Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1842-12-17
LAURA BItIDGMAN.

Almost every one Of our readers have heard
ofLaura Bridgman, this interesting girl, in the
Institution in New England, who is deaf
Dumb and Blind" A correspondent of the
Salem Mass Register, who has been reading
some letters from Laura to her friend, thus
speaks Of the interesting girl -
1t is unnecessary for me TO say who, or what
or where Laura Bridgman is. Every child has
heard Of her. and feels deep interest in all
that pertains to her history. We'll, of all
things in the world, what think you | should
find in this secluded spot, but little friend and
frequent correspondent of our interesting Lau-
ra! No less assure you and having been
| favored with several specimens of her epistol.
airy writing, trust it will not be deemed
breach OF privacy if they are communicated 10
your readers Laura's letters, to be sure, are
not to be classed with those of Lady Montague
and other celebrated epistoarians of her sex,
but they will, doubt not, possess, in the esti-
nation of most people, peculiar interest,
whch neither case and elegance of diction, nor
superior talents and requirements could posi-
! bly, give She is fond o" writing letters, and
| her writing il surprisingly legible, considering
! tho disadvantages she labors under, and her
/ spelling remarkably correct. Her LITTLE cores
! pondent is more favored than herself in being
blessed with the full enjoyment of all the fac.
ultes, and their friendship is as touching as it
Is interestieg and ghlful.-They often in
| tcrchange presents as tokens OF their affection,
chiefly articles Of their own handwork, which
are doubtless more valuable in the estimation
OF the receiver than any could be purchased
with the gold Of Ophir Laura is skilled in
| the manufacture of several trics which would
hc deemed specimens Of ingenuity as the pro-
ductIon oiany child OF her age, and her needle
work would do no discredt TO one infinitely
more favored by nature than she is. Among
other things there was a min apron made
by her, very neatly sewed and trimmed, and
IN nothing indicating any defect save that a
very small portion of the little rullle that skirt
ed us edges were turned the wrong way-Poor
Laura who can describe the cagcrness with
which thou tolldest through thy task who
tahom the intensity Of joy which filled thy lit
tie heart when thou hadst completed this pre-
sent for thy friend. Would that all friend,
ships were as pure, as sincere, as holy az those
OF thy childhood innocence.
Some of the expressions in Laura's letters
may appear rather singular, considering her
situatlon-for instance, when she writes about
seeing &c.-and some Of them may require
eXplanation-for those Who are not familiar
+ with the management of the Asylum for the
Blind but those VINO have read DR.. liowe's
reports will readily understand the meaning
and appreciate the force of her remarks. Mos
ot'thG names in her epistIcs arc those of teach
ers, or persons otherwise connected with The
Institution. The letter which follows is al
dressed to her little friend, and is suiIicie
explicit
dear F.. want to see YOU | send lor,
to you much. You will write letter to me
, | am we'll now. | was very sick Thursday.
, was much better Friday. i was weak. vii
: write toyou again very soon. Miss Jcnnctt
Is we'll So Laura is little better Miss Swii
teach mc to give my kiss to you.
LAURA BRIDGMAN."
/ Here is another to her Doll, She had
e favorite Doll to which she had given the.nam
+. OF Miss Fllly,' and which she regarded wit
u great tenderness. Laura was on one occasio
/. sick, and after her recovery, she addressed I
2, 'Mss PLY the following playful and affection
= ate note II will be seen that she writes
{ though tie Doll he'd been sfr ced with Il,