176 Dr Hibberfs Account of David Gilbert Tate. 
David’s intonations of voice, which I only heard when his 
painful feelings were intended to be expressed at the erect posi- 
tion in which he was placed, were somewhat remarkable. They 
were highly melodious, being uttered in almost every key ; and if 
music, as some philosophers state, be the natural language of 
passion, this idea was perhaps never better illustrated by exam- 
ple, than in the case of this untaught youth. 
I have, lastly, to say a few words on the mental faculties of 
David Tate. Here, however, they must be in relation to the 
simple question respecting the generation of ideas in the mind, 
produced after the causes which have excited sensations are with- 
drawn, and the state of effectiveness in the law by which ideas 
are associated. The evidence touching the law of ideal associa- 
tion or memory, as existing in the mind of this unfortunate 
youth, comprehends a few of the most simple events. Pre- 
viously to receiving food, his mother taps his hand with a spoon, 
which is recognised by the poor object, as a signal that she is 
preparing to satisfy his hu^er. In an instant, therefore, the 
hands of David are extended to receive the bason, in which is 
contained his pottage. The existence of memory, or of an as- 
sociation of ideas, is, in the next place, proved by the attachment 
which he is said to express towards his mother, who constantly 
feeds him. This is denoted by a restlessness, when he cannot, by 
feeling every object around him, detect her presence ; her ma- 
ternal offices of kindness, are also preferred before those of any 
other individual. 
I have already alluded to the idiotism of the sister of David 
Tate. There is reason to believe, that the brother is in a si- 
milar situation, though such a state of fatuity is difficult to be 
proved in an individual possessing so few avenues, by which ex- 
ternals objects can be conveyed to the mind. 
These are the leading circumstances in the case of David 
Tate. I have now only to apologize for the hasty sketch which 
I have drawn up, but which I intend to perfect in the first op- 
portunity of leisure afforded to me. The limited time I could 
conveniently detach from other avocations in Shetland, for the 
purpose of visiting this remarkable youth, must be a further 
apology for any deficiency in the history now rendered to you. 
