a Lad horn deaf and blind in Shetland. , 
uneasy feelings, whilst its continuance met with his most deter-^ 
mined resistance. In his person, David Tate shewed much 
emaciation and feeble muscular powers, little inclined, perhaps 
from the mode in which he was brought up^ to exposure in the 
open air, chusing most frequently to remain in the house, in a 
place nearest to the fire. When compelled to assume an erect 
position, an opportunity was afforded of remarking his general 
physiognomy. His countenance certainly appeared very idio- 
tic. His forehead, which in the lower part protruded, was im 
the upper part retreating, whilst the occiput appeared rathec 
flattened. His whole body seemed emaciated. His chin wm 
very prominent. His mouth was remarkably wide. His nose 
very sharp. He was almost in a state of . nudity, never having 
been accustomed to wear more than a coarse blanket, slightly 
tied round him, so as chiefly to cover his back. The pupil of 
the eyes shewed the pitchy black and dilated appearance cha- 
racteristic of amaurosis, and the iris did not contract or dilate 
upon the sudden application or withdrawing of a candle. 
When first observed, David had no sensible object within 
his grasp. It was then curious to observe the innumerable 
muscular contractions of his fingers, and the velocity with which, 
their motions were executed, to produce a rapid change of po- 
sition, shewing from what a simple origin, being neither more 
nor less than the solitary circumstance of varied muscular con- 
traction, exerted in parts of the body best calculated to pro- 
duce the effect, that the enjoyments of this individual were de- 
rived. Metaphysicians may refer all our enjoyments of touclr, 
as of any other sense, to the same source of varied position, but 
it is only in such an individual as David, where these are un- 
mixed with motives of action, arising from any other organs of 
sensation, except occasionally those of smell or taste, that specula- 
tions on the abstract sources of tactual pleasure may be confirm- 
ed. It was of importance to ascertain, in the next place, what 
objects, by being opposed to, and consequently resisting the 
muscular contractions of his fingers, (which is all we mean, when 
we speak of objects of touch,) appeared to afibrd the highest 
gratification. The answer given by the mother, when a que- 
stion to this effect was put to her relating to her son, was in the 
highest degree satisfactory. It afforded the most direct proof of 
