Free Wild Boy by Mary Losure Page B

observations. Many of these reports, such as Constans-Saint-Estève’s letters and the scientific reports of Pierre-Joseph Bonnaterre and J.-J. Virey, are reprinted in Harlan Lane’s
The Wild Boy of Aveyron
.
    walked upright: per the vast majority of reports. Scattered observations of the boy going on all fours seem have been made at times when he was very tired, scrambling up slopes, or taking off running. The scientist J.-J. Virey wrote, “I have examined his knees; they are no harder, more calloused, or more worn than any ordinary child’s. It is very likely that he has always walked erect, except in a few rare instances and during infancy.” (Virey in Lane,
Wild Boy
, p. 35).
    about nine years old: based on an orphanage administrator’s estimate in 1800 that the boy “appears to be twelve years of age at most” (orphange official to
Journal des débats
, January 1800, Ibid., p. 10)
    Chapter Two
    “Everyone came . . . wild beast”: Constans-Saint-Estève,
Journal des débats
, January 1800, Ibid., p. 7.
    The dates and basic outline of the wild boy’s early sightings and captures follow Lane, pp. 6–7.
    For Guiraud’s report, see Shattuck, pp. 19–20.
    red tile roof and wooden balconies: Vidal’s workshop outside Saint-Sernin is still standing, surrounded by terraced gardens.
    Chapter Three
    “I will shortly . . . extraordinary being”: Constans-Saint-Estève,
Journal des débats
, January 1800, in Lane,
Wild Boy
, p. 10.
    “I found him . . . great pleasure” Ibid., p. 7.
    The strange boy’s eyes . . . couldn’t quite read: Foulquier-Lavergne, p. 12.
    “resisted vigorously” and “great impatience”: Constans-Saint-Estève,
Journal des débats
, January 1800, in Lane,
Wild Boy
, p. 8.
    “I had a hard time catching him” and “air of satisfaction that nothing could trouble”: Ibid., p. 8.
    “I have ordered brought . . . unidentified…child,” “In every respect . . . philanthropic observer,” “I am informing the government,” and “Would you see to it . . . which he cannot escape”: Ibid., p. 9.
    “A young savage, found in the woods near Saint Sernin. Deaf and mute.”: Saint-Affrique orphanage roll book, Archives Départementales de l’Aveyron.
    “He took to running . . . and disappeared”: orphanage official to
Journal des débats
, January 1800, in Lane,
Wild Boy
, p. 10.
    “feeble in spirit”: Saint-Affrique orphanage roll book, Archives Départementales de l’Aveyron.
    “His eyes are dark . . . means of escape” and “We made him a gown . . . lets out sharp cries”: orphanage official to
Journal des débats
, January 1800, in Lane,
Wild Boy
, p. 10.
    Chapter Four
    “From external appearance . . . pleasant smile”: Bonnaterre, Ibid., p. 33.
    “It was only with some difficulty . . . Central School”: Aveyron commissioner J.-P. Randon to Constans-Saint-Estève, February 5, 1800, Ibid., p. 15.
    “When he raises his head . . . cutting instrument,” “There is one . . . left cheek,” “His whole body is covered with scars,” and “Did some barbaric hand . . . death-dealing blade?”: Bonnaterre, Ibid., p. 34.
    For Bonnaterre’s account of these wild children, see Gineste, pp. 182–193.
    “The sounds of the most harmonious . . . turn around to seize them”: Bonnaterre in Lane,
Wild Boy
, p. 39.
    “He has been seen, when tired, to walk on all fours”: Ibid., p. 47.
    “He is always looking . . . distance from the town”: Ibid., p. 44.
    “When it is time . . . furious if not obeyed”: Ibid., p. 46.
    “His sleep . . . pain or pleasure”: Ibid., p. 45.
    as though he were having a seizure: Ibid., p. 36.
    Chapter Five
    “This eagerness . . . just experienced,”: Ibid., p. 44.
    “I could not imagine . . . impressions of heat,” “One evening . . . rid of these garments,” “Next I pretended . . . the school building,” and “Instead of showing . . . repeated yanks”: Ibid., p. 44.
    “comfortably warm”: Ibid., p. 45.
    “He can be indifferent . . . with