_Massieu_, the deaf and dumb young man, of whose superiour talents and acquirements I gave you so favourable an account, appeared to great advantage at one of these, in which he received, for the first time, a lesson on “_galvanism_.” As soon as the abbé Sicard wrote on a slate, “galvanism is a name given to a mode of electricity, in consequence of its having been discovered by _Galvani_, an Italian physician.” Massieu eagerly snatched the pencil, and wrote, in reply, “I saw the word galvanism in one of the newspapers, and not knowing what it meant, looked for an explanation in the dictionary of the academy. Not finding it there, I concluded that it was taken from a proper name. It then occurred to me, that it was a new medicine, discovered by the individual, whose name it bore; and that, perhaps, by means of this specific, the inventor might cure the deaf and dumb, _comme notre seigneur Jesus Christ_[43].” Never shall I forget the animation which brightened the countenance of _Massieu_, while he rapidly wrote these words, or the curious and anxious attention with which he followed the explanation afterwards given him of galvanism. In the course of the lecture, he showed, by his questions and answers, that he was perfectly conversant with the general principles of electricity; and the ease with which he caught the doctrine of galvanism was truly astonishing. I am sure you will be struck, as I was, at the singularity of his conceiving, that galvanism might lead to the cure of the deaf and dumb. How kindly has Nature implanted in our minds a disposition to cherish hope, even on the slightest foundation! It is this which gives a zest to all our pursuits, which supports us in illness, in affliction, and in sorrow; and no man really ceases to be happy, till he ceases to hope. I did not know, at the time, what I have since learnt, and which, if true, renders the circumstance still more singular—I mean, that some deaf and dumb persons have been actually restored to the senses of hearing and speaking, by the power of galvanism. This is said to have taken place in some part of Germany, I believe at Vienna; but I only give it as a report. At the second meeting, I saw _Massieu_ taught, also for the first time, _stenography_, or the art of short-hand writing. After the common principles had been laid down by the written instructions of the master appointed to give him this lesson, the abbé Sicard desired Massieu to define the art which had just been explained to him. He immediately wrote for answer, expressing the greatest joy in his countenance, “C’est l’art d’écrire aussi vite que la parole. La sténographie va comme le cerf ou le cheval, mais l’écriture ordinaire comme le bœuf[44].” Through the whole of the lesson, he displayed the utmost clearness of idea, and the greatest facility of receiving instruction.