36 SENSES. 



may be of the superior delicacy of the power in this 

 part — and there are several reasons, the fact is a 

 happy one, especially for blind persons. No doubt 

 you have heard of many curious instances. 



A. The blind have been said to detect a joint 

 by the ringer, which others were unable to discover 

 with the eye. It is mentioned, they are now learn- 

 ing to read print merely by feeling the indentations 

 made upon the paper by the types. 



B. Have they not also been said to feel colors ? 

 though this seems incredible. 



T. As every color requires a different substance 

 to produce it, it is only supposing every coloring 

 matter to be different in the shape or arrangement of 

 the particles of which it is composed, to account for 

 an extreme delicacy of touch being able to distin- 

 guish it. You have spoken of the touch as becom- 

 ing improved, when other senses are wanting. Is 

 this compensating providence confined to the touch ? 



A. It extends to all the senses. It has been 

 observed of persons who have been deprived of any 

 particular sense, that peculiar power and delicacy 

 seem bestowed on those which remain. Thus, blind 

 persons are not only often distinguished by the ex- 

 quisiteness of their touch; but, the deaf and dumb, 

 who gain all their knowledge through the eye, are 

 remarkable for the keenness with which they make 

 use of this channel of observation. 



B. I should think one of the most extraordinary 

 instances, if we may judge from recent accounts, 

 might now be found in our own country. It is men- 



