The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1818-09-08

M ctpd that an instrument VII adoPEu ch
bracing such principles and provisions az Wi
secure to the people the just exercise q 'nep
rights, and 10 the government such q measure
Of power as is necessary to effect the opjec
of its Institution.
The Kentucky nihfers are continually
| ri56ling at MIR. MosaoR's 6aif; but pre-
serve due I" discretion" in not taking toe
rank hold. In Philadelphia there are
gudgesns wis swallow bait, hook and all
AID furnish very pretty kettle cffsh io'
themselves.
The mode Of instructing the Deaf and
Dumb, adopted by the French teachers, and
particularly by the Able Sicard, j. enc Of
the most singular and extraordinary inventions
of modern times. We do not allude to the
facility with which they acquire knowi-
edge of letters by the alphabet Of fingers.
This, though great Improvement, is Of far
lees importance than the language Of signs,
which is taught, in high degree ofperfec-
ton, and fully understood and practised by
the pupils.
For few weeks past, Mr.. Gallaudet, the
the principal ofthe Institution in Connecticut,
has been at Saratoga and Ballston, accompa-
MED by one of his pupils, George Loring, Of
bingham, Massachusetts, lad of about ele
ven years of age.--T This boy lost bis hearing,
and sight of one of his eyes, when about two
years of age, by the scarlet fever. He has
been more than year at the Asylum. The
quickness Of bis comprehension, the facility
with which he acquires knowledge, The
sprightliness of his mind, and the amiabe
cheerfulness OF bis dispositon--the strong af-
fectionate attachment which he uniformly
discovers towards every thing connected with
the situation and improvement of his unfortu
nate associates, as we'll as the prosperity of
the Asylum, render him most interesting
and agreeable companion. During short
residence at Ballston, we had frequent oppor-
tunitaessto witness bis very extraordinary ad-
yancement in several branches Of education.
He writes with great ease and rapidity, and
bis handwriting is very handsome He also
showed very competent knowledge Of the
principle bf grammar. Other things might
be enumerated but our object is more par
ticularly TO notice the language Of signs.
This language Is adopted TO all the common
concerns Of life. The instructor, without a
single word or letter, by mere signs calcula-
ted to express IDEAS, performs the task ia SO
clear and accurate manner, as TO convey
the subject he has in view with perfect dis
tinotness and precision TO the pupil, and the
instruction is received by him in the same
clear and perfect manner. For example,
Mr.. Gallaudet, BY signs only, would express
to LoriDg. sentence on any indifferent sub
Iceland which might be suggested by any
of the by-standers, --containing as The case
might be, fifteen, twenty, OF any given num-
Der Of words, the communication being made
all at once-and Lcring would Immediately
write il down, almost invariably with the
most exact correctness. Many of these sen.
fences were of such length, as would frequent
ly have perplexed an ordinary amanuensis,
POSSESSED OF the faculty Of hearing, had they
been repeated to him at length, and at sim
gle time. But this deaf and dumb lad was
scarcely ever, even in single instance, mis-
taken in bis recollection, or under the neces-
sity OF enquiring whether he gecollected cor
rectly.
The advantages OF this unwritten as well as
unspoken language, TO persons who possess
not the power ofspeech or Of hearing, are in
calculably great. BY The use oflhe finger.
alphabet, they are able TO converse. on COM
mon occasions, and on ordinary subjects. with
ease and facility. But TO be able 10 receive.
and communicate ideas OF the greatest impor- |
lance, as well as Of considerable compIexitv
is an advantage Of much greater Importance.
10 such a degree Of perfection is this Ian.
guage OF signs already understood in tbe Con.
nechcut Asylum, that the religious exercises
are performed, in the presence Of the school.
~ that manner II is not EASY 10 IMAGINE /, |