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قراءة كتاب Anecdotes & Incidents of the Deaf and Dumb

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Anecdotes & Incidents of the Deaf and Dumb

Anecdotes & Incidents of the Deaf and Dumb

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دار النشر: Project Gutenberg
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with modern ideas and taste. The side windows, instead of being rounded off in the corners as formerly, are cut nearly square, to follow the outlines of the body. This novelty renders the body of the carriage much lighter than usual, and more elegant in appearance. Another 'innovation' is the painting. It has hitherto been usual to paint the under part of the carriage white or drab, relieved by the same colour as the body, but in the present case the whole vehicle has been painted a dark green, the family colour of the Lord Mayor elect, relieved by large lines of gold upon the body, and gold and red upon the under carriage. The natural elegance of this arrangement of colouring is heightened by the beautiful heraldic paintings of the City arms and those of the Fishmongers' and Spectacle Makers' Companies, of which Mr. Alderman Lusk is a member. These have been executed by Mr. D. T. Baker, the celebrated deaf and dumb artist.—The Times, 1883.


THE DEAF AND DUMB IN TEXAS.

Deaf and Dumb men have a poor chance in Texas. One of them went to a farmhouse, and, when asked what he wanted, put his hand in his pocket to get a pencil, and he was at once shot down by the farmer, who thought his visitor was feeling for a pistol.


THE INDIANS AND DEAF AND DUMB.

W
e are quite sure the Indians were delighted by the reception tendered them by the children of the public schools and the inmates of the Institutions for the Blind and Deaf and Dumb last Friday, in the Academy of Music, but their happiness was made complete, on Sunday evening, at the La Pierre house, by a visit which they received from six of the pupils, all girls, of the Deaf and Dumb Institute, accompanied by the Principal, Mr. Foster, and one of the teachers. On their arrival at the hotel they were received by Mr. Welsh, the humane commissioner, and shown into a well furnished private parlour, when they were introduced, one by one, to General Smith and his Indians, whose faces plainly showed the delight which their hearts felt. They at once singled out the two girls who had taken part in the reception at the Academy, and bestowed upon them special marks of friendship.

Tea being announced in a few minutes, the whole party proceeded to the dining room, where they were seated at well spread tables, three Indians and one mute at each. Here the striking similarity between the signs used by the Indians of the West and our deaf mutes was plainly observable in the spirited conversation which ensued. The merry laughter which broke forth from these usually quiet stolid men was sufficient to mark their keen appreciation of what was said. One old chief, slightly confused, sought to excuse his awkwardness with the knife and fork to one of the young ladies, by stating that at home he never used them, but ate with his fingers. They exchanged signs for butter, coffee, milk, meat, bread, salt, sugar, knife, fork, &c., which were remarkably similar.

After tea the whole party assembled in the parlour, and then began a scene indescribable. The Indians, wild with delight, talked away to the mutes, who, equally happy, seemed to catch and understand everything they said. They described their homes, their hunting expeditions, their wives and children; how they lived and how they buried their dead. One of them gave a very graphic account of the great snowstorms which frequently occur among the mountains. One told about the wars he had engaged in, and the number of scalps he had taken, and then asked the teacher if he had ever killed a man, and on receiving a reply in the negative, seemed quite disgusted. Another, a great rider, said that with them the horses had plenty of grass to eat, and were fat, but here, in the city, they had none, and were consequently very poor. Another old chief, a very fine looking man, stated that he had a large family of children at home, and then asked the smallest of the girls if she wouldn't go home with him, promising to bring her back as soon as she had taught his little boys and girls how to make signs like the mutes.

These wild men seemed thoroughly at home in the presence of the children, their habitual restlessness and reserve disappeared; they had met for once white persons with whom they could converse without the tedious process of interpreting, and the conversation, as Mr. Welsh expressed it, went directly to their hearts. In parting with their young visitors, the Indians freely expressed the pleasure which their visit had afforded them, then sorrow at the separation, and promised to relate all that had occurred to their friends and kindred in the West.

When it is remembered that all this and much more took place between a delegation of wild Indians and six mute girls attending the Institution in our city, it certainly will be considered remarkable, and probably never before in the history of civilization has such a meeting occurred. As a means of communication with the wild tribes roaming over our western plains, the capacity of the sign-language of mutes can hardly be over estimated, and a few well-trained mute missionaries could, without doubt, be made the instruments for accomplishing much good among this down-trodden despised race.—New York Herald.


EXHIBITION, 1851.

At the great Exhibition in 1851 there was exhibited a set of oak tables and cabinet of Stanton oak, combined with glass and ormolu, etc., made and carved by three deaf and dumb persons; the castings by Marsh, of Dudley.


A MATE FOR LAURA BRIDGMAN.

H
etty Hutson lives in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, a girl seventeen years old, who has been deaf and dumb and blind from birth. She is active in her nature, and has a remarkably intelligent mind. Through the one medium of gestures, as perceived by the touch, she understands wonderfully well, and in turn makes herself understood. She will wipe dishes and put them away with scrupulous care and exactness; will go down the cellar alone at her mother's bidding and get apples; then, running up with astonishing rapidity, will give them to anyone she is bid, and put her own into her pocket. At a motion from her father she will go upstairs and get his best hat, deciding by touching his broadcloth suit which hat he wants. She knits and sews in a very creditable style, and manifests a desire to learn to do other kinds of work. She is neat and orderly in her habits, and ever acts in a ladylike manner, while in disposition she is cheerful as a sunbeam, and as playful as a kitten. For about one year, at irregular intervals, a young minister of the name of J. B. Howell, devoted one hour each week to her instruction, and she made some advancement, novel as his method was; but in June last he went to Brazil as a missionary, since which time she has been without instruction until recently. She is now receiving daily instruction by means of the manual alphabet. It is, however, to be regretted that her present teacher is an entire novice in the work she

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