A compleat history of the most remarkable providences both of judgment and mercy, which have hapned in this present age extracted from the best writers, the author's own observations, and the numerous relations sent him from divers parts of the three kingdoms : to which is added, whatever is curious in the works of nature and art / the whole digested into one volume, under proper heads, being a work set on foot thirty years ago, by the Reverend Mr. Pool, author of the Synopsis criticorum ; and since undertaken and finish'd, by William Turner...

CHAP. III. Persons Deaf and Dumb much Improved by Art.

ONE would think this Defect of Nature very deplorable, and hardly capable of any Allevia∣tion; for by it, is barr'd and obstructed all Correspondence with the Reasonable Soul: no in∣formation can be taken in; no Communication permitted without. The Ears are stopt, so that the Person cannot learn from others, nor he express the Sense of his own Mind to others: So that what remains in such a case, where all the Intercourse of Reason is damm'd up, but the Expecta∣tion

of a Bruitality and Sottishness of Nature to follow, yet even here the Wit of Man hath found out something like a Remedy to Cure, or in some measure to alleviate and assist this great Mala∣dy, by finding out some uncommon way of conveying Intelligence to the immured Soul, and pump∣ing it of its own Sense and Conceptions.

1. Mr. Increase Mather, of New-England, tells us of a Man, and of a Woman, at Wey∣mouth, both of them Deaf, and the Woman so from her Infancy; and yet that she under∣stands as much concerning the State of the Country, and of particular Persons therein, and of observable Occurrences, as almost any one of her Sex; and (which is more wonderful) tho she is not able to speak a Word, she has by Signs made it appear, that she is not ignorant of Adam's Fall, nor of Man's Misery by Nature, nor of Redemption by Christ, and the great Concernments of Eternity, and of another World, and that she her self has had expe∣rience of a Work of Conversion in her own Soul. I have made Enquiry about this Mat∣ter, of some, that are fully acquainted therewith, and have from a good Hand receiv'd this foregoing Account.

2. Matthew Prat, aged about Fifty-five Years, was in his Minority by his godly Parents educated Religiously, and taught to read; when he was about Twelve Years old, he became totally deaf by Sickness, and so hath ever since continued; after the loss of his hearing he was taught to write; his Reading and Writing he retaineth perfectly, and makes much good Improvement of both; but his Speech is very broken and imperfect, not ea∣sily intelligible; he maketh use of it more seldom, only to some few that are wonted to it. He discourseth most by Signs, and by writing: He is studious and judicious in Matters of Reli∣gion, hath been in Church Fellowship a Partaker of all Ordinances near Thirty Years, hath approved himself unto good Satisfaction therein, in all ways of Church-Communion, both in publick and private, and judged to be a well-wrought Convert, and real Christian.

3. Sarah Prat, his Wife, being about Forty-three Years old, was also quite deprived of Hearing by Sickness, when about the third Year of her Age, after she could speak, and had begun to learn Letters; having quite lost her Hearing, she lost all Speech (doubtless all re∣membrance and Understanding of Words and Language) her Religious Parents being both dead, her godly Brother, Ephraim Hunt, (yet surviving) took a Fatherly Care of her, she also happily fell under the Guardianship and Tuition of the Reveread Mr. Thomas Thatch∣er, who laboured with design to teach her to understand Speech or Language by Writing, but it was never observed, that any thing was really effected; she hath a notable Accu∣racy and Quickness of understanding by the Eye, she discourseth altogether by Signs, that they that are able to discourse with her in that way, will communicate any Matter much more speedily (and as full as can be by Speech, and she to them) her Children Sign from the Breast, and learn to speak by their Eyes and Fingers, sooner than by their Tongues: She was from her Childhood naturally sober and susceptible of good civil Education, but had no knowledge of a Deity, or of any thing that doth concern another Life and World: Yet God hath of his infinite Mercy, reveal'd himself, his Son, and the great Mysteries of Salvation unto her by an extraordinary and wonderful working of his Spirit (as 'tis be∣lieved) in a Saving Work of Conversion. An Account of her Experiences was taken from her in writing by her Husband; upon which she was examined by the Elders of the Church, they imploying her Husband, and two of her Sisters, intelligent Persons, and notably skill'd in her Artificial Language, by whose help they attain'd good Satisfaction, that she under∣standeth all the Principles of Religion: Those of the Unity of the Divine Essence, Trini∣ty of Persons, the Personal Union, the Mystical Union; they made most diligent Enquiry about, and were satisfied, that her Knowledge and Experience was distinct and sound, and they hoped saving. She was under great exercise of Spirit, and most affectionately con∣cern'd for, and about her Soul, her Spiritual and Eternal Estate. She imparted her self to her Friends, and expressed her desire of Help: She made use of the Bible, and other good Books, and remarked such Places and Passages as suited her Condition, and that with Tears: She did once, in her Exercise, write with a Pin upon a Trencher, three times over, Ah poor Soul; and therewithal burst out into Tears before divers of her Friends: She hath been wont to enquire after the Text; and when it hath been shewed to her, to look and muse upon it: She knoweth most, if not all Persons Names that she hath Acquain∣tance with: If Scripture Names, will readily turn and point to them in the Bible: It may be conceived, that although she understands, neither Words, Letter nor Language; yet she understands things Hieroglyphically: The Letters and Words are unto her but signs of the things, and as it were Hieroglyphicks. She was very desirous of Church Com∣munion in all Ordinances, and was admitted with general and good satisfaction, and hath approved her self to the best Observation, a grave and gracious VVoman: They both attend publick VVorship with much Reverence and Constancy, and are very in∣offensive (and in divers respects) exemplary in their Conversation: Thus far is that Narrative written, June 27. 1683.

I suppose, no one that rightly considers the Circumstances of this Relation, will make a Scruple about the Lawfulness of admitting such Persons to participate in the Holy Mysteries of Christ's Kingdom. All judicious Casuists determine, that those who are either born, or by any accident made Deaf and Dumb, if their Conversation be blameless, and they able by signs (which are Analogous to Verbal Expressions) to declare their Knowledge and Faith; may as freely be received to the Lords Supper, as any that shall orally make the like Profession. Of this Judgment was Luther, and Melancthon, Gerhard, Balduinus in his Cases of Conscience, Lib. 2. Chap. 12. does confirm this, by producing several Instances

of Dumb Persons addmitted to the Communion. It's certain, that some such have been made to understand the Mysteries of the Gospel, so as to suffer Martyrdom on that account.

4. In the Year 1620. One that was Deaf and Dumb being solicited by the Papists to be present at Mass, chose rather to suffer Death. It is a thing known, that Men are able by Signs to discourse, and to communicate their Sentiments one to another.

There are about thirty Mutes kept in the Ottoman Court for the Grand Seignior to sport with: Concerning whom, Mr. Ricaut reports, pag 62. that they are able by Signs not only to signifie their Sence in familiar Questions, but to recount Stories, and understand the Fables of the Turkish Religion, the Laws and Precepts of the Alcoran; the Name of Ma∣homet, and what else may be capable of being expressed by the Tongue.

This Language of the Mutes, is so much in fashion in the Ottoman Court, that almost e∣very one can deliver his Sense in it.

And that Deaf Persons have been sometimes able to write, and to understand what others say to them, by the very motion of their Lips, is most certain.

5. Cammerarius tells us of a Young Man and a Maid then living in Noremburg, who, tho' Deaf and Dumb, could Read and VVrite, and Cypher, and by the motion of a Mans Lips knew his meaning.

6. Platerius speaketh of one Deaf and Dumb Born, that yet could express his mind in a Table-Book, and understand what others wrote therein, and was wont to attend upon the Ministry of Oecolampadius, understanding many things by the motion of the Lips of the Preacher,

7. Mr. Clark in his Examples, (vol. 1. chap. 33.) saith, That there was a VVoman in Edenburge, in Scotland, (her Name was Ceanet Lowes) who being naturally Deaf and Dumb, could understand what People said, meerly by the moving of their Lips. It is famously known, that Mr. Crisp of London, could do the like.

8. Borellus, giveth an Account of one, that lost his Hearing by a violent Disease, when he was five Years old, yet if they did but whisper to him, he could by their Lips per∣ceive what they said.

9. There is one now living, (or not many Years since was so) in Silesia, in whom, that Disease of the Small-Pox caused a total Deafness, who nevertheless, by exact observing the motion of Mens Lips, can understand what they say; and if they do but whisper, he per∣ceives what they say better than if they Vociferate never so loudly. He attends upon pub∣lick Sermons, being able to give an Account of what is delivered, provided, that he may but see the Preacher speaking, tho' he cannot hear a word.

It is consistent with Reason, that Mutes should understand what others say, by the motion of their Lips, since it is evident, that the Lips are of great use in framing Speech. Hence Joh calls his Speech, the moving of his Lips, (Chap. 16. ver. 5.) and we know that Tongue∣less Persons by the help of their Lips, and other Organs of Speech, have been able to Speak.

10 Ecclesiastical Story, informs us of several Confessors of the Truth, who after their Tongues were cut out by bloody Persecutors, could still bear witness to the Truth.

11. Honorichius, (that cruel King of the Vandals) caused the Tongues of many to be vio∣lently pluckt out of their Mouths, who after that, could speak as formerly; only two of them, when they became guilty of the Sin of Uncleanness were able to speak no more; this has been Attested by three credible Witnesses, who knew the Persons. See Mr. Baxters Church History, p. 130.

12. There is lately Published (in Latin) a very strange Relation of a Child in France, (his Name was Peter Durand) who being visited with the Small Pox when he was about six Years old, his Tongue putrified, and was quite consumed; after which, (the Ʋvula in his Mouth being longer than it was before,) he could by the help of the other Organs of Speech, discourse as plainly as if he had never lost his Tongue. These things are Marvellous.

13. And yet I have lately met with a passage more strange than any of these Related. There is, (or was in the Year 1679) living near Kerchem in Germany, a Man (his Name is John Algair,) who suddenly lost the use of his Speech; the case has been so with him, that fourteen Years together, he could never speak but at one hour of the Day, just as the Sun comes to the Meridian, he has the liberty of his Speech for an hour, and no more, so that he know∣eth exactly when it is twelve a Clock, because then he can speak, and not a Minute before that, nor a Minute after One. This is Related in the Germanic Ephemeridies of Miscellaneous Curiosities for the Year 1679. Observat. 188.

It is evident, that the Sun has a marvelous Influence as to some Diseases, which the Bo∣dies of Men are subject unto. For in Egypt, tho' the Plague rage the Day before, on that very day when the Sun enters into Leo, it ceaseth; when also the Floods of Nilus increase, as Geographers inform us.

Moreover, it is possible by Art to Teach those that are by Nature Deaf and Dumb to Speak. The Dectilogy of Beda is pretty, whereby Men speak as nimbly with the Fingers, as with the Tongue; taking five Fingers of the one Hand for Vowels, and the several Positions of the o∣ther for Consonants. But that Deaf Persons may learn to speak, happy Experience hath proved, and that by many Instances.

14. Acustre, has given an Account of the Method by him successfully observed in Teaching a Boy to Speak, that was Born Deaf. After the use of some Purgative Medicines, he caused the Hair to be shaved off from his Head over the Coronal Suture; and then frequently anoint∣ed the shaven place with a mixture of Aquavitae, Salt Petre, Oil of Butter, Almonds, &c. having done this, he began to speak to the Deaf Person, (not at his Ear, but) at his Coronal Suture, and then after the use of Unctions, and Emunctions, the sound would pierce, when

at his Ears it could not enter, so did he by degrees teach him to speak. (Vide Ephem. Ger∣man. Anno, 1670. Observation 350.)

But others have with good Effect followed another kind of Method.

15. There was a Spanish Noble Man, (Brother to the Constable of Castile,) who being Born Deaf, and also Dumb, from his Infancy. Physitians had long in vain tried Ex∣periments for his relief. At last a certain Priest undertook to teach him to speak: his At∣tempt was at first laughed at, but within a while the Gentleman was able (notwithstanding his Deafness still remained) to Converse, or Discourse with any Friend. He was taught to speak, by putting a Cord about his Neck, and straining, or losening the same, to advertise him when to open or shut his Mouth, by the Example of his Teacher; Nor was there any difference found between his Speech, and that of other Men, only that he did not regulate his Voice, speaking commonly too high. (Vide Conferences of Virtuosi. p. 215.

16. Not long since, Fran. Mercur. Helmont designing to teach a Deaf Man to speak, concluded it would be more easily practicable, if the Experiment were made with an Eastern, wide Mouth Language, which does remarkably expose the Eye to the motion; of the Lips, Tongue, and Throat. Accordingly, he cried with the Hebrew Tongue, and in a short time his Dumb Schollar became an excellent Hebrician. Others have lately been as Successful in their Attempts, to cause Deaf Persons to speak, and understand the Europaean Languages. We need not go out of our own Nation, for there we find living Instances.

17. In the Philosopical Transactions for the Year, 1670. Num. 61. an Account is given concerning Mr. Daniel W••aley, of Northampton in England, who by an Accident lost his Hearing when he was about five Years of Age, and so his Speech, not at once, but by degrees, in about half a Years time, In five Years 1661. the Learned and Ingenious, Dr. Wallis of Ox∣ford, undertook to teach the Deaf Gentleman to speak and write. Nor did the Doctor fail in attaining his end, ••or in the space of one Year, the Dumb Man had read over great part of the English Bible, and had attained so much skill, as to express himself intelligibly in ordi∣nary Affairs, to understand Letters written to him, and to write Answers to them. And when Forreigners out of curiosity came to Visit him, he was able to pronounce the most dif∣ficult words of their Language, (even Polish it self,) which any could propose unto him. Nor was this the only Person on whom the Doctor shewed his skill; But he has since done the like for another, (a Gentleman of a very good Family) who did from his Birth want his Hearing. Likewise, Dr. Holder, in his late Book about the Natural Production of Letters, giveth Rules for the Teaching the Deaf and Dumb to speak.

18. Edward Bone of Ladock, in Cornwall, was Servant to Mr. Courtney also: He was Deaf from his Gradle, and consequently Dumb, (Nature cannot give out, where she hath not received) yet could learn and express to his Master that was stirring in the Country; especially if there went any news of a Sermon within some Miles distant, he would repair to that place with the soonest, and setting himsef directly against the Preacher, look him stedfastly in the Face while the Sermon lasted. To which Religious Zeal his honest Life was also answer∣able; assisted with a firm Memory, he would not only know any Party, whom he had once seen, for ever after, but also make him known to another, by some special Observation and Dif∣ference. There was one Kemp not living far off, deffected accordingly, on whose meetings, there were such Embracings, such strange, often, and earnest Tokenings, such hearty Laugh∣ters, and other passionate Gestures, that their want of Tongue, seemed rather a hinderance to others conceiving them, than to their conceiving one another. Fullers Worthies. p. 206. in Cornwall.

Other Defects of Nature supplyed by Art.

1. The Indians presented Augustus with a young Man, with Shoulders or Arms that could perform with his Feet, what others did with their Arms and Hands, could bend a Bow, shoot Arrows, and sound a Trumpet. Xiph. in August. p. 55.

2. My self and others, (says Camerarius,) being once at Lombourg, in the House of Eras∣mus Neustetetur, he sent to a place not far off, for one Thomas Sckiveiker, a young Man of one and thirty Years of Age, descended of a Worshipful House, and Born without ever an Arm; who did with his Feet all that a ready Man could do with his Hands. Having seat∣ed himself in a place equal with the highth of the Table, whereon the Meat was placed; he took a Knife with his Feet, begins to cut Bread and Meat, which he carried with his Feet to his Mouth; and likewise, the Cup with as much ease as another would have done with his Hands. After Dinner, he wrote Copies in Latin, and German Letters so fair and so straight, that every one of us desired to have some of them to keep, as a special Monument. Being requested, he did with a Pen-Knife make Pens very good to write with, which he gave us. While he was thus doing, I observed the make of his Feet, and saw that his Toes were long, fit to lay hold of things: This sight, as it was pleasing to us, so it was at another time to the Emperor Maximilian the II. who passing that way, desired to see the Man; and having ob∣served the strange recompence of Nature, dismissed him with a Princely Gift. Camir. Hor. Subsi. Cent. 1. ch. 37, p. 169.170. Keckerm. in Phys. l. 1. c. 4. p. 1370.

3. Of late there was a Man Born without Arms, that went about Germany, who had learned by Custom, turned into Art, to handle a Sword, and flourish it about his Neck, to fling Javlins, and do other things so nimbly, and withal so surely, that he would commonly hit the Mark. All other, the Duties of the Hands, he performed with his Feet; he was af∣ter

broken upon the Wheel, for sundry Robberies, and Murthers by him Committed. Cam. Hor. Sub. Cent. 1 Cap. 37. p. 170.

4. I have seen a Woman in Basil, Spinning Artificially with her Feet, Sweeping the House, and performing all other the Offices of a good Houswife, Plat. Obs. 1.3. p. 593.

5. The said Platerus saith, He saw a Man, who with his Head and Shoulders, would take hold of things, and use them after various manners, with Instruments and Weapons held in that fashion, to Cleave, Cut off, Dig and Strike, with a wonderful Force, and yet both he, and the Woman before mentioned, were without Arms. Plat. Ob. Ibid.

6. A Suedish Woman, call'd Magdalene Rudolph Thuinby, was here of late at Hasnia; she was Aged Fourty Two, Married to a German Solider; she was born without Arms; and that there might be no suspicion of Fraud, by her Consent, I saw that she had nothing but Shoulders; yet though she thus was maimed, she perform'd all Offices with her Feet, with that dexterity and readiness, that she is deservedly the wonder of the Spectators, and may seem to have no want of her Hands; with her Feet she Spins, and Threads her Needle; she Weaves, she Charges and Discharges a Gun: with Scissars, and a Knife, she cuts Paper in∣to divers artifical Figures; she plays at Tables and Dice, she drinks, and Swathes her lit∣tle Infant; she knows how to bring her Feet to her Breast and Head, so as to take her Child to her Breast, as if she did it with her Hands. She Feeds both her self and her Child; she combs her Hair; to conclude, without trouble she doth all, that is sufficient for her own necessity, and to gratifie others Curiositly. Barthol. Hist. Anat. Cent. 3. Hist. 26. p. 61.

7. There is a Woman of Britain, who was born with Arms and Legs, distorted in so strange and unusual a manner, that she might well seem unfit (to any Man that saw her) to do any thing; yet she had acquired from officious Nature, such a dexterity, that she could Spin with her Tongue, with the same she could Thread a Needle of the smallest size, with great Expedition; with the flexure of her Tongue only, she could readily tye that fast Knot, which we call the Weavers Knot; and with the same Tongue she would Write, and that in a fair Character; amongst others, she so wrote the Name of my Son Petrus Talpius, which I yet keep by me. Nicho. Talpii. Obs. Med. l.3. cap. 5. p. 273.

8. Pictorius Villinganas gives an Account of a Spaniard born without Arms, that with his Feet could Spin, and use the Needle with great curiosity: He shot from a Bow in such manner, that he seldom did miss the Mark; and would with an Ax give so strong a Blow, as to cut in sunder at one stroak, a reasonable piece of Wood. Kecker in Physic. Lib. 1. c. 4. p. 1370.

9. Keckerman also speaks of a Scholar, that had but one little Finger on each hand, and his Feet were triangular, without any Toes; yet had he more force in one Finger, than others had with Five; he wrote curiously and swiftly, and stood so firm, that in very slip∣pery places, he would seldom slip. Johnst. Nat. Hist. cl. 10. c. 5. p. 335.