Page:The education of the deaf and dumb practically considered.djvu/15

 but had always failed, except in the case of institutions, and regularly organised bodies of instructors.

Thrown on my own resources, I resolved to stand alone, strong in the conviction that a firm will, and trust in the Higher Power, would enable me to do what others had done; and if I had more difficulties to surmount, I had also a courage equal to the attempt.

In 1864, the deafness of my charge was pronounced incurable, and her being immediately instructed according to the deaf-mute system advised. Unwilling to place her in one of the public institutions, her parents requested me to continue her education. I acquiesced, and undertook the entire charge of her, not limiting her lessons to so short a time as before.

At this time I visited the Kent Road Asylum, and received much encouragement, both from witnessing the success of the method employed there, and from the kind advice given me by the Rev. J. H. Watson and his Secretary.

I now taught my pupil to speak on her fingers, and soon acquired power to make her pronounce any word that I placed before her. The power of speech was regained—memory aiding my efforts—and though her articulation continues imperfect, it is perfectly intelligible to me and to those who associate with her. Her language is not the crude gathering together of certain words, it is the ordinary language of children who have the gift of hearing; new words being in her case acquired through the eye, in the same way as they are with others collected, apprehended, and applied by the ear. Many sounds I teach her by approximation, others she can take by watching my lips; some of her acquired words are more distinct than those