I have seen one little girl deaf and dumb--the only instance in my
time--in consequence of a fright her mother had experienced. The child
was of so nervous a temperament, that she could not be taught anything
intellectual. She was lovely, with long hair that fell about her in
graceful curls, and in whatever way she sat, moved, or reclined, her
poses and movements were angelic.
It was found that the only thing which would awaken her dormant senses
was electricity; and that, under its influence, she would be well and
happy.
This child was at length taught to remain for some time together in one
of her beautiful poses.
The circus in which I saw her is built close to a mountain or steep
ascent, which rises almost perpendicularly to a great height. By the
power of an attractive electricity, she would be made--whilst in one of
her beautiful poses--to rise gradually, and to be borne flying, as it
were, in the air. She would then be made to alight on the top of the
high rock, where a halo of concentrated light was thrown on her; this
clung about her, attracted by a solution with which her dress was
sponged. The light was calculated to remain undissipated for half an
hour.
After some time, and having taken the most graceful poses, encircled
with the lovely halo, the child would glide off the rock and descend
slowly and gracefully through the air--with the varied colours of the
halo about her--as though she were a being of the celestial stars.
Of all exhibitions, I have never seen any more beautiful than this. It
served admirably to raise, refine, and rouse the spectator to
enthusiasm.