Mr. Be^JJ on Blihdnefj. a 73 
as this may appear to thofe who can fee, the em¬ 
ployment he has fince undertaken is fti 11 more ex-* 
traordinary : it is one of the lad to which we could 
fuppofe a blind man would ever turn his attention. 
His prefent occupation is that of a projector and 
furveyor of highways in difficult and mountainous 
parts. With the abidance only of a long daff, I 
have feveral times met this man traverfing the 
roads, afcending precipices, exploring valleys, and 
invedigating their feveral extents, forms, and 
fituations, fat as to anfwer his defigns in the bed 
manner. The plans which he dedgns, and the 
edimates he makes, are done in a method peculiar 
to himfelf; and which he cannot well convey the 
meaning of to others. His abilities, in this refpeft, 
are, neverthelefs, fo great, that he finds condant 
employment. Mod of the roads over the Peak 
in Derbyffiire, have been altered by his direftionsj. 
particularly thofe in the vicinity of Buxton : and 
he is, at this time, condrufting a new one, betwixt 
Wilmdovv and Congleton, with a view to open a 
communication to the great London road, with¬ 
out being obliged to pafs over the mountains.* 
Thefe 
* Since this paper was written, and had the honour of 
being delivered to the Society, I have met this blind pro- 
jeftor of the roads, who was alone as ufual; and amongft 
other converfation, I made fome inquiries refpefting this 
new road. It was really altoniihmg to hear with what 
accuracy he dofcribed the courfes, and the nature of the 
different 
