did we ever meet with a 'German' system teacher who knew of one—that is, a toto-congenital pupil, old or present, that habitually, or for any length of time, could pass as a hearing person. But what we did see were men and women, able to earn their own livelihood in trades and other occupations, communicating with and answering hearing persons sufficiently well by articulation and lip-reading to go through the world comfortably, and, in some instances, very successfully.
In no case were we unable to make ourselves understood or failed to understand in return, except when with those educated in a school where some signs were allowed, a large 'internt.' Just in proportion as signs were allowed in institutions, so those taught therein appeared to less advantage when we saw them in after life.
We asked their fellow-workmen, their employers, their work people, their relations, and those with whom they lodged, 'How do they communicate with hearing persons?' And were universally answered, often with embarrassing astonishment at such a question, 'Why, by speaking, of course!'
Let us take a few individual cases; that of the Dutch gentleman, who kindly allowed himself to be examined and tested in this room, and before the Social Science Congress at Leeds in 1871, is probably known to most here present. Of him Dr. E. M. Gallaudet, the Principal of the National College for Deaf-mutes, at Washington, U.S.A., not too willing a witness, declared that he and the Dutchman before mentioned had no difficulty in conversing together on various topics by word of mouth, not even the jolting of the cab on their way to the
