DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70302#0319
HISTORY OF THE SAVAGE OF AVEYNON.
283
with the others. He formed a separate heap of the empty
shells, and when his work was finished, he filled the
kettle with water and placed it on the fire, on which
he threw the empty husks to increase the heat.
A divine, distinguished for his love of science, conceiv-
ing that this youth might be the means of throwing some
new light on the moral philosophy of man, obtained per-
mission for his removal to Paris. He arrived in the me-
tropolis about the end of the year 1799, under the care
of a respectable old man, who being soon afterwards
obliged to leave him, promised to receive and be a father
to him, if he should at any time be abandoned by
society.
Even before the arrival of the young savage, all Paris
was in a ferment, and the most extraordinary expecta-
tions were formed concerning him. Some anticipated
the pleasure of witnessing his astonishment, at the sight
of the magnificence of the capital, while others con-
ceiving that his education would be the business of only
a few months, imagined they should soon hear him make
the most striking observations on his past life. They
Rocked from all parts to behold the novelty ; they saw a
disgusting slovenly boy, affected with spasmodic, and
frequently with convulsive motions, continually balancing
himself like some of the wild animals in the menagerie,
biting and scratching all who displeased him, expressing
no affection for any one; indifferent to every body, and
paying regard to nothing.
Such an object it may naturally be supposed would ex-
cite only a momentary curiosity. The administrators of
the institution for the deaf and dumb, in which he had
been placed, consigned him to the particular care of
Madame Guerin, who discharged the arduous task with
all the patience of a mother, and the intelligence of an
enlightened instructor. At the same time, M. Itard,
o o 2 physician
283
with the others. He formed a separate heap of the empty
shells, and when his work was finished, he filled the
kettle with water and placed it on the fire, on which
he threw the empty husks to increase the heat.
A divine, distinguished for his love of science, conceiv-
ing that this youth might be the means of throwing some
new light on the moral philosophy of man, obtained per-
mission for his removal to Paris. He arrived in the me-
tropolis about the end of the year 1799, under the care
of a respectable old man, who being soon afterwards
obliged to leave him, promised to receive and be a father
to him, if he should at any time be abandoned by
society.
Even before the arrival of the young savage, all Paris
was in a ferment, and the most extraordinary expecta-
tions were formed concerning him. Some anticipated
the pleasure of witnessing his astonishment, at the sight
of the magnificence of the capital, while others con-
ceiving that his education would be the business of only
a few months, imagined they should soon hear him make
the most striking observations on his past life. They
Rocked from all parts to behold the novelty ; they saw a
disgusting slovenly boy, affected with spasmodic, and
frequently with convulsive motions, continually balancing
himself like some of the wild animals in the menagerie,
biting and scratching all who displeased him, expressing
no affection for any one; indifferent to every body, and
paying regard to nothing.
Such an object it may naturally be supposed would ex-
cite only a momentary curiosity. The administrators of
the institution for the deaf and dumb, in which he had
been placed, consigned him to the particular care of
Madame Guerin, who discharged the arduous task with
all the patience of a mother, and the intelligence of an
enlightened instructor. At the same time, M. Itard,
o o 2 physician