E.—l2,

DEAF-MUTE INSTEUCTION.

DEAF-MUTE INSTEUCTION. 1

I.—INTRODUCTOEY REMARKS. " The expression ' Deaf and Dumb ' is a misnomer, though, strange enough, in almost every European language we find the same terms. Discard the idea from your mind that this means a double affliction. The only defect ia deafness,' dumbness is the unfortunate result."—Van Peaagh.3 It is not within the scope of my report to inquire into the causes of the deaf-mute affliction ; 3 or whether it is a national duty to interfere in order to prevent such as are preventible ;* or to cure any cases that may be curable ; 5 and how such cures may be effected. 0 It is, of course, for me only to present the educational aspects of the question, 7 and for those who desire to inquire further into the subject, I would refer them to the publications mentioned in the Appendix hereto. "It is computed that the number of persons deaf and dumb, of all ages throughout the world, exceeds one million. Taking the proportion as lin every 1,500 s of the world's population, the number has been given as 1,082,132.° Excluding, as we must do, all uncivilized countries, remembering that the education of this class is the product of Christianity and civilization, and is almost entirely confined to Europe, America, and a few British Colonies, 10 it is no wonder, says Dr. Buxton, 11 from whom I quote, that while the approximate number of deaf children of school age would, on this reckoning, be 180,000, 12 the highest tables which have been recorded place the total on the school registers below 30,000." 13 In order to give an insight into the subject, I propose to write, as relating to the different countries, under the following headings : " General Features/' " National Aid," " Method," " Schools," " Training Colleges," " Industrial Training," and " London Board Schools," and " The Rev. W. Stainer's Homes."

Note.— For fuller description of publications quoted, see Appendix. 1 A Royal Commission was appointed this year (1S86) in England to inquire into the Education of the Blind and Deaf and Dumb. — See "Quarterly Review of Deaf-mute Education." London, W. H. Allen and Co. (herein termed Q.R.), April, 1886, p. 55. 2 (a) See Conference papers of 10 Jan., 1878, and 30 May, 1882, pp. 4 and 3, 4 ; (b) Official Report of Conference held 30 June, 1884, at Health Exhibition, London (called hereafter 0.R.), pp. 3, 22, 28 ; and (c) Presidential address by Prof. Bell at convention of teachers, New York, 25 June, 1884, reported in " American Annals of the Deaf and Dumb " (hereafter termed A.A.), Oct., 1884, p. 239. But note— (a) Distinction between " dumb " and " mute" in Webster's "Unabridged Dictionary," under word " mute ;" and see " Seventeenth Annual Report of Clarke Institution" (hereafter termed C.I. rep.); and (6) Chambers's Encyc. Art., " Deaf and Dumb," by Dr. Buxton (hereafter termed C.E.), re translation " Deaf," " Dumb," and " Speechless." 3 "Deaf-mutism," &c.,by Dr. Hartmann (hereafter termed Dr. H.), see Appendix, p. 51 and seq. ; also work by Fr. Kobrich (see Appendix) noticed in Q.R., Jan., 1886, p. 32. 1 " Legal regulations with regard to the marriage of deafmutes do not exist," Dr. H., p. 191. 5 " On the Education of Incurably-Deaf Children," by Sir W. B. Dalby, see Q.R., April, 1886, p. 47. 6 See— (a) " Diseases and Injuries of the Ear," by W. B. (now Sir) Dalby, F.R.C.S., M.B. (Churchill, London, 1880); (6) Dr. H., p. 97 and seq. 7 Note statement of Mgr. Dupanloup of the true aim of education, A.A., April, 1878, p. 140.

13—E. 12.

s Official Catalogue of International Health Exhibition, London, 1884, Art. by Dr. Buxtdn, p. 43 (hereafter termed 0.G.). See also— («) Dr. 11. ; (b) Penny Encyclopaedia; (c) Paper by Mr. Kinsey in " For their Sakcs;" but especially— (a)Articlo by Dr. Buxton, Q.8., Jan., 1886, p. 20, " Statistics : Leading and Misleading ; " and (e) Q.R., April and July, pp. 43 and 93. Note Census Return (hereafter termed C. Eep.) for 1881, N.Z., pp. 15 and 274, 1 in 4,298, excluding Natives. 8 0.C., see also— (a) 0.E., p. 34; (6) Compto-rendu du Congres International, Milan, 1880 (hereafter termed G.R.), p. 255 ; (c) Troisieme Congres International, Bruxelles, 1883 (hereafter termed T.C.), p. 20 ; (d) Dr. 11., pp. 202, 44, and seq. But see— (o) Statisque Generate par Prof. Mottinet, 1883 (hereafter termed S.G.) ; and (b) 1.C., p. 260. 10 Note interesting statistics re India, T.C., p. 120 ; and Q.R., Oct., 1886, p. 125. 11 Vice-President of Conferences of Headmasters of 1877 and 1881, until lately Secretary, Ealing Training College, and now one of the editors of the " QuarterlyReview of Deaf-mute Education," &c. 13 But note Dr. Buxton's estimate in paper read at Sheffield (hereafter called Sheffield Paper), 7 Aug., 1879. 13 0.0., also A.A., Jan., 1883. But notefa) C.R., p. 256; (b) A.A., 7 Oct., 1884; (c) Encyc. Brit., 1877 (hereafter termed E.8.); and (d) Times, 17 Sep., 1884, re Norway. See also espec. Dr. Buxton's recent article as above, Q.R., Jan,, 1886, pp. 17-20; "Further Observations on Statistics," Q.li., April, 1886, p. 43, and Q.R July, 1886, pp. 93 and 94.

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