172 Mr. Bezv on Blindnejs. 
foon fubfides. Gentler and more pleafing reflect 
tions fucceed. Contemplation takes her refidence 
in her proper province, the human mind ; and 
the blind, fubmiflively and chearfully relign 
themfelves to the will of Heaven, and the 
benevolent protection of the lefs unfortunate 
of their fellow-creatures. And hard, indeed, 
is the heart of him, who will not ftretch out 
his hand to fuccour the blind; or who, by 
injuftice, illiberally, or unkindnefs, adds a 
fling to the confcious dependence, to which, 
v/hilft they live, they mud ever be fubjedted. 
The blind people I have hitherto feledled to 
fpeak of, it may be remarked, were fuch as had 
their native faculties excited and matured by 
early and attentive education. But we lhall find, 
even where education has been wanting, and the 
blind left, in a great meafure, to the fimple ex¬ 
ertions of nature ; that the natural faculties them¬ 
felves make furprizing efforts towards fupplying 
the deficiency of fight. I (ball bring forwards to 
your notice a perfon, well known in this neigh¬ 
bourhood, of which he is a native. This is 
one John Metcalf, who, like the Gentlemen 
already mentioned, became blind at a very early 
age, fo as to be intirely unconfpious of light and 
its various effeds. This man pafled the younger 
part of his life as a waggoner, and occafionally, 
as a guide in intricate roads during the night, or 
y/hen the tracks were covered with fnow. Strange 
3 $ 
