' JAMES MITCHELL. TSl 
sessing a more accurate knowledge of the occupations and ha- 
bits of others, he would probably acquire practical patience, and 
accommodate himself more completely to the convenience of 
those around him. 
One of the most promising advantages likely to be conferred 
on him by the acquisition of language consists in the opportu- 
nity afforded to his friends to make known to him the utility 
of an operation for the cataract. It would now be indispensa- 
ble to obtain his: consent before proceeding to any operation. 
‘The employment of force would be equally unjustifiable as in 
the case of any other adult. If he is reluctant, the operation 
ought to be delayed, and, in the mean time, easy experiments 
employed, and advantage taken of accidental occurrences, to 
impress on him the wisdom of submitting to temporary pain 
for the sake of important subsequent advantages. 
To some it might appear probable that this young man, 
from beginning to learn language comparatively late in life, 
would be the better enabled to gratify philosophical i inquirers 
with a comparison between the state of his ideas before and af- 
ter making that acquisition. On this subject, however, they 
ought not to entertain very sanguine hopes. Our past impres- 
sions, especially in their defective points, soon cease to be dis- 
tinctly traced. The only exceptions to this general fact are 
those crude ideas of an inexperienced age which give amuse- 
‘ment on recollection by their grotesque and incongruous cha- 
acter. The most prominent revolutions of his mind would 
probably affect the ideas which he entertains of the habits and 
sentiments. of other persons. A statement of his views as in 
this respect. improved, though it might be considered as little 
fitted to elucidate the more recondite doctrines of pneumatolo- 
gy, could not fail to prove interesting to all who take pleasure 
in the study of human nature. 
- APPENDIX. 
