Morning journal and courier., 1880-04-02
For the Journal and Courier l How DD We Heart

life escape observation. Even the senses, ii
 in healthy state, perform their offices in
 ways SO hidden and painless that no one
 need care for the mode of their operation.
 If, however, mote enters the eye, or the
 hearing becomes impaired we soon learn that
 the process of seeing and hearing is, not to
 speak of their physiological intricacies, far
 less simple than we had supposed. The con-
 parative value of sight and hearing is com
 monly regarded as in favor of sight. But
 this, we apprehend, is because the compari-
 son is usually made between total blindness
 and only impaired hearing; were both total,
 the verdict might be different. Dr. Quito was
 stone dsaf, and out of his experience, in a
 book of considerable size, he demonstrates
 that the common opinion is erroneous; better
 far be blind than utterly deaf.
 When one experiences g sudden impairment
 of hearing he learns many things he never
 before suspected, some of which, though not
 many, are compensatory. He learns first that
 he does not hear by the ear alone. He finds
 that the ear is aided by sight and reason to a
 degree that quite surprises him. This, though
 not observed, is equally true when the organ
 is perfect. It is no less true of sight We
 see with our reason far more than we imagine.
 Not one manuscript for the press in score could be read, nor often a letter in cores pondence, except by the aid of the reasoning faculty. Indeed, without the aid of the req son, both the eye and the ear would constant ly fail us. recent sudden impairment of the hearing, after enjoying it many years, awakens in one some sympathy for others in that condition. and also for the many who must communicate with such, if at all, with great difficulty and small satisfaction. I wish first to say word of public speakers. As in every assembly the unfortunate deaf are found 1n greater or less proportion, it is 8 duty which preachers and all public speak CTS owe to them that they do not violate the rules of good speaking. It is hardly necessary to say that many good sermons and addresses fail of their effect through some fault of delivery; so that if these suggestions tend to more care in this respect, 1t will bene- fit not the deaf alone but all others. The deaf do not ask special favor of public speakers, but only to share with others so far as they are able, the luxury of good elocution. It is often said the deaf do not require loud, but only distinct voice. This is only true in part. The deaf do require more voice than others, though distinctness is all important. But I will specify few things which may fairly be required of 8 speaker, especially of preacher. One is that he speak from the cen traI point of the platform. The habit of per ambulation, addressing the wall now on one side, and now on the other, and now again in the rear, is fatal fault to the deaf and sore vexation to others. No deaf person who has any resources of his own will waste his time in listening to such a speaker. Besides, we venture the remark. the habit Is one of ques- tionable taste, and is seldom induIgsd in except by such as are endowed with grace and a fine physique. An other thing fairly required of 8 public speaker, especially is the suggestion necessary to a preacher who reads his discourses, is, that he shall adapt the volume of his voice to the dimensions of the auditorium and not al- low the lighter tones to fall below that neces- sity. When the voice is lowered, the words should be always uttered slowly and distinct ly. The habit of rushing is very objection able, both to those who do and those who do not enjoy good hearing. The supposed unim- portant words of sentence are frequently slurred over, and sometimes consecutive sen tences which precede climax are sacrificed. It would seem better to write only what is worthy to be distinctly delivered.
 There Is another manner of delivery which may be called the explosive style. This some times proceeds from natural vehemence and sometimes it is cultivated. In either case it is 8 serious blemish fatal to poor hearers and dis tressing to thoughtful audience. Again, a sonorous voice is unfavorable to hearing. It is good quality in trombone, and many man with thin voice has envied his neigh bor's Erich, sonorous voice." But if the thin voice be wisely used, avoiding straining, and speaking naturally, with distinctness, it is far more agreeable than the other. Another very common, is the cultivation of the brogue. This is unfavorable to hearing, and of all puerilities it is the weakest.
 In social intercourse it might be thought that communication with the deaf would soon adjust itself to the best methods. But this is not true even in limited circles like the fami- ly. It is much easier, though not intentional, to let the afflicted member drop out of the circle of conversation, and this often is the case. I have in mind an extreme case of deafness, where only one person in the family can converse with him successfully. It is an interesting sight to see this daughterapproach him with Q message. With an animated coun- tenance which all but speaks, she first engages his attention and then slowly and distinctly, in single word Or two, she announces her subject Seeing that she is understood, she then states her message clearly 1n It's natural order and according to the best rules of syn tax and logic; every sentence sounds like the statement of scientific proposition. It is also Interesting to watch the progress of the message in the countenance and the evidence of her complete success. Fortunate is that person who has one who patiently and lovingly can break the spell of his eternal solitude.
 One of the most important things in con- versing with deaf person is to discover the word or words which he fails to hear and re- peat them. If they occur in sentence, apply the remedy right there never go back to be- gin the sentence, for if you do you will fail again, and besides the useless trouble to your self, it distresses the listener that you should take the trouble to do so, when he only wants 3 single word just then and there at the point of his interruption. A. w..