318 



HL1ZARD-BOBBIN-NET. 



Thus, in a blind population of nearly 18,000, 

 there is only 600 at most, not 700 in all tin- in- 

 stitutions in this country, where any provision is 

 made for their instruction in mechanical arts, and 

 for their moral and intellect ml training. Before 

 the introduction of the mode of printing in the 

 Roman letters in relief, in January, 1837, there 

 were only very few who know letters, and the 

 greatest portion of these were in the Glasgow in- 

 stitution. Fortunately this is no longer the case; 

 for in London, Edinburgh, Bristol, Norwich, York 

 and Newcastle, there are many who will bear a com- 

 parison in their attainments with persons of the 

 same age, who have all their faculties. 



It is earnestly to be hoped that the success which 

 has attended the introduction of this system of 

 reading into some of these institutions will induce 

 others to adopt the same ; so that, all acting upon 

 the same mode of printing and teaching, it may be 

 the more effectual for the general benefit of the 

 blind, and may carry into practical operation what 

 is aimed at, their moral and religious interest. 



BLIZARD, SIB WILLIAM, surgeon and vice- 

 president of the London hospital, F. R. S. L. and 

 E., F. A, S., &c. was born at the village of Barnes 

 Elms, in Surrey, in the year 1743; being the 

 youngest but one of five children of William 

 Blizard, an auctioneer. His early education was 

 neglected; so that he had not the advantage of 

 good classical instruction ; but, in after years, and 

 without assistance from others, he acquired toler- 

 able facility in reading Latin. He was articled to 

 a Mr Besley, surgeon and apothecary at Mortlake ; 

 and while with him devoted much attention to the 

 study of botany. Sir William commenced his pro- 

 fessional studies in the metropolis at the London 

 hospital. At an early period of his life he was 

 elected surgeon to the Magdalen, a situation which 

 he retained until the year 1780, when he was ap- 

 pointed surgeon to the London hospital. It is to 

 his benevolent and active efforts that the London 

 hospital owes, in a great measure, its present state 

 of prosperity, and its enlarged capability of useful- 

 ness. In the year 1787, Sir William was appoint- 

 ed professor in anatomy to the old corporation of 

 surgeons; and in 1788 he was unanimously re- 

 elected. In a few years afterwards he became an 

 examiner. He also rendered considerable assis- 

 tance in obtaining a charter for the new royal col- 

 lege, in the proceedings of which he took a great 

 interest to the close of his life. In 181 1, the court 

 of assistants voted him their grateful thanks " for 

 the extraordinary services he had rendered to the 

 college as one of the auditors," and "for the 

 benefits derived to the college from the great zeal 

 and eminent talents displayed by him in its multi- 

 farious departments." On his decease, the court of 

 assistants also agreed to resolutions expressive of 

 their deep respect for his memory. In 1803, on 

 the occasion of presenting an address to the king 

 from the college of surgeons, Sir William received 

 the honour of knighthood. Sir William was partly 

 the founder, and continued for many years chairman, 

 of the anatomical society. Among other works, he 

 published " An account of a new method of treating 

 Fistula Lachrymalis," in the Philosophical Transac- 

 tions, vol. Ixx. p. 239; "Experiments and Observa- 

 tions on the external use of Tartar Emetic," in the 

 London Medical Journal, 1789; " Observations on 

 the use of Electricity in Deafness," in the same Jour- 

 nal for 1790; " Suggestions for the Improvempnts of 

 Hospitals and other Charitable Institutions," 8vo, 



1 ?!'<>; a book of considerable merit, which wan 

 translated into the German language by Dr J. A. 

 Albers; " A Lecture to the Scholars at the Maritime 

 School at Chelsea (of whieh institution he held the 

 office of surgeon), on the Situation of the Large 

 Blood- Vessels of the Extremities, explaining the use 

 of the Tourniquet, to which is appended a brief 

 explanation of the Nature of Wounds," 12mo, 

 1798; "A Paper on some Epidemic KtlVcts," in 

 the medical facts and observations, 1772; "llun- 

 terian Orations," delivered in 1815, 1823, and 

 1828; his "Oration, the first delivered before the 

 Hunterian Society, with Supplementary Observa- 

 tions and Engravings." In 1785, he published " De- 

 sultory Reflections on Police; with an Essay on the 

 Means of preventing Crimes, and amending Crimi- 

 nals." Sir William was elected Fellow of the Anti- 

 quarian society in 1779; and Fellow of the Royal 

 society in 1787. He was Fellow of the Royal society 

 of Edinburgh, and corresponding member of the 

 Royal society of Gottingen. He assisted in esta- 

 blishing the Horticultural society; but, after a few 

 years, retired from it, in consequence of the fashion- 

 able fttes, which he considered incompatible with 

 the objects of a scientific body. He was one of 

 the founders of that highly useful and interesting 

 establishment, the London institution ; of which, 

 for many years, he was vice-president. In his ninety- 

 third year, he presided at the annual meeting. He 

 was consulting surgeon to the deaf and dumb 

 asylum, the marine society, the clergy orphan 

 asylum, and the London orphan asylum. 



In the summer of 1827, Sir William, then eighty- 

 four years of age, paid a visit to Edinburgh, which 

 was the longest journey be ever made from home. 

 He experienced the greatest pleasure from the 

 warm and kind reception which he there met with 

 from several of his old friends and former pupils; 

 particularly from the Bells, Dr Monro, and others 

 who might be named. In 1833, he was invited by 

 a numerous and highly respectable body of indivi- 

 duals, chiefly composed of members of his own 

 profession, in token of their high esteem, to dine 

 with them at the Albion Tavern. But although 

 the energy of an iron constitution had sustained 

 the wear and tear of incessant activity of mind and 

 body up to nearly bis ninetieth year, it began now 

 to yield. His sight failed him ; and he became 

 nearly blind. Having been informed that he had 

 cataract, he determined on its removal ; and the 

 lens in the right eye was skilfully extracted, by Mi- 

 Lawrence. Sir William bore the operation, and 

 the subsequent confinement, with great composure 

 and patience. Nothing could be more gratifying 

 than the result. He found himself able to recog- 

 nise his friends, and to write as well as ever; and 

 he afterwards appeared in improved health and 

 spirits. He died on the 28th August, 1835. A 

 life of him has been published by William Cooke, 

 Esq. 



BOBBIN-NET. The manufacture of bobbin- 

 net, as a substitute for thread and silk lace, is ex- 

 tensively carried on in Nottingham and its neigh- 

 bourhood, and is also followed to a considerable 

 extent in the counties of Devon, Somerset, and 

 Norfolk. The annual consumption of raw cotton 

 for this manufacture is stated to be about 2,400,000 

 Ibs. weight, and the fixed capital embarked in it 

 little short of two millions. Within, the last fifteen 

 years, the manufacture has extended to the conti- 

 nent, Calais being the principal seat of it there, 

 but Fiance is indebted for its fine yarns to Eng- 



