The Sun.
London, England, 1840-04-18 00:00:00

11r,"

PRICE sd.

PROSECUTION IN FRANCE OF A
DEAF' AND DUMB MAN BY A DEAF AND
DUMB MAN.

(From the Gazette des Tribunaux.)
CORRECTIONAL TRIBUNAL OF THE ELINE,—APRIL 9.
M. MARTEL, Prc,ident.
In the hall of the Pas Perdus were this day seen
different groups of deaf and dumb persons, who
seemed to wait with impatience the opening of the
doors of the sixth chamber. Scarcely was the audi-
ence of the Correctional Police opened, than its
narrow space was crammed with these persons, who
disputed for the first places. Many of them, who
appeared to be to the others objects of deference,
took their seats on the witness bench.
Soon there arose discussions full of warmth and
vivacity between the different spectators, and the
arrival of the tribunal did not stop them. It was
not a case in which the ushers could demand
silence, for the noiseless language of " dactylology"
(talking with the fingers) and mimic gesture is
not calculated to disturb order and interrupt deci-
sions and appeals.
It was easily seen that all this audience (if such
a name can be given to those who cannot hear)
was agitated by some engrossing subject. This,
however, did not prevent some of them from
taking a gradual interest in the debates
which were going on before them, debates
entirely new to the greater number, and
parts of which, caught up correctly or
incorrectly by some, were translated by others, and
commented on by all with a vivacity of gestures, and
dumb manifestations of hilarity, which were highly
curious, but no less painful to see. Above all, the
embarrassed air of a stout Parisian husband accused
of ill-usage by his wife excited the joy of some of
the unhearing ones on the first seats. The ludi-
crous side of the judicial drama was easily seized
by all, and the poor husband, who fidgetted on his
seat, found himself persecuted by quolibets, which,
although merely pantomitnical, were not less sig-
nificant. -

The arrival of the celebrated Berthier, Professor
of the Deaf and Dumb, anti himself deaf and dumb
from his birth, excited a lively sensation in the
crowd. Eager salutations were given him from all
sides, and nearly every one of the congregation, by
drawing the finger of his right hand rapidly round
his ear, thus told his neighbour that he recognized
Berthier. This is the sign by which all the deaf
and dumb designate him, on account of a little cap
which he wears in the school, and which he is in
the habit of slanting over his right ear.

The audiencier called the cause of " M. Pelis-
sier v. Contremoulin." This call was repeated by
the sign of a "speaking professor," who was among
the audience, and immediately there was a lively
agitation throughout the assembly. M. Contre-
moulin placed himself on the bench of the accused,
and by gestures gave to understand that lie was
deaf and dumb, and could not answer the tribunal
without the aid of an interpreter. At once twenty
arms directed towards the same parson pointed out,
with the most expressive pantomime, one of the
cleverest " speaking professors" of the Deaf and
Dumb Institution, M. Vaisse.

The President called upon M. Vaisse to take the
oath, and to interpret the answers of the accused to
the tribunal.

The accused, on being interrogated, replied that
he was 27 years of age, and exercised the profes-
sion of engraver to the Depot de la Guerre.
President—You are accused of lying in wait for
M. Pelissier at the door of the Central Society, and
of having struck him in the face.
M. Vaisse transmitted the question to Con-