were brought. With her sister, however, she held a conversation even in the dark; having learned in bed together to feel the different motions of the words by laying her hand upon her sister's mouth, and thus came at a knowledge of what she said, The nice sense of feeling here described is very remarkable, but still inferior to what is enjoyed by many blind people, who are said to distinguish the difference of colours by the touch. It is not less natural to suppose, that the sight of deaf persons may acquire a corresponding degree of acuteness, so as to be able to see what is absolutely evident to the touch of any body. ever book or page they are found. That deaf-dumb children can be taught to speak, and to understand the speaking countenance of others, is incontestable; a professor of genius will then, to found just claims to a superior reputation, teach his pupil to pronounce each word in the language he himself speaks; to distinguish them at once, and with precision, upon the lips of others; and thoroughly to understand the meaning of what he himself may utter, or what others say. The time required for the complete instruction of deaf-dumb children in speaking, and every subsequent useful acquirement or accomplishment, may be computed from the usual course of nature with those who retain their hearing. The superior aptness to learn, and the eager attention, of some children, have, in more than one instance, even anticipated the ingenuity of the professor to whom their progress has done honour. Miss St. Servan, now a pupil of the Abbé Sicard, in Paris, learned, in a short period, to speak: although speaking is not a part of the ordinary instruction in that school; where the art of thinking, silent reading, writing, and the language of gesticulation, form the principal features in the course of education. And Mr. Habermass, of Berlin, who was instructed by Mr. Eschke, to whom he is now an assistant, not only expresses himself with great correctness, but, in the motions of the countenance, reads with instant facility the words expressed by any person who speaks in his presence. Instances of the accidental articulation of a few words, in a manner more or less perfect, have frequently occurred; but too often, unfortunately, from the principle of instruction not having been understood by those about the deaf person, nor his own attention guided toward the proper means of mastering the necessary combinations of sound, until gradually he should have become able to pronounce every word in the language at will, and of distinguishing upon the faces of persons speaking the words they delivered, the greater part of these promising beginnings have failed of the result that might have been expected from them in judicious hands. Still so encouraging is the prospect held out to perseverance, that a few words of any kind, as a rhime, or a prayer, may be taught many deaf children, without any previous as sistance from elementary instruction. By merely repeating a set of words in a uniform manner to a pupil who is very watchful, and possessed of strong mimic powers, it is not unusual to find that he at length succeeds in rendering the imitatory; seeing that the same species of tion perfect. Undoubtedly it would require more than the labour of a whole life to get through a language in this tedious way. A pupil may be able to repeat his prayer or his rhime by rote, and not understand the meaning of a single word of it separated from the rest, nor be perhaps able to read the same words in any different order of construction. It only proves that it is possible to imitate articulate sounds by imitating the motions that produce them. Instances of the repetition of single words and phrases do not entitle a professor to lay claim to any remarkable degree of merit, unless he can shew that his pupil understand the meaning of every word, and can read them in what It is surprising that it has been possi ble to derive so little benefit to the art of instructing the deaf and dumb, from the essays and declamations of the most profuse orthoepists and professors of ora knowledge upon which depends the instruction of the absolutely deaf, is indispensably necessary to correct all defects or impediments in utterance which are susceptible of remedy, and do not arise from the loss of one or more of the requisites organs. The removal of every removeable cause of defective pronun ciation, whether called obstruction, hesi tation, or impediment, stammering, stuttering, drawling, lisping, speaking through the nose, &c. depends upon one and the same theory; and whoever possesses the art of teaching the totally dumb to speak, is from that reason competent, in a supe rior degree, to correct any minor disa bility; and should be to give the most effectual instructions how to get the better. better of the most minute defect in speaking, as provincial and foreign accents, &c. There are about twenty different schools in Europe for the education of the deaf and dumb. Of this number there are five established in the United Kingdom; the remainder are all situated upon the Continent. The school of Paris is the stock from which the greater part of the Continental institutions for the same object have sprung. It was founded by the celebrated Abbé de l'Epée, already mentioned, under a grant from the king: and has been continued without intermission, since his death, by the Abbé Sicard; who, through his merits in this department, has obtained a cross of the Imperial Or der of Knighthood, the Legion of Honour, and a seat in the National Insti tute. here relate an anecdote of him, which caused at the time much amusement throughout Paris :— Massieu, in one of his excursions through the gay part of the city, was stripped of his watch and purse by some good-natured dames, who never in the least suspected that a deaf and dumb man would tell tales. On the young man's return to the institution, he was brought to account for the accident which had happened to him. Massieu, it seems, never tells lies-this was a little trial for him; but here too he was can did enough to acknowledge the truth. The ladies were, in consequence, brought before the proper tribunal in the Palace of Justice, and Massieu was obliged to attend. Although this young man is such a celebrated metaphysician, and writes with wonderful swiftness, he was obliged to have an interpreter present in court, and the good Abbé was required to fulfil that office for his favourite pupil. The trial was a very ludicrous one, notwithstanding French delicacy spared the modesty of the Abbé as far as was reconcileable with the ends of justice. The ladies were censured for their mistake, and the watch and purse recovered. The Abbé uses emblematical gesticulations to develope the understandings of his scholars, and convey his instructions, during the whole course of their education. By gestures they converse with their masters, and among each other. They argue in gestures, and by gestures they assist each other to understand their other lessons, and explain every difficulty. No legal steps are ever taken in France In proper time they are taught to under- in which the life, liberty, or interest of a stand the language of their native coun- deaf and dumb person is concerned, try in print and writing, and to write without assigning and allowing them to themselves. They are afterwards in- chuse an interpreter; a regulation which structed in arithmetic, algebra, drawing, it would be well to enforce in a counand every exercise or branch of the ma- try where personal liberty and property thematics that their friends desire, or their are much better secured, generally, by abilities fit them for. When their school the constitution. I have heard, howeducation is finished, they are sent home ever, of a very fine young man, the natuto their families, or apprenticed to useful ral son of a late great statesman by a lady trades. Some of those who have dis- of quality, having been shut up in a madplayed superior abilities for the scholas- house without the benefit of any such tig profession, are retained as tutors to privilege; although his preceptor, the late the rest. Of these, one, named Mas Mr. T. Braidwood, was, as I am well sieu, is highly famed for his ingenuity, and informed by persons intimately connect readiness to reply to any metaphysical ed with the family of that gentleman, of question. Indeed, the worthy Abbé opinion that he was far from labouring seems to be remarkably desirous of push under any mental derangement or inabi ing on the education of his pupils to a lity whatever. I have not heard whether familiarity with the most abstruse points his imprisonment was the act of his faof metaphysical speculation; and he is ther, with whom he was known not to perhaps so far right; as exercise of this agree perfectly in political opinions, nor kind, which necessarily requires a vast if he be at present in existence; but cer supply of words, and the nicest discrimi- tain it is, that no mention was made of nation between all their various mean- him in that great man's will, nor in the ings, may promote a facility of substi- subsequent arrangement made for the be tuting words for thought. I do not, how-nefit of the widow and a daughter. He ever, pretend to boast of a perfect coincidence with the system of Mr. Sicard, in my own private opinion. I have mentioned Massicu; I shall must, then, be no more. Peace to the ashes of the dead! It will be enough for the object of my mentioning here the fate of this unhappy young man, if ið serve to call the attention of those with whom the power lies, to protect the unfortunate dumb from a deprivation of that justice which is allowed by the laws of our country to the worst of foreigners, The French government defrays the expence of the school under the direction of M. Sicard, and the children of poor persons are maintained and educated gratuitously. Parents who can afford it, are required to pay a stipulated sum yearly. The gesticulations made use of among the pupils of this school are, in the outline they describe, not unlike the hieroglyphic figures designed by the ancient Egyptians to convey the images of thoughts and things directly to the mind. Thus, a circle turned in the air, denotes, for instance, not only that figure itself, but eternity also; a long line traced offwards in the air with the hand, denotes distance; a line with the finger represents length; an extended motion of the hand and arm designates space, extent, immensity. The signs for persons and things are all taken from some quality or peculiarity. A woman is expressed by putting the hands, as a woman might do, ander the bosom; or drawing the hand across the knees, to represent petticoats; or putting one hand to the outside of the thigh, in the attitude of a woman holding her gown in walking. A married woman is denoted by pointing to the part of the fingers where women usually wear, their rings, in addition to the general sign for a woman. All the names, in fact, are highly descriptive, and many of them entertaining; I am sure they would prove very much so to an arch boy who is fond of what is called taking folks off. The Abbé Sicard's name is made by putting the hand up to the chin, with the thumb extended on one side, and the fore-finger on the other; the lower fingers closed. This is a gesture which the children have remarked to be habitual to the Abbé when he walks, or stands, meditating. Each of themelves, and of the masters, is designated by his peculiar sign or nickname; one is by describing the attitude of drawing, another is mentioned by flattening the nose with the finger; another by laying the finger along the nose, as to intimate a very high one; a fourth is expressed by making the sign of a wide mouth, a filth is known by a fierce look, &c. Most of this mimicry is very diverting to commou observers; but I can assure the reader that the mimics themselves under stand it very seriously; and that each of them seems perfectly content with his own nick-name, which, in their ordinary language, supplies the place of the French name, or surname. This they always write when there is occasion, without any allusion to the feature, custom, or habitual attitude from whence they derive the individual's name in the language of signs, unless you desire to know the reasons upon which such a manner of naming a person is founded. I have been present at several of the exhibitions of the progress made by the scholars of this institution. Their exercises are very curious, and it is pleasing to observe the rapidity with which they translate the gesticulated meaning into written words. They are, almost invariably, exact to a synonymy. One of them, I remember, on a particular day, when I was present, wrote down glory, for renown, in transcribing a question which was dictated to him through the interpretation of M. Sicard's gestures; but on the sign which he had mistaken being repeated, he corrected the word immediately; and, without hesitation, wrote the answer underneath in the face of the whole company. The tablet being a large square surface of boards painted black, and in front of the elevated range of benches, the chalk writing was distinctly legible in every part of the examination hall. The whole then stood thus: “Qu'est-ce que la renommée ?” "C'est la celebrité, la publicité des grandes actions." Then, pausing to reflect a moment, he added, as if to shew that he well understood the distinction,-" Elle diffère de la gloire en ce que la gloire tient plus à l'admiration; et ne se donne qu'aux actions qui sont en elles-mêmes bonnes et genereuses, aussi bien que capables de faire éclât." "What is renown (or fame)?" "It is the celebrity, or publicity, of great actions.-It differs from glory in this: that glory partakes more of admiration; and belongs only to actions which are good and generous in themselves, as well as capable of making a noise in the world." In my next I shall continue the subject, and present to your readers a view of what has been done in other parts of Europe. I am, &c. Purfleet, A. MANN. May 12, 1807. Το To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. an account of the performance. "The second night (he says) was a Comedy of Clare-hall, with the help of two or three SIR, MONG the specimens of our acade Amicare in time of James good actors from other houses, wherein the First, few, I believe, are better known than the Comedy of IGNORAMUS. In a translation of this play, published at London in 1662, the author is styled R. Ruggles, and by Granger, in his Biographical History (Supplem. 145, 146), Ralph Ruggle; but his real christianname was George. He appears to have been originally matriculated as a member of St. John's College, Cambridge, June 26, 1589, and to have afterwards removed to a fellowship at Clare-hall. In 1600, we find him mentioned as one of the taxors of the University (Carter, p. 426); and afterwards as a benefactor to his hall, in money and plate, to the amount of 4001. The last we read of his honours is in 1605, when, during King James's entertainment at Oxford, he was incorporated among the members of the sister university. The editions of Ignoramus I have met with are, one in duodecimo, printed at London in 1630; another in 1658; a third," Editio prioribus omnibus emendatior," 8vo. Westmonast, 1737; and Ignoramus abbreviatus," 8vo. Lond. 1763. Of the translations, one by R. C. has been already mentioned, whom Coxeter explains to have been Robert Codrington (Biogr. Dram. vol. II. p. 165). Another version appeared in quarto, 1678, under the title of "The English Lawyer," a Comedy, by Edward Ravenscroft Gent. And third, forming a thin folio, appeared in 1736, with the following title: "Ignorami Lamentatio super Legis Communis Translationem ex Latino in Anglicum." The University of Oxford, as we learn from the "Rex Platonicus" of Wake, had entertained James with several complimentary dramas some years before. One of these exhibitions is supposed to have given rise to Shakspeare's Macbeth, But in this instance, Clare-hall produced a drama of a more extended kind. It was originally acted March 3, 1614, and again, by the king's particular desire, May 6, 1615. Mr. Baker (MS. Harl. 7042, p. 479) has preserved the original cast of the characters, copied by Granger in his Biographical History; and among the state papers published by Lord Hardwicke, is a Letter from Mr. John Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carlton, at Turin, dated March 16, 1614, giving David Drummond, in a hobby-horse, and Brakin, the recorder of the town, under the name of Ignoramus, a common lawyer, bore great parts. The thing was full of mirth and variety, with many excellent actors (among whom the Lord Compton's son, though least, was not the worst); but more than half marred with extreme length." In Sir Fulke Grevil's "Five Years of King James," also, is another account of its reception, "This year (1614) the king, by the entreaty of Somerset, determined to go to Cambridge, and there was entertained with great solemnity; but amongst the rest there was a play called by the name of Ignoramus, that stirred up a great contention betweene the common lawyers and the schollers, in so much as their flouts grew insufferable; but at last it was stayed by My Lord Chancellor, and the explaining of the meaning." But the principal object of my letter is to state an anecdote which occurs among the Harleian manuscripts in the British Museum, (Harl. MS. 980, p. 161), according to which, neither the plot or execution of the play appear to have origi nated with Ruggle. I quote the words of the manuscript, in hope that some of your Cambridge correspondents may examine (if it still remains) the copy in Clare-hall library. "The comedie of Ignoramus, so abusive against lawyers, and supposed to be made by Mr. Ruggell, of Clare-hall, Cambridge, is but a translation of a comedy in Baptista Porta, out of Italian, intituled, Trapulario, as may be seen by the comedy itself, extant in Clare-ball library, with notes of Mr. Ruggell's thereon, of his contriving and altering thereof." Perhaps some other of your Bibliographical Correspondents may add to the anecdotes I have collected. I am, &c. D. M. P. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. SIR, IND. y to, I obstrate to remarks N reply to the observations of Mr. that if my recollection does not materi ally fail me, for I have not any copy of my own letter to refer to, I did not nake "an unqualified assertion" that the His tory of Bedfordshire published by that gentleman and his brother, contained a considerable number of errors and inadvertencies; but I think I qualified the assertion by mentioning that such imperfections were almost unavoidable in works of this nature. I certainly regard the publication in question as a highly respectable one, and I consider the public at large as much indebted to those who take so much pains as Mr. Lysons and his brother have done, to contribute to their amusement and information. The errors and inadvertencies which I discerned, or thought I discerned, in it, I took the liberty to point out without any invidious intention. "Most of them (Mr. Lysons says) had been noted for correction even before he had read my letter," which assuredly never would have been written, had I been aware that the same information had been conveyed to those gentlemen in any other mode. I must just add, that I never had the vanity to consider my corrections as of "much importance;" but I believe they are all well founded, except in the instance of the title of the eldest son of the last Duke of Kent, which I always understood was merely Baron of Harold; but, upon the authority cited by Mr. Lysons, there can be no doubt that the title he bore was that of Earl of Harold. The property possessed by Lady Lucas, the present representative of the Kent family in the county of Bedford, is undoubtedly very large; and perhaps might have been mentioned with the other great estates specified in my former letter, as constituting a distinct class. It may possibly serve to obviate any mistake, to say, that in the estimate of 40,000l. per ann. and upwards, I meant to include the estates of the Duke of Bedford, Lord St. John, and Mr. Whitbread. I am, &c. Bedford, W. BELSHAM. May 3, 1807. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. B professional notes, drawings, sketches, &c. that are so valuable to the biogra pher, I now inquire so earnestly for. Nothing that I ain yet acquainted with, in the reach of inspection, will be ounitted to be searched into by me; neither pains nor labour shall be spared to make my work as perfect as possible. Of my drawings for it I shall say nothing, because they shall be submitted to the public inspection when the prospectus is ready for publication; of which, Sir, I shall take the liberty of giving you timely notice. Any information addressed to me (as under), whether concerning manuscripts, drawings, letters, &c. or of where they are deposited; also of where I can see an authentic original of Sir C's. portrait; or, in short, of any account of hum or his works, shall receive my hearty thanks and due acknowledgments. The principa: portraits were by Kneller and Klosterman, of which I have seen engravings. I should be happy to know in whose possession the paintings are. I have only to add, that if the public encouragement shall keep pace with the private promise of support that I have already received from many gentlemen of consequence in the architectural profession, and others in private life, no expence shall be spared in having the engravings executed in the highest possible style of excellence. I am, &c. 19, College-Hill, London, Dec. 11, 1806. JAMES ELMES. To the Editor of the Monthly Magazine. SIR, R. Cumberland, in his interesting M Memoirs, complains of the short lease which authors enjoy of their own 'works: yet twenty-eight years of copy right can be the lot of few writers; singular, indeed, must be the good fortune of that author who lives to lanent over the extinction of his profits, but not of his fame, on seeing his work become the universal property of the booksellers. EING engaged in measuring and delineating the parts at large of St. In truth, there is no country in Europe Paul's cathedral, London, I wish to illus- where literary property has been so well trate my work with such authentic ac- secured as in England; or where aucounts of it, and of its illustrious archi-thors have been more richly recompens tect, Sir Christopher Wren, as I can obtain; but I fear that of the learned arCntect will not be so explicit aud difuse as I wish, unless I obtain further d cumeats of him and of his works than I can yet discover. Much relative matter I am aware is to be found at Oxford, and in some of the public libraries in London, &c.; but it is of his private life. His MONTHLY Mac. No. 157. ed. The commercial value of literature has been very much on the increase of late years; and when we know that inore than a thousand pounds has been gained by a facetious work, but it eminently so, which has hit the public huinour; that the same sun is given for a single poem from a writer whose merits some will dispute; and that two, and even 3 H three |