The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1846-05-23
LAURA BRJDGEMAN.


tirely blind. We have often had occasion TO copy
from the annual reports of the institution, inter-
esting statements of the progress OF those chiio-
rem, to whom wisdom, at almost every entrance,
is shut out. On the recent visit OF the BIND oil
the Boston School to Washington CITY, Laura
started with them, to share in the pleasure OF the
excursion, and minister to the great interests OF
the exhibition. But unfortunately for those at
Washington the lady who had the special care
ofLaura was seized with some prostrating sick
ness in this CITY, and so, while she was receiving
medical attendance, Laura was enjoying the
sights OF Phadep hia, an inmate OF the family OF
our esteemed townsman, DIR. Paul Swift, to
whose politeness we were indebted for an oppor-
tunity TO observe, carefully, the movements, the
mental movements OF Laura, and to be astonished
at Der comprehension of all around her A
daughter OF DR.. S. was intimately acquainted
with Laura, and could converse with her with
perfect ease. Sitting beside her, and holding
the right hand of Laura in her right hand, she
talked with the deaf and blind mute in the con-
ventional signs of the schools, and received and
conveyed ideas with facility and prompness
truly astonishing.
Laura and her friends had that day accepted
polite invitation from DR.. Patterson to visit the
Mint, and had spent some time in examining the
machinery, and gaining a knowledge of the
whole process, from the rough bar of gold and sill
yer, to the packing away in the vaults of kegs
and boxes of eagles, dollars and dimes, and her
mind was almost entirely occupied with the Won
ders of the place. The velvet decacy of the
machinery, SO exquistely pleasant to her well
instructed touch, struck her with establishment,
and she inquired whether any other machinery
was equal to it in that particular. She seemed
to comprehend the working of the parts of the
engine, and with her hands and arms, showed
how the crank and the wheel operated together,
and then inquired whether all the machinery was
10 -, 81. II
and machinery cost, and them when commenting
on its beauty, suddenly exclaimed, e wish Oil
yer could see it."
Oliver is lad in the same school, who is also
deaf, dumb, and blind.
g But Oliver, poor boy, said Laura, would
not comprehend it aIl.''
Shall you know me- said lady present on
the occasion, when come to Boston next sum-
mer?''
6 | do not know unless | feel of YOU p said
Laura, and her lett hand was passed rapidly, but
Unfortunately, over the head and face OF the
lady. AT length the finger touched breast-pin,
the centre of which covered with smooth
glass That Laura said, felt as delicate as the
machinery at the Mint" and she stopped mo-
ment TO inquire how so much money was pre-
served in safety there.
"By iron doors, and by watchmen''
g More than one ~ asked Laura.
''Yes, two, who watch turn by turn.'''
g What is turn by turn '''
Satisfied as to the last inquiry, Laura asked
when the lady would be in Boston; and on being
answered g In June,'' she shook her head, and
said she hoped to be in Hanover the residence of
her family, at that time.
She took occasion to say, that in a few wears
more she should have to leave the school.
Why 20
Because she must go home and take care OF her
brothers and sisters
The poor child seems to have goodly opinion
OF her abilities to do, and to understand, as the
hope of taking care of her brothers and sisters
and the apprehension that poor Oliver could not
comprehend as well as she, would indicate.
Laura mode OF thinking seems to be much like
that of others Her comprehension is good and
quick. her curiosity very considerable, and her
inquiries just such as persons rather younger
than she would be likely TO make concerning any
thing first mentioned or exhibited to them.
1t was long before Laura was able fdlly to
comprehend that all objects were not transpa-
rent. She found that the window glass resisted
and checked the motions of her hand and vet
her teachers could see through that body, as well
as when there was nothing between their eyes
and the object OF sight, and she supposed that
brick wall, and board fence, were equally trans
parent.
The conversation between Laura and Miss
Swift, was carried on with the greatest ease, and
about as rapidly as other persons move ahead in
conversahon-not so many words were spoken,
but there was no ''vain repetition" Miss S. was
KIND enoughto speak every word which she sign
ed to Laura or which Laura signed to herr and
we came to the conclusion that as much would
be said, and better, if people would not talk much
faster than did Laura. 1t appeared to us almost
impossible that the letters OF words could have
been so rapidly signed upon the fingers of each
other.
Combinations of ideas, and curious ones. too.
bad place in I.auras mind, and she had as much
to laugh at in her conversation as most her peo-
pie.
No attempt was made to show off the attain
ments of the child. She could read and write.
and could do good long sums in interest and seem
ed TO understand vast DEAL Our delight was
10 observe the facility with which the child could
convey and receive ideas, the pleasure she had
in conversation, and the affection she manifested
in renewing intercourse with an old friend. And
all these things went to show, that the admira
BILE discipline Of the Boston School had brought
that human being out OF a state little above veg
etable lite, (tor really, until lately, she had no
sense Of SMELLY and lifted her into some OF the
higher enjoyments of life, making her positively
happy, and giving her the means of pleasing.
with scarcely the possiblitycf actual sin.
~ U. s. Gazette.
G1' "A Peace Society, 1t is said has recently
been formed at Galveston. Its operations have
nof haan anNroIv ruccaaofitI FIR ara tolI tl.at