The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-11-22
SOCIAL SCIENCE.
Third Days Session Of the Social Science
Congress OF the Members to the
Deaf and Dumb Institution at Wash
hgton Heights-lnstruetisa
Of Deaf Mutcs.

via the Hudson River Railroad TO the Deaf and
Dumb Institution at Washington Heights for the
purpose OF observing the method OF instruction pur.
sued and discussing the best plan Of education Tho
zen o'clock train filled with large number Of tho
scientific gentlemen and ladies alluded to before-not
forgetting the srongnnded element OF the latter sex
and SO anxious display their socntiorary
powers that they could help practising little be-
1orehand in the cars. Without let or hndrance the
whole party arrived safely al their Destination ana
ending their way up from the depot were soon safely
housed within the walls OF the institution
The proceedings began by Doctor PEEr explaining the
process with which he able to develop the dormant
faculties the pupils unGer his charge and several Of
these brought and made to exhibit tho progress
shey had made Some little children who exam
insd the platform, and made to write out states
different signs made TO them showed the most astonsh-
ing intelligence, considering the short they had
been under instruction. Some older pupils then gave
examples OF their writing powers and interpretations
The compositions or the girls appeared more power
full than those OF the young men, although they took
little more time 10 write theni Out on the slate. very
clever boy then went through an amusing pantomime
showing The appearance OF different animals and their
habits described all IN signs plainly az In words:
man gong on. shooting, loading bis gun nrng IL or,
killing . bird and taking IL home; and also life like
portrayal OF another individual with the toothache GO
ing TO dent 81 and having the Offending member
1racied. Mr.. Isaac Peet then explained OF
drum instruction. BY tapping drum, through The
eec OF reverberalion vi the foremost pupils readily
wrote out uoris ASKED them by VI the taps 0nc
OF the muteS then wrote slate address
company assembled Of which the following are the
opening sentences -
s'we have The honor OF a visit from the American
Social Science Association We hope that they will
cons der themselves paid Cor coming here this inst
tution, as well IN pleasure as in kno sedge They will
nom this time know how much minds cut on from
intercourse with others By ne loss of very important
sense capable OF learning. nope that they know
that the deal mute meets with no small difficulty in
overcoming the Disadvantages under wnica To abors
and that acquaintance with nss Tact will lead them
appreciate his success aad treat ienenty his mistakes
II De makes any.
This communication well and dramatically
woded as IL written by educated and in the fu
possession OF all his aud yet composed
impromptu by who had heen horn deaf and bad
been educated a. the New York institution
IL now being twelys O'Clock DR. HARVEY PEET, the
chairmaa. called the meeting ORDER and proceeded 10
read paper on the sign language FOR the cduca
zion OF the deaf mutes lie sloae follows ae. soro
Introductory remark the faliacy OF arcuaiive
method practsed III Germany:-
nave und riasen to give some account OF the sign
Language as IL s in lis elements, 1t becomes by cult
walton, and IN by some teachers oxpAded 10 make il
parallel 10 Speech the request 81 gentlemen are
interested 10 the movement already referred TO
PRODUCING the teachiug or arcua iop who had OK.
pressed desire 10 KNOW oil u language OF which
they lave heard so much. And r these gentlemen,
whom circumstances have led TO take very strong
interest IN deaf mute instruction, To such
AN imperfect idea OF tie nature and OF tie !
language Of gestures IDENTITY the word in general must
no still more in the Ozark rning IL There arc /
severa important objects to be polosed by the DIS
semlnatior Of correct views this subject SOM may
nave pTeJrdces removed, others induced This
language so Tar as TO be able promote social enjoy
Ments and material interests Of deaf in their
ing necessary COMMUNICATIONS men or icreign |
speech-perhsps as missionaries in dstaa, lands, or
uben cast among savage r0es THE language OF g~s-
tnres to borrow the sentiments of Of its greatest
Betan, is Of al times Of all countries The pan.
1omme and expression Of tho colntenance, winch
form its bass ana lead signiuca.ion are
equally ineligible in The hnmules, nut and In |
10 the ignorant the iearncd Who can ever con.
found the gesture Of nvatc WIKI that of repuguancs
ST rysSssn s ws that q o. dss sgs
limitations OF action, The tracing OF simple OIL lines the
natural and frequent slsus OF emoiiou wnca form the
Syounowork o. this iaasuase Waen We read the
tiyes OF travellers and shipvrcckcd mariners aud OF
hei, successful efforts TO demand. BY o. res.
lures, food and shelter, AID 10 compass spd
d Tee extent sSS Ibis language az Of s' sisas
has Ueen cultivated in ancient umes we may
judge by tho les imony " Cicero that the pantonimes
Of Roscius rivalsd bis ON polished sentences in
clcarGess and variety Of expression Another writer
rsales that king from the borders Of the Eaxne,
Ing inc performances OF one Of the Roman mim@,
witt the wild tribes IN hts vicinity DIR Peei then
went On 10 explain Tho dileient species OF signs Tue
reler TO merely point NJ TO objects with significant
eesticulaton and facial expression; and msnv ST.
initiated Of mos emen, Another class al. mo aso
- s,:ss ~
ExssonigN such sns ssilfuliy made are. Of eogrss
universally ineligible. &c c, however. II IS to Be
~oasa axe no loo much room. or =. actors
violen, ana uneracefa the deaf aud dumb are sccus.
,cmsd 70 initiate NJ sa them Y1 smaller scale chiefly with
represent legs srS ts.e quite iuteisbly the
motion OF standing, lesplng dancing on- The |
sns Of eosnce. Tho three great principles Of
the an language lbe Indicative, the initiative aud
how these might be combined and gave examples OF
his argument, and then drcw . comparison betw
o and oSsl %S mos. 'sSeh the a.a
mu,es ana said that the only tongue nearly
depended mainy on signs lie concluded BY siaslns
1hat What he had given VAS general account o. the
instrumenA amiar 70 all for putting tue deaf mute
Is gh no; ouy into coDuun cation with society, but
introduced INTO tn Vide realm Of thougpt oonsiued In
books and representing tho history OF the past the wealth
Of ideas Of the present. aud tho hopes Of future exist
However natural 10 ITSELF aad even indispensable
In the most success uy educated OF ibe deaf and dumb
u Is DO regarded END, but simply a
Of making them acquainted with che language OF the
country in which they dwell. ard In connec, with
ants. " developing their Intelligence and aiding their
education and culture.
Al tne conclusion OF Dr. Poets cxhaustic paper Mr.
Edward N. Gsllaude', OF Washington. read an able
essay sThe American and European system for the
destruction Of the Deaf Dumb parallel
drew much In favor Of tue former He was entirely
antasonisilc 10 the false theory promulgated by He
psrcnse Of some Of The be q those deprived
oil this important sense could bear him ont In his
on that the deaf and dumb could be Taught express
themselves by means of sgns and symbols nto-
hribly ~ those IN the tut POSSESSION OF con-
vsrstiona power. The German and French systc,a er
articulation hascd entirely wrong princple No
doubt there were instances OF people beng
bora deaf, aud aiertsrsards laugh, 20 speak
by this method, hue the example does
mot prove rule. To say that ave people
OF bundred deaf aud dumb being earnsd to speak
ny tho method OF Mons De L'Epes proves the
satisfactory character o. the system tnan that coa' be
logical 70 affirm that because hys papis in school
poets authors artists tie whole number Of tho
Same class Success be judged st higher stand
THAI this and there was no doabt from the ample
trial given n thai 10 could no. compare with tho
American plan of training the unoruuae deaf mute by
o. The pursued ~ WASHINGTON aud here 10
New York, ninety cent Qua Of every husdrrd plpis
could be taught express themselves vol ana clearly
after few months training, waereas evea tnose WI.
particularly admired the articulation plan could not
he acknowledges that but small proportion OF those
trsiued that systcm--but clevca per cent-couid
isrn TO speak properly aud intoshly aud understand
what said To them by the moti0r OF the lips. lie
thr Galaudet certainly me; one deaf mute IN Germany
who astonshcd bim bT the with which BIO UNDER
~ a al raIl In a