SILENT BANQUET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2294, 12 September 1908, Page 4

SILENT BANQUET.

ONE HUNDRED DEAF-MUTES AT

DINNER

“Ladies and gentlemen, pray sih'uco for tho tonal — n tho loastiunslor at tho 11 ol born Kestamrmt was beginning (reports tho “Daily Alan ol 22ud July), but lie stopped himself m time, for the guests who filled the Venetian Chamber were inhabitants of the .Silent World. Tho deaf and dumb banquet was the climax to tho series ol festivities arranged by tho English deaf-mutes in honor of tho French sourds-niuots whoso visit to London ended the next day. Nearly a hundred deal and dumb people sat down to dinner, and the spectacle tv,ns a sufficiently remarkable one, for if tongues could not wag, fingers could Hush, and at a paco that know no lime limit.

The clatter of knives and forks was tho only sound that broke tho strange silence. Toasts were honored—-si-lently. Speeches were made-—on tho lingers. Smiles greeted tho afterdinner witticisms, but there was never n laugh to disturb the silonco of the banquet chamber. . “Wo are all fellow citizens in tho same Silent Kingdom. You, like I, prefer that clover play 'T/Enfant Prodigue’ to the best efforts of Mine. Bernhardt or M. Coquelin, and a quiet chat on the lingers to the best Ciceronian oration,” signed tho chairman, Sir Arthur Fnirbairn, in his address of welcome.

Like Iho guests, Sir Arthur could neither speak nor hem. To him belongs the not very enviable distinction of being the only bearer of an hereditary title born deaf and dumb. He lias devoted his whole life to earing for the deaf and dumb, and last night extended the warmest of welcomes to bis silent brothers and sisters from France.

Sir Arthur, in proposing the toast of “Sa Majeste ]o Roi do GrandeBretagne,” told tho French deafmutes that ho could personally assure them that the King took tho kindest interest in and felt the sincerest sympathy with the deaf and dumb of Franco.

Tho Rev. F. AV. G. Gilby translated the chairman’s speech from the twohaiul sign manuals to tho graceful single-hand talking of the French visitors. Air T. B. Ecrovd, a wealthy northern manufacturer, who is deaf and dumb, signed the toast of tho President, and AT. Henri Gnillnrd, editor of “La Revue d« Sourds-Muets,” gave the toast “Progress of tho Silent World.”