Hearing being lost, she naturally never
developed any speech; however, she was taught to sew, knit,
braid, and perform several other minor household duties. In 1837
Dr. S. W. Howe, the Director of the Massachusetts Asylum for the
Blind, took Laura in charge, and with her commenced the ordinary
deaf-mute education. At this time she was seven years and ten
months old. Two years later she had made such wonderful progress
and shown such ability to learn that, notwithstanding her
infirmities, she surpassed any of the pupils of her class. Her
advancement was particularly noticed immediately after her
realization that an idea could be expressed by a succession of
raised letters. In fact, so rapid was her progress, that it was
deemed advisable by the authorities to hold her back. By her
peculiar sensibility to vibration she could distinguish the
difference between a whole and a half note in music, and she
struck the notes on the piano quite correctly. During the first
years of her education she could not smell at all, but later she
could locate the kitchen by this sense. Taste had developed to
such an extent that at this time she could distinguish the
different degrees of acidity. The sense of touch, however, was
exceedingly delicate and acute.
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