The annual soirée of the Association in Aid of the Deaf and Dumb took place at the Hanover-square Rooms on Wednesday week. This society, which was established in 1840, and reorganised in 1854, has the following for its objects:—To provide extended religious and secular instruction among the deaf and dumb throughout the metropolis after they have quitted school; to visit, under the direction of the parochial clergyman, sick and other deaf and dumb persons at their homes; to assist those having good characters in obtaining employment; to relieve, either by gifts or loans of money, such as are deserving and necessitous; and to encourage the early training of deaf and dumb children preparatory to their admission into educational institutions. At present the association provides eleven services per week in seven parts of London, and in proof of its utility we quote the following statistics from the last annual report of the committee:—Total number of visits made to the deaf and dumb, 2514; number relieved during the year, 107; loans granted, 26; number provided with work, 66; apprenticed, 9; maintained in the Brighton school, 7; presented for confirmation, 20; and provided with gratuities at Christmas, 180. 
The chief work of the association is among the 2000 deaf mutes of London. Without its aid there is no doubt many would fall into habits of depravity and become dangerous to society, while others would be deprived of all the advantages of religious instruction, sympathy, and assistance which this society affords. Its income, however, is inadequate to enable it fully to occupy the large field open to it. Only two permanent visitors besides the chaplain are at present employed; there is quite enough work for six, and an appeal is made to the public on behalf of the society in order that more funds may be raised for extended usefulness. The proceedings of the soirée last week were of an interesting and varied character. Between five and six o'clock tea was served to large numbers, and a public meeting was held, over which Viscount Milton, M.P., presided. The large hall was densely crowded, between 400 and 500 of those present being deaf and dumb. The noble chairman made an earnest appeal on behalf of the society. Other addresses were delivered which, being interpreted to the deaf and dumb, appeared to afford them much gratification. A variety of amusements were provided for the entertainment of those present, including the performance of Mr. Samwell's troupe of dogs, and Professor Dugwar's juggling feats. During the evening the Rev. Samuel Smith, secretary to the society, introduced a very remarkable case to the audience. This was a young man named Henry F. Brothers, who was not only deaf and dumb, but also perfectly blind, yet through the system of instruction which the society had been enabled to impart to him, he was able to spell such words as hat, coat, and pin by means of an alphabet, the letters of which being made of wire, he was able to distinguish through the sense of touch. The appearance of this young man excited great interest, and an appeal was made to the public for funds to defray the cost of his further instruction. A vote of thanks to Lord Milton for having presided was moved and seconded by two deaf and dumb young gentlemen, and the proceedings terminated.
Source: The Illustrated London News, No.1522—Vol. LIV, Saturday, January 23, 1869, p.93