BORN BLIND AND DEAF. 27 



tives. His more pleasurable sensations are obviously enjoyed 

 from the senses of Taste and Smell ; and, indeed, I have never 

 observed any thing disagreeable in his manner, except the 

 keenness and voracity with which he devours his food. But 

 he derives amusement also from the sense of Touch. His fa- 

 ther told me, that he had often remarked him, employing 

 many hours in selecting from the bed of the river, which runs 

 within a few yards of the house, stones of a round shape, near- 

 ly of the same weight, and having a certain degree of smooth- 

 ness. These he placed in a circular form on the bank, and 

 then seated himself in the middle of the circle. 



" There is a certain range around the manse which he has 

 minutely explored by his organs of Touch, and to any part of 

 this space he seems to walk, when he pleases, fearlessly and 

 without a guide. I believe his range does not yet extend be- 

 yond two hundred yards in any direction ; but there is proba- 

 bly not a day elapses, during which he does not cautiously feel 

 his way into ground which he had not explored before; 

 and thus gradually extends his yet very circumscribed field of 

 observation. It was in one of these excursions of discovery, 

 that his father observed him with horror, creeping on his 

 hands and knees along a narrow wooden bridge which crossed 

 the river, at a point where the stream is deep and rapid. He 

 was immediately arrested in his progress; and as his father 

 wished to discourage him from hazarding so perilous an at- 

 tempt again, a servant was directed to plunge him, as soon as 

 he was secured, once or twice into ,the river. This measure 

 has had the desired effect. 



" From a similar solicitude about his safety, the servants 

 had been enjoined to prevent him from visiting the stable, 

 which he never fails to do, the instant he has discovered by 



D 2 tha 



