Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-04-24
Laura BridgeInan.

Laura frlOseIuaHs
nR HowEs SUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO EDU-
CATE HER.
In village iu the mountains of New Hamp-
shire the late Dr.. Samuel G. Howe found the
subject of this sketch, then six years old, blind,
deaf, dumb and nearly destitute OF the sense OF
taste, scarlet fever having deprived her OF
these gifts. She was thus excluded from all
the beauties of God in nature, and seemed lit
tie better than piece of marble chiseled 10
human foru, and that form containing flick
eripg spark Of an immortal soul.
Her father was well-to-do farmer, and her
mother woman of much intelligence who
gladly consented to place her little daughter 10
care of Mr.. Howe. Accordingly she was
brought to Boston and process OF instruction
Immediately commenced. She was first taught
TO use her hands and to acquire command OF
her muscles and limbs, aud afterward, by means
or" ron and pin. to distinguish two articles by
arbitrary signs.
ineu from monosyllables she learned all the
letters of the alphabet, and how to arrange
them to represent objects. She s9on acquired
a knowledge of numerals, punctuation, etc.,
and then she gained the power OF expressing
thought, the oanes OF things, etc. The next
process taught her was to recognize he same
signs in embossed types. She worked with
great eagerness, thus rewarding the watchul
care of her devoted teacher.
Miss B,idgeman is now in her forty sixth
wear. and between her home and the Pcrkios
Institution she has passed ber time thus tar.
She is tall, slight, graceful 10 form aud motion,
wears green bands across her eyes, is very de-
mopstratiye, aud her face at times radlates with
emotion. She dresses with great cart-more to
pIease her friends than hersei-and takes pride
in showing her gold watch and other feminine
ornameDtatloDs.
She is quite expert in crocheting aud plain
ueedework, aud takes much delight in assist
ing one of the teachers 10 the sewing depart
ment. A few days ago she was At work with,
pcrhaps, dozen of the pupils, turoing the
hems OF napkus, and threading needles with
her fingers aod teeth. She exhibited somc OF
her hemmiug with as much pride as soldier
bearing trophy from battle field.
A lady, ou the occasion referred 10, made a
purchase from her of a crochet mat, and with
clear articulation Miss Bridgeman repeated the
w,rl '.money" twice. She can utter lntelllsi-
hv lame of teacher, and such words as
b C She torus words with lead pencil
l. :,d of Frel ch writing board. This
| article has grooved liucs about an eighth
uch deep, an iuch or so apart, running
I srsey across the pasteboard.
one takes her paper and presses 1t into the
grooves, thus making depresslons which eau oe
Iet by the pencil point, and when slight prob
= leaves letter mark. lnfurnlsh ing her au
lvsraph, she writes above her name Scripture
text On her being asked if she realized the
meaning OF the quotation, The Lord Is my
Shepherd" she replied, fully
On learning that her questloner had been
Sabbath school teacher for eighteen years. she
casped her hands with delight and made an
attempt in rapturous maDuer, to speak.
Mss Bridgemau, after the death OF hcr father,
was selfishly deprived of the little property he
left for herself and her mother, aud she con-
tiuues to earn little mosey by the use OF her
needle.
She, however, possesses the interests OF
h,quest Of 81, 900 from the Loring fund. This
lady is feeiug acutoy the death of the noble
man who brought her imprisoned spirit from
chaos. She is living monument OF his devo.
tlon, patience, hope, waiting, watching, and
giving of eyes to the blind AID language to the
dumb lips.
The Emperor of Prussia sent DR.. Howe a
gold medal for his marvellous achievement 10
educating Laura Bridgemap. The attention
of the European world was first drawn to Miss
Bridgcmau's most extraordinary case through
Charles Dickens American Notes, in which
a very full account was given, and deserved
cuogium passed upon DR.. Howe.
Archbishop Wood, of Philadelphia, has re-
ceivod q letter from Cardinal Antone!li an
nouncng the shipment for exhibition at the
Centennial, at the instance of Pope Plus TX,
OF number of objects of art, including two
Msdonss in mosaic. one of Raphael, the other
of Tessoferrato; also two vases of HoWers like.
wise in IL ossic, prepared in the workshop OF the
Vatican establishment. In addition to these
th"r" will be n st Agnes, Virgin and Martyr
IN tapestry, executed at tue Vatican establish.
ment.
promising youth of nino summers in west.
ern Massachusetts recently relieved his over
burdened mind rs follows:
l,nri Of Iowa look 5nup FROM, ahpua