"CONVERSATION" (OPENING AND SHUTTING FINGERS AS THE MOUTHS OF BIRDS CHATTERING).
It may possibly occur to many that there might be considerable difficulty in conveying a difference of expression in the same idea; that is to say, the difference indicated in spoken language by a mere variation of inflection in the voice. As a matter of fact, the sign language is even more expressive in this particular. An excellent illustration of this is given in two photographs on page 71. Both gestures express the same idea—a parting between two friends. In the first of the two you have the parting in which there is a little sadness. The idea of separation is conveyed by the hand leading the other away. That it is a matter of regret is shown by the expression of the face and the nod of the head.
In the second photograph of the pair you still have the parting. This time, however, it is a humorous rendering which might be used with happy felicity at the conclusion of a platform speech, where the speaker wished to convey a sort of "Well, I'm sorry to go, but I must," notion. Here the separation is humorously expressed by the suggestion of brute force brought to bear on the speaker's collar.
In similar fashion many inflections may be given to the same idea, and with the indispensable assistance of facial expression the elements of Hope, Tragedy, Comedy, Fear, are introduced.
The extraordinary mobility of Mr. Gilby's features must prove of the utmost service to him. With a scarcely perceptible quiver of the features his face expresses alternate Tragedy and Humour. So much so, indeed, that one feels that he is throwing his whole nature into each and every fleeting gesture. And this is probably the secret of his success, for to this pale-faced, highly strung man the cause of the deaf mute is as life itself.
The education of the deaf and dumb is necessarily limited, though the general impression that they are deficient in mental capacity is entirely erroneous. On the contrary, brightness, intelligence, and, curiously enough, content are their chief characteristics. Such educational limitations as exist are an unavoidable result of the tedious and trying system that must be gone through in order to give a deaf and dumb child even the rudiments of an education.
If you wish to teach such an one what a cow is and how to spell the word, there is only one method, and that is to place a picture of a cow before it and write the word on paper till it comprehends that the letters C O W represent the name of the animal in question.
It will be seen, therefore, that only those who have enjoyed very exceptional educational advantages are in a position to appreciate some of the deeper abstract ideas of philosophy and the sciences.
