246 LAUEA BRIDGMAN. sensitiveness of its touch. Next, lie placed before her two labels with the same two names printed upon them. She soon showed that she perceived the difference by putting the label k-e-y upon the key, and the label s-p-o-o-n upon the spoon. From that moment, the success of this most interesting experiment was assured, and the doctor encouraged her by patting her on the head. Other objects were placed before her, and she rapidly learned to placed the right label upon each. When her table was covered with articles and labels lying in confusion, she would sort them out, placing upon every one of them its printed name. The next step was an important advance. Types were given her consisting of certain required letters. At first the types were arranged in proper order, b-o-o-k, and then, after a time, they were thrown into confusion, and she was taught to put them together again in the same order. This process was repeated until she could form the name, in her moveable types, of all the articles that could be placed within her reach. Gratifying as her progress was, it was still evident to her patient instructor that she did not as yet comprehend the object which he had in view. But, one day, while she was setting up names in this manner, a change came over her demeanor. " Hitherto," says Doctor Howe, " the process had been mechanical, and the success about as great as teaching a very knowing dog a variety of tricks. The poor child had sat in mute amazement, and patiently imitated every- thing her teacher did ; but now the truth began to flash upon her ; her intellect began to work ; she perceived that here was a way by which she could herself make up a sign of anything that was in her own mind, and show it to another mind ; and at once her countenance lighted up with a human expression. ... I could almost fix upon the moment when this truth dawned upon her mind, and soread its light to her countenance."
