第3章
Goodorder，cleanliness，andcomfort，pervadedeverycornerofthebuilding。Thevariousclasses，whoweregatheredroundtheirteachers，answeredthequestionsputtothemwithreadinessandintelligence，andinaspiritofcheerfulcontestforprecedencewhichpleasedmeverymuch。Thosewhowereatplay，weregleesomeandnoisyasotherchildren。Morespiritualandaffectionatefriendshipsappearedtoexistamongthem，thanwouldbefoundamongotheryoungpersonssufferingundernodeprivation；butthisI
expectedandwaspreparedtofind。ItisapartofthegreatschemeofHeaven"smercifulconsiderationfortheafflicted。
Inaportionofthebuilding，setapartforthatpurpose，arework-
shopsforblindpersonswhoseeducationisfinished，andwhohaveacquiredatrade，butwhocannotpursueitinanordinarymanufactorybecauseoftheirdeprivation。Severalpeoplewereatworkhere；makingbrushes，mattresses，andsoforth；andthecheerfulness，industry，andgoodorderdiscernibleineveryotherpartofthebuilding，extendedtothisdepartmentalso。
Ontheringingofabell，thepupilsallrepaired，withoutanyguideorleader，toaspaciousmusic-hall，wheretheytooktheirseatsinanorchestraerectedforthatpurpose，andlistenedwithmanifestdelighttoavoluntaryontheorgan，playedbyoneofthemselves。Atitsconclusion，theperformer，aboyofnineteenortwenty，gaveplacetoagirl；andtoheraccompanimenttheyallsangahymn，andafterwardsasortofchorus。Itwasverysadtolookuponandhearthem，happythoughtheirconditionunquestionablywas；andIsawthatoneblindgirl，who(beingforthetimedeprivedoftheuseofherlimbs，byillness)satclosebesidemewithherfacetowardsthem，weptsilentlythewhileshelistened。
Itisstrangetowatchthefacesoftheblind，andseehowfreetheyarefromallconcealmentofwhatispassingintheirthoughts；
observingwhich，amanwitheyesmayblushtocontemplatethemaskhewears。Allowingforoneshadeofanxiousexpressionwhichisneverabsentfromtheircountenances，andthelikeofwhichwemayreadilydetectinourownfacesifwetrytofeelourwayinthedark，everyidea，asitriseswithinthem，isexpressedwiththelightning"sspeedandnature"struth。Ifthecompanyatarout，ordrawing-roomatcourt，couldonlyforonetimebeasunconsciousoftheeyesuponthemasblindmenandwomenare，whatsecretswouldcomeout，andwhataworkerofhypocrisythissight，thelossofwhichwesomuchpity，wouldappeartobe!
ThethoughtoccurredtomeasIsatdowninanotherroom，beforeagirl，blind，deaf，anddumb；destituteofsmell；andnearlysooftaste:beforeafairyoungcreaturewitheveryhumanfaculty，andhope，andpowerofgoodnessandaffection，inclosedwithinherdelicateframe，andbutoneoutwardsense-thesenseoftouch。
Thereshewas，beforeme；builtup，asitwere，inamarblecell，impervioustoanyrayoflight，orparticleofsound；withherpoorwhitehandpeepingthroughachinkinthewall，beckoningtosomegoodmanforhelp，thatanImmortalsoulmightbeawakened。
LongbeforeIlookeduponher，thehelphadcome。Herfacewasradiantwithintelligenceandpleasure。Herhair，braidedbyherownhands，wasboundaboutahead，whoseintellectualcapacityanddevelopmentwerebeautifullyexpressedinitsgracefuloutline，anditsbroadopenbrow；herdress，arrangedbyherself，wasapatternofneatnessandsimplicity；theworkshehadknitted，laybesideher；herwriting-bookwasonthedesksheleanedupon-Fromthemournfulruinofsuchbereavement，therehadslowlyrisenupthisgentle，tender，guileless，grateful-heartedbeing。
Likeotherinmatesofthathouse，shehadagreenribbonboundroundhereyelids。Adollshehaddressedlaynearupontheground。Itookitup，andsawthatshehadmadeagreenfilletsuchassheworeherself，andfasteneditaboutitsmimiceyes。
Shewasseatedinalittleenclosure，madebyschool-desksandforms，writingherdailyjournal。Butsoonfinishingthispursuit，sheengagedinananimatedconversationwithateacherwhosatbesideher。Thiswasafavouritemistresswiththepoorpupil。Ifshecouldseethefaceofherfairinstructress，shewouldnotloveherless，Iamsure。
Ihaveextractedafewdisjointedfragmentsofherhistory，fromanaccount，writtenbythatonemanwhohasmadeherwhatsheis。Itisaverybeautifulandtouchingnarrative；andIwishIcouldpresentitentire。
HernameisLauraBridgman。"ShewasborninHanover，NewHampshire，onthetwenty-firstofDecember，1829。Sheisdescribedashavingbeenaverysprightlyandprettyinfant，withbrightblueeyes。Shewas，however，sopunyandfeebleuntilshewasayearandahalfold，thatherparentshardlyhopedtorearher。Shewassubjecttoseverefits，whichseemedtorackherframealmostbeyondherpowerofendurance:andlifewasheldbythefeeblesttenure:butwhenayearandahalfold，sheseemedtorally；thedangeroussymptomssubsided；andattwentymonthsold，shewasperfectlywell。
"Thenhermentalpowers，hithertostintedintheirgrowth，rapidlydevelopedthemselves；andduringthefourmonthsofhealthwhichsheenjoyed，sheappears(makingdueallowanceforafondmother"saccount)tohavedisplayedaconsiderabledegreeofintelligence。
"Butsuddenlyshesickenedagain；herdiseaseragedwithgreatviolenceduringfiveweeks，whenhereyesandearswereinflamed，suppurated，andtheircontentsweredischarged。Butthoughsightandhearingweregoneforever，thepoorchild"ssufferingswerenotended。Thefeverragedduringsevenweeks；forfivemonthsshewaskeptinbedinadarkenedroom；itwasayearbeforeshecouldwalkunsupported，andtwoyearsbeforeshecouldsitupallday。
Itwasnowobservedthathersenseofsmellwasalmostentirelydestroyed；and，consequently，thathertastewasmuchblunted。
"Itwasnotuntilfouryearsofagethatthepoorchild"sbodilyhealthseemedrestored，andshewasabletoenteruponherapprenticeshipoflifeandtheworld。
"Butwhatasituationwashers!Thedarknessandthesilenceofthetombwerearoundher:nomother"ssmilecalledforthheransweringsmile，nofather"svoicetaughthertoimitatehissounds:-they，brothersandsisters，werebutformsofmatterwhichresistedhertouch，butwhichdifferednotfromthefurnitureofthehouse，saveinwarmth，andinthepoweroflocomotion；andnotevenintheserespectsfromthedogandthecat。
"Buttheimmortalspiritwhichhadbeenimplantedwithinhercouldnotdie，norbemaimednormutilated；andthoughmostofitsavenuesofcommunicationwiththeworldwerecutoff，itbegantomanifestitselfthroughtheothers。Assoonasshecouldwalk，shebegantoexploretheroom，andthenthehouse；shebecamefamiliarwiththeform，density，weight，andheat，ofeveryarticleshecouldlayherhandsupon。Shefollowedhermother，andfeltherhandsandarms，asshewasoccupiedaboutthehouse；andherdispositiontoimitate，ledhertorepeateverythingherself。Sheevenlearnedtosewalittle，andtoknit。"
Thereaderwillscarcelyneedtobetold，however，thattheopportunitiesofcommunicatingwithher，werevery，verylimited；
andthatthemoraleffectsofherwretchedstatesoonbegantoappear。Thosewhocannotbeenlightenedbyreason，canonlybecontrolledbyforce；andthis，coupledwithhergreatprivations，mustsoonhavereducedhertoaworseconditionthanthatofthebeaststhatperish，butfortimelyandunhoped-foraid。
"Atthistime，Iwassofortunateastohearofthechild，andimmediatelyhastenedtoHanovertoseeher。Ifoundherwithawell-formedfigure；astrongly-marked，nervous-sanguinetemperament；alargeandbeautifully-shapedhead；andthewholesysteminhealthyaction。TheparentswereeasilyinducedtoconsenttohercomingtoBoston，andonthe4thofOctober，1837，theybroughthertotheInstitution。
"Forawhile，shewasmuchbewildered；andafterwaitingabouttwoweeks，untilshebecameacquaintedwithhernewlocality，andsomewhatfamiliarwiththeinmates，theattemptwasmadetogiveherknowledgeofarbitrarysigns，bywhichshecouldinterchangethoughtswithothers。
"Therewasoneoftwowaystobeadopted:eithertogoontobuildupalanguageofsignsonthebasisofthenaturallanguagewhichshehadalreadycommencedherself，ortoteachherthepurelyarbitrarylanguageincommonuse:thatis，togiveherasignforeveryindividualthing，ortogiveheraknowledgeoflettersbycombinationofwhichshemightexpressherideaoftheexistence，andthemodeandconditionofexistence，ofanything。Theformerwouldhavebeeneasy，butveryineffectual；thelatterseemedverydifficult，but，ifaccomplished，veryeffectual。Ideterminedthereforetotrythelatter。
"Thefirstexperimentsweremadebytakingarticlesincommonuse，suchasknives，forks，spoons，keys，&c。，andpastinguponthemlabelswiththeirnamesprintedinraisedletters。Theseshefeltverycarefully，andsoon，ofcourse，distinguishedthatthecrookedlinesSPOON，differedasmuchfromthecrookedlinesKEY，asthespoondifferedfromthekeyinform。
"Thensmalldetachedlabels，withthesamewordsprinteduponthem，wereputintoherhands；andshesoonobservedthattheyweresimilartotheonespastedonthearticles。"SheshowedherperceptionofthissimilaritybylayingthelabelKEYuponthekey，andthelabelSPOONuponthespoon。Shewasencouragedherebythenaturalsignofapprobation，pattingonthehead。
"Thesameprocesswasthenrepeatedwithallthearticleswhichshecouldhandle；andsheveryeasilylearnedtoplacetheproperlabelsuponthem。Itwasevident，however，thattheonlyintellectualexercisewasthatofimitationandmemory。SherecollectedthatthelabelBOOKwasplaceduponabook，andsherepeatedtheprocessfirstfromimitation，nextfrommemory，withonlythemotiveofloveofapprobation，butapparentlywithouttheintellectualperceptionofanyrelationbetweenthethings。
"Afterawhile，insteadoflabels，theindividuallettersweregiventoherondetachedbitsofpaper:theywerearrangedsidebysidesoastospellBOOK，KEY，&c。；thentheyweremixedupinaheapandasignwasmadeforhertoarrangethemherselfsoastoexpressthewordsBOOK，KEY，&c。；andshedidso。
"Hitherto，theprocesshadbeenmechanical，andthesuccessaboutasgreatasteachingaveryknowingdogavarietyoftricks。Thepoorchildhadsatinmuteamazement，andpatientlyimitatedeverythingherteacherdid；butnowthetruthbegantoflashuponher:herintellectbegantowork:sheperceivedthatherewasawaybywhichshecouldherselfmakeupasignofanythingthatwasinherownmind，andshowittoanothermind；andatoncehercountenancelightedupwithahumanexpression:itwasnolongeradog，orparrot:itwasanimmortalspirit，eagerlyseizinguponanewlinkofunionwithotherspirits!Icouldalmostfixuponthemomentwhenthistruthdawneduponhermind，andspreaditslighttohercountenance；Isawthatthegreatobstaclewasovercome；andthathenceforwardnothingbutpatientandpersevering，butplainandstraightforward，effortsweretobeused。
"Theresultthusfar，isquicklyrelated，andeasilyconceived；butnotsowastheprocess；formanyweeksofapparentlyunprofitablelabourwerepassedbeforeitwaseffected。
"Whenitwassaidabovethatasignwasmade，itwasintendedtosay，thattheactionwasperformedbyherteacher，shefeelinghishands，andthenimitatingthemotion。
"Thenextstepwastoprocureasetofmetaltypes，withthedifferentlettersofthealphabetcastupontheirends；alsoaboard，inwhichweresquareholes，intowhichholesshecouldsetthetypes；sothatthelettersontheirendscouldalonebefeltabovethesurface。
"Then，onanyarticlebeinghandedtoher，forinstance，apencil，orawatch，shewouldselectthecomponentletters，andarrangethemonherboard，andreadthemwithapparentpleasure。
"Shewasexercisedforseveralweeksinthisway，untilhervocabularybecameextensive；andthentheimportantstepwastakenofteachingherhowtorepresentthedifferentlettersbythepositionofherfingers，insteadofthecumbrousapparatusoftheboardandtypes。Sheaccomplishedthisspeedilyandeasily，forherintellecthadbeguntoworkinaidofherteacher，andherprogresswasrapid。
"Thiswastheperiod，aboutthreemonthsaftershehadcommenced，thatthefirstreportofhercasewasmade，inwhichitwasstatedthat"shehasjustlearnedthemanualalphabet，asusedbythedeafmutes，anditisasubjectofdelightandwondertoseehowrapidly，correctly，andeagerly，shegoesonwithherlabours。Herteachergivesheranewobject，forinstance，apencil，firstletsherexamineit，andgetanideaofitsuse，thenteachesherhowtospellitbymakingthesignsfortheletterswithherownfingers:
thechildgraspsherhand，andfeelsherfingers，asthedifferentlettersareformed；sheturnsherheadalittleononesidelikeapersonlisteningclosely；herlipsareapart；sheseemsscarcelytobreathe；andhercountenance，atfirstanxious，graduallychangestoasmile，asshecomprehendsthelesson。Shethenholdsuphertinyfingers，andspellsthewordinthemanualalphabet；next，shetakeshertypesandarrangesherletters；andlast，tomakesurethatsheisright，shetakesthewholeofthetypescomposingtheword，andplacesthemuponorincontactwiththepencil，orwhatevertheobjectmaybe。"
"Thewholeofthesucceedingyearwaspassedingratifyinghereagerinquiriesforthenamesofeveryobjectwhichshecouldpossiblyhandle；inexercisingherintheuseofthemanualalphabet；inextendingineverypossiblewayherknowledgeofthephysicalrelationsofthings；andinpropercareofherhealth。
"Attheendoftheyearareportofhercasewasmade，fromwhichthefollowingisanextract。
""Ithasbeenascertainedbeyondthepossibilityofdoubt，thatshecannotseearayoflight，cannotheartheleastsound，andneverexerciseshersenseofsmell，ifshehaveany。Thusherminddwellsindarknessandstillness，asprofoundasthatofaclosedtombatmidnight。Ofbeautifulsights，andsweetsounds，andpleasantodours，shehasnoconception；nevertheless，sheseemsashappyandplayfulasabirdoralamb；andtheemploymentofherintellectualfaculties，ortheacquirementofanewidea，givesheravividpleasure，whichisplainlymarkedinherexpressivefeatures。Sheneverseemstorepine，buthasallthebuoyancyandgaietyofchildhood。Sheisfondoffunandfrolic，andwhenplayingwiththerestofthechildren，hershrilllaughsoundsloudestofthegroup。
""Whenleftalone，sheseemsveryhappyifshehaveherknittingorsewing，andwillbusyherselfforhours；ifshehavenooccupation，sheevidentlyamusesherselfbyimaginarydialogues，orbyrecallingpastimpressions；shecountswithherfingers，orspellsoutnamesofthingswhichshehasrecentlylearned，inthemanualalphabetofthedeafmutes。Inthislonelyself-communionsheseemstoreason，reflect，andargue；ifshespellawordwrongwiththefingersofherrighthand，sheinstantlystrikesitwithherleft，asherteacherdoes，insignofdisapprobation；ifright，thenshepatsherselfuponthehead，andlookspleased。Shesometimespurposelyspellsawordwrongwiththelefthand，looksroguishforamomentandlaughs，andthenwiththerighthandstrikestheleft，asiftocorrectit。
""Duringtheyearshehasattainedgreatdexterityintheuseofthemanualalphabetofthedeafmutes；andshespellsoutthewordsandsentenceswhichsheknows，sofastandsodeftly，thatonlythoseaccustomedtothislanguagecanfollowwiththeeyetherapidmotionsofherfingers。
""Butwonderfulasistherapiditywithwhichshewritesherthoughtsupontheair，stillmoresoistheeaseandaccuracywithwhichshereadsthewordsthuswrittenbyanother；graspingtheirhandsinhers，andfollowingeverymovementoftheirfingers，asletterafterletterconveystheirmeaningtohermind。Itisinthiswaythatsheconverseswithherblindplaymates，andnothingcanmoreforciblyshowthepowerofmindinforcingmattertoitspurposethanameetingbetweenthem。Forifgreattalentandskillarenecessaryfortwopantomimestopainttheirthoughtsandfeelingsbythemovementsofthebody，andtheexpressionofthecountenance，howmuchgreaterthedifficultywhendarknessshroudsthemboth，andtheonecanhearnosound。
""WhenLauraiswalkingthroughapassage-way，withherhandsspreadbeforeher，sheknowsinstantlyeveryoneshemeets，andpassesthemwithasignofrecognition:butifitbeagirlofherownage，andespeciallyifitbeoneofherfavourites，thereisinstantlyabrightsmileofrecognition，atwiningofarms，agraspingofhands，andaswifttelegraphinguponthetinyfingers；
whoserapidevolutionsconveythethoughtsandfeelingsfromtheoutpostsofonemindtothoseoftheother。Therearequestionsandanswers，exchangesofjoyorsorrow，therearekissingsandpartings，justasbetweenlittlechildrenwithalltheirsenses。"
"Duringthisyear，andsixmonthsaftershehadlefthome，hermothercametovisither，andthesceneoftheirmeetingwasaninterestingone。
"Themotherstoodsometime，gazingwithoverflowingeyesuponherunfortunatechild，who，allunconsciousofherpresence，wasplayingabouttheroom。PresentlyLauraranagainsther，andatoncebeganfeelingherhands，examiningherdress，andtryingtofindoutifsheknewher；butnotsucceedinginthis，sheturnedawayasfromastranger，andthepoorwomancouldnotconcealthepangshefelt，atfindingthatherbelovedchilddidnotknowher。
"ShethengaveLauraastringofbeadswhichsheusedtowearathome，whichwererecognisedbythechildatonce，who，withmuchjoy，putthemaroundherneck，andsoughtmeeagerlytosaysheunderstoodthestringwasfromherhome。
"Themothernowsoughttocaressher，butpoorLaurarepelledher，preferringtobewithheracquaintances。
"Anotherarticlefromhomewasnowgivenher，andshebegantolookmuchinterested；sheexaminedthestrangermuchcloser，andgavemetounderstandthatsheknewshecamefromHanover；sheevenenduredhercaresses，butwouldleaveherwithindifferenceattheslightestsignal。Thedistressofthemotherwasnowpainfultobehold；for，althoughshehadfearedthatsheshouldnotberecognised，thepainfulrealityofbeingtreatedwithcoldindifferencebyadarlingchild，wastoomuchforwoman"snaturetobear。
"Afterawhile，onthemothertakingholdofheragain，avagueideaseemedtoflitacrossLaura"smind，thatthiscouldnotbeastranger；shethereforefeltherhandsveryeagerly，whilehercountenanceassumedanexpressionofintenseinterest；shebecameverypale；andthensuddenlyred；hopeseemedstrugglingwithdoubtandanxiety，andneverwerecontendingemotionsmorestronglypainteduponthehumanface:atthismomentofpainfuluncertainty，themotherdrewherclosetoherside，andkissedherfondly，whenatoncethetruthflasheduponthechild，andallmistrustandanxietydisappearedfromherface，aswithanexpressionofexceedingjoysheeagerlynestledtothebosomofherparent，andyieldedherselftoherfondembraces。
"Afterthis，thebeadswereallunheeded；theplaythingswhichwereofferedtoherwereutterlydisregarded；herplaymates，forwhombutamomentbeforeshegladlyleftthestranger，nowvainlystrovetopullherfromhermother；andthoughsheyieldedherusualinstantaneousobediencetomysignaltofollowme，itwasevidentlywithpainfulreluctance。Sheclungclosetome，asifbewilderedandfearful；andwhen，afteramoment，Itookhertohermother，shesprangtoherarms，andclungtoherwitheagerjoy。
"Thesubsequentpartingbetweenthem，showedaliketheaffection，theintelligence，andtheresolutionofthechild。
"Lauraaccompaniedhermothertothedoor，clingingclosetoheralltheway，untiltheyarrivedatthethreshold，whereshepaused，andfeltaround，toascertainwhowasnearher。Perceivingthematron，ofwhomsheisveryfond，shegraspedherwithonehand，holdingonconvulsivelytohermotherwiththeother；andthusshestoodforamoment:thenshedroppedhermother"shand；putherhandkerchieftohereyes；andturninground，clungsobbingtothematron；whilehermotherdeparted，withemotionsasdeepasthoseofherchild。
"Ithasbeenremarkedinformerreports，thatshecandistinguishdifferentdegreesofintellectinothers，andthatshesoonregarded，almostwithcontempt，anew-comer，when，afterafewdays，shediscoveredherweaknessofmind。Thisunamiablepartofhercharacterhasbeenmorestronglydevelopedduringthepastyear。
"Shechoosesforherfriendsandcompanions，thosechildrenwhoareintelligent，andcantalkbestwithher；andsheevidentlydislikestobewiththosewhoaredeficientinintellect，unless，indeed，shecanmakethemserveherpurposes，whichsheisevidentlyinclinedtodo。Shetakesadvantageofthem，andmakesthemwaituponher，inamannerthatsheknowsshecouldnotexactofothers；
andinvariouswaysshowsherSaxonblood。
"Sheisfondofhavingotherchildrennoticedandcaressedbytheteachers，andthosewhomsherespects；butthismustnotbecarriedtoofar，orshebecomesjealous。Shewantstohavehershare，which，ifnotthelion"s，isthegreaterpart；andifshedoesnotgetit，shesays，"MYMOTHERWILLLOVEME。"
"Hertendencytoimitationissostrong，thatitleadshertoactionswhichmustbeentirelyincomprehensibletoher，andwhichcangivehernootherpleasurethanthegratificationofaninternalfaculty。Shehasbeenknowntositforhalfanhour，holdingabookbeforehersightlesseyes，andmovingherlips，asshehasobservedseeingpeopledowhenreading。
"Sheonedaypretendedthatherdollwassick；andwentthroughallthemotionsoftendingit，andgivingitmedicine；shethenputitcarefullytobed，andplacedabottleofhotwatertoitsfeet，laughingallthetimemostheartily。WhenIcamehome，sheinsisteduponmygoingtoseeit，andfeelitspulse；andwhenI
toldhertoputablisteronitsback，sheseemedtoenjoyitamazingly，andalmostscreamedwithdelight。
"Hersocialfeelings，andheraffections，areverystrong；andwhensheissittingatwork，oratherstudies，bythesideofoneofherlittlefriends，shewillbreakofffromhertaskeveryfewmoments，tohugandkissthemwithanearnestnessandwarmththatistouchingtobehold。
"Whenleftalone，sheoccupiesandapparentlyamusesherself，andseemsquitecontented；andsostrongseemstobethenaturaltendencyofthoughttoputonthegarboflanguage，thatsheoftensoliloquizesintheFINGERLANGUAGE，slowandtediousasitis。
Butitisonlywhenalone，thatsheisquiet:forifshebecomessensibleofthepresenceofanyonenearher，sheisrestlessuntilshecansitclosebesidethem，holdtheirhand，andconversewiththembysigns。
"Inherintellectualcharacteritispleasingtoobserveaninsatiablethirstforknowledge，andaquickperceptionoftherelationsofthings。Inhermoralcharacter，itisbeautifultobeholdhercontinualgladness，herkeenenjoymentofexistence，herexpansivelove，herunhesitatingconfidence，hersympathywithsuffering，herconscientiousness，truthfulness，andhopefulness。"
SuchareafewfragmentsfromthesimplebutmostinterestingandinstructivehistoryofLauraBridgman。Thenameofhergreatbenefactorandfriend，whowritesit，isDr。Howe。Therearenotmanypersons，Ihopeandbelieve，who，afterreadingthesepassages，caneverhearthatnamewithindifference。
AfurtheraccounthasbeenpublishedbyDr。Howe，sincethereportfromwhichIhavejustquoted。Itdescribesherrapidmentalgrowthandimprovementduringtwelvemonthsmore，andbringsherlittlehistorydowntotheendoflastyear。Itisveryremarkable，thataswedreaminwords，andcarryonimaginaryconversations，inwhichwespeakbothforourselvesandfortheshadowswhoappeartousinthosevisionsofthenight，soshe，havingnowords，usesherfingeralphabetinhersleep。Andithasbeenascertainedthatwhenherslumberisbroken，andismuchdisturbedbydreams，sheexpressesherthoughtsinanirregularandconfusedmanneronherfingers:justasweshouldmurmurandmutterthemindistinctly，inthelikecircumstances。
IturnedovertheleavesofherDiary，andfounditwritteninafairlegiblesquarehand，andexpressedintermswhichwerequiteintelligiblewithoutanyexplanation。OnmysayingthatIshouldliketoseeherwriteagain，theteacherwhosatbesideher，badeher，intheirlanguage，signhernameuponaslipofpaper，twiceorthrice。Indoingso，Iobservedthatshekeptherlefthandalwaystouching，andfollowingup，herright，inwhich，ofcourse，sheheldthepen。Nolinewasindicatedbyanycontrivance，butshewrotestraightandfreely。
Shehad，untilnow，beenquiteunconsciousofthepresenceofvisitors；but，havingherhandplacedinthatofthegentlemanwhoaccompaniedme，sheimmediatelyexpressedhisnameuponherteacher"spalm。Indeedhersenseoftouchisnowsoexquisite，thathavingbeenacquaintedwithapersononce，shecanrecognisehimorherafteralmostanyinterval。Thisgentlemanhadbeeninhercompany，Ibelieve，butveryseldom，andcertainlyhadnotseenherformanymonths。Myhandsherejectedatonce，asshedoesthatofanymanwhoisastrangertoher。Butsheretainedmywife"swithevidentpleasure，kissedher，andexamedherdresswithagirl"scuriosityandinterest。
Shewasmerryandcheerful，andshowedmuchinnocentplayfulnessinherintercoursewithherteacher。Herdelightonrecognisingafavouriteplayfellowandcompanion-herselfablindgirl-whosilently，andwithanequalenjoymentofthecomingsurprise，tookaseatbesideher，wasbeautifultowitness。Itelicitedfromheratfirst，asotherslightcircumstancesdidtwiceorthriceduringmyvisit，anuncouthnoisewhichwasratherpainfultohear。Butofherteachertouchingherlips，sheimmediatelydesisted，andembracedherlaughinglyandaffectionately。
Ihadpreviouslybeenintoanotherchamber，whereanumberofblindboyswereswinging，andclimbing，andengagedinvarioussports。
Theyallclamoured，asweentered，totheassistant-master，whoaccompaniedus，"Lookatme，Mr。Hart!Please，Mr。Hart，lookatme!"evincing，Ithought，eveninthis，ananxietypeculiartotheircondition，thattheirlittlefeatsofagilityshouldbeSEEN。
Amongthemwasasmalllaughingfellow，whostoodaloof，entertaininghimselfwithagymnasticexerciseforbringingthearmsandchestintoplay；whichheenjoyedmightily；especiallywhen，inthrustingouthisrightarm，hebroughtitintocontactwithanotherboy。LikeLauraBridgman，thisyoungchildwasdeaf，anddumb，andblind。
Dr。Howe"saccountofthispupil"sfirstinstructionissoverystriking，andsointimatelyconnectedwithLauraherself，thatI
cannotrefrainfromashortextract。Imaypremisethatthepoorboy"snameisOliverCaswell；thatheisthirteenyearsofage；andthathewasinfullpossessionofallhisfaculties，untilthreeyearsandfourmonthsold。Hewasthenattackedbyscarletfever；
infourweeksbecamedeaf；inafewweeksmore，blind；insixmonths，dumb。Heshowedhisanxioussenseofthislastdeprivation，byoftenfeelingthelipsofotherpersonswhentheyweretalking，andthenputtinghishanduponhisown，asiftoassurehimselfthathehadthemintherightposition。
"Histhirstforknowledge，"saysDr。Howe，"proclaimeditselfassoonasheenteredthehouse，byhiseagerexaminationofeverythinghecouldfeelorsmellinhisnewlocation。Forinstance，treadingupontheregisterofafurnace，heinstantlystoopeddown，andbegantofeelit，andsoondiscoveredthewayinwhichtheupperplatemoveduponthelowerone；butthiswasnotenoughforhim，solyingdownuponhisface，heappliedhistonguefirsttoone，thentotheother，andseemedtodiscoverthattheywereofdifferentkindsofmetal。
"Hissignswereexpressive:andthestrictlynaturallanguage，laughing，crying，sighing，kissing，embracing，&c。，wasperfect。
"Someoftheanalogicalsignswhich(guidedbyhisfacultyofimitation)hehadcontrived，werecomprehensible；suchasthewavingmotionofhishandforthemotionofaboat，thecircularoneforawheel，&c。
"Thefirstobjectwastobreakuptheuseofthesesignsandtosubstituteforthemtheuseofpurelyarbitraryones。
"ProfitingbytheexperienceIhadgainedintheothercases，I
omittedseveralstepsoftheprocessbeforeemployed，andcommencedatoncewiththefingerlanguage。Taking，therefore，severalarticleshavingshortnames，suchaskey，cup，mug，&c。，andwithLauraforanauxiliary，Isatdown，andtakinghishand，placeditupononeofthem，andthenwithmyown，madethelettersKEY。Hefeltmyhandseagerlywithbothofhis，andonmyrepeatingtheprocess，heevidentlytriedtoimitatethemotionsofmyfingers。
Inafewminuteshecontrivedtofeelthemotionsofmyfingerswithonehand，andholdingouttheotherhetriedtoimitatethem，laughingmostheartilywhenhesucceeded。Laurawasby，interestedeventoagitation；andthetwopresentedasingularsight:herfacewasflushedandanxious，andherfingerstwininginamongourssocloselyastofolloweverymotion，butsoslightlyasnottoembarrassthem；whileOliverstoodattentive，hisheadalittleaside，hisfaceturnedup，hislefthandgraspingmine，andhisrightheldout:ateverymotionofmyfingershiscountenancebetokenedkeenattention；therewasanexpressionofanxietyashetriedtoimitatethemotions；thenasmilecamestealingoutashethoughthecoulddoso，andspreadintoajoyouslaughthemomenthesucceeded，andfeltmepathishead，andLauraclaphimheartilyupontheback，andjumpupanddowninherjoy。
"Helearnedmorethanahalf-dozenlettersinhalfanhour，andseemeddelightedwithhissuccess，atleastingainingapprobation。
Hisattentionthenbegantoflag，andIcommencedplayingwithhim。
Itwasevidentthatinallthishehadmerelybeenimitatingthemotionsofmyfingers，andplacinghishanduponthekey，cup，&c。，aspartoftheprocess，withoutanyperceptionoftherelationbetweenthesignandtheobject。
"WhenhewastiredwithplayItookhimbacktothetable，andhewasquitereadytobeginagainhisprocessofimitation。HesoonlearnedtomakethelettersforKEY，PEN，PIN；andbyhavingtheobjectrepeatedlyplacedinhishand，heatlastperceivedtherelationIwishedtoestablishbetweenthem。Thiswasevident，because，whenImadethelettersPIN，orPEN，orCUP，hewouldselectthearticle。
"Theperceptionofthisrelationwasnotaccompaniedbythatradiantflashofintelligence，andthatglowofjoy，whichmarkedthedelightfulmomentwhenLaurafirstperceivedit。Ithenplacedallthearticlesonthetable，andgoingawayalittledistancewiththechildren，placedOliver"sfingersinthepositionstospellKEY，onwhichLaurawentandbroughtthearticle:thelittlefellowseemedmuchamusedbythis，andlookedveryattentiveandsmiling。IthencausedhimtomakethelettersBREAD，andinaninstantLaurawentandbroughthimapiece:hesmelledatit；putittohislips；cockeduphisheadwithamostknowinglook；seemedtoreflectamoment；andthenlaughedoutright，asmuchastosay，"Aha!Iunderstandnowhowsomethingmaybemadeoutofthis。"
"Itwasnowclearthathehadthecapacityandinclinationtolearn，thathewasapropersubjectforinstruction，andneededonlyperseveringattention。Ithereforeputhiminthehandsofanintelligentteacher，nothingdoubtingofhisrapidprogress。"
Wellmaythisgentlemancallthatadelightfulmoment，inwhichsomedistantpromiseofherpresentstatefirstgleameduponthedarkenedmindofLauraBridgman。Throughouthislife，therecollectionofthatmomentwillbetohimasourceofpure，unfadinghappiness；norwillitshinelessbrightlyontheeveningofhisdaysofNobleUsefulness。
Theaffectionwhichexistsbetweenthesetwo-themasterandthepupil-isasfarremovedfromallordinarycareandregard，asthecircumstancesinwhichithashaditsgrowth，areapartfromthecommonoccurrencesoflife。Heisoccupiednow，indevisingmeansofimpartingtoher，higherknowledge；andofconveyingtohersomeadequateideaoftheGreatCreatorofthatuniverseinwhich，darkandsilentandscentlessthoughitbetoher，shehassuchdeepdelightandgladenjoyment。
Yewhohaveeyesandseenot，andhaveearsandhearnot；yewhoareasthehypocritesofsadcountenances，anddisfigureyourfacesthatyemayseemuntomentofast；learnhealthycheerfulness，andmildcontentment，fromthedeaf，anddumb，andblind!Self-electedsaintswithgloomybrows，thissightless，earless，voicelesschildmayteachyoulessonsyouwilldowelltofollow。Letthatpoorhandofhersliegentlyonyourhearts；fortheremaybesomethinginitshealingtouchakintothatoftheGreatMasterwhosepreceptsyoumisconstrue，whoselessonsyoupervert，ofwhosecharityandsympathywithalltheworld，notoneamongyouinhisdailypracticeknowsasmuchasmanyoftheworstamongthosefallensinners，towhomyouareliberalinnothingbutthepreachmentofperdition!
AsIrosetoquittheroom，aprettylittlechildofoneoftheattendantscamerunningintogreetitsfather。Forthemoment，achildwitheyes，amongthesightlesscrowd，impressedmealmostaspainfullyastheblindboyintheporchhaddone，twohoursago。
Ah!howmuchbrighterandmoredeeplyblue，glowingandrichthoughithadbeenbefore，wasthescenewithout，contrastingwiththedarknessofsomanyyouthfulliveswithin!
AtSOUTHBOSTON，asitiscalled，inasituationexcellentlyadaptedforthepurpose，severalcharitableinstitutionsareclusteredtogether。Oneofthese，istheStateHospitalfortheinsane；admirablyconductedonthoseenlightenedprinciplesofconciliationandkindness，whichtwentyyearsagowouldhavebeenworsethanheretical，andwhichhavebeenacteduponwithsomuchsuccessinourownpauperAsylumatHanwell。"Evinceadesiretoshowsomeconfidence，andreposesometrust，eveninmadpeople，"
saidtheresidentphysician，aswewalkedalongthegalleries，hispatientsflockingroundusunrestrained。Ofthosewhodenyordoubtthewisdomofthismaximafterwitnessingitseffects，iftherebesuchpeoplestillalive，IcanonlysaythatIhopeImayneverbesummonedasaJurymanonaCommissionofLunacywhereoftheyarethesubjects；forIshouldcertainlyfindthemoutoftheirsenses，onsuchevidencealone。
Eachwardinthisinstitutionisshapedlikealonggalleryorhall，withthedormitoriesofthepatientsopeningfromitoneitherhand。Heretheywork，read，playatskittles，andothergames；andwhentheweatherdoesnotadmitoftheirtakingexerciseoutofdoors，passthedaytogether。Inoneoftheserooms，seated，calmly，andquiteasamatterofcourse，amongathrongofmad-women，blackandwhite，werethephysician"swifeandanotherlady，withacoupleofchildren。Theseladiesweregracefulandhandsome；anditwasnotdifficulttoperceiveataglancethateventheirpresencethere，hadahighlybeneficialinfluenceonthepatientswhoweregroupedaboutthem。
Leaningherheadagainstthechimney-piece，withagreatassumptionofdignityandrefinementofmanner，satanelderlyfemale，inasmanyscrapsoffineryasMadgeWildfireherself。Herheadinparticularwassostrewnwithscrapsofgauzeandcottonandbitsofpaper，andhadsomanyqueeroddsandendsstuckallaboutit，thatitlookedlikeabird"s-nest。Shewasradiantwithimaginaryjewels；worearichpairofundoubtedgoldspectacles；andgracefullydroppeduponherlap，asweapproached，averyoldgreasynewspaper，inwhichIdaresayshehadbeenreadinganaccountofherownpresentationatsomeForeignCourt。