Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1840-05-16
Remarkable Human Phenomenon.

The last report of the Boston Asylum for the
Blind gives large variety of further Intelligence
concerning the progress of Laura Bridgman, the
little girl of whom our readers have heard some
thing. Besides being deaf, and dumb, and blind
she is also deprived of the sense of smell and en-
joyS@taste but imperfectiy--the touch alone, being
the medium of communication between her and the
outer world II is gratifying to know that careful
observations continue 10 be made with a view Of
ascertaining the order of Developments, and the
peculiar character OF her intellectual faculties We
quote the following interesting facts:
The intellectual improvement of this interesting
being, and the progress she has made liz express
ing her ideas is truly gratifying.
She uses the manual alphabet of The deaf mutes
with great facility and great rapidity she has in
creased her vocabulary so to comprehend the
names of all common objects.
She can count 10 high numbers; she can add
and subtract small numbers
But the most gratifying requirement which she
has made, and the one which has given her the
most delight, is the power of ,oriting Iegble hand
and expressing her thoughts upon paper She
writes with pencil in grooved line, and makes
her letters clear and distinct.
She was sadly puzzled at first TO know the
meaning of the process 10 which she was subject
but when the idea dawned upon her mind, that by
means OF II she could convey intelligence to her
mother, her delight was unbounded She applied
herself with great diligence, and in few months
actually wrote a legible letter TO her mother, in
which she conveyed information of her being well
and OF her coming home in ten weeks.
She has improved very much in personal ap-
pearance, as well as in intelect-he countenance
beams with intelligence-she is always active at
study, work, or play--she never repines, and most
of the time is gay and frolcsome.
She is now very expert with her needle she
knits very easily, and can make twine bags and
various fancy articles, very prettily. She is very
docile-has quick sense of propriety-dresses
herself with great neatness, and is always correct
In her department In short, it would be difficult
to ind child IN the possession of all her senses
and the enjoyment of the advantages that wealth
and parental love can bestow who is mere conten-
ted and cheerful or to whom existence seems
greater blessing than it does to this bereaved crea
ture, Tor whom the sun has no light the air no
sound, and the flowers no color or perfume
No definite course of instruction can be marked
out; for her nqusitiyeness is great that she is
very much disconnected if any question which oc-
Cured to her is deferred until the lesson is over
1t is deemed best to crafty her, if her inquiry has
any bearing on the lesson; and often she leads
her teacher far away from the subject he commen-
ced with.
In her eagerness TO advance her knowledge of
words, and TO communicate her ideas, she coins
words, and is always guided by analogy. Some
times her process of ,ecrd making is very interest
lng for instance, after some time spent in giving
her an idea of the abstract meaning of alone, she
seemed to obtain it, and understanding that being
by ones self was to be alone, or alone. She was
told to go TO her chamber, school, or elsewhere,
ana return Alone she did SO; but soon after, wish
ing to go with one of the little girls she stroye to
express her meaning thus-Laura go ai-tpo.
She has the same fondness for dress, for rib
'ons and for finery as other girls of her age, and
Is proof that it arises from the same amiable de-
'ire OF pleasing others, it may be remarked that
whenever she has new bonnet, or any new arti