Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1817-12-12


Iheard benevolent lady mention
the name of Julia Brace, a girl about
eleven years old, living in the yicini-
ty of Hartford, who is afflicted with
the triple calamity Of Blindness,
Deafness and Dumbness, having lost
the senses of sight and hearing, by
the violence Of typhus fever, at the
age Of 4 years. On visiting her my
self, learned that the extreme power
ty and the obscurity of her parents,
have prevented her from being known
or particularly noticed, except by the
charitable ladies Of the town, and
few gentlemen, who have been indu-
ced, by motives of curiosity, to exa-
mine her conduct. The following
facts and little anecdotes, l relate for
your amusement.
Her form and features are regular
and well proportioned. Her temper
is mild and affectionate. She is much
attached to her infant sister ; often
passes her hand over the mouths and
eyes of the child, in order to ascertain
whether it is crying, and sooths its
little distresses with all the assiduity
and success of a talkatiye or musical
nurse. All objects which she can rea-
Oily handle, she applies 10 her lips,
and rarely fails of determining their
character. If any thing is too large
for examination in this way,she makes
her fingers the interpreters of its ma
ture and properties, and is seldom
mistaken. She will beat apples or o.
Their fruit from the tree, and select the
best with as much judgment as if she
possessed the faculty of sight. She
often wanders in the fields and gathers
flowers, to which she is directed by
the plsasantness of their odour. Her
sense of smelling is remarkably ex-
quisite, and appears to be an assistant
guide with her fingers and lips.
A gentleman one day gave her a
small fan. She inquired Of her lips
what it was and on being informed,
returned it into the gentleman's peck
ct. The mother observed that Julia
already possessed one fan 4; she pro-
badly thought that another would be
superauous. The gentleman gave the
same fan to neishboring girl, whom
Julia was in the habit of visiting
She gent, few days after, to visit
her companion, whose toys she pass
ed under the review of her fingers and
lips. and among other things, the fan.
the identity of which she instantly
discovered. and again restored to the
pocket of the gentleman, who happen
ed to be present.
She feels and admires mantle-piece
ornaments, and never breaks or in
lures the most brittle furniture, even
in a strange room.
She is as obedient as other children
in general. The jar of her mothers
foot upon the floor, eifectually pre-.
vents the commission Of fault but
she easily distinguishes the stamping
Of one Of the children from that of
her mother, and obeys or not, as she
plcases.
Her parents, as you may well sup
nose, have not been able to indulge
her in dress j.; but when she receives
articles of clothing, or ornaments as
presents, she is highly gratifed to find
that they resemble in form and ia
shion. those of her playmate. She
has, as You perceive, a spice of fe-
male vanity! At tea-table. she be-
haves with more gentility than many
a miss, who has the benefit of eyes,
by which to adjust her motions and
attitudes.
In short, this poor girl, in her ca
lamitoHs state, exhibits so much good
nature, vivacity and intelligence, tina.
I sincerely wish some plan could be
devised to furnish her with instruc-
ton. The very thought, you win say.
is visionary. Perhaps it is /; but the
fingers are so expert that possibly she
might be taught by means Of letters
raised. or in some way rendered sus-
ccptibIe to the touch. Would not cha
rity and philosophy be we'll employed
in making, this child an object Of at
tentions
a gentleman once made several OK
periments with view to satisfy him
..lc ~ .fE., che raollu hoI tho die