RESPECTING THE BLIND AND DEAF BOY. 131 



favour of the 2d instant, accompanying a parcel from Mr Par- 

 ker, to whom we consider ourselves very much indebted for 

 the interest he takes in my brother. Have the goodness to 

 make offer of our warmest acknowledgements to him, and say 

 that I shall, with much pleasure, avail myself of the liberty he 

 allows me, of informing him of the progress made, in the plan 

 he has so ably sketched for my brother's instruction, which I 

 mean to attempt immediately, and* shall not be easily discou- 

 raged by not succeeding at first. If I can once interest my bro- 

 ther, by affording him any gratification, in my communications 

 by the means of letters, I shall have very great hopes of suc- 

 cess. I shall first try the pasteboard letters, as I think them 

 less likely to distract the attention than the wooden ones. 



" My brother was twice at Ardclach of late. The first time, 

 he probably found his way there by chance, as he had not been, 

 at Ardclach before, since he came to reside at Nairn ; but the 

 second time, he must have gone intentionally, as there was on- 

 ly one day between the two visits. I have seen Mrs Macbean 

 since these visits, and inquired particularly respecting his con- 

 duct. The first day, after having taken some refreshment, he 

 went through the different apartments of the manse, examin- 

 ing, by touch, the furniture, &c. and seemed to miss a closet- 

 door, which had been shut up after we left the place. He did 

 not betray any particular emotion, upon thus visiting, for the 

 first time, a house which had been for so many years his home ; 

 but when he had satisfied his curiosity, seemed anxious to get 

 away, and returned directly to Nairn. On the second visit, tie 

 found workmen employed in taking down the kitchen, (a part 

 of the repair which the manse was then undergoing,) and after 

 standing some time, evidently very much displeased at the 

 work of destruction which was going forward, he came away in 

 very bad humour, and could not be prevailed on to return and 



