The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-05-26 00:00:00

2HE DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BRITISH PRESS.

STR.—An article lowing appeared in the Representative of the
11th of April, objecting to the mode of instruction, dm at the
Deer end Dumb Asylum, a rtry satisfactory reply was made in
the name Paper on the 17th of that month.

The Dlitor having made some remarks upon this reply, I took
the liberty to intrude a few observations ; but as they have never
made their appearance, I take the liberty to forward a copy of them
to yuu, requesting a place for them in your cohnnus--not on ac-
count of their importance, but because I consider it unfair, and an
encroachment upon the liberty of the press, not to give Oat* to
explanaliona or arguments in favour of an Institution. meat falsely,
net to say maliciously, accused by a writer who evidently knew
nothing of its operations.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
A LIFE flovlgnwnit
Of the Asylum fur the Deaf and Dumb.
22d May, 18311,

TO THE. EDITOR OF THE lIENIVIENTATIVE•
Sir,—Having observed the correspondence in your paper re-
specting the Asylum for the Deal and Dumb, I ant happy to in.
form you; that the plan you recommended* in your paper of the
17th, respecting a transportation of the pupils, appears to barn
already taken place In some measure.
I do not profess to be acquainted with the plans adopted by the
Committee; but having been present at the Anniversary on Tues-
day, the 11th inst., I learned from the observations made by
Dr. Watson. the Teacher, that such had been dr. cue.
He remarked that the most effectual means of extending the
advantages of instruction was thz establishment of Institutions hu
distant pants of the kingdom. anti he had the satisfaction to %mt..,
that, at the commencement of last year, one had been formed at
Manchester, to superintend which a gentleman had been sent from
the Asylum in the Kent-road, who had been upwards of twenty
years an assistant there.'
Although this Institdtion had been formed very little more than
one year, they now had twenty-one children under tuition.
As I feel a very great interest in the welfare of these objects of
pity, I wax extremely gratified to hear that sueh an Inetitutidn had
been formed, as it will materially assist the London Asylum, by
receiving those children who reside in the northern counties.
As to the inexpediency of Public Instittrions for their instruc.
tion, I must be allowrd to differ entirely with you. I know of two
Alasters of National Schools, each having two or thrmcloildren
deaf and dumb, all of whom have been admitted into the AsylCui
for instruction.
_ .

If any National Schoolmaster has an incentive to elevate his
attention to sitch unfortunate beings, sorely these were moat likely;
and if parental affection cannot do it, what can ?
Ti ,tit must be obvious to every reflecting mind, that the CO7l-
- of language to the deaf and dumb mast be a work of
excessive labour, and nothing but the greatest parsevetawv can
effect it. We find that before there were any establishments for
the instruction of the deaf and dumb, they remained in hopeless
ignorance • their pitiable condition was unknown and disregarded.
It is, indeed, a well known fact, that many objections were
made against the formation of an asylum in London, oo account
of the very new who would be found in that state of deprivation:
Experiecce has proved the fallacy of this idea, and if they could
be taught in every parish school, as some assert, it would be u
great advantage. If Mr. Arrowsmi'h were to establish this fah,
instead of talking about it, he would pe.forni a great national
benefit ; but if it is true that his deaf and (fund> brother has no
knowledge of written langosge,t what beneficed education can ha
be said to have received ?

I am quite surprised that the articles which have appeared in
your pap r against this invaluable institution. no plainly show that
they are written by those who really know nothing about the matter.
One acquainted with its operations would not have accused it of
not publishing its accounts, when they had been regularly ttrinted
since 1823, nor have advised transporting some of the children in
Yorkshire, when an establishment had lately been formed in OLIO
of the northern counties. .

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
A LIFE GOVERNOR
Of the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb.

• The following was the remark of the editor :—" Would It not
be practicable to remove this Asylum, or at least a very target:no.
portion of its inmates, into Yorkshire, or some other distant county?
Such a measure would, we apprehend, ellect a considerable saving,
&c. &e. . ._ . . .

1- Not sufficient knowledge to understand the construction of a
sentence.