B L 1 



Oft 



B L 1 



i should comprehend, ni far M possible, all that is ex- . 

 d in that term. The last is tlw view which we have 

 taken of the instruction of the blind thranctwot this nrtidi-. j 



In addition to the systems of physical education which 

 are followed in the asylums of which we have spoken, tho 

 following general observations on the treatment of the 

 blind from Dr. Blacklock, in the ' Encyclopedia Britnnnica,' 

 are so just, that they cannot fail to recommend themselves 

 to all who are interested in the practical application of plans 

 tor their benefit From the original dawning of reason 

 and spirit, the parents and tutors of the blind ought to in- 

 culcate this maxim, that it is their indispensable duty to 

 excel, and that it is absolutely in their power to attain a 

 liiL'li degree of eminence. To impress this notion on their 

 minds the first objects presented to their observation, and 

 the first methods of improvement applied to their under- 

 standing, ought to be capable of being comprehended with- 

 out difficulty by those internal powers and external senses 

 which they possess. Not that improvement should bo ren- 

 dered quit* easy to them, if such a plan were possible ; for 

 all difficulties which ore not really or apparently insuperable 

 heighten the charms and enhance the value of those acqui- 

 sitions which they seem to retard. But care should be 

 taken that these difficulties be not magnified or exaggerated 

 by imagination ; since the blind have naturally a painful 

 sense of their own incapacity, and consequently a strong pro- 

 pensity to despondency continually working in their minds. 



' For this reason parents and relations ought never to be 

 too ready in offering their assistance to the blind in any 

 office which they can perform, or in any acquisition which 

 they can make for themselves, whether they are prompted 

 by amusement or necessity. Let a blind boy be permitted 

 to walk through the neighbourhood without a guide, not 

 only though he should run some hazard, but even though 

 he should suffer some pain. If he have a mechanical turn, 

 let him not bo denied the use of edge-tools ; for it is better 

 that he should lose a little blood, or even break a bone, than 

 be perpetually confined to the same place, and thus debi- 

 litated in his frame, and depressed in his mind. Such a 

 being can have no employment but that of feeling his own 

 weakness, and becoming his own tormentor ; or perhaps 

 transferring to others a portion of the malignity and pee- 

 vishness engendered by the natural, adventitious, or ima- 

 ginary evils which he feels. Scars, fractures, and disloca- 

 tions in his body are trivial misfortunes compared with 

 imbecility, timidity, or fretfulness of mind. Besides the 

 pernicious effects of inactivity in relaxing the nerves, and 

 consequently in depressing the spirits, nothing can be more 

 productive of discontent, envy, jealousy, and every mean 

 and malignant passion, than a painful impression of de- 

 pendence on others, and of our insufficiency for our own 

 happiness. This impression, which even in its most im- 

 proved state will be but too deeply felt by every blind man, 

 is redoubled by that utter incapacity of action superinduced 

 by the officious humanity of those who would anticipate or 

 supply all his wants, prevent all his motions, and do or pro- 

 cure everything for him without his own interposition. It 

 is the course of nature that blind people, as well as others, 

 should survive their parents; and it may likewise happen to 

 them to survive those who by the ties of blood and nature 

 are more immediately interested in their happiness. But 

 when they come to be dependent on tho world, such exi- 

 gencies as they themselves cannot meet will be but coldly 

 and languidly supplied by strangers. If their expectations 

 be high, their disappointments will he the more sensible : 

 their de*irci will often be resisted, seldom fully gratified; 

 and even when their requests are granted, the coin 

 will sometimes be so ungraceful as to deprive it of the cha- 

 racter of kindness. For those reasons, we repeat, that in 

 the training of a blind man it is infinitely better to direct 

 than to supersede his own exertions. From the time he- 

 can move and feel, let him be taught to supply his own 

 wants; to dress and to feed himself; to run from place to 

 place, either for exercise or in pursuit of his own amuse- 

 ments or avocations. 



' In these excursions, however, it will be proper for the 

 parent or tutor to superintend his motions at a distance, 

 without seeming to watch over him. A vigilance too ap- 

 parent may defeat its own object, and create in a mind na- 

 turally jealous a suspicion of its originating in some inte- 

 inotivi*. Rut, on the other hand, wli.-n dangers are 

 obvious and great, those who are intrusted with the < 

 the blind will find it neither neoes- - ]>'-<lient to 



make their vigilance a secret. They ought then to acquaint 



their pupil that they arc present with him, and to interpose 

 f'ir his prcscrvati in whenever his temerity renders it i. 

 siiry. But object* of a nature lens noxious, which may givo 

 him some pain without any permanent injury or nn.ii 

 may by design be thrown in his way, providi that 



the doMgn lie industriously concealed, for his own 

 rience of their bad effects will prove a much more eloquent 

 and sensible caution than the abstract and frigid counsels 

 of any monitor whatever. 



' When the season of childish amusement baa expired, 

 and tho impetuosity of animal spirits has abated, tin 

 will probably observe, in the whole demeanour of hi* pupil, 

 a more sensible degree of timidity and precaution, and his 

 activity will then require to be stimulated rather than re- 

 strained. In this crisis exercise will bu found requisite to 

 preserve health and facilitate the vital functions, us well as 

 for the mere purpose of recreation ; and of all kinds of 

 cise, riding on horseback will be found by far the most 

 eligible and advantageous. On such occasions, bov. 

 care must be taken that the horses employed be neither <.,- 

 pricious or unmanageable ; for, on the docility of the animal 

 which ho rides not only the safety but the confidence of 

 the blind will entirely depend. In these expeditions, whe- 

 ther long or short, his companion or attendant ought to be 

 constantly with him; and the horse should be taught either 

 to follow its guide, or be conducted by a leading rein. Next 

 to this mode of exercise is walking. If the constitution be 

 tolerably robust, let him be taught to encounter 

 situde of weather which the human constitution cm endure 

 with impunity. And when the cold is so intense, or the 

 elements so tempestuous, as to render air and e\< 

 abroad impracticable, there are methods of cvic^e within 

 doors, which, though not equally salutary, are still highly 

 eligible. The dumb-bells, the bath-chair, or spring-' 

 and the common swing, have been particularly rec'nu- 

 mended for this purpose ; and as each affords ai 

 exercitation, any of them may be had recourse to at pie;: 



The number of blind men who have become distinguished 

 is large. The histories of many of them will 

 under their names in this work. The table given op; 

 has been drawn from various sources, but rhielly from the 

 A'.v.v;// of Dr. Guilltf, on the Instruction of the Hlind : from 

 the Biography of the Blind, a 12mo. volume of 300 | 

 by James Wilson, himself a living inMancc of the in: 

 tual efforts of which the blind are capable ; and from the 

 first volume of the Pursuit of Knowledge under Diffi- 

 culties in the Library of Entertaining Knowledge. In addi- 

 tion to those included in our table, many others might 

 have been named of minor celebrity, who filled a sphere of 

 usefulness in their day, and many are still living in thi> and 

 in other countries, whose perseverance and success may teach 

 a useful lesson to some future age. We cannot forbear to 

 name James Holman, who became blind when a \oung man, 

 and whose published travels round the world h.ive excited 

 very general curiosity and interest. Nor should \vo omit to 

 mention Alexander Kodenbach, 'a member of the Belgian 

 Chamber of Deputies, and one of the must conspii 

 actors in the late revolution,' who forms one of the prin- 

 cipal supports of the democratic party, and who ' often makes 

 the Chamber ring with his original and eloquent speeches.' 



The acquirements and the labours of the individuals in- 

 cluded in this table would alone be sufficient to uive 

 them celebrity even had they laboured under no pi 

 defect. The knowledge of what they accomplished may, 

 in some measure, enable the teacher to ascertain what are 

 fit studies for the blind, and by showing him what ha> 

 done, to encourage him in his difficult undertaking. Tho 

 instruction of persons who are under so much greater dis- 

 advantages than ordinary pupils requires more than ordi- 

 nary patience and encouragement. The iuguiiuity which 

 a teacher must exercise is almost beyond : : lie 



requires als Knowledge of a high degree, especially a 

 knowledge of human nature under this peculiar allliclion. 

 In every country there ought to be at least one normal 

 school, where teachers may be trained for the instruction 

 of the blind. A simple way of effecting such a pur 

 would be for the government to allow to one establishment, 

 which shall first be aseertaiii-d to be a sU]ieiior one in its 

 management and results, such an annual grant of money 

 us shall enable it to retain several young men as assUtant- 

 trachers, who shall be ready to supply vacancies which 

 occur, and to take charge of newly-established institutions. 

 'Ibis kind of assistance would, perhaps, be the mostvali 

 encouragement which a government could afford. It 



