XXX] BOSTON TO WASHINGTON 131 



of course, a good deal of guesswork, and unless they know 

 the subject of conversation, they are likely to make great 

 mistakes. 



Many persons cannot understand how it is possible to 

 convey all kinds of abstract ideas by means of gestures or 

 signals as quickly and as certainly as by vocal sounds. But 

 in reality the former has some advantages over the latter, 

 and is equally capable of unlimited extension and the ex- 

 pression of new ideas, by a modification of familiar symbols. 

 If we consider how easily we convey the idea, " Don't speak," 

 by putting the fingers to the lips ; " yes " or " no " by the 

 slightest motions of the head ; " come " or " go " by motions 

 of the hand; "joy" or "sorrow" by the expression of the 

 face ; " a child " or " a man " by holding the hand at the 

 corresponding height ; weakness of mind by tapping the 

 forehead with the finger, we can see how a system of signs 

 and gestures may be gradually built up as surely as have 

 been the vocal sounds of all the various languages of the 

 world. And such a system has been built up, and is so 

 complete that a spoken lecture upon any subject whatever 

 can be translated into gestures so as to be perfectly under- 

 stood and enjoyed by an audience of deaf-mutes. Of course, 

 proper names and the less common technical terms are given 

 by rapidly spelling out the word by letter-signs. No doubt 

 the power of speaking and lip-reading is by far the more 

 valuable for the deaf-mute, since it enables him to com- 

 municate with the outside world ; but as a means of familiar 

 intercourse with each other, the gesture language is the 

 most certain and the most enjoyable. Both require light, 

 but the latter, involving motions of the limbs and body, can 

 be understood at a greater distance and with less strained 

 attention. 



The students trained in this college have no difficulty in 

 finding employment. Some become teachers to the deaf, 

 but others are editors or journalists, clerks, surveyors, 

 draughtsmen, mechanics, etc. I saw one of the younger 

 pupils being taught to speak, which requires immense 

 patience and perseverance in the teacher, and in some cases 



