690 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1909. 
the library was established, when school days were over only those 
could continue to read daily who could command the services of a 
reader, and those fortunate persons were very rare who could afford 
so expensive a luxury. In consequence no reading was done. To- 
day it is only necessary to write to the library in order to have books 
sent, or to draw on the branch libraries which circulate in the larger 
towns of France. Upon leaving school one is invited to maintain 
the knowledge acquired and to cultivate one’s mind. A character- 
istic fact witnesses the progress gained. The blind who are more 
than 40 years old nearly all read very badly, while nearly all good 
readers who are blind are less than 40 years old. The latter belong 
to the generation which has profited by the Braille library. The 
former were read to when they had the means; the latter hkewise 
were, no doubt, read to, but they also read by themselves, and hence 
they read better and read more. 
One can appreciate the benefits of such a work. They are such that 
’ we never cease to solicit all philanthropists in its favor. It needs to 
be much extended. All grades of intellectual culture are represented 
among the blind. To satisfy so many tastes, so many different needs, 
we require a large and constantly increased number of volumes. On 
this account we continue to ask authors who desire to manifest their 
sympathy, to send us copies of their works, so that we may have them 
copied; and to ask philanthropic persons to transcribe their favorite 
authors by the Braille method, which is learned without effort. Ata 
small expense all can assist in a work which brings to the disinherited 
blind much prized diversion as well as instruction. 
Intellectual recreation is, indeed, especially dear to the blind, as 
one can readily conceive. Ordinary men get the greater part of their 
pleasures through their eyes. Deprived of these pleasures, the blind 
ask, in exchange, for others for their other senses. They ask not to be 
cheated of their share. Here, as elsewhere, we find the substitution 
of active functions for those which refuse to serve. They ask com- 
pensations especially through the sense of hearing, and everyone 
knows how numerous are blind musicians. They also ask much from 
the exercise of the intellect and of reflection. “I am so happy,” 
writes Helen Keller, “ that I could live always, because there are so 
many fine things to learn.” In general the blind are very fond of 
reading, much more so at least than those of the same intellectual 
level who can see. In the schools for the blind the hours spent in 
reading in common are greatly enjoyed. I know blind persons who 
are occupied all day who devote a part of their nights to books. 
Letters of thanks which readers address to the Braille brary are 
often full of singularly touching gratitude, well calculated to en- 
courage those who labor to help them. 
