ssibly made it, and infinitely more
amusing.

The sign-language, growing slowly from natural signs--i.e., signs
representing the shape, quality or use of objects, or the action
expressed by verbs--has at length become a perfected system. This
language is the same throughout Europe and America, so that deaf mutes
from any country of Christendom who have acquired the regular system
can readily communicate with each other, however diverse their
nationality. Being formed from analogy, many of the signs are
exceedingly expressive. Thus, the sign for "headache" is made by
darting the two forefingers toward each other just in front of the
forehead. The sign for "summer" is drawing the curved forefinger
across the brow, as if wiping off the sweat. "Heat," or rather
"hotness," is expressed by blowing with open mouth into the hand,
and then shaking it suddenly as if burned. "Flame" and "fire" are
represented by a quivering, upward motion of all the fingers. The
memory of the ancient ruffled shirt of our forefathers is perpetuated
in the sign for "genteel," "gentility" or "fine." It is the whole open
hand, with fingers pointing upward, shaken in front of the breast.
"Gentleman" and "lady" are expressed by the signs for "man"
(the hat-brim) and "woman" (the bonnet-string), followed by the
ruffled-shirt sign. The sign for "Jesus" is doubtless the most tender
and touching in the whole language. It is made by touching the palm
of each hand in succession with the middle finger of the other. This
represents the print of the nails. The name "Jesus" itself does not
convey so pathetic and expressive a meaning as does this sign.

Hearing persons who understand the sign-language sometimes find it
exceedingly convenient as a means of communicating when they wish to
be private, I remember an amusing incident occurring at a festival
which I attended while teaching in the Illinois institution. Another
teacher and myself sat apart, surrounded by entire strangers. Near
by stood a lady in a gorgeous green silk dress, with many gaudy
accessories. My companion remarked in signs to me upon her striking
costume. I replied in like manner, expressing my appreciation of so
magnificent a proportion of apple-green silk. There was a great deal
of lady, but a great deal more of dress.

"See them dummies, Jake," she remarked to her husband at her side,
whose dazzling expanse of bright-figured velvet waistcoat and massive
gold chain was in admirable keeping