Text: C. F. Briggs (?), Literary, Broadway Journal (New York), April 26, 1845, vol. 1, no. 17, p. ??

[page 266, column 2:]

REVIEWS.

Thirteenth Annual Report of the Trustees of the Perkins Institution and Massachusetts Asylum of the Blind.

THIS exceedingly interesting report is from the pen of the philanthropic Director of the Asylum at Mount Washington, Dr. Howe. It is not simply a report of the condition of the Institution, for it contains much collateral matter full of important suggestions to thinking minds. But the chief interest of the report centres in that part of it which relates to Laura Bridgman, the deaf and blind mute, whose deprivations have rendered her name famous. It is generally known that Dr. Howe had succeeded in opening a communication of ideas with her, seemingly an almost impossible attempt, and that under his care she was gradually coming to a knowledge of the kind of world, physical and spiritual, which she inhabits. The great difficulty in the education of a mind like hers, must be to keep it free from errors, for all abstract truths and falsities must be alike to her, and an impression once created upon her mind could scarcely be removed. Feeling the importance of this, her instructor was very careful not to allow any improper person to have communication with her; but during his absence in Europe last year, it appears that some busy-body, more zealous than discreet, undertook to indoctrinate the poor girl with sectarian principles, and sadly deranged her ideas of the Deity by talking to her of the Atonement, the Lamb of God, and some mystical points of mere speculative doctrine. These things were, perhaps, not further beyond her comprehension than of the persons who talked to her about them; but they perplexed her more, because she required for every symbol a definite idea. She could not understand metaphorical language; hence the Lamb of God was to her a real animal, and she could not conceive why it did not grow old like other lambs, and be called a sheep. Her misconception of terms which, from their familiarity, are to us so plain in their meaning, shows how difficult the task must be always to convey exact thoughts to her mind on abstract subjects. She appears to be very much attached to Dr. Howe, and while he was in Europe sent him several letters, one of which we extract from the Report: —

MY VERY DEAR DR. HOWE:

What can I first say to God when I am wrong r Would he send me good thoughts and forgive me when I am very sad for doing wrong? Why does he not love wrong people if they love him? Would he be very happy to have me think of Him and Heaven very often I Do you remember that you said I must think of God and Heaven? I want you to please to answer me to please me. I have learned about a great many things to please you very much. Mrs. Harrington has got a new little baby eight days last Saturday. God was very generous and kind to give babies to many people. Miss Roger's mother has got baby two months ago. I want to see you very much. I send much love to you. Is God ever ashamed I I think of God very often to love Him. Why did you say that I must think of God I You must answer me all about it, if you do not I shall be sad. Shall we know what to ask God to do? When will he let us go to see Him in Heaven? How did God tell people that he lived in Heaven I How could he take care of folks in Heaven and why is be our Father? When can he let us go in Heaven? Why can not he let wrong people to go to live with Him and be happy? Why should he not like to have us ask him to send us good thoughts if we are not very sad for doing wrong.

The whole Report relating to this interesting girl is intensely exciting, and we shall look forward to the annual reports of Doctor Howe with a good deal of curiosity. She could hardly have fallen into better hands for her own happiness, or for the benefit of mankind. It is very apparent that important hints in education may be gathered in watching the advancement of a mind like Laura Bridgman's from total darkness into the light of comparative day. Although now on the verge of womanhood, she has less elementary knowledge than a child of six years.

The cases of blind and deaf mutes are not as rare as they [page 267:] have been supposed; Dr. Howe has met with ten of these unfortunate persons, in relation to seven of whom he gives some highly interesting particulars.