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，whobeingforthetimedeprivedoftheuseofherlimbs，byillnesssatclosebesidemewithherfacetowardsthem，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，sheappearsmakingdueallowanceforafondmother'saccounttohavedisplayedaconsiderabledegreeofintelligence。
　　'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。
　　'Someoftheanalogicalsignswhichguidedbyhisfacultyofimitationhehadcontrived，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。