26 ACCOUNT OF A BOY 



" On the whole, I am of opinion, that if this unfortunate, 

 but very interesting boy, should at any future period be indu- 

 ced, either by being informed through the medium of some 

 peculiar language, of the object in view, or from his increased 

 knowledge in the kindness and good intentions of his relations, 

 to submit patiently to the operation of couching or extraction, 

 either of these operations ought to be repeated on one or both 

 eyes. At the same time, it must be confessed, that, since the 

 attempts of this kind already made, have not only failed to 

 communicate to him the powers of distinct vision, but also the 

 perception even of the more striking differences in the degrees 

 and kinds of light, there is but too much reason to fear, that 

 the optic nerve, although not entirely deficient, is yet imper- 

 fect in its structure. 



" I have but little to add to the full account which is given in 

 Mr Glennie's communication, of young Mitchell's general ap- 

 pearance and conduct. The knowledge which he has derived from 

 the senses of Touch, Taste and Smell, seems fully as extensive, 

 as what any person of the most perfect faculties might be sup- 

 posed to acquire, if he could by any contrivance be prevented 

 from using his eyes and ears for the same period of time, from 

 the moment of his birth, and in the same retired situation of 

 the country. The train of his thoughts seems to be regulated 

 by the same principles as that of the soundest minds. His ac- 

 tions neither indicate incoherence nor fatuity ; but every thing 

 he does, appears capable of being easily traced to rational mo- 

 tives. 



a portion of the pupil. I have been told lately, that he now sees little or none. 

 If this be the case, I suspect it must have been from the cataract passing over 

 the whole of the pupillar opening, instead of being altogether absorbed, or re- 

 maining out of the way, as might have been expected." 



Extract of a letter from Mr Wardrop to Mr Stewart, 

 (dated August 10. 1812.) 



