第3章

Goodorder，cleanliness，andcomfort，pervadedeverycornerofthebuilding。Thevariousclasses，whoweregatheredroundtheirteachers，answeredthequestionsputtothemwithreadinessandintelligence，andinaspiritofcheerfulcontestforprecedencewhichpleasedmeverymuch。Thosewhowereatplay，weregleesomeandnoisyasotherchildren。Morespiritualandaffectionatefriendshipsappearedtoexistamongthem，thanwouldbefoundamongotheryoungpersonssufferingundernodeprivation；butthisI expectedandwaspreparedtofind。ItisapartofthegreatschemeofHeaven\'smercifulconsiderationfortheafflicted。 Inaportionofthebuilding，setapartforthatpurpose，arework- shopsforblindpersonswhoseeducationisfinished，andwhohaveacquiredatrade，butwhocannotpursueitinanordinarymanufactorybecauseoftheirdeprivation。Severalpeoplewereatworkhere；makingbrushes，mattresses，andsoforth；andthecheerfulness，industry，andgoodorderdiscernibleineveryotherpartofthebuilding，extendedtothisdepartmentalso。 Ontheringingofabell，thepupilsallrepaired，withoutanyguideorleader，toaspaciousmusic-hall，wheretheytooktheirseatsinanorchestraerectedforthatpurpose，andlistenedwithmanifestdelighttoavoluntaryontheorgan，playedbyoneofthemselves。Atitsconclusion，theperformer，aboyofnineteenortwenty，gaveplacetoagirl；andtoheraccompanimenttheyallsangahymn，andafterwardsasortofchorus。Itwasverysadtolookuponandhearthem，happythoughtheirconditionunquestionablywas；andIsawthatoneblindgirl，who(beingforthetimedeprivedoftheuseofherlimbs，byillness)satclosebesidemewithherfacetowardsthem，weptsilentlythewhileshelistened。 Itisstrangetowatchthefacesoftheblind，andseehowfreetheyarefromallconcealmentofwhatispassingintheirthoughts； observingwhich，amanwitheyesmayblushtocontemplatethemaskhewears。Allowingforoneshadeofanxiousexpressionwhichisneverabsentfromtheircountenances，andthelikeofwhichwemayreadilydetectinourownfacesifwetrytofeelourwayinthedark，everyidea，asitriseswithinthem，isexpressedwiththelightning\'sspeedandnature\'struth。Ifthecompanyatarout，ordrawing-roomatcourt，couldonlyforonetimebeasunconsciousoftheeyesuponthemasblindmenandwomenare，whatsecretswouldcomeout，andwhataworkerofhypocrisythissight，thelossofwhichwesomuchpity，wouldappeartobe! ThethoughtoccurredtomeasIsatdowninanotherroom，beforeagirl，blind，deaf，anddumb；destituteofsmell；andnearlysooftaste:beforeafairyoungcreaturewitheveryhumanfaculty，andhope，andpowerofgoodnessandaffection，inclosedwithinherdelicateframe，andbutoneoutwardsense-thesenseoftouch。 Thereshewas，beforeme；builtup，asitwere，inamarblecell，impervioustoanyrayoflight，orparticleofsound；withherpoorwhitehandpeepingthroughachinkinthewall，beckoningtosomegoodmanforhelp，thatanImmortalsoulmightbeawakened。 LongbeforeIlookeduponher，thehelphadcome。Herfacewasradiantwithintelligenceandpleasure。Herhair，braidedbyherownhands，wasboundaboutahead，whoseintellectualcapacityanddevelopmentwerebeautifullyexpressedinitsgracefuloutline，anditsbroadopenbrow；herdress，arrangedbyherself，wasapatternofneatnessandsimplicity；theworkshehadknitted，laybesideher；herwriting-bookwasonthedesksheleanedupon-Fromthemournfulruinofsuchbereavement，therehadslowlyrisenupthisgentle，tender，guileless，grateful-heartedbeing。 Likeotherinmatesofthathouse，shehadagreenribbonboundroundhereyelids。Adollshehaddressedlaynearupontheground。Itookitup，andsawthatshehadmadeagreenfilletsuchassheworeherself，andfasteneditaboutitsmimiceyes。 Shewasseatedinalittleenclosure，madebyschool-desksandforms，writingherdailyjournal。Butsoonfinishingthispursuit，sheengagedinananimatedconversationwithateacherwhosatbesideher。Thiswasafavouritemistresswiththepoorpupil。Ifshecouldseethefaceofherfairinstructress，shewouldnotloveherless，Iamsure。 Ihaveextractedafewdisjointedfragmentsofherhistory，fromanaccount，writtenbythatonemanwhohasmadeherwhatsheis。Itisaverybeautifulandtouchingnarrative；andIwishIcouldpresentitentire。 HernameisLauraBridgman。\'ShewasborninHanover，NewHampshire，onthetwenty-firstofDecember，1829。Sheisdescribedashavingbeenaverysprightlyandprettyinfant，withbrightblueeyes。Shewas，however，sopunyandfeebleuntilshewasayearandahalfold，thatherparentshardlyhopedtorearher。Shewassubjecttoseverefits，whichseemedtorackherframealmostbeyondherpowerofendurance:andlifewasheldbythefeeblesttenure:butwhenayearandahalfold，sheseemedtorally；thedangeroussymptomssubsided；andattwentymonthsold，shewasperfectlywell。 \'Thenhermentalpowers，hithertostintedintheirgrowth，rapidlydevelopedthemselves；andduringthefourmonthsofhealthwhichsheenjoyed，sheappears(makingdueallowanceforafondmother\'saccount)tohavedisplayedaconsiderabledegreeofintelligence。 \'Butsuddenlyshesickenedagain；herdiseaseragedwithgreatviolenceduringfiveweeks，whenhereyesandearswereinflamed，suppurated，andtheircontentsweredischarged。Butthoughsightandhearingweregoneforever，thepoorchild\'ssufferingswerenotended。Thefeverragedduringsevenweeks；forfivemonthsshewaskeptinbedinadarkenedroom；itwasayearbeforeshecouldwalkunsupported，andtwoyearsbeforeshecouldsitupallday。 Itwasnowobservedthathersenseofsmellwasalmostentirelydestroyed；and，consequently，thathertastewasmuchblunted。 \'Itwasnotuntilfouryearsofagethatthepoorchild\'sbodilyhealthseemedrestored，andshewasabletoenteruponherapprenticeshipoflifeandtheworld。 \'Butwhatasituationwashers!Thedarknessandthesilenceofthetombwerearoundher:nomother\'ssmilecalledforthheransweringsmile，nofather\'svoicetaughthertoimitatehissounds:-they，brothersandsisters，werebutformsofmatterwhichresistedhertouch，butwhichdifferednotfromthefurnitureofthehouse，saveinwarmth，andinthepoweroflocomotion；andnotevenintheserespectsfromthedogandthecat。 \'Buttheimmortalspiritwhichhadbeenimplantedwithinhercouldnotdie，norbemaimednormutilated；andthoughmostofitsavenuesofcommunicationwiththeworldwerecutoff，itbegantomanifestitselfthroughtheothers。Assoonasshecouldwalk，shebegantoexploretheroom，andthenthehouse；shebecamefamiliarwiththeform，density，weight，andheat，ofeveryarticleshecouldlayherhandsupon。Shefollowedhermother，andfeltherhandsandarms，asshewasoccupiedaboutthehouse；andherdispositiontoimitate，ledhertorepeateverythingherself。Sheevenlearnedtosewalittle，andtoknit。\' Thereaderwillscarcelyneedtobetold，however，thattheopportunitiesofcommunicatingwithher，werevery，verylimited； andthatthemoraleffectsofherwretchedstatesoonbegantoappear。Thosewhocannotbeenlightenedbyreason，canonlybecontrolledbyforce；andthis，coupledwithhergreatprivations，mustsoonhavereducedhertoaworseconditionthanthatofthebeaststhatperish，butfortimelyandunhoped-foraid。 \'Atthistime，Iwassofortunateastohearofthechild，andimmediatelyhastenedtoHanovertoseeher。Ifoundherwithawell-formedfigure；astrongly-marked，nervous-sanguinetemperament；alargeandbeautifully-shapedhead；andthewholesysteminhealthyaction。TheparentswereeasilyinducedtoconsenttohercomingtoBoston，andonthe4thofOctober，1837，theybroughthertotheInstitution。 \'Forawhile，shewasmuchbewildered；andafterwaitingabouttwoweeks，untilshebecameacquaintedwithhernewlocality，andsomewhatfamiliarwiththeinmates，theattemptwasmadetogiveherknowledgeofarbitrarysigns，bywhichshecouldinterchangethoughtswithothers。 \'Therewasoneoftwowaystobeadopted:eithertogoontobuildupalanguageofsignsonthebasisofthenaturallanguagewhichshehadalreadycommencedherself，ortoteachherthepurelyarbitrarylanguageincommonuse:thatis，togiveherasignforeveryindividualthing，ortogiveheraknowledgeoflettersbycombinationofwhichshemightexpressherideaoftheexistence，andthemodeandconditionofexistence，ofanything。Theformerwouldhavebeeneasy，butveryineffectual；thelatterseemedverydifficult，but，ifaccomplished，veryeffectual。Ideterminedthereforetotrythelatter。 \'Thefirstexperimentsweremadebytakingarticlesincommonuse，suchasknives，forks，spoons，keys，&c。，andpastinguponthemlabelswiththeirnamesprintedinraisedletters。Theseshefeltverycarefully，andsoon，ofcourse，distinguishedthatthecrookedlinesSPOON，differedasmuchfromthecrookedlinesKEY，asthespoondifferedfromthekeyinform。 \'Thensmalldetachedlabels，withthesamewordsprinteduponthem，wereputintoherhands；andshesoonobservedthattheyweresimilartotheonespastedonthearticles。\'SheshowedherperceptionofthissimilaritybylayingthelabelKEYuponthekey，andthelabelSPOONuponthespoon。Shewasencouragedherebythenaturalsignofapprobation，pattingonthehead。 \'Thesameprocesswasthenrepeatedwithallthearticleswhichshecouldhandle；andsheveryeasilylearnedtoplacetheproperlabelsuponthem。Itwasevident，however，thattheonlyintellectualexercisewasthatofimitationandmemory。SherecollectedthatthelabelBOOKwasplaceduponabook，andsherepeatedtheprocessfirstfromimitation，nextfrommemory，withonlythemotiveofloveofapprobation，butapparentlywithouttheintellectualperceptionofanyrelationbetweenthethings。 \'Afterawhile，insteadoflabels，theindividuallettersweregiventoherondetachedbitsofpaper:theywerearrangedsidebysidesoastospellBOOK，KEY，&c。；thentheyweremixedupinaheapandasignwasmadeforhertoarrangethemherselfsoastoexpressthewordsBOOK，KEY，&c。；andshedidso。 \'Hitherto，theprocesshadbeenmechanical，andthesuccessaboutasgreatasteachingaveryknowingdogavarietyoftricks。Thepoorchildhadsatinmuteamazement，andpatientlyimitatedeverythingherteacherdid；butnowthetruthbegantoflashuponher:herintellectbegantowork:sheperceivedthatherewasawaybywhichshecouldherselfmakeupasignofanythingthatwasinherownmind，andshowittoanothermind；andatoncehercountenancelightedupwithahumanexpression:itwasnolongeradog，orparrot:itwasanimmortalspirit，eagerlyseizinguponanewlinkofunionwithotherspirits!Icouldalmostfixuponthemomentwhenthistruthdawneduponhermind，andspreaditslighttohercountenance；Isawthatthegreatobstaclewasovercome；andthathenceforwardnothingbutpatientandpersevering，butplainandstraightforward，effortsweretobeused。 \'Theresultthusfar，isquicklyrelated，andeasilyconceived；butnotsowastheprocess；formanyweeksofapparentlyunprofitablelabourwerepassedbeforeitwaseffected。 \'Whenitwassaidabovethatasignwasmade，itwasintendedtosay，thattheactionwasperformedbyherteacher，shefeelinghishands，andthenimitatingthemotion。 \'Thenextstepwastoprocureasetofmetaltypes，withthedifferentlettersofthealphabetcastupontheirends；alsoaboard，inwhichweresquareholes，intowhichholesshecouldsetthetypes；sothatthelettersontheirendscouldalonebefeltabovethesurface。 \'Then，onanyarticlebeinghandedtoher，forinstance，apencil，orawatch，shewouldselectthecomponentletters，andarrangethemonherboard，andreadthemwithapparentpleasure。 \'Shewasexercisedforseveralweeksinthisway，untilhervocabularybecameextensive；andthentheimportantstepwastakenofteachingherhowtorepresentthedifferentlettersbythepositionofherfingers，insteadofthecumbrousapparatusoftheboardandtypes。Sheaccomplishedthisspeedilyandeasily，forherintellecthadbeguntoworkinaidofherteacher，andherprogresswasrapid。 \'Thiswastheperiod，aboutthreemonthsaftershehadcommenced，thatthefirstreportofhercasewasmade，inwhichitwasstatedthat\"shehasjustlearnedthemanualalphabet，asusedbythedeafmutes，anditisasubjectofdelightandwondertoseehowrapidly，correctly，andeagerly，shegoesonwithherlabours。Herteachergivesheranewobject，forinstance，apencil，firstletsherexamineit，andgetanideaofitsuse，thenteachesherhowtospellitbymakingthesignsfortheletterswithherownfingers: thechildgraspsherhand，andfeelsherfingers，asthedifferentlettersareformed；sheturnsherheadalittleononesidelikeapersonlisteningclosely；herlipsareapart；sheseemsscarcelytobreathe；andhercountenance，atfirstanxious，graduallychangestoasmile，asshecomprehendsthelesson。Shethenholdsuphertinyfingers，andspellsthewordinthemanualalphabet；next，shetakeshertypesandarrangesherletters；andlast，tomakesurethatsheisright，shetakesthewholeofthetypescomposingtheword，andplacesthemuponorincontactwiththepencil，orwhatevertheobjectmaybe。\" \'Thewholeofthesucceedingyearwaspassedingratifyinghereagerinquiriesforthenamesofeveryobjectwhichshecouldpossiblyhandle；inexercisingherintheuseofthemanualalphabet；inextendingineverypossiblewayherknowledgeofthephysicalrelationsofthings；andinpropercareofherhealth。 \'Attheendoftheyearareportofhercasewasmade，fromwhichthefollowingisanextract。 \'\"Ithasbeenascertainedbeyondthepossibilityofdoubt，thatshecannotseearayoflight，cannotheartheleastsound，andneverexerciseshersenseofsmell，ifshehaveany。Thusherminddwellsindarknessandstillness，asprofoundasthatofaclosedtombatmidnight。Ofbeautifulsights，andsweetsounds，andpleasantodours，shehasnoconception；nevertheless，sheseemsashappyandplayfulasabirdoralamb；andtheemploymentofherintellectualfaculties，ortheacquirementofanewidea，givesheravividpleasure，whichisplainlymarkedinherexpressivefeatures。Sheneverseemstorepine，buthasallthebuoyancyandgaietyofchildhood。Sheisfondoffunandfrolic，andwhenplayingwiththerestofthechildren，hershrilllaughsoundsloudestofthegroup。 \'\"Whenleftalone，sheseemsveryhappyifshehaveherknittingorsewing，andwillbusyherselfforhours；ifshehavenooccupation，sheevidentlyamusesherselfbyimaginarydialogues，orbyrecallingpastimpressions；shecountswithherfingers，orspellsoutnamesofthingswhichshehasrecentlylearned，inthemanualalphabetofthedeafmutes。Inthislonelyself-communionsheseemstoreason，reflect，andargue；ifshespellawordwrongwiththefingersofherrighthand，sheinstantlystrikesitwithherleft，asherteacherdoes，insignofdisapprobation；ifright，thenshepatsherselfuponthehead，andlookspleased。Shesometimespurposelyspellsawordwrongwiththelefthand，looksroguishforamomentandlaughs，andthenwiththerighthandstrikestheleft，asiftocorrectit。 \'\"Duringtheyearshehasattainedgreatdexterityintheuseofthemanualalphabetofthedeafmutes；andshespellsoutthewordsandsentenceswhichsheknows，sofastandsodeftly，thatonlythoseaccustomedtothislanguagecanfollowwiththeeyetherapidmotionsofherfingers。 \'\"Butwonderfulasistherapiditywithwhichshewritesherthoughtsupontheair，stillmoresoistheeaseandaccuracywithwhichshereadsthewordsthuswrittenbyanother；graspingtheirhandsinhers，andfollowingeverymovementoftheirfingers，asletterafterletterconveystheirmeaningtohermind。Itisinthiswaythatsheconverseswithherblindplaymates，andnothingcanmoreforciblyshowthepowerofmindinforcingmattertoitspurposethanameetingbetweenthem。Forifgreattalentandskillarenecessaryfortwopantomimestopainttheirthoughtsandfeelingsbythemovementsofthebody，andtheexpressionofthecountenance，howmuchgreaterthedifficultywhendarknessshroudsthemboth，andtheonecanhearnosound。 \'\"WhenLauraiswalkingthroughapassage-way，withherhandsspreadbeforeher，sheknowsinstantlyeveryoneshemeets，andpassesthemwithasignofrecognition:butifitbeagirlofherownage，andespeciallyifitbeoneofherfavourites，thereisinstantlyabrightsmileofrecognition，atwiningofarms，agraspingofhands，andaswifttelegraphinguponthetinyfingers； whoserapidevolutionsconveythethoughtsandfeelingsfromtheoutpostsofonemindtothoseoftheother。Therearequestionsandanswers，exchangesofjoyorsorrow，therearekissingsandpartings，justasbetweenlittlechildrenwithalltheirsenses。\" \'Duringthisyear，andsixmonthsaftershehadlefthome，hermothercametovisither，andthesceneoftheirmeetingwasaninterestingone。 \'Themotherstoodsometime，gazingwithoverflowingeyesuponherunfortunatechild，who，allunconsciousofherpresence，wasplayingabouttheroom。PresentlyLauraranagainsther，andatoncebeganfeelingherhands，examiningherdress，andtryingtofindoutifsheknewher；butnotsucceedinginthis，sheturnedawayasfromastranger，andthepoorwomancouldnotconcealthepangshefelt，atfindingthatherbelovedchilddidnotknowher。 \'ShethengaveLauraastringofbeadswhichsheusedtowearathome，whichwererecognisedbythechildatonce，who，withmuchjoy，putthemaroundherneck，andsoughtmeeagerlytosaysheunderstoodthestringwasfromherhome。 \'Themothernowsoughttocaressher，butpoorLaurarepelledher，preferringtobewithheracquaintances。 \'Anotherarticlefromhomewasnowgivenher，andshebegantolookmuchinterested；sheexaminedthestrangermuchcloser，andgavemetounderstandthatsheknewshecamefromHanover；sheevenenduredhercaresses，butwouldleaveherwithindifferenceattheslightestsignal。Thedistressofthemotherwasnowpainfultobehold；for，althoughshehadfearedthatsheshouldnotberecognised，thepainfulrealityofbeingtreatedwithcoldindifferencebyadarlingchild，wastoomuchforwoman\'snaturetobear。 \'Afterawhile，onthemothertakingholdofheragain，avagueideaseemedtoflitacrossLaura\'smind，thatthiscouldnotbeastranger；shethereforefeltherhandsveryeagerly，whilehercountenanceassumedanexpressionofintenseinterest；shebecameverypale；andthensuddenlyred；hopeseemedstrugglingwithdoubtandanxiety，andneverwerecontendingemotionsmorestronglypainteduponthehumanface:atthismomentofpainfuluncertainty，themotherdrewherclosetoherside，andkissedherfondly，whenatoncethetruthflasheduponthechild，andallmistrustandanxietydisappearedfromherface，aswithanexpressionofexceedingjoysheeagerlynestledtothebosomofherparent，andyieldedherselftoherfondembraces。 \'Afterthis，thebeadswereallunheeded；theplaythingswhichwereofferedtoherwereutterlydisregarded；herplaymates，forwhombutamomentbeforeshegladlyleftthestranger，nowvainlystrovetopullherfromhermother；andthoughsheyieldedherusualinstantaneousobediencetomysignaltofollowme，itwasevidentlywithpainfulreluctance。Sheclungclosetome，asifbewilderedandfearful；andwhen，afteramoment，Itookhertohermother，shesprangtoherarms，andclungtoherwitheagerjoy。 \'Thesubsequentpartingbetweenthem，showedaliketheaffection，theintelligence，andtheresolutionofthechild。 \'Lauraaccompaniedhermothertothedoor，clingingclosetoheralltheway，untiltheyarrivedatthethreshold，whereshepaused，andfeltaround，toascertainwhowasnearher。Perceivingthematron，ofwhomsheisveryfond，shegraspedherwithonehand，holdingonconvulsivelytohermotherwiththeother；andthusshestoodforamoment:thenshedroppedhermother\'shand；putherhandkerchieftohereyes；andturninground，clungsobbingtothematron；whilehermotherdeparted，withemotionsasdeepasthoseofherchild。 \'Ithasbeenremarkedinformerreports，thatshecandistinguishdifferentdegreesofintellectinothers，andthatshesoonregarded，almostwithcontempt，anew-comer，when，afterafewdays，shediscoveredherweaknessofmind。Thisunamiablepartofhercharacterhasbeenmorestronglydevelopedduringthepastyear。 \'Shechoosesforherfriendsandcompanions，thosechildrenwhoareintelligent，andcantalkbestwithher；andsheevidentlydislikestobewiththosewhoaredeficientinintellect，unless，indeed，shecanmakethemserveherpurposes，whichsheisevidentlyinclinedtodo。Shetakesadvantageofthem，andmakesthemwaituponher，inamannerthatsheknowsshecouldnotexactofothers； andinvariouswaysshowsherSaxonblood。 \'Sheisfondofhavingotherchildrennoticedandcaressedbytheteachers，andthosewhomsherespects；butthismustnotbecarriedtoofar，orshebecomesjealous。Shewantstohavehershare，which，ifnotthelion\'s，isthegreaterpart；andifshedoesnotgetit，shesays，\"MYMOTHERWILLLOVEME。\" \'Hertendencytoimitationissostrong，thatitleadshertoactionswhichmustbeentirelyincomprehensibletoher，andwhichcangivehernootherpleasurethanthegratificationofaninternalfaculty。Shehasbeenknowntositforhalfanhour，holdingabookbeforehersightlesseyes，andmovingherlips，asshehasobservedseeingpeopledowhenreading。 \'Sheonedaypretendedthatherdollwassick；andwentthroughallthemotionsoftendingit，andgivingitmedicine；shethenputitcarefullytobed，andplacedabottleofhotwatertoitsfeet，laughingallthetimemostheartily。WhenIcamehome，sheinsisteduponmygoingtoseeit，andfeelitspulse；andwhenI toldhertoputablisteronitsback，sheseemedtoenjoyitamazingly，andalmostscreamedwithdelight。 \'Hersocialfeelings，andheraffections，areverystrong；andwhensheissittingatwork，oratherstudies，bythesideofoneofherlittlefriends，shewillbreakofffromhertaskeveryfewmoments，tohugandkissthemwithanearnestnessandwarmththatistouchingtobehold。 \'Whenleftalone，sheoccupiesandapparentlyamusesherself，andseemsquitecontented；andsostrongseemstobethenaturaltendencyofthoughttoputonthegarboflanguage，thatsheoftensoliloquizesintheFINGERLANGUAGE，slowandtediousasitis。 Butitisonlywhenalone，thatsheisquiet:forifshebecomessensibleofthepresenceofanyonenearher，sheisrestlessuntilshecansitclosebesidethem，holdtheirhand，andconversewiththembysigns。 \'Inherintellectualcharacteritispleasingtoobserveaninsatiablethirstforknowledge，andaquickperceptionoftherelationsofthings。Inhermoralcharacter，itisbeautifultobeholdhercontinualgladness，herkeenenjoymentofexistence，herexpansivelove，herunhesitatingconfidence，hersympathywithsuffering，herconscientiousness，truthfulness，andhopefulness。\' SuchareafewfragmentsfromthesimplebutmostinterestingandinstructivehistoryofLauraBridgman。Thenameofhergreatbenefactorandfriend，whowritesit，isDr。Howe。Therearenotmanypersons，Ihopeandbelieve，who，afterreadingthesepassages，caneverhearthatnamewithindifference。 AfurtheraccounthasbeenpublishedbyDr。Howe，sincethereportfromwhichIhavejustquoted。Itdescribesherrapidmentalgrowthandimprovementduringtwelvemonthsmore，andbringsherlittlehistorydowntotheendoflastyear。Itisveryremarkable，thataswedreaminwords，andcarryonimaginaryconversations，inwhichwespeakbothforourselvesandfortheshadowswhoappeartousinthosevisionsofthenight，soshe，havingnowords，usesherfingeralphabetinhersleep。Andithasbeenascertainedthatwhenherslumberisbroken，andismuchdisturbedbydreams，sheexpressesherthoughtsinanirregularandconfusedmanneronherfingers:justasweshouldmurmurandmutterthemindistinctly，inthelikecircumstances。 IturnedovertheleavesofherDiary，andfounditwritteninafairlegiblesquarehand，andexpressedintermswhichwerequiteintelligiblewithoutanyexplanation。OnmysayingthatIshouldliketoseeherwriteagain，theteacherwhosatbesideher，badeher，intheirlanguage，signhernameuponaslipofpaper，twiceorthrice。Indoingso，Iobservedthatshekeptherlefthandalwaystouching，andfollowingup，herright，inwhich，ofcourse，sheheldthepen。Nolinewasindicatedbyanycontrivance，butshewrotestraightandfreely。 Shehad，untilnow，beenquiteunconsciousofthepresenceofvisitors；but，havingherhandplacedinthatofthegentlemanwhoaccompaniedme，sheimmediatelyexpressedhisnameuponherteacher\'spalm。Indeedhersenseoftouchisnowsoexquisite，thathavingbeenacquaintedwithapersononce，shecanrecognisehimorherafteralmostanyinterval。Thisgentlemanhadbeeninhercompany，Ibelieve，butveryseldom，andcertainlyhadnotseenherformanymonths。Myhandsherejectedatonce，asshedoesthatofanymanwhoisastrangertoher。Butsheretainedmywife\'swithevidentpleasure，kissedher，andexamedherdresswithagirl\'scuriosityandinterest。 Shewasmerryandcheerful，andshowedmuchinnocentplayfulnessinherintercoursewithherteacher。Herdelightonrecognisingafavouriteplayfellowandcompanion-herselfablindgirl-whosilently，andwithanequalenjoymentofthecomingsurprise，tookaseatbesideher，wasbeautifultowitness。Itelicitedfromheratfirst，asotherslightcircumstancesdidtwiceorthriceduringmyvisit，anuncouthnoisewhichwasratherpainfultohear。Butofherteachertouchingherlips，sheimmediatelydesisted，andembracedherlaughinglyandaffectionately。 Ihadpreviouslybeenintoanotherchamber，whereanumberofblindboyswereswinging，andclimbing，andengagedinvarioussports。 Theyallclamoured，asweentered，totheassistant-master，whoaccompaniedus，\'Lookatme，Mr。Hart!Please，Mr。Hart，lookatme!\'evincing，Ithought，eveninthis，ananxietypeculiartotheircondition，thattheirlittlefeatsofagilityshouldbeSEEN。 Amongthemwasasmalllaughingfellow，whostoodaloof，entertaininghimselfwithagymnasticexerciseforbringingthearmsandchestintoplay；whichheenjoyedmightily；especiallywhen，inthrustingouthisrightarm，hebroughtitintocontactwithanotherboy。LikeLauraBridgman，thisyoungchildwasdeaf，anddumb，andblind。 Dr。Howe\'saccountofthispupil\'sfirstinstructionissoverystriking，andsointimatelyconnectedwithLauraherself，thatI cannotrefrainfromashortextract。Imaypremisethatthepoorboy\'snameisOliverCaswell；thatheisthirteenyearsofage；andthathewasinfullpossessionofallhisfaculties，untilthreeyearsandfourmonthsold。Hewasthenattackedbyscarletfever； infourweeksbecamedeaf；inafewweeksmore，blind；insixmonths，dumb。Heshowedhisanxioussenseofthislastdeprivation，byoftenfeelingthelipsofotherpersonswhentheyweretalking，andthenputtinghishanduponhisown，asiftoassurehimselfthathehadthemintherightposition。 \'Histhirstforknowledge，\'saysDr。Howe，\'proclaimeditselfassoonasheenteredthehouse，byhiseagerexaminationofeverythinghecouldfeelorsmellinhisnewlocation。Forinstance，treadingupontheregisterofafurnace，heinstantlystoopeddown，andbegantofeelit，andsoondiscoveredthewayinwhichtheupperplatemoveduponthelowerone；butthiswasnotenoughforhim，solyingdownuponhisface，heappliedhistonguefirsttoone，thentotheother，andseemedtodiscoverthattheywereofdifferentkindsofmetal。 \'Hissignswereexpressive:andthestrictlynaturallanguage，laughing，crying，sighing，kissing，embracing，&c。，wasperfect。 \'Someoftheanalogicalsignswhich(guidedbyhisfacultyofimitation)hehadcontrived，werecomprehensible；suchasthewavingmotionofhishandforthemotionofaboat，thecircularoneforawheel，&c。 \'Thefirstobjectwastobreakuptheuseofthesesignsandtosubstituteforthemtheuseofpurelyarbitraryones。 \'ProfitingbytheexperienceIhadgainedintheothercases，I omittedseveralstepsoftheprocessbeforeemployed，andcommencedatoncewiththefingerlanguage。Taking，therefore，severalarticleshavingshortnames，suchaskey，cup，mug，&c。，andwithLauraforanauxiliary，Isatdown，andtakinghishand，placeditupononeofthem，andthenwithmyown，madethelettersKEY。Hefeltmyhandseagerlywithbothofhis，andonmyrepeatingtheprocess，heevidentlytriedtoimitatethemotionsofmyfingers。 Inafewminuteshecontrivedtofeelthemotionsofmyfingerswithonehand，andholdingouttheotherhetriedtoimitatethem，laughingmostheartilywhenhesucceeded。Laurawasby，interestedeventoagitation；andthetwopresentedasingularsight:herfacewasflushedandanxious，andherfingerstwininginamongourssocloselyastofolloweverymotion，butsoslightlyasnottoembarrassthem；whileOliverstoodattentive，hisheadalittleaside，hisfaceturnedup，hislefthandgraspingmine，andhisrightheldout:ateverymotionofmyfingershiscountenancebetokenedkeenattention；therewasanexpressionofanxietyashetriedtoimitatethemotions；thenasmilecamestealingoutashethoughthecoulddoso，andspreadintoajoyouslaughthemomenthesucceeded，andfeltmepathishead，andLauraclaphimheartilyupontheback，andjumpupanddowninherjoy。 \'Helearnedmorethanahalf-dozenlettersinhalfanhour，andseemeddelightedwithhissuccess，atleastingainingapprobation。 Hisattentionthenbegantoflag，andIcommencedplayingwithhim。 Itwasevidentthatinallthishehadmerelybeenimitatingthemotionsofmyfingers，andplacinghishanduponthekey，cup，&c。，aspartoftheprocess，withoutanyperceptionoftherelationbetweenthesignandtheobject。 \'WhenhewastiredwithplayItookhimbacktothetable，andhewasquitereadytobeginagainhisprocessofimitation。HesoonlearnedtomakethelettersforKEY，PEN，PIN；andbyhavingtheobjectrepeatedlyplacedinhishand，heatlastperceivedtherelationIwishedtoestablishbetweenthem。Thiswasevident，because，whenImadethelettersPIN，orPEN，orCUP，hewouldselectthearticle。 \'Theperceptionofthisrelationwasnotaccompaniedbythatradiantflashofintelligence，andthatglowofjoy，whichmarkedthedelightfulmomentwhenLaurafirstperceivedit。Ithenplacedallthearticlesonthetable，andgoingawayalittledistancewiththechildren，placedOliver\'sfingersinthepositionstospellKEY，onwhichLaurawentandbroughtthearticle:thelittlefellowseemedmuchamusedbythis，andlookedveryattentiveandsmiling。IthencausedhimtomakethelettersBREAD，andinaninstantLaurawentandbroughthimapiece:hesmelledatit；putittohislips；cockeduphisheadwithamostknowinglook；seemedtoreflectamoment；andthenlaughedoutright，asmuchastosay，\"Aha!Iunderstandnowhowsomethingmaybemadeoutofthis。\" \'Itwasnowclearthathehadthecapacityandinclinationtolearn，thathewasapropersubjectforinstruction，andneededonlyperseveringattention。Ithereforeputhiminthehandsofanintelligentteacher，nothingdoubtingofhisrapidprogress。\' Wellmaythisgentlemancallthatadelightfulmoment，inwhichsomedistantpromiseofherpresentstatefirstgleameduponthedarkenedmindofLauraBridgman。Throughouthislife，therecollectionofthatmomentwillbetohimasourceofpure，unfadinghappiness；norwillitshinelessbrightlyontheeveningofhisdaysofNobleUsefulness。 Theaffectionwhichexistsbetweenthesetwo-themasterandthepupil-isasfarremovedfromallordinarycareandregard，asthecircumstancesinwhichithashaditsgrowth，areapartfromthecommonoccurrencesoflife。Heisoccupiednow，indevisingmeansofimpartingtoher，higherknowledge；andofconveyingtohersomeadequateideaoftheGreatCreatorofthatuniverseinwhich，darkandsilentandscentlessthoughitbetoher，shehassuchdeepdelightandgladenjoyment。 Yewhohaveeyesandseenot，andhaveearsandhearnot；yewhoareasthehypocritesofsadcountenances，anddisfigureyourfacesthatyemayseemuntomentofast；learnhealthycheerfulness，andmildcontentment，fromthedeaf，anddumb，andblind!Self-electedsaintswithgloomybrows，thissightless，earless，voicelesschildmayteachyoulessonsyouwilldowelltofollow。Letthatpoorhandofhersliegentlyonyourhearts；fortheremaybesomethinginitshealingtouchakintothatoftheGreatMasterwhosepreceptsyoumisconstrue，whoselessonsyoupervert，ofwhosecharityandsympathywithalltheworld，notoneamongyouinhisdailypracticeknowsasmuchasmanyoftheworstamongthosefallensinners，towhomyouareliberalinnothingbutthepreachmentofperdition! AsIrosetoquittheroom，aprettylittlechildofoneoftheattendantscamerunningintogreetitsfather。Forthemoment，achildwitheyes，amongthesightlesscrowd，impressedmealmostaspainfullyastheblindboyintheporchhaddone，twohoursago。 Ah!howmuchbrighterandmoredeeplyblue，glowingandrichthoughithadbeenbefore，wasthescenewithout，contrastingwiththedarknessofsomanyyouthfulliveswithin! AtSOUTHBOSTON，asitiscalled，inasituationexcellentlyadaptedforthepurpose，severalcharitableinstitutionsareclusteredtogether。Oneofthese，istheStateHospitalfortheinsane；admirablyconductedonthoseenlightenedprinciplesofconciliationandkindness，whichtwentyyearsagowouldhavebeenworsethanheretical，andwhichhavebeenacteduponwithsomuchsuccessinourownpauperAsylumatHanwell。\'Evinceadesiretoshowsomeconfidence，andreposesometrust，eveninmadpeople，\' saidtheresidentphysician，aswewalkedalongthegalleries，hispatientsflockingroundusunrestrained。Ofthosewhodenyordoubtthewisdomofthismaximafterwitnessingitseffects，iftherebesuchpeoplestillalive，IcanonlysaythatIhopeImayneverbesummonedasaJurymanonaCommissionofLunacywhereoftheyarethesubjects；forIshouldcertainlyfindthemoutoftheirsenses，onsuchevidencealone。 Eachwardinthisinstitutionisshapedlikealonggalleryorhall，withthedormitoriesofthepatientsopeningfromitoneitherhand。Heretheywork，read，playatskittles，andothergames；andwhentheweatherdoesnotadmitoftheirtakingexerciseoutofdoors，passthedaytogether。Inoneoftheserooms，seated，calmly，andquiteasamatterofcourse，amongathrongofmad-women，blackandwhite，werethephysician\'swifeandanotherlady，withacoupleofchildren。Theseladiesweregracefulandhandsome；anditwasnotdifficulttoperceiveataglancethateventheirpresencethere，hadahighlybeneficialinfluenceonthepatientswhoweregroupedaboutthem。 Leaningherheadagainstthechimney-piece，withagreatassumptionofdignityandrefinementofmanner，satanelderlyfemale，inasmanyscrapsoffineryasMadgeWildfireherself。Herheadinparticularwassostrewnwithscrapsofgauzeandcottonandbitsofpaper，andhadsomanyqueeroddsandendsstuckallaboutit，thatitlookedlikeabird\'s-nest。Shewasradiantwithimaginaryjewels；worearichpairofundoubtedgoldspectacles；andgracefullydroppeduponherlap，asweapproached，averyoldgreasynewspaper，inwhichIdaresayshehadbeenreadinganaccountofherownpresentationatsomeForeignCourt。