Thomas's Massachusetts spy, or, Worcester gazette. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1811-1821, 1821-05-16
From the Hartford Mirror.J
EXHIBITION OF THE DEAF and
DyLMR

DUMB.
On Tuesday afternoon, (the 1st inst.) the
pupils of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum gave
a publick exhibition of their progress under
the course of insruction pursued in that hui
name institution. An occasion so interesting
drew together large concourse of our citi-
zens; and the singular and universal attention
which the audience paid to the exercise, ex-
hibited proof that the growing knowledge
of this unfortunate class of our species is not
without pleasure.
In addition to theneatness which we observ-
ed in the dress of the pupils, we were partic-
ularly struck with the perfect order and gem
teel department with which every thing was
done and we believe it but justice to the of
fcers of the institution to state, that in gen.
eral, the pupils, in every respect, exhibited
proof of the constant and unwearied pains
which had been taken in their instruction.
The exercises of the day began by prayer,
followed by an elegant and appropriate adj
dress by Mr.. Gallaudet, the principal, and by
AN address by signs by pupil--here followed
the exhibition of the several classes, under
the direction of their instructors, beginning
with the fourth class, consisting of such pupils
as had been the shortest time in the Asylum.
This class, at present under the care of
Mr.. Turner, who, we understand, has been
IN the Asylum only about two months, first
wrote single words from signs, to illustrate
their knowledge of the distinctive use between
the articles and an. Then followed a set of
verbs and substantives from signs, with sever
al short phrases and answers to few ques-
tons.
The third class were under the instruction
of Mr.. Orr.
This class gave proofs of their knowledge
of language, by supplying the connectives,
when the nominatiye and objective cases, and
verbs, were given them. Also, by supplying
the verb in its proper tense, when only the
nominative was given them. This class also
displayed knowledge ofthe meaning of words,
as well as of grammatical distinction, by maxi
ing an original sentence, by being merely
supplied with verb from the instructor.
The second class was under the direction
of Mr.. Weld.
The first object was to show that the lam
guage of signs was applicable to the gram
NAUTICAL part of our language. This was il
Illustrated by debating the various senses of the
verbs to the pupils. Thus, shall hare sail
ed from England before you arrive there
This sentence was Immediately written down
by the pupils, and is proof that the distinc-
ton of complex lenses is as easily conveyed
to the mind by the language of signs, as in
any other manner.
This class gave further illustrations Of their
knowledge of grammar, by making the proper
distinction between active and neuter verbs,
and of their knowledge of words, by deriv-
ing from the same root the different parts of
speech, and different meanings to which the
words are applicable = as from the root to adj
mire, the denvations, admiration, ad8,irer,
admirable, &c. Were properly used in differ
ent phrases.
The construction Of sentence, where sew
eral relatives are used, is well known to be
attended with difficulty, even to those who
are in possession of all the senses. We were,
however, astonished to see the fol lowing SEN
tence written down by the pupils with the
utmost readiness: a King scho was powerful,
had palace sckick was elegant, and crown
that was COSTLY
Now that the pupil should be made founder
stand by sign, and without spelling, the prop
er use of each Of these relatives, where they
all occur in the sentence, will give our read
ers some proof Of what the deaf and dumb
language is capable; and particularly, when
it is understood, that the pupils, previ6ns.to
which was to be dictated to them. Several.
questions were now put, and the answers
given by the pupils. 3
The First Glass, under the immediate in
struction of Mr. Gallaudet, were brought for
ward last. The first thing in their exercise
was to show in what manner it was practical
Bile, by mere signs, to designate proper names;
and those of the Scriptures were taken as an
example. The signs were all an actual analy-
sis of the most striking traits of the subject de-
noted by the name. Thus when the instructor
made the appropriate signs, the Glass immedi-
ately wrote the names-Paradise, Canaan,
Sodom, Sinai, sc. While Mr.. Gallaudet was
making these signs to the pupils, he at the
same time explained to the spectators their
various meanings and combinations. Thus he
made the sign which he explained to us as sig
nifying mountain, then Moses, then the COM
mandments, and the Glass Immediately wrote
Sinai. Ii was striking to see the rapidity with
which these. combinations were made, the ex-
tent Of their application, and the quickness
with which, among considerable number Of
proper names, each was known by its analysis,
and written by the pupils. Phrases were also
dictated by signs, including proper names, and
the Class were directed to write original sem
fences, chosen at the time, without their pre-
vious knowledges' To these succeeded se-
lection Of various synonomes, the mode of dis
tinguishing which by signs, was explained,
and the pupils wrote original phrases involving
such synonomes. We should have scarcely
thought it possible, had we not observed the
fact, that by sign the pupils were made to