Anecdotes & Incidents of the Deaf and Dumb

by W. R. Roe

ANECDOTES & INCIDENTS

OF THE

DEAF AND DUMB.

W. R. ROE, M. C. T. D. & D.,

Head Master Midland Deaf and Dumb Institution, Derby,
Author Of "Alice Gray: a True Story;" &c.

DERBY: FRANCIS CARTER, IRON GATE.

1886.

PREFACE.

The Deaf and Dumb cannot help themselves as others can. From the cradle they are cut off from their fellow creatures. They can only cry, like the dumb brute, to make their pains and wishes known. God only can know the bitterness of heart, the desolation of the deaf and dumb child of the poor, as it grows up in a world without speech or sound—a lifelong silence! A mother's smile it may understand, but her soothing voice never comforts or delights it. While others grow in love, and life, and intelligence, its heart is chilled and its mind enfeebled. Only under suitable instruction, given at an early age, can the deaf mute become anything but a burden to others and to himself.