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1. In the city of Hartford, Connecticut, among other interesting institutions, is an asylum for the education of the deaf and dumb. The building is large and commodious, and finely situated upon a commanding eminence.

2. Among the inmates of the mansion is one, who particularly excited the attention of strangers. She is entirely deaf, dumb and blind. Her name is Julia Bruce [sic]; and she is a native of the immediate neighbourhood of the asylums.

3. She was the daughter of exceedingly poor parents who had several younger children, to whom she was in the habit of showing such offices of kindness as her own afflicted state admitted.

4. When the weather became cold, she would occasionally kneel on the floor of their humble dwelling, to feel whether the other children of the family were furnished with stockings or shoes, while she was without, and would express uneasiness at the contrast.

5. Seated on her little block, weaving strips of thin bark, with pieces of leather and thread, which her father in his process of making shoes rejected, she amused herself by constructing for her cat, bonnets and vandikes, not wholly discordant with the principles of taste.

6. Her mother sometimes left her with the care of the young children. On one occasion, she discovered that her sisters had broken a piece of crockery, and imitating what she supposed would be the discipline of their mother, gave the offender a blow.

7. But placing her hand upon the eyes of the little girl, and ascertaining that she wept, she immediately took her in her arms, and with the most persevering tenderness soothed her into hood humour and confidence.

8. Her parent were at length relieved from the burden of her maintenance, by some charitable individuals, who paid the expenses of her board with an elderly matron, who kept a school for small children.

9. Here her sagacity was continually on the stretch to comprehend the nature of their employments, and, as far as possible, to imitate them. Observing that a great part of their time was occupied with books, she often held one before her sightless eyes with long patience.

10. She would spread a newspaper for her favourite kitten, and putting her finger on its mouth, and perceiving that it did not move like those of the scholars when reading, would shake the little animal, to express her displeasure at its indolence and obstinacy.

11. But her principal solace was in the employments of needlework and knitting, which she had learned at an early age to practice. Counterpanes beautifully made by her, of small pieces of calico, were repeatedly disposed of, to aid in the purchase of her wardrobe.

12. It was occasionally the practice of gentlemen, who from pity or curiosity visited her, to make trial of her sagacity, by giving her their watches, and employing her to restore them to the right owner.

13. They would change their position with regard to her, and each strive to take the watch that did not belong to him; but though she might at the same time hold two or three, neither stratagem nor persuasion would induce her to yield either of them, except to the person from whom she had received it.

14. Though nurtured in extreme poverty, and after her removal from the parental roof, in the constant habit of being in contact with articles of dress or food, which strongly tempted her desires, she has never been know to appropriate to herself without permission, the most trifling object.

15. And, in presenting her any gift, it is necessary, before she will consent to accept it, to assure her repeatedly, by a sign which she understands, that it is for her.

16. Continuing to become an object of increased attention, and her remote situation not being convenient for the access of strangers, application was made for her admission into the asylum, and permission was accorded by the director in the summer of 1825.

17. As soon as she was admitted, she busied herself in quietly exploring the size of the apartments, and height of the staircases; and now she never makes a false step upon a flight of stairs, or enters a wrong door, or mistakes her seat at table.

18. Among her various excellences, neatness and love of order are conspicuous. Her simple wardrobe is systematically arranged, and it is impossible to displace a single article in her drawers without her perceiving and restoring it.

19. If any part of her dress requires mending, she is prompt and skilful in repairing it, and her perseverance in this branch of economy greatly diminishes the expense of her clothing.

20. Julia Bruce leads a life of perfect contentment, and is, in this respect, both an example and reproof to those who, for trifling inconveniences, indulge in repining, though surrounded by all the gifts of nature and fortune.

21. The genial influences of spring wake her lone heart to gladness, and she gathers the first flowers, and even the young blades of grass, and inhales their freshness with a delight bordering on transport.

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