Deaf and Dumb!: Third Edition

In Short

Elizabeth Sandham’s 1818 moral tale introduces young Henry and Caroline Rawlinson to the Goldsmith family, whose children William and Lucy are deaf and dumb. Horrified by the lack of resources for such youths, the wealthy Rawlinsons and their benevolent friend Mr. Beaufort intervene to send William to the London Asylum. Through structured instruction, William acquires speech, literacy, and a trade. The narrative functions both as a heartwarming story of social uplift and an earnest historical appeal for charitable support, demonstrating how education transforms isolated lives into active, self-sufficient members of society.

The Story

The narrative opens with young Henry and Caroline Rawlinson traveling to the rural cottage of their former nurse, Mrs. Goldsmith. The journey is fueled by childhood enthusiasm, as the siblings invite the kindly Mr. Beaufort, a wealthy gentleman planning to build a residence nearby, to join them later in the day. Upon arriving at the picturesque cottage near a hazel coppice and brook, the Rawlinson children are warmly welcomed by Nurse Goldsmith and her large family. However, the joyful atmosphere is tempered by a poignant discovery: two of the Goldsmith children, ten-year-old William and his younger sister Lucy, are deaf and dumb, and Mrs. Goldsmith fears her nine-month-old baby shares the same condition.

Despite their inability to hear or speak, William and Lucy participate in games through intricate facial expressions and bodily gestures. When Mr. Beaufort arrives at the cottage, he is deeply moved by the children's plight. As a governor of the newly established Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb in London, he informs Mrs. Goldsmith of the charity's work. Henry and Caroline immediately offer their own pocket money to support William’s admission, and Mr. Beaufort promises to use his influence to secure a place for the boy.

Preparations for William’s departure begin shortly thereafter. Guided by lip-reading and his mother's gestures, William learns he is going away to study. He expresses his joy through energetic capers and careful gestures, making sure his family promises to care for little Lucy in his absence. Arriving at the Asylum in London, William is reunited with Jacob Goodyer, a boy from his home village who has already learned to speak and craft shoes. Seeing Jacob’s progress brings tears of relief to Mrs. Goldsmith, who returns home confident in her son's future.

During a school vacation, William returns to his village, where his ability to speak his family's names, read from a spelling book, and display his penmanship causes immense joy. Later, during a visit to London with Mr. Beaufort and Henry Rawlinson, a crisis tests William's newfound skills. While exploring the city streets, Henry and William become separated in a crowded thoroughfare. Henry suffers an accident and is carried away by unscrupulous men hoping to hold him for a ransom reward. William spots his friend, tracks him into a dingy alley, and races back to Mr. Beaufort. Despite his nervousness, William speaks clearly enough to report the crime, guide Mr. Beaufort and a constable to the hidden room, and expose the captors' lies.

Henry is safely rescued, and William’s courage and developing speech are celebrated. The Rawlinson family rewards William's bravery by fully clothing him throughout his school years and funding Lucy's eventual admission to the Asylum. As adults, William becomes a skilled cabinet-maker, Lucy earns her living through needlework, and Jacob operates a successful shoemaking shop, each enjoying full, independent lives.

How It Unfolds

The countryside excursion Henry and Caroline Rawlinson travel early in the morning to visit Nurse Goldsmith's cottage on the common. They invite Mr. Beaufort to join them, setting in motion a series of benevolent discoveries.

A solemn discovery At the cottage, the visitors discover that two of Nurse Goldsmith's seven children cannot speak or hear. Mrs. Goldsmith expresses growing anxiety that her infant child suffers from the same affliction.

The governor's promise Mr. Beaufort arrives at the cottage and reveals his role as a governor for the London Asylum. Deeply touched by the family's situation, he resolves to secure a spot for young William.

Departure for London William learns of his upcoming journey through his mother's lip movements and signs. He bids a tender farewell to his siblings, particularly charging them to protect his young sister Lucy.

A transformed child returns During a vacation, William travels back to his village capable of spoken language, reading, and writing. His family listens in awe as he names the household objects around them.

Separation in the crowd While visiting London with Henry Rawlinson, William gets separated from his companion in a busy shopping district. He spots two men carrying the injured Henry into a dark alley.

A dramatic rescue William rushes to Mr. Beaufort and manages to articulate the danger Henry is in. He leads the adults back to the hideout, courageously speaking up to expose the captors' extortion plot.

A prosperous future Having completed his education and mastered cabinet-making, William supports his family and thrives alongside his sister Lucy and friend Jacob, proving the lasting value of his education.

The People

William Goldsmith A bright, highly observational ten-year-old boy who is deaf and mute at the start of the tale. He wants to communicate with his family and learn a useful trade. Through his time at the Asylum, he overcomes his physical isolation, acquires speech and literacy, and grows into a courageous, independent cabinet-maker who saves his benefactor's son.

Henry Rawlinson A generous, energetic young gentleman who holds a deep affection for his former nurse's family. He wants to assist the Goldsmiths and eagerly offers his own funds to aid William. His adventurous curiosity in London leads to his capture, but his bond with William ultimately saves him.

Mr. Beaufort A wealthy, compassionate gentleman and governor of the Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb. He wants to extend charitable education to afflicted children who would otherwise remain trapped in ignorance. He acts as the story's primary benefactor, facilitating William's admission and rewarding his bravery.

Mrs. Goldsmith The hardworking, affectionate mother of seven children. She wants nothing more than to see her disabled children gain the skills needed to survive in the world. Her initial grief and tearful worry transform into profound joy as she witnesses William's dramatic progress.

Lucy Goldsmith William's younger deaf sister, who relies heavily on her brother's guidance and expressive signs. She desires inclusion and companionship, eventually following William to the Asylum to become a self-sufficient needlewoman.

Jacob Goodyer A boy from the same village who precedes William at the Asylum. He serves as an inspiring example of success, taking pride in his new speech and shoemaking trade.

In Its Own Voice

"The unhappy malady which affects these children is found to exist to a dreadful extent; scarcely a week passes without some application for admission..."

The preface establishes the urgent, real-world context facing the London Asylum.

"He touched his mouth, in token that he should speak. She expressed her earnest hopes that it might be so, and, with the most affectionate regard, bade him be a good boy, and wished him farewell."

William reassures his emotional mother upon being left at the school for the first time.

"But I knew what you said, and I believe you understood me, though you pretended not; for you said that you would not attend to what I told you..."

William fearlessly confronts the dishonest men holding Henry captive, demonstrating his newfound command of speech.

What It's Really About

Beneath its narrative surface, the book is an urgent thesis on the transformative power of targeted education. It argues that physical disabilities do not diminish a child's inherent intelligence or moral capacity, but that societal neglect will condemn them to unnecessary dependence. Sandham contrasts the static, hopeless state of uneducated disabled children with the dynamic potential unlocked by specialized institutional training. The text also explores the moral obligations of wealth, asserting that privilege is justified primarily when used to uplift the vulnerable. By placing the Asylum at the center of the plot, the book functions as an early narrative advocate for institutional social reform, asserting that effective charity bestows dignity and self-reliance rather than mere pity.

Why Read It Today

Modern readers interested in the history of disability, education, and 19th-century juvenile literature will find Deaf and Dumb! a fascinating period artifact. It provides a rare, highly detailed glimpse into early 1800s attitudes toward deaf education, capturing the exact era when specialized schools began shifting public perception from pity to practical empowerment.

The prose is direct, earnest, and unpretentious, reflective of early Regency moral tales designed for young audiences. Readers should be prepared for explicit didacticism, periodic authorial intrusions addressing the "young reader," and the heavy sentimental tone characteristic of 1800s evangelical philanthropy. Some historical terminology and concepts surrounding hearing impairment reflect the period's limited medical understanding. Nevertheless, the book remains a touching, historically significant narrative that stays with you for its genuine warmth, its respectful depiction of non-verbal communication, and its firm belief in human potential.