Who, that has considered the boundless extent, and the paramount importance of the instruction, which his own mind has received, through the medium of his sense of hearing,* can contemplate, without feelings of the most poignant sorrow, the situation of a child, destitute of this most excellent of the Creator's gifts,+- without forming an anxious desire for his relief,-without uttering an ardent prayer, that some means might be discovered, to remedy his defects, or at least to palliate their consequences, and rescue him from that

* The natural ignorance of the Deaf and Dumb is expressed by one, who knew them well, in the following extract:

Degli esseri forniti d'un anima immortale, che render devono conto delle loro operazioni, al Tribunale del Giudice eterno, vivono senza conoscerlo : Son per loro in vano aperti i Sacri Libri; il freno e le consolazioni della Religione sono loro sconosciuti, anzi Religione, Morale, Chiesa, Sacerdoti, Altare, Rivelazione, Anima, Eternita, Paradiso, sono nomi tutti e cose per loro non esistenti. Il loro cuore non viene umiliato giammai dal pensiero della corruzione della propria natura: ne ha provato mai il minimo senso di riconoscenza verso un' amoroso Redentore morto innocente per loro: vinono in somma coll' esteriore soltanto di uomini, ma egualmente all'oscuro della loro condizione, del loro destine, del loro Dio; atti solo alle impressioni corporee e sensibili, che exclusivamente li occupano ed attraggono; esposti cosi al disordine, al delitto, al vizio.

Andare al soccorso de si sfortunate creature, aprir loro la strada, onde di Dio s'is truiscano e de' loro doveri, non e ella una beneficenza, una misericordia replicatamente meritoria ?"

The singular importance of the ear, above the other senses, in connexion with the reception of moral and religious ideas, is thus well stated by Dr. Mitchill." As the human voice is enabled to progagate sounds, with peculiar significations, so the human ear is wonderfully adapted, to receive and comprehend them. The ideas, thus passing from one person to another, may he referred to three heads, Physical, or such as relate to natural things; Ethical, or such as concern accountable beings; and Logical, or such as illustrate the method of reasoning upon the former.

Of the physical or natural class of objects all the senses take cognizance, according to their several capacities: the Sight, the Taste, the Smell, and more especially the Touch concur with the ear, in making man acquainted with the material world; but the Ear possesses an almost exclusive jurisdiction over questions of a moral and dialectic kind. The sentiments of a rational mind, and the duties of an accountable soul, cannot be so well portrayed to the eye, nor subjected to the touch, nor perceived by the palate, nor comprehended by the olfactory nerves. They are destined for another sense. This resides in the auditory organ: Here these momentous communications are received, welcomed and comprehended. So extensive and sovereign is its cognizance, that the ear may be pronounced the door or seat of the moral sense.

The first words, spoken by God to man (Genesis ii. 16, 17.) contained a rule of conduct, and a penalty for the breach of it.

The promulgation of the ten commandments, from the top of Mount Sinai, was by words spoken-(Exodus xx.)

Le Consolazioni della beneficenza al letto di morte d'un Sordo-muto istruito par Il Padre Ottavio Gio: Batta Assarotti; Direttore del Reale Instituto de' Sordo-muti a Genova; con

state of mental destitution, to which he is otherwise devoted?* Such means, I am happy to say, are well known; their application to practical utility easy, their success certain.

The sublimest display of creative wisdom and power, is in the language of the Almighty, himself, answering out of the whirlwind-(Job xxxviii.)

The Prophets and ministers of his will, upon earth, have also employed the voice, in executing their commissions.

They have addressed words, to the ears of the people ;-words as expressive, as they could be made, of precepts, for observance,-and of denunciations, for disobedience.

In like manner the sages and philosophers of antiquity taught by word of mouth. The venerable Jacob, telling his assembled sons, what should befal them in the last days(Genesis xxix. 1.) &c. &c.t

* On the knowledge of the Deaf and Dumb, before instruction, the following contains some observations, with all of which, however, I cannot entirely agree.

"V'ha fra' Filosofi una grande divisione, gli uni ammettendo le idee innate, e gli altri assolutamente e generalmente impugnandole. Io son di quelli che le ammettono, ed in altra occasione piu opportuna ne diro le ragioni. Credo pero che queste idee innate debbano essere coltivate per potersi sviluppare, alla stessa guisa che esistono nell' uomo, appena concepito, i semi tutti vitali, ma pure non si manifestano che dentro assai stretti confini alla sua nascita, ed hanno a trascorrere de' mesi prima che si sviluppino al punto ch' egli abbia idea della propria esistenza, e degli anni prima che l'abbia nella sua giustezza. Quindi sebbene dalle mie speculazioni abbia potuto osservare essere in tutti gli uomini l'idea innata d'un Ente supremo e di un' immortalita, ho pure veduto che quest' istesse idee coltivate producevano la cognizione perfetta e l'amore del primo, su cui e basato l'edifizio augusto della Religione, ed assicuravano per l'altro una felicita od una pena interminabile a seconda della virtu praticata o negletta: laddove se alcuna coltura non si da allo spirito, e null'altra impressione riceve che di esseri corporei e materiali, necessario e che in certo modo materializzi l'idea istessa innata, che nel caso di coltura sarebbesi sviluppata alle piu sublimi astratte e spirituali cognizioni, Quindi rigetto onninamente l'opinione capricciosa di coloro, che lusingati dall' imitazione che fanno i Sordomuti non istruiti de tutte le attitudini, de tutte le azioni e pratiche esteriori del culto, azzardano de supporre in loro un esatto sentimento di Religione e di pieta; ne so tollerare che il Sig: Scagliotti, malgrado la francezza delle sue decisioni alla turca, non abbia anche deciso di questa, ch'ei lascia problematicamente irresoluta; novella prova ch' egli non ha studiati i Sordomuti quando s'e dato premura di stampare de' (Cenni storici.

Non la pensano cosi certamente ben altre persone, quali a non supporle ignoranti del tutto, bisogna pensare ammettano che tutte indistintamente le idee siano innate. A questa classe devono certamente appartenere i protagonisti de' seguenti fatti accaduti nella mia patria, de' quali potrei dire i nomi, se il farlo fosse compatibile colla carita cristiana.

Un giorno che nel 1804 il nostro P. Assarotti, immortale Institutore de' Sordomuti passava con alcuni de' suoi allievi per una della pubbliche strade della citta, s'incontro con uno di que' Parrochi di essa, che erano reputati tra' piu distinti. Questi se gli fece vicino, e chiestolo di che si occupassero que' giovanni, e con quale successo, passo tosto ad informarlo che egli aveva nel distretto della sua cura uno di questi sgraziati, al quale

+A Discourse, &c. &c. by Honorable Samuel L. Mitchill, M.D. New York, 1818. p. 13, 14. B

In earliest infancy, the Deaf-mute differs not, apparently, from other children of the same age; he learns of course, as well as they, to recognise the features of her, who ministers to him, with the solicitous and tender care of a mother, all the few and simple, but to him luxurious, pleasures, that he can yet enjoy; and soon returns smile for smile, looks of gratitude for every fresh endeavour to please, by newly granted enjoyments, or newly invented amusements: Perhaps, sooner than others, is he able, to read the indication of her hand, to interpret the expressive signal of her eye; he obeys the commanding look immediately, he answers instantly the inquiring countenance. Whenever parental joy melts amministrava egli stesso i santi sacramenti della Penitenza ed Eucaristia. A questa nuova aggiunse l'altra di certo piu interessante, che in quanto a lui candidamente confessava di non intendere punto ne pocó quel che gli ségnava il suo ragazzo, e che poi non sapeva di essere inteso quando a lui gestiva egli stesso. Una tal maniera di' procedere deve certo essere basata sulle' intima convinzione dell' esistenza delle idee innate estesa anche a tutto cio che riguardo lo spirito della religioné rivelata in tutti i suoi punti: altrimente bisognerebbe credere che quel respettabile Ecclesiastico fosse o montecatto del tutto o crassamente ignorante o empio in supremo; supposizioni ingiuriose, che amo meglio di rigettare dalla mia immaginazione al solo loro apparirvi.

Un affare di più fresca data e occorso nel corrente 1813 in uno nostro stabilimento di Beneficenza, e mi e stato comunicato da persona superiore ad ogni eccezione. Cadde inferma una ragazza Sordomuta di circa 14 anni, che a favore d'una certa naturale vivacita mostrava una facile intelligenza per le cose sensibili ed esteriori. La malattia crebbe, ed il Professore Medico fu interpellato da un Ecclesiastico e da una Religiosa assistente sulla gravita di essa, avanzando la necessita di somministrarle i soccorsi della religione, quando questa fosse pericolosa. 11 Medico, il quale riscuoté la bella reputazione d'uomo religioso senza fanatismo, di persona istruita senza pretensione, e di Professore vigilante, rispose, colla buona maniera a lùi propria, ehe la malattia aveva del pericoloso; ma che in quanto all' amministrarle i sacri misteri, egli era d'opinione che cio non potesse farsi, trattandosi d'una raggazza che mai aveva potuto apprendere cosa fossero questi Sacramenti, qual ne fosse la materia, da che ne nascesse il bisogno, qual cosa ne costituisse l'essenza, he quali effetti fossero essi destinati a produrre în chi li riceveva. 11 crederebbe il lettore ? Una riflessione tale gli merito i rimbrotti, le piccature e l' esecrazione di quelle persone addette al servizio del culto; ed ebbe buono di poter accomodare la sua asserzione dicendo che con cio intendeva dare il suo sentimento, ma che poi il tutto a loro si aspettava, che piu di lui, per istato, conoscere dovevano la religione ed i suoi principj. Non ammetteran eglino adunque (sempre a risparmio d'ingiuriose ipotesi) che tutte indistintamente le idee fossero innate? Si osservi che questa stessa ragazza era stata diretta' qualche tempo prima allo stabilimento de' Sordomuti, perche il P. Assarotti esaminasse se erai capace de' Sacramenti. A lui neppure fu presentata, perche la maestre delle zitelle di quell' insigne stabilimento avendole dato qualche prova la rinvennero intieramente sfornita di tutte quelle conoscenze, che sono indispensabilmente richieste in chi deve passare” ad atti di tanta importanza, è quindi disingannarono chi loro la presentava, asserendo che prima dovevasi sottommettere ad una regolare istruzione. All'istruzioe non fa sottoposta ́ ed il succitato caso occorse ben presto al Medico."❤

Osservazioni all' opuscolo, "Cenni Storici, sulle Instituzioni de' Sordi-muti e de' Ciechi. Tarino 1823," in forma di lettera da G. G. E.LOBESIO, Genovese, indirezzate all'autore Signor Giovanni Battista Scagliotti, Institutore di Sordi-muti e di Ciechi in Torino. Nizza,dalla Stamperia della Societa Tipografica, con permiselone. 8vo. p. 48. vide p. 33. Annotazione (2.)

in her fond eye, or flushes in her admiring countenance, his dancing eyes brighten instantly responsive, and his roseate cheek glows, in innocent infantine beauty, with a deeper red. And thus the fond parent, who sometimes may hear him utter the exclamation of pleasure and of joy, or the cry of pain,—the simple untaught language of the passions,-does not as yet probably even suspect the existence of such a cruel defect, in her beloved charge. She has not noticed, that the loudest noises strike on his ear unheeded, and never either disturb his plays or shorten his repose: And when at length she does remark this, maternal affection, and maternal hope, unwilling to suspect any thing, which it would be painful to believe, invent a thousand explanations:-But the true one remains concealed :--And thus, long,-sometimes for several years, (as I have myself known,) is deferred the irrefragable conviction of the truth of these distressing suspicions. But they cannot long remain mere suspicions,-Doubt becomes certainty.-Poor widowed wretch, thou shalt never hear the voice of thy child, or if his accents do ever salute thine anxiously expectant ears, it shall only be to tell thee of his sufferings, to warn thee of his pains :-it shall be only in sickness, by the muttering moan of anxiety, it shall be only in death, by the piercing shriek of agony.

I know a mother, a tender amiable young mother, who at this very moment, that I am speaking to you, is deceived as to the deafness of her' infant; the first-born son of her youthful love. Yes, she is still deceived--Oh! long, long may the fond delusion last, and late may she awake from her illusive dream of happiness! But she will soon be awakened, much too soon alas, for her future peace'; for it is more than probable, that her only child is deaf.-If even you and I shudder, at the very thought of all that she will undergo, when every hope is finally abandoned; what will be to her the sad reality!—Never shall her infant hear, as you and I have done, the voice of maternal love. Unknown to him will the accents of affection issue from a parent's breast. No matin salutation shall await him each morn at his awaking; no vesper blessing shall distil unto his ear each eve, as he retires to rest. No nurse's soothing song shall ever pacify his fears, or beguile his pains. For him even his mother's lullaby has no melody. Uselessly shall the cradle hymn be warbled over his couch. Oh! think of the feelings of a mother, speaking and singing to her deaf offspring, who finds, that every effort to be heard is vain. "This is afflicting enough, but this is not the whole; for she recollects, that not one single sentiment of morality, piety, or duty can be thus conveyed."*

The disappointments of our childhood pressed but lightly on our bosoms; the sun then but seldom went down upon our sorrow. Playfully pleased with the present, we scarcely ever anticipated aught gloomy in futurity; but fondly hoped, that each succeeding moon, that rose upon us, would at least,

A Discourse, &c. by Hon. Samuel L. Mitchill, M.D, New-York, 1818. 8vo. p. 18.

bring with it joys as grateful, and perhaps some pleasures, more sweet, than those we were then enjoying.

The light gossamer down of a thistle, wafted by a gentle breeze of summer across the smoothened surface of the ocean; scarcely dipping its plumy wings in the water, as it skims over the sea, scarcely moistening its feathery fibres in the wave, as it rolls along it's course :-Such is the resemblance of the sorrows of our childhood;-They lightly pass across a face unruffled;-they swiftly glide over an unfurrowed brow ;-they never dip deeper than the surface ;"they quickly make unto themselves wings, and fly away."

Fully occupied too, in our boyhood,* with the passing moments, the tears of the by-past year, or day, or even hour, found no place in our recollection; or, if remembered, served but to enhance our possessions, or to point and en

*The following extracts, from an essay on the state of the Deaf and Dumb by nature, from the pen of an instructed Deaf mute, cannot but be interesting.

"An essay on the general state of the Deaf and Dumb, by a lad born in that state, who left the School about three years ago, having gone through the usual course of education."

"It is indeed almost beyond my imbecile powers of language, to treat upon the state of the Deaf and Dumb, which is a very interesting subject for the philosophers; and though I wish to see this subject treated upon by abler pens than mine, yet, I cannot forbear from offering a few observations upon the subject, as far as the narrow limits of my mind will allow. The state of the Deaf and Dumb, will, upon mature consideration, be found perhaps the most unfortunate of all human calamities. That most penetrating judge of human nature, Dr. Johnson, justly calls it "one of the most desperate of human calamities."For the use of hearing is one of the greatest blessings, which it has pleased Providence to confer on man, without which human society can scarcely exist. Even the deprivation of sight is barely to be compared to it; for the eye is useless amidst darkness, and cannot carry its observation through the bolted door, or closed window shutters; but the ear admits its intelligence, through the darkest medium and minutest cranny. This shews the great importance of the sense of hearing, by which the greater part of mankind enjoys the intellectual pleasures of conversation, music, &c. of which the Deaf and Dumb are deprived.

Let every reflecting man reflect upon the isolated situation of the Deaf and Dumb. Does he not find, that they are deprived of the common organs of communication, which enable man to express his wishes, fears, &c. excluded from the enjoyments of rational beings, which is the great object of human society; and reduced to the situation of mutes, in a dreadful state of ignorance and supineness, which renders them unworthy of being members of society? Such is the lamentable state of the Deaf and Dumb.

But, thank God! there is an art, which is the means of rescuing them from the dreadful state of savageism, in which nature places them-The art of instructing the Deaf and Dumb. In their savage state they have no mind. Their employments, wishes, fears, &c. are guided by mere instinct. But in the course of time their uncultivated minds are ripened into mental civilization, and at length they become rational beings. They look back on their dreadful state with horror and wonder, and reflect with inexpressible pleasure and gratitude upon the blessings of education."+