UNCLE SAM'S FAKM. 59 



less. It is impossible, in our brief space, to describe 

 the humane and persevering care, inspired by the 

 highest genius, which has since presided over her edu- 

 cation, and gradually opened to her mind, through her 

 solitary sense of touch, the light of knowledge. She 

 has been taught the manual alphabet of the deaf 

 mutes, and now converses by these signs with wonder- 

 ful rapidity. She receives the communications of 

 others on the palm of her hand, while her own words 

 seem to fly from the points of her fingers like electri- 

 cal sparks. She now reads with fluency the books 

 printed in the raised character for the blind, and 

 writes with ease." 



The following is an extract from the last report of 

 Dr. Howe : — 



PROGRESS OF LAURA BRIDGMAN. 



" Her progress has been a curious and an interest- 

 ing spectacle. She has come into human society 

 with a sort of triumphal march ; her course has been 

 a perpetual ovation. Thousands have been watching 

 her with eager eyes, and applauding each successful 

 step, while she, all unconscious of their gaze, holding 

 on to the slender thread, and feeling her way along, 

 has advanced with faith and courage towards those 



