Page:Vocal Speech for the Dumb.djvu/34

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DEAF, NOT DUMB.

not be so; but others, perhaps smaller ones, should be established throughout the country.

That there is need of immediate action in this matter you will allow, when you know that little more than half our deaf are educated at all—what a bitter practical commentary on our boasted civilisation!—while only about 100 of those under instruction are taught on the 'German' system. This leaves from 1,500 to 2,000 to be gathered in, without touching existing schools and institutions.

An association is now being formed, which will, we hope, help to spread the blessings of this system throughout the length and breadth of the land. In order to accomplish this, the first necessity is to have a supply of trained teachers. A training college is therefore about to be started, where Relations of the deaf can obtain training, Governesses can be taught, and Masters and Mistresses for schools supplied.

As this honourable Society, five years ago, generously assisted the school then proposed into public notice and recognition, so I feel sure that the good which resulted therefrom will be widely extended, by affording to the training college now proposed a like assistance, to the incalculable benefit of so many utterly neglected, and terribly unfortunate, of our fellow-beings.