Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-10-22
JULIA BRACE.
Deaf Dsmb, Bhnd Girl-.3t tie Hartford


IN, the Institution, is the poor deaf, dumb and
blind girl, whose situation has been described IN
so beautiful and affecting manner by Mrs. 81
Courtney. A charity boy, the proceeds OF which
are designed exclusively for her support, Is plac-
ed at the main entrance, which 1T Is certain no
stranger can pass, after viewing the utter desc
lation IN which she has been LETT by nature, with
out dropping his mite. Her name is uiia Brace,
aud she is a native OF the Immediate neiglborh0od
of the asylum. She is the only instance OF 80
great misfortune, of which any record Is extan',
except one European boy, by the name OF James
Mitchell. He was so irritable, that lew expert
ments could be tried for his oeneat; Dut Ju''a
Brace, il is said, has been mild and dec'le from
her childhood: although when saw her. from
some temporary yexation or injisposition, she
WAS evidently somewhat out of temper. She was
seated at table, her needle work in her lap
:. There is nothing disagreeable in her counte-
nance. but her eyes forever closed, create de-
fciency of expression. Her complexion is fair,
her smile gentle and sweet, thougho OF rare occur
renee: and her person somewhat bent, when SIT
limo. from her habits of fixed attention to her
work. Many strangers have waited long time
TO see her thread her needle, which IS quite mys-
,erious process, and never accomplished without
the aid Of the tongue"
She was the daughter OF exceedingly POOR par
ents. who had several younger children, to whom
She was in habit OF showing such Offices OF kind
ness as her own afflicted state admitted. Not
withstanding her blindness, she early ev,nced
close observation with regard to articles oil dress,
preferrino among those which were presented her
as Gifts. such as were Of the tine st texture. When
the weather became cold, she would occasionally
keeel on the floor Of their humble dwelling, to iee
whether the other children Of the family were fur
- 4 ,a,bIl 10 ba ag
without, and would express uneasiness at the con-
trast-
Seated on her little block, weaving strips OF
thin hars with pieces Of leather and thread, which
her father in his processes Of making shoes rejec
tel. she amused herself with constructing Tor her
cat bonnets and wand kes, not wholly discordant
with the principles OF taste. notwithstanding
her peculiar helplessness, she was: occasionally
left with the care Of the young children, While
her mother went out to the ocCupatl0no oil Washing
II was on such occasions, that little Julia eyinc,
od mt only maternal solicitude, but skill IN
,lomestic legislation, winch could not have been
,.t;onallv e2pected. On one-occason she Disco
cred that her sister had broken piece OF crock
erv- and initiating what she supposed would De
,hs ,licipliue of her mother, gave the offender
blow. But placing her hand upon the eyes OF the
little sirk aud ascertainlng that she wepf she I'm
amedjately took her in her arms, and with the
most persevering tenderness, her INTO soou
bumor and confidence. Her parents were al
,angth relieved from the burden OF her mainte-
Us Sv some charitable individuals, who paid
H. e,,enees Of her board with an elderly matron,
,yho ~ Y school for small children. Here her
s,gar;,x was continually ON the stretch to com
,rsh.n1 the nature of their employment, and as
Sf.r az noss,ble to initiate them. Observing that
o,eat mart of their time was occupied win DOCKS,
ne nf,en held one before her sightless eyes with
,n,o n,t;ence. She would also spread newspa-
sr fpr her fayorte kitten, aud putting her finger
- ;,s mouth. and perceivng that IT did not move
H. those of the scholars when reading, would
49, the animal to express displeasure at Its IN
doence and obstinacy. These circumstances
though triflins in themselves, reveal a mind &C
five amid all the obstacles which nature had IN
terposed. But her principal soiace was IN the
emnloymeuts Of needle work and knitting, winch
she had learned at an early age toPractice. She
would thus sit absorbed tor hours. un''i u became
necessary to urge her to that exercise which IS
.so,;s,s 10 health. Counterpanes beautifully
,o.ds nv her. of small pieces of calico, were re.
"..tsdIy disposed Of, to aid IN the purchase OF
tar y,rdrobe. And small portions of her work
,Sars sent by her benefactors as presents into va
go MART. of the Union, to shew oil what neat
,,ss. of execution blind girl was capable.
T, WAS occasionally the practice OF gentlemen
who from pity or curiosity visited her, to MAKE
trial Of her sagacity. by giving her their Watches
and employing her to restore them to the r's'''
owner.
They would change their position with regara
.. her and each strive to take the watch which
did not belong to him-but though she might at
the same time hold two or three neither stlatagem
mar persuasion would induce her to yield either
IF them. except to the person from whom she had
Ua.s;ved il. There seemed to be principle in
The tenaeity with which she adhered to this sys-
tem to give every one his own, which may p.1Oa-
bly, be resolved into that moral
Tha , nurtured in extreme poverty and after
hssSsmovai from the parental roof. in the con,
slant naoi' Of being 10 contact with articles Of
dress or food, which strongly tempted her desires
she has never been known to appropriate 20 "e,
sslf, without permission the most 'rn'ns OBJECT