Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-09-26
From the .albaay Daily .advertisr.

we publish to-day a very interesting
Address. made to number OF persons m
Boston, by Mr.. Clerc. the deaf and dumb
gentleman who lately arrived in this
country from France, in company with
MIR. Gallaadet, for the purpose OF assisting
lin the instruction of the Deaf and Dumb,
I'm the Institution lately established IN
Connecticut. Itseems that this extraor-
dinary man has been studying oar Ian
ssuage but three months. When that
is considered, in ccnnec-
ton with the fact, that he was born with
out the faculty of hearing, and, of course,
without the capacity for speaking, we
think this Address NilI be read with a
Tgreatdegree Of surprize as well as plea,
sure, not only as specimen of artles and
tRecting eloquence. but as proof Of the
attachments which this peculiarly untoT-
Itunate class Of our ftHew men may ss-
|auire in literary, moral, and religious
science. No parent we think will be
able to read it without @rons emotions,
for all parents. whose family circle is not
completed, nay be the subjects OF this az y.
iHict!ng lispensation in some OF their OIL
|spring. We regard this Institution as
forming an Grain the history Of this coun-
TRY. tits the day-springof Intelligence
Ito large portionof he most interesting
members Of society-of persons eager IN
Fthe pursuit of Knowledge, capable OF high
degrees of improvement, and generally
ifar more siltuous, than a large part Of
their ftIlow beings by when they are
surrounded. We are much gratihed to
IIearm that the. Asylum has experienced
the libcrality Of the people Of Boston--a
lpeopIe honeurably Distinguished TOR their
lpuni6cence towards charitable and be-
Ineyolent establishments.
T From the Boston Inelligencer.
Asyzum, for the Deaf and Dumb.
I II is highly honorable to the present
age and state of society, that charitable
institutions are founded for the allevia-
ttion of every description OF inevitable
misfortune The successful application
iof scientific instructiopin France to deal
4 dumb persons, excited ',esire in the
breasts of certain individuals in Con.
lnecticut, TO introduce the same process a.
imong this unfortunate class in America,
And gentleman who felt strongly ami
mated with this benevolent intention was
despatched to Europe, for,the purpose OF
Ilearnlng the course of education and the
Language of signs preparatory to the es'
Establishment Of an Asylum in Hartford
lit was at the Institution Of the Able
ISicard hat Mr.. Gallaudet became ac'
luualnted with NJ. Clerc, (now in Bos-
Eon,| who had been pupil of that distin.
lgaishsd teacher, and was tutor to one
| Of the classes in his school. NJ. Clerc
learning the object of the mission Of Mr..
fGallaudet, promptly offered to come to
America with him, for the purpose OF
|diffusing the light of intelligence over the
dark minds OF his brothers in misfor-
(tune. This, however, is not the frstin
Stance of prompt beneyolence in the cause
|of the distressed which has animated this
gentleman. An anecdote is recorded OF
him in a note TO French work describ-
ing the theory ofsigns, used in communi- 1
eating with the dea9and dumb, which isl
to his character. A young
German, deaf and dumb, born in Vienna.
having learned the art Of engraving att
Prague, repaired to Paris for employ
mept. There not being able to comuluni-
cate in ineligible language he was soon
|verymuch Distressed and embarrassed mi
his circumstances. He sought relief a'
the institution of the Able Sicard, and
found it in the person of NJ. Clerc. who|
combined great vivacity and strength of
intellect witlfa singular grace of style.
NJ. Clerc soon understanding the diff
cnlties 10 which the young German was
involved. undertook to sake written
appeal to his Excellency the Austrian am !.
bassador at the court of Napoleop. but
who happened unfortunately to be absent
from Paris. This step proving frutless.
and his friend requiring immediate z,
lief and an asylum, Nj. Clerc equally
jealous ane humane applied to other
persons among WHOM, were several en-
gravers. He communicated his humaneI
inteutions as well as the misfortunes aud
talents ofhis friend, by writing, and final !
~ succeeded in placing him with an en-
gfaver, and By means Of his daily labor
he was soon able to provide for all his ne
n:ssties.
This benevolent gentleman, who has
been deaf and dumb from his birth isl
ahniit Oh wears of are. snd must be al