346 Light and Darkness. [July? 



whilst we have to wade through, page after page of valueless gossip 

 as to what men in seini- civilized ages believed concerning its nature 

 and influences, we are told in a brief sentence that " it would be 

 irrelevant to enter into the discussion of the varied theories of light 

 that have been propounded."* With the science of Zoology, 

 too, the author seems to be but httle better acquainted, and nothing 

 is more annoying than to find, that as soon as he approaches a 

 portion of his subject at all likely to be interesting, he dismisses it 

 with some passing remark, which shows that he has never given 

 the question a serious thought or is unable to deal with it from 

 recent information. Indeed, it would have been better for the 

 author's reputation if he had left this work unpublished ; and before 

 he sits down again and attempts to deal with a subject of such vast 

 importance, we should recommend him to keep a diary of his 

 personal observations, which would be sure to be interesting and 

 valuable, instead of putting together a mass of useless information, 

 which commences with nothing and ends as it begins. 



But of Mr. Johns's book we can speak in a widely different 

 tone. 



He tells us honestly what is the real effect of darkness upon the 

 minds of those who are deprived of sight. Every line he has printed 

 is suggestive and full of meaning, and to many a seeing reader, his 

 story of the blind, their works and ways, will give fresh light and 

 impart new sympathies. 



Some persons may be disposed to think that the honest estimate 

 which he gives us of the mental and moral qualities of the blind, 

 might to some extent withdraw public sympathy from them, but 

 that will by no means be the case. He shows indeed that they are 

 apt through neglect or indulgence to become selfish, suspicious, and 

 irreverent ; that a human being born blind can never attain the 

 mental standard which he would reach if he had received all his 

 senses; but these facts (which apply equally to the deaf and 

 dumb) in no-way lessen the responsibility of those to whose care 

 the blind are entrusted ; quite the reverse ; if it has pleased 

 Providence to deprive them of a certain sense, and place them in a 

 position of inferiority in that respect, it becomes the duty of those 

 who can see, to use every possible expedient for supplying the place 

 of the missing sense, and to keep the patient clear of those quick- 

 sands, to which the loss of eyesight exposes him. 



The author's account of the progress of a blind boy under 

 instruction is deeply interesting- When he first enters the Asylum 

 or School, — 



" It is all so utterly new and strange to him, that for the first 

 day or two he is entirely dependent upon some pupil's or teacher's 

 hand to get as far as the school-room, the chapel, dining-room, or 



* P. 3. 



