Braid.—No; not at all. If you do not care to accept the condition we require, we might as well end the matter. Good day. (Exit Braidwood.)
Gallaudet, (turning to Watson)—I confess I am rather disappointed. Are there any other schools for the deaf in England?
Wat.—There is one in Scotland, at Edinburg, under Mr. Kinniburgh, but you could get no assistance there as he learned his methods from Braidwood and is under bonds to keep them a secret.
Gal.—I do not understand why there should be secrecy in a matter of this kind. I presume I shall have to return to America and report the failure of my trip.
Wat.—There is a school in Paris, and the Abbe Sicard, the head of the school is now in London, I understand. You might see him.
Gal.—You say he is an abbe, or priest? He will doubtless be more generous. I have heard of his school and of the philanthropic spirit of the late Abbe de l'Epee and doubtless Sicard is like him. How did the Paris school get its start?
Wat.—De l'Epee one time met two sisters who were deaf and being struck by the sadness of their condition and desirious of teaching them of God he made an effort to instruct them, was successful, and thereupon he founded a school for other deaf children in Paris. He invented and used a system of signs which are now used by Sicard and his assistants. However, we consider Braidwood's methods superior.
Gal.—Do you know where I can find Mr. Sicard?
Wat.—You will probably find him at the hotel Royal in London.
11
