rious Revolution, to which England owes her civil and religious liberties, a considerable feeling was excited among the Dissenters, and several sermons were preached to commemorate it in different parts of the kingdom. Highly as Mr. T. estimated that event, he so entirely disapproved of political sermons, that, when invited to preach on that day for the Middlesex Charity School, he stipulated that no allusion even should be made to the centenary. His text was-Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thy increase.

CHAPTER IV.

The Institution and progress of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum.

If the glory of England consist much in the abounding charities that spread over her landif to relieve physical evil, be the honour of man, how much greater must be that of the philanthropist, who combines moral and religious relief with intellectual improvement; who raises a human being from a state of mental vacuity, to the enjoyment of the best feelings and faculties of our nature; who gives to destitute beings a power, by which they are raised from dark and dreary ignorance, to become useful members of society.

A Benedictine monk in Spain, towards the close of the sixteenth century, first made the essay to instruct the deaf and dumb. Our own countryman, Dr. Wallis, succeeded in the seventeenth, and about the same period, Ammon, a Swiss physician, published a treatise on the subject. These all exerted their energies to relieve the children of the rich; the benevolent mind of John Townsend aimed to extend the blessing to the poor. About fifty years since, a few inefficient efforts were made to found a similar Institution, and his Majesty, George the Third, gave 100 guineas towards carrying it into effect; but neither royal munificence,

nor feeble wishes could accomplish so mighty an undertaking. It was left to the persevering, arduous, indefatigable exertions of an humble individual, whose heart beat with love for the human race, to devote himself, and engage others, in this majestic work, till it rose in his own life-time, a monument of British generosity, and British sympathy.

In his ministerial relation, Mr. Townsend became acquainted with a lady, whose son was deaf and dumb, and who had been a pupil of Mr. Braidwood's almost ten years. The youth evinced an intellectual capacity which caused delight and surprise to the good pastor, who was astonished at the facility and accuracy, with which ideas were received and communicated. Mrs. C., the lady referred to, sympathising with those mothers whose circumstances precluded their incurring the expense of 1500., (which was the sum paid by herself,) pleaded the cause of those afflicted and destitute outcasts of society, until Mr. T. entered into her feelings of commiseration, and decided with her on the necessity and practicability of having a charitable Institution for the deaf and dumb children of the poor.

On the Sabbath day, June 1st, 1792, were commenced the subscriptions, which were to receive additions little calculated on, by the small band who gave their first offering to induce their excellent pastor to begin this noble work of mercy. Three friends contributed one guinea each; Mr. Townsend gave the fourth. This was, apparently, a feeble foundation on which to commence an undertaking which, even on the most contracted scale,

required hundreds; but energy and perseverance can accomplish much, when the heart is under the influence of Him who said, Be merciful as your Father in Heaven is merciful.

The next morning he waited on Mr. Henry Thornton, who discovered that urbanity of manners and that philanthropy of heart, for which he was so highly distinguished; but as he had never seen a deaf and dumb child, he thought the number would be too small to form the projected Institution. To this was urged the assurance given by Mrs. C., that she knew several, and had heard of many: Mr. Thornton then promised his support, and his banking house was named, with several others, to receive subscriptions. A prospectus was sent to the Times and Morning Chronicle, the circulation of which brought many applications from the poor, and, what was still more important, a visit from Dr. Watson, who offered himself as tutor, which station he still occupies with honour to himself, and advantage to the establishment. To prove the activity of Mr. Townsend, a letter from a poor fisherman, soliciting attention to his afflicted child, and dated so early as June 11th 1792, was found among his papers. At this period Mr. T. was going to visit his brother at Ramsgate; on the route he distributed the printed notices in the different towns and villages, and gave them to the innkeepers, that travellers might see them.

After his return from Ramsgate, where a few subscribers were procured, he took some of the hand-bills to the Rev. Henry Cox Mason, then

minister of Bermondsey, who at first seemed indifferent to the object, and smiled at the undertaking as romantic. In a few days, however, on Mr. Townsend again seeing him, he gave his name as a subscriber, offering to distribute the printed notices among his friends. This delighted Mr. T., who knew he had an extensive acquaintance, and that from his natural activity and energy of mind, if he entered into the object," he would be a host." The subscribers now became numerous, as the result of united and individual exertion; and, to form an extended and effective plan, a list was drawn out of different persons known to each, and Mr. T. says,-" Many a laborious day did we spend together in this work of faith and labour of love. My friend, from his flow of spirits, his smart and ready way of stating the case, and the facility with which he rebutted objections, and overthrew frivolous excuses, was wonderfully fitted for the undertaking. In all our peregrinations, I give him full credit for being the Aaron in this exploit. I do not say we met with any whose hearts were altogether as hard as Pharoah's; but we did meet with some, who, not only refused to help us, though well able, but also insulted us. One instance of this I cannot help reciting: we had on our list the name of a wealthy surgeon; he belonged to an institution to which was attached a chapel, at which my friend had often preached; and, of course, we believed that this would prove a successful visit. We were ushered into a splendid room, where the gentleman was sitting at a late breakfast, with a foot