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74 William B. Swett William B. Swett (1823?–1884) Educated at the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Swett was president of the New England Gallaudet Association of Deaf-Mutes and was the author of Adventures of a Deaf-Mute in the White Mountains (1874), a recounting of his experiences as a guide in that area. Selections from this account are included here. Swett had a colorful career as an explorer, showman, mechanic, writer, and artist before settling down and marrying a deaf woman from Ireland. At the time of his death, Swett was the superintendent of the New England Industrial School for Deaf Mutes and had played a significant role in its establishment five years prior in 1879. There is a comic book form of this piece online: http://livefreeanddraw.com/start/williambswett/.12 c Selections from Adventures of a Deaf-Mute in the White Mountains FIRST SUMMER “The Old Man of the Mountain” I had heard much of this great natural curiosity, and had thought that there must be some resemblance to a human profile, but I was not prepared for the “accurate chiselling and astonishing sculpture” which now met my eyes. The “Profile” has “a stern, projecting, massive brow, which looks as if it contained the thought and wisdom of centuries.” The nose is “straight, and finely cut.” The lips 12. Harlan Lane, Richard C. Pillard, and Mary French, “Origins of the American Deaf-World: Assimilating and Differentiating Societies and Their Relation to Genetic Patterning,” Sign Language Studies 1, no. 1 (Fall 2000): 17–44; American Annals of the Deaf and Dumb 29, no. 3 (July 1884). These excerpts are from Adventures of a Deaf-Mute in the White Mountains (Boston: Boston DeafMutes ’ Mission, 1874). Adventures of a Deaf-Mute in the White Mountains 75 are thin, and slightly parted, as if about to speak. The chin is “well thrown forward, and shows the hard, obstinate character of the ‘Old Man,’ who has faced the storms of ages with such unmoving steadiness.” As I stood there, and looked at the towering cliff on which the “Old Man” is situated, all my appreciation of the grand and sublime in nature was awakened; and, mingled with other thoughts, came longings for a closer acquaintance with the “Old Man,” and dreams of “doing and daring” in those wild regions as none had ever done before. To the general observer, who sees the “Old Man” against a clear sky, the expression is one of earnest expectation, mingled with that “heart-sickness produced by hope long deferred.”* But the expression varies with the weather. Sometimes it appears on the point of giving utterance to speech; sometimes it wears a settled scowl, and at others a look of more than mortal sadness. Clouds passing under the chin or above and around the forehead materially soften the expression, and, by bearding and wigging the face, make it very lifelike. The best time to see it is in the afternoon, when the sun is behind it. After a cold rain, I have seen the “Old Man’s” face glisten beautifully, and wear a smiling look. . . “My First Visit to the ‘Old Man.’” About the last of July I determined to pay a visit to the head of the “Old Man.” While getting ready for the attempt, I thought, if I got there, I would set up a pole and raise a flag; I also concluded to remain on the top of the Mountain until after dark, and then build a large bonfire. I procured a hatchet, which I always thereafter carried in any belt in all my wandering, a flag ten feet long and five feet wide, a long cord, a bag of shavings, and kindling-wood and some provisions; altogether they made a heavy load to carry to the top of the Mountain, a mile and a half, on a hot day in summer. At one o’clock, p.m., I left the Profile House, and commenced the ascent of Cannon Mountain, so called from there being, near its top, a rock, which seen from a certain point, resembles a cannon mounted on a carriage; it is also called Profile Mountain, as it is on its side that the “Old Man” is situated. I followed the footpath, and found it very hard work to get along with my load, but reached the top, and deposited it in a convenient place for use at the proper time. After resting a little, I began to...

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