68 ACCOUNT OF A BOY 



upwards of three miles from home. In all these expeditions, he 

 proceeds in a great measure without a guide. But a boy is 

 appointed to follow him, and keep him constantly in view ; 

 and Mitchell has the good sense, when he perceives any 

 thing which he imagines to be a serious obstacle in his way, to 

 wait until his little follower comes up to his assistance. 



Lately, on the road near the manse, he met a person, riding 

 on a horse which had been bought a few weeks before from 

 his mother ; and on coming up to the animal, and feeling it, 

 he seemed instantly to recognise it. The person immediately 

 dismounted, in order to see how Mitchell would behave ; and 

 he was much amused to find, that he led the horse to his mo- 

 ther's stable, took off his saddle and bridle, put corn before 

 him, and then withdrew, locking the door, and putting the key- 

 in his pocket. 



When he wishes to communicate his ideas to any one near 

 him, he uses natural signs; and it is curious to observe, that 

 most of these signs are addressed to the sight of those with 

 whom he converses. This fact, it appears to me, shews very 

 clearly, that he is aware that the powers of vision enjoyed 

 by others are superior to his own ; and hence it is not unrea- 

 sonable to hope, that his reflecting on his inferiority in this 

 respect, when his reason has become more matured, may be 

 the means of inducing him to submit, more placidly than he 

 has hitherto done, to any endeavours for the improvement of 

 his sight. 



The following are a few examples of his signs. As soon as 

 I began to examine his eyes, opposite to a window, he turned 

 towards his sister, and stretched out his arm to its full extent 

 laterally from his body. This, his sister informed me, is his 

 usual sign for London. It is obviously the natural expression 

 of distance ; and there is no need of pointing out the associa- 

 tion which must have led him to use it on this occasion. 



When 



