BORN BLIND AND DEAF. 59 



Q. 4. Does he shew a strong desire to examine all objects 

 by feeling ? 



A. He does : small objects he applies to his teeth, and feels 

 with the tip of his tongue : larger objects he feels with his fin- 

 gers carefully. 



Q, 5. Is he much gratified with a new object ? 



A. Some objects do not seem to attract his attention ; others 

 do; and, where there is any mechanism, he endeavours, by 

 handling them, to find it out : he discovers a particular fond- 

 ness for locks and keys. 



Q. 6. Does he discover any preference to the handling 

 of smooth, rough, or pointed things •? 



A. If he does any, it is to smooth objects ; when he gets a 

 bit of rough wood, he endeavours to smooth it with his teeth, 

 or causes the boy who attends him to smooth it with a knife. 



Q. 7. Is he fond of bodily exertion ? 



A. He is extremely fond of running, walking, and riding. 



H 2 " Q. 8. 



fingers, so as to allow it to vibrate freely ; and after tingling all of them 

 amongst his teeth in this manner, he generally selected one from the others, 

 the sound of which seemed to please him most. This, indeed, was one of his 

 most favourite amusements, and it was surprising how long it would arrest his 

 attention, and with what eagerness he would on all occasions renew it. Mr 

 Brougham, having observed this circumstance, brought to him a musical snuff- 

 box (a French trinket, containing a small musical instrument, which played airs 

 by means of a spring), and placed it between his teeth. This seemed not only 

 to excite his wonder, but to afford him exquisite delight, and his father and sis- 

 ter, who were present, remarked, that they had never seen him so much in- 

 terested on any former occasion. Whilst the instrument continued to play, he 

 kept it closely between his teeth, and even when the notes were ended, he con- 

 tinued to hold the box to his mouth, and to examine it minutely with his fin- 

 gers, expressing by his gestures and by hie countenance great curiosity.' 1 



