364 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



Upon the question how far school instruction can be imparted 

 through these means without the aid of signs and finger-spelling 

 opinions differ. In justice to many it must be remembered that 

 they receive all classes of pupils; often they are bright and in 

 good physical condition, but some are diseased, of ignorant pa- 

 rentage, and small ability. It may be the latter class remain in 

 school but a short time. While there, thanks to the State's gen- 

 erosity, they need not be of any expense to their relatives ; it 

 often happens, however, that they can not be spared long from 

 home duties. The principal must arrange to give them all the 

 knowledge he can while they remain with him. No plan cover- 

 ing years will answer for them. Neither will a plan suitable for 

 them be sufficient for those better situated and conditioned. Per- 

 haps the teacher is himself deaf, the graduate of some State insti- 

 tution, a member of one or more organizations of deaf-mutes, 

 associating daily with sign-taught adults. Without casting any 

 disparagement upon his abilities, we beg leave to say he is not as 

 competent to decide the matter as a hearing person would be; 

 he receives opinions from, both sides, but he can not judge im- 

 partially. The greater his faith in the character of those who 

 advocate articulation, the greater his faith in that system, but 

 being sign-taught himself, he would like to feel his education was 

 superior. Some principals have an oral department, by which is 

 meant that a certain number of pupils are taught speech, and 

 by speech receive instruction in all studies. As much as possible 

 they are kept apart from the other pupils. This is a decided im- 

 provement upon the first arrangement, though it is a matter for 

 regret that some should have such an advantage over others. A 

 few superintendents feel this, and are arranging to have all new 

 pupils taught speech, and as the older ones are graduated the 

 manual department becomes small. Other institutions advocate 

 a combined method, using both speech and signs with all pupils, 

 one or the other system receiving the greater attention according 

 to the views of the principal in charge. Schools have been opened 

 which give instruction to all pupils by speech only, and are called 

 oral schools, and a number of teachers are scattered over the 

 country who fill the positions of resident or visiting governesses. 

 Thus there is a disposition to advance the cause of the education 

 of the deaf, and a wide difference in opinion as to what is best. 



The true test is in results. That system is excellent which 

 enables the deaf pupil to take his rightful place in the world, 

 attain business and social success, to be like unto others. Correct, 

 fluent speech, with voice more or less agreeable, and the ability to 

 understand others by watching the facial movements (whch is 

 called lip-reading or speech-reading), may be acquired by the boy 

 or girl suddenly deprived of hearing by illness or born deaf. To 



