KING GEORGE IV. & THE DEAF & DUMB BOY.
hen King George IV. visited Ireland a deaf and dumb boy determined to send a letter to His Majesty. The following extracts taken from this characteristic letter will be interesting:
"Wednesday, 4th July, 1821.
"My dear George,—I hope I will see you when you come here to see the deaf and dumb boys and girls; I am very sorry that you never did come here to see them.
"I will be very glad to see you, if you will come here often to see me. Did you ever see the deaf and dumb in London? You must write a letter to me soon. Would you like to see me at Claremont? I could not go to London, because there is too much money to pay to the captain of a ship for me.
"Do you know Grammar, Geography, Bible, Arithmetic, Astronomy, and Dictionary? I know them very little. I am very delighted that I am improving much. Perhaps I will be an assistant of the Deaf and Dumb School. Where were you born? Would you like to correspond with me? I would be very fond of you. You ought to write a long letter to me soon. What profession are you of? I never saw you; I am very, very anxious to see you indeed, and would like to see the King of England very much.
"Will you send us some deaf and dumb children, and give us money to pay for educating them.
"I am, your affectionate friend,
"Thomas Collins."
The answer was as follows:—
"To Thomas Collins, Deaf and Dumb Institution, Claremont, Glasnevin, near Dublin.
"Sir Benjamin Bloomfield is commanded by the King to present to Thomas Collins ten pounds for being a good boy."
"Phœnix Park, 3rd Sep., 1821."
With these ten pounds the boy was afterwards apprenticed to a printer.
