Mr. Bew on Blindnefs . 
167 
without exception, appears to be the favourite 
arnufement of the blind. There is no other em¬ 
ployment of the mind, religious contemplation 
excepted, that feems fo well adapted to footh 
the foul, and diflipate the melancholy ideas, which, 
it may naturally be expedted, will l'ometimes 
pervade the difpofitions of thofe who are utterly 
bereft of fight. This, together with the beneficial 
influence that refults from the practice of this 
delightful art, by quickening and perfecting the 
fenfc of hearing, is a matter that deferves the molt 
ferious attention. The celebrated Profefibr, juft 
now mentioned, excelled in performing on the 
flute, in his youth ; and the refinement of his 
ear, has been very juftly attributed to his early 
attention to mufic. It is not, therefore, furprizing 
that fo many blind people have diftinguilhed 
themfelves in this fcience. Stanley and Parry 
were deprived of their fight in early infancy; 
yet both thefe Gentlemen have difplayed extra¬ 
ordinary proofs of their abilities, not only as 
compofers and performers of mufic, but, like- 
wife, in matters that, at a firft view, we might 
be apt to confider as peculiar to thofe who are 
fully po fife fled of the faculty of vifion. Their 
feparate reputations, as muficians, are fufficiently 
known and acknowledged. The ftile of Stanley 
is truly his own ; and his execution on the organ, 
equal, if not fuperior to any of his cotemporary 
mers on that grand inftrument. Parry may 
M 4 
be 
