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attention on the language of signs, and encouraged amongst all his little scholars the use of the manual alphabet.

But, after the age of seven or eight, it is my opinion, that, in order to bestow upon the indigent deaf and dumb even a moderately good education, instructors must be provided who have made the language of signs, and the art of translating this language into words, an object of peculiar study and attention. It is by experience alone that the difficulties of the undertaking can be detected; and the devices by which these difficulties can be overcome can only be imagined and practised by those who have bestowed much time and attention on the subject.

Some people of knowledge and experience, with whom I have conversed on the subject, are of opinion that it would scarcely be possible to select masters, capable of educating even the indigent deaf and dumb, from the same class of society from which parish school-masters and school-mistresses are usually selected. I believe, however, that this is not an impossibility.

I feel certain that a very great number of poor deaf and dumb children exist in this kingdom who have no means of education; many in remote vil lages, whose parents are either not aware of existing asylums for their instruction, or are deterred by the difficulty of obtaining admission, from attempting it.

I believe that as great a number of indigent Blind also exist uneducated. Surely the instruction of both these classes of unfortunate beings ought to be provided for; and, if I am right in supposing that masters might be found in the humbler classes of society capable of learning how to instruct them, the difficulty will be lessened, because a moderate salary would be sufficient*.

* I

am informed, that at Birmingham and at Manchester

On the Letter of a Deaf and Dumb Artist. 521

Though I am of opinion that it would not be expedient to attempt to educate the deaf and dumb in common parish schools, yet I believe much mutual benefit might be obtained by admitting a certain number of children who can hear, into schools in which the instruction of the deaf and dumb is made the leading object.

Why should there not be school rooms appropriated to the deaf and dumb, and attached or adjoining the national school, in some of our large towns in different parts of the kingdom, into which a certain number of children from the national school might be admitted in rotation, to learn the language of signs, the manual alphabet, and to become the companions, and, perhaps, sometimes the assistant teachers of the deaf and dumb? Whilst, by joining in slate exercises with the deaf and dumb, they acquired clearness of ideas and accuracy of expression, the kind and benevolent feelings would be most usefully exercised.

With respect to the far less important question, whether any time should be given to the teaching the deaf and dumb to articulate, I believe (for reasons which I will not detail at present) the attempt ought not to be entirely given up, though probably much time should not be devoted to it,at an age when time could be more profitably employed. Probably in infant schools, whilst the organs are very flexible, and the propensity to imitation very strong, something might be done in this respect. I am, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

D. D.

an improved plan of instruction is about to be adopted, and that, at these asylums, instruction will be afforded to mas ters who wish to qualify themselves to teach the deaf and

CHILBLAINS.

THE cold season is coming; and we may expect that it will produce its usual effects. If the feet get wet, or are cold for a long time together, we may expect chilblains-we should therefore guard against these, by not sitting in wet shoes or stockings, if we can help it; and by trying to get the feet warm by exercise. When the feet or hands are cold, the blood does not circulate freely through them. The way to prevent chilblains, or to cure them, is to encourage circulation. When the chilblains are, what is called, broken, and become sores, they are often difficult of cure; we must try to check them before they come to this. There are many different methods recommended, but we know of none better than what we mentioned some time ago. Rubbing them with water, having a good quantity of salt dissolved in it. We now are only reminding our readers of what we have told them already; the repetition of it may not be unseasonable. The warmth that spirits produce is soon gone, and the part to which they have been applied, is all the colder for the application;this is the very thing to be avoided. This coldness is produced by the quick evaporation of the spirits. The sooner the chilblains are attended to, the better. Be particular also in drying the hands well after washing. Take a perfectly dry towel; some people use a flannel, one after the other. Leaving the hands rubbed only half dry, is the way to produce chilblains and chapped hands.

CHIMNEY SWEEPERS.

To the Editor of the Cottager's Monthly Visitor. MR. EDITOR,

Kensington, Oct. 26th, Six o'clock in the Morning. PRAY, Sir, say one word more for the poor sweeping boys. This is a biting cold morning. One hour ago

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Selections from different Authors.

523

I was awakened by the noise of a little boy crying sweep" with all his might at a neighbour's door; and he is doing so at this very moment. How long he began before I was awake, I cannot say ; nor do I know how long he will continue to do so before he is let in. He may ring till he tears the bell down, but, as the bells rings below, and all the family is fast asleep above, he will ring in vain. The Act of Parliament requires that these boys should not be disturbed before seven o'clock, I think in Winter, and five in Summer. Why are these children to be deprived of their proper rest? and why are these merciful laws to be defied?-Common humanity, however, might teach the people, who order these poor children to come at so early an hour, at least to be ready to let them in. I know you have treated on this very subject more than once already, but we must be at the same things over and over again before we can expect to do much good. Perhaps this may meet the eye of some servant, who has not seen your former remarks; and if it should save one little urchin from shivering an hour or two in the mornings of the frost, or snow, or rain of the coming Winter, you will not, I am sure, have grudged me a page in your Magazine. The chimney sweepers surely have misery enough, without our making this for them, in addition to all their own.

Your's, Sir,

HUMANITAS.

P.S.-I am pleading for the chimney sweepers now, or I might speak of the inconvenience to the inhabitants of being disturbed at such early hours, and of the great distress it must be to sick persons.

SELECTIONS FROM DIFFERENT AUTHORS.

A CHRISTIAN ought to be distinguished from an

Winged with the hopes of futurity, he should ascend above the reach of mortal sufferings. We are not so careful for our own preservation, as the God who made us. Chrysostom.

The Church is not a theatre, that we should hear for amusement; we ought to go out, improved; with some new, some great profit should we return. In vain do we enter the Church, if it be only to have our minds beguiled and captivated for a moment, and depart without lasting edification. What good will the praises of the hearers do the preacher? Their actions are his best praise, when they are according to his teaching. Then is he happy, not when they hear, but when they cheerfully perform what he preaches to them.

The Same.

The apostle St. James recommended, among the first things, the bridling of the tongue, that virtue being a great mark of perfection in those who possess it; and the want of it a certain proof that such a person's religion is false.. Dr. Macknight,

The man who is not fixed in his resolutions to pursue virtue, and to avoid vice, but halts between the two, can never ask God's assistance sincerely, and therefore cannot expect to receive from God what he asks for. The Same.

"To fear the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding;" and whatsoever is not consistent with this, though the world may esteem it profound cunning and policy, yet is it neither wisdom nor understanding; but folly and madness in the sight of God. Dr. Jortin.

Let not the man that is poor among Christians, and contemptible in the world, be cast down or dejected at his poverty, but let him rather rejoice in considering the sublime and happy state to which, by Christianity, he is exalted. Bishop Bull.

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