The herald., 1898-12-25
FOR The DEAF MUTfS|
NEW MAGAZINE STARTED SOLE
LYNN THEIR INTEREST
AIMS OF THE PHIL0C0PHUS
Quarterly Publication Whose First
Issue Is Just Out-Story Of the
Original Rock of Ages

With date of the first OF the year the ini
tial number of the "Philocophus, or Deaf
Mute's Friend" an illustrated philanthropc
and literary quarterly magazine, is given to
the public. The venture is launched by
Thomas Widd, himself deaf mute, and one
of the acknowledged leaders of his fellow
unfortunates in this city. The magazine is
a neat thirty-two page illustrated affair,
embracing wide range OF topics, with, OF
course, the principal object OF interesting
the class for whom it is issued.
In his Introductory address Mr.. Widd ex-
plains his objects and hopes as follows:
I'm launching this little magazine for the
benefit of the deaf generally, no promises
are made except that it is intended to print
such matter as will aid in the elevation OF
the religious, moral and intellectual stand
ard of it's readers; to advocate their inter
ests and support their just claims before
the general public as good citizens in the in
dustrial and social world; to bring to their
notice, in simple language, interesting sub
iects of an educational and ennobling char
acter; and to be vehicle by which means
the items of news concerning the deaf in
all parts of the world may reach them. The
aim will always be, as its name implies, a
friend of the deaf.
'"The magazine will also be the organ OF
the Los Angeles Association of the Deaf,
of which the editor is the layreader. 1t
will be circulated among sister associations
wherever known, and exchange with news
papers and magazines published Tor the
deaf in all the English-speaking countries.
1t will also answer in its columns many let
ters received from the deaf in regard to
employment, climate and resources OF
Southern California, and give advice to
those requiring it on such matters.
Among the contributors to the pages OF
Phiocophus will be Mrs. Laura G. Redden
Soaring Howard Glyndon) of Santa Cruz,
Cal, the well known American deaf poet
and writer; W. +. Dean, H. ID. Reaves of
Los Angeles Henry B. Beale. the English
deaf poet; Prof. p. A. Emery of Chicago,
Mrs. Angie Fuller Fischer, the deaf prairie
bard: f. G. Brigden of Toronto, and others
whose names will appear in future issues.
The editor is aware of the uncertainties
and difficulties attending such ventures, and
has during the past half century seen many
such publications started only to meet un-
TIMELY graves. luOsc tudI IetNC SUI NiNSd
are now published at institutions for the
deaf, where printing is taught as trade.
The Deaf Mutes' journal would long ago
have been in the defunct list had it not been
purchased in time by the New York school.
The Rev Samuel Smiths magazine, in Lon
don, with which we had some connection,
did much good, but failed to pay expenses.
Some day it is to be hoped we may see a
wealthy philanthropist take up this field OF
labor of love and give us desirable publ
cation to meet the wants of our class"
AS frontspiece is given a full-page half
tone of the original Rock OF Ages" which,
in the explanatory article, is said to be a
huge ledge of rock on the Blagdon road, in
burlington Coombe, county of Somerset,
England The history of the rock and how
the immortal hymn came to be written is
as follows:
burlington Coombe, deep indenture
in the dark, swelling hill known as Black
Down, which rises to the height of HOO feet
and forms the summit of the Mendip range,
is within easy reach of Blagdon parish
church, the restored tower of which bears
witness to Sir William Henry Wills solic-
itude for objects of archaeological interest.
1t was in burlington Coombe that Toplady
conceived the thought that has immortalized
him There is probably no more beautiful
spot on this side of Cheddar. The road
winds between lofty and in some places pre-
cipitous, slopes, where the gray rock shows
boldly among the bracken. At one point
there is conspicuous crag Of mountain
limestone seventy. ON eighty feet in. height,
a prominent object on the right hand to any
one approaching from the Blagdon road.
Right down the center of this mass of stone
is deep fissure, in the recesses of which
grows many a fern, while on the hillside
around are trees whose stunted growth and
wind-worn appearance tell OF the scanty
soil and the exposed situation.
''In this fssure Toplady took refuge from
the thunderstorm, and it was this cleft
and this rock which suggested the central
idea Of his beautiful hymn. Since the pub
lication of his letter, Sir William has re-
ceived many letters from people, both in
Great Britain and in the United States
anxious to know as much as possible about
Toplady and the Rock of Ages
''The Need of a State School for the Deaf
of Southern California" is treated of in a
well written article in which the "oral'
method of instruction is eluci4ated and
commented upon.
A criticism of the aural and oral methods
of instruction is contributed by veteran
German oralist, j. Heidsick, and the pro-
ceedings of the ninth annual meeting of the
Los Angeles Association for the Deaf are
fully set forth. A description of the pres
ent method of instruction in the public
schools is given, with the result of the work
so far apparent.
Original contributions from Henry D..
Reaves on "What ! Know About Southern
California; and w. L. Dean, who gives
Description of the City of Los Angeles .
comprise one department. As whole the
magazine is readable, bright and helpful
giving promise. of being of inestimable as
sstance to the deaf mutes of this state, and,
in fact, the Pacific coast, in their efforts to-
ward better education of such unfortunates