to a woman's reputation than to her virtue. Such poor creatures as thefe, the thoughtless part of the world confider as proper companions for the ladies, because they are too effeminate to keep the company of men, their whole converfation turning on the propriety and impropriety of female fashions. One of thefe fribbles will entertain a woman for an hour on the efficacy of a newly-invented cofme. tie, and will hold a long differtation on the properly placing of a patch in the cen. ter of perfection. But, furely, the cenfures of these beardlefs boys, thefe little miffes in breeches, are beneath my attention. I fhall, therefore, addrefs myself to thofe beings who are worthy of the title of men, and who will cease to cenfure our fex, when they are candidly reminded of the obligations they owe us. If fome women have deferved the character of rakes, is it not the men who have made them fuch? The generality of men have fome bulinefs or particular occupation to command their attention, while women in a genteel line of life have little elfe to do than to amuse themselves in the most pleafing manner they can; and, if this is confined within the bounds of innocence, they ought to be free from senfure. Prudent and fenfible men are always ready to acknowledge, that the company of women frequently keeps an affembly alive, which would otherwife be dull and heavy; and, indeed, what are all parties of pleasure, unless woman form a part of them? The company of a prudent and fenfible woman is frequently a check on the querulous and impetuous temper of fome men, who, out of refpect to the daughters of Venus, are prevailed on to be peaceable and quiet, if not affable and good-natured. Why woman fhould not delight in innocent pleafures, as well as men, even the pettifh Mr. Pope has never attempted or conde fcended to tell us. If we take a candid review of fociety in general, I am fure it will be acknowledged, that when a large company of men are affembled together, among whom women are not admitted, that their converfation generally confifts of noife, nonfenfe, and obscenity; and this confequently proves, how neceffary the fociety of women is, to refine the tafte, preferve the morals, and regulate the converfation of mankind. Though it must be confessed, that every woman is not formed by nature and education to enliven fociety, yet the fame objection will be againft numberless men; and whatever may be advanced againft wo men, may be fully proved against the op. pofite fex. I would, therefore, with, that idle prejudices and cenfures againft women may ceafe, and that they may hold the fame rank in fociety as men, as far as the delicacy of their fex will admit, fince, without the company of women, fociety would foon languish, and man become a dull, infipid, and helplefs animal. EMELIA Account of a Work, just published, intitled "Vox Oculis Subje&a;' a Differtation on the most curious and important Art of imparting Speech, and the Knowledge of Language, to the naturally Deaf, and (confequently) Dumb; with a particular Account of the Academy of Meffrs, Braid wood of Edinburgh. TH HE principal channel, through which inftruction and knowledge are conveyed to the mind, is the ear. To those, in whom this organ is shut up, or obftru&, ed in its operation, by fome internal des fect, improper formation, or material injury, all nature feems to be in profound filence. The confequence is, fuch perfons are dumb: for it is by the imitation of the founds we hear, that we ordinarily acquire the art of speaking. It may well be fuppofed, that it is extremely difficult, if not impoffible, to teach such persons to speak, to read, to write, to practise arithmetic, &c. But it is the defign of this effay to inform the world, that all this has been actually ac complished by Meffrs. Braidwood, in their academy at Edinburgh. Mr. Thomas Braidwood, the senior profeffor, first engaged in this undertaking, with one pupil, in the year 1760. As the practical part of the art was then new to him, he made, comparatively speaking, but a flow progrefs: though in a few years he taught that pupil to speak and write with confiderable eafe and propriety. By degrees he augmented his number, and improved his method. About the year 1770 he took into partnership Mr. John Braidwood, a young gentleman of abilities, and great application. The number of their scholars, of both fexes, at the time when this Differtation was written, amounted to near twenty, including several who had only impediments in fpeech, without being deaf. They were of different ages, from five to upwards of twenty years; but these gentlemen have inftrusted feveral others, who did not begin till they were much older. Five years, it is faid, are neceffary to give the deaf a tolerable general understanding of their own lan guage, fo as to read, write, and speak it with safe, From what I have feen, continues this writer, it is my ferious perfuafion, that the operation of the mind in deaf perfons, thus inftructed, not, being fo liable to be diverted or difturbed by the noises or founds that frequently occur, as in others, their application to any point in science may be more uniformly intense, and confequently their powers of abstraction great→ er than ordinary; and I have no doubt but that fome of them, who are poffeffed of genius, will make mathematical difcoveries of great importance, and carry their researches in philofophy beyond thofe of other men: and thus the ways of Providence, which, in many respects, are inferutable, and paft finding out, may, in a new inftance, be justified to man.'' The manner in which this is effected is, by firft fhewing them how the mouth is formed for the production of the vowels, letting them fee the external effect that vocalized breath hath upon the intermal part of the wind pipe, and caufing them to feel with their thumbs and fingers the vibration of the larynx, first in the teacher, then in themfelves. When they found any of the vowels, then they are thewn the written form of what they have expreffed, till they are perfected in the knowledge of the vowels or vocal founds; to which fucceeds the formation of fyl lables and words, then the meaning of common words, and finally the conftrustion of a sentence or fentences, out of which all defcriptions of the mind or will are compofed, or every exhibition of perception or volition, which is the whole of language.' Dr. Johnfon, in his Journey to the Western Inlands of Scotland, fays, the improvement of Mr. Braidwood's pupils is wonderful. They not only speak, write, and understand what is written, but if he that fpeaks looks towards them, and modifies his organs by diftinét and full utterance, they know fo well what is spoken, that it is an expreffion fcarcely figurative to fay they hear with the eye.' To conceive the theory of this art, we need only confider with a little attention the mechanifm of speech, and we'fhall foon find, that there is required for fpeaking certain pofitions and motions of the organs of the mouth, such as the tongue, the teeth, lips, and palate, that cannot be from nature, but must be the effect of art; for their action, when they are employed in the enunciation of fpeech, is fo different from their natural and quiefcent fituation, that nothing but long ufe and exercife could have taught us to employ them in that way*.' The generality of the world, as the author of this tract remarks, are apt fuddenly, but erroneously, to combine the idea of idiotism with that of the ftate of the deaf and dumb; whereas no greater error can fubfift, as may plainly appear by the inftances of perfection to which many of Mr. Braidwood's pupils have arrived in language and other arts, as well as in the fciences. The truth is, the scale of intellectual comprehenfions or understandings in them is as variously graduated, as in other perfons; many of them indeed poffefs a quickness of apprehenfion, a fcope of imagination and fagacity, above the common ftandard among those who are not naturally deaf.' NOTE. ** Orig and Prog. of Lang, p. 18h.': It is remarkable (notwithstanding all that had been written by Plato, Aristotle, Dionyfius of Halicarnaffus, Quintilian, and others of the ancients who have inveftigated the painciples of language, and the formation of the vocal and articulate founds) that, until about the middle of the la century, we know of no attempts having been made in this extraordinary art, and at that time in only a few inftances. It existed then indeed chiefly in theory. There were however fome inftances of fuccefsful practice. Bulwer, in his Philocophus, or Deaf and Dumb Man's Friend, published in 1648, relates an inftance of a Spanish nobleman inftructed by a prieft. Dr. W. Holder taught one young gentleman in this country to make fome proficiency, in 1659. Dr. John Wallis inftructed two in fome degree, about the year 1660. Dr. Amman, of Amfterdam, inftructed a young lady at Haerlem, and feveral others in Holland, between the year 1690 and 1700. Some attempts had been made alfo by Van Helmont, a German, and by Monachus, a Spaniard. Mr. Baker profeffed the art in this country with fome fuccefs, about twenty-five or thirty years fince. But no regular academy was ever opened by any one. It was referved for Meffrs. Braidwood to bring this curious, important, and almost incredible art, to a much greater degree of perfection than all former profeffors. The following authors have spoken with applaufe of this academy, viz. Mr. Arnot, in his Hiftory of Edinburgh; Dr. Johnfon, in his Journey to the Hebrides; Mr. Pennant, in his Tour through Scotland; and Lord Monbodde, in his Origin and Progrefs of Language. The latter part of this tract contains a propofal for extending and perpetuating this important art, by a public establishment, under the direction of proper goMefits, vernors. Meffrs. Braidwood, we are told, have Account of a new Work, intitled Sacred mode be pursued, we thall often fee men retiring from church only amufed with the found of unintelligible truths,--uninwhen with a little condefcenfion on the telligible, because too fubtle and refined; fide of their paftor, they might have gone home confirmed in many wavering opinions, and enriched with many useful fentiments. This work confists of eighteen lectures; thofe venerable men, Adam, Cain, Abel in which are exhibited the interefting lives Foccur in this world off care, there is of none more truly diftreffing to a benevolent heart, than that extreme indifference which is fo frequently fhown to the ftudy of the holy fcriptures. For, if the fcriptures be the only traight rule of human conduct, and the only unerring guide to endlefs felicity-how can a good man behold a fellow creature wandering in the crooked path, and preffing on with eager fteps to a falle mark, without being touched with commiferation? Humanity declares it to be impoffible. We, therefore, commend the fober zeal of every one who contributes in any degree, towards the diffufion of fcriptural knowledge; becaufe we be. lieve, that he thereby performs a fervice at once acceptable to God, and beneficial to mankind. The author of the book now before us, merits our approbation in this refpect. His views in undertaking the work were laudable; and we are fully perfuaded that his endeavours will be greatly fuccefsful. Lectures on the holy feriptures (or dif. courfes which confift in interpreting the language, and in illuftrating and commenting on a portion of facred writ) are very feldom used by our English clergy, as modes of conveying religious inftruction; and this, we imagine, is a defect. There is no where to be found a more profound ignorance of facred truth, than among the inferior ranks of people, in and near to the metropolis. They want not pleas enough for abfenting themfelves from the public ordinances of the gofpel, and when they do attend they are not likely to be much benefited by the polish of rhetoric, or the acuteness of metaphyfical inveftiga. tion. They cannot follow the ingenious reafonings of a learned divine, though all the divifions of a concife and difficult text: their talents rather require, that a large portion of scripture be laid before them, and explained in the eafieft and moft familiar manner, This method, we think, would be followed, with very happy effts. The bold, the interefting, and yet plain and entertaining narrations and doctrines of holy writ, might be handled fo as to arrest the attention, and of confe. quence, improve the mind. If a different Enoch, Noah, Melchifedec, and Abraham. There is alfo inftituted in two feparate lectures, a comparison between Adam, our Saviour, and Noah. Indeed in that which treats of Melchifedec, and in feveral others, the author fhows wherein the perfon defcribed, refembled the bleffed Jefus; ufing none but evangelical lights in forming his resemblances. The first lecture is an introductory one. The author begins it with a very copious and engaging enumeration of the various methods which have been employed to convey ufeful knowledge to mankind." He then fays, "the holy fcriptures poffefs an acknowledged fuperiority over all other writings, in all the different kinds of literary compofition. And in none more than in that fpecies of historical compofition which is called biography." If unaffected cafe; if fimplicity, perfpicuity and fublimity both of diction and of thought, can determine the excellence of the compofi tion, the author is moft certainly right. There is one circumftance more which confirms his affertion, that is truth: truth, with which the oracles of the true God can never difpenfe: and through want of which, the highest exploits of the moft diftinguished characters are often debafed in the eye of fobernefs and virtue. The doctor arriving at the object of his difcourfe, purposes to fhew, that biogra phy is a more eligible mode of conveying inftruction than general hiftory. We rea dily concur with his opinion, if he meant only religious inftruction. The reafon of the fact is, the reader beholds in the lives which he ftudies, a variety of motives and confequent actions, together with the happy or deftructive effects thefe produce, and thence has an opportunity of applying them to himself, and confirming his mind in habits of piety and rectitude. The doctor goes on with obferving that " the profeffed purpose of history is to reprefent men, and things as they really are; and that this end is most certainly attained, when our attention is confined to a parti cular object.” He favours us with three different illuftrations of this pofition. To the lovers of fpeculation, Speculation, and external inanimate nature the first will appear beautiful; to the lo wers of fociety, and the fair, the last will be found grateful. The author fubjoins, "Every man fits down to write, whether of ages paft or prefent; of characters near and remote; with a bias upon his mind which he naturally endeavours to communicate to his reader. All men have their favourite periods, courfes, characters and antipathies; which, of course, they strive to embellish, to fupport, to recommend, &c. came to create man, he seemed to pause, to reason with himself, and to look around for a model by which to form him. “And God faid, let us make man in our ow image, &c. Gen. 1. 26. With regard to Adam's condition in Paradife before the creation of Eve, the author is of opinion that although all the charms of external nature were displayed to!is fight in their bighest perfection, and although every living creature was gentle and obfequious, yet his happiness was incomplete through want of a proper comThis is indeed the general character of panion. Now the feripture does not exkuman nature. An honeft man, will how. hibit one fign of diffatisfaction: the only ever, publish his opinions only to rescue foundation for the opinion is this, " And truth from obfcurity, or misinterpretation. "the Lord faid it is not good that the He may, it is true, have his favourite pes" man fhould be alone;" by which the riod, and he may be allowed to felect his characters; but then be will admit of no caufes except fuch as are real; he will be influenced by no antipatbies except fuch as point at ignorance, falfehood, or vice. Dr. Hunter next proceeds to make fome very juft, and pertinent obfervations on the practice of an antient historian record ing fpeeches of heroes, which the heroes themselves perhaps never thought of deli wering, or if they did, were not capable of compofing. He alfo adverts to the modern practice of delineating characters: and remarks how very uninterefting the knowledge of profane hiftory is to the bulk of chriftians. With regard to the delimeating of character in hiftory, we think there is on that head, much room for improvement. For, inftead of concluding the detail with fuch a delineation, the writer ought moft undoubtedly to make it a preface to his narration. To do fo would be to follow a natural dictate; and there is no doubt, but such a foretaste of the work would enable the reader to perufe it with much more pleasure and advantage. The next thing that prefents itself in the difcourfe is a warm encomium on the facred writings, and a ferious and fenfible exhortation to his audience, "To look well to their own ways, and to remember that though their lives may not be fuffici ently fplendid to furnish materials for hiftory, yet, they are of importance to themfelves, their families, their friends, their Bountry, and their God. Ledure II. Hiftory of Adam. Our author fets out with remarking how very interefting it must be to men, to review the hiftory of the venerable father of their race. He ingeniously obferves that when God created the inanimate and irrasional part of nature, he feemed to do it without the leaft heftation, but wàch ke Almighty most probably meant that it was not agreeable to the end for which he was made that he should continue to be alone. For if we take notice that on the fixth day the whole irrational tribe, and man himself were created; that it was that very day on which Adam was put into the garden of Eden to keep it and drefs it, and admonished to beware of the fatal tree; that on the fame day every living thing was made to pafs in review before him, and to receive its name, from the knowledge of its peculiar difpofition, and nature, which Adam had that very day received from his Maker; and farther, that the inconceivable fucceffion of new ideas which he had juft received must certainly have very much engaged his attention-if we take notice of all these things, we shall not be difpofed to think that Adam was, as yet, much taken up about a kindred companion. 66 The author continuing his narrative comes to that difaftrous event the fall. When the ferpent began his premeditated attack on human happiness “" He dreaded a repulfe from the fuperior firmness of the man; but fucceeded by applying his art to à principle in the woman which has often proved fatal to thousands of her daughters, curiofity." The author thinks it probable that facrifice was inftituted immediately upon the withdrawing of the unfortunate pair from Paradife:- -in order to keep alive their hopes of the promife, that the feed of the woman fhould bruife the head of the ferpent.". The next thing in order is that fatal cataftrophe the death of Abel; the fad effects of which on the feelings and confciences of his wretched parents; the author well defcribés both here, and in a fubfe. quent kekura. WC We are now come to a paffage which will entertain our readers fo much, and give them fo juft an idea of the author's open, benevolent, liberal manner of thinking, and, we may add, of converfing, that we cannot help tranfcribing it. "Let me take occafion, thirdly, from that inftitution which God defigned for the completion of human happiness in a state of inBocence, and for the mutual affistance and comfort of the fexes in their fallen condition, to cenfure and condemn that fpirit and practice of celibacy, which is one of the crying vices of our own age and country, and is equally inimical to religion, good morals, public fpirit, and human comfort. He who fays, or lives as if he thought, that it is good for man to be alone, gives the lie to his Maker, fins ayainft the conftitution of his nature, difBooours his parents, defrauds another of one of the jufteft rights of humanity, and in a cafe too where it is impoffible fo much as to complain, and expofes himself to commit offences against fociety, not to be mentioned in this place. "In truth, celibacy is a vile compound of avarice and felliflinefs, which would Fein pafs upon the world for prudence and felf-derial; and the fate of our country at prefent, in this refpect, looks as if a Angle ftate, as in catholic countries, were eft blished by a law, but that the laity, not the clergy, were bound by it. But ales, I am only furnishing matter for a little converfation. There must be more virtue, religion, and good fenfe among the young men of the age, before this crying evil be remedied." Leures III. and IX. Adam and Noah com pared with Chrift. Such comparisons have frequently been drawn by men of a pious turn of mind. And where zeal is tempered with difcernment and reason, the practice may be continued, both to the enquirer's amufement, and to his advancement in religious know ledge. For it implies a diligent fearch into the fcriptures; and that must be a very enlightened, or, a very obdurate heart in deed, that is incapable of being meliorated by fuch an exercife. "Some with more zeal and honefty, than wifdom and truth, have laboured to discover and efta. blith a refemblance between our bleffed Lord and those who were types of him, in every the minuteft circumstance of their lives." But guarding ourselves agamft every thing like a forced conftruction and application of feripture; without bunting after fanciful refemblances, which tend to weaken and impair the truth, inftead of ftrengthening and fupporting it; we will Hib. Mag. Jan. 1784. endeavour carefully to point out and improve those which actually exift." The refolution was a good one, but we are not fo clear that the author has always kept it; whether, indeed, it is poffible for a man to fit down and form a long detail of fcriptural refemblances between any two perfons, fome of which shall not be fanciful. Many of the circumstances which are employed in fuch attempts belong in fome degree to every man; and whether they were intended to prefigure fomething fu• ture is uncertain. There is one fimilitude now in our eye, which we think is formed with much ingenuity; and it is fo natural and ftriking, and carries along with it fuch ftrong marks of forefight and defign, that we do not fcruple to give it a place: we mean that which is inftituted between the ark and certain incidents in our Saviour's life. Detached circumstances of it follow. "The plan of the ark was formed in the eternal mind long before it was communicated to Noah-believers were chofen of God in Chrift before the foundation of the world. The awkward look, and clumfy conftruction of the ark, fo excited the derifion of mankind, that they called it Noak's folly, and would not enter into it. The crofs was to the Jews a tumbling block, and to the Greeks foolifhnefs: there was no other mean of fafety devifed for the antediluvian world but repairing to the ark: neither was there falvation in any other but Jefus Chritt; for there was no name given under heaven by which they could be faved but his holy name only." We are afterwards informed that the uaged the waters of the deluge, points fpirit which poffed over the earth, and afout to us the power of the divine fpirit which in the beginning moved upon the face of the deep?” and there is a close refemblance in the operation to be fure. But as we have hitherto been using the events of earlier times to prefigure those of latter times, why invert the order here? why not as well lay, "That the fpirit which in the beginning moved upon the face of the deep, prefigured the fpirit which affuaged the waters of the flood?" Since it would have been a more confiftent and fully as just a procedure. We are far from intending this as a reflection on the author's difcernment. Niy, we are fenfible, that in fo long a difcourie, on fo nice a fubject, fuch aids, trivial as they may be thought, cannot be dispersed with. We extol the pious zeal which fuch attempts demonftrate; and we are of opinion, that the author has fhewn much judgment and tafte in his felection of texts to fupport his resemblances. C LeSures |