ADDRESS 



Delivered by the Hon. Henry Meigs, to the Pupils of the 

 Blind Institution, while visiting the Fair. 



Dear Pupils: — 



The American Institute requests me to say to you how great a 

 satisfaction it derives from the demonstration you have now given,, 

 that although the Almighty has shut your eyes, yet that he has at- 

 tuned your souls to strains of harmonious melody, and in that con- 

 cord of delightful sounds has given you a sense of pleasure which 

 the human race with its eyes opened, enjoys to so high a degree, that 

 from all antiquity to this moment, the enchanting strains of music 

 have formed one of the most constant, pure and delicious entertain- 

 ments. And music, dear pupils, is always the result of delicate, of 

 cheerful, and of religious feelings. The song of the lonely shep- 

 herd cheers himself and his flock! The hymn of the worshipper in 

 every age rises to the heaven he would attain. In ancient fable^ 

 Orpheus drew around him the beasts of the field, who felt the sub- 

 duing power of his concords. Music hath power to charm the sa- 

 vage breast, and to lead man to rapture by its power. You know 

 how Collins painted its powers in his ode — "When music, heavenly 

 maid, was young." Collins did exquisite justice to song, and let me 

 remind you of the ode of the sightless Milton. Speaking of that 

 light of which he, like you, was deprived, hear his beautiful verse: 



"Hail holy light*! offspring of heaven, first-born — 



Or of the Eternal, co-Eternal beam — 



May I express thee unblam'd ? since God is light, 



And, never but in unapproached light 



Dwelt from eternity, dwelt then in thee, 



Bright effluence of bright essence, uncreate. 



• • • • * 



Cut off and for the book of knowledge fair 

 Of Nature's works, to me expung'd and raz'd. 

 So much the rather, thou celestial light, 

 / Shine inward, and the mind through all her powers 



Irradiate — there plant eyes; all mist from thence 

 Purge and disperse, that I may see and tell 

 Of things invisible to mortal sight." 



