Library Collections: Document: Full Text

Several pieces of wood, cut in the shape of different geometrical figures, were now brought into the room. These were placed in the hands of different pupils, who named with much readiness the various forms -- as round, square, oval, oblong, &c. In order to exercise the sense of touch without the aid of that of sight, a bandage was placed over the eyes of one or two, and the different pieces were put into their hands, when each of them slowly passed his fingers along the edges, and when satisfied with the examination, named the form of the respective portions. In doing this, no error was committed. The utterance was of course imperfect; but although the words were pronounced in what to the visitors was a foreign tongue, no difficulty was felt by the other pupils in distinguishing what was said.

A large black-board was now brought forward and placed on a rest. One or two of the more proficient were desired by M. Vallée to draw upon it first a horizontal, then a perpendicular line, and afterwards to describe a circle, square, and hexagon. Words also were well and readily written in a good round, legible hand. The same feebleness and uncertainty of grasp, arising from an imperfect power over the fingers, was again observable, but the writing was fairly executed, and the figures correctly described. They were slowly done, it is true, but still they were well done. Remarking that the compasses used in describing the mathematical diagrams had a movable hinge, I was surprised to observe, that although there was so much apparent unsteadiness of muscle, yet such a degree of adjusting power over the motion of the fingers had been acquired, that the various points necessary to form the different figures were marked on the board without causing the least variation in the limbs of the instrument.

One of the more elderly of the pupils, but one who in England would be called a hopeless idiot, was now brought forward. His whole appearance and expression previous to the moment when he was desired to approach the table, were indicative of an utterly hopeless, mindless object. Being raised on a seat, a set of dominoes were placed before him, the sight of which caused evident signs of pleasure, and he proceeded to make preparations to enter on the game. Although having a very imperfect control over his hands, he selected from the set the required number, arranged them; and played a game with his instructor. This was done deliberately, but without any faltering or inaccuracy; and during the progress of the game he showed signs of satisfaction or discomfiture, according to his success or otherwise. The efforts to overcome the congenital imperfections in this poor fellow were strikingly successful; and it was not improbable that, had they been undertaken at an earlier period of his life, a capacity of standing in the erect position and of walking might possibly have been obtained, in addition to other educational exercises, patient and continued efforts had been made to create in him a power over the various muscles constituting the organ of voice. Although only capable of slow, imperfect and irregular utterance, he named the various letters of a word placed before him, first dividing then, into syllables, and then pronouncing the word. I subsequently saw him, at a later part of the day, seated in the workroom amongst his fellows, usefully employed in making very excellent list slippers. As I approached his bench, he evidently showed signs of recognition, and seemed pleased at the notice taken of his work. He handed me several pairs of slippers which he had finished, then showed the one he was engaged with, entered on his work again, and looking up from time to time as he proceeded with it, evinced the pleasure he felt in his employment, and the gratification he experienced in finding that it interested and met the approval of others.

The attention of the pupils assembled round a table was now directed to a large sheet of paper, on which was printed every variety of color. These tints were disposed in a confused manner, so as to prevent the liability which otherwise might arise of mere rote-work, or the utterance, from habit, of consecutive words without comprehending their meaning. In this, as in all other educational arrangements, the attention of the pupil was first directed to the simple and the more striking parts. On this occasion, consequently, the primitive colors were first named, and last the more compound, between which the shades of distinction are less marked. The perfection to which the sense of sight, the power of discriminating nice differences of color, and of remembering and uttering their respective names, was brought, in some of the pupils, was truly surprising.

Several examinations in the names of objects were now undertaken, such as the various articles of dress and pieces of furniture. Following these, the number of days in the week and months in the year were given ; then the names of each day and month, as well as the seasons of the year. The replies to these questions relating to names of objects and periods of time were quickly and readily given; and had I not already witnessed so many evidences of the excellent system of training of which these poor fellows have had the advantage, I should have been inclined to doubt whether a proper comprehension of their meanings was attached to the several words they uttered. I had, however, sufficient reason to believe that, to a limited extent at least, they understood what was meant when they gave answers to the questions proposed.