The Deaf and Dumb cannot help themselves as others can. From the cradle
they are cut off from their fellow creatures. They can only cry, like
the dumb brute, to make their pains and wishes known. God only can know
the bitterness of heart, the desolation of the deaf and dumb child of
the poor, as it grows up in a world without speech or sound--a lifelong
silence! A mother's smile it may understand, but her soothing voice
never comforts or delights it. While others grow in love, and life, and
intelligence, its heart is chilled and its mind enfeebled. Only under
suitable instruction, given at an early age, can the deaf mute become
anything but a burden to others and to himself.
The anecdotes in the following pages will doubtless be read with
considerable curiosity, and it is hoped that the Midland Institution for
the Deaf and Dumb at Derby will receive some pecuniary assistance by the
publication of this little book.
There are 1119 Deaf and Dumb in the Institution's district, which
comprises six of the Midland Counties.
The Institution is supported by voluntary contributions.