the scriptures to be the word of God? Do the angels know when the
last day will come?

A RUSSIAN DEAF AND DUMB YOUTH'S REPLY.

A young Russian, of great talents, though deaf and dumb, who had been to
a Deaf and Dumb Institution to be taught, with a view to become the
master of a similar Institution in Russia, was asked the difference
between intelligence and discernment? He said "Intelligence is a
faculty, by which we distinguish good and evil, what is useful and what
hurtful. I think discernment is the faculty of distinguishing the
greater and less degrees of good and evil."

[Illustration]

THE AGE OF DEAF MUTES.

The question is frequently asked, "Is there a greater mortality among
the deaf mutes than there is among the total population?"

The statistics so far published, on the whole, show a somewhat greater
mortality among the deaf and dumb than that among the total population.

It may, however, be stated that the deaf and dumb having to labour under
greater difficulties, generally succumb more easily in the struggle for
existence than their more favoured fellow-creatures.

In Bavaria, in 1871, there were 4,348 deaf mutes; 557 of these were
between 31 and 40 years of age; 556 between 41 and 50; and 852 were 50
years and upwards. In Prussia there were 23,579; of these 3,057 were
between 31 and 40 years of age; 2,540 between 41 and 50; and 3,609 were
50 years and upwards. In 1883, the North Midland Counties of England had
705 deaf and dumb: 148 of these were under 5 years of age; 83 were 15
years; 81 were 20 years; 227 were 25 years; 127 were 45 years; and 39
were 65 years and upwards.

DEAF MUTES IN THE TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Wilhelmi tried to ascertain by means of his statistics in what
proportion deaf mutism occurred in towns and in the country, and found
that it preponderated in the country.

--------------------------------+------------+--------------------
| Deaf Mutes.| Deaf Mutes among
| | 10,000 Inhabitants.
--------------------------------+------------+--------------------
In Magdeburgh { In the Towns | 181 | 5.2
{ In the Country | 338 | 6.7
In Erfurt { In the Towns | 81 | 5.4
{ In the Country | 186 | 8.5
In Pomerania { In the Towns | 378 | 8.3
{ In the Country | 12