._ I.
_p._ 124.
[4] The acquirement of language does not wholly consist in the
imitation of the word, but likewise in the comprehension that the
articulate sound is the representative of the object perceived. There
are some persons of defective intellect that I have seen, whose hearing
was perfect, and who could whistle some tunes, but who were unable to
learn their native language so as to understand what was said to them,
and consequently incompetent to afford an answer. In this particular
they approximate to the state of animals.
[5] "Nec missas audire queunt, nec reddere voces."
[6] On consulting the Concordance of CRUDEN, it does not appear
that the word IDEA, is to be found in our Translations of the Old and
New Testament. CRUDEN, although deemed a Lunatic, was a man of
persevering research and scrupulous accuracy.
[7] It is very probable that MARTIAL, in his eulogy of the
Roman Notarius, may have exceeded the actual performance.
"Currant verba licet, manus est velocior illis:
Nondum linga suum, dextra peregit opus."
_Lib. 14, Epig. 208._
[8] In imitation of the Auburn (American) prison, the Middlesex
magistrates, in their judicial wisdom, have adopted an entirely opposite
system; by imposing an awful silence in their house of correction. This
penance must press sorely on the criminals of the softer sex, to whom
tea and conversation (errors excepted) constitute the principal comforts
of life. CATULLUS seems to allude to this infernal art of exasperating
the miseries of incarceration.
"Nulla fugae ratio, nulla spes: OMNIA MUTA,
Omnia sunt deserta: ostentant omnia Lethum."
PRINTED BY G. HAYDEN, LITTLE COLLEGE STREET, WESTMINSTER.
* * * * *
_LIST OF WORKS BY THE AUTHOR._
OBSERVATIONS on MADNESS & MELANCHOLY. Octavo, 1809.
ILLUSTRATIONS of MADNESS. Octavo, 1810.
MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE, as it relates to Insanity, according to the Law
of England. Octavo, 1817.
CONSIDERATIONS on the MORAL MANAGEMENT of INSANE PERSONS. Octavo, 1817.
A LETTER to the GOVERNORS of BETHLEM HOSPITAL. Octavo, 1818.
SOUND MIND. Octavo, 1819.
LETTER to the LORD CHANCELLOR, on UNSOUNDNESS of MIND and Imbecility of
Intellect. Octavo, 1823.
Six LECTURES on the INTELLECTUAL COMPOSITION of MAN.--_Vide Lancet for
1827._
LETTER to the METROPOLITAN COMMISSIONERS in LUNACY. Octavo, 1830.
* * *
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