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still existing But we have not the old primitive sounds, and so cannot 
say whether there was or was not in spoken language as natural a connection 
between the sign and the thing signified as in written language. In the case 
of mutes, however, they have articulate signs which they connect with 
certain things, and are able to put words together (some of the instances 
go as far as that), and to form compound words. I think these facts go 
to prove, then, that it is possible,— I do not say that it is certain, u 
that it is possible, that man, if created in a high moral condition, would 
have had power and inclination to invent articulate language. 
Professor Young.— I have said nothing to the contrary. 
Mr Beddie.-I regret that I cannot quite accept the hypothesis of 
Professor Young, anxious as I am to have it established by all means that 
language was originally a gift of God to man. But neither can I quite > agree 
with Mr. Warington in the latter part of his remarks, that if man had been 
created in a high condition, with the feelings and wants of civilized man, e 
could have invented language, if he means language such as we ave 1 
among civilized races. I do not deny that he would have endeavoured to 
speak, or that he could probably invent some kind of language ; but it is a 
very important hypothesis that Professor Young puts before us, namely, that 
if man was created in the low and savage condition, which it is now t e 
fashion to assume, he would begin with mere gesture language and would be 
content with it. But be that as it may, I venture to go further and say, tha 
if man was originally speechless he must have been lower than any known 
savage, and even if we conclude that man in that low condition could 
invent a spoken language, we are bound to infer that 1 " 01 ® ? 
language such as we do find it among actual savages. And if that be so, 
we are then still left without any explanation of the origin of the most ancient 
and perfect languages that exist, — as for instance the Sanskrit, w ic never 
could have been invented by man in this low condition. But as the tune o 
the meeting has been already so much exceeded, I think it will be more 
valuable, instead of pursuing such speculations, that I shoul ap P ea ® S0Id 
further facts, like those which the author of the paper has brought before us. 
I ventured to give Professor Young’s paper to a friend of mine to rea a 
gentleman who, although he is a “ deaf-mute,” is m the same public dep 
ment as myself, and, I may add, a very able man of business^ I consider h 
is a better instance to cite than those adduced by Professor ^ 0UDg ^ ^ or 
Dr. Kitto lost his hearing at twelve years of age and Mrs. ° 
ten, but the gentleman whose case I am about to cite became deaf at.a very 
much earlier age, and all that he knows of vocal articulation he learnt be ore 
he was four years old. Well, I gave him Professor Young’s P a P er t0 read > 
and requested to have the benefit of his remarks upon it ; and he has be 
kind enough to allow me to make use of the letter that he wrote to me in 
reply, which when printed in our Proceedings will I think be read with great 
interest, both as an acute criticism upon the paper, and as giving is o 
experience as regards the supposed disinclination of deaf-inu °P • 
His letter is as follows : — 
