DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70302#0326
290
HISTORY OF THE SAVAGE OF AVEYNON.
cation rather longer than usual, he became fretful, restless,
and low-spirited.
But if his excursions in town afforded him delight, he
received ten-fold pleasure from country visits. It was a
spectacle equally curious and interesting, to observe the
joy that was expressed in his eyes and in every attitude,
at the view of the hills and woods. He appeared more
restless and savage than ever ; and in spite of the most
assiduous attention that was paid to his wishes, and the
most affectionate regard expressed for him, he seemed to
be ever intent only on the means of effecting his escape.
For this reason M. Itard judged it prudent not to expose
him to such trials, but to confine his walks to those gar-
dens in the vicinity of Paris, whose formal regularity
bears no resemblance to the scenes of wild, uncultivated
nature. Madame Guerin took him sometimes to the
Luxembourg, and almost every day to the garden of the
Observatory, where M. Lemeri, the inspector, allowed
him to take a daily repast of milk.
His new habits and the tenderness that was shewn him
at length began to inspire the youth with a fondness for
his new situation. Fie likewise conceived a lively attach-
ment for his governess, which he would sometimes testify
in the most affectionate manner. He could never leave
her without evident uneasiness, nor meet her again with-
out expressing his satisfaction. Once after he had slipped
from her in the streets, on again seeing her, he burst into
tears. For several hours he appeared much dejected, and
Madame Guerin having then gently reproached him, his
eyesagain overflowed with tears.
The endeavours of M. Itard to lead his pupil to the
use of speech, have not been attended with very brilliant
success. During the first four or five months of his resi-
dence at Paris, the young savage appeared sensible only
to those particular sounds, which have al ready been al-
luded
HISTORY OF THE SAVAGE OF AVEYNON.
cation rather longer than usual, he became fretful, restless,
and low-spirited.
But if his excursions in town afforded him delight, he
received ten-fold pleasure from country visits. It was a
spectacle equally curious and interesting, to observe the
joy that was expressed in his eyes and in every attitude,
at the view of the hills and woods. He appeared more
restless and savage than ever ; and in spite of the most
assiduous attention that was paid to his wishes, and the
most affectionate regard expressed for him, he seemed to
be ever intent only on the means of effecting his escape.
For this reason M. Itard judged it prudent not to expose
him to such trials, but to confine his walks to those gar-
dens in the vicinity of Paris, whose formal regularity
bears no resemblance to the scenes of wild, uncultivated
nature. Madame Guerin took him sometimes to the
Luxembourg, and almost every day to the garden of the
Observatory, where M. Lemeri, the inspector, allowed
him to take a daily repast of milk.
His new habits and the tenderness that was shewn him
at length began to inspire the youth with a fondness for
his new situation. Fie likewise conceived a lively attach-
ment for his governess, which he would sometimes testify
in the most affectionate manner. He could never leave
her without evident uneasiness, nor meet her again with-
out expressing his satisfaction. Once after he had slipped
from her in the streets, on again seeing her, he burst into
tears. For several hours he appeared much dejected, and
Madame Guerin having then gently reproached him, his
eyesagain overflowed with tears.
The endeavours of M. Itard to lead his pupil to the
use of speech, have not been attended with very brilliant
success. During the first four or five months of his resi-
dence at Paris, the young savage appeared sensible only
to those particular sounds, which have al ready been al-
luded