have conversed with those around the table much more freely. Another important feature about this method was that it contemplated beginning the education of the young at the earliest possible moment, when all the vocal organs were still flexible and capable of adapting themselves to exigencies to which they might be applied. Where this was neglected, and the organs became stiffened and impaired by want of use, no doubt signs were the only means left. Before sitting down he might mention that one of his cottage tenants, a widow, had a boy, a deaf mute, who had never been taught, and though he was tender and affectionate to his parents, and could communicate with them to some extent, he could not do so to other persons; and, owing to this want of social intercourse and consequent restraint, he was liable to fits of most ungovernable rage. Now he looked upon life very much as an occasion for enjoyment, and loss of temper, therefore, is one of the heaviest grievances which could befall a man. It was to remove this great evil of isolation from social influences that Mr. Ackers was striving, and he most heartily wished him every success.
Miss Hull said she had been teaching the deaf and dumb for the last fourteen years, originally on the combined system, but for the last four years she had given it up. She had no idea previously that it was possible to teach a child born deaf to speak, and therefore had only attempted to keep up the knowledge of spoken language in those who had once possessed it; but as soon as she found it was possible to do so she commenced instructing even congenital deaf mutes in the same way, and now used no other method, because she found that those who were accustomed to watch the fingers would not give that undivided attention to the lips which was necessary. She found her pupils improved very much in language from going home to their friends, and at the age of 11 or 12 they were able to converse freely with their brothers and sisters. They were thus, in effect, restored to society, and their affliction was almost extinguished. With reference to the persons named by Mr. Smith, she believed that they had been educated at Berlin under the combined system, and therefore they were not fair
