The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1816-10-16
L'Fpec, Teacher OF the Deaf q Dumb

L'Fpec, Teacher OF the Deaf q Dumb.
From tie EngRsh Translator sfhi. work.
NJ. BuilIy relates tha, the Russian Ambas-
sadof ut Paris made the Abbe L'Epee visit
in the year l7so, and offered him pre- sen, in
money propor,ion.d TO The customary mupifi-
cepce of The Empress. Tits the Able declin-
cd 10 accept, saying, he aevcr received gold
from any one but that since his lab0uts had
gained him the esteem oil the Empress, he
begged she would send deaf and dumb per-
son 10 hiG TO be educated, which he should
deem q more hauering mark of distinction.
Nor conteot with the rejection OF presents and
pfo fotilS, which he had DO wants nor passions 10
make necessary, his pioos and charitable spirit
oerIied him to i,npart very largely wha, he
had 10 those whom ne considered as The great
est objects OF his compassion. The expences
attending the seminary which he established,
were whoiiy Delayed by himself. He inher-
tied en income, as NJ. Bvuijiy inio, ms, a.
mounting TO about $4,000 iivnJs, above two
thousand dol'srs, Of which NO allowed one
seventh for his own person, and considered
the residue as the patrmcby Of the deal and
dumb, to whose use il was faithfully applied.
30 strictly he adhered TO this appropria. ion,
that 10 the risoious winter OF i7Se, when in
his 65th year, and suffering under tho mfr
mites cf age, he denied him self fuel rs,her
than iutfeDch upon tho fund he he'd destined
Tor them. His house keeper, having observ-
cd his rigid restriction, and doubtless, inpu-
ting it TO It's real motive, led into his apart
men, forty Of his pupils, who besoughs him
with tears TO preserve himself for their sskes.
Havisg been thus prevailed upon TO exceed
his ordinary expenditures about so dollars, he
would afterwards say, in playing With his
scholars, Z" | have wroDged my children out
Of an hundred crowns For person 10 de-
vote the greNest portion OF his life, and EN-.
ploy al his intellectual powers, With exhaust
less patience, and unwcaried sssidui,y, IN &C.
cupations otherwise extremely isborious, te-
dioUs and irksomo, solely upon principles OF
religion anu humanity, not only with con-
stant refusal aud sincere contempt OF gain,
but even ptofuse dispensaiion OF heriditary
fortune, must be. allowed 10 be more than
somuiOn ardor OF charity, most exalted
height OF precticsl philanthropy. The Able
dc Condillac, we'll known in the republic OF
letters, and who applied himself successfully
TO the art o! tuition, has mentioned The Able
Epce's method with high praise. The acsde-
my OF Zurich with ardour proclaim his book
repie,c with instruction, and recommend its
system to universal aucn,ion, and pronounce
,ha, the whole world would profit from II.
Mr. lIeinch's method is in,ended 10 unite
speech and talking with the fingers. II is
said not be incompatible with Epee's method
which has high commentator as a most ben
cvolent object.
81 We understand that the gentleman
engaged in collecting subscriptions in this
town foe tho benefit Of the Asylum for the
Deaf and Dumb, have met with very eneour-
aging success, and that, es they are obliged
by unavoidable circumstance. TO leave the
place, the benevo'en, may still have an cPpor-
tuniiy Of aiding this establishment through
the agency Of Mr.. JoHS JEsEs, with whom
Subscriptions papers are left tor this purpose
Soicm Rsgiifer.
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