Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-06-28
FROM The HiBEANlAN MAGAZINE.

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FROM THE HiBERNlAN MAGAZINE.
Account Of the c-offieorance of Sicard, teach
err Of the deaf and dumb, III Paris.
TweDty-eigtt months had the man
whom The able de PEpee chose for his
immediate successor, the celebrated and
modest Sicard. been The object of pro.
scrip.ion in which he was undeservedly
included.
Concealed in the house of a trusty
friend, who for two years risked his own
life TO save head of such value, Sicard
undertook the TASK TO bestrew with flow.
ers the first studies of children, TO facil-
tate their progress, and TO render the per-
formance of their duty easier to the ia.
theirs of families. In narrow cell, by
the light of a lamp, whose faint glimmer
traits of the estimable recluse and TO be-
tray his place of refuge, he wrote his u
niversaI Grammar, thus revcnging him.
self on the injustice of men, only by heap
/. ing new benefits upon them.
In the mean time, the deaf and dumb
ofevery age and sex lamen,ed the absence
ofthcir teacher. Sometimes they looked
up 10 the windows OF their apartment, and
their eyes were believed with tears |: or
they would regard with fixed attention the
arm chair where Sicard had been wont al.
most daily to expand souls, and render
them susceptible of the impressions of
nature; and of the significant and various
gestures that at other times animated
their counienaDces, the expressions of de-
je6tion and sorrow alone remained. One
of them in particular, Jean Massieu, the
Fifth Of the same family who had enjoyed
the Instructions of the venerable S;card,
was so affeSted by the loss of his teacher,
that, to pacify him they were obliged to
make him acquainted with his place of re-
fuge. This young man, wl,ose under
standing and talents all Paris admires, anu
who. notwithstanding his weak state of
health, had been promoted to the place Of
repsteur in the school, with salary Of
1900 francs, repeatedly offered TO share
his small income with Sicafd My fa-
ther (said he by means of rapid signs) has
nothing ! must provide him with food
aud cIoaihing, and save him from the cru.
eli fate that Expresses him." He accord.
,jrgH took the necessary steps with pru.
dsnce, engaged some ofhis friends to as
sist him in putting his intentions into ex-
secI.ion, and kept himself in readiness 10
lay hold Of The flrst favorable opportunity.
Al length the already wished for moment
ARR Sod. A dramatic poet, whom the en-
thusiasm of his heart rendered courage
Gus, 9)uilly) founded the resolution to tn
terest Ire public in favor ofthe succc ssor
ofthe able de l'Epee, by producing on
the stage memorable scene from the
life of that celebrated founder of The in.
s,itu;ion' Tor instfuelipg the deaf and
dumb. The undertaking was dangerous,
but The motive irresistible. The audience
shed tears 10 Inc memory of the able de
PEpee; and whist his sainted name was
repeated, the unfortunate Sicard's likewise
resounded. o the, frorn his asylum he
could have heard these affecting exclama.
tons of numerous and respectable as
sembly, this consol;ng burst of en,husi-
asm from people which paid homage to
virtue, and pleaded the Cause of inno-
ceDce. "Sicard! !" they exclaimed from
every side, ''Testore to us Sicard !"
From the emotion that animated every
countenanoe, from the applause that was
elapped from every hand, and especially
from the indescribalSle transp,kg Of the
author (Boully) it wss easy fo1 Diassieu.
Notwithstanding his deafness and dumb
ness, TO form an idea ofthe interest which
the audience exprested in favor of the
preeeptor and he SO well con,rived mat.
tiers, that a few days after, he and BouilIy
met together at the house Of legislator,
who IS q friend Of men and merit, and of
the unfortunate, and where brother Of
the chief consul Of the French republic
happened TO be on visit. Having here,
by the affecting answers which hc gave
to the questions put to him, sofened the
hearts OF grea, numb, Of persons TO a
participation Of his feelings; he gave to