so Mr Smith's case of extraordinary developement 



on the contrary, he rather shuns than seeks contention. But 

 when provoked, he beats with ease boys twice his own age. 



Qd, His grandmother reports his temper to be exceedingly 

 violent when he is opposed in his wishes ; but says, that he is 

 easily awed into submission by the rod. He has never exhi- 

 bited any of that gaiety or playfulness of disposition that is 

 common to children of his own time of life ; nor does he join 

 other children in their diversions, which may be partly owing 

 to his own disinclination ; partly to this, that he has never been 

 looked upon as a fit associate by children of any age. From 

 the circles of the younger he has been excluded, by reason of 

 his disproportionate bulk and strength ; and from that of the 

 older, by his want of the necessary advances in intelligence, for, 

 though his strength is immense, he certainly shows a decided 

 want of skill to direct it. 



4^^, Till lately, he showed a great disposition to pilfering, 

 and this without any apparent object, since he would frequently 

 hide what he stole, and make no use of it afterwards. Some- 

 tinres he was tempted to steal by being bribed to it by other 

 children. But this fault appears to have arisen from ignorance, 

 as he has now, I am told, abandoned it entirely, since he has 

 been made aware that stealing is a crime. 



5th, I have been solemnly assured by his grandmother, and 

 her report appears to be confirmed by all that I can learn from 

 the neighbours, that he has never exhibited the slightest incli- 

 nation towards the other sex. 



Qth, In regard to the progress of his intellectual faculties, he 

 is, and ever has been, decidedly behind other children of the 

 same age. He was two years old before he could speak the 

 tti^o easiest words in his mother tongue, (Gaelic) and he has not 

 yet acquired almost one word of English, though that is the 

 language commonly spoken by the children about him. From 

 these circumstances, and from the dulness of his look and evi- 

 dent inactivity of mind, he was long considered to be what is 

 called a horn idiot. He was three years old before he acquired 

 the common use of words. About a month or two ago, on 

 trial, I found that he did not, after three months anxious at- 

 tendance at school, know more than two or tliree letters of the 



