1822.] Account of the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, London. attributed in some degree to the minuteness of the objects, and the want of the above information. After the above victory, the Duke of Norfolk, agreeably to the habits of that time, gave as a cognizance to his retinue a white lion, the supporter of his house, trampling on the red lion of Scotland, and tearing him with his claws; which they wore on their left arins. .m. ASYLUM FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB. HA a (With a Plate.) WAVING received concise "Sketch of the Origin, Progress, and present state of the Asylum for indigent Deaf and Dumb Children," Kent-road, near London, we have the pleasure of inserting an abstract in our Miscellany, conceiving it will be highly gratifying to our Readers to be put in possession of an Authentic Historical document relative to a charitable Establishment, the first of the kind formed in Europe, and which, in the benevolence of its object, the liberality of its support, and the extensive utility of its effects, does so much honour to the National character. "The instruction of the Deaf and Dumb having, at length, become a subject of very general interest in most civilized countries, the Conductors of the first Asylum established in Britain for extending to the indigent a participation in this inestimable blessing, have thought that a concise detail of the proceedings by which this interest has been here awakened, might not be unacceptable to the Supporters and Friends of the Insti tution. "Fully to understand and duly to appreciate the benefits intended to be conferred by this Institution, it is previously necessary to reflect upon the dreary and affecting situation of the uninstructed Deaf and Dumb. "The power of speech, or the capacity of expressing and conveying our thoughts in the use of language, is one of the chief distinctive characteristics and privileges of human nature; and is not only the channel of mutual communication, but also the means of giving operation to the rational faculties, and opening the mind to reason, science, and religion. Deaf and Dumb Children, being deprived of the usual means of acquiring, by the ear, this distinguishing faculty of the species, are, until some other, channel is opened to them, excluded, also from this general source of information; they consequently remain in a state of deprivation and ignorance, bordering upon, and often terminating in, confirmed idiotism. GENT. MAG. April, 1822. 305 And if a few, by a peculiar energy of mind, may be roused to some partial exertion, they are almost always found to be suspicious, discontented, and sullen, being de-, barred from the common enjoyments of their fellow-creatures, and unable to comprehend the motives for many of the actions they behold. Thus the uninstructed Deaf and Dumb must be causes of unceasing sorrow to their afflicted parents and friends, and in most cases useless and burthensome, often dangerous and injurious, members of Society. "Such a destitute and deprived situation had long and generally been considered as entirely hopeless; the calamity being thought not only incurable, but also without allevia tion. rected among the learned by the Publica"This opinion was in some degree cortions of Dr. Bulwar in 1648, of Dr. Wallis in 1662, of Dr. Holder in 1669, and of Dr. Amman in 1700-and the subsequent establishment of a School at Edinburgh, afterwards removed to Hackney, made many of the superior classes of Society in this country acquainted with the possibility of teaching the Deaf and Dumb to understand written language. "The knowledge of an instructed case having strongly impressed the benevolent mind of the Rev. John Townsend, it occurred to him that the charitable zeal of his benevolent countrymen would, if properly excited, willingly extend the advantages of instruction to the Deaf and Dunb Children of their INDIGENT BRETHREN. He stated his ideas to that generous friend of every description of human suffering, the late Henry Thornton, Esq. who readily promised his support and assistance. Thus encouraged, Mr. Townsend drew up and circulated an Address. Among the earliest friends to whom this Address was given, the Rev. Henry Cox Mason, then Minister of Bermondsey, must be named. His cordial and powerful co-operation greatly promoted the effect of this appeal. The zealous exertions of these benevolent friends in a short time produced sufficient subscriptions to defray the expenses of taking a house and commencing the beneficent undertaking. This was done in the autumn of the year 1792. A competent Master was inquired for, the present able Teacher, Dr. Watson, was engaged, and in the first year six children were admitted. "This Asylum being thus founded, the blessing of Providence attended these labours of charity. Every year the number of Supporters increased, and every year the number of admissions was also proportionably augmented. Under the able conduct and management of the Committee, a series of judicious and unceasing efforts were made to collect and diffuse INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT. 306. Account of the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, London. [April; "Connected with the useful publicity which this Charity has thus acquired, and indeed itself forming one of the most power ful and beneficial means of continuing and extending that publicity, is the very advantageous method (carried into effect by the voluntary labours of the Committee) of AD MITTING THE CHILDREN INTO THE ASYLUM "The personal interest that is excited in behalf of any particular individual, is not only useful to that individual, but is also most beneficial to the whole class of Deaf and Dumb, by increasing the number of subscriptions, and augmenting the ability of the Institution. For the numerous and pressing solicitations that are made to the several Governors, though in some instances very distressing to their feelings, are found to extend most advantageously the information necessary to the support of the Charity, and to convey a most impressive, irresistible, and permanent conviction, of the necessity and utility of such an establishment. "But these active and powerful appeals to the public commiseration would soon lose their effect, if no adequate relief could be afforded to the Deaf and Dumb. The Conductors of the Institution therefore refer with the utmost confidence to the test of experience, and with the most heartfelt gratification direct the notice of the Public to the present state of this Asylum, and to the blessings it confers—THE REAL AND SUBSTANTIAL RELIEF IT BESTOWS-on the unfortunate objects of its attention. When children, who had left their parents and friends in all the silent misery of dumb ignorance, return to their homes capable of expressing their wants, their fears, and their hopes ;capable of speaking, of reading, of writing, of enjoying intellectual communication, and of assisting in useful labour;—not only the family of the individual, but the whole neighbourhood also, feels the impression — In twenty familes (applying to this Charity for relief), containing 155 children, no less than 78 were deaf and dumb! being more than half the whole number. curiosity is excited—the instructed children are questioned and examined--and those who never before had heard of the Institution, or heard of it only to doubt its utility, and stigmatize it with the character of vain and ineffectual, now, convinced by the evidence of their own senses, admire its effects, acknowledge its utility, and subscribe to its support. Similar impressions are also produced by inspection of the Asylum. Visitors may there see Children in all the progressive stages of mental improvement, advancing from the dull blank of solitary ignorance, as received by the Institution, to the several degrees of opening intellect in the expanding mind of a communicative, useful, rational, moral, and religious being; acquiring, with the use of language, a participation in the comforts of social intercourse, and in the consolations of Christian hope. "As the Institution became more publicly known, those poor unfriended objects who had pined in obscurity and cheerless ignorance, were, by the hope of relief, brought forward in such large numbers, that the lists of Candidates every half-year far exceeded the ability of the Asylum to receive them. In about 12 years, the numbers maintained and educated in the house, at the same time, had increased to about 50; and as five or six only finished their education yearly, no more than that number could be admitted, although the applicants were every half-year 70 or 80. A larger house was found absolutely necessary. More animated exertions were therefore resorted to, and powerful appeals from the Pulpit, and in every other possible way, were made to the Publick, which were strengthened and sustained by the incontrovertible evidence of fact and experience, that RELIEF COULD BE, AND WAS, LARGELY AFFORDED; that the rational and intellectual faculties of these poor uninformed children of deprivation and ignorance might be called into action; that they might be taught to read and write; become intelligent and social beings; receive the inestimable privileges of Gospel instruction; and be made acquainted with their duty to their God and Saviour. These numerous appeals were nobly, were largely answered. The generous feelings of a Christian and British People enabled the Committee to build, and, without infringing upon the Fund for General Purposes, to pay for, the present Asylum; the first stone of which was laid by its munificent Patron the DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, July 11, 1807; and into which the Pupils were removed on Oct. 9, 1809. "During the first 14 years of this Charity, nearly ONE HUNDRED of these poor children were educated, and sent into the world useful members of Society: and during the subse See it engraved in Plate II. p. 305. quent 1822.] Deaf and Dumb Asylum.-Dr. Meyrick on Armour. quent 14 years, about FIVE HUNDRED MORE have received the saine advantages. "This Building was originally constructed for the reception of 150, and subsequently extended so as to receive 180 of these unfortunate Children, under the hope that this extent would be sufficiently large to answer the calls for admission. Experience, however, soon proved the insufficiency of this provision. For though, since the completion of the New Building, the admissions have usually amounted to between 40 and 50 within each year, yet the applications have been found to increase in a still larger proportion. To prevent so lamentable an occurrence, the Committee resolved on a further enlargement, which has lately been completed, and by which they have been enabled, not only to afford better accommodation to the Children before in the Asylum, but also to increase their number to Two Hundred and Seven of these mute supplicants to the benevolence of the Publick. This number now forms the establishment actually enjoying the benefits of instruction." The Anniversary Sermon in behalf of this most interesting Charity, was preached on Sunday, March 17, 1822, at Curzon Chapel, by its highly respectable and benevolent Secretary, the Rev. Dr. Yates;-and on Wednesday March the 20th, the Duke of Gloucester, the patron of the Institution, presided, for the 15th time, at its Anniversary Festival. The company assembled was numerous and respectable. The first toast was "The King!" which was received with every expression of loyalty and applause. The Royal Family," and other loyal and On constitutional toasts succeeded. the health of "His Royal Highness the Patron" being proposed by Mr. Alderman Atkins, it met with that enthusiastic reception which proclaimed the heartfelt approbation of those present, of his Royal Highness's benign and persevering exertions in favour of objects whose relief brings satisfaction home to every bosom. Nothing more cordially unanimous could be witnessed than the desire evinced by the assembly to promote the advancement and extension of the benefits the Institution confers, which were feelingly and eloquently set forth, in the course of the evening, in appropriate speeches, by the Royal and illustrious Chairman; by the active Treasurer, William Nottidge, Esq.; by the founder and subtreasurer, the Rev. John Townsend ; and by the able secretary, the Rev. Dr. Yates. It was stated that two hundred and seven of these children of priva 307 tion are now under tuition; and, for the gratification of their benefactors, some, of both sexes, were introduced and conducted round the room, giving specimens of their acquirements in writing, arithmetic, speech, and knowledge of language! The looks of the children bespoke comfort and happiness, while those of their benefactors beamed delight. We are happy to add, that this most interesting Charity is supported by about 7500 Subscribers; and that the subscriptions announced on the present occasion amounted to nearly 8001. Still, however, fresh exertions are necessary; for, as the Institution becomes more known, the applications for remore numerous than ever. lief are This circumstance, if duly considered, must prove a powerful motive to urge a Charity, which, as its funds are auga continued and increasing support of which, as compassionately expressed mented, extends its usefulness; and ought to know no limit, until every by the Royal and Illustrious Patron, supplicating object in the United Kingdom can participate in the blessings conferred by this truly Christian Insti tution." I Mr. URBAN, EDIT. Doctors' Commons, AM sure that I need not state the possession of your valuable Magazine from its commencement, to induce you to give insertion to this reply_to the observations made by your Reviewer, on a paper of mine communicated to, and published by, the Society of Antiquaries: I have merely to appeal to your own sense of justice. I should not, however, have thought it requisite to vindicate what a Council of the Society have deemed worthy of publication, were it not from a fear that to leave unanswered the remarks on my "Observations on Military Garbook on antient armour, now in the ments," may prejudice the sale of a press. Yet, in so doing, I am not actuated by self-interested motives: that work is in the hands of booksellers, the profits and expence all theirs, and whether or not they sell a single copy, can to me be neither productive of benefit nor disadvantage. In the first place, I am censured for not accompanying my paper with plates. To that I reply that the paper forms but a small part of the volume, and the |