therefore, greatly surprised to find him early one morning prowling in a quarter of the Inst.i.tution to which he had no proper means of access. From time to time his teachers had difficulties to contend with not easy to describe. There has, however, been a gradual improvement in the boy's life and character. The sketch given above is from a photograph taken when the boy had been in the Inst.i.tution one year.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE SAME PUPIL AFTER ONE YEAR'S TRAINING.]

AN INTERVIEW WITH LAURA BRIDGMAN.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

We presume most of our readers will have read of Laura Bridgman, who is without any perfect sense except that of touch. A correspondent of the "Christian Union" gives an interesting account of an afternoon spent with her, from which we make the following abstract:--

If any one supposes that by reason of her deprivation she is queer or awkward in person or manners, he is altogether in error. There is nothing at all singular in her appearance. When I entered the parlour, a member of the family with whom she lives was playing on the piano, and close behind her, on a low seat, there was a very slight, very erect, quiet, self-possessed looking person, who seemed to be listening to the music, while her hands were busy over some crocheting or some similar work. She would have been taken for a guest who was fas.h.i.+oning some pretty article whilst being entertained with music. The expression of her face was bright and interested; and one watching her satisfied look would have been slow to believe that she did not hear. The green shade over her eyes indicated that she was one of the blind. She had on a brown dress, a blue ribbon at the neck, a gold ring and chain, and a watch or locket in her belt--a neatly attired, genteel, lady-like person, looking about thirty-five (though her age is not far from forty-four), with soft, brown hair, smooth and fine, a well shaped head, fair complexion, and handsome features. That was Laura. As soon as she learned that she had a visitor who knew people in the town where her nearest kindred live, she came swiftly across the room, leaving her work on the centre table as she pa.s.sed it, and grasped my hand, laughing with the eagerness of a child. Then she sat down face to face with the lady who has charge of her, and commenced an animated conversation, by the manual alphabet, easily understood by one who has practised it; but the slight-of-hand by which the fingers of the friendly hostess, manipulating on Laura's slender wrists, communicated with that living consciousness shut in there without one perfect sense except of taste and touch, was something mysterious, inscrutable to my duller sense. Yet that the communication was definite, quick, missive, so to speak, manifest enough, for Laura's face beamed, and she was all alert. Partly by the letters and partly by signs she said a great deal to me. She "ought to be at home to be company for mother," she said; and, once or twice, she fas.h.i.+oned the word "Mamma" very distinctly with her lips. She asked if I knew a member of her family now dead, and said "that was a long year after Carl died." She seemed br.i.m.m.i.n.g over once with things to tell me, and wanted me to know about her teaching some of the blind girls to sew, which she takes great pride in, threading the needle, and making her pupils pick out their work if it is not done nicely. She is a good seamstress herself, does fancy work, and can run a sewing machine.

Next, she caught hold of my hand and led me up two flights of stairs to her room to shew me her things; but the first movement was to take me to the window, where she patted on the gla.s.s and signified that I should see what a pleasant prospect there was from it. And there she, who had never seen or heard, waited by my side in great content while I looked and listened. Yet her face was radiant, and she stood there as if she both saw and heard. I wish I could bring before all those who are discontented with their lot, repining because G.o.d has withheld something from them or taken something away, the cheerful face of this lady, who has so little, but who accepts it as though she had all, who has never seen a human countenance or heard a human voice, who in the infinite glory and beauty of this outward world has no part, shut in by herself in that silent, dark, unchanging, awful loneliness. Next she showed me how springy her bed was. Then she took off my shawl, and showed me all the pretty things and conveniences she had in her room, opening every box and drawer, and displaying the contents. Her jet chain she laid against her neck, her bows and collars and embroidered hand-kerchiefs were taken up one by one, and deftly replaced in their proper receptacles. Her writing materials, sewing implements, little statuettes, trinkets, large Bible--I had to see them all. Lastly she took out a sheet of paper, pressed it down on a French writing-board, examined the point of the pencil, and wrote her autograph, "G.o.d is love and truth. S. N. Bridgman." And then from her needle-case and spool-box produced a cambric needle and fine cotton, and showed me how to thread a needle, which was done by holding the eye against the tip of her tongue, the exquisite nicety of touch in it guiding her to pa.s.s the thread through. It was done in an instant, though it seemed impossible to do it at all, and then she presented me the threaded needle triumphantly, having secured it by slipping a knot. Going down to the parlour again, she told me how kind it was in Dr. Howe to fit her up such a pretty room; and then I must go into the school room, whither she led me by the hand, and introduced me to several of her friends among the pupils, and when I took my departure she would have the teacher go with me to the door to tell me which car to take.

A DEAF AND DUMB BOY'S DEVOTION.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

Under the trees standing by the left bank of the Thames, and sheltered from its waters by a mound of earth, is an old but comfortable boathouse. A few roughly-hewn steps lead from the mound to the water's edge, where some six or seven boats rock idly on the surface. Over the door of this tottering mansion hangs a wooden board, with the words "Timothy Gainsad" inscribed in large letters upon a black ground. A gush of light and warmth issuing from the door guides the weary traveller to a haven worthy of his choicest desires. Well can I remember the dark outline of St. Paul's Cathedral, lifting its rounded dome in ma.s.sive grandeur to the skies, and the faint outline of the opposite bank s.h.i.+ning dimly in the distance. I remember, when a lad of seven, a rich and influential lady coming down from Yorks.h.i.+re to spend the winter months in London. She brought with her a dumb boy attendant, whom she had adopted and treated with the greatest kindness. One dark night she hired a boat, and rowed out upon the river. Scarcely was she lost in the river mist ere the flood gates of heaven were opened, the rain came down in torrents, the waves dashed against our rude pier and threatened to dislodge it, while now and then an occasional streak of lightning, accompanied by a clap of thunder, lit up the dark surface of the river.

My friends had gone off in a boat in search of the lady, and I was alone in the room. Seated on a stool by the side of a blazing fire, I was reading an interesting novel, when the door was violently pushed, and the dumb attendant of the young lady rushed in, seized a life belt from the wall, and made for the door. I ran to intercept him; but guessing my purpose, he raised the stool and brought it down with a crash upon my head. I staggered back to the wall and fell, and he disappeared through the door. With a reeling head I tottered to the door, and looked out upon the river. "Great heavens!" I exclaimed, "he will be dashed to pieces!" For there, revealed by a flash of lightning, was the dumb boy, standing on the rail of the bridge, preparing to plunge into the surging waters below. A short distance from the bridge was the boat occupied by the terrified lady. It was fast sinking, and as he plunged from the bridge it sank. I saw him come to the surface, stunned and bleeding; I saw him raise the life-belt in his hand, and throw it to his mistress.

She caught it, and his face lit up with joy; then--he sank! His mistress was saved, and some time after the dumb boy's lifeless body was washed to the sh.o.r.e, and laid in an honourable grave. Over it stands a beautiful angel of white marble, holding a scroll inscribed with these words:--"Here lies Gustavus Arisild, who died in the surging waters of the Thames to save his mistress."

THE DEAF MUTE'S FAITH.

One day a minister's servant brought a subscription book and laid it on his study table, saying, "A dumb man brought it, sir." On looking at the book, a thought struck the minister that he should not let that dumb man out of his house without seeking his soul's good. He invited the man in, and after kneeling in prayer before the man, and putting a subscription into his hand, the following conversation took place in writing. The minister wrote: "My dear friend, have you found the Lord Jesus Christ to be precious to your soul? Are you born again?" The dumb man answered, "Yes, I understand what is meant by 'born of the Spirit,'

it means a 'new creature' in Jesus." The minister was not quite satisfied with the answer, and therefore he asked, "When were you made a 'new creature,' and how?" He answered, "I was under the impression of sin six years ago, but I prayed to G.o.d for Christ's sake to give me a new heart, and I felt joy and peace in my mind. I prayed O Lord, have mercy on me a poor sinner. I also read the Psalms of David." In order to bring out distinctly whether he really arrived at scriptural peace, for he feared that, after all, the dumb man's faith might turn out to be only a vague and wavering confidence, the minister asked him again "If G.o.d were to call you away this night, would your sins be brought against you, and would you have to answer for them all?" He answered, "I trust in G.o.d for Christ's sake, because Jesus died for me. All those who trust in Jesus' precious blood are cleansed from all sin. He is mighty to save." The minister then asked, "Was it through the instruction you got at the Deaf and Dumb Inst.i.tution that these good impressions were made upon your mind?" He answered, "My teacher used to teach the Bible to all deaf and dumb pupils, but I did not feel any grace from G.o.d till I was afraid to meet G.o.d for sins; then I looked to Christ by faith and got peace." The minister then asked, "Will you write a sentence for me to read to poor sinners, from a dumb man that cannot speak?" He then wrote as follows--words which he meant to be used by the reader:--

"O Lord, have mercy upon me a poor sinner!"

"O Jesus, save me from death and h.e.l.l!"

"O Jesus, take me away to heaven and eternal bliss!"

"O Jesus, take care of me every day!"

"Will you sign your name to all this?" then asked the minister. He immediately complied with the request. We only give the initials J---- G----.

DEAF, DUMB, AND BLIND.

An examination of students who were deaf, dumb, and blind took place on Was.h.i.+ngton Heights. The princ.i.p.al, Dr. Isaac L. Peet, gave various interesting exhibitions of their skill and accomplishments. A blind, deaf, and dumb boy, about fourteen years old, who had had less than a year's instruction, was given an order to count out twenty crayons and put them under a mat. The order was given by means of the sign language, transmitted by feeling the motion of the hands of the person who communicated with him. The order was correctly performed amid the applause of the audience. A blind deaf mute also wrote several sentences on a type-writer, and on another type-writer a deaf mute without hands wrote by means of a stick inserted in his coat sleeve.

ORDINATION OF DEAF MUTES IN PHILADELPHIA, U.S.A.

Nearly all the deaf mutes connected with the Protestant Episcopal Church in this city a.s.sembled yesterday morning in the church of the Covenant, to witness the ordination into the priesthood of two deaf and dumb men.

The ceremony had been long talked of among the deaf mutes, and as none of this cla.s.s of persons had ever before been ordained to this order in the church in this country, there was a widespread desire among the Episcopal community to be present at the ceremony. The church was well filled when the exercises began. Owing to the length of the services, the regular morning prayer was omitted, and after hymn 153 had been sung, Rev. Thomas Gallaudet, D.D., Princ.i.p.al of the Deaf and Dumb Inst.i.tution in New York, who was to preach the sermon, was introduced.

Dr. Gallaudet prefaced his sermon by saying that when a deaf mute was addressed, the words were not spelled out, but that the ideas were represented by signs. Ideas about the intellect were conveyed by a sign about the head, those relating to the sensibility by a motion near the heart; in short, the sign language was as distinct and individual as the English language. Rev. Mr. Chamberlain, of Iowa, stood up in the chancel as Dr. Gallaudet began his sermon, and interpreted the sermon to the deaf mutes who sat in a body near the front of the chancel. Dr.

Gallaudet sketched the progress of deaf mute education from the establishment of the first school in Hartford by his father in 1817. As ill.u.s.trating the individuality of the sign language, he mentioned that while he was in Brussels in August last he preached to a congregation of about twenty deaf mutes, English, French, Belgian, and his sign language was comprehended perfectly by all. "Sounds," he said, "are only outward symbols of ideas, just as signs are." At the conclusion of the sermon, Rev. Henry W. Syle and Rev. Arthur M. Mann were presented for ordination, the former by Rev. Dr. Miller, and the latter by the Rev.

Dr. Atwell, of Toledo. Sitting within the chancel, one at each end of the communion table, were Bishop Stevens and Bishop Bedwell, of Ohio, while nine other clergymen surrounded them. Among them the placid countenance and venerable form of Rev. W. H. Syle, father of one of the candidates, was especially noticeable. Bishop Stevens then read the exhortation, and it was interpreted by Dr. Gallaudet to the two candidates, who stood in their robes at the chancel rail. Eagerly did they watch the motions of the reverend gentleman as he conveyed to them the words the Bishop was speaking. The Bishop then asked Mr. Syle the questions laid down in the prayer book. As Dr. Gallaudet finished interpreting each question, Mr. Syle handed a slip of paper on which was written his answers, to Rev. Mr. Clere, of Phillipsburg, who read it aloud. Rev. Mr. Mann then arose, and Bishop Bedwell stated that the questions and answers would be interpreted. He asked the same questions asked by Bishop Stevens, and Mr. Mann slowly communicated his answers, using only his right hand in replying. The ceremony of laying on of hands was then performed, Bishop Stevens and several others laying their hands on Mr. Syle's head, and Bishop Bedwell performing that office for Mr. Mann. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was then administered to the newly ordained priests, and they were welcomed within the chancel rail. A special invitation was given to the deaf mutes to commune immediately after the clergy, and there were enough present to occupy the long chancel rail twice. The sacrament was then administered to the congregation, and the audience was dismissed with the benediction by Bishop Bedwell. On Sat.u.r.day, the second biennial session of workers among the deaf mutes in the Episcopal Church was begun in St. Stephen's Church. Rev. Dr. F. J. Clere, of Phillipsburg, was elected President, and Rev. Mr. Syle secretary and treasurer of the conference. An address of Bishop Howe, and papers by Messrs. Clere and Syle were interpreted to the conference by Dr. Gallaudet.--_Philadelphia Inquirer_, 15th Oct., 1883.