King George Iv & The Deaf & Dumb Boy
When King George IV. visited Ireland a deaf and dumb boy determined to
send a letter to His Majesty. The following extracts taken from this
characteristic letter will be interesting:
"Wednesday, 4th July, 1821.
"My dear George,--I hope I will see you when you come here to
see the deaf and dumb boys and girls; I am very sorry that you
never did come here to see them.
"I will be very glad to see you, if you will come here often to
see me. Did you ever see the deaf and dumb in London? You must
write a letter to me soon. Would you like to see me at
Claremont? I could not go to London, because there is too much
money to pay to the captain of a ship for me.
"Do you know Grammar, Geography, Bible, Arithmetic, Astronomy,
and Dictionary? I know them very little. I am very delighted
that I am improving much. Perhaps I will be an assistant of the
Deaf and Dumb School. Where were you born? Would you like to
correspond with me? I would be very fond of you. You ought to
write a long letter to me soon. What profession are you of? I
never saw you; I am very, very anxious to see you indeed, and
would like to see the King of England very much.
"Will you send us some deaf and dumb children, and give us
money to pay for educating them.
"I am, your affectionate friend,
"THOMAS COLLINS."
The answer was as follows:--
"To Thomas Collins, Deaf and Dumb Institution, Claremont,
Glasnevin, near Dublin.
"Sir Benjamin Bloomfield is commanded by the King to present to
Thomas Collins ten pounds for being a good boy."
"Phoenix Park, 3rd Sep., 1821."
With these ten pounds the boy was afterwards apprenticed to a printer.