Elizabeth Sandham

“ But little Lucy, who had been often entertained by the squirrel's tricks, was not so willing it should be parted with: she thought something was going to be done with it, and, as well as she could, [Pg 22] expressed her enquiries and dissatisfaction. William saw her distress, and by motions, understood only by themselves, made her know it was what he approved of, and if so, he concluded she could have no objection. In this conclusion he was right, for the countenance of Lucy immediately cleared up, and she appeared perfectly content. ”

“ The part which they take in each other's feelings, can only be compared to that interest, which men, belonging to the same [Pg 92] society, feel for each other in a distant country, where, though they may meet with attention and kindness from the inhabitants of it, they are still considered as strangers, and the union among themselves is strengthened by it.
His youngest brother has a particular claim to William's attention; and Mr. Beaufort, who has by no means forsaken the family, promises to use his interest in assisting him, as he already has his brother and sister ”

“ She could not utter a word; but her looks, and the tears which flowed from her eyes, spake her thanks more impressively than any thing she could have said. "No time is lost yet," continued Mr. Beaufort; "your boy could not have been admitted till he was nine years old, and, the next vacancy, I will give all my votes for him." The poor woman, a little recovered, could now express her thanks; and William, whose face had been like scarlet on seeing her distress, ad [Pg 36] vanced towards her. "Have you taught him any thing?" asked Mr. Beaufort. "Oh, Sir, he has taught himself!" ”

“ DEAF AND DUMB!
"We are going out in a cart," said Henry Rawlinson, as he jumped down the steps of the street-door, to meet Mr. Beaufort, a gentleman who was then on a visit to his father, and who had gained the affections of all the children he was acquainted with, by his kindness to them. "Dear Mr. Beaufort, do you know where we are going?" continued he: "to nurse's house, the woman who nursed me; we are to spend the whole day there." ”

“ Alas! those children who labour under the misfortune here described, have no such power; and many such, I am sorry to add, there are! What, then, is the reply of the benevolent heart?—"It is our duty to speak for them, to alleviate their distress, as much as possible, and, if in our power, to contribute to the removal of it." ”

“ There are Miller, and Sally, and my sister Caroline, and myself; and nurse's son drives us. Do you think there will be room for you?" added he, with an enquiring [Pg 3] look. "I believe not," answered Mr. Beaufort; "and besides, my weight, added to all yours, would be too much for the poor horse. But suppose I ride over in the course of the day, and see how you get on; and then I can take you up before me, and we can ride a little way together." "Oh, do, do!" exclaimed Henry, skipping for joy, "I shall be so glad; and as for the road, if you don't know it, nurse's son can tell you that." ”

“ Having never heard the sound of the human voice, nor indeed any sound at all, these poor children could not frame their mouths to speak; they could never add to the pleasure of their parents, by repeating what gave pleasure to themselves; nor could they speak their wishes, or their simple thanks, when they were complied with. ”

“ Rawlinson's family, [Pg 91] and those to whom she recommends her. William works as a journeyman cabinet-maker and upholsterer, having now perfectly learned the trade; and is enabled to add greatly to the comforts of his family, as well as procure for himself every necessary of life. Jacob Goodyer also set up the trade of shoe-making when he returned home, and, as his delighted father had said, was employed by the whole parish. These young men retain a particular friendship for each other; and no pleasing occurrence which happens to one, is half so gratifying, if not shared by the other. ”

“ How old is that little boy?" pointing to [Pg 34] wards William. "Ten, Sir," answered she, "and the next is nearly eight." "No children older?" "Yes, Sir, a boy who is at work with his father, and that girl." "But whom do you wish assistance for most?" said Mr. Beaufort. "Oh, Sir, my poor William and Lucy!" she replied with great emotion; "they most need it." "I understand so," answered the benevolent man; "I know how they are situated; but do you know that there is a charity established lately, exactly suited to their case?" ”

“ Let them reflect, that though such a circumstance as I have described may never happen, yet the enabling these poor children to understand, and be under [Pg 89] stood; the relieving their parents from the anxiety they must feel on their account, while in the helpless state their misfortune places them in; as well as removing what they themselves would have felt, on being all their lives useless and a burden to others, are no mean advantages: and, to some minds, these would be more powerful inducements, than the chance of its being a benefit to themselves. ”

“ Goldsmith herself can hardly wish his success, when she reflects what must be the feelings of many of those mothers, who have travelled more than once or twice to town with their children, and received the severe disappointment of their not being admitted from want of room. ”

“ The necessitous in more advanced life, have, at least, the consolation of thinking every year that passes brings them nearer to the end of their sorrows; and blessed are they, if they have a well-grounded [Pg viii] hope of happiness in eternity. Their troubles then are nothing; but these poor children are not only suffering want at the present, (for it is for the children of the poor I plead,) but continuing as they are, they have no prospect of ever raising themselves, by useful industry, above it. ”

“ Another powerful plea may also be added: that, after twelve, the age appointed by the committee, they cannot [Pg vi] be admitted. Arrived at these years, any one possessing all his faculties, (and who has till then been brought up in comparative ignorance,) finds it difficult to learn. But to these unhappy children, the difficulty must of necessity be increased; besides the danger there is that, if till that time, they are taught nothing, it will be beyond the reach of human means to rescue them from the state above described. ”

“ Their wants they could often make known to others: but while shut out from the power of language, they could not describe their comforts to any one, so well as to themselves.
William and Jacob both spake highly of the school, and of the kindness with which they were treat [Pg 67] ed; and, as the time for their going back drew near, they rather expressed pleasure than regret at the thought of returning. Mrs. Goldsmith bade her boy farewell, with still greater comfort than at the first; she was now assured of his improvement, and had no fear of his continuing to do so. ”

“ Beaufort talk of coming to us? O! pray do, Sir; you cannot think what a pleasant place it is." "I won't promise," answered the good-natured man, pleased at their eagerness, "but perhaps I may;" and then kindly assisting the servants to get up, he had the pleasure of setting off the whole party, rewarded by their smiles and thanks. "Pray come to us when you take your ride," was loudly re [Pg 5] peated, both by Caroline and Henry, till they were out of his sight, and with a look of kindness, he gave them, what they considered, a nod of assent. ”

“ And Jacob Goodyer, also, will be able to get his living any where; his father says he will soon come home, and make shoes for the whole parish." Mr. Beaufort smiled at this information, and, as they returned, Henry enquired if the fund did not increase. "I wish I was a man," said he, "I would give a great [Pg 70] deal towards it." "My dear boy," said Mr. Beaufort, "you give a great deal now for your age;" (for Henry and Caroline also, had, from their first hearing of this charity, contrived to lay by part of their pocket-money towards the support of it;) ”

“ Let the following extract acquaint them with it:—"The unhappy malady which affects [Pg v] these children is found to exist to a dreadful extent; scarcely a week passes without some application for admission, and though the number of pupils has been gradually augmented from six to sixty, it must be stated (and it is stated with deep concern) that at every election, the number of candidates exceeds, in a tenfold proportion, the number of vacancies! Such a painful fact makes a most interesting and powerful appeal to every benevolent mind." ”

“ They were taught to love each other, and feeling themselves equally unfortunate, there was not among them [Pg 66] that air of superiority, which too many are apt to assume, from possessing powers which they see are wanting in others. ”

“ The pride, also, of the human heart, revolts at times at the compassion shown in such cases, though at others it feels grateful for the expression of it, and much depends on the manner in which it is displayed ”

“ Beaufort, with earnestness, "their misfortune might be greatly lessened.—Where is their mother? I'll speak to her about it." And he turned hastily round, unmindful of his friend Henry, and every thing else but the charitable design he had in view. "She is within the house, Sir," answered Miller; "she feels their situation very keenly, but has no means of helping them." "I will help her," said he, as they led the way to the cottage. "There is [Pg 32] one of our neighbour's sons in that Asylum," whispered Harry Goldsmith to his namesake, "and my mother has often wished William could be there ”

“ This point being settled, and the dinner ended, the children returned to their play, till the time of tea; after which, the horse was again harnessed to take them home, and the same party which he had brought in the morning, with the squirrel, and two rabbits Henry had obtained leave to take with him, were all placed in the cart, with a large basket of nuts, and some greens for the rabbits. ”

“ It has been (and I have seen it with pleasure) that of not a few children, who, on hearing of the Asylum for those of their own age that are thus unfortunate, where [Pg 10] they are taught to speak, and to understand others, have contributed their small donations; while some, even by a penny a week, collected from a number, have, within a few months, added no inconsiderable sum to the fund which is raised for the support of this charity ”

“ And what is still worse, they are in this state excluded from those means which are appointed by Divine Wisdom for the instruction of his people, and which lifts their minds to higher views, and enables them to support affliction, by acquainting them with another and a better world. ”

“ The rest stood in silent attention, listening to what was said; and the countenance of each bespoke their earnest wishes for their brother's welfare.
Mr. Beaufort now invited Henry to ride with him to the spot Mr. Rawlinson had wished him to see; and Mrs. Goldsmith, seeing it was just one o'clock, pointed to the [Pg 39] door, for William to go and call his father home to dinner. Lucy, who had been accustomed always to accompany him on that errand, made a sign to do so now ”

“ The good woman, with all her children, was at the wicket gate to receive her guests; and all who could speak, expressed pleasure at seeing them. But, alas! all could not, for two of them were deaf and dumb!
Do my young readers fully consider the extent of this misfortune? and are they truly sensible of the blessings of speech and hearing? Oh, what a pity that they should [Pg 8] ever misapply the gift of speech, in murmuring and complaints, because they have not always every thing they wish ”