Full text of "Report of the International Conference on the Blind and Exhibition of the Arts and Industries of the Blind Held at The Church House, Westminster June 18th to 24th 1914"

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C. F. F. CAMPBELL

REPORT

OF THE

International Conference
on the Blind

EXHIBITION OF THE ARTS AND
INDUSTRIES OF THE BLIND

THE CHURCH HOUSE, WESTMINSTER

June i8th to 24TH (inclusive)
1914

PRINTED BY

BRADBURY, AGNEW, & CO. LD.

Note.

Throughout this book an asterisk * after a name

iDdicate8 blindness.

CONTENTS

Vice-Presidents

Committees , . ' .

Obituary ....

Eegulations of the Conference

Programme of the Conference

Foreign Governments Officially Represented

List of Delegates :

Foreign and Colonial

British . . . .

List of Members :

Foreign and Colonial

British ......

Exhibition, Summary of Exhibits

Organ Recitals .....

The Optophone .....

The Stenophile-Bivort ....

Special Service, St. John the Evangelist, Westminster

Opening of Conference .

Opening of Exhibition .

Telegrams of Greetings ,

Paper : " The Work of the Unions of Societies for the Blind
in England and Wales." By H. J. Wilson

Paper : " How to Improve the Attitude of the Public
towards the Employment of the Blind," and " Legis
lation (Past and Impending) on Behalf of the Blind.'
By Sir Robert Ellis Cunliffe ....

Conversazione at the Clothworkers' Hall ...
Report of the Conference Committee
Report of the Libraries Committee ....

iii

PAGE
1

2
5
6
8
14

15
17

33
42
49
49
49
50
50
59
63

92
124
126
134

Contents

PAGE

Report of the Employment Committee . . . .139

Report of the Pianoforte Tuning Committee . . .143

Report of the Braille Music Notation Committee . .145

Paper : " How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind." By

W. H. Illingworth 148

Paper : " Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for the Blind,
and how to make it one of the most successful.''
By P. E. Layton * 174

Concert at the ^olian Hall 203

Paper : " Quelques reflections sur le Braille et ses Modifica-
tions." By G. Perouse ..... 205
Translation ........ 200

Paper : " The Work of the Sydney Industrial Blind Institu-
tion." By Stanley Hedger ..... 223

Paper : " Queensland Institution for the Blind." By Isaac

Dickson ... .... 243

Paper : " South Australian Royal Institution for the Blind."

By Isaac Dickson ...... 245

Nominations for the Conference Committee . . . 246

Garden Party at Royal Normal College .... 252

Dinner at Hotel Cecil ....... 252

Paper : " The Elementary Education of the Blind." By

Lady Campbell ....... 256

Visit to Institutions . . . . . . .312

Paper : " Some Suggestions on Massage by the Blind."

By F. R. Marriott * 314

Paper : " Scouting, as an Aid for the Blind to Healthy
Independence and Good Citizenship." By Captain
Peirson-Webber * . ...... 327

Paper : " Work for the Blind in Uruguay." By Senora T.

Santos de Bosch ....... 333

Paper : " Work for the Blind in Syria." By Chas. Walker 337

Paper : " Salesmanship." By P. A. Best . . . 345

Contents

PAGE

Paper : " Work for the Blind in Brazil." By Colonel J.

da Silva Mello 351

Paper : " Blindness in Adixlt Life." By Miles Priestley . 357

Election of Conference Committee :

Mr. Stone's Resolution ...... 398

Mr. Passmore's Resolution ..... 399

Paper : " Work for the Blind in Russia." By J. Kolou-

bovsky 403

Paper : " Work for the Blind in Denmark." By A. F.

Wiberg 418

Paper : " Work for the Blind in India." By A. K. Shah . 433

The Play : " A Wise Eccentricity," .... 444

Lantern Address : "A School for Blind Boys, Foochow,

China." By Mrs. George Wilkinson . . . 445

Paper : " Tendencies in Work for the Blind in Amei-ica in

the Twentieth Century." By 0. H. Burritt . . 450

Paper : " Sight Saving and 'Light through Work ' for the

Blind." By Miss Winifred Holt . . . .466

Argentine Government : Invitation to hold nest Conference

in Buenos Ayres ....... 487

New Conference Committee ...... 488

Paper : " Problems of the Education of High Myopes and
of the Partially Sighted." By Mr. Bishop Harman,
F.R.C.S. . , 491

. Paper : " The Education and After-care of the Blind-Deaf."

By W. M. Stone 521

Paper : " Esperanto and the Blind." By W. Percy Merrick * 551

Closing Address by the Bishop of London . . . 567

Telegram to the King ....... 570

Presentation to Miss Beatrice Taylor . . . .572

River Excursion ........ 572

List of Donations, Subscriptions, etc. .... 573

Statement of Income and Expenditure .... 578

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INDEX OF SPEAKERS

Adams, A. J., 561
Albrecht, Mrs., 343, 440

Bainbrigge, Miss, 393

Bally, E., 58, 169, 170, 545

Barker, Councillor, 416, 430, 489

Barker, J. S., 304, 331

Barnes, F. G., 544

Beachcroft, Sir M., 51, 59, 61, 62,

124, 356. 378, 384, 392, 394, 397,

398, 400, 401
Bell, Miss, 310, 485
BeU, Mr.. 380
Best, P. A., 345
Boord, Miss, 344, 441
Borghese, Prince, 56
Bosch, Signora, 58, 333
Brown, G. C, 305, 330, 331
Bryden, F., 82, 390, 486
Burgojaie, A. H., 252
Burns, Dr.. 130
Burritt, 0. H., 217, 301, 302, 450,

480

Campbell, Lady, 255, 256, 311
Campbell, C. F. F., 168, 188, 485,

547
Campbell, Guy M., 130, 190, 305,

331, 356, 548
Cantlie, Dr., 320
Cockbain, Miss, 382
Cocks, Rev., 194, 195, 249, 399
Congrains, Dr., 57
Cunliffe, Sir E., 91, 92, 123

Dickson, I., 243, 387

Dixson, W. H., 119, 123, 131, 222,

249, 341, 389, 440, 489, 569
Douglas Hamilton, Miss, 349, 483

Everett, Mrs., 515

Fowler, E. H., 214
Fry, Miss, 441

Gadsby, G. H., 331

Garaway, Miss, 195, 293
Giffin, Mi.ss, 221, 562, 566
Gilbert, Miss, 394
Gray. P.. 304
Green, E., 192, 325
Gribben, J. C, 396, 482
Grimwood, Miss, 548

Hanbury, ,J,,202

Harman, B., 491

Harris, C. W., 90, 398

Harris, S. F.. 133

Ha worth, J. L., 187

Heckrath, Miss, 189

Hedger, S., 86, 223, 251, 392

Hey wood. Miss, 341

Hill, General, 194

Hill, St. Clare, Rev., 132, 133, 191,

399, 511
Holehouse, Rev., 430
Holmes, Miss, 310
Holt, Miss, 58, 466, 476, 477, 486
Howard, Miss, 219

Illingworth, W. H., 147, 201, 202,
295, 312, 389, 517

Johnson, Stuart, 59
Jonker, M., 323

Keily, P. T., 399

Keir, J., 296, 389

Kelly, W. J., 197, 251, 393

Kinnaird, Lord, 204, 220

Ivnutsford, Lord, 63, 86, 87, 88, 90,

91 123
Kolo'ubovsky, J., 57, 216, 402. 403
Kieanier, J. A. M., 189, 190

Latimer, H. R., 220, 295

Lattey, F., 431

Layton, P. E., 54, 173, 174, 186, 193

Little wood, E. E. W., 386

Lloyd, Rev., 123, 343

London, Bishop of, 567, 571

Lucas-Tooth, Sir R. L., 54

Index of Speakers

Lundberg, A. J., 57, 220, 570
Lyall, Miss, 395

MacDonald, C, 378

MacKechnie, W., 325

Mackenzie, Mrs., 120

Mahaut, A., 55

Manvers, Earl, 125, 134

Marriott, F. R., 313, 314, 326

Mathie, W., 515

Meiklejon, Miss, 167

Mello, Col., 351, 543

Merrick, P. W., 219, 514, 551, 567

Middlesex, Archdeacon of, 519, 548

Miller, P., 89, 198, 250, 298, 429,430

Moon, Miss, 247, 478

Moon, Mr., 443

Moore, Miss, 566

Mudie, H. B., 558, 567

Nakamura, K., 56

Oke, H. G., 219, 298, 543
OMalley, Sir E., 121

Parkington, Sir J., 56

Passmore, L. W., 84, 399

Pearson, C. A., 88, 89, 215, 307, 383,

476
Peirson- Webber, F. P., 326, 327, 332
Percy, Lord A., 542
Petty, Miss, 198, 306, 482
Philiimore, W., 562
Phipps, Mrs. W., 254, 311
Pine, H. W. P., 114, 145, 170
Plummer, Alderman, 130
Ponce, I. G., 55, 548
Preece, H. C, 85, 131, 133, 300, 301,

484, 489, 565
Priestley, M., 357, 397
Purse, Ben, 90, 144, 323, 395

Ramsay, J., 133
Ritchie, M., 299, 541

Rockliffe, Dr., 87, 89, 90, 324, 381,

415, 428, 513
RothweU, Miss, 308
Royston, H. S., 121, 516

Shah, A. K., 56, 342, 433, 443

Shearer, Rev., 431

Siddall, A., 122, 385, 416, 428

Southwark, Lord, 171, 187, 190, 194

Stacy, Miss, 564

Staiiisbv, H., 202, 248, 250, 301,

398, 399, 402, 443, 546
Stevens, C. W., 391, 392
Stevens, S. E., 199
Stone, W. M.. 128, 134, 221, 302.

520, 521, 549
Sutherby, G. W., 199

Tate, W. H., 87, 133, 169, 200, 203,
248, 251, 331, 398, 400, 416, 442,
516

Taylor, H. M., 213

Tennant, J., 321, 395

Thurman, W. H., 164, 202, 384

Toth, Dr., 55

Townson, J., 442

^'alcntia, Lord, 463, 476, 480

Wade, W. R., 91, 166, 297, 298, 482

Walker, Chas., 337

Walker, Dr. N., 511

Walker, G. I., 132

Warrilow, H. C, 221

Weller, J., 415, 431

Wiberg, A., 55, 418, 430, 432

Wilkinson, Mrs., 216, 442, 445

Wilson, H. J., 50, 62, 65, 66, 134,
147, 195, 202, 247, 312, 313, 320,
323, 332, 336, 356, 398, 399, 400,
402, 415, 417, 440, 480, 487, 488,
550, 570

Wright, Miss, 394

Yen, C, 565

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
ON THE BLIND.

LONDON, 1914.

patron

H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CONN AUGHT.

Dicc=iprcsiJ)ent3 :

His Grace the AEcnBiSHOP or

Canterbury.
His Grace the Archbishop of

York.
His Eminence the Cardinal Arch-
bishop Bourne.
The Most Hon. the Marquess of

Crewe.
His Grace the Duke of Norfolk.
His Grace the Duke of Grafton.
His Grace the Duke of Bedford.
His Grace the Duke of Argyll.
His Grace the Duke of Rut-
land.
The Most Hon. the Marquess of

Linlithgow.
The Right Hon. the Earl of

Derby.
The Right Hon. the Earl of

Dartmouth.
The Right Hon. the Earl of

Clarendon.
The Right Hon. Earl Manvers.
The Right Hon. Earl Howe.
The Right Hon. the Earl

Durham.
The Right Hon. the Earl

Plymouth.
The Right Hon. the Earl

Haddington.
Lord Algernon Percy.
The Right Hon. the Viscount

Valentia.
The Right Hon. the Viscount

DOWNE.

The Right Hon. the Viscount

MiDLETON.

The Right Hon. the Viscount

Cobham.
The Right Hon. the Viscount

Clifden.
The Right Hon. and Right Rev.

THE Lord Bishop of London.
The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop

OF Durham.
The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop

of Chester.
The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop

of St. Asaph.
The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop

OF Bangor.
The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop

OF Liverpool.
The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop

OF Oxford.
The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop

OF Birmingham.
The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop

OF Worcester.
The Ven. the Archdeacon op

Chester.
The Right Rev. the Moderator

OF THE Church of Scotland.
The Very Rev. the Chief Rabbi.
The President of the Wesleyan

Methodist Conference.
The President of the Prijotive

Methodist Conference.
The President of the United

Methodist Church.

C.B.

International Conference on the Blind

lHCC=^'^XCSit>Cnt6—conti)iue(L

The Right Hon.

Walden.
The Right Hon.

AND StENTON.

The Right Hon.
The Right Hon.
The Right Hon.
The Right Hon.
The Right Ho

Lord Howaed de
, Lord Belhaven

Lord Barnard.

Lord Kinnaird.

Lord Norton.
Lord Lamington.
N. Lord Alden-

HAM.

The Right Hon. Lord Glanusk.
The Right Hon. Lord Deramore.
The Right Hon. Lord Shuttle-
worth.
The Right Hon. Lord Armstrong.
The Right Hon. Lord South-

WARK.

The Right Hon. J. A. Pease, M.P.
The Right Hon. the Lord Mayor

or London.
The Lord Lieutenant of the

County of Carnarvon.

The Lord Lieutenant of the

County of Montgomery.
The Lord Lieutenant of the
. County of Surrey.
The Lord Lieutenant of the

North Riding of Yorkshire.
The Chairman of the London

County Council.
The Master of the Wobshipful

Company of Clothworkers.
Sir Joseph Savory, Bart.
Sir G. Anderson-Critchett.

Bart.. C.V.O.
Sir J. Bow EN Bowen- Jones, Bart.
Lieut. -General Sir A. E. Cod-

RINGTON, K.C.V.O.

Major-General J. Fielden
Brocklehurst, C.B., C.V.O.

The Rev. Bernard Vaughan, S.J.

Dr. C. S. Loch, Secretary^ of the
Charity Organisation Society.

His Excellency Paul Cambon, G. C.V.O., Ambassador of France.
His Excellency Count Alex. C. Benckendorff, G. C.V.O., Ambassador

OF Russia.

His Excellency Count Albert Mensdorff-Pouilly-Dieteichstein,

Ambassador of Austria-Hungary.

His Highness Tewfik Pasha, Ambassador of Turkey.

Senor Don Alfonso Merry del Val y Zulueta, Ambassador op Spain.

His Excellency the Hon. H. W. Page, Ambassador of the United

States of America.

Coutcrencc Coimnittee.

Miss E. W. AUSTIN, National Lending Library for the Blind,

125, Queen's Road, Bayswater, London, W.
Miss BEATRICE TAYLOR, 39, Sylvan Road, Upper Norwood,

S.E.
H. L. BALFOUR, 13, Elmwood Road, Croydon.
GUY^ M. CAMPBELL, Royal Normal CoUege for the Blind,

Upper Norwood, S.E.
WALTER H. DIXSON,* 13, Crick Road, Oxford.
P. M. EVANS, Clothworkers' Hall, Mincing Lane, London, E.C.
Rev. St. CLARE HILL, Royal School for the Blind, Leatherhead,

Surrey.
W. H. ILLINGWORTH, Henshaw's BUnd Asylum, Old Trafford,

Man hester.
STUART JOHNSON, 4, Eaton Place, London. W.
J. H. MINES,* 6b, Cathedral Mansions, Huskinson Street,

Liverpool.
A. B. NORWOOD, Y^orkshiie School for the Bhnd, The King's

Manor, Y'^ork.

Committees

Conference Qommittcc—contuumi.

H. W. P. PINE, Eoyal Midland Institution for the Blind,

Nottingham.
MILES PEIESTLE Y, Royal Institution for the BUnd, North

Parade, Bradford.
Dr. a. W. G. ranger,* Langbourn Chambers, 17, Fenchurch

Street, London, E.G.
A.- SIDDALL,* 5, Cronkeyshaw Road, Rochdale, Lanes.
H. STAINSBY, National Institute for the BUnd, 206, Great

Portland Street, London, W.
W. M. STONE, Royal Asylum and School for the BUnd, West

CraigmiUar, Edinburgh.
H. C. WARRILOW,* 10, Staverton Road, Oxford.
HENRY J. WILSON, Gardner's Trust for the BUnd, 53, Victoria

Street, Westminster.

Chairman: Henry J. Wilson.
Hon. Secretary : Henrt Stainsby.
Assistant Secretary : Alfred Absell.

Offices :

c/o National Institute for the Blind,

206, Great Portland Street, London, W.

BMattocm an& BmevgencB Sub=Committee.

Miss Austin. W. H. Illingworth.

Miss Beatrice Taylor. H. W. P. Pine.

Rev. St. Clare Hill. A. Siddall.*

Guy M. Campbell. H. Stainsby.

H. J. Wilson {Chairman).

3ftinance Committee.

Miss Harris Browne. W. T. Prideaux.

Miss Beatrice Taylor. Henry Stainsby (ex-officio).

R. L. Franks. John Tennant.

Stuart Johnson. Henry J. Wilson [ex-officio).

P. M. Evans [Chairman).

:ejbtbit(on Committee.

Rev. p. T. Bainbrigge. Howard E. Mullins.

Miss C. Bennett. A. B. Norwood.

Lady Campbell. Miss R. Petty.

Miss P. B. Charnock. H. W. P. Pine.

Mrs. Goodhart. M. Priestley.

Rev. St. Clare Hill. H. Stainsby [ex-officio).

W. H. Illingworth. Miss B. Taylor.

B. p. Jones. H. J. Wagg.

Miss J. Merivale. H. J. Wilson [ex-officio).
Stuart Johnson [Chairman).

3 B 2

International Conference on the Blind

•fcospitalits Committee.

Miss Armitage. Mks. Le Mesukier.

Miss Harris Browne. Miss R. Petty.

Miss Charnock. Stuart Johnson.

Mrs. Goodhart. Henry Stainsby [ex-officio).

Miss King-Church. John Tennant.

Miss B. King-Church. H. J. Wagg.

Miss Merivale. H. J. Wilson {ex-officio).
Miss Beatrice Taylor {Chairman).

"Ebvcvtising anD S^nvitations Committee.

J. E. May. H. J. Wilson {ex-officio).

Henry Stainsby {ex-officio).

Guy M. Campbell {Chairman).

/IRusic ant> JEntertainments Committee.

Guy M. Campbell. W. H. Tate.

Rev. St. Clare Hill. H. C. Warrilow.*

Herbert Hodge. Percy Way.*

Dr. E. F. Horner. H. J. Wilson {ex-officio).

H. E. Platt.* W. Wolstenholme.*

H. Stainsby {ex-officio).

H. L. Balfour {Chairman).

IKegulations Committee.

Guy M. Campbell. A. Siddall.*

Rev. St. Clare Hill. H. Stainsby {ex-officio).

Henry J. Wilson {Chairman).

Obituary

OBITUARY.

With the deepest regret the Committee have to
record that : —

His Grace the DUKE OF ARGYLL, P.C, KG.,
K.T., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., LL.D,, D.Sc., D.L., passed
away on May 2nd at East Cowe'?, Isle of Wight.

H.R.H. the Princess Louise had graciously con-
sented to open the Conference and Exhibition,
but owing to the lamented death of His Grace
she was unable to do so.

Mr. W. Read Bloomfield, a valued member of the
Board of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, Auckland,
N.Z., with his wife and onlj^ child was on his way to
London to attend the Conference as the Delegate of
his Institution. All three lost their lives in the
terrible accident to the "Empress of Ireland," which
sank after collision in the St. Lawrence River on
May 28th.

Sir Francis J. Campbell, LL.D., F.R.G.S., F.S.A..
Principal of the Royal Normal College for the Blind,
Upper Norwood, passed peacefully away on June 30th
at the age of 82, deeply mourned by his many friends
and all interested in the welfare of the Blind. He
was an elected member of the 1914 Conference Com-
mittee, but resigned on account of his failing health.

International Conference on the Blind

REGULATIONS OF THE CONFERENCE.

Definitions.

The term " delegate "' shall mean a person appointed, by an
institution or society for the blind to represent sucli institution or
society. A delegate shall be a member of Conference, and have
power to vote on business questions, such as the election of
Committees, etc. Institutions or societies that subscribe one
guinea to the funds of the Conference shall have the right to
appoint two such delegates ; institutions or societies that subscribe
two guineas, or more, to the funds of the Conference shall have the
right to appoint six such delegates.

A " member " shall be a person who subscribes not less than 5s.
to the funds of the Conference. Members shall be entitled to take
part in the discussions, but shall not have the power to vote on
business questions.

1. That no person be admitted to the Conference without a card
of invitation, with his or her name written upon it, or other
evidence of having been invited. All cards will be numbered, and
the cards of delegates and members shall be untransferable.

2. That no person other than a recognised member of Con-
ference shall be entitled to take part in the discussions except by
permission of the Chairman.

3. Visitors may be admitted to the gallery of the hall by ticket,
but shall not be entitled to take part in the proceedings.

4. That when two papers are to be contributed at one session
compilers of papers shall be limited to twenty minutes ; when
one paper only is to be contributed at a session compilers will be
allowed thirty minutes.

5. That each paper, as soon as read, be followed by a discussion ;
the opener of such discussion shall be allowed ten minutes, and
other speakers five minutes each, but these periods may be reduced
or extended in special cases, at the discretion of the Chairman.

Note. — The Hon. Secretary's bell will give warning two
minutes before the allotted time for papers or speeches
expires, and will sound again at its expiration.

6. That any member of the Conference desirous of speaking on
any subject in a session shall, during the meeting, send his card
(giving his description, or connection with the cause of the blind)
to the Chairman, and await his call.

7. That all questions in regard to limiting or extending the
length of the speeches, and the selection of speakers whose cards
have been sent up, shall be in the discretion of the Chairman, whose
decision shall be final. Special faciUties shall be given to bhnd
speakers.

8. That speakers shall address the Chairman, and confine
themselves strictly to the subject under discussion.

9. That no member be permitted to speak twice in the same
discussion except to a point of explanation, or if called upon by
the Chairman.

Regulations of the Conference

10. That no resolution shall be moved at any meeting of the
Conference except by consent of, and by arrangement with, the
General Committee.

11. That the official language of the Conference be Enghsh.
Members wishing to address the Conference in any other language
may do so if they are accompanied by a competent interpreter, or
have previously arranged with the Committee for one to be present.

12. Members desiring to ask questions only, without making a
speech, shall send the questions, in writing, duly signed, to the
Chairman, and they will be answered, if possible, before the end of
that particular session.

13. Sectional gatherings will not be officially recognised, but
the findings of informal discussions shall be remitted to the 1914
Conference Committee, who shall decide whether they shall be
incorporated in the Official Report.

A Committee of nine has been appointed to assist the Chairman
at meetings, and f-uch Committee shall arrange that at every
session of the Conference at least three of its members will be
always present.

International Conference on the Blind

PROGRAMME OF CONFERENCE.

Wednesday, 17th June.

7 P.M. — Special Service at the Cliureh of St. John the EvangeUst,
Smith Square, Westminster. Organist, Mr. W. Wolsten-
HOLME,* Mus. Bac. (Oxon.). Clergyman, Rev. C. E,
BoLAM,* Rector, St. Mary Magdalene, Lincohi. Choir of
bUnd singers, or choristers trained by blind choirmasters.

Thursday, 18th June.

First Session of the Conference, 11.30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

11.30 A.M. — Opening of the Conference and Exhibition.
Owing to the recent lamented death of His Grace the Duke
of Argyll, Her Royal Highness the Princess Louise was
unable to open the Conference and Exhibition. This
ceremony was, therefore, kindly performed by Sir Melvill
and Lady Beachcroft.
" God Save the King." Prayer. Chairman's Address and
Welcome to Foreign Delegates. Replies.

Second Session of the Conference, 2 p.m. to o p.m.
Chairman : The Right Hon. the Viscount Knutsford.

2 p.m.—" The Work of the Unions of Societies for the
Blind in England and Wales : Their History and
Possible Developments," by Mr. Henry J. Wilson,
Secretary, Gardner's Trust for the Blind, London, and
Chairman of the Conference Committee.

Opener of the discussion, Mr. J. Frew Bryden,
Superintendent, Mission to the Outdoor Blind for
Glasgow and West of Scotland.
" How to Improve the Attitude of the Public towards

the Employment of the Blind," and
"Legislation (Past and Impending) on Behalf of the
Blind," by Sir Robert Ellis Cunliffe, Solicitor to the
Board of Trade, Chairman, West London Workshops for
the Blind.

Opener of the discussion, Mr. H. W. P. Pine, F.C.T.B.,
Secretary of the Royal Midland Institution for the
Bhnd, Nottingham.

9 P.M. — Reception, by kind invitation of the Worshipful
Company of Clothworkers, at Clothworkers' Hall, Mincing
Lane, E.C. The music during the evening will be provided
by artistes and select choir from the Royal Normal College
for the Bhnd. Admission by invitation only.

Programme of the Conference

Friday, 19th June.

Third Session of the Conference, 10 a.m to 1 p.vi.

Chairman : Tlie Right Hon. Earl Manvers, President,
Royal Midland Institution for the Blind, Nottingham.

10 A.M. — Presentation of the Reports of the various Com-
mittees appointed at the last Conference.
11.30 a.m. — "How TO Deal With the Incompetent Blind,"
by Mr. W. H. Illingworth, Superintendent, Henshaw's
BUnd Asylum, Manchester.

Opener of the discussion, Mr. W. H. Thurman, Super-
intendent, Birmingham Royal Institution for the
Blind.

Fourth Session of the Conference, 2 j>.m. to 5 li.m.

Chairman : Lord Southwark, Chairman, Royal School for
the Blind, Leatherhead.

2 P.M. — " Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for the Blind,

AND HOW TO MAKE IT ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL," by

Mr. Philip E. Layton * (Montreal).
8 P.M. — Grand Evening Concert by blind musicians at the
^Eolian Hall, New Bond Street. The programme will
inchide several works by blind composers.

Saturday, 20th June.

Fifth Session of the Conference, 10 a.m. to 1 jj.jh.

Chairman : The Right Hon. Lord Kinnaird, Chairinan,
Gardner's Trust for the Blind.

10 A.M. — France. " Braille and its Modifications," by
M. Perouze, representing the Association Valentin Haiiy,
Paris.

11.30 A.M. — Australia. '" Work for the Blind in Australia,"
by Mr. Stanley Hedger, Industrial Blind Association,
Sydney, and Mr. Isaac Dickson, delegate from the
Queensland BHnd, Deaf and Dumb Institution, Brisbane,
and the Royal Blind Asylum, N. Adelaide.

12 noon. — Latest date for nominating members of next Con-
ference Committee.

3.30 P.M. — Garden Party at the Royal Normal College for the
Blind, Upper Norwood, by kind invitation of the Chairman
and Executive Committee of the College. Sir Harry
Samuel, M.P., and Lady Samuel will receive.

8.15 P.M. — Dinner to Foreign Delegates, at the Hotel Cecil,
Strand, W.C. Chairman, Alan Hughes Burgoyne, Esq.,
M.P.

International Conference on the Blind

Sunday, 21st June.

By courtesy of the authorities l)liiid clergy aud organists will
take part in the services at various places of worship, as follows : —

Chcrch of England.

Westminster Abbev

ID.n.m.
7.0 p.m.
.S.O p.m.

St. Paxil's Cathedral .".15 p.m.

All Hallows, Barking

St. George's, Borough
St. Mark's, Deptforfl (k.)

St. Stephen's, Walbrook
St. Jatnes, Caniberwell
Christ Church, Tnrnham t4reen
St. Kicholas Cole Abbey-
Holy Trinity, Sloane Street ...
All Saints, Xorfolk Square ...
Christ Church, Albany Street
Christ Church, Somers Town
St. Anne'.s, Highgate Rise
Holy Trinity, Marylebone
St. Thomas, Camden Town ...
St. liarnaba.s, Kentish Town ...
Chri.st ChiUTh, Teildlngton ...

Rev. Car on E. L. Ciedge
Rev. H. J. K. Marston

Kev. T. B. Dowde.swell.
Rev. G. C. Pope ...
Rev. C. E. Bolam
Rev. G. F. Whittleton .
Rev. W. E. Lloyd
Rev. H. Llewellvn

Mr. Preece (Lay Reader)

Rev. Marsh

Rev. X. F. MoNeile

- (K

Rev. H. A. Roberts

Victor Spanner, Mus. Bac,

L.R..\.M., F.R.C.(>.

W. Wolsteuholnie,

Mus. Bac.
II. C. Warrilow, i..r..\.m.,

F.R.C.O

H. S. Oke, A.R.A.M.
W. Norris,

F. W. Priest, f.r.c.o.
Leonard Smith.

H. Whittaker, a.r.c.o.
Victor Spanner.
W. Wol.stenholme.
Percy Way, f.r.c.o.

A. F. Mayes.

B. Roberts.

H. Berridge, f.r.c.o.
,) Bernard King, a.r.c.o.
(J. W. Hilditch, a.r.c.o.
E. R. Mence, a.r.c.o.

Nonconform I.ST.

City Temple (Di-. Campbell) .

Regent's Park Chapel (Dr. Meyerl

Westminster Chapel

Clapham Congregational
Aberdeen Road, Croydon
Lansdowne Free Church
St. Mark's Pres., Greenwich ...
St. George's Pres., Croydon ...

St. Andrew's Pres., L'pper Nor-
wood
St. James Pres., Wood Green
Wesleyan, tapper Norwood ...
Westbourne Park Chapel

(Dr. Clift'ord)
West London Ethical (m.)

Hev. P. Lear A. .1. Thompson, i.r.a.m.,

f.r.c.o.
(k.) Solo, E. Littlewood.

— A. C. Sterricker.

— W. S. Taylor, f.r.c.o.
Rev. D. Griffiths Denniss Haller, f.r.c.o.

— A. E. Lander, a.r.c.o.

— Miss G. Blenkearn, a.r.c.o.

— A. H. Harris, a.r.c.o.

— Horace Watling, l.r.a.m.,

F R.C.O.

— Miss E. Lucas, l.r.a.m.,
f.r.c o.

— Jas. Crowley, f.r.c.o.

— A. Fra.ser, i.r.a.m., f.r.c.o.
Rev. Page P. T. Keily, a.r.c.o.

Mr. AV. If. Dixson

H. Morgan.

The Eoyal Botanic Society of London has kindly consented to
admit members and delegates to the Royal Botanical Gardens,
Regent's Park, free of charge, on production of their Conference
tickets.

A limited number of ticket-s for the Zoological Gardens is
available. Apply to Miss B. Taylor, Chairman of the Hospitahty
Committee. Admission on Sundays is by ticket only.

Programme of the Conference

Monday, 22ndl June.

SLvth Session of the Conference, 10 a.7n. to 1 p.m.

Chainnan : Mrs. Wilton Phipps, Chairman, L.C.C. Special
Schools Sub-Committee.

10 A.M. — " The Elementary Education of the Blind," by
Lady Campbell, Royal Normal College for the Blind.
Oj^ener of the discussion. Miss Caraway, Lady
Superintendent, L.C.C. School for the Blind, Linden
Lodge, S.W.

Afternoon. — -Visits to :

Association for Promoting the General Welfare of the Blind,
Tottenham Court Road, W.C.

Barclay Workshop for the Blind, Edgware Road, W.

The National Institute for the Blind, Great Portland Street,
W.

National Lending Library for the Blind (Incorporated),
Queen's Road, Bayswater, W.

L.C.C. School for Myopes.

London Society for Teaching the Blind, Swiss Cottage. Tea
and coffee kindly offered by the Committee.

Seventh Session of the Conference, 7 j?.m. to 10 j>.m.

Chairman : H. J. AVilson, Esq., Chairman of Conference
Committee.

7 P.M. — " Some Suggestions on Massage by the Blind."

Mr. F. R. Marriott * (Harrow).

7.30 P.M. — " Scouting as an Aid for the Blind to Healthy
Independence and Good Citizenship." Captain F. P.
Peirson Webber* (Stratford-on-Avon).

8 P.M. — " Salesmanship." Mr. P. A. Best, Managing Director,

Messrs. Selfridge & Co., Ltd.

8.30 P.M. — ■• Work for the Blind in Uruguay." Seuora
T. Santos de Bosch, Delegate of the Government of
Uruguay.

9 P.M. — " Work for the Blind in Syria." Mr. Charles

Walker, Secretary of the British Syrian Mission.

9.30 P.M. — Brazil. "Work for the Blind in Brazil," by
Colonel J. DA SiLVA Mello, Director of the Benjamin
Constant Institution, Rio de Janiero, and Delegate of the
Brazilian Government.

International Conference on the Blind

Tuesday, 23rd June.

Eighth Session of the Conference, 10 a.m. to 1 'p.m.

Chairman : Tlie Master of the Worshipful Company of
Clotliworkers, Sir Richakd Melvill Beachckoft.

10 A.M. — " Blindness in Adult Life " ; (a) the totally-bhnd ;
(i!>) the partially-bUnd. by Mr. M. Priestley, Manager and
Secretary, Royal Institution for the Blind, Bradford.
Opener of the discussion, Mr. Colin Macdonald
(Dundee).
Election of Conference Committee.

Ninth Session of the Conference, 2 ii.m. to 6 ]).m.

2 P.M. — Russia. " Work for the Blind in Russia," by
M. J. KoLOUBOVSKY, Delegate of the Imperial Government,
St. Petersburg.
Denmark. " Work for the Blind in Denmark," by
M. A. F. WiBERG (Copenhagen), Delegate of the Govern-
ment of Denmark.
India. "Work for the Blind in India," by Mr. A. K.
Shah, Headmaster, School for the Blind, Calcutta.

At tlie Central Hall, Westminster, S.W.

8 P.M. — Play, entitled " A Wise Eccentricity," composed by

Mr. SiDDALL,* acted mainly by blind performers.

9 P.M. — China. Lantern Lecture by Mrs. Wilkinson, School for

the Blind, Foo Chow.
" Work for the Blind in America in the Twentieth
Century." Lantern Lecture by Mr. C. F. F. Campbell,
Founder and Editor of Outlook for the Blind (Columlnis,
Oliio) ; and Mr. Olin H. Burritt, Prijicipal of the
Pennsylvania Institution for the Blind.

Note. — As there was no time for Mr. Campbell to show
more than a small proportion of the very interesting
slides he had brought with him, it was arranged to
continvie this lecture on the following Tuesday evening
in the hall of the Royal Society of Arts, John Street,
Adelphi.

Wednesday, 24th June.

Tenth Session of the Conference, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Chairman : The Right Hon. the Viscount Valentia, C.B.,
M.V.O., M.P. for the City of Oxford.

10 A.M. — United States. " Sight-saving and Light through

Work for the Blind," by Miss Winifred Holt,
Secretary, New York Association for the Blind, New York.
Opener of discussion, Mr. O. H. Burritt, Pennsylvania
Institution for the Blind.

Programme of the Conference

11.30 A.M. — " The Problems of the Education of the High
Myopes and the Partially-Sighted," by Mr. N. Bishop
Harman, F.K.C.S., London.

Opener of the discussion. Dr. A. Nimmo Walker,
Liverpool.

Eleventh Session of the Conference, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Chairman : The Right Hon. and Right Rev. the Lord Bishop
OF London.

(Pending the arrival of his Lordship the chair was very kindly
taken by the Venerable the Archdeacon of Middlesex.)

2 p.m. — " The Education and After-Care of the Blind-
Deaf," by Mr. W. M. Stone, Headmaster, Royal Blind
Asylum and School, Edinburgh.

Opener of the discussion, Mr. J. M. Ritchie, Henshaw's
Bhnd Asylum, Manchester.
3.30 p.m. — " Esperanto for the Blind," by Mr. W. Percy
Merrick.*

Opener of the discussion, Mr. H. Bolingbroke Mudie,
President British Esperanto Association.
Closing Address by the Chairman.
Benediction.

]:5

International Conference on the Blind

FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS OFFICIALLY
REPRESENTED.

ARGENTINE

BELGIUM .
BRAZIL

BULGARIA
CHINA.
COLOMBIA .

DENMARK .
DOMINICA .
GUATEMALA
HUNGARY .
ITALY
MEXICO .

MONTENEGRO

PERU
RUSSIA

SWEDEN .

SWITZERLAND
URUGUAY .
VENEZUELA

Dr. Eduardo Amoretti. Buenos

Ayres.
MoNS. Stock]vians. Ghent.
Colonel Jesuino da Silva Mello.

Rio de Janeiro.

Dr. Doxeff. Sofia,

Mr. Yatson C. Yen. London.

Senor Don Ignacio Gutierrez-
Ponce. London.

Mr. a. Wiberg. Copenhagen.

MoNS. ArturoL. Fiallo. London.

Mr. David Bow]\l\n. London.

Dr. Stephen Toth. Budapest.

Prince Livio Borghese. London.

Senor Licienciado Bartolome
Carbajal y Rosas. London.

Sir J. Roper Parkington.

London.
Dr. E. L. Congrains. London.

MoNS. Jacob Koloubovsky. St.

Petersburg.
MoNS. Leonid Georgievich Belli-

ARivnNOV. St. Petersburg.

Director Jacob -Alrik Lund-
berg. Stockholm.
MoNS. EuGEN Bally. Lausanne.
Senora Teresa Santos de Bosch.
Dr. L. G. Chacin Itriago. London.

List of Delegates

LIST OF DELEGATES.

FOREIGN AND COLONIAL.

An asterisk before a name denotes Blindness.

Amoretti, Dr. Eduardo, Delegate of the Government of the Argentine

RepubKc.
♦Austin, Edward, F.R.C.O., Music Master, School of the Montreal

Association for the Blind, Monti'eal, Canada.
Bally, Eugen, Membre et Delegue du Comite Central de I'Union Suisse

pour les Aveugles. President of the Blindenanstalt Koniz, Bern.

President, " Le Foyer," Institution Suisse pour les Aveugles faibles

d' Esprit, Chailly-Lausanne, Switzerland.
Belliarminov, Leonid Georgeievich, Councillor of State, and Professor

of the Mihtary Academy of Medicine, St. Petersburg. Delegate of

the Russian Government.
BoRGHESE, Prince Livio. Councillor of the Italian Embassy, London.

Delegate of the ItaKan Government.
Bosch, Sefiora Teresa Santos de. Delegate of the Government of Uruguay.
Bowman, David, 11, Queen Victoria Street, London. Delegate of the

Government of Guatemala.
BuRRiTT, OUn H., Superintendent of the Pennsvlvania Institution for the

Blind, Philadelphia, U.S.A.

Campbell, Mrs. C. F. F. Business Manager, " Outlook for the Blind,'"

Columbus, Ohio.
Campbell, Charles F. F., Executive Secretary of the Ohio Commission of

the Blind. Founder and Editor of the " Outlook for the Blind,"

911. Franklin Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, etc., etc.
CoNGRAiNS, Dr. E. L., 18, Hornsey Rise Gardens, London, N. Delegate

of the Government of Peru.
CoNSTANCON, Maiirice, Director of the " Asile Des Aveugles," Avenue de

France, Lausanne, Switzerland. Member of Central Committee of

the " Union Suisse pour les Aveugles."
CoTESWORTH, Miss Lilian, 45, Westminster Mansions, Great Smith Street,

Westminster, S.W. Delegate of the New York Association for the

Blind, New York.

Dickson, Isaac, Superintendent, Queensland Bhnd, Deaf and Dumb
Institution, Cornwall Street, South Brisbane, also acting as Delegate
of the Royal Institution for the BMnd, Brougham Place, North
Adelaide, Australia.

DoNEFF, Dr., Director of the BUnd Institute, Sofia. Delegate of the
Government of Bulgaria.

Evans, Miss de Grasse, 25, Chester Street, Belgravia, London, S.W.
Delegate of the New York Association for the Blind, New York.

Felberman, Louis, President, Hungarian Society, 9, Regent Street, W.
FiALLO, Arturo L., 21, Mincing Lane, E.C. Delegate of the Government

of the Dominican Republic.
FoRBSS-FiSHER, Mrs. William, 67, Grosvenor Street, London, W. Delegate

of the New York Association for the Blind, New York.
Fowler, Mrs. E. H., Delegate of the LTniform Type Committee (LT.8.A.).

International Conference on the Blind

*rowLEK, Elwyu H., Secretary of Uniform Type Committee (U.S.A.). Head
of the Tuning Department, Perkins Institution and IMassaehusetts
School for the Blind, Watertown, Mass., U.S.A.
GiFFiN, Miss Etta Joslyn, Director, National Library for the Blind,

Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
GiNEVEE, Mrs. G. Arthui-, 5, Castle Mount Terrace, Dover. Hungarian

Society, 9, Regent Street, London.
GiNEVER, C. Arthur, 5, Castle Mount Terrace, Dover. Hungarian Society,

9, Regent Street, London.
Gkay, Patrick, Principal of School of the Montreal Association for the
Blind, 6,500, Shcrbrook Street West, Notre Dame de Grace, Montreal,
Canada.
Gtjilleumot, Senor Jose, Delegate of " La Casa Pro%ancial de Caridad "

Blind Printing Works, Calle de Montalegre, Barcelona.
GuTiEREEZ-PoNCE, Dou Iguacio, 42, Holland Road, Kensmgton, W.

Delegate of the Government of Colombia.
Hedger, Stanley, Manager's Assistant and Librarian, Sydney Lidustrial

Blmd Institution, William Street, Sydney, N.S.W.
Herodek, Charles, Vice-President, National Hungarian, National Insti-
tution for the Blind, Budapest.
Holt, Miss Winifred, Founder and Hon. Secretary, New York Association
for the Bhnd. Delegate of the Board of Education of the City of New
York and the Brooklyn Bureau of Charities.
*HowABD, Miss L. Pearl, Investigating Agent, Uniform Type Committee

(U.S.A.).
*Keller, Miss Helen, Chairman, Board of Councillors, National Library

for the Blind, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
KoLOUBOVSKY, Monsieur Jacob, State Councillor. Delegate of the
Imperial Government and Director of the Empress Marie Alexandrovna
Institute for the Blind, St. Petersburg.
Latimer, Mrs. H. R., Delegate of Uniform Type Committee (U.S.A.).
*Latimer, H. Randolph, Construction Agent of the Uniform Type Com-
mittee (U.S.A.). Head Teacher of Maryland School for the BUnd.
Layton, Mrs. P. E., Hon. Secretary, Montreal Association for the Blind,

550, St. Catherine Street West, Montreal, Canada.
*Layton, Philip E., Founder and Hon. Treasurer, Montreal Association for
the Bhnd, 550, Catherine Street West. Montreal, Canada.
Lucas-Tooth, Sir Robert L., Bart., Patron, Sydney Industrial BUnd

Institution, Wilham Street, Sydnej', N.S.W.
*Lt™dberg, Jakob-Alrik, Delegate of the Swedish Government. Member
of Board of the Institute of the Youthful BUnd, Stockholm. President,
Swedish Federation of the Blind.
Luther, Fraiilem Gertrud, President and Manageress, Blessigschen

Blinden Anstalt, Wiborg, St. Petersburg.
*Mahaut, Albert, Music Master, Institution Nationale des jeunes Aveugles,
56, Boulevard des Invalides, Paris.
Mello, Colonel Jesuino da Silva, Director of the Benjamin Constant
Institute for the Blind, Rio de Janiero. Delegate of the BraziUan
Government.
MiGEL Mr., Chairman Finance Committee, Uniform Type Committee

(U.S.A.).
Parkington, Sir J. R., Montenegrin Consul-General m London. Delegate
of the Montenegrm Government.

Rand, Miss Lotta S., 3, Park Street, Boston, Mass. Superintendent of the
Training and Employment for Women, Massachusetts Commission for
the Blind.

List of Delegates

Rathbone, Miss M. L., Assistant Livestigating Agent, Uniform Type

Committee (U.S.A.).
Rider, Mrs. Gertrude T., Assistant in charge of the Reading Room for the

Blind, and Delegate of the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Member, American Library Association Committee on Work for the

BHnd.
•Rosas, Seiior Licenciado Bartolome Carbajal y, Mexican Minister in

London. Delegate of the C4overnment of Mexico.

ScHANNEN, Peter, Kolozsvir Branch of the National Hungarian Institu-

t on for the BUnd: Director, des Landes-Bhnden Lastitutes,

Kolozsvar.
Sera, Prof., National Hungarian Institution for the BUnd, Budapest.
Sinclair, Miss May, Albemarle Club, Dover Street, London, W. Delegate

of the New York Association for the Blind, New York.
Stockmans, M., General Superior of the Brothers of Charity of Ghent.

Delegate of the Belgian Government.

Thevenin, Mademoiselle Jacquehne, PIombieres-lez-Dijon, Cote cFOr,
France. Delegate of the Association Valentin Haiiy, 9, Rue Duroc,
Paris.
*Thulin, G. A., SaUerhog, Satisjoboden, Sweden. Secretary, de blmdas
forening, 12, Majorsgatan, Stockholm.

ViTAR, Rezso, Manager of the Hungarian Landes-Vereines der
Blindenfdrsorge and Director of the Budapester Central Blinden-
Beschaftigungsanstalt, Hermina Str. 7, Budapest.

, WiBERG, F. A., Delegate of the Government of Denmark. Director, Royal

Institute of the Young Blind, Copenhagen.
Winter, Monsieur, Principal of the Institution Nationale des jeunes

Aveugles, Boulevard des Invalides, Paris.

Yen, Yatson C, Third Secretary of the Chinese Legation in London.
Delegate of the Government of the Repubhc of China.

Zaiontschewsky, Madaue, L'Institut des Aveugles de Kieff, Russia.

BRITISH DELEGATES.

Aglionby, Rev. F. K., D.D., Christ Church Vicarage, Westminster, S.W.

Chairman, Home Teaching Society for the BUnd, 25, Victoria Street,

Westmmster, S.W.
Anderson, Miss G. G., Clopton Cottage, Bury St. Edmunds. Eastern

Counties Union of Societies for the BUnd. Hon. Treasurer, West

Suffolk Blind Aid Association.
Andrews, Arthur, J.P., St. Janes', Ryde, I.O.W. Isle of Wight Society

for the Benefit of the Indigent BUnd, Hazelwood, Ryde.
Archer, C. W., Chairman, Incorporated Association for Promoting the

General Welfare of the BUnd, 2.58, Tottenham Court Road, W.
Armstrong, Mrs., 27, Cecil Road, Boscombe, Hants. Bournemouth and

District BUnd Aid Society. Local Hon. Secretary, National Institute

for the Blind.
Armstrong, W. R., Richmond National Institution for the Blind, 41,

Upper Sackville Street, Dublin.
Astin, John, Manchester and SaLford BUnd Aid Society.
Auckland, Lady Edith, " Eyes to the BUnd," 17, Callow Street, Chelsea.
Austin, Miss E. W., Secretary and Librarian, Incorporated National

Lending Library for the BUnd, 125, Queen's Road, Bayswater,

London, W.

C.B. 17 c

International Conference on the Blind

Bainbrigge, Miss Edith, 11, St. George's Court, Gloucester Road, S.W.

Vice-President, Home Teaching Society for the Blind, 25, Victoria

Street, Westminster, S.W.
Bainbrigge, The Rev. Philip T., Chairman, Workshops for the Blind of

Kent, 49, London Street, Greenwich, S.E. Member, Exhibition

Sub-Committee. 1914 Conference.
*Balchin, Miss, Assistant Teacher, Royal Glasgow Asylum for the BUnd,

100, Castle Street, Glasgow.
Ball, Arthur, Chairman of After Care Committee, London Society for

Teaching the Bhnd, Swiss Cottage.
Barker, Councillor George, Member, Board of Management and Chairman,

House Committee, Henshaw's Blind Asylum, Old Trafford, Man-
chester.
Beachcroft, Sir Richard Melvill, Master of the Worshipful Company of

Clothworkers, Clothworkers" Hall, Mincing Lane, E.C.
Beavan, Miss Cecil A., Hon. Secretary, Bath Home Teaching of the Blind

Society, Bath.
Beavan, Miss Gwenelen, Member, Committee, Bath Home Teaching of

the Blind Society, Bath. Member, Committee, Western Counties

Union.
*Bell, Miss Lily, Teacher, Royal Normal College for the Blind, LTpper

Norwood, S.E.
Bennett, Miss C., (j3^, Denison House, Vauxhall Bridge Road, S.W.

Organising Secretary, Metropolitan Union.
Bernhabd, Mrs. W., 12, Selborne Grove. Manningham, Bradford, Yorks.

Member of Committee, Royal Institution for the Blind, Biadford.
Bertiion, Cajit. Willoughby J., Kingshohne, Battledown, Cheltenham.

Hon. Treasurer and Manager. Cheltenham and (Gloucestershire Society

for the Blind, 51. Winchconibe Street, Cheltenham.
*Bl.\ckwell, Miss Lilian, Gun Green Farm, Hawkhurst, Kent. Union of

Blind Ladies, London.
Blake, Miss C, Superintendent, Barclay Workshop for Blind Women,

233, Edgware Road, London, W.
*Bloomfield, C. T., Indigent BUnd Visiting Societv, 8, Red Lion Square,

W.C.
Bloxam, Miss Louisa T., The Court Yard, Eltham, Kent. Publisher,

" The Weekly Summary for the Blind."
♦BoLAM, Rev. Cecil Edward, F.R.Hist.S., St. Mary Magdalene's Rectory,

Lincoln. Eastern Counties LTnion. Hon. Secretary, Lincolnshire

Blind Association.
Bolton, Miss M. P., East London Workshops for the Bhnd, 33, High

Street, Plaistow, E.
Booth, John, Chairman, Homes for the Blind for Preston and North and

North-East Lancashire, Fulwood, Preston.
Booth, Mrs., Member, Committee, Homes for the Bhnd for Preston and

North and North-East Lancashire, Fulwood, Preston.
*BowN, John, North Eldon Street, Barnsley. Barnsley Association for

Visiting the Blind.
Brickwood, Sir John, Hampshire and Isle of Wight School and Home for

Blind, St. Edwards' Road, Southsea.
Brown, G. C, M.A. (Lond.), Headmaster, College for the Higher Education

of the Bhnd, Whittington, Worcester.
Browne, Miss Harris, 12, Alexandra Court, 171, Queen's Gate, S.W.

Member Council Metropohtan Union, and Hon. Representative for

S. Kensington. Member Hospitahty Committee, International

Conference, 1914.
Bryden, J. Frew, Superintendent, Mission to the Outdoor Blind for

Glasgow and AVest of Scotland, 201, Buchanan Street, Glasgow.

List of Delegates

Bryden, Miss, 12, Montrose Gardens, Milngavie. Mission to the Outdoor

Blind for Glasgow and the West of Scotland, 201, Buchanan Street,

Glasgow.
BxTCHANAN, George, Manager, Workshops for the Bhnd, New Radcliffe

Street, Oldham.
Burnett, Miss Mary Gordon, The Reading Blind Aid Society, Pattingham,

Reading. ,

Burns. Rev. Thomas, D.D., F.O.T.B., Chairman, Board of Directors,

Royal Bhnd Asylum and School, West Craigmillar. Edinburgh.
B YGOTT, Mrs. Helen A., 76, Risbygate Street, Bury St. Edmunds. Eastern

Counties Union. Hon. Secretary, West Suffolk Bhnd Aid Association.
Byrt, W. H., Member Committee, Royal School of Industry for the Bhnd,

Bristol.

Cairns, Christopher, 38, Howe Street, Edinburgh. Society for Promoting
Reading among the Adult Blind. Missionary Teacher of the Edin-
burgh and South of Scotland Home Teacloing Society.

Campbell, Lady Francis, F.C.T.B., Hon. Lady Superintendent of the
Royal Normal College, 1875 — 1912. Member, Executive Committee
of the Metroi3olitan Union. Member, Executive Committee, College
of Teachers of the Blind. Representative for BUnd Teachers on
Registration Council, etc.

Campbell, Guy M., F.R.G.S., Principal, Royal Normal College for the
Blind. Hon. Secretary, Metropolitan Union. Hon. Co-Secretary
of the Union of Unions. Member of Council of College of Teachers of
tlie Bhnd. Member, Conference Committee, and Chairman of
Advertisements Committee, International Conference, 1914, etc., etc.

Campbell, Mrs. Guy, Lady Superintendent, Royal Normal College for the
Blind, Upper Norwood, S.E.

Campion, The Hon. Mrs., Danny, Hassocks, Sussex. Chairman, Barclay
Home for Blind and Partially Bhnd Girls, Wellington Road, Brighton.

Cabdew, Lieut. -Colonel George Masters, 12, Victoria Terrace, Exeter.
President, West of England Institution for the Blind, Exeter.
*Carr, Alfred, Royal Normal College for the Blind, Upper Norwood, S.E.
Manager, The London and Provincial Tea Company, Ltd., 5, Minories,
London, E.C.

Cato, T. Butler, 20, Stanley Crescent, Notting Hill, W. Member Com-
mittee, West London Workshops for the Blind, Notting Hill Gate, W.

Chambers, Alderman R. B., B.A., J.P., Oaklands, Dutiield Road, Derby.
Member of Committee, Royal Midland Institution for the Blind,
Nottingham.

Chambers, Miss, Barton Cottage, Hoylake, Cheshire. Member of the
Committee, Liverpool Home Teaching Society, Cornwallis Street,
Liverpool.

Chandler, Pretor W., Chairman of the Industrial Committee, London
Society for Teaching the Blind, Swiss Cottage.

Charnock, Miss, 25, Pembroke Road, Kensington, W. Member Com-
mittee, Metropohtan Union and Hon. Representative for N. Kensing-
ton.- Member Hospitahty Committee, International Conference, 1914.

Cherry, Miss M. G., The Lodge, Darley Dale, Matlock. Derbyshire
Association for the Care of the Bhnd.

CL.4.RKSON, Rev. J. E., Catholic Bhnd Asyhim, Brunswick Road, Liverpool.

Clough, Miss M., The Shroggs, Steeton, Near Keighley, Yorks. Keighley
Institution for the Blind.

Cobham, The Right Hon. the Viscount, Hagley Hall, Stourbridge. Member
Committee, Gardner's Trust for the Blind. Chairman, College for
the Higher Education of the Bhnd, Worcester. President, Worcester-
shire County Association for the Care of the Blind.

19 c 2

International Conference on the Blind

CocKBAix, JVIiss, Pen Rhjai, Heaton, Bradford, Yorks. Member of

Committee, Roj^al Institution for the Blind, Bradford.
Cocks, Rev. Edward George, St. George's Vicarage, East Stonehouse,

Plymouth. Chairman, Devonport -and Western Counties Institution

for the Welfare of the BKnd, 6, Aubjni Street, Devonport. Member

of Committee, Western Counties Union.
Comber, I\Iiss Margaret, Wood^ille, Liverpool Road, Chester. North-

West Union of In.stitutions for the BUnd.
Corcoran, Mrs., Ill, Beaufort Mansions, Chelsea, S.W. "Weekly

■ Summary for the Bhnd."
Cory, Miss Lilian, Shere, Surrey. " The Weekly Summary for the Bhnd."
Cowan, A. A., Headmaster, Royal School of Industry for the BUnd.

Bristol.
Craig, Miss Kate M., 27, Kirk Wyiid, Kirkcaldy. Agent and Teacher of

the Fife and Kinross Society for Teaching the BUnd at their own

homes.
Ckesswell, Miss, 30, Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton. Hon. Secretarj-,

Ladies' Committee, Wolverhampton Society for the Blind.
Cross, F. Richardson. Chairman of General Committee, Royal School of

Industry for the Bhnd, Bristol.
*Crowley, James, F.R.C.O., Royal Normal College for the Blind, Upper

Norwood, S.E.
CuNLiFFE, Sir Robert ElUs, M.A., 34, The Grove, Boltons, S.W. Chairman,

West London Workshops for the BUnd, Netting Hill Gate, W.
Da VIES. Mrs. Norman, Quelhai, Carnarvon. The North Wales H.T.S. for

the Blind.
*D.\AVBER, Jas., Mus. Bac, 1.5. Brj'n Street, Ashton-in-Makerfield. The

Incorporated Society of Musicians, 19, Berners Street, London, W.
Dawson, Miss, Belfast Society for Home Mission Work among the Blind

in Ireland, CUftonville, Belfast.
*Denholm, Miss, As.sistant Teacher, Royal Glasgow Asyhim for the Blind,

100, Castle Street, Glasgow.
Derwent, H. C, 3, Farcliffe Terrace, Bradford, Yorks. Member of

Committee, Royal Institution for the Blind, Bradford. Member of

Committee of North of England Union.
Dettmer, Frank George, 20, Caldorvale Road, ClajAam Park, S.W.

Assistant Hon. Secretary, South London Association for Assisting the

BUnd (Incorp.), 87, Bishopsgate, E.C.
Dickinson, Charles, Secretary, Richmond National Institution for the

BUnd, 41, Upper Sackville Street, DubUn.
Dixon, Miss D., Summei'hill, Steeton, near Keighiey, Yorks. Keighley

Institution for the Blind.
*DixsoN, W. H., M.A. (Oxon.), 13, Crick Road, Oxford. Hon. Secretary,

Old Boj''s Union of the College for the BUnd, Whittington, Worcester.

Member of Council, College of Teachers of the BUnd. Member

Literature Committee, National Institute for the BUnd. Member of

Committee, International Conference, 1914, and of Oxford BUnd

Society.
DoDSON, The Hon. Mildred, 48c?, Sloane Square. Chairman,- Barclay

Workshop for BUnd Women, 233, Edgware Road, London, W.
Douglas, John, 6, St. Mary's Grove, Barnes Common, S.W. Somers Town

BUnd Aid Society.
Douglas-Hamilton, Miss E., Hon. Secretary, " Eyes to the BUnd,"

17, Callow Street, Chelsea.
Douglas-Hamilton, Miss L., Chairman and Hon. Treasurer, " Eyes to

the BUnd, 17, CaUow Street, Chelsea.
*Dowdes\vell, S., Chalford Hill, Stroud, Glos. Old Boys' Union of the

College for the Bhnd, Whittmgton, Worcester.

List of Delegates

*DusTow, (Jhas. E., Manager, The Blind Tea Agency, Ltd., 5, Fen Court,

London, E.C.
*Edge, George, Manchester and Salford Bhnd Aid Society. Bhnd Sick

Benefit Branch.
Edmonds, Jolin Thomas, Carlton Villa, Brixton Road, S.W. Hon.

Secretary, South London Association for Assisting the Blmd (Licorp.),

87, Bishopsgate, E.C.
EiDE, Miss, Weaving Teacher, Barclay Home for Blind and Partially Blind

Girls, Brighton.
Ellis, Miss, School for the Blind, Blenheim Walk, Leeds. Association of

Teachers of the Blind.
Emery, Miss K. "M., Maryland, Ely. Hon. Organising Secretary, Eastern

Comities Union.
Evans, E., Lmden Lodge, L.C.C. School, BoUngbroke Grove, Wandsworth

Common, SW. Association of Teachers of the Blind.
Evans, P. M., Clerk to the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers. Hon.

Treasurer and Chairman of the Finance Committee, International

Conference, 1914.
Everett, Miss, 4, Maberley Road, Upper Norwood, S.E. Hon. Repre-
sentative, Metropolitan Union for South Lambeth. Member Council,

College of Teachers. Assistant Hon. Secretary, Sunbeam Mission

(Bhnd Branch).

*Fairhurst, p., 42, Ohphant Street, London, W. Member Committee,

National League of the Blind, Club Union Buildings, Clerkenwell

Road, E.C.
Fatjnthorpe, Rev. J. P., M.A., Member Committee, Royal School for the

Bhnd, Leatherhead.
Feeny, Howard, Cathohc BUnd Asylum, Brunswick Road, Liverpool.
Ffoitlkes, Miss Helena J., Chester Society for the Home Teachuig of the

Blind, 53, Northgate Street, Chester.
Ffotjlkes, Miss Jocelyn, Chester Society for the Home Teaching of the

Blind, 53, Northgate Street, Chester.
Field, Miss Millicent, Werneth Hall, Oldham. Superintendent of Blind

Women's Industries.
Fiennes, Caryl, 43, Barkston Gardens, S.W. Richmond National Insti-
tution for the Bhnd, 41, Upper Sackville Street, Dublm.
FlNDLAY. Lady, " Eyes to the Blind," 17, Callov/ Street, Chelsea.
FiNLAY,Miss Ehzabeth Walker, 26, Circus Road, St. John's Wood, N.W.

Hon. Secretarj% Union of Blind Ladies. Hon. Lady Organisei,

National Institute for the Blind, London.
Fleming, Lady, Dalmunizie Murtle, Aberdeenshire. Aberdeen Town and

County Association for Teaching the Blind at their own Homes.
FoAKES, Miss E. v., Head Mistress, Blind School, 2 and 4, Warwick Road,

Clapton, N.E.
*Ford, J. A., Armitage Lodge of the Church Benefit Society. Head of

vStereotyping Department, National Institute for the Blmd, London,

W.
Francombe, J. T., Member Committee, Royal School of Industry for the

Blind, Bristol.

Gallott, Mrs., 69, Thornton Avenue, Streatham, S.W. Moon Society
for Embossing books for the Blind, Brighton.

Garaway, Miss M. M. R., Lady Supermtendent, L.C.C. School for the
Blind, Linden Lodge, Wandsworth Common. Member Committee
and Examiner, College of Teachers of the Blind.

Gilbert, Miss M. A., Wickham Lodge, Wickham Bishops, Essex. Secre-
tary, The Home Teaching Society for the Blind, 25, Victoria Street,
Westminster, S.W.

International Conference on the Blind

Gill, Miss Fanny, Nelson, Lanes. Burnk-y Home Teaching and General

Help Society for the Blind.
GiLLiGAN, Mrs., Witherhurst, Grove Park, CJamberwell, S.E. London

Association for the Bhnd, 178, Charing Cross Road, W.C.
GiLLiGAN, W. A., Witherhurst, Grove Park, Caniberwell, S.E. London

Association for the Blind, 178, Charmg Cross Road, W.C.
Given-Wilson, Rev. T., M.A., St. Mary's Vicarage, Plaistow, E. East

London Workshops for the Blind, 33, High Street, Plaistow, E.
Gledhill, E., Headmaster, School for the Blind, Wavertree, I^iverpool.
GooDHAET, Mrs., Willows, Inkpen, Berks. Member Committee, Metro-
politan Union. Chairman, Berks County Blind Society. Member

Hospitahty Committee, International Conference, 1914.
Griffith, Miss Bessie, Bodlondeb, Port Madoc, Wales. North Wales

H.T.S. for the Blind.
Grimwood, Miss Ethel, Braille Club, 60, Wilbury Road, Hove, Sussex, and

Editor of the " Braille Packet."
*Green, Ernest, 7, Torrens Street, Stockwell. S.W. Blind Social Aid

Society and Literary Union, 5, The Minories, London.
Green, Mrs. G., Palace House, Burnlej-. Burnley Home Teaching and

General Help Society for the Blind.
Gregory, J. E., Secretary of the National League of the Blind, Club Union

Buildings, Clerkenwell Road, E.C.
GuNLAY, R. W., Grantham House, Acock Green, Birmingham. Old Boys'

Union, College for the Blind, Worcester.

Hall, Joseph, Grosvenor House, Swansea. Hon. Secretary, Swansea and

South Wales Institution for the Blind, Swansea. Hon. Secretary,

The South Wales and Monmouthshire Laiion.
Hamilton, W. F., Indigent Blind Visiting Society, 8, Red Lion Square,

W.C.
Hamle Y, Edward C, 9, Penywem Road, Earl's Court, London, W. Chair-
man, Incorporated National Lending Librarj^ for the Bhnd, Queen's

Road, Bayswater.
Hardy, Rev. C. F., Chaplain and >Superintendent, The Roj'al School of

Industry for the Blind, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol.
Harris, C. W., 7, King Street, Abcigavenny, Mon., Delegate of the

Newport and Monmouthshire Bhnd Aid Society. Teacher of Adult

Bhnd under Monmouthshire County Council.
Harris, Rev. S. F., Cotleigh Rectory, near Honiton. Hon. Secretary,

Western Counties Union.
Haworth, Mrs., Steinway House, Accrington. Accrmgton and District

Institution for the Blind and Prevention of Bhndncss.
*Ha\vorth, John Luther, Stemway House, Accrington. Accrington and

District Institution for the Blind and Prevention, of Blindness.
Heath, Miss G., Hare Dene, Albury Heath, Guildford. " The Weekly

Summary for the Blind."
Heckrath, Miss Geraldine, 36, Stradella Road, Heme Hill, S.E. The

Union of Blind Ladies, London.
Helm, Mrs. Rennie, Padiham. Burnley Home Teaching and General Help

Society for the Blind.
Henderson, Captain (R.N.), Hon. Secretary, Hampshire and Isle of Wight

School and Home for the Blind, St. Edward's Road, Southsea.
Henderson, Miss Eva, Carleton, Mossley Hill, Liverpool. Treasurer,

Home Teaching Society, Cornwalhs Street, Liverijool.
Hewitt, James H., Manager, Association for Employment of Industrious

Blind, Royal Avenue, Belfast.
Hewitt, Mrs., Association for Employment of Industrious Blind, Royal

Avenue, Belfast.

List of Delegates

Hevwood, Miss I. M., St. John's House, Beverley, Yorks. Manchester
and, Salford BUnd Aid Society. Hon. Secretary, North of England
Union of Agencies.

HiGHAM, Miss Agnes, The Croft, Accrington. Member of Committee,
Accrington and District Institution for the Blind and the Prevention
of Blindness. Member of Committee of the North of England Union,
etc.

Hill, Miss Amy, 5g, Hyde Park Mansions, W. Member Committee, Home
Teaching Society for the Blind, 25, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W.

Hill, Captain F. T. C, Member Committee, Royal School for the Blind,
Leatherliead.

Hill, John A., 5, Selborne Villas, Manningham, Bradford, Yorks. Member
of the Committee of the Royal Institution for the Blind, Bradford.

Hill, Major-General J. E. D., Treasurer and Deputy Chairman, Royal
School for the Blind. Leatherhead.

Hill, The Rev. St. Clare, M.A.. F.C.T.B., J.P., Trustee and Hon. Secretary,
Society for Granting Annuities to the Poor Adult Blind. Principal
and chaplain. Royal School for the BUnd, Leatherhead. Trustee and
Hon. Secretar}% South London Institute for the Blind. Member of
Committee and Chairman of Examiners, College of Teachers. Secre-
tary, Blind Emi^loyment Factory. Member Conference Committee,
1914, National Committee for the Employment of the Blind, and
Special Committee to consider the Blind Aid Bill.

Hill, Mr., Manager. Home and Workshops for the Blind, Carlisle.

HoBART, — , Mapleswell, near Barnsley, Yorks. Visitor, Barnsley
Association for Visiting and Teaching the Blind.

HoBSON, T. F., 107, Broadhurst Gardens, Hampstead, N.W. London
County Council.

Hodges, G. H., Hon. Secretary, Cardiff Institute for the Blind, Cardiff.

Hodges, Miss Annie E., Cardiff Institute for the Blind.

HoNAN, M., Catholic Blind Asylum, Brunswick Road, Liverpool.

Howard, Heaton C, L.R.C.P. (Lond.), M.R.C.S. Member Committee,
Royal School for the Blind, Leatherhead.

Illingworth, W. H., F.C.T.B., Superintendent, Henshaw's Blind Asylum,
Old Trafl'ord, Manchester. Member Committee, International Con-
ference, 1914, etc.

Ingham, Right Rev. Bishop, D.D., Hampshire and Isle of Wight School
and Home for the Bliujd, St. Edward's Road, Southsea.

Inglis, Mrs., Hon. Treasurer, Home Teaching Society for the Blind for

Colchester and neighbourhood, St. Mary's, Colchester.
*Inskip, Miss, Music Teacher, Royal Glasgow Asylum for the Blind, 100,

Castle Street, Glasgow.
*Ireland, Miss Agnes L.. Norfield, Buckhaven. Fife and Kinross Society
for Teaching the Blind at their own Homes.

Irving, James, Missionary Teacher, Mission to the Outdoor Bhnd for
Glasgow and the West of Scotland, 201, Buchanan Street, Glasgow.

Isaacson, A., Fernlea, Grassendale Park, Liverpool. President and
Chairman, School for the Blind, Hardman Street, Liverpool.

Jackson, H. G. L. G., 94, Grove Park, Camberwell, S.E. London Associa-
tion for the Blind, 178, Charing Cross Road, W.C.
Jeffrey, D. A. R., Secretary, Cardiff Institute for the Blind, Cardiff.
* Jenkins, Rev. R., Talaton Rectory, Ottery St. Mary, Devon. Member

Committee, West of England Institution for the Blind, Exeter.
*Jerrett, — , 4, Little Clarendon Street, Oxford. Visitor and Teacher,
Oxford Society for the Blind.
JoBSON, Stewart, Chairman of Education Committee, London Society for
Teaching the Blind, Swiss Cottage.

International Conference on the Blind

Johnson, Mrs., 6b, Cathedral Mansions, Liverpool. Hon. Secretary,
Ladies' Committee, School for Blind Children, Wavertree, Liverpool.

Johnson, Stuart, 4, Eaton Place, London, S.W. Worshipful Company of
Clothworkers. Member Committee and Chairman of Exhibition
Sub-Committee, International Conference, 1914. Chairman, Blmd
Man's Friend Charity, and of Society for granting Annuities to the
Poor Adult Blind. ' Hon. Treasurer, Union of Unions. Member
Committee, Royal School for Indigent Blind, Leatherhead- Member
of Council and Committee, College of Teachers of the Blind, etc.

Jolly, Lieut. -Colonel T. R. (V.D.), Fulwood, Preston. Hon. Treasurer,
North of England Union, St. John's House, Beverley, Yorks. Chair-
man, Lancashire County Committee. Secretary, Homes for the Bhnd
for Preston and North-East Lancashire.

Jones, Mrs. Bran dram, 49, Drayton Gardens, S.W. Incorporated National
Lending Library for the Blind, 125, Queen's Road, Baj^swater, W.

Jones, Mrs. E., Osborne, Aughton, Ormskirk. Burnley Home Teacliing
and General Help Society for the Blind.

Joseph, Edward A., 10, Frognal Lane, Hampstead, N.W. Institution for
the Relief of the Indigent Blind of the Jewish Persuasion, 8, Duke
Street, Aldgate, London, E.

*Keily, P. T., A.R.C.O., West Street, Alford, Lincoln. Association of Self-

Supporting Blind.
*Keie, .John, F.E.I.S.. 74, Blenheim Place, Aberdeen, Chairman of the

School Board of Burgh of Aberdeen.
Keith, Stanley, Member Committee, Royal School for the Blind, Leather-
head.
*Kelly, W. J., 19, Angel Road, Hammersmith, W. Bhnd Social Aid

Society and Literary Union, 5, Minories, London, E.C.
Kemp, Miss Lydia P., Old Falingc, Rochdale. Hon. Secretary, Rochdale

and District Society for the Bhnd, Lower Gates, Rochdale.
King-Chtjbch, Miss B.. Ciive Lodge, Albury, near Guildford. Union of

Unions of Societies for the Blind in England and Wales.
King-Church, Miss N., Olive Lodge, Albuiy, nt-ar Guildford. "The

Weekly Summary for the Blind."
KiNNAiRD, The Right Hon. the Lord, 10, St. James's Scjuare, London,

S.W. Chairman, Gardner's Trust for the Blind. J'resident, Indigent

Blind Visiting Society, etc.
KiNSEY-MoEGAN, C, Hon. Secretary, Newpoit and Monmouthsliiie Blind

Aid Society.
Knapp, John, M.A., J.P., C.C, Linford Hall, Wolveiton, Bucks. Bucking-
hamshire Association for the Blind.
Knapp, Mrs., Lmford Hall, Wolverton, Bucks. Hon. Secretary, Bucks.

Association for the Ehnd.
Knill, Wm. Cutcliffe, A.C.A., 20, Bedford Circus, Exeter. Secretary,

West of England Institution for the Blind, Exeter.
KoETTGEN, Miss, Member of Committee, London Society for Teaching the

Bhnd, Swiss Cottage.
*Kreamer, J. A. M., Cable Street, E. Blind Social Aid ^ociety and

Literary Union, 5, The Minories, London, E.C.

Lafrenz, Miss, " Eyes to the Blind," 17, Callow Street, Chelsea, S.W.
*Lattey, Frank, Alyngby, Stourchffe Avenue, Bournemouth. Hon.

Secretary, Bournemouth and District Blind Aid Society.
*Lawrenc'e, W. F., Cowesfield House, ' Salisbury. Member Committee,
Gardner's Trust for the Blind.
Lazarus, Frank J., 5, Craven Hill, Hyde Park, London, W. Institution
for the Relief of the Indigent Bhnd of the Jewish Per.suasion, 8, Duke
Street, Aldgate, London, E.

List of Delegates

LecomBebJ W. G., Member Board of Management and Chairman of Trade

Committee, Henshaw's Blind Asylum, Old TrafEord, Manchester.
Lee, Mrs., Hartwell House, Aylesbui-y. Buckinghamshire Association for

Blind.
*Leeson, Herbert, 64, St. George's Road, Coventry. Coventry and District

Home Teaching Society for the Bhnd.
Leeson, Mrs., 64, St. George's Road, Coventry. Coventry and District

Home Teaching Society.
Le Meslteier, Mrs., Milton Lodge, Kintbury, Berks. Member Council,

Metropolitan Union. Hon. Secretary, Berks. County Blind Society.

Member Hospitality Committee, International Conference, 1914.
*LiTTLEWOOD, E. E. W., 14, Upper Park Road, New Southgate, N. Associa-
tion of the Self-Supporting Bhnd.
*Lloyd, Rev. W. E., M.A. (Oxon.), 37, Queen's Park Road, Brighton. Old

Boys' LTnion of the College for the Blind, Whittington, Worcester.
LocKYEE, Colonel, Incorporated Association for Promoting the General

Welfare of the Blind, 258, Tottenham Court Road, W.
Lyall, Miss I. S., Superintendent, Aberdeen Town and County Association

for Teacliing the Bhnd at their own Homes, Aberdeen.
Lymbery, Miss E., 190, Peckham Rye, S.E. London Association for the

Bhnd, 178, Charing Cross Road, W.C.
Lyster, Mrs.. Incorp. Association for Promoting the General Welfare

of the Bhnd, 258, Tottenham Court Road, W.
*Macaulay, Chas. C, Armitage Lodge of the Church Benefit Society.

National Institute for the Blind, Great Portland Street, W.
Macdonald, Mrs. C, 59, Magdalen Green, Dundee. Dundee Institution

for the Blind.
Macdonald, Cohn, Manager, Dundee Institution for the Bhnd.
*MacKechnie, William, National Institution for Massage by the Bhnd,

188, Marylebone Road, W.
McKenzie, Archibald, Governor, Aberdeen Asylum for the Blind, Aber-
deen.
Mackenzie, Mrs. Murdo, Laurig, Canon bie Road, Forest Hill, London, S.E.

Northern Counties Institute for the Bhnd, Inverness.
McLeod, Sir Reginald, K.C.B.,' Vinters, Maidstone. Trustee, Home

Teaching Society for the Bhnd, 25, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W.
MacNicol, Mrs.. Hon. Secretary, National Institution for Massage bv the

Bhnd, 188, Marylebone Road, W.
Maltman, Andrew Jamieson, 23, Castle Street. Dundee. Superintendent

of the Dimdee and Lochee Mission to the Out-door Blind.
Martin, Thomas H., A.C.I.S., Secretary and Superintendent, London

Society for Teaching the Bhnd, Swiss Cottage.
Mathie, Wilham, Missionary Teacher. Mission to the Out-door Blind for

Glasgow and the West of Scotland. 201, Buchanan Street, Glasgow.
Mavrogordato, Miss, 6, Palmeira Court, Hove. Chairman, Industrial

Committee, Barclay Home for Bhnd and Partially Blind Girls,

Brighton.
*Mayes, a. F., 83, Oxford Road, High Wycombe, Bucks. The Association

of Self-Supporting Blind.
*Mayiiew, Percy T., Armitage Lodge of the Church Benefit Society.

Music Stereotyper, National Institute for the Blind, 206, Great

Portland Street, W.
McCoRQUODALE, Hugh, Royal Glasgow Asylum, Castle Street, Glasgow.
Meiklejon, Mrs., Principal, Hastings and St. Leonards School for Bhnd

Mentally Deficient Children, 48 and 49, Kenilworth Road. St.

Leonards -on-Sea.
♦Meiklejon, Miss, Head Mistress, Hastings and St. Leonards School for

Bhnd Mentally Deficient Children.

International Conference on the Blind

Melbose, James, J.P., Clifton Croft, York. Hon. Treasvirer, Yorkshire
School for the Blind, The King's Manor, York.

Mekivale, Miss Judith, 4, Park To^^ii. Oxford. Central Secretary,
Midland Counties Union. Member Hospitality Committee, Inter-
national Conference, 1914.
*Meerick, W. Percy, Elvetham, Shepperton, Middlesex. British Esperanto
Association. Member Executive Council, Technical and Book
Committee, etc.. National Institute for the Bhnd, Great Portland
Street, London, W.

Meston, William, Manager, Aberdeen Asylum for the Blind, Aberdeen.

Metcalfe, Captain, Vice-Chairman of Western Counties Union. Delegate
of Union of Unions.

Mills, The Rev. Barton, Deputy Chairman, Incorporated Association for
Promoting the General Welfare of the Blind, 2~^H, Tottenham Court
Road. W.
*Mines, J. H.. 6/). Cathedral Mansions. Liverpool. Member Committee,
School for the Blind, Hardman Street. Liverpool, and School for Blind
Children, Wavertree, Liverpool Meml>er Conference Committee,
1914.

MoNCRiEFF, Thomas R., Crane Court, Fleet Street, E.C. Somers Town
Blind Aid Society.

Monk, Colonel, " Eyes to the Blind," 17. Callow Street. Chelsea.

Moon, Edward R. P., 6, Onslow Gardens, London, S.W. Member Com-
mittee, Gardner's Trust for the Blind.

Moon, Miss, 104, Queen's Road, Biighton. Managing Trustee, Hon.
Secretary, and Treasurer of the " Moon Society for Embossing Books
for the Blind.'' Hon. Treasurer and Secretary, Blind Relief and
Visiting Society for Brighton and District. Hon. Secretary, Moon
Pension Fund for the Neces.sitous Blind of Sussex. Member Executive
Council Metropolitan Union.

Moore, Miss Emma M., 3, Eglantine Place, Belfast. Secretary of Belfast
Society for Home Mission Work among Blind in Ireland, Cliftonville,
Belfast.

Moore, Miss E., Maltby, Cowper Road, Worthing, Sussex. Hon. District
Representative, Worthing Society for Befriending the Blind.

MoRPHBY, Thos. William, Hazelwood, Ryde. Hon. Secretarj-, Isle of
Wight Soci'. ty for the Benefit of the Indigent Blind.
*MoRRisoN, Miss Edith, 9, Prospero Road. Upper Holloway, N. The Union
of Bhnd Ladies. London.

Moss, Mrs.. 72, Willifield Way, Hendon, Middlesex. "Fellowship of the

Bhnd and Seeing."
*MoYES, T. B.. A.R.C.O.. 9, Riselcy Place, Stirhng. A.ssociation of the Self-
Supporting Blind.

MuDiE, H. Bolingbroke. 77, Kensington Gardens Square, W. President,
British Esperanto Association, Incorp.. 133, High Holbom, W.C.

MuLLEY. Fred. J., Chief Clerk, The BUnd Tea Agency, Ltd., 5, Fen Court,
London, E.C.

Mtji.lins, Howard, Secretary, Incorporated Association for Promoting the
General Welfare of the Bhnd, 258, Tottenham Court Road, W.

Mtxnby, Frederick James, F.C.T.B., 3, Blake Street, York. Hon. Secre-
tary, Yorkshire School for the Bhnd, The King's Manor, York.
Chairman of the North of England Union of Agencies for the Bhnd.

Murdoch, Thos., Vice-President, Dundee Institution for the Bhnd.

Nelson, Miss Edith, 4, Ladbroke Gardens, W. London As.sociation for

the Blind, 178, Charing Cross Road, W.C.
Ness, Charles W., 38, Howe Street, Edinburgh. Superintendent of the

Edinburgh and South-East of Scotland Home Teaching Society.

List of Delegates

NiEDERHAUSEN, H. Voii, Member Committee, North of England Union,
St. John's House. Beverley, Yorks., and Superintendent and Librarian
of the Northern Counties Society.
Norwood, Albert Burton, M.A., Principal, Yorkshire School for the Bhnd,
The King's Manor, York. Member of 1914 Conference Committee.
Member of Executive Committee of the North of England Union.
Member of the National Employment Committee. Member of the
Executive C-ommittee, College of Teachers of the Blind.

*Offord, — , Blind Teacher, Colchester Home Teaching Society for the
Bhnd, St. Mary's, Colchester.

*Oke, Herbert G., A.R.A.M., Ashcroft, All Saint's Avenue, Margate. Hon.
Secretary, Music Advisory Committee, Incorporated National Lending
Library for the Bhnd, Queen's Road, Bayswater.
O'Malley. Sir Edward, Dejmty Chairman, Incorporated Association for
Promoting the General Welfare of the Blind. 258, Tottenham Court
Road, W."

*Pas.smore, Leonard W., Park Lodge, Southficlds, London, S.W. Incor-
porated National Lending Library for the Blind, Bayswater.

*Pearson, a. p., B.A. (Lond. ), Royal Normal College for the Bhnd, Upper
Norwood, S.E. Member Committee and Delegate of the College of
Teachers of the Blind.

*Pearson, C. Arthur, Hon. Treasurer, National Institute for the Blind,
London.

*PETR.'iON- Webber, Captain F. P., Ettington, Stratford-on-Avon. Associa-
tion of the Self -Supporting Blind.
Percy, Lord Algernon, Guy's Cliff, Warwick.

*Petford, Miss Ethel, 8, Priory Gardens, Shepherd's Hill, Highgate, N.
Certificated Masseuse. LTnion of Blind Ladies. London.
Petty, Miss R. F., 3, Vernon Chambers, Southampton Row, W.C. Union
of Unions. Assistant Superintendent of Day Centres for the Blind
under the London County Councd. Member Hospitality Committee,
1914 Conference.
Pine, H. W. P., F.C^.T.B., Secretary and Superintendent, Royal Midland
Institution for the Blind, Nottingham. Member of 1914 Conference
Committee. Member of Committee and Examiner of the Royal
College of Teachers of the Blind. Hon. Secretary of the National
Employment Committee.. Hon. Secretary, Committee on the Tech-
nical Education and Employment of the Blind Bill. Member
Committee, Midland Union, etc., etc.
PiNN, J. Arthur, Superintendent, West of Enalaud Institution for the

Bhnd, Exet' r.
Plummer, Alderman, Henry. J. P., Vice -Chairman, Henshaw's Blind
Asylum, Old Trafford, Manchester.

*Preece, Henry C, Armitage Lodge of the Church Benefit Societj^.
Travelhng Secretary, National Institute for the Blind, 206, Great
Portland Street, W."
Priestley, Miles, Manager and Secretary, Royal Institution for the
Blind, Bradford, Yorks. Member of 1914 Conference Committee.
Member of Executive Committee of the North of England Union.
Member of the National Employment Committee.

*PiiRSE, Ben., President of the National League of the Bhnd, Club Union
Buildings, Clei'kenwell Road, E.C.
Putnam, Mrs., Ivydene, Aylesbury. Buckinghamshire Association for the

Bhnd.
Putnam, Mrs., Darlington, Member Committee, North of England LTnion,
St. John's House, Beverley, Yorks.

*Ramsay , John, 5, Cirencester Street, Sunderland. The Durham County
Royal Institute for the Blind, 23-24, Vihiers Street, Sunderland.

International Conference on the Blind

*Rangek, a. W. G., M.A., D.C.L., F.C.T.B., 17, Fenchurch Street, B.C.

Chairman, National Institute for the Blind. Hon. Secretary, College

for the Higher Education of the Blind, Worcester, etc., etc.
Redford, Mrs. Councillor, Member Board of Management, Henshaw's

Blind Afsylum, Old Trafford, Manchester.
Richmond, Douglas C, C.B., 64, Cornwall Gardens, London, S.W. Member

Committee, Gardner's Trust for the Blind.
RiCHSTOND, R., Ill, Scotlands Road, Nelson. Burnley Home Teaching

and General Help Society for the Blind.
Ritchie, Miss Munro, 09, Dyke Road, Brighton. Moon Society for

Embossmg Books for the Blind.
Robertson, P. Tindal, The Albany, London, W. Member Executive

Committee, The Incorporated National Lending Library for the Blind,

Queen's Road, Bayswater.
RoBERT.soN, W , F.E.I.S., House Governor, Roj'al Victoria School for the

Blmd, Newcastle-on-Tyne.
*RoBiNSON, Arthur, 3, Sheridan Road, Belvedere, Kent. Bhnd Social Aid

Societj^ and Literary Union, 5, The Mnories, London, E.C.
RocKLiFFE, William Craven, M. A., M.B. (Cantab. ), M.R.C.S. (London), etc.,

17, Charlotte Street, Hull, Yorks. Hon. Treasurer and Sccretar}-,

Hull Blmd Institution.
Rosed ALE, Rev. H. G., D.D., 7, Gloucester Street, Victoria, S.W. London

Association for the Bhnd, 178, Charmg Cross Road, W.C.
Rowan, Miss Alice R., Hon. Secretary, Ladies Auxiliary of the ^Mission to

the Out-door Blmd, 197, Buchanan Street, Glasgow.
RoYLE, Alderman John, J. P., Chairman, Henshaw's Blind Asylum, Old

Trafford, Manchester.
*RoYSTON, Herbert S., 48, Hungerford Road, London, N. Hon. Treasurer,

Blintl Social Aicl Societv and Lit era rj^ L^nion, 5, Minories, London,

E.C.

Sadgrove, Miss M. E., Organising Secretary, North of England taiion,

St. John's House, Beverley, Yorks.
Satow, The Right Hon. Sir Ernest, G.C.M G., Beaumont, Ottery St. Mary,

Devon. Vice-President, West of England Institution for the Blind,

Exeter.
Scott, Miss Eva R., Shere, Surrey. Editor, " The Weekly Summary for

the Blind."
*Shaw, a. N., B.A. (Fawcett Scholar, Oxford), East Mount Road, Y^ork.

Assistant Music Master, Y^orkshire School for the Blind, The King's

Manor, York.
Shaw, Hugh W., Hon. Secretary, Workshoi^s for the Blind of Kent,

49, London Street, Greenwich, S.E.
Shearer, Miss, The Manse, Dyke Road, Brighton. Moon Society for

Embossing Books for the Bhnd.
Shearer, The Rev. Hugh, The Manse, Dyke Road, Brighton. A Trustee

of the Moon Society for Embossing Books for the Blind.
SiCHEL, Mrs., 23, Montpelier Crescent, Brighton. Member of Committee,

Barclay Home for Blind and Partially BUnd Girls, Brighton.
""SiDDALL, Albert, 5, Cronkeyshaw Road, Rochdale. V'isitor and Teacher,

Rochdale and District Society for the Blind. Member 1914 Conference

Committee.
Skeels, Miss F. E. Serocold, Bowden Lodge, Leamington. Hon. Secre-
tary, Fellowship of the Blind and Seeing.
Slaughter, Miss C, 19, Wijichestcr Road, Wortlmig. Hon. Treasurer,

Worthing Society for Befriending the Blind.
Smith, Mrs. T., Haverbrack, Burnley Hon. Secretary, Burnley Home

Teaching and General Help Society for the Bhnd. •

List of Delegates

Smith, R. 0., Secretary, Armitage Lodge of the Church Benefit Society.

Manager of Pubhshing Department, National Institute for Bhnd,

206, Great Portland Street, W.
Smithers. F O., Chairman, London Society for Teaching the Bhnd. Swiss

Cottage, N.W.
*Snow, Ernest A., Trent House, Oxford Road, Gunnersbury, W. Bhnd

Social Aid Society and Literary Union, 5, The Minories, E.C.
Snow, Sebastian C, Weir Cliff, Exvvick, near Exeter. Hon. Treasurer,

West of England Institution for the Blind, Exeter.
Snowball, Miss, Matron, Barclay Home for Blind and Partially Bhnd

Girls, Brighton.
Stage, Mrs. George, Heathfield, Parkside, Cambridge. Hon. Secretary,

Cambridge Society for the Blind. Delegate of the Eastern Counties

Union of Societies for the Blind.
Stainsby, Henry, F.C.T.B., Secretary--General, National Institute for the

Blind. Hon. Secretary, International Conference on the Blind, 1914.

Hon. Registrar, College of Teachers of the Blind. Member of Com-
mittee, School for the Blind, Swiss Cottage, Birmingham Royal

Institution for the Blind, Federation Board of Workshops for the

Bhnd, London, etc., etc.
Stallard, Miss Junius, 25, Park Street, Park Lane, W. The National

Bhnd Relief Society.
Stare Y, Mrs. Hepburn, 51, Belsizc Avenue, N.W. Hon. Secretary,

Somers Town Blind Aid Society.
Stead, Mrs. Vere, 42, Torquay Road, Newton Abbot. Organising Secre-
tary, Western Counties Union.
Stevens, C. W., General Manager, Workshops for the Bhnd, Park Street,

Bristol.
Stevens, S. E., Superintendent, School for the Blind, Hardman Street,

Liverpool.
Steward, Henry A., Member Committee, Royal School for the Blind,

Leatherhead.
Stoddart, Thos., vSuperintendent, Royal Glasgow Asylum for the Bhnd,

100, Castle Street, Glasgow.
Stone, W. M., F.E.I. S., Headmaster, Royal Blind Asylum and School,

West Craigmillar, Edinburgh. Member 1914 Conference Committee.

Member Board of Examiners, College of Teachers.
Strangways, A. C. P., 12, Electric Avenue, Westchff-on-Sea. Hon.

Secretary of the Association of the Self-Supporting Blind.
SuTHER BY, George William, Manager and Secretary, Hull Blind Listitution.

Tansey, Mrs., Pontefract and District Bhnd Visitmg Society, Wakeheld.
*Tansey, Rev. Albert, Whitley Bridge, Yorks. Pontefract and District
Blind Visiting Society, Wakefield.

Tate, W. H., J. P., 24, Hanover Square, Bradford, Yorks Member of
the Committee of the Royal Institution for the Bhnd, Bradford.
Member Music Committee, 1914 Conference.
*Taylor, H. M., M.A., F.R.S., J.P., F.C.T.B., Chairman, Technical and
Book Committee, National Institute for the Blind. Founder and
Hon. Secretary, Embossed Scientific Books Fund.

Taylor, Miss Beatrice, 39, Sylvan Road, Upper Norwood, S.E. Hon.
Co-Secretary, Union of Unions. Hon. Secretary and Treasurer,
Sunbeam Mission Branch for the Bhnd. Member of Executive
Committee, Metropolitan Union. Member General Committee,
Midland Union. Member Committee and Chairman, Hospitality
Committee, International Conference, 1914. Member Council of
College of Teachers of the Blind, etc., etc.

Taylor, W. E., Catholic Blind Asylum, Brunswick Road, Liverpool.

International Conference on the Blind

Tennant, John, 19, The Boltons, S.W. Chairman, Indigent Blind
Visiting Society, 8, Red Lion Square, W.C., and National Institution
for Massage by the Blind. 188, Marylebone Road, W.

Thomson, W. F. H., B.A., J.R, Nimthorpe, York. Member of Committee,
Yorkshire School for the Blind, The King's Manor, York.

Thtjrman, W. H., Superintendent and Secretary, The Birmingham Roj^al
Institution for the BUnd, Edgbaston, Birmingham.

TiLNEY, Miss, 8, Ashbern Gardens, South Kensington. The Home
Teaching Society for the Bhnd, 25, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W.

ToovEY, Miss, The Elms, Thame, Oxon. The Buckinghamshire Associa-
tion for the Blind.

TowNSON, James, J. P., Wraydene, Accrington. Hon. Secretary of the
Accrington and District Institution for the Blind and Prevention of
BUndness. Member of the Committee of the North of England
Union.
*TowsE, Captain E. B. B., V.C., Vice-Chairman, National Institute for the
Bhnd. Member Committee, Association for the Welfare of the Blind
London. Member Council, College of Teachers of the Blind.
*Tracy, J. H., Tower House, Beccles. Old Boys' Union of the College for
the Blind, Whittington, Worcester.

TuNNiCLiFFE, J. E., 12, Stanley CJardens, Notting Hill, W. Member
Committee, W^est London Workshops for the BUnd, Notting Hill
Gate, W.
*TuRNER, H., 34, Daverall Street, Londcm, S.E. Treasurer, National
League of the Bhnd, Club LTnion Buildings, Clerkenwell Road, E.G.

Tyer, W. E., 5, Brunswick Gardens. Kensington. W. Hon. Treasurer,
West London Workshops for the Bhnd, Notting Hill Gate, W.

Tyler, Mrs. Albert, Queniborough Lodge, Syston, Leicester. The
Association for Promoting the General Welfare of the Bhnd, Leicester.

Tyler, Albert. Queniborough Lodge, Syston, Leicester. The Association
for Promoting the Welfare of the BUnd, Leicester.

Varty-Smith, Miss Amy, Nandana, Penrith. Hon. Secretary, Home and
Workshops for the BUnd, Lf)nsdale Street, Carlisle. Hon. Secretary,
Penrith BUnd Society, also The Blind Stocking (Juild.

ViCKERS, C. H., No. 7, The Ropewalk, Nottingham. Member of Com-
mittee, Royal Midland Institution for the BUnd, Nottingham.

*Wax)E, W. R., M.A., DubUn. DubUn Secretary, National Institute for

the Blind, London.
Wagg, Henry J., 11, Gloucester Square, London, W. Hon. Secretary,

Barclay Home for BUnd and Partiallj- BUnd Girls, Brighton.

Treasurer, Barclay Workshop for BUnd Women, Edgware Road,

London, W.
Walker, Miss, Head Teacher, Roval Glasgow Asylum for the BUnd,

100, Castle Street, Glasgow.
*Walker, G. Iron, 44, West bury Street, Sunderland. The Durham

County Royal Institute for the BUnd, 23-24, Vilhers Street, Sunder-
land.
Wallis, T. a., Indigent BUnd Visiting Society, 8, Red Lion Square, W.C.
Walmsley, Mrs., Chester Society for the Home Teaching of the BUnd,

53, Northgate Street, Chester.
Walter.s, Mrs. WilUam, Penlan, Swansea. Swansea and South Wales

Institution for the BUnd, Swansea.
Warren, John C, M.A., F.C.T.B., Weekday Cross, Nottingham. Hon.

Secretary, Royal Midland Institution for the Blind, Nottingham.
*Warrilow, Herbert C, F.R.C.O., 10, Staverton Road, Oxford. Member

1914 Conference Committee. Member Committee, Oxford Society for

the BUnd.

List of Delegates

Watkins, Mrs., Ridgmont, High Wycombe. Hon. iSecretary, Mid-Bucks
Division of the Buckinghamshire Association for the Bhnd.

Whitbread, Lady, The Orchard, Ufford, near Woodbridge, Suffolk.
Union of Unions of Societies for the Bhnd in England and Wales.

Whitbread, Miss A., The Orchard, Ufford, Suffolk. Eastern Counties
Union. Hon. Secretary, East Suffolk Bhnd Aid Association.

Whitehouse, Mrs., 3, Parkdale, Wolverhampton. Member Committee,
Midland Counties Union, and Wolverhampton Society for the Blind.
*Whitnall, Miss Martha, 82, Coleman Road, Camberwell, S.E. The Union
of Bhnd Ladies, London. Certificated Teacher, Smith Training
College, Norwood.

WiLLAN, M., Hon. Secretary, Homes for the Blind for Preston and North-

East Lancashire, Fulwood, Preston.
*WiLLiAMS, S. N., Armitage Lodge of the Church Benefit Society, 206, Great
Portland Street, London, W.

Wilson, George, Linton Lodge, Clifton, York. Member of Committee,
Yorkshire School for the Blind, The King's Manor, York.

Wilson, Henry J., F.C.T.B., 12, Cheyne Court, Chelsea, S.W. Secretary
of Gardner's Trust for the Blind. Chairman of the College of Teachers
of the Blind. Chairman of the Union of Unions, the Metropolitan
Union, the Committee of the International Conferences on the Blind,
1905, 1908, 1911 and 1914. the Special Committee to consider the
Bhnd Aid Bill, the Workshops for the Bhnd of London Federation
Board, the Federation of Libraries for the Blind and of the National
Committee for the Employment of the Blind. Member of the Depart-
mental Committee appointed by the President of the Local Govern-
ment Board to consider the present condition of the Blind, etc., etc.

Wilson, Miss Janet, 20, West High Street, Forfar. Missionary and

Superintendent of the Forfarshire Mission to the Blind.
*Wolstenholme, W., Mus. Bac. (Oxon.), 11, Hilgrove Road, Hampstead,
N.W. Old Boys' Union of the College for the Bhnd, Whittington,
Worcester. Member Consultative Music Committee, National
Institute for the Blind. Joint Editor " Braille Musical Magazine."

Wood, Mrs. Frances S., 32, Bank Street, Accrington. Secretary of the
Accrington and District Institution for the Bhnd and Prevention of
Bhndness.

Wood, J. H., Woodville, Ince Avenue, Great Crosby, Lanes. Hon.
Secretary and Treasurer, School for the Blind, Hardman Street,
Liverpool.

WooLLATT, F. A., National Blmd Relief Society, Chelsea. Director, The
Bhnd Tea Agency, Ltd., 5, Fen Court, London, E.C.

WooLLATT, F. Leshe, Director, The Bhnd Tea Agency, Ltd., 5, Fen Court,
London, E.C.

Wright, Miss Edith, Devereux House, Great Malvern. Organising
Secretary, pro tem.. Midland Union, formerly Organismg Secretary,
North of England Lhiion. Founder Wakefield Workshops for the
Bhnd.

International Conference on the Blind

LIST OF MEMBERS.

FOREIGN AND COLONIAL.

Albrecht, Mrs. George, 3, Moltke Strasse, Biunswick, Ctermanj'.

IVIissionary of the American Evangelical Lutheran Mission, Renta-

chintala, India. Organiser and Manager, School for the BUnd among

the Telugusand.
Albrecht, Mss EUsabeth, 3, Moltke Strasse, Brunswick, Germany.
Alden, Mrs. CVnthia Westover, M.Litt., 96, Fifth Avenue, New York

City. Founder of International Sunshine Blind Baby Homes.
AuREP-NoRDix, Mrs. Elizabeth Directrice of the Drouning Sofias Stiff-

terse, Venersborg, Sweden.
Bosch, Dr. Isabelino, Trafalgar Buildings, Charing Cross, S.W.
CoNSTANCON, Mile. IsabeUe, Avenue de France, Lausanne, Switzerland.

Ek, Gustaf, Teacher, Royal Institution for the Blind, Tomteboda, Stock-
holm, Sweden.

ExEL, Mr ('.. M. Plantage Middenlaan, Amsterdam. Director, Institution
for Bhnd Workmen and Asylum for Blind ^\'omen.

HoLMBERG, Miss Gcrtrud, Manageress of Kindergarten School, Roj/al
Institution for the Blind, Tomteboda, Stockholm. Member Com-
mittee of Blind As.sociation's Exhibition, Malmo and Landau, 1914.

Holmes, W. G. Editor of the " Matilda Ziegler Magazine," New York.

JoHANNSON, Miss Ellen, Teacher, Royal Institution for the Blind,

Tomteboda, Stockholm, Sweden.
Jerrord, Miss, cjo Mile, de Tuite.
*JoNKER, M., 28, Glengar}' Road, East Dulwich, S E. Editor of '-Lu.x in
Tenebris," Amsterdam.
Kennedy, Mrs. Lsabel, Secretarj^ Pennsylvania Home Teaching Society
• and Free Circulating Library for the Bhnd, 617, Witherspoon Building,
Philadelphia, U.S.A., and Secretarj^ Blind Rehef Fund, Philadelphia.
LovELL, Miss, Austrian Post Ofifice, Jerusalem.
Le.ms, Mr. A J., 63, Vaidcr Daj-nstraat Rottsrdam.
Maktuscelli, Dominico. President Instituto Principe di Napoli pe!

Giovani ciechi d'ambo i sessi, Naples.
Mendoza, Seilor Jose Perez, Buenos Aj-res.
*Meyer, Jacob C, Harald Haarfagersgt 31, Bergen, Norway.

*Nakamura, Kyotaro, Waji Mura, Hamana Gun, Shizuwoka Ken., Japan
(address in England, cjo Mrs. Yoshimoto, 18, Warnborough Road,
Oxford). Member Japanese Blind Society, former Principal, Blind
School, Formosa.
Nygren, Johan, Teacher, Royal Institution for the Blind, Tomteboda,
Stockhohn, Sweden.

Oer, Andrew Wm., M.D., 71, Wickham Terrace, Brisbane. Member
Queensland Braille Writing Association, Brisbane, Austraha.

RosSANDER, Mrs. Wcndela, Stockholm.

Russell, Miss Jane A., 147, South Huntingdon Avenue, Boston, Mass.,

U.S.A. Graduate Nurse, Superintendent of Boston Nursery for Blind

Babies.

List of Members

Shah, Arun Kumar, 22, Lower Circular Road, Ballygunge, Calcutta.
Headmaster, Calcutta Blind School. Member Association of Teachers
of the Blind, London. Secretary, Blind Aid Society, Calcutta.

Thordeman, Miss Brita, Teacher, Royal Institution for the Blind, Tomte-

boda, Stockliolm, Sweden.
TuiTE, Mile, de, 13, Rue Samonzet, Pau, France.

Wilkinson, Mrs. George, cjo Church Missionary Society, Salisbury Square,
E.C. Princijial, Blind Boys' School, Foo Chow, S. China.

BRITISH.

Absell, Alfred, 206, Great Portland Street, W. Assistant Secretary,

International Conference, 1914.
Adams, Alfred Jolm, PlynUmmon Terrace, Hastings.
Adams, William Albert, Teacher, Royal School for the Blind, Leatherhead,

Surrey.
Allen, Miss Agnes M., Matron, School for the Bhnd, Wavertree, Liverpool.
Allen, Miss Fanny E., The Old Rectory, Scotton, Gainsborough, Lmcs.

Late Manager and Corrector, Miss Hornby's Braille Depot, Liverpool
Amcotts, Mrs. Cracroft, Kettlethorpe HaU, Newark. Member Committee,

Lincolnshire Bhnd Association.
Aemitage Miss, The Manor House, Marylebone Road, W. Member

Executive Council, National Institute for the Blind, Great Portland

Street. W.
Ashley, Miss Ellen, 7, London Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea. Local Hon.

Secretaiy, National Institute for the Blind.
Austin, F., Assistant Secretary, Royal School for the Blind, Leatherhead,

Surrey. Hon. Clerk to the Society for Granting Annuities to the Poor

Adult Blind.

Bailey, Miss Agnes, 6, Bodorgan Road, Bournemouth.

Bainbeigge, Mrs. PhiHp, 12, Kingly Street, Regent Street, London, W.

Bainbrigge, Miss, 11, St. George's Court, Gloucester Road, S.W.

Bainbrigge, Miss L., St. George's Court, Gloucester Road, S.W.

Bakee, Miss Mary E., Lmdens, Marlborough Road, St. Albans. Hon.
District Representative, Metropolitan Union for the Blmd.
*Balls, Miss M. L., Assistant Mistress, L.C.C. Myopic School, Harvist Road,
Hornsey Road, London, N.

Baekee, Miss Bertha H., 12, Shenley Road, Camberwell, S.E. L.C.C.
School for High Myopia, Fountain Road, Tootmg, S.E.

Barker, John Stephenson, Headmaster, East Anghan Schools, Gorleston-
on-Sea.
*Bartlett, Miss A., Powis Street Bhnd Centre, Woolwich.

Bartle, Claude Hambledon, 263, Brixton Road, S.W. Assistant Secre-
tary, Blind Ai'tizans Aid Society.

Beasley, Miss Mary Edith, 41, Amhurst Road, Ealing. Hon. Organising
Secretary, After-Care Association for Bhnd, Deaf, and Crippled
Children, 91, Parliament Chambers, Great Smith Street, Westminster,
S.W.
*Bliss, W., 64, Spenser Road, Heme HiU, S.E. Teacher and Librarian for
the Home Teaching Society for the Bhnd, 25, Victoria Street, West-
minster, S.W.

BoLAM, Mrs. C. E., St. Mary Magdalene's Rectory, Lmcoln. Member
Committee, Lincohishire Bhnd Association,

BooRD, Miss H. E., F.B.E.A., 8, Stanley Gardens, London, W.
*BouvERiE, A., 123, Abbot's Road, Poplar, E. Teacher and Librarian for
the Home Teachuig Society for the Bhnd, 25, Victoria Street, West-
minster, S.W.

C.B. 33 D

International Conference on the Blind

BowN, Mrs., North Eldon Street, Bamsley.
BoYLAND, Miss F., Barlby Road Blind School, W.
*Bbactigam, Miss Florence, 29, Marney Road, Clapham Common, North

Side, S.W. Member of Committee ol Association of Teachers for

Blind and of Union of BUnd Ladies.
Bridgeman, The Hon. Mrs., 13, Mansfield Street, W. Vice-President,

South Devon Home Teaching Society for the Blind.
Brdjces, Miss Ethel A., Belvedere Club, 6, Cambridge Road, Hove.
Beown, Miss Violet M., 23, Reynolds Close, Hampstead Way, London,

N.W. Transc7-iber and Sub-Corrector, Licorporated National Lending

Library for the BUnd, Bayswater. Member Braille Correspondence

Club, Broadstairs.
Browne, Miss M. E. Harris, 12, Alexandra Court, 171, Queen's Gate,

S.W.
Browne, Miss Winifred C. M., 85, Erpingham Road, Putney, S.W.
Bryan, Miss Sara, 13, Highbury New Park, N. L.C.C. Brecknock School

for the Blind, Camden Towai, N.W.
Buchanan, Mrs. Geo., Workshops for the BUnd, New RadcUffe Street,

Oldham.
Bull, Arthur, Bernard's, Cottenham, Cambs.
BuRGOYNE, Alan H., M.P., 25, Linden Gardens, W. Member Committee,

West London Workshops for the Blind, Vestris House, Nottmg Hill

Gate, W.
Burnett, Miss Mary Gordon, 92, London Road, Reading. Member of

Council and Representative of MetropoUtan Union for the Blmd.
Butler, Miss J. E., 529, Upper Holloway Road. L.C.C. Brecknock School

for the BUnd, Camden Town.

♦Campbell, Sir Francis. Late Principal, Royal Normal College for the BUnd,

Upper Norwood, S.E.
Cantlie, James, M.B., Surgeon, 140, Harley Street, London, W.
Carbis, Samuel James, 72, Prince Street, Dalton-in-Fumess.
Carter, A. W., Principal's Clerk, Royal School for the BUnd, Leatherhead,

Surrey.
Cato, Mrs. T. Butler, 8, Stanley Crescent, W. Member Committee, West

London Workshops for the BUnd, Nottmg HiU Gate, W.
Cayley, Miss, Garden House, Cambridge.

CHALLAND.S, IVIiss Jessic E., Fern Villa, Rons Road, Newmarket.
Chippendale, Miss Isabella, 48, Harpur Street, Bedford. Voluntary

BraiUe Copyist for the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel.
Chitty, Miss J. E., 72, Onslow Gardens, London, S.W. Voluntary BraiUe

Writer and Corrector for the National Lending Library for the BUnd.
Coffin, A. C, B.A., Director of Education, Bradford.
Conway, Alderman Michael, 177, Gladstone Street, Bradford. Member

City of Bradford Education Committee.
CooDE, Miss H. G., 45, North Gate, Regent's Park, N.W.
Cooper, A. S., The Bungalow, Caversham, Reading.
Cooper, T. T., 24, Redlands Road, Reading.

Cox, Miss A. B., Head Mistress, Carlton Street Bhnd School, Bradford.
Cunliffe, Lady ElUs, 34, The Grove, Boltons, S.W. Member of the

Committee, West London Workshops for Blind, Nottmg HiU Gate,

S.W.

Dart, Miss E., 28, Aigburth Drive, Liverpool.

Dart, Mrs., 28, Aigburth Drive, LiveriTOol. Hon. Secretarj% Liverpool

Home Teaching Society.
Davidson, W. D., Rubislaw Terrace, Aberdeen. Governor, Aberdeen

Asylum for the Blind.
Davidson, W., Hen.shaw's Blind Asylum, Old Trafford, Manchester.

List of Members

Da VIES, Miss Leonora, 50, College Road, Bangor. Visiting Teacher and

Industrial Superintendent, North Wales Home Teaching Society for

the Blind.
*Delph, Miss Harriet, Teacher, L.C.C. School for the BUnd, Morning Lane,

Hackney, N.E.
Dettmer, W. J., Teacher, Royal School for the Blind, Leatherhead, Surrey.
DixsoN, Mrs. Ruth, 13, Crick Road, Oxford.
DoDD, Miss Edith H., 12, Great Norwood Street, Cheltenham. Copyist

for National Lending Library.
DowDESWELL, Mrs. Annie E., Chalford Hill, Stroud.
*DowDESWELL, Rcv. T. B., Treeton Rectory, Rotherham, Yorks.

Eden, Mrs., 94, Marlborough Mansions, W. Hampstead, N.W.

Edmonds, Mrs. H., Carlton Villa, Brixton Road, S.W. Member Com-
mittee, South London Association for Assistmg the Blind (Iii-
corporated).

Eggington, Denys, The Chase, Redlands Road, Reading.

Ellis, Miss K., Assistant Mistress, Royal Midland Institute for the Blind,
Nottingham.

Ellis, Miss K. M., Head Mistress, School for the Blind, Blenheim Walk,
Leeds.

Emery, Mrs. G. F., Wormley Lodge, Broxbourne, Herts. District
Representative, Metropolitan Union.

Evans, Henry, 16, Manderville Street, Liverpool.

Everett, Mrs. A. E., Head Mistress, L.C.C. Myopic School, Harvist Road,
London, N.

Fairclouoh, R, Schoolmaster, Royal Midland Institution for the BUnd,

Nottingham.
Fellows, Miss Annie, Gipsyside, Wokingham, Berks.
Fellows, Mrs. H. M., 76, Southtown, Great Yarmouth. Hon. Secretary,

Home Teaching Society.
Fennell, Miss Emily E., 33, Westgate, Wakefield. Hon. Secretary,

Wakefield Home Teaching Society for the Bhnd.
Fowler, John, Collector, Royal School for the Lidigent Blind, 1 and 2,

St. George's Circus, S.E.
Frost, Miss Catharine, M.A. (Dub.), 1, Bateman Street, Cambridge.

Member Committee, Cambridge Society for the Bhnd.
Fry, Miss Cora Ellen, C.M.S. Hostel, 65, Highbury Hill. Missionary,

Palamcottah, South India.
Fulton, John, 26, Upper Philhmore Gardens, Kensington, W. Member

Committee, West London Workshops for the BUnd, Vestris House,

Netting Hill Gate, W.

Gadsby, G. H., London Society for Teaching the BUnd, Swiss Cottage.

Gait, Mrs. E. A., The Croft, Park Hill, EaUng, W.

Gardner, G. W., London Society for Teaching the BUnd, Swiss Cottage.
♦Gardner, Rev. J. Lawrence, St. Adrian's Neuk, Gullane, East Lothian.

Gardner, WiUiam John, 3, Nelson Road, SaUsbury, Wilts. Hon. Secre-
tary, Salisbury and District Committee for the BUnd.

Garlick, Miss Frances A., Teacher, L.C.C. School for the BUnd, Morning
Lane, Hackney, N.

Gell, Miss B. Marion, Smedley's Hydro, Matlock.

Gilford, Hastings, 205, King's Road, Reading.
*GiRDW00D, Miss Catherine, Head Teacher, Hants and Isle of Wight School
and Home for the BUnd, St. Mary's Hall, Southsea.

Good body, Mrs. Francis W., 6, Chandos Street, Cavendish Square, London,
W. Member of Committee, Somers Town BUnd Aid Society. Member
of Council of Incorporated Association for Promoting General Welfare
of the BUnd.

85 D 2

International Conference on the Blind

GoRELL, The Lady, 14, Kensington Park Gardens, W.

Gokell-Baenes, The Hon. Aura, 14, Kensington Park Gardens, W.

Member Sunbeam IVIission (BUnd Branch).
Gribben, John Cameron, 16, McKerrel Street, Paisley. Teacher of the

Bhnd.
Griffith, Miss A. E , 11, Oxford Square, Hyde Park, W.
*Griffiths, Rev. David, 29, Highfield Road, Colwjai Bay, N. Wales.

Member Committee, North Wales Home Teaciung Society for the

Blind.
*Grimmett, Mrs., Powis Street Bhnd Centre, Woolwich.
Grimsdale, Harold, F.R.C.S., M.B.Sc. (Cantab.), 3, Harley Place, London,

N.W. Ophthahnic Surgeon to the Royal Normal CoUege for the BUnd,

Upper Norwood, S.E.
Guy, Councillor John A., EUersthorpe, EccleshiU, Bradford. Member City

of Bradford Education Committee.
*GuYOT, Mrs., The Abbey, Evesham. Member Technical and Book

Committee, National Institute for the Blind, London.
GuYOT, Rev. C, B.A., The Abbey, Evesham.

Hale, Thomas, 116, Marsh Street, Barrow-in-Funiess. Home Teacher of

the Bhnd.
*Haller, George Dennis, F.R.C.O., 47, Tunnard Street, Boston, Lines.
Hamilton, Miss Henrietta J., 1, Earlstoke Villas, Lansdowne Road, South

Lambeth. Member Sunbeam Mission (Bhnd Branch).
Hammick, Sir St. Vincent A., Treneer, Torquay. Hon. Secretary, Torquay

and South Devon Home Teaching Society for the Blind.
Hanbtjry, W. G. Libertas, Cross Road, Brighton.
Hannant, Miss L. H., dc, Havelock Road, Brighton.
Hardy, Mrs. Harold, 50, Great Cumberland Place, W. Member Auxihary

Union, National Institute for the BUnd, London.
Harison, Mrs. Janet, Park House, Kew. Joint-Editor " Santa Lucia."
Harrison, Jolm WilUam, 48, Upper Brook Street, Manchester, Manu-
facturer Harrison's Patent Knitting Machines.
Hawes, Mr. J., London Society for Teaching the Blind, Swiss Cottage,

N.W.
Hawkins, Miss C. A., Shop Manageress, Royal Institution for the Blind,

Bradford.
*Heberden, Miss A. B., Ehnfield House, Exeter.
Heberden, Miss E. B., Ehnfield House, Exeter.
Hill, Mrs. de Vere, Balmoral Lodge, Effra Road, London, S.W.
Hill, E. de Vere, Balmoral Lodge, Effra Road, S.W. Director, Blind

Artizans Society. Hon. Organising Secretary, South London Institute

for the BUnd. Director, Home of Rest and Care for Female BUnd.
Hiscott, Miss A. M., Head Mistress, Royal Midland Institution for the

BUnd, Nottingham.
HoDGKiN, Miss Ehz. Howard, Park House, Kew. Joint-Editor " Santa

Lucia."
Hogg, Miss Violet, 32, Bisham Gardens, Highgate, N.
HoLBERTON, ]\Iiss E. M. P., The Nook, Sevenoaks, Kent.
HoLDEN, Miss L., 28, Chesham Street, Bradford. Assistant Teacher,

School for the BUnd, Bradford.
HoLEHOUSE, Rev. Thos., 38, Cairnie Street, Arbroath, Forfarshire.

Formerly Teacher, Henshaw's BUnd Asylum, Manchester,
Holmes, Miss M., 32, York Road, West Norwood, S.E. Head Mistress,

L.C.C. School for the BUnd, Boundary Lane, CamberweU, S.E.
Hood, Miss I., 21, St. Peter's Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea. Hon. Secretary

and Founder, The Convalescent and HoUday Home for the Blind,

St. Leonards-on-Sea.

List of Members

Illingworth, J. Stewart, Henshaw's Blind Asylum, Old, Trafford, Man-
chester.

Illingworth, Mrs. H. J., Henshaw's Blind Asylum, Old Trafford,
Manchester.

Ingram, Miss Maud, The Priory, Wimbledon Common, S.W. Secretary,
After-Care Association for BUnd, Deaf, and Crippled Children, 91,
ParUament Chambers, Great Smith Street, Westminster, S.W.

Jacob, Miss Francoise Louise, 31, Pahneira Mansions, Hove, Sussex.

James, Mrs. Isabella, 15, Swallowfield Road, Charlton, Kent.

Jenkins, Mrs. Elise, Talaton Rectory, Ottery St. Mary, Devon. Member

Committee, West of England Institution for the Bhnd, Exeter.
* Johns, Miss E. A., 211, Eversleigh Road, Lavender Hill, S.W.
Jones, J., 18, Harvey Street, Newtown-, Carhsle. Teacher for the Carhsle

Home Teaching Society.
Joseph, S. M., 250, Elgin Avenue, Maida Vale, W.

Kent, Miss L., Hon. Secretary, Blind Knitters' Lidustry, After-Care
Association for Blind, Deaf, and Crippled Children, 91, Parliament
Chambers, Great Smith Street, Westmmster, S.W.

Kino-Chtjrch, Miss M. Evelyn, Chve Lodge, Albury, Guildford.

KoNiG, Mrs. F. A., Tyringham, Newport Pagnell, Bucks. Hon. Libraria.n,
Orne Braille Library for the Use of the Blind in Bucks.

Law, Mrs. Duncan G., Hawkesworth Hall, Guiseley, near Leeds. Member

Committee, Royal Institution for the Bhnd, Bradford.
Law, Miss Margaret C. D., Hawkesworth Hall, Guiseley, near Leeds.

Member of City of Bradford Education Committee.
Lempriere, Wilham, Christ's Hospital, 60, Aldersgate Street, E.C.

Deputy Clerk to Christ's Hospital and Hetherington's Charity, and

Member Executive Council, Metropohtan Union.
Levick, Miss Emily, The Inglenook, Wadhurst, Sussex. Management

Committee, Shilhngton Blind School, Battersea.
Limb, Miss M., Typewriting Teacher, Royal Midland Institution for the

Blind, Nottingham.
Lindsay, Miss Jean Gait, II, Fenton Street, Alloa.
Lindsay, Miss NelUe Cunningham, Rosebank, Whins Road, Alloa.
Llewellyn, Miss B., Gilfach Goch, Glam.
♦Llewellyn, Rev. George, Gilfach Goch, Glam.
Lloyd, Mrs. W. M., Lensfield, Woodridings Avenue, Hatch End, M'sex.
LoDWiCK, William, 16, Briar Street, Kirkland, Liverpool.

Marland, Miss Florence Edith, Head Mistress, School for the Blind,
Oldham.

Makshall, Rev. G. K. S., 13, Lambeth Hill, London, E.C. Rector,
St. Nicholas Cole Abbey.

Martin, Mrs. T. H., London Society for Teaching the Bhnd, Swiss Cottage.

Matta, Miss V. M., Knitting Manageress, Royal Institution for the Bhnd,
Bradford, Yorks.

Matthews, Miss S. A. B., 48, Sisters Avenue, Clapham Common, S.W.
Head Mistress, L.C.C. School for the Bhnd, Shilhngton Street, Batter-
sea.
*McCartey, T., 76, Roding Road, Clapton, N.E. Teacher and Librarian
for the Home Teaching Society, 25, Victoria Street, Westminster, S.W.

McCoMAS, Rev. Chas. E. A., M.A., LL.B., Queen Anne's Mansions, West-
minster. Member Committee, Home Teacliing Society, London.

McMuRTRiE, Miss Agnes Katharine, 26, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh.

McMurtrie, Miss J. M. Dorothea, 26, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh.
*Miller, Peter, 55, Walton Street, Anlaby Road, Hull, Yorks. Hon.
Secretary, St. Andrew's Brotherhood and Home Mission for the Bhnd.

International Conference on the Blind

MoLiNE, Miss Mary Izabel, The Rectory, Cottenham, Cambridge, Writer
for the C.M.S. Braille Magazine.

Morris, Miss Margaret, Assistant Teacher, School for the Blind, Wavertree,
Liverpool.

MoRRLSH, John, 46, Carson Road, Dulwich.

Moss, Miss F. M., St. Modwen's. Sefton Park, Liverpool. Member Com-
mittee, Workshops for the Blind and Home Teaching Society, Com-
■wallis Street, Liverpool.

Murray, ^Vliss Margaret Hesketh, 21, Penrith Avenue, Giffnock, Glasgow.
Teacher of the Bhnd to the Glasgow School Board.
*Nash, Rev. P. L. C, The Rectory, Usk, Monmouthshire.

Nicholson, Miss A. O. B., 7, Duddingston Avenue, Liverpool. Lady
Superintendent, Liverpool Home Teaching Society for the BUnd.

Nicholson, Miss Elizabeth, Carleton House, Chfton, near Penrith, Cumber-
land. Member Committee, Penrith Braille Readers' Association.

NoRRis, Miss K., L.C.C. Blind School, Boundary Lane, Camberwell, E.G.

Offord, .Joseph, 53, Hilldrop Road, Camden Road, N.W.

Oke, Mrs. H. G., Ashcroft, All Saints' Avenue, Margate.

Parker, Miss, 25, Victoria Street, Bamsley. Member of Bamsley Associa-
tion for Visiting and Teaching the BUnd.

Pearson, Miss A., London Society for Teaching the BUnd, Swiss Cottage.

Percy, Lady Algernon, Guy's CUffe, Warwick.

Phillimore, William, 66, Earlsfield Road, W^andsworth, S.W.
*Platt, Harry Edwin, Beechfield, Wood End Road, Erdington, Birming-
ham. Head Music Master, Royal Listitution for the BUnd,
Birmingham. Editor " Braille Musical Magazine."

PococK, Mrs., The Glen, Duppas Hill, Croydon. Superintendent, Croj^don
Blind Teaching and ReacUng Society.

Potter, Miss G. B., Kensington Infirmary, Marloes Road, London, W.

PuGH, Mrs. A. C, 31, Palmcira Mansions, Hove, Sussex.

Pdgh, Miss Alma Langrish, 31, Pabueira Mansions, Hove, Sussex.

Purnell, Miss A. K., Royal School for the BUnd, Leatherhead, Surrey.

Ridley, Miss E. M., London Society for Teaching the Blind, Swiss Cottage,
London.
*RiDONT, T., 35, Kellet Road, Brixton, S.W. Teacher and Librarian for
the Home Teaching Society for the Blind, 25, Victoria Street, West-
minster, S.W.

Ritchie, Mrs. J. M., 79, Humphrey Street, Old Trafford, Manchester.

Ritchie, J. M., Schoolmaster, Henshaw's Blind Asjlum, Old Trafford,
Manchester. Secretary, Association of Teachers of the Blind.
*Roberts, Miss A. E., Principal, Lake Tower School for the BUnd and Blind
Deaf, Rhyl, North Wales.

Robinson, Miss E. M., 69, Station Road, Sandiacre, near Nottingham.
*R0BINS0N, Miss Frances Maria, The Sycamores, Pwllycrochan Avenue,
Colwyn Baj-, North Wales. Member, National Institution for Massage
by the BUnd. Member, Incorporated Society of Trained Masseuses.

Roebuck, Miss May, Henshaw's Blind Asylum, Old Trafford, Manchester.

Rogers, C. W., Tentry Heys, Queen's Park, Chester. Hon. Secretary,
Chester Society for the Home Teaching of the BUnd.

Rothwell, Miss M., 12, StockweU Park Walk, Brixton. Head Mistress,
Ehn Court BUnd School. Member L.C.C. After-Care Committee, and
of BUnd Women's Industries Committee.

RuNGE, George, 17, Fentiman Road, Clapham Road, S.W. Member
Committee, South London Association for Assisting the BUnd (In-
corporated).

Russell, Miss H. C, Clifton Lodge, Elder Road, West Norwood, S.E.
BraiUe Writer.

List of Members

Rttssell, S. M., Dial House, Colin Deep Lane, Henclon, N.W. Formerly
Hon. Treasurer to the late Hill Murray's Mission to the Chinese Blind,
Peking, China.
*RyAN, J., 22, Arlington Square, New North Road, N. Teacher and
Librarian for the Hojue Teaching Society for the Blind, 25, Victoria
Street, Westminster, S.W.

Sanders, Mrs. E. J., Lexden Park, Colchester. Hon. Secretary, Home

Teaching Society for the BUnd in Colchester and Neighbourhood.
Sargeant, F. a.. College Road, Reading.
ScHLUND, Miss Lottie, 34a, Sydenham Hill, S.E. Member, British

Esperanto Association.
*Shabpe, W., 48, Ockendon Road, Essex Road, IsUngton, N. Teacher and

Librarian, Home Teaching Society for the Bhnd, 25, Victoria Street,

Westminster, S.W.
Smith, Miss Emma, Holmwood, Weston-super-Mare. Member Com-
mittee, Western Counties Union. Hon. Local Secretary, National

Institute for the Blind, Great Portland Street, London.
Smith, Miss Ethel H., 6, Cleveland Mansions, Elgin Avenue, W.

Incorporated Society of Masseuses.
Smith, Miss N., Boundary Lane, Blind School, Camberwell, S.E.
Smith, Miss M. D., Cashier, West London Workshops for the Blind,

Notting Hill Gate, W.
Smith, Mrs. Henry, West London Workshops for the BUnd, Vestris House,

Notting Hill Gate, W.
Smith, Henry, Manager, West London Workshops for the Blind. Vestris

House. Nottmg Hill Gate, W.
*SouTER, Harry C, A.R.C.O., Music Master, West of England Blind

Institution. St. David's Hill, Exeter.
*Spanner, H. Victor, Mus.Bac, F.R.C.O., L.R.A.M., 48, Oriel Road, North

End, Portsmouth.
Stacpole, Mrs. E. M., 30, Deauville Mansions, Clapham Park, S.W.

Member of Committee, South London Association for Assisting the

Bhnd (Incorporated).
Stacpole, Wilham 30. Deauville Mansions, Clapham Park, S.W. Member

Committee, South London Association for Assisting the BUnd

(Incorporated).
"^Stacy, Miss Maud, Woodthorpe, Buckhurst Hill, Essex.
Stacy, Miss NeUie. Woodthorpe, Buckhurst Hill, Essex.
Stainsby, Mrs., 45, West Heath Drive, Golders Green, N.W.
Stainsby, F. Ingle, Assistant Secretary, National Institute for the Bhnd,

206, Great Portland Street, W.
*Stericker, a. C, 19, Beaconsfield Place, Aberdeen.
Stevens, Mrs. S. E., Matron, School for the BUnd, Hardman Street,

Liverpool.
SuTCLiFFE, Miss A. E., Matron, The Convalescent and Holiday Home fof

the BUnd. St. Leonard's-on-Sea.
SwiB'T, Mr., Teacher and Librarian for Surrey, Home Teaching Society,

25, Victoria Street, S.W.
SwiNNEKTON, Mrs. J., Llaudcvaud Vicarage, Newport, Mon. Member

Committee, Newport and Monmouthshire Blind Aid Society.
SwiNNERTON, Rev. J., Llaudevaud Vicarage, Newport, Mon. Hon.

Treasurer, Newport and Monmouthshire BUnd Aid Society. Hon.

Treasurer and Secretary, Llandevaud Country Home Change for the

BUnd.
Symes, G., London Society for Teaching the Blind, Swiss Cottage.

Tasker, Miss Clara, Teacher, Royal School for the BUnd, Leatherhead,
Surrey.

International Conference on the Blind

Taylor, Miss Emily Jane, " The Yews." Cambridge.

Taylor Mrs. H. Coupland, The Ingle Nook, Wadhurst, Sussex. Manage-
ment Committee. Shilhngton Street Blind School, Battersea.

Templeton, Miss Edith M., The White Cottage, Newport, Essex. Secre-
tary to Incorporated Society of Trained Masseuses.

Thomas, IMiss Lihan L. M., SpeedeweU, Parkstone Road, Poole. Member
Committee, Bournemouth and District Bhnd Aid Society.

Thomas, Mrs. Oldfield 15, St. Petersburg Place, Bayswater HiU, London,
W. Member of Committee, National Lending Library for the Blind.
*Thompson, AKred John, F.R.C.O., L.R.A.M., 5, Park Terrace Pontj^pool,
Mon.

ToMKissoN, Mrs., 118, Church Road, LTpper Norwood.

Toms, Rev. Alfred A., M.A., LL.B. (Cantab.), The Vicarage, FHxton,
Bungay.

TowNSEND, Miss Isaljella, 5, Hartington Road, Brighton.

TtJBB, Miss Sarah Kate, Elvetham. Shepperton.

Tyer, Mrs. W. E., 5, Brunswick Gardens, Kensington, W. Member of
Committee of West London Workshops for BUnd, Netting Hill Gate,
W.

Udall, Miss Ellen, Oakdale, Southborough, Kent.

Vanse, Miss E., Sunning Lodge. Bartholomew Road, N.W.
Verschoyle, Mrs,, 3, Hillslcigh Road, Campden Hill, W.

Wade, Mrs. C. S. Rochfort. Belcamp Hutchinson, Raheny, Co. Dublin.
Walden, Herbert George, Assistant Master, Royal School for the BUnd,

Leatherhead, Surrey.
Waldrox, The Rev. A. J., St. Matthew's Vicarage, Brixton, S.W. Chair-
man, Blind Artizans Aid Society.
Walford, Hugh E., Pattingham, Reading. Hon. Secretary and Treasurer,

Reading Blind Aid Society.
Walker, George Irons, 44, Westbury Street, Sunderland. Member

Committee, Roj^al County Institute for the Bhnd, Sunderland. Head

Teacher, Council Day School for the Bhnd.
Warrilow, Mrs. H. C, 10, Stave rton Road, Oxford.
Watney, Miss Katherine, Valence, Westerham, Kent. Late Principal,

Church of England Zenana Mission School for Blind Girls, Too Chow,

China.
Watson, Mrs. Francis, Beulah, Thackley, Bradford. Member City of

Bradford Education Committee.
Watson, Mr. John Wilham, 84, Hollingreave Road, Burnley, Lanes.
Wayne, Alfred, Birkdale House, Oakfield Road, Selly Park, Birmingham.
Weinberg. Miss Gertrude A., Fembrae, Dundee. Hon. Secretary in

Dundee. Licorporated National Lendmg Library for the Bhnd,

Bayswater.
Weller, John, 15, Stopford Road, Upton Manor, E. Hon. Secretary and

Superintendent, St. Jude's Society for the Manual Training of the Blind,

West Ham.
West, Edward, The Glen, Winscombe, near Weston-super-Mare.
West, Mrs. Edward, The Glen, Winscombe, near Weston-super-Mare.
*White, William, 18, Whamchffe Gardens, Grove Road, N.W. Teacher

and Librarian for the Home Teaching Society for the Blind, 25, Victoria

Street, Westminster, S.W.
Whitehouse, Miss E., Boundary Lane Blind School, Camberwell, S.E.
Whitelaw, Miss, 30, Montagu Square, W.
*Whttworth, Miss, 35, Portland Street, Southport.
Wilkinson, Frederick, Director of Education, Education Offices, Nelson

Square, Bolton.
Williams, Miss Minnie, Thornfield, Plymouth Grove, Manchester.

List of Members

Williamson, Miss Annie F., 5, Shalston Villas, Surbiton.
*WrLMOT, Arthur, Principal, Beethoven House College of Music, 24,

Dingwall Road, Croydon, Surrey.
Wilson, Mrs. Henry J., 12, Cheyne Court, Chelsea, S.W. Representative,

Metropolitan Union for the Blind.
WiNDLE Mrs. R. J., 18, Harvard Mansions, St. John's Hill, S.W. Head

Mistress, Powis Street L.C.C. School for the Blind, Woolwich.
Weight, Miss D. A., Teacher, Royal School for the Blind, Leatherhead,

Surrey.
*Wyllie, John, 42, Mount Park Road, Ealing, W.
Wyllie, Mrs. J., 42, Mount Park Road, Ealing, W.

YosHiMOTO, Mrs. T., 18, Warnborough Road, Oxford.

International Conference on the Blind

EXHIBITION OF THE ARTS AND
INDUSTRIES OF THE BLIND.

The Exhibition was on an unprecedented scale, and never
before has such a large and varied assortment of articles
connected with blindness been brought together in one place.
The exhibits filled the large upper hall of the Church House
and overflowed into the galleries and the ground floor rooms.
One room was entirely given up to the interesting myope
exhibit of the London County Council, and at the last minute
a large part of the refreshment room had to be screened
off to accommodate the exhibit brought over by Miss
Winifred Holt on behalf of the Ncav York Association for
the Blind, Another room was occupied by the National
Institute for Massage by the Blind for demonstration
purposes, while the interesting collection of historical
exhibits was grouped on the platform in the large hall.
The Aerated Bread Company occupied the refreshment
room, an arrangement that was much appreciated.

The Exhil)ition Hall was tastefully decorated, and all the
necessary fitting was satisfactorily carried out by Messrs.
Bridges, of King's Lynn. A full catalogue of the exhibits,
with plans, was on sale, but of this we can only include a
suinmary. Photographs of the Exhibition were taken by
Messrs, Walsham's, Doughty Street, W.C, from whom
copies can be obtained.

CLASSIFICATION.

Working Exhibits.

Class A. — Goods made by the Bhnd.

Class B. — Machines, Apparatus, Books, etc., used by or for the Blind.

Class C. — Historical Section.

Foreign and Colonial Exhibits.

WORKING EXHIBITS.

Birmingham Royal Listitution , Telephony.

Bradford Royal Institution . . Knitting and silk shawl making.

Buckingham Association . . Spinning.

Dictaphone Co. . . , ,

Edinburgh Royal BUnd Asylum , Mattress making.

Few, Rev. C. E., Blackheath . . White or yellow writing on black,

Glasgow Royal Asylum . . . Carpentering and cabinet making.

Exhibition, Summary of Exhibits

Greenwich : Workshop for the Blind Ship's fend-oii making.

of Kent.

Harrison Knitting Machine Co., Ltd. Knitting.

Liverpool : Hardman Street School . Boot and shoe repairing.

Leatherhead : Royal School for the Mat making, brush drawing, and

Blind, and the Blind Employment sash-cord making.
Factory, London.
London :

Barclay Workshops . . Weaving.

Blind Employment Factory . (See Leatherhead.)

Association for Promoting the Heavy basket making.

Welfare of the Blind.

Society for Teaching the BUnd, Cane and rush seating.

Swiss Cottage.

National Institution for Massage Massage.

by the Bhnd.

Royal Normal College, Norwood Typewriting, piano repairing.

London Association for the Light basket making.
BUnd and East London Work-
shops.

Manchester : Henshaw's Asylum. . Lancashire mill cane, skip and other

basket making.

Nottingham Royal Midland Listitu- Typewriting correspondence room ;

tion. Lord and Lady Algernon Percy's

Morse code for the blind-deaf.

Webber,* Captain Peirson . . Poultry farming.

CLASS A.— GOODS MADE BY THE BLIND.

Groups of exhibits were sent in by the following. Goods made by the
scattered blind were collected by the Unions, and the names of the
individuals are given in the official catalogue of the Exhibition.

Accrington and District Institution for the Bhnd.
Berkshire County Society.
Birmingham Royal Institution.
Blackburn and District Workshops.
Bolton : Thomasson Memorial School.
Bournemouth and District Blind Aid Society.
Bradford : Carlton Street School.

Royal Institution.
Brighton : Barclay Home and School.
Bristol : Royal Asylum and Workshops.
Buckinghamshire Association for the BUnd.
Cheltenham Home Teaching Society.
Chester Home Teaching Society.
Colchester Home Teaching Society.
DarUngton BUnd Welfare Society.
Derbyshire Association for the Care of the Blind.
East London Home and School.
Eastern Counties Union.
Exeter : West of England Institution.
Ireland — Belfast : Cliftonville Home.

Workshops.
Cork : St. Raphael's Home, Montenotte.
DubUn : National Institute (Irish Branch).

National Institution and Molyneux Asylum.

Richmond National Institution.!

St. Mary's Home, Merrion.

International Conference on the Blind

Leatherhead : Royal School for the Blind.
Lincolnshire BUnd Association.
Liverpool : Catholic Asylum.

Hardman Street School.
London : After-care Association.

Association for Promoting Welfare of the BUiid.
Barclay Workshop.
" Eyes to the BUnd."
Home Teaching Society.
London Associatio^.

London Society for Teaching the Blind, Swiss Cottage.
■ National Institute.
National Institution for Massage by the Bhnd.
Royal Normal College for the BUnd, Upper Norwood.
Stepney, Miss Armitage's BUnd Class.
Workshop for the Blind of Kent, Greenwich.
L. C. C. Junior Day Schools : Brecknock BUnd School.

Barlby Road, North Kensington.
Boundary Lane, Camberwell.
Morning Lane, Hackney.
ShiUington Street, Battersea,
Powis Street, Woolwich.
L. C. C. Myope Classes : Boundary Lane, Camberwell.
Fountain Road, Tooting.
Harvist Road, Holloway.
Manchester : Henshaw's BUnd Asylum.
Manchester and Salford BUnd Aid Society.
MetropoUtan and Adjacent Counties Union.
" Moon " Society.
North of England Union.
North Wales Home Teaching Society.
North West Union.

Northern Counties Society, North Shields.
Nottingham : Royal Midland Institution.
Oxford Society for the Bhnd.
Peterborough Blind Society.

Scotland : Aberdeen Town and County Association.
Dumfries and Galloway Mission.
Dundee and Lochee Mission.
Edinburgh and South-East of Scotland Society.
Fife and Kinross Society.
Forfarshire Mission.
Glasgow and West of Scotland Mission.
Glasgow and West of Scotland Mission, Ladies' Auxiliary.
StirUng Clackmannan Society.
Sheffield Institution for the BUnd.
Staffordshire, per Miss E. Wright.
6tratford-on-Avon Weaving School, Shottery.
Swansea and South Wales Institution.
Warwickshire BUnd Association.
Western Counties LTnion.
Whitby Workshop for the Blind.
Worcester College for the BUnd,
Worcestershire, fer Miss E. Wright.
Worthing Society for Befriending the Blind.
Yorkshire School for the Blind, York.

Exhibition, Summary of Exhibits

Foreign and Colonial Exhibits.

Australia . Sydney Industrial Blind Institution.

Egypt . . Alexandria Blind Industrial School.

France . . Institut Regional Profession elle d' Aveugles d' Angers.

Orphelinat pour les Aveugles de Deols, Chateauroux.

Les Asiles John Bost, Laforce, Dordogne.

Association Valentin Hauy pour le Bien des Aveugles,
Paris.

L'Institution Nationale des Jeunes Aveugles, Paris.
Germany . Leipzig : Emploj-ment Bureau for the Blind.

Potsdam : Home for Deaf, Dumb, and Blind.
Holland . Amsterdam : Blind School.

Rotterdam : Institution for the Bhnd.
India . . Industrial Home and School for the Blind, Calcutta.

North India Industrial Home for Christian Blind, Rajpur.

C.M.S. Schools for the Blind, Palamcottah, South India.
Italy . . Milan : Institution for the Blind.

Palermo : Institution for the Blind.

Rome : Institution for the Blind, S. Alesso All' Aventino.
Portugal . Estoril : " Branco Rodriguez " Institute for the Blind.

Oporto : Institute for the Blind.
Russia . Kieff Institute.

St. Petersburg : Blessig's Institution.

Alexander Maria School for Blind Children.
Siberia. . Irkutsk School for the Blind.

Spain . . Barcelona : Printinc Works for the Blind.

Sweden . Queen Sophia's Institution for the Blind.

Swedish Blind Association, Stockholm.
Switzerland . Berne : Home for the Blmd.

Lausanne : L'Asile des Aveugles.
Syria . . British Syrian Mission.

U.S.A. . Brookljni Bureau of Charities.

International Sunshhie Society.

New York Association for the Blind.

Ohio Commission for the Bhnd.

CLASS B.— MACHINES, APPARATUS, BOOKS, ETC., USED BY OR FOR
THE BLIND, OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE THREATENED
WITH BLINDNESS.

Northern Counties Bhnd Society (for
Director Kunz, Mulhausen, Ger-
many. )

London Association for the Bhnd

W. R. Wade. Dubhn .

Miss Radford ....

Buckinghamshire Association for the
Bhnd.

Miss Kirkman, Ely

Miss H. E. Cooke and Nurse Harding

Royal Bhnd Asylum and School,
Edinburgh.

Edinburgh and South East Scotland
Society for Teachmg the Blind.

Douglas Johnstone, Aberdeen .

James Farquhar, Stonehaven

Alexander Smith ....

Books, maps, pictures, etc.

Round knitting machine.

Guide for copying Braille.

Plasticine models.

Braille indicators, mvented by Miss

Hughes.
Raised tape measure.
Raised scrap-album.
Collection of books.

Writing machines, past and present.

Braille teaching block.
Safety styles.
Pencil writing board.

International Conference on the Blind

Robert Meldrnm .
Miss Mary Hill, Arbroath
National Institute for the Blind

Ditto (for Mr. J. L, Cantelo) .
National Lending Library for the

Blind (Incorporated).
The Moon Society, Brighton .

Miss C. r. Gordon-Cumming. .

Weekly Summary for the Blind

Miss Laura Strickland .
L.C.C. Myope Classes. .

N. Bishop Harman, M.B., F.R.C.S.

Pencil writing frame.

Moon's alphabet, aluminium.

Braille books, pamphlets, writing
frames and machines, maps, dia-
grams, cards, chess, watches,
arithmetic trays, etc., etc.

Original Braille frames.

Braille Books, etc.

Books, Christmas cards, writing

frames, writing paper, diagrams,

maps, Moon type-embosser, etc.
Books and photographs showing

Hill-Murray system of Braille for

the Blind in China.
Copies of the paper, rehef portraits,

games.
Manuscript music.
Desks, chairs, black exercise books,

types, etc., etc.
Drawings, etc., illustrating eye

affections.

Foreign and Colonial.

Royal Institution for the BUnd, Frames, tools, system of music, etc.

Copenhagen.

L'Institution Nationale des Jeunes Braille systems, maps, globea,

Aveugles, Paris. writing apparatus, etc.

Association Valentin Hauy pour le Writing apparatus, music and read-

Bien des Aveugles, Paris. ing methods, stenography, music,

books, etc., ptc.

Ch. Ducoumau, 11 Rue de Siam, Musicographe.

Paris.

Milan : Institution for the Blind . Writing tablets, etc.
Russia —

KiefE School .... Books, tools.

St. Petersburg : Alexandra Marie Writing apparatus, books, etc.
School for Bhnd.

Spain : Printing Works for the Blind, " Sor " writing apparatus, etc.

Barcelona.

Sweden : Swedish Blind Association Drawing and arithraetrical appara-
tus, books, machines, apparatus
for making rope and rugs.

Switzerland : L'Asile des Aveugles, Books, music, apparatus.
Lausanne.

CLASS C— HISTORICAL SECTION.

Exhibits were kindly lent by the following : —

Armitage, Miss Alice S. .
Campbell, Lady ....

Canterbury, His Grace the Arch-
bishop of.
Dickinson, Sir John
EUis, Messrs. ....

ReUcs of the late Dr. Armitage.
Relics of late Sir Francis Campbell

and Laura Bridgman, etc.
Lambeth MS. No. 931 ; letter by

Sir Samuel Morland, 1692.
Portrait Sir John Fielding.
Portraits John Stanley, Mus. Bac.

Exhibition, Summary of Exhibits

Ellis, Miss E. Constable

Fawcett, Mrs

France : Institution des Jeunes

Aveugles.
Frere, Miss A

Fritte, Robert
Gardner's Trust
Gilbert, Oanon
Gilbert, Miss S.
Goodhart, Mrs.

Gordon -Gumming, Miss C. F.

Hamilton, Hugh R.
Hanfstaengl, I'ranz
Harrogate Public Library
Haworth, John L.
Hirst, Mr. F. W. .
Holland :

Miss M. Heineker .

Institution for Helpless Blind
lUingworth, W. H.
Inner Temple Library .
Italy :

Institution of Milan

Institution of Palermo

Hospital for Blind, Catania
Sicily,
Johnson, Stuart . . . ,

Knaresborough Urban District

Council.
Leatherhead : Royal School .

Lempriere, Wm. ....

Liverpool : Hardman Street School .

London :

Association for General Welfare

of the Blind.
National Institute .
Manchester : Henshaw's Asylum

MetcaU, J

Metcalf, E. S

Merivale, Miss J. .

Moon, Miss

Murray, Dr. David
Northern Counties Society

Nottingham : Royal Institution
Rosedale, Dr. ....

Lady's silver watch for blind.
Portraits and rehcs of Professor

Fawcett.
Alphabets, books, photos, etc.

Books, etc., illustrating Frere's
system of writing and reading.

Printing machine.

Books, pictures, apparatus, etc.

Letter by Eliz. Gilbert.

Rehcs Eliz. Gilbert.

"Primer for the Use of the Blind,"
Southwark, 1880.

String alphabet and newspapers,
1833.

Books by Colonel J. P. Hamilton.

Pictures with bhnd subjects.

Books and photos of John Metcalf

Photo of premises in Accrington.

Portrait of Alfred Hirst.

Maps, books and pictures.

Photos.

" Life of John Metcalf," 1812.

Portrait John Stanley.

Books and verses.

Women's work, compositions, etc.

Photos, pamphlets.

Relics Viscount Cranboume, por-
traits, letters, shield for police,
and the Harris collection of books,
pictures, etc.

John Metcalf 's walkuig stick.

Portraits, photos, writing apparatus,

pentagonal type, etc.
Portraits and engravings relating to

Christ's Hospital.
Portraits and documents relating to

the school from 1194: to date.

Portrait and photos.

Collection of types and frames.

Old typewriters, arithmetic board,

etc.
Portrait John MetcaK.
John MetcaH's viohn, 1746,
Frere's type and books from it.
Rehcs of late Dr. Moon, books, tools

for embossing, etc., etc.
Blacklock's poems, 1746.
Busts of Braille and Hauy, and Mell's

" Encyclopaedia of BUiidness,"
Portrait and engravings.
Pictui'es of bhnd subjects.

International Conference on the Blind

Russia :

Kieff School ....

Alexandra Marie School .

Sabin, Frank T

Scotland :

Royal Asylum, Edinburgh

Royal Asylum, Glasgow .

University of Glasgow

Stirling, etc., Home Teaching
Society.
Sherbrooke, Viscountess.
Shipley, Dr. A. E., F.R.S.
Sweden : Swedish BUnd Association

Switzerland : Asile des Aveugles,

Lausanne.
Trinity College, Cambridge. .
United States :

New York Natural History

Museum.
New York : International Sun-
shuie Society.

Wade, Wni. R

Wagg, Henry J. .

Westminster City Council

Wilson, Henry J. .

Wright, Miss E

Yorkshire School for the BUnd

Photos, maps, post-cards, etc.
Books, magazines, pamphlets, etc.
Portraits.

Portraits, etc.. Dr. Johnson.
Alston books, types, etc.
Jamiesons works.
" Warren Hastings " in embossed

English type, 1841.
Photo of late Viscount.
Milton rehcs.
Apparatus for writing, and making

rope and rugs, etc.
Writing machines, books, music,

magazines.
Facsimile Milton MSS.

Photo and text relating to work for

the bhnd in the museum.
Photos.

Portraits of celebrated blind men.
Engraving and Encyclopcedia Lon-

donienii^ 1810.
Portrait Sir John Fielding.
Bas relief Helen Keller.
Embossed tvpc, etc., by Sir Chas.

Lowther, 1812.
Jubibe addressses. lace, and auto-

grajjh Laura Bridgman.

Organ Recitals, the Optophone, Etc.
ORGAN RECITALS.

During the week tlie following organ recitals were given at
St. Stephen's, Walbrook, E.G., and St. Margaret's, Westminster,
by courtesy of the rectors and organists of these churches : — ■
June 1 8th, St. Stephen's, Walbrook, Mr. H. C. Warrilow,*

F.R.C.O., of St. Barnabas, Oxford.
June 19th. — ^St. Stephen's, Walbrook, Mr. A. C. Sterricker,-^^ of

the South U.F. Church, Aberdeen.
June 20th. — -St. Margaret's, Westminster, Mr. James Crowley,*

F.R.C.O., of St. James', Wood Green.
June 22nd.^St. Stephen's, Walbrook, Mr. F. W. Priest,*

F.R.C.O., of St. Patrick's, Balsall Heath, Birminohani.
June 23rd. — St. Stephen's Walbrook, M. Albert Mahaut,* of

the Institution Nationale des Jeunes Aveugles, Paris.
June 24th. — St. Stephen's, Walbrook, Mr. E. C. Austin,*

F.R.C.O., of the School for the Blind, Montreal.

THE OPTOPHONE.

Dr. Fournier d'Albc, of the Birmingham University, very
kindly attended on Friday and again on Tuesday in order
to give an exhibition of his apparatus by means of Avhich,
it is claimed, ink-print letters can be distinguished by
sound, thus enabling blind persons to read an ordinary book
or newspaper. The apparatus was recently exhibited
before the Royal Society, when it aroused much interest.

STENOPHILE-BIVORT.

M. Bivort, of 21, Boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, Paris, paid
a flying visit on June 22nd, to demonstrate his new Braille
writing machine. The advantages claimed for the machine
are that it enables a sighted person to write letters in Braille
without having any knowledge of Braille, and also that
great speed can be obtained on it. The Grand Prix was
taken at the Brussels Exhibition for a verbatim report taken
at the rate of 225 words per minute.

c.B. 49

Opening of Conference

Wednesday Evening, June 17th.

A SPECIAL service was held at the Chiireh of St. John the
Evangehst, Smith Square, Westminster, bv kind permission
of the Rector, the Rev. A. O. B. Wilberforce, D.D. The
service was conducted by the Rev. C. E. Bolam,* Rector
of St. ]\Iary Magdalen, Lincoln, and there was a large congre-
gation present. Mr. W. Wolstenholme,* Mus. Bac. (Oxon.),
presided at the organ, and the choir was comjjosed chiefly of
blind singers and choristers trained by blind choirmasters.

Thursday Morning, June 18th.

The proceedings opened at 11.30 a.m. Avith the singing
of the National Anthem by the choir of the Royal Normal
College, after which a short prayer was offered by the
Rev. W. H. Carnegie, M.A., Canon of Westminster Abbey
and Rector of St. Margaret's, Westminster.

Mr. Henry J. Wilson then read the folloAving letter just
received from the Right Hon. John Burns, President of the
Board of Trade : —

" Board ok Trade,

" Whitehall Gardens,

" nth June, 1914.
" Dear Mr. Wilson, —

" International Conference on the Blind.

" You know that at one time I had hoped that I should be able to take
the chair at one of the sessions of your Conference, and I am much
disappointed that other pubhc engagements prevent me doing so. At
the same time I am very anxious, without, of course, pledging myself on
matters of detail or proposed legislation, to let you and your fellow members
of the Conference understand how entirely anything that may tend to
alleviate or ameliorate the condition of the blind of our country has my
complete sympathy. In particular I sincerely trust that the General Order
which I had the privilege of promulgating when President of the Local
Government Board, making Ophthalmia neojiatorum a notifiable disease,
may prove to be a potent factor in reducing in the future the number of
those who hitherto have been subject to blindness in their infancy. I feel
convinced that one of the best ways of combating this disease is to arrest
it as far as possible at the very earHest point at which it is liable to attack
our young children.

" With best wishes for the work of your Conference,

" Yours faithfully,

(Signed) " John Burns."

" H. J. Wilson, Esq., Chairman,

" International Conference on the Blind."

opening of Conference

SIR MELVILL BEACHCROFT.

Ladies and Gentlemen, — The overwhelming sorrow which
has darkened the home of Her Royal Highness Princess
Louise has made it impossible for her to fulfil her engagement
to open this Conference. I feel sure that the sympathy of
the Conference will go out to Her Royal Highness in her
bereavement. England has lost much in the death of the
Duke of Argyll, who, I think we may fairly say, had won
the admiration, the respect and the affection of all classes
in this country. I have only just come from passing through
Westminster Abbey, as I always do when near it, and the
one monument I happened to notice was that of the great
Duke of Argyll, on which I read the remarkal)le inscription
" He was an honest man."

It is in these sad circumstances, ladies and gentlemen,
that I have been asked to act the part of opener of the
proceedings to-day, Avhich is really a comjiliment to one of
the great City livery companies long associated and identified
with the cause of the blind — I mean, of course, the Cloth-
Avorkers' Company, of which it is my great privilege to find
myself Master this year. It is nearly two hundred years
since this great Company, incorporated by Henry VIII., was
first entrusted with endowments for the benefit of the blind.

Since that time, and particularly during the last half of
the past century, members of the court of that company
have contributed to the extent of no less than £100,000
towards the fvmds applicable to the blind, and to-day the
disbursements of the company for the purpose of pensions
for poor blind people amount to no less than close on £8,000
per annum. The company also administers what is called
the Blind Man's Charity, which represents a further £3,500
per annum. These disbursements take place without any
diminution, not a single penny being charged for expenses
of administration. I think the Public Trustee and the
Charity Commissioners may regard with some feeling of
admiration the generosity of the Clothworkers' Company in
this respect. Last year a further sum of £4,000 was ]jlaced
in our hands for a similar purpose, showing the confidence
reposed in the Company, and I hardly think that the Member
of Parliament who a few weeks ago spoke in the House of
Conuiions, and very practically, on the great needs of the
blind, was justified in saying that private charity in this
country had broken down. I do not think it has. A
century ago there were but four institutions for the blind,
and now I do not think I should be wrong if I said there are

51 E 2

Ope

ning of Conference

one hundred and fifty. It is true, however, that of late
years the welfare of the blind has been partly obscured by
the almost feverish activity in tlie great field of social
improvement and social Aveifare, and that the interests of
the blind have been allowed perhaps to slide somewhat.
It is high time that more direct attention was given to the
claims of those who are so deserving of our consideration.

The awakening has undoubtedly been very greatly
quickened by the extraordinary and wonderful energy and
advertising genius of Mr, Pearson in advancing the great
claim of Dr. Armitage's institute for more finids to increase
and cheapen Braille literature. The claim was greatly
advanced by the jx-rsonal interest shown by the King and
Queen at their recent visit to Great Portland Street. The
result has been to stir the public imagination — that is, of
course, a great thing — and this great Conference is intended
to stir the imagination of the public, I hope, still further. It
is a Conference that has been greatly aided by tlie movement
of Mr. Pearson and his institute. The object of the Con-
ference to-day is to bring together from all parts of the world
those interested in the Avelfare of the blind, so that they may
combine in one common effort to try and solve the problems,
or some of them, which affect our less fortimate brothers and
sisters. The chief of these is, I think, how best the capable
blind can be helped to become commercially and profession-
ally employed, and, incidentally, what steps can be taken
to induce the pubHc to employ blind people, and thus
help them to become seif-su})i)orting. What experience
I have tells me that it is not pity the blind want, but help
to become self-supporting. I think these International
Conferences are of the greatest possible use ; they bring the
nations of the Avorid into closer touch, and serve, I think,
to humanise the universe and cement a more general feeling
of brotherhood and good fellow:;hip.

In the course of the ten sessions promised to us we shall
have papers on many subjects of interest, Mr, Wilson, the
Chairman of the Conference Committee, and Secretary of
Gardners noble Trust, will explain the work of the unions
of societies for the blind, which include all the counties
in England and Wales, and enables records to be kept of
all the blind people in the country. Suggestions will be
made for improving the attitude of the public towards the
employment of the blind, Mr, Illing worth, of Manchester,
promises a pap :r on the incompetent blind, A representa-
tive from Paris will gixi.' a paper on Braille and its modifica-
tions, and Lad}'- Campbell, I hope — although I am sure

Ope

nine of Conference

't.

you will all regret to hear that her husband is lying in bed
dangerously ill— will be able to give her paper on the
elementary education of the blind. Then there will be
delegates from Russia, Denmark, Australia, and elsewhere,
to give a description of the work done on behalf of the blind
in their various countries. There will be a paper by
Mr. Percy W. Merrick on Esperanto. Short papers will be
given on piano tuning, massage, scouting and salesmanship,
while on Tuesday we are to have a lecture, I think I gathered,
on the ojitophone, that wonderful new instrument devised
to enable totally blind people to read ordinary books by
means of the ear. I was present at the Royal Society
conversazione the night before last, when it was shoAvn, and
it is truly a most wonderful invention.

Now, my friends, before declaring this Conference open,
I desire on behalf of the Conference Committee to offer a
most hearty welcome to all the delegates and members who
have so generously responded to the invitation to come
here. And especially I offer that welcome to those from
other and distant countries. I express to them the hope
that they may receive every hospitality here, and I think
this will be so, for I know that Miss Beatrice Taylor has
been devoting herself wholc-licartedly to their service. I
hope during the intervals of the sessions they may find an
opportunity of making better acquaintance with the capital
of the Empire, which I think they will find has grown in
beauty and attractiveness to such an extent as to make
them value still more the inestimable blessing of sight. We
have decided to follow the practice adopted at the Hague
to arrange the countries alphabetically, and to call upon the
representatives in that order. There are twenty-seven
countries represented, and I hope that in my list I shall not
have omitted any of them. If I have, I trust you will
forgive me. As the meeting finishes at a quarter to one I
shall ask them to confine their remarks to two or three
minutes. The list is as follows : —

Argentine, Australia (New South Wales and Queensland),
Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, ■ Canada, China, Colombia,
Denmark, the Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala,
Hungary, India (and when we speak of 34,000 blind people
in England and Wales, how small is this number compared
with the vast numbers of blind persons in India), Italy,
Japan, Mexico, Montenegro, Norway, Peru, Portugal,
Russia, Spain, Sweden, Uruguay, United States of America
(among the representatives being Miss Winifred Holt), and
Venezuela.

ening of Conference

Now, ladies and gentlemen, I hope the representatives
from these various countries will be able to assist us in
considering the various problems before us.

All I have now to do is to declare this great fourth Inter-
national Conference open, and I trust that it may solve
some of those problems I have referred to.

I will give the representatives of the ^'arious countries an
opportunity of saying a word.

SIR ROBERT LUCAS LUCAS-TOOTH (Australia)

said it was a great pleasure to see so many people gathered together who
were interested in the welfare of the blind. He was one of the first to take
part in relieving the condition of the blind in Sydirey, and it was in tliis
way : the father of a great friend of his had a blind mother, and while on
ship-board going out to Australia, she was nearly drowned by a heavy sea
coming over the vessel. Her son conceived the idea of forming an Institu-
tion in which the Blind could support themselves, and before his death he
left a large sum of money for the purpose. Sir Robert was one of the
trustees, and executor of the will. It is now about thirty year's since the
founding of the Sydney Blind Institution, and it has grown steadily in
strength, and well fulfilled the intentions of the testator. Sir Robert then
referred to the circular racing track invented by Mr. Hcdger, a model of
which could be seen in the Exliibition. In conclusion, he said how much
he appreciated the welcome given to him and the oth(>r delegates that day,
and he would be pleased to tell them in Austraha of the large and important
gathering then assembled.

MR. PHILIP E. LAYTON* (Montreal).

On behaK of the Montreal Association for the Blind, Mr. Layton thanked
the Conference for the welcome tendered to thenr that moniing. He went
on to say that it was with the deepest regret that he heard of the illness of
Sir Francis Cami^bell, from whom he had learnt much, and the thought of
whose energy had often stimulated him to fresh efforts. He congratulated
the blind and the workers for the blind in Great Britain on the progress
made during the last few years, but impressed upon the bhnd that they must
do something for themselves, and not wait for their sighted friends to do
everything for them. Harmony and co-operation were necessary in the
work. He then spoke of the world-wide effects of Mr. Pearson's campaign,
and said that only the other day he had received a donation of £10 10*'. from
a lady in Paris as the duect result of Mr. Pearson's work. No doubt
Mr. Pearson would have liked it himself (laughter), but he hoped to get a
good many more subscriptions as the result of that gentleman's eflorts.
He contmued : "I wiU tell you a httle story. There was an old Jew in
Montreal, and when he woke up one morning he found that another Jew
had started in the same kind of business on the opposite side of the street.
This worried him very much. One night he dreamed that an angel came
and said, ' Solomon, I will give you anything you desire, but there will be
one stipulation.' ' Good,' said the old Jew. ' But,' said the angel, ' I will
give your competitor two for eveiy one that I give you.' ' What ! ' said
Solomon, ' you will give him two for every one you give to me ? ' ' Well,'
the angel said, ' we must be charitable ; we must love our neighbours.'
' You give me one poimd and you give him two ! You give me a thousand
pounds and you give him two thousands ! Then, please angel, give me one

opening of Conference

blind eye.' (Laughter.) Mr. Chairman, you are laughing at the old Jew.
There are thousands who, like him, think that blindness puts a man out of
commission. This Conference is going to show that the blind can be useful
members of society ; and to say that they cannot is false. I thank you, sir,
for your kind reception of me."

Senor D. I. GUTIERREZ PONCE (Colombia)

said it was his duty, as one who feels much pleasure in the honour that has
been done him in the invitation to attend this Conference, to tender the
hearty congratulations of the Colombian Government on such an important
gathering. Their aim was to give light to those whose eyes are closed in
permanent darkness, they had come from all parts of the world to study their
needs and welfare, and he hoped this new effort in the interests of the blind
would be crowned with complete success.

MR. F. WIBERG (Denmark).

The Danish Department of Public Worship and Education has charged
me to represent the Royal Institution for the Blind in Copenhagen at this
Conference, and on their behalf I beg to express the sincerest wishes for the
success of this meeting. I am very glad to visit a country that is knitted
to Denmark by so many bonds. The Workshop for the Blind in Copenhagen
was constituted on the model of the English workshops, but the friends
of the blmd over there desire closer communication with England ; they
want to leam more from England, and especially they want to reach the
English level in the physical training of the bhnd. I express the hope that
this Conference may knit still closer the bonds between the friends of the
blind in both countries.

Monsieur ALBERT MAHAUT* (France).

I wish I could say as much as I feel it how deeply we are touched by the
warm and hearty welcome which has been given to us. For my own part,
I cannot say enough of the luncbiess of the English people whom I have met
and who have helped me so charmingly. With all my heart I thank them.
I thank them not only in my own name, but especially in the name of the
French blind — my pupils and my friends. I represent them all here, and
you must know how intimately they associate themselves in that grand
effort that is to be so fruitful for the bhnd of the whole world. I make
bold to say that from our dear France started the first beautiful beginning
of the work for the benefit of the bhnd. But if France was the land of their
first instructors I must acknowledge that the peoi:)le of England have taken
up the matter in a most splendid way. When I go back to France I shall
tell them of all the wonderful thmgs I have noticed here. I want to
encourage them, to stimulate their energy, and I cannot do this better than
by telUng them of the excellence of your schools and their clever blind
brothers and sisters in this country.

Now let me give you my best wishes for the full success of this Conference.
Let me tell you how happy I am to co-operate myself for a little while in
its work, and once more let me express my heartiest, my greatest thanks.

DR. STEPHEN TOTH (Hungary).

Li the name of the Royal Hungarian Government and my colleagues
present, I wish to tender our greetings. At the same time may I express

ening of Conference

my very best thanks for the kind mvitation yon sent to onr countrj-men and
the courteous reception you have given us.

In our country one of our kings himself was blind, and I am glad to say
that during his reign our country was very happy indeed, which proves
that there is an inner life which raises the hearts of human people.

I would like to express our best wishes for the complete success of this
great gathering. May the cause of the bhnd be greatly advanced by our
united efforts durmg this Conference.

MR. A. K. SHAH (India).

I rejoice to be present at this august assembly, and, on behalf of the
600,000 blind peojile of India, I respond to the cordial welcome extended to
foreign delegates in my own distinctive manner (bowing in Indian fashion).

PRINCE LIVIO BORGHESE (Italy).

I was not prepared to reply to the very kind words of welcome to-daj',
but, on behalf of my Government and the blind of Italy, I express the wish
that this Conference may be a very great success. Our best thanks are due
to the organisers of it, and we hope that out of the work done here a great
deal of good will come, not only for the blind of Italy, but of the whole
world, who are united with us in spirit, and that it will be for the best
interests of the community.

SIR J. R. PARKINGTON (Montenegro).

I am very glad indeed to have had the privilege of being asked to attend
this Conference, and I feel confident that the gathering will do an immense
deal of good. I have the honour to represent the Montenegim Government,
and can assure you that their Majesties the King and Queen, and the
Government, have the greatest possible sympathy with the cause we all
have at heart.

In order to make the cause of the bhnd known it is necessary to advertise.
One of the speakers said that he hoped the cause of the blind would appeal
to those about to make their wills, then, I say, if that is your desire you
must advertise so as to let those people know that legacies will be acceptable
to the blind.

I certainly think the blind should be exceedingly grateful to the Cloth-
workers' Company and the other companies as well, for the very large
sums they are distributing. Many peoi^Ie to-day would like to do away
with the City Guilds, but when you come to hear what the Chairman has
said about the huge sums given bj' the Clothworkers' Company alone, this
of itself ought to justify their existence.

I am glad to sslj that in the country I represent, which is a very small
one, although there are a great many bhnd, still I think the number is
not excessive. Of course they have the sj'mpathy of the King, for there
is no man m this world who has greater symjoathy with the poor than Kmg
Nicholas.

I thank you xery much for giving me the opportunity of saymg these
few words, and for the privilege of bemg here to-clay.

MR. NAKAMURA (Japan).

It is such encouragement to meet so many people m one hall who are
devoted to the work for the blind — people from all over the world. The

opening of Conference

time has now come for better provision for the blind, not only in England
but in every country throughout the civilised world.

Every school for the blind in Japan sends kindly greetings to the members
and delegates of this important Conference, and we are under a great
obligation to those who have contributed to its organisation.

DR. E. L. CONGRAINS (Peru).

Havhig been chosen as delegate from Peru to the fourth International
Conference on the Blind, now being inaugurated, I have the honour to
present to you the greetings of the Government, of the Faculty of Medicine,
and of the whole medical corps of Peru, together with their best wishes for
the success of the Conference.

My country shares in the admiration evoked throughout the world by
the ardent zeal for progress of the British nation. An admirer of her
activity, Peru follows with keen interest the magnificent progress which
England has realised in every respect, and we regard with enthusiasm her
labours in every branch of science, and especially in that which treats of
the prophylaxis of blindness and the improvement of the sad lot of the bUnd.

In this matter much has already been done, but it is jDossible and necessary
to do more. A proof of this is seen in the very motive of our assembly,
to which learned men have hastened from every civilised country.

Trusting that the Conference will result in many important benefits to
humanity, I have the honour to salute you, Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentle-
men, in my own name, and at the same time to express my gratitude for the
kind welcome you have accorded me.

Monsieur JACOB KOLOUBOVSKY (Russia).

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, — On behalf of the Russian Imperial
Government and of the Association of the Empress Maria Alexandrovna
for the Welfare of the Blind, the Oculist in Ordinaiy and I, your humble
servant, express to the Conference the most cordial wishes for successful work.

The association, whose activity is spread throughout Russia, hstens
attentively to the voice of every notable worker for the blind or for the
prevention of bhndness, and is always ready to introduce into its country
whatever may be worked out by Conference and can be apphed in Russia.

Director JACOB- ALRIK LUNDBEKG * (Sweden).

Having been appomtcd by the Swedish Government to represent them at
this Conference, it is my pleasing duty to convey their most hearty greetings
to all present. Besides this message, so fully in harmony with the feehngs
of my blind brothers as well as my own, I have on the i>resent occasion
another high duty to perform. I have really come here for the purpose of
learning ; my appointment was made in the well-founded anticipation of
there bemg a rich harvest of experience to be gathered in all the different
fields which are to be explored during the next few days.

No one interested in the blind can be unaware that a great movement m
their favour is at the present time spreading all over the world. The
decades of incessant and intelligent work on their behalf are beginning to
tell, and it seems to us that many of the goals which ten years ago loomed
so far ahead have now drawn much nearer, and many of us are convinced
that in the next ten years several of these goals will have been reached and
passed, and the boundaries of our capital expanded far beyond those now
existing.

On lookmg back at the work already accomplished, I am filled with
admiration for what has been done. The great bulk of this work must

ening of Conference

justly be credited to England. No one here present, I think, will deny
that the originating of the present movement is due to the Ooinitry whose
hospitahty we are now enjoying, or that the impetus to it was given on that
remarkable day in the history of the cause of the blind when His Majesty
King George inaugurated the new building of the National Institute for the
Blind. The work which His Majesty did on that occasion has travelled over
land and sea hke the electric waves of a mighty transmitter, everywhere to
meet others tuned to the same key of compassion and helpfulness. They
have found their way to the great islands in the South as well as to the
North, never to be forgotten by the blind there. Before this assembly of
representatives of the most prominent institutions for the blind in the world
I convey the most respectful thanks from the blind in Sweden for His
Majesty's appeal to the sighted to show i:)ractical sympathy towards the
bhnd m their struggle for self-support and knowledge, for His Majesty's
words are indeed applicable to all countries and all times, and I need not
emphasise the fact that in a country bound so closely in relationship,
intercourse and friendsliip with England as Sweden, the interest which His
Majesty has exhibited in the bhnd has opened the eyes of many to the
justice of our demands.

Now as regards our own work, and our efforts to attain such better
conditions as the bhnd deserve, it may bo stated that we are making head-
way at a fairly satisfactory rate. I have notliing very remarkable to report
save that the Swedish Bhnd Association, whose President I have the honour
to be, celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary on the Gth of this month, and
was honoured by the presence of our Eoyal Patrons the Crown Prince of
Sweden and his consort the Crown Princess Margaret, a daughter of England.
What an improvement m the general conditions of the blind when compared
with those prevailing twenty-five years ago, not to speak of those which
existed m times still more distant.

These Conferences on the Bhnd, Mr. Chairman, will form stepping stones
to help us to reach the objects we are aiming at. May the spirit of the
present one, composed as it is of all that is best of uitellect, energy and
devotion in the cause of the bhnd, penetrate the minds of all the sightless,
mspiring them to fresh efforts towards the reahsation of their aims and the
aspirations of our community.

Monsieur EUGENE BALLY (Switzerland).

Switzerland heartily joms in smcere thanks and in the good wishes
expressed from so many more imi^ortant countries. Englishmen were the
first to open up our Alps, but I would hke to say that it is an Englishman
who put the foundation stone to our first bhnd asylum m Switzerland.

Senora T. SANTOS DE BOSCH (Uruguay).

MR. HENRY J. AVILSON.

I think I ought to say that the lady has asked me to interpret as far as
possible. I understand from her that she wishes, on behalf of the Uruguayan
Government, to say how glad she is to be here, and that the Government of
Uruguay sympathises most heartily with this Conference.

MISS WINIFRED HOLT (United States of America).

It is a privilege to bruig to the International Convention of Workers for
the Blind the best wishes of the President of the United States, and of his
people. All things which stand for i:)rogress and for the conservation of
life and happiness have the deep sympathy of the President and of all

opening of Conference

Americans. It is a great pleasure to come to this Convention, which is
the result of the iniselfish labours of a devoted few to whom we all owe the
deepest gratitude, and whom we heartily thank.

We who are striving to increase the horizon of the blind come from many-
distant countries to learn from one another. Our task is so many-sided, as
it deals with peoi:)le of all ages, sorts and conditions, that we require the
aid of the scientist, the educator, the writer, the artist, the business expert
and advertiser — in fact, of all experts as well as of the public. The united
wisdom of the world is not enough to give hght to those who sit in darkness.
To succeed in this high endeavour we need to help one another with whole-
hearted co-operation.

America is proud to co-operate in the noble endeavour of this Congress.
She is eager to learn diligently from all. Our ideal has been set for us by
the blind guardians of the blind, by love and justice. They teach us, helped
by that keen eye which no calamity can darken, to press on towards our
goal, so that many peoples of many nations, working together in close
brotherhood, may at last find for all Hght through work.

The CHAIRMAN.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, I have only to say on your behalf how
grateful we are to those representatives of other countries for kindly saying
a few words to us in response to the welcome that has been extended to
them. It has been very jDleasant indeed to listen to what they had to say,
and I only wish that Enghsh people, when in other countries, were able to
express themselves as well as our kind friends have done here to-day.

(The company then adjourned to the Exhibition Hall adjoining.)

Opening of the Exhibition.
MR. STUART JOHNSON (London).

Sir Melvill Beachcroft, — As Chairman of the Exhibition
Committee I ask you, sir, to open this Exhibition in your
capacity as Master of the Worshipful Company of Cloth-
workers- — that great city company which has clone and is
doing so much for the blind. Many of those present may
not be aware that the Cloth workers' Company distributes a
far larger sum in pensions to the blind than any other
charitable body in the country. These great charitable
trusts for blind pensions are administered by the company
absolutely free of expense, so that every penny reaches the
blind poor without any deduction for management expenses.
The deep interest the com{)any takes in the welfare of the
blind has been conspicuously shown this year by the assist-
ance it has given me and my Committee in getting together
this Exhibition. The indefatigable clerk of the company,
Mr. P. M. Evans, has acted as chairman of the Finance
Committee, and the company has been by far the largest
donor to the fund. Another source of help has been con-
spicuous all through, and that is Gardner's Trust for the

Opening of the Exhibition

Blind, without whose able representative, IMr. H. J. Wilson,
the guide, philosopher and friend of all workers for the blind,
whose kindness is only equalled by his great ability, this
Conference and Exhibition must have failed. With regard
to the Exhibition itself, I think it should be widely known
that every considerable society for the blind in the world
has been invited to co-operate in it, for, with the help of
Miss Winifred Wintour, we have corresponded in eleven
foreign languages. I think I may safely say it has the
sympathy of all societies, institutions and other agencies
which befriend the blind. We have here work and apparatus
not only from English, Irish, and Scottish institutions, but
also from schools and societies in France and Germany,
Russia and Italy, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, the United
States, China, India, Egypt, and many other countries.
We have the Avork of blind children in the wonderful exhibits
from the L.C.C.'s blind and myopia schools ; we have the
work of the adult blind in the prime of life from workshops,
whose number we trust Avili soon be increased either by
State legislation or by priAate effort, and we have the work
of the aged blind, over ten thousand of whom have been
commvmicated with, and Avho have sent us their beautiful
work from their OAVn homes far and near. Here you have,
ladies and gentlemen, not the Avork of one institution but an
Exhibition representing Avith scrupulous fairness on the part
of the Committee the Avork of all. You Avill see the results
of the dcAoted labours of Roman Catholic Sisters in LiA'crpool
and Dublin side by side Avith the display from Protestant
Belfast. You Avill see the delicate needlcAvork of the gentle
and refined in youth and age side by side Avith the heavy
basket Avork of the labouring man in his prime, and you AA'ill
be able to study the delicate uerA'ous ability of the blind
timer side by side Avith the heaA^y handicraft of the Lancashire
ski]) maker.

I hardly dare to commend special exhibits to j'our notice,
but I AA'ould call your attention to the ship's fend-off makers
from GreeuAvich, the telephony from Birmingham, the
exhibits from the United States, the AATjnderful furniture
from GlasgoAv, the interesting adaptation of the Morse code
by Lady Algernon Percy, the extreme efficiency of the type-
Avriting room arranged by the Midland Institution, Notting-
ham, the admirable display of pianoforte repairing by the
Royal Normal College, and the exhibit of the National
Institute, Great Portland Street, immediately in front of
this platform. I also desire to direct your notice to the
remarkable AA'orkers from HenshaAA^'s Blind Asylum., Man-

enino' of the Exhibition

't>

Chester, and the Royal School for the Blind, Leathcrhead,
and also to the silk shawl makers from Bradford, together
with the exhibits of spinning and weaving (the latter by
the Barclay AVorkshop), the lending library at Avork, arranged
by the National Lending Library for the Blind, and the
really admirable craftsmen sent here by the Association
for the General Welfare of the Blind. When we have
vacated the platform you will be able to study the large
and weil-arranged Historical Section which has been brought
together by the arduous work of Miss J. B. Wcippert. We
have tried to exhibit the Avork of all without partiality or
favouritism. I should like to say, in conclusion, that I have
been most ably assisted by my secretaries. Captain Guthrie
and Mr. Fooks. Sir Melvill Beachcroft, I now ask you to
open to the public this show of blind Avork Avhich the Cloth-
Avorkcrs' Company has so greatly helj^ed to promote.

SIR MELVILL BEACHCROFT.

Ladies and Gentlemen, — After Avhat Mr. Stuart Johnson
has said, little remains for me to do except to declare this
unique Exhibition open.

I shall say nothing more about the ClothAvorker's'
Company ; I have said enough about it in the next room,
and if I say more you Avill think I am here merely as an
advertiser.

Of course, this great Exhibition is an advertisement.
As the Americans say, " It pays to advertise because it pays
to ad\^crtise, and because it jmys to advertise it pays to
adA'^ertise." But in this case the advertisement is not quite
the same as in most cases. Mostly our advertisements are
AA'ith a AdeAA' to making money for ourseh^es or for our
friends. Here, I take it, the object is to try and interest
the public in the persons Avho have produced the exhibits.
Our one desire is to encourage the public to patronise the
blind, to help the capable blind to become self-suj^porting,
and I have only to say that I regard this Exhibition as
one of the most remarkable of the many exhibitions it has
been my priA'ilege to attend. What the blind AA^ant is, not
to be carried to their Avork ; they Avant the Avork to be
carried to them. And the more Ave knoAV of the blind
the more Ave shall find that what they crave for is the
opportunity of doing Avork.

I Avill not occupy your time further, except to declare the
Exhi])ition open, and to express the hope that it AA^ill fulfil
the desires of those Avho have devoted so much energy and
time to its preparation.

Opening of the Exhibition

MR. HENRY J. WILSON.

Ladies and Gentlemen, — It gives me very much pleasure to
propose, on behalf of all present, a very hearty vote of thanks
to the Master of the Clothworkers' Company for kindly
opening the Conference and also the Exhibition.

The blind oAve much to the Clothworkers' Company for
the pensions they grant, but on this occasion the seeing,
as well as the blind, are deeply indebted to the company,
not only for a substantial grant to the Conference funds, and
for their kind invitation to the conversazione this evening,
but also for allowing ]\Ir. Evans to be the Hon. Treasurer
and Chairman of the Finance Committee. His services have
been most valuable, and Ave are very greatl}^ indebted to the
Clothworkers' Company for alloAving him to act in that
capacity.

On your behalf, therefore, I will sincerely thank Sir
Melvill Beachcroft for what he has done.

SIR MELVILL BEACHCROFT.

I shall convey your thanks to the court of my company
at their meeting on Wednesday next. Of course, I am very
proud to be the Master of this important company. I may
say that I am the 433rd Master of the Clothworkers'
Company, and I hope there may be 433 more to follow me.

Telegrams of Greeting

Thursday, June 18th, 1914.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Chairman ; The Right Hon. the Viscount Knutsford.

Telegrams conveying greetings and best wishes for the
success of the Conference were received from Mr. Joseph
Hall, Swansea ; The Amsterdam Blind Association ; The
Royal Blind Asylum, North Adelaide.

The Chairman. ^ — I am sure that you do not want a long
speech from your Chairman. You are much too anxious,
I know, to hear yourselves speak. (Laughter.) But I have
been asked to preside at this opening Conference on the
Blind, and am very glad of this opportunity of helping our
blind fellow men and women in a humble way. It seems to
me that above all duties in life stands first that of doing all
we can to secure for our fellow creatures the highest enjoy-
ment of life. It is quite intolerable, it is quite unbearable
to think that a man can go through life and see that his
brothers have need and yet do nothing to help them. It
cannot be a mere coincidence of words that 2,000 years ago
it was written '' if your brother have need and you have no
compassion for him, how dwelleth the love of God in you."
If sickness is a disease which cripples one of our fellow men,
then let us do all we can to relieve him in sickness. If
lilindness is a disease, or deafness — which so often carries
with it dumbness — we cannot unfortunately effect a cure,
but we can do a vast deal to prevent both. If the same
amount of attention had been concentrated on both these
afflictions as is the case to-day, we should not have in this
and other countries so many blind and deaf peo])le. But
we can do a vast deal now to ensure that those Avho are still
deprived of these senses shall have many of the joys of life.
God knows we can do little enough, my friends, but what
we can do, we must. Quite lately England has been stirred
to the very bottom of its feelings by the action of one of
our best citizens, Mr. Pearson. He has used his own over-

Work of the Unions

bearing misfortune for the good of his fellow men, and has
succeeded, as no one else has in England, in waking up the
whole country to the necessity of giving to the blind more
facilities for reading. I am told that the blind can read
Braille as quickly as avc who have sight can read printed
books. If that is so, there is a grand opportunity for many
who do read the Braille system to read to the sick people in
hospitals in your own countries. There are but few people
willing to sit by sick men or Avomen and read to them.
If any of you who are blind can do that you will be helping
your fellow sufferers as well as amusing yourselves.

In this country the treatment of blind people has been
left hitherto, after the first preliminary education, almost
entirely to voluntary effort. Some of us may be proud of
this. We may be proud that voluntary effort has been
able to do so much. But if we arc proud of our voluntary
effort, then it behoves us to see that that, voluntary effort
is not only sufficient, but also that it is enieient, and that
people who are dependent upon volvmtary effort shall be
properly served. And if our voluntary effort fails we must
acknowledge it, and go to people Avho are better able to
carry out the work. I am sure it is a platitude to say to
all of you who knoAV so nuich better how to help blind people
than I do, that I cannot help feeling that of all work it is
so very hopeful to help blind people, because, strange to
say, it is so easily done. Nature is a great compensator,
and when Nature has deprived anyone of sight certainly
Nature succeeds in sharpening the other senses in a remark-
able way. We want to teach the blind that they can be
entirely independent, and lead extremely useful lives. We
Avant to get away altogether from the question of despair,
and the question of pity, and to give them all that hope and
happiness Avhich we who can see have in life. We want to go
further, and to teach the people Avho have sight that blind
people are useful. We want, also, if possible- — and I think
this is very important indeed, and that Ave ought to concen-
trate our efforts upon it^ — Ave Avant to teach the blind to
do their Avork so that they do it better than people with

Chairman's Speech

sight. We want to teach people that it pays them to
employ the blind, and that they are not doing it out of any
sense of charity. I believe that can be done because of
Avhat I spoke of just now, Nature's great power of compen-
sation. The lines of Milton are well known to j^ou all, but
they appeal to me very much when he asks —

" Why was the sight to such a tender ball of the eye confined.
So obvious, so easy to be quenched,
And not, aa feeling, through all parts diffused.
That she might look, as feeUng, through every pore ? "

What we want is to teach the blind to see through
every pore, and the main object of these Conferences is
not to boast of what we have done, but to learn what we
have not done. ("Hear, hear.") I have attended a great
many Conferences, and each one I think has been duller
than the last, because everybody goes up to the platform
and says, in the language of Little Jack Horner, " See what
a good boy am I." Nobody wants to make this Conference
a sort of " pat on the back " for what you are doing, but
rather to learn the experience of other people working in the
same direction. We want to hear not only of your successes
but of your failures, and that is obtained a great deal more
by friendly conversations after the meetings of the Conference
are over than from all the papers, and all the speeches of
the Chairmen.

We welcome all who have come from foreign countries
for their generosity and kindness in travelling so far to attend
this Conference. Your knowledge and your experience will
be extremely useful to us here, and we thank you very much
for coming.

Now I am not going to speak any longer. The ideal
chairman is the one who will stand up, speak up, and shut
up. I am glad you like that. I have carried out two of
my duties, that is, " stood up " and " spoken up," and
now I will " shut up." I will call upon Mr. Wilson, who is
so well known to you all, to read his paper on the " Work
of the Unions of Societies for the Blind."

Mr. H. J. Wilson. — I wish to say that I do not intend

C.B, 65 F

Chairman's Speech

to read the constitution of the Union of Unions, nor of
the Metropohtan Union printed at the end of my paper.
I also propose to cut out a few paragraphs so that the reading
may not exceed the time hmit of twenty minutes. I feel
that as the reader of the first paper, and as the Chairman
of the Conference Committee, I am bound to set, or try to
set, a good example.

THE WORK OF THE UNIONS OF

SOCIETIES FOR THE BLIND IN

ENGLAND AND WALES :

THEIR HISTORY AND POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENTS.

HENRY J. WILSON,

Secretary of Gardner's Trust for the Blind, Chairman and Fellow of the
CoUege of Teachers of the Blind, &c., &c.

Introductory Remarks.

It had better be explained at the outset that, at the
express wish of the Conference Committee, this paper has
been compiled to represent not only, or by any means, my
own personal views, but those of others who are interested
in the work of the seven Unions. I am greatly indebted to
the many friends who have kindly replied to my questions
on the subject, and desire here and now to tender them
my grateful thanks. Their answers have thrown much
illuminating light on this comprehensive question, and
guided me in many instances where difficulties made them-
selves felt. To Miss Beatrice Taylor also must be accorded
sincere thanks for the provision of the large map showing
plainly the areas of the various Unions, and for its fascinating
reproduction in miniature on post cards. This map was
entirely Miss Taylor's own idea, and you will all agree with
me that the post cards are, not only most useful as well as
picturesque, but will also be of great service in making the
Unions more generally known.

Origin.

The formation of the Unions of Institutions, Societies,
and Agencies for the Blind in England and Wales is the

67 f2

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

natural outcome of the great and increasing interest taken
in the bhnd, and the consequent amazing development of
the endeavours to benefit them during recent years. The
origin of these Unions is not very clear, but apparently
their first inception arose from an excellent paper read by
Mr. J. Frew Bryden at the Edinburgh Conference in 1905,
entitled " The Outdoor Blind of Scotland." This paper
described the Scottish system of seeking out and caring for
the blind not connected with institutions or workshops,
but scattered, unknown and unnoticed, over the country,
and unable to bring their needs to the knowledge of those
capable of assisting and advising them. The microbe,
therefore, would seem to have come from " Caledonia, stern
and wild," and to have found receptive soil in the fertile
brain of Miss Isabel Hey wood, who, in 1906, proposed the
formation of the North of England Union, consisting of
the six northern counties, being the first Union started in
England and Wales. It was soon perceived that the work
of this Union was productive of such immense benefit to
the blind that, in 1908, Sir Francis Campbell, with his
remarkable gift of prescience in all important work for his
fellow-sufferers, invited their principal representatives in
other parts of the country to meet together in London to
discuss the formation of the Unions. At that meeting the
rest of England and Wales was mapped out into six Unions,
and an hon. secretary was appointed to each. The Metro-
politan and Adjacent Counties' Union and the Midland
Counties' Union were established in 1908, and the North-
West Union" and the South Wales Union and Monmouth-
shire began work in 1909. The Western Counties' Union
commenced its active operations in 1912, and the Eastern
Counties' Union in 1913, although in both these last-named
Unions a certain amount of organisation had taken place
previous to the dates given.

Thus were the Unions formed, and their objects may be
summarised in the general statement that no blind person
shall be left uncared for. The keynote of the Unions is
individual effort for the individual — the endeavour to ensure

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

a sympathetic friend for every blind person, whether man,
woman, or child. The objects of the Union of Institutions,
Societies, and Agencies for the Blind in the Metropolitan
and Adjacent Counties (Incorporated), which are similar to
the objects of the other Unions, are printed at the end of
this paper.

It must always be borne in mind that the Unions are
primarily organising bodies. They have no funds to give
to the blind, except when special donations are made by
friends to exceptional cases. At the same time, the value
of these Unions is demonstrated by the increasing number
of kind-hearted people who do befriend and assist individual
cases, and whose interest in these cases has been awakened
through their means. The Unions have begun an important
and necessary work, which it may confidently be hoped
will through years to come accomplish great good for
thousands of blind persons who would otherwise have spent
the remainder of their joyless lives in uncared-for solitude,
or in bewailing their helplessness to find opportunities of
learning some useful occupation. The net results of the
work of the Unions will be measured, not by the holding of
many meetings here, there and everywhere, nor by the large
total on the register, but by the number of blind persons
actually helped in a practical way, befriended and cheered.

Difficulties.

One of the most pressing difficulties is undoubtedly the
lack of funds to organise the work properly, and to carry
out many useful and helpful schemes. For instance, in
many places those people who subscribe already to local
agencies do not see the force of contributing to the wider
scheme, which to them appears to be doing much the same
work. Another difficulty is the distance at which many
blind persons live from the nearest centre, and yet another,
that experienced by many members of the committee in
attending the meetings, both on the score of time and
expense.

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

Other difficulties are : — •

(a) To find the right kind of people to take up the various
branches of the work, such as organising local committees
or acting as local correspondents. Those who would
probably be willing and capable for such work are usually
precisely the ones whose time and efforts are already fully
employed in philanthropic work.

(b) Apathy with regard to the formation of new societies
for the blind, and the persuasion that the blind in the district
are already well cared for, whereas, on inquiry, it is frequently
found that this is far from being the case, and that much
more could be done to improve their condition. There is
often, also, a certain amount of apprehension to be overcome
that the new effort will divert help from the ordinary
charitable and parochial agencies.

(c) To obtain employment for those who have been
trained in some trade, especially in country districts, owing
to the lack of workshops. Homes where blind women who
earn small wages can be boarded are much needed, as well as
homes where those beyond work can be cared for.

{d) To overcome the popular disbelief in the possibility
of excellence in work done by the blind, and the prejudice
against employing them, however competent they may be.

(e) The limited number of trades possible to the blind,
and to find a market for articles made by them, especially in
country districts.

(/) To overcome the natural reluctance of parents to
allow their blind children to leave them to go to school at
a sufficiently early age. When the South Wales Union was
first started, no less than ten children were discovered
already Avell beyond the age at which they ought to have been
at school.

(g) To prevent, if possible, undue hopefulness of assistance
amongst the blind when many inquiries as to circumstances
are made, it being often found impossible to give the relief
needed.

(h) To establish effective agencies and to re-energise those
recently formed.

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

Benefits to the Blind.

One of the most important, if not the most important,
benefit to the bhncl resulting from the Unions is the
instruction of the general pubhc, who are indifferent from
want of knowledge, as to the possibilities open to them, and,
as a rule, have a hazy idea that they must be either born
musicians, or beggars in the streets, or else that " their lives
must be more dim and atrophied than those of the very
moles." In fact, to make the Mind public see and under-
stand that the self-respecting blind do not want pity, but
employment. If once it can be realised what blind persons
can do with proper training, more hopeful interest will be
taken in them. Many have been rescued from obscurity
and neglect, and are now being assisted, who would never
have been heard of but for the Unions, especially those who
do not care to make capital of their infirmity or trade on
the pity of the public. These persons can now apply to the
recognised secretary of their Union for expert advice, and
for information as to what is possible in the way of employ-
ment, or from what sources pensions can be obtained.
Their needs would be co)isidered by those having a j^ractical
knowledge of. their capabilities. As instances of the good
already done by the Unions, I give these two following
cases : Quite unsolicited and spontaneously Mr. Lempriere,
of Hetherington's Charity, stated that in recent years there
had been a decided increase in applicants of a superior class,
and this fact he attributed entirely to the work of the
Unions in unearthing in country districts blind persons who
had concealed their poverty, or who had never previously
heard of the Charity. Again, Miss Beatrice Taylor, the
Hon. Secretary of the Branch for the Blind of the Sunbeam
Mission, which was started twelve years ago, and has had
over 800 blind children on its books, informs me that, had
it not been for the Unions and their respective secretaries,
all that invaluable work must in most cases have come to
an end, because at the age of sixteen the children leave
school, and are thus separated from the Sunbeam worker,
who was almost invariably a teacher in their school. Now,

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

on leaving school, the child's name is notified to the secretary
of its Union, and the interested person (the Sunbeam)
is communicated with, and still befriends the boy or girl.

A priceless benefit to the blind, and one of which, even
now, it must be left to future generations to gauge the full
value, is the recent Order issued by the Local Government
Board. Although much had been done before the advent
of the Unions in efforts to prevent infantile ophthalmia,
notably by the late Dr. Roth, in starting a special society
lor that object in 1880, and by the Gardner Trust in circu-
lating leaflets on the subject, and by several of the large
institutions for the blind in printing information thereon in
their annual reports, still, in my humble opinion, the Order
making ophthalmia neonatorum compulsorily notifiable
from April 1st last in every sanitary area in England and
Wales, is due in a large measure to the "strong and persistent
efforts of representatives of the various Unions in bringing
the question, by means of special leaflets and in other ways,
clearly, forcibly, and constantly before the medical officers
of health in their respective areas.

Other benefits may be grouped as follows : —

(a) Looking up children of school age not at school, or,
if above sixteen, not at a technical school.

(b) Starting classes to teach some industry, teaching them
to read, finding them employment, either at a workshoi") or
locally, and obtaining pensions or other help for them if
incapacitated for work by age or ill health.

(c) Providing visitors who will go to see them from time
to time, and thus brighten their lives by sjaiipathy and
interest, by reading to them and lending them books,
besides endeavouring to arouse public interest in the needs
of the blind in the surrounding district.

(d) Bringing the scattered blind into touch with possi-
bilities of help by a personal friend.

Work not Previously Done.

If it be asked what raison d'Hre have the Unions, and
what work are they doing which was not already in existence

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

before they came into being, my reply is that they have
already justified their existence and have accomplished much
not previously attempted, although their work as yet
extends over a very few years.

1. Many isolated blind persons scattered up and down
the country have been sought out and cared for, their needs
have been studied, and endeavours made to meet them, and
friendly help and oversight obtained for them in their own
immediate neighbourhood.

2. Covering ground hitherto untouched, by the formation
of new local associations in counties and towns, and in
establishing a friendly, selfrsacrificing spirit between different
institutions, which has engendered a better understanding of
each others' views and plans, increased usefulness, more
co-operation and general intercourse between all societies.

3. Systematic registration of the' blind, which enables the
secretary of one Union to notify another of the removal of
a blind person, thus emphasising the central idea of unity.

4. Drawing the attention of the public to the necessity of
helping blind persons to secure training and employment, and
to the fact that they can do good work when properly trained.

5. Inducing local authorities to take measures for the
amelioration of the condition of the blind and for the pre-
vention of blindness.

It has been demonstrated, over and over again, of what
great benefit to the blind is the existence of central organisa-
tions such as the seven Unions, ready to be consulted by
the blind or their friends in any place, whether town or
country, where expert advice can be obtained in regard to
prevention of blindness, education, instruction in handicrafts
and reading, provision of books and of pensions, and any
other information required by or on behalf of the blind.
The Unions enable the combined resources of the Unions'
areas to be " pooled " for the advantage of the blind.

Benefits to Institutions.

Now let us sec whether the Unions are a benefit or a
hindrance to existing institutions and societies for the

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

blind ? I maintain that they have been, and are, of much
service already, and will prove of increasing usefulness year
by year. For instance, they are practically acting as
after-care committees to the institutions by befriending the
pupils on leaving, and ensuring that their instruction shall
not have been lost or rendered valueless through the lack of
a chance to start in life. This has been done in many cases
known to me, and it is surely of immense importance to get
hold of these young persons before they lose heart, or forget
much of the training they have received.

The meetings of the various Unions have the inestimable
advantage of bringing the officials and representatives of
the institutions into personal acquaintance and touch with
each other — an enormous asset for those who have to do
business together. They can thus hear what other societies
are doing, can compare notes, interchange information as
to new methods, and hear of successes, failures, and possible
disposal of work. Again, institutions are benefited by the
registration of the blind, as old pupils can be traced when
leaving one district for another. In several cases children,
whom the local education authorities have failed to reach,
have been found by the Unions and sent to school, both
school and pupils benefiting thereby. Many workshops
have received apprentices, for whom the committees of the
Unions have secured payment, either from public authorities
or from private benevolence. Indirectly, also, more general
interest is aroused on the subject of the blind by the Unions,
and knowledge is spread of the great need of institutions and
societies.

Organisation.

There is a consensus of opinion that the organisation
should be by counties, first taking up one county and
working it thoroughly, and then passing on to another,
adapting the methods of the Union to local conditions in
each — special industries of some counties probably pointing
the way to some special employment for the blind. And it
seems desirable that each county should have its own

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

honorary secretary, that most, if not all, of the counties
should be sub-divided, that each sub-division should have
its own committee and secretary in touch with the honorary
secretary for the county, manage its own financial affairs,
and send delegates to the meetings, to be held twice a year,
of the central county committee, who, in turn, shall elect
representatives on the committee of the Union to which they
are attached. It is perhaps necessary here to utter a word
of warning against any lack of loyalty to the committee of
the Union and the organising secretary appointed by them,
as the absence of this would inevitably weaken the organisa-
tion and retard its progress. The county secretaries should
work harmoniously with, and keep in constant correspond-
ence with, the Union secretary, who should at all times be
ready to give assistance and advice when any fresh effort
is to be started. The advantage of having county
committees is not only that the members will probably
attend the meetings more regularly, because the expense
incurred will be trifling and the distance short compared
with the attendance at meetings held in some distant
county of the Union, but also because each county varies
considerably both in character and manufactures. There-
fore, county committees are more suited to manage local
affairs, owing to their more real and practical knowledge
of local circumstances. Every village should have its own
visitor to look after and deal with the blind in the district,
and, where possible, it would be an excellent arrangement
to put the blind who are in comfortable circumstances into
communication with those who are poor. It seems advisable
to work the Unions according to petty sessional divisions,
or civil parishes, and to avoid, as far as possible, ecclesiastical
boundaries, such as diocesan or ruri-decanal. It is also of
advantage to approach the county council education
authorities and the medical officers who are in touch Avith
the blind, and to invite some of them to serve on the county
committees, as the work of organisation is greatly simplified
by having as friends the heads of departments in county
councils. Besides, there may be after-care committees at

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

work, and these will often be of great use in finding out the
blind, as well as suitable persons to act as representatives.
As a rule, it will be found advantageous to work from the
county town, as the difficulties of distance and travelling
will probably be lessened thereby.

From what I have already said, it will be seen that the
committees of the respective Unions are formed by the
election of representatives from each county in that particular
Union,

Lastly, there is the Union of Unions, which is formed by
the election of three delegates from each of the seven Unions,
together with the organising secretaries as ex-officio members.
The Union of Unions meets once a year, and deals especially
with the common difficulties with which all workers are
confronted, and with any special question on which the
opinion of the Union is required, so that uniformity in
action among the Unions may be ensured. The constitution
of the Union of Unions is printed at the end of this paper.

There is one serious question which I feel sure the Union
of Unions will soon have to face, and that is a sub-division
of the Unions into smaller and more equal areas, thus
rendering them much more easily worked. Take, for
example, the Metropolitan and Adjacent Counties' Union,
and realise the distance from Bournemouth, in the west, to
Colchester, in the east, with the trifle of London in the centre,
in itself, with its complicated social conditions, sufficient
for one Union. I know that this over-largeness of area is
felt severely by many secretaries, especially in the Western
Union, extending from Land's End to Salisbury and
Bristol.

Future Work.

In the future work of the Unions the main developments
will probably be as follows :—

1, To complete registration, to compile trustworthy
records, and to link up the societies in order to ensure
greater inter-communication for helping special cases.
Complete and reliable registration of all blind persons is

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

most important and essential, because such information
will be of the greatest use if in future the Census be taken
in the same way as it was in 19ll, when returns were asked
for only those who were totally blind. These returns are
worthless in estimating the number of persons who must be
treated as blind, and in comparing with the statistics taken
in former years.

2. To study and promote all preventive measures for
blindness in all forms.

3. To continue to organise local associations until no
blind person is left unprovided with some friendly care for
his or her welfare, and to work cordially with the State when
State aid comes, as we hope may soon be the case, through
the Bill to provide for the technical education, employment
and maintenance of the blind, to which, no doubt. Sir Ellis
Cunliffe will refer in his paper, and to see that this State aid
is wisely and well administered.

4. Each Union should have its own consultative Committee
to give advice and encouragement, to prevent overlapping
of pensions, and to arrange, if possible, that work in one
part of the county shall be brought to the knowledge of
workers in another.

5. To provide centres for employment, and to organise
means for the disposal of work made by the blind in isolated
districts.

6. To act as special after-care committees for pupils on
leaving school,, and to continue to draw together all agencies
£or the blind in order to form ozie united front.

7. To hold meetings in different districts to maintain
local interest in the blind, and to adapt assistance to possibly
constantly changing conditions.

8. To review county associations, to keep work at a high
level, and its methods conformed to the latest improvements.

9. To consider the question as to how far the better
educated blind might be utilised as missionaries or home
teachers- — at least one of such teachers would probably be
of immense value in each county^ — and, besides that, to
induce the public to patronise workshops for the blind.

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

10. To have case committees attached to each Union,
The one connected with the MetropoHtan Union has greatly
benefited the bhnd. During the three years and four
months of its existence over 500 cases have been assisted
by expert advice, by finding employment, by arranging for
admission to technical schools, by obtaining pensions,
temporary allowances, special donations for starting in a
trade, and in many other ways.

11. In fine, " not to rest until," as Lady Campbell graphi-
cally j)uts it, " some one is responsible for the care of every
needy blind person from the cradle to the grave."

Concluding Remarks.

Many people apparently wish to keep the seamy side of
life out of sight, and selfishly to ignore it, but the disagree-
ables must be faced without hesitation, and without the
appeal ad misericordiam, which all blind persons with any
sense of self-respect unhesitatingly reject. Here the Unions
step in and offer a helping hand to all those who must live
behind the dark curtain of blindness, and must, to a certain
extent, be dependent on those who are blessed with sight.
That the blind have already been greatly assisted by the
Unions is an incontrovertible fact, even though organisation
be still far from complete. In time the various ramifications
and activities of the Unions will be welded together in a
strong, coherent system, and linked up as it were by a
golden chain — reiDresentatives and visitors to the county
committees, these committees to their respective Unions,
and they, in turn, to the Union of Unions, from which body,
with its large and practical experience, will radiate sympathy
and interest, educational help and ameliorating light to the
blind throughout the land. It should be the aim of every
Union to be the link which binds and connects the various
societies and agencies, and in this way effectively to help
everyone who comes under its care.

Some one has finely said that the reward of service is
always more service, and now, by the creation of the Unions,
an increased burden summons us to more unselfish, humble,

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

and united effort, and, in closing, I appeal to all to assist

the Unions to perform their beneficent work as thoroughly

as possible — each worker being inspired to help his neighbour

through love, and being imbued, as Carljde once said of

genius, mth " an infinite capacity for taking pains."

"We are not here to play, to dream, to drift.
We have hard work to do and loads to Hft,
Shun not the struggle — face it — 'tis God's gift."

CONSTITUTION OF THE UNION OF UNIONS
OF SOCIETIES FOR THE BLIND.

1. The name shall be " The Union of Unions of Societies
for the Blind."

2. The area of the Union of Unions shall comprise all the
counties in England and Wales.

3. Each Union shall be eligible to send three elected
representatives to the meetings of the Union of Unions, as
well as their respective Organising Secretaries, who shall be
ex-officio members. These representatives shall form the
Governing Body of the Union of Unions. Additional
members may be co-opted from outside when deemed
advisable, if approved by a two-thirds vote of the meeting
at which their names are proposed, previous notice having
been given on the summons for the meeting.

4. Representatives shall not have power at any annual
or other meetings to bind their Union at such meetings
on any subject which has not been previously considered by
the Union they represent, and by whom they have been
previously instructed on that subject.

5. The objects of the Union of Unions shall be : —

(a) To promote co-operation among the various Unions,

with a view to greater efficiency and fuller knowledge
in dealing with all classes of the blind.

(b) To consider and suggest lines of common action for

the Unions, to advise them when consulted, and to
take such steps as the Union of Unions may think
fit, with a view to assisting, encouraging, and other-
wise benefiting the blind through such Unions, and
in other ways.

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

6. Each Union shall annually apjioint three of their
members, who shall be eligible for re-election, to serve on
the Governing Body for the ensuing year.

7. The Governing Body shall hold an annual meeting at
such time and place as the members decide, and, in default
of other instructions, this meeting shall be held in London.

8. The Chairman and Hon. Officers, who shall be eligible
for re-election, shall be elected at the annual meeting, and
hold office until the annual meeting subsequent to their
election.

9. A quorum of the Governing Body shall consist of nine
members.

10. Notices of meetings shall be posted fourteen clear days
before each meeting.

11. No alteration of, nor addition to, this Constitution
may be made except at the annual meeting, and by a
majority of two-thirds of the members present, confirmed
by a similar majority at a subsequent meeting, or in writing
by a two-thirds majority of the Governing Body. Notice
of such alteration must appear on the notice convening the
meeting.

12. A special meeting of the Governing Body may be
called on requisition being sent to the Chairman, signed by
five members.

UNION OF INSTITUTIONS, . SOCIETIES AND
AGENCIES FOR THE BLIND IN THE
METROPOLITAN ANT) ADJACENT COUNTIES
(INCORPORATED).

The objects for which the Incorporated Union is established
are : —

(a) To acquire the property, business and undertaking of
the existing unincorporated Union known as The Union of
Institutions, Societies and Agencies for the Blind in the
Metropolitan and Adjacent Counties, whose office is at
Denison House, 296, Yauxhall Bridge Road, in the County
of London, or such part of such property, business and

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

undertaking as can be legally vested, in the Union, and to
carry on the work of the said Union, and to hold and
administer all charitable funds now held and administered
by it.

(b) To promote such intercourse and co-operation among
existing institutions, societies, and agencies for the blind in
the nine counties of Berks, Essex, Hants, Hertford, Kent,
London, Middlesex, Surrey, and Sussex, and individuals
interested in the welfare of the blind, irrespective of religious
opinions, as may lead to the organisation, co-ordination, and
extension of work on their behalf,

(d) To register the names and addresses of all blind
persons residing within the above-mentioned area of the
Union.

(e) To promote the prevention of blindness by lectures
and the distribution of leaflets and other literature, and by
all other possible means.

(/) To make suggestions to parents and guardians, and
assist them and others in brightening the lives of blind
children.

(g) To co-operate with local education authorities and
guardians in seeing that all blind children of school age are
being suitably educated and trained.

(h) To promote the after-care of blind persons over the
age of sixteen.

(*) To promote the employment of blind men and women.

(j) To promote the visitation of the blind in their own
homes and elsewhere.

(k) To promote the care of the sick, aged, and helpless
blind, and to obtain for deserving cases such assistance as
may be possible.

(l) To do all such other things as may from time to time
be, or be considered to be, for the general welfare of the blind.

(m) To do all such other lawful things as are incidental or
conducive to the attainment of the above objects, or any of
them.

C.B. 81 G

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. J. Frew Brtden (Glasgow), in opening tlie discussion,
said : I have first to thank Mr. Wilson for asking me to open the
discussion on his valuable paper, and for connecting my name
with the origin of the Unions of Societies for the Blind in England
and Wales.

In closing the paper on " The Outdoor Blind of Scotland "
at the International Conference in Edinburgh in 1905, I said,
" I have tried to tell how we are endeavouring to do the work
among the blind in Scotland unconnected with institutions.
Would it not be possible for the home teaching societies and
others that deal with the blind outside our institutions in England
and Wales to organise some simple union through which such
information as to work and methods might be available as woidd
be mutually helpful to all the societies 1 "

Miss Heywood, of Manchester, with that combination of vision
and organising power which characterise all her activities, at once
saw the possibilities contained in the suggestion, and in the fol-
lowing year I was present, through Miss Heywood's coiirtesy,
at a most representative gathering of workers convened at Man-
chester on her invitation, at which the pioneer Union of Societies
and Institutions for the Northern Counties of England was formed.

As I have again left my native heath on a peaceful campaign
to this side of the border, I congratulate you on the progress you
have made. Any comments or suggestions I now venture to
offer are based not simply on personal experience but on the
efforts and experience of pioneers who, more than fifty years
ago, " buUded better than they knew." The name of John
Brown, of Edinburgh, will always be gratefully remembered in
this connection as the man who did more than any other to
organise societies for the blind in Scotland not connected with
institutions.

There are at present ten societies in Scotland, covering the
whole country to the remotest points. These societies have
3,615 blind persons under their care : of that number 1,428 have
been taught to read in Moon or Braille. There are twenty-five
missionary teachers and superintendents attached to the societies,
whose services are available to all the blind within their respective
areas. Each of the ten societies has a fiee lending library of
Moon and Braille books, containing a total of 21,800 volumes,
besides the various magazines published. Besides the work of
visitation and home teaching, benevolent help is given in various
forms. Grants are given to enable suitable persons who cannot
find entrance to institutions to carry on some form of trading,
monthly aliments and pensions for the aged and infirm blind are
given by some of the societies. Every effort is made to bring
our blind people into touch with any available organisation that
can be of service to them, and all who are suitable for such are
put in contact with the school or institution best suited to their
circumstances. The personal and first hand knowledge of each
case which each society possesses through its responsible agent
is of first importance,, and the annual Scottish Conference, which

Discussion

is a conference of tlie actual workers connected witli each society,
enables these workers to compare notes and compile statistics
for the whole country.

I should like to draw attention to two features about the work
in Scotland. The first is that Scotland was comijletely covered
with societies for the blind not connected with institutions before
any union was formed. Its purposes as a union are, therefore,
completely served by an annual meeting and conference covering
two days, at which a report embracing all the societies is presented
by the secretary, and subjects of practical interest are considered
and discussed. As the conference is held each year in a different
part of Scotland, the particular district gets the benefit of the
education of such a conference. There is no paid official and no
annual subscription, the society in whose district the conference
is held meeting the expenses of that year. The union never
interferes with the area or administration of existing societies.

The other feature is that this Union is composed of societies
unconnected with institutions. This is not at all because of any
want of sympathy with the work of the institutions but because
our societies were founded to do a work which the institutions
did not or coidd not carry on, and because our field of operations
was a sufficiently wide one. We also believe that the institu-
tions have a suflficient number of questions of their own which
can be better discussed among institution experts.

The circumstances on this side of the border and the relation-
ship of the societies to the questions of training and employment
are somewhat different, and the work lying before the unions
will be coloured by these differences.

I, therefore, leave to the representatives of societies to express
their views in regard to their responsibilities and possible develop-
ments. I may, however, be permitted a few suggestions with
regard to two of the most immediate and pressing of Mr. Wdson's
points as to possible developments. All other develoj)ments
will naturally follow these ; the two I refer to are as follow : —

(a) To complete registration, to compile trustworthy records,
and to build up societies in order to secure greater intercommunica-
tion for helping special cases.

(?>) To continue to organise local associations until no blind
person is left unprovided with some friendly care for his or her
welfare, to work cordially with the State when State aid comes,
and to see that this State aid is wisely and well administered.

In the line of these developments I venture to make the fol-
lowing suggestions : — ■

(1) There should be no district or blind person, however
remote, but should be included within the area of a well-equipped
society.

(2) The formation and multiplication of small societies entirely
worked by voluntary workers should be discouraged unless for
tentative purposes. The want of continuity and permanence
owing to frequent changes in office bearers and committees is
disappointing, and an inadequate knowledge of ways in which the
blind may be helped is often a noticeable feature in such small
societies.

83 G 2

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

(3) The lieadquarters of a well -equipped society should always
be in a large town, but in every case such society should include
in its radius other towns and country districts, taking in a whole
county if possible.

(4) Every such society should have at least one duly qualified
and paid visiting teacher, whose knowledge and services would
be at the disposal of everj^ blind person within the area. This
provision I consider is indispensable if satisfactory and permanent
work is to be done by our societies. Home teaching and visita-
tion of the adult blind would thus be available for even more
remote districts, while in more populous places various develop-
ments of educational and social nature would be j^ossible.

(5) Every large area shoiild have a free lending library of
books in Braille and Moon types, such libraries to be absolutely
free to blind readers, however remote their residence may be.
No central library in London or elsewhere can meet those require-
ments. Municipal libraries cannot do so. These are necessarily
in more populous places where many blind readers even in their
districts cannot call for books and, of course, the municipal
libraries cannot send them to districts beyond their own boun-
daries.

There- are sufficient reasons for the planting of such libraries' in
properly defined large areas and no organisation could so intelli-
gently carry on the work of a free library for the blind than such
a well-equipped society as I have indicated.

We are hearing a great deal in these days of the pressing need
of cheapening Braille books for the blind — I may say in passing
that I have seen no reference to the equally pressing need of cheaper
Moon books for the blind. Xo doubt to those blind persons
who have the means and accommodation this reduction in prices
will be welcome, but if there are, as we are told, 200,000 blind
persons in this country who can only read Braille with their
finger tips, a much wider outlook on the question of books for
the blind is called for.

I believe the blind generally will always depend on libiaries
for the sui)ply of books, and so there is need for the multiplica-
tion of such free libraries as I have referred to.

Then, so far as the adult blind are concerned, readers can only
be created by the work of such well -equipped societies as I have
pleaded for.

If funds are available. I would suggest such a comprehensive
scheme as would not only include the cheapening of both Braille
and Moon books, but would also subsidise and extend free lending-
libraries, but in addition to this cive grants to needy societies
to provide and extend home teaching in all parts of the country.

Sach a scheme would be in every sense worthy of, and be in
keeping with, an organisation bearing the comprehensive title
of the National Institute for the Blind.

Mr. Passmore (London). — I feel somewhat nervous following
such old hands as Mr. Wilson and Mr. Frew Bryden, and I shall
be very brief in my remarks.

One feels in discussing this question somewhat at a disadvantage.
As Mr. Wilson's paper was only put into my hands an hour ago,

Discussion

I have not had very much time to consider it, but there are three
points I shoukl like to emphasise.

In the first place, we all recognise the immense value of unions.
I should like to see them made even more valuable, and, of course,
if the unions are to be valuable, the blind must co-operate. I
should like to see a stronger representation of the blind themselves
on the committees of the various unions and of the Union of
Unions. I do not know how many blind members there are
on those committees, but I fancy there are only a few.

I shoiUd like to see the unions taking up the employment
question with greater vigour. The public do not properly
understand us. They give us credit for many miracles, but
not for being able to earn our own livings. The unions are, I
think, the most widespread organisations in the kingdom, and
I should like to see them take up the question with great vigour.
I should like also to see the unions standing ready to watch
over the blind, and to take up outside questions which no other
society can deal with, as for instance obtaining cheaper j)asses
on trains for guides. There is no society to deal with such a
matter. The unions are constituted for the benefit of all the
blind, and surely such a question might well be taken up. I
should like to thank Mr. Wilson for his paper.

Mr. Preece* (London). — Five minutes does not allow a speaker
sufficient time for ornamental phrasing, so I will just tumble out
a few ideas in the hope that Mr. Wilson will consider them after-
wards and see if they can be put into practical application. As
a worker for the blind I am surjirised and sorry that more reference
is not made to the j>owers of the blind in carrying out the work
of the unions through the provinces. I should like to know
how many blind persons are members, and I should like Mr.
Wilson to state how many blind workers were at the annual
meeting of the Union of Unions held in London. Now we have
a large part to push forward in our claims and representations,
and 1 do hope that we shall get increased representation and
increased employment.

Wlien Mr. Wilson sketched out the elaborate machinery of
the unions, no reference was made to the emijloyment of blind
organisers. Now I think each should have a paid blind organis ng
secretary. Mr. Pearson himself is a great blind organiser, and
he would be the first to admit that the success of his campaign is
due to the help and encouragement he has received from blind
organisers. When he opened the new workshops at Bolton a
few weeks ago there was a balance wanted of £500. Mr. Pearson
sent three blind organisers from London and in ten days the
money was raised. Ls not that a convincing argument why
there should be a paid blind organising secretary connected with
each union °? This would contribute a little more to our employ-
ment, and would bring in suggestions and information.

May I give you another instance of the power of a blind
organiser f At the present time we are working in five Yorkshire
towns. In one of these we said to a resident there, " We are
going to try and get some money out of so and so." He was a
member of your own aristocracy, my Lord ! We were told he

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

had never been known to give a penny to the blind, and that
onr appeal would be nnsuccessfiil. We did not send a sighted
local secretary, but we sent one of our blind organisers, and five
minutes later he came back with a cheque for £50. Therefore,
I do very strongly urge upon Mr. Wilson and those associated
with him that they should use organised, paid, blind secretarial
labour, and that an organising secretary who is blind would, I
am sure, gi'eatly help in the solution of the practical problems
they have to contend with.

May I say how much we all appreciate the paper !

Now I feel sure that I have only to appeal to a man of Mr.
Wilson's great experience and widespread sympathy to be certain
that he will consider this suggestion. 1 know something of what
he has to contend with. In two Yorkshire towns recently I
have asked about the Northern Union, and the secretaries of
the local societies have said, "' We do not want them here, taking
the money away from oui' institutions." We want the attitude
which regards the blind from a much wider point of view than that,
and what Mr. Pearson has done should be the lines upon which
the Unions should work. To-day we are standing before the
gates of new opportunities, and I do hope that Mr. Wilson and his
associates will throw wide the gates to let us through.

The Chairman. — We will give Mr. Wilson, who is the " Aunt
Sally " for everyone to throw stones at this afternoon, an oppor-
tunity to reply later on, but at the moment I will call upon Mr.
Hedger, of the Sydney Blind Institution.

Mr. Stanley Hedger (Sydney). — On behalf of New South
Wales I would like to say that 1 am reading a paper at the Con-
ference dealing with home teaching, but have had to cut it down,
and I feel I would like to tell you now something about our work.

I would like to congratulate Mr. AVilson on his admiral)Ie
paper. The suggestions that it contains are very well thought
out. In Australia we have a society on the same lines. In
New South AY ales, by the aid of Government help, we are able
to send a blind home teacher free to any part of New South
Whales, into the homes of any blind persons. The parents often
hide their children away out of sight, and if the blind home teacher
can only go to them and take the benefit of work and reading
into theii' homes it considerably brightens them up. We are
able also to send books free of charge. AVe have a few thousand
volumes, and are willing to buy up all the books that are published
in Braille and Moon type. This shows that Government help
can do a great deal for the blind. AA"e also teach the trades
that are useful to them in their own homes, and not only that,
but we give them ten pounds' worth of material every year to
help them.

A Voice : Does the Government pay for that ?

Mr. Hedger.- — No, public subscriptions are received and the
Government gives an equal amount.

Now, just to show you an example of what we are able to do,
I have in the Exhibition a fishing box made by a blind person.
We visited the home of a person who would not come to learn a

Discussion

trade, and at last lie .so brightened up that he made the beautiful
exhibit which you will see in the next room.

I am sure that our work is followed on the same lines as you
suggest, and I give my best wishes for Government legislation to
enable you to reach those blind persons in various parts of England
who have not yet been reached.

Mr. W. H. Tate (Bradford). — My Lord, will you kindly ask the
last speaker to put into figures the amount which the public
subscribe and the amount which the Government gives "? One
pound per jjound does not help us very much, but if he says that
it takes £2,000 a year to keep his institution going, and that the
Government gives £1,000 and the public £1,000, then we shall
understand it a little better. I shoidd also be glad if you would
kindly ask him what is the amount which each blind worker
receives by this system, so that we may know from him if the
Colonies are in advance of us and can give us points.

Mr. Hedger. — I should have to go into figures before I could
answer those questions, but the subscriptions amount to £2,000
a year and we also get £2,000 from the Government, as well as
legacies. There are many other departments as well as the home
teaching, but I could give you to-morrow the amount expended
on the home teaching by itself.

The Chairman (to Mr. Tate). — I think, sir, you had better see
him in the vestry after this meeting. (Laughter).

Mr. Hedger. — I can see him after the meeting.

Dr. Eockliffe (Htdl).^ — I would like, in the first place, to
congratulate Mr. Wilson on his splendid paper. I venture to
think that the majority of those present will agree with me that
it is a pity it was not placed in our hands earlier. In going through
it, there are so many points dealt with that it is quite impossible
to grasp them all in a moment. Therefore, I would like to read
through the objects of our Blind Institution at Hull, which I
think you will agree covers most of the ground undertaken by
the Union.

The Chairman.- — I must ask you, please, to criticise Mr. Wilson's
paper.

Dr. Eockliffe. — Quite so. I will begin by saying that we do
not belong to the Union. Secondly, I contradict Mr. Preece, if
we are one of the two Yorkshire towns to which he refers.

^4. Voice : No, no !

Dr. Eockliffe. — ^I am glad. That does away with a very
important point. The reason that we do not belong to the Union
is this. Some time ago there was a considerable disagreement
between the National League and our Hull Blind Institution,
and, as one of the leading members of the N.L.B. had been elected
on the first committee of the Union, I candidly admit that for
this reason we did not join. A further reason was that everything
Mr. Wilson has mentioned in his paper we were already doing in
Hull. Therefore, we naturally did not like a young society to
come treading on our toes, and if there is anything we have not

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

done we should be glad to have it pointed out by Miss Sadgrove,
the Union representative, who is most active in her work and
goes about a great deal in the East Riding ; we, however, flatter
ourselves that we are doing our work well, as no cases of neglect
have been brought to our notice.

I do think that we old institutions, who have been doing our
work satisfactorily for such a long time, should not be altogether
jumped upon because we do not belong to the Union.

There is one other matter I would like to mention, and that is
with regard to the National Institute for the Blind. I am rather
touchy upon that score. We have raised a considerable sum of
money during the last thirty years, as Mr. Wilson knows, for he
has helped us. This is our Jubilee year, and we wanted to raise
£7,000 for a certain purpose. On asking several friends to reserve
some portion of their gifts for our own institution, I was told
" that they were very sorry, but that it had all gone to the National
Institute and they presumed we should participate." Now when
you come to analyse the blind of Hull, only one-sixth of them can
read, and of these half are able to buy their own books and the
remainder have the use of our extensive library. A blind man also
delivers the books at the doors of the readers. I think you will
see, therefore, that the National Institute will not benefit the blind
of Hull by cheapening blind literature. What we want is to
augment the wages of the industrious blind, and we are aiming at
21s. a week for married men, 15s. for single men, and 10s. for
women. I hoi)e that the Union of Unions will show its power
by doing such Avork.

The Chairman. — It seems to me that Dr. Rockliffe would be
pleased if we were all to go to Hull. I will ask Mr. Charles A.
Pearson to say a few words, and I do not suppose there is any man
in England whom you would rather hear.

Mr. C. Arthuk Pearson* (London). — May I begin by saying
that I came here without the smallest intention of saying a word !
But I cannot let the remarks of Dr. Rockliffe pass unnoticed,
and I should like to begin by saying that I think it is in the
worst possible interests of the blind that there should be bickerings
among those who are working for their common good. So far
as my knowledge goes, neither I nor my colleagues have attacked
anybody who ia doing good for the blind, and we do not wish
to be attacked. Dr. Rockliffe accuses me of unfairly detracting
subscriptions from other institutions. He seems to claim that a
share of the money which we were instrumental in gaining from
people with sympathetic views at recent services should go to
him. Did he organise the services ? What has he done ? If he
wants the money let him go to work and get it. I have no
patience with people who let others do the work and then expect
to reap the benefit.

I should like to say further with regard to what is being done
and what may be done with the money which we are raising
that one should begin at the beginning, and the beginning is
education. And education means books. I consider it a lament-
able fact that among the blind people under Dr. Rockliffe's
charge only one-sixth are able to read ; I consider that to be a

Discussion

very grave confession on his part. Food will come when blind
people have developed intellectually and they are in a better
position to do the work they can do than they are at present.
There has been too long an impression that blind people are only
capable of what I may call the soul-destroying industries, such as
weaving bamboo rods into baskets. A very large proportion of
the blind are capable of much better work than that, but those
blind people will never do such work until every possible means
have been emj)loyed to give them the necessary education. I
maintain, and I ask everybody with common-sense to consider
whether what I maintain is true, that the foundation of all the
knowledge necessary to raise blind people intellectually is educa-
tion, and therefore books. When we have finished with the books
we will go on with the rest.

Dr. RocKLiFFE. — How can they read when they have no
food ? The majority of the blind have not enough to eat.

Mr. Pearson. — I am endeavouring to think of the blind of
the future.

A Voice : But we want it now.

Mr. Pearson. — You shall have it soon, but you must begin
at the beginning. You must permit me and other people who
have the interests of the blind community at heart to work in
our own way.

A Voice : May we go on with the question at issue ? This
discussion is extremely disagreeable.

The Chairman. ^ — Dr. Rockliffe criticised very hotly Mr. Wilson's
paper, and Mr. Pearson is responding, and is getting rather hot,
and therefore, I thought, interesting. (Api^lause.)

A Voice : May I ask your ruling on another point t Will
there be an answer now to Mr. Pearson !

The Chairman. — I should think so.

Mr. Peter Miller* (HiUl). — Will you allow me to rise to a
point of order ? I am from Hull, and should not have been
here if it had not been for Mr. Wilson, and I want to thank him
now. But if you will only listen to Mr. Pearson we shall get
something worth hearing.

Mr. Pearson. — I feel that I owe you an apology. As I said,
I came without the smallest intention of saying a word, but I
do not think it any part of my duty to sit still and listen to hostile
criticisms without replying. I think I have probably said quite
enough, because I am aware that there is much work to be got
through, but I do ask for a little consideration for the point —
that we must raise the status of the blind ; we must begin at the
beginning. When we have accomplished the end for which we
set forth — and I do not mind telling you that in this particular
case the end is very near at hand — let us then pass on to other
things. The delay will not be a long one, and I think there will
be a great deal done for the blind community in a very short
time.

The Work of the Unions, Etc.

The Chairman.- — The time is so short that I must call on the
only lady who has sent up her card — Miss Dawson.

Dr. RocKLiFFE. — Mr. Pearson, in the first place I should like
to apologise to you for any remark I have made that has hurt
your feelings, and to explain that the interests of the blind have
been dear to my heart for more than thirty years. I should be
sorry to think that you or any other blind man should imagine
that I am doing anything in opposition to you. I have had the
pleasure of being hon. secretary and manager of the Institution
for the Blind at Hull for thirty odd years, hon. surgeon to the
Royal Infirmary for twenty-five years, I have had 80,000 patients
through my hands, and 800 blind people to deal with on our
institution books, so that I may claim to have had some experience.
As I have said, this is our Jubilee year, and I had already seen
the Bishop of Hull with regard to church collections. Every-
thing you have lately organised would have been done by us,
and you may, therefore, understand our feelings at losing money
we were hoping to get to provide bread for our blind men.

It is not owing to any neglect on our part that only one-sixth
of our Hull blind can read. As is well known, the majority of
the poorer blind became so in adult lite, when their fingers are
already too brawny from manual labour to feel the small elevated
blind type.

Mr. Ben Purse* (London). — Is this to be regarded as a precedent
in the conduct of debates during the Conference !

The Chairman. — Xo, certainly not ! Miss Dawson does not
wish to speak. I will, therefore, call on Mr. Harris, of Newport,
Mon., who will be the last speaker.

Mr. C. W. Harris* (Newport, Mon.). — I think you will all
agree with me that we have had a most interesting discussion,
and I sincerely trust that the outcome of the paper will be of
great benefit.

There are just one or two points I Avould like to refer to with
regard to the working of these unions. When you have got at
the head of a union an individual who has been to a very great
extent self -installed as secretary, and he takes no action whatever
after being installed, but simply lets the work slide, what is to
be done then "? I think I know of one of these unions of societies
where there has been practically no meeting called on account
of the laxity of the secretary. I would like to ask the reader
of the paper what is best to be done in such circumstances.

The Chairman. — I can tell you that, sir. You sack the secre-
tary. ( L augh ter . )

Mr. Harris.* — Then again, sii', I fear some of the discussion
has travelled somewhat from the work of the unions of societies
into the work of the societies themselves. Take for instance
where there is already a blind aid society doing the work in a
certain district. It is not possible for the Union to step in and do
similar kind of work to that which the individual society is already
doing. We have, I believe, in Monmouthshire, a blind aid society
doing a good deal of work among the adult blind, but, on the other

Past and Impending Legislation

hand, in other parts of the South Wales Division there is, I think,
considerable laxity, and the union ought to be at work to a much
greater extent than is the case now. So we sincerely trust that
the reading of this jiaper and the discussion to which we have
listened will stir up some of the secretaries of the unions.

The Chairman. — It would have been rather nice to have some
more questions raised, but I must call upon Sir Ellis Cunliffe
now, as he has some important engagements.

Mr. W. E. Wade* (Dublin). — May I ask a question with regard
to Mr. Wilson's paper ! I am from Ireland and would like to
ask Mr. Wilson if he would not extend the Union of Unions to
Ireland ! We are very fond of the Union there, although there
are some Home Eulers. There are 4,312 totally blind people
in Ireland.

Sir R. Ellis Cunliffe (London).- — ^I think, perhaps,
before commencing to read my paper, I ought to ask you to
take note of a disclaimer. You will see that in the hand-
book I am put down to read this paper as Solicitor to the
Board of Trade. I am the Solicitor to the Board of Trade,
but I do not read the paper in my official position, nor am
I authorised to speak on behalf of any department of the
State. I am here to-day as having been for nearly twenty
years chairman of one of the workshops for the blind in
London, and will give you my own personal views and the
personal views of others with whom I have been associated,
but I do not care to go back to my department in the Govern-
ment and be hauled over the coals by our President for not
putting my position in the matter right. It is in a sense a
great relief to anybody to be able to read a paper. On
many occasions when facing an audience one has to remember
so much, and it has made it considerably easier having
written my paper to be allowed to read it. I shall not keep
you very long. I have combined the two papers into one.
1 do not trouble you with legislation, either past or future,
while reading my paper. You will see it when it is printed,
and by omitting it now I can make my paper much shorter.

(i) PAST AND IMPENDING LEGIS-
LATION ON BEHALF OF THE
BLIND

(2) HOW TO IMPROVE THE ATTI-
TUDE OF THE PUBLIC TO-
WARDS THE EMPLOYMENT
OF THE BLIND

Sir ROBERT ELLIS CUNLIFFE, M.A.,

Solicitor to the Board of Trade and Chairman of the West London
Workshops for the Bhud.

It must, of course, be understood that this paper is not written by me in
my official capacity, but that it simply represents my views as a
worker among the Blind.

I HAVE found it advisable to combine these two papers,
scheduling the first to the second, and dealing with the
various points in past and impending legislation on behalf of
the blind in detail as they arise when considering their
bearing on the subject of my second paper.

Now I feel quite justified in prefacing this paper by using
the old saying, " Very much water has run under London
Bridge " since I was asked by the organisers of this Con-
ference to write upon these two subjects, for who among us
could a year ago have anticipated that there would have
been so great an awakening of the conscience of the British
public to the needs of that portion of the community that
we meet here to-day to assist in their life's work. The
march of events has been swift indeed and sudden beyond
all thought and expectation ; the spade-work of years is
beginning to bring its trees to fruition.

As a result of this movement my line of aj^proach to these
subjects has necessarily somewhat altered since I first had
them under my consideration, as it can no longer be suggested

Past and Impending Legislation

that the British charitable pubhc are not alive to the welfare
of the blind ; and we all rejoice that this should be so,
because while we feel that there are many other needs of
the blind besides that towards which the whole-hearted and
philanthropic apjjcal of Mr. Arthur Pearson has evoked so
large and generous a response, yet realising that that appeal
is made for one of the amenities as distinct from the essentials
of the battle of life, such appeals to private benevolence must
alwaj^s be necessary, being of a nature which are likely to
remain outside the cognisance of the State. While, there-
fore, until we ourselves obtain, by means of the votes of the
British public, provision for the full education and employ-
ment of the industrious blind, we also must continue to appeal
for assistance in our work to the benevolence of individuals,
yet Avhen once the goal we are seeking to arrive at has been
reached and the State has recognised what we conceive are
its obligations to our handicapped brothers and sisters, it
will still be left to charitable individuals to endeavour to
provide for the blind some of the amenities of their exist-
ence, those additions which go to make their life more
tolerable over and above those necessities which I venture
to suggest it is the obligation of the State to provide.
If anyone has had the opportunity of reading the parti-
culars of the past legislation of the United Kingdom on
behalf of the blind scheduled to this paper, and will compare
the existing legislation with the legislation which is contained
in the proposed Bill now before Parliament, they will see
where impending legislation takes the necessary step ahead
of the legislation of the past. By degrees legislation of the
past has reached the pitch of asserting that it is the duty of
the State to educate blind children up to a certain age and
of sanctioning the expenditure of public funds up to a
certain extent on blind persons in institutions ; but beyond
making jjrovision for the employment of pauper blind
persons, no step towards directly providing employment for
those of the blind who are ready and willing to work has
hitherto been taken by the State, and it is fairly arguable
that to educate those who are crippled for life's contest and

Past and Impending Legislation

the competition of the labour market, to be capable of taking
their part in a trade or occupation, and then to stop short
and fail to provide them with work or occupation, is render-
ing the expenditure on such education in ver;y many cases
valueless.

It seems difficult to assert that any nation has hitherto
completely recognised what I submit is an obligation on the
State, i.e., to thoroughly educate and provide employment
for its blind. While Ave must recognise that France, to its
everlasting credit, led the way in providing in the thirteenth
century a foundation for the support of blind persons, this
action would appear to have been more in the nature of a
provision for their maintenance than a provision for their
employment. In the United States, apart from the work
done therein for the education of the blind, there are work-
shops for the blind subsidised by the State Government or
the municipality, and commissions composed of able men
have recently been appointed in sevei'al of the States to take
charge of the affairs of the blind from infancy to old age;
moreover, the system existing in Saxony to-day concerning
the care of and provision for the blind after their discharge
from the institutions for the blind in Dresden is well woi'thy
of the consideration of our British public and their represen-
tatives in Parliament. But I cajuiot find that complete
recognition of what I consider is the duty of a covmtry to its
blind fellow citizens has been yet accepted, and I trust that
our countr}^ will be the first to lead the w^ay in this.

Now after nearly twenty years' experience as chairman of
a workshop for the blind, I have for some years past been of
the opinion that it is the duty or a moral obligation of the
State to provide that those who, through no fault of their
owai, are handicapped in life's contest shall not only be
thoroughly educated to become capable of being self-support-
ing, but shall be supplied Avith the means of supporting them-
selves when their education has been completed. To enable
this to be brought about the time has come Avhen avc should
cease to lay so much stress on the education of the blind as
on the education of the British public, and on this point I

Past and Impending Legislation

would say that apparently our j^resent representatives in
Parliament are in advance of the British public as a whole,
or perhaps I should put it this way, that they have correctly
anticipated the Avishes and views of those whom they
represent without waiting for any formal expression to be
given to such wishes and views.

And now I would draw your attention to the fact that the
Bill which has already been introduced into Parliament takes
this great step forward, that it provides for the employment
by the State of the blind who are able and willing to work ;
it also extends the existing provisions as regards education ;
but the important point is to note that it enacts the duty of
the State to either provide workshojjs for the blind or practi-
cally to take over or subsidise existing workshops. And I
recommend to all those who are interested in this Conference
to leave this session with the full determination of insisting
in season and out of season that the provisions of this Bill
shall become law in the nearest possible period of time.

We are aware of and appreciate the fact that the Govern-
ment have appointed a Committee to consider the subject
and are rejoiced to think that much good may be expected
from the investigations of such Committee, but it is more
than necessary that, simultaneously with the sitting of this
Committee, the principles laid down by the Bill shall be
advocated and pressed home, for without suggesting that
the Bill is incapable of amendment, I submit that it does
give an opportunity to the Government by supporting this
Bill to demonstrate that the country has realised that those
who through accident, neglect, or preventable disease are
to-day subject to this dire infirmity of blindness shall have a
guarantee that from the moment they become so afflicted
until the end of their lives they can feel that they are pro-
perly and legitimately at the care of the State, and that the
proposed Bill gives full effect to this view, by seeking to
place on the Statute Book an Act governing and guiding the
well-being of our blind throughout their lives of blindness.

To do this effectively, it must be brought home to the
conscience of the British public that it is no longer fair to

Past and Impending Legislation

charge the philanthropic alone with the provision of the
employment of our sightless brothers and sisters ; and once
it has been made clear to the British public that the efforts
of the philanthropic public fall short in attaining this end,
any objection to the securing of this object by some small
rate or tax will, I submit, entirely disappear.

It should always be remembered that the making of the
care for the blind a charge on the State will in all probability
lead to the further awakening of the public to the subject of
the prevention of blindness and so lead to the diminution in
the number of those who may in futiu'e suffer from this
infirmity.

The comparatively small number of blind persons in the
United Kingdom, though in excess of what it should be, has
been both their strength and their weakness — their weakness
owing to the fact that they have not been able to make their
voice heard in the past ; their strength to-day in that any
tax on the public for their future support caiuiot be charac-
terised as an onerous tax, especially when Ave remember that
by State help for the prevention and suppression of the
disease, the reduction in numbers will make that burden less
and less in the course of succeeding generations.

By taking the course advocated by this paper the country
will be able to demonstrate that it has at length learnt to
realise its duty towards those who have become afflicted
owing to ignorance, neglect, recklessness of conduct, or
accident. I see around me great numbers of those who have
taken an interest in this subject for many years past ; under
what circumstances they have come to take such an interest
would be a matter of interesting investigation, but I venture
to say that all are to-day animated Avith but one desire, the
desire to see that the subject is noA\% once and for all,
adequately dealt Avith. The moA'emcnts in the past, as
natural to all such mo\'ements, haA^e been those emanating
from indiA'iduals, belated and isolated, and working, as
indeed till recently they haA'C been Avorking, in sej^arate
units, but fortunately the system of federation has been
called into existence in the last feA\' years Avith, I think, very

Past and Impending Legislation

valuable results, and the system of federation once started
can, I opine, lead to one ultimate goal only, and that is to
some guiding central authority of the State which has the
power to gather up under its aegis all the scattered and
segregated units which to-day are dealing as best their funds
and powers permit with the problem under discussion.
From to-day forward let us put forth all our energies and all
our forces to remove any not unnatural feeling of discontent
on the part of our blind brothers and sisters by insisting that
it is our aim and object to teach the British public that it is
they that should feel discontented until the time has come
when every blind joerson able and willing to work has been
adequately educated and adequately supplied with the
means of working. And, while touching on this phase of
the subject, I would not have our blind brothers and sisters
forget that if and when the State recognises what I submit
is its moral obligation towards them, they themselves should
not be unmindful of their obligation to recognise in their turn
that when the State has placed them by legislative enactmen*"
in the position of reasonable independence it is only feelingL
of humanity and philanthropy that could have induced the
State to take up such an attitude towards them, and to feel
grateful accordingly. And in the same way I would appeal
to all labour interests that, while seeking to make headway
for those engaged in various trades and businesses of life
with the object of securing better treatment for them, they
should also realise that they can well afford to allow some
little inroads into the provisions for their own betterment
when such inroads bring some improvement to the status
of their handicapped brothers and sisters who are engaging
to a certain extent in comjoetition with them.

I have referred to existing legislation and have pointed
out that, while the duty of educating the blind has to a
certain extent been recognised by the State, it has practically
ended there, but now let me refer to the circumstances which
led to the Bill now before Parliament which 1 have scheduled
to this paper. During the last three years a sort of competi-
tion had been going on between those representing the bulk

c.B. 97 a

Past and Impending Legislation

of the various institutions for the benefit of the bhnd in the
United Kingdom and those who claim to represent many of
the bUnd by reason of their being members of the National
League, the result being that for two years or so two Bills,
aiming at very much the same objects, but differently
constructed, were before Parliament. The lack of common
agreement on the details of those Rills prevented any
common basis of progress, and at a deputatioii of the
supporters of the tsvo Bills received by a committee of the
Trade Unions Congress in 1912 it was intimated by the
members of that committee that until agreement was
arrived at it would be impossible for that body to support
the Bills in Parliament. The matter was consequently
taken up with a view to bringing the two sets of representa-
tives into agreement, and towards the close of 1912 the
much-hoped-for goal was attained and an agreement arrived
at between the representatives of the various institutions
for the benefit of the blind and the representatives of the
Blind League as to the j^rovisions of the Bills, making it
possible for an agreed Bill to be presented to Parliament in
the present session.

The next great step in advance of public thought was
clearly demonstrated in the debate in the House of Commons
on March 11th last, inaugurated bj^ Mr. Wardle. That
debate disclosed a state of things which is particularly
to be noted, i.e., the almost unanimous agreement of the
various sections of representatives of parties in the House
that the time has come when State intervention on behalf of
our blind brothers and sisters is a part of practical politics.
Reference to the agreed Bill was made on that occasion and a
sympathetic response by the Government ended in the
promise of the appointment of the Committee to which I
have referred to inquire into the subject^ — a promise which
has since been carried into effect. Further, the extra-
ordinary response of the public to the appeal of the National
Institute for the Blind in their work of educating and
ameliorating the existence of the blind by the spread of
literature suitable to their needs has marked a great advance

Past and Impending Legislation

of public thought. The opening of the new premises of that
institute by our gracious Majesties and their expressed
sympathy with the objects of the institution have left an
impression on the public mind which I venture to think can
never be effaced. The interest of the public in the future of
our blind brothers and sisters has been so aroused and stimu-
lated that results more far-reaching than has ever been
anticipated may now be prophesied with certainty, and on
this last point we must all agree, that what works for the
better education of the young adult and old among the
blind must in truth make for the bettering of their chance of
employment. But still let us never forget that the present
situation has been mainly brought about, thanks to a
century of work by private individuals and institutions ; it
has taken centuries to make the State realise any obligation
to provide education for the children of its subjects, it has
taken even longer for it to realise that to seek to provide
employment for those who are ready and willing to work
and who through lack of means cannot seize upon oppor-
tunities is also an obligation of the State, for it is only
recently that we see this obligation recognised by the
establishment of Labour Exchanges throughout the United
Kingdom. On these lines we would call upon the State to
go a step further in its attitude towards its blind subjects,
and not only to provide opportunities for employment as is
presented by Labour Exchanges to the able-bodied worker,
but to guarantee employment for the worker who, through
no fault of his own, is by reason of infirmity incapable of
entering into equal competition in the labour market. The
extension of the principle is not great, but the moral obliga-
tion to extend it is very great. Realising, therefore, that
to-day the public are in a state of mind to readily receive
suggestions for ameliorating the lot of our blind brothers
and sisters by enabling them to earn their own living,
suggestions as to how this is best to be promoted are matters
of detail upon which many minds are or will be exercised
in the near future, and it is with diffidence and great respect
that I make the following, which may be apparent to many

99 H 2

Past and Impending Legislation

of those here present, and to many serving on the Govern-
ment Committee. The suggestions are in outhne only and
are based on quite a different foundation from those which
I first contemplated when I undertook to deal with this
subject — the difference to-day being that State intervention
of some kind in the interests of the blind is coming into
being — and, this being so, my suggestions are made from the
point of view that the public may naturally expect the State
to give them a lead in directing their attitude towards the
employment of the blind, and it is on this footing that the
following suggestions are put forward.

And just before I make these suggestions I would add that
we must ahvays bear in mind in supjjort of our contention
that employment to the blind is in some respects even more
essential to their existence and well-being than to any other
class of the community^ — emplojanent is what they pray for,
it is almost vital to them. Given a blind man or woman once
instructed in a trade or occu23ation, I know of none that are
more industrious in it ; they are passionately attached to the
idea of becoming numbered amongst the useful members
and workers of the State, and, indeed, daily employment
and occujDation raises them — as they truly realise^ — from a
state of dull, dead, lifeless existence to one of daily energetic
vitality, taking them from their otherAvise sad thoughts of
uselessness.

My suggestions are : —

1. That the Committee established to inquire into the
condition of the blind may see their way to recommend the
establishment, whatever its powers at commencement may
be, of some State department, or State sub-department, for
the provision of the after-care and employment of the blind
when they have received due education.

2. That the recommendations of the Committee should be
made widely known and disseminated throughout the United
Kingdom and that some department of State should be
authorised to make yearly reports to Parliament on the
condition of the blind as regards education and employment
during the preceding year, and for that purpose should

lao

Past and Impending Legislation

require rejiorts from various institutions for the education
and employment of the blind throughout the United Kingdom.

3. That in taking evidence the Committee should, for the
information of themselves and the public, inquire of those
who are best fitted to give valuable information as to the
capabilities of the blind, such as the managers of the various
institutions and workshops for the blind throughout the
United Kingdom and those of the blind who are engaged in
work in these various institutions and can speak as repre-
sentatives of their blind brothers and sisters.

4. That yearly exhibitions of the work of the blind should
be fostered or subsidised by the State, and that prizes should
be given by the State for articles of the best workmanship.

5. That inspectors of institutions and visitors of the bUnd
throughout the United Kingdom should be employed under
State control, so that the daily wants and interests of the
blind may be known and met.

6. And, finally, that, bearing in mind that as by proper
and adequate teaching of the young or adult blind we gain
the best guarantee for a demand for goods of their making — a
guarantee which is essential in order to remove, so far as
possible, the employment of the blind from the realm of
charitable employment — then, when it has been thoroughly
demonstrated that the work of blind men and women, while
not so quickly done, is as good as the work of sighted men
and women, it will be legitimate for the State, dealing locally
with employment, to make public the fact by advertisement
with a view to support the work of the blind in institutions
and workshops, whether existing to-day or to be founded by
the State hereafter.

101

Past and Impending Legislation

43 EUz. c. 2,
s. 6.

An Act for
the Relief of
the Poor

59 Geo. III.
0. 12, s. 26.
An Act to
amend the
Laws for
the Relief of
the Poor.

4 & 5 Will.
IV. c. 76,
g. 56.

An Act for
the amend-
ment and
better
administra-
tion of the
Laws relat-
ing to the
Poor of
England
and Wales.
25&26
Vict. c. 43,

A.— SUMMARY OF PAST LEGISLATION ON BEHALF
OF THE BLIND.

I. England.

" And be it fm-ther enacted, that the father and gi-and-
father, and the mother and grandmother, and the children,
of every poor, old, blind, lame and impotent person, or other
poor person not able to work, being of a sufficient ability,
shall, at their own charges, relieve and maintain every
such poor person in that manner and according to that rate
as by the justices of the peace of that county where such
sufficient persons dwell or the gi-eater number of them
at their general quarter sessions shall be assessed upon pain
that every one of them shaU forfeit twenty shillings for
every month which they shall fail therein."

" And whereas by the said Act passed in the forty-third
year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, for the relief of the
poor it was enacted, etc. (as above).

" And whereas it is expedient to extend the power which
is by the said Act given to justices in their general quarter
sessions to justices in petty sessions : Be it fmther enacted,
that it shall be lawful for any two or more of His Majesty's
justices of the peace for the county or other jurisdiction in
which any such sufficient person shall dwell, and they are
hereby empowered in any petty session to make such assess-
ment and order for the relief of every poor, old, blind,
lame, impotent or other poor person not able to work, upon
and by the father, gi-andfather, mother, grandmother, or
child (being of sufficient ability) of every such poor person,
as may by virtue of the said Act be made by the justices in
their general quarter sessions ; and that every such assess-
ment and order of two or more justices in any petty sessions
shall have the like force and effect as if the same were made
by the justices in their general quarter sessions ; and the
disobedience thereof shall be punishable in like manner."

" And be it further enacted that from and after the passing
of this Act all relief given to or on account of the wife or to
or on account of any child or children under the age of
sixteen, not being blind or deaf and dumb, shall be con-
sidered as given to the husband of such wife, or to the father
of such child or children, as the case may be : Provided
always that nothing herein contained sh^ll discharge the
father and grandfather, mother and gTandmother of any
poor child from their liability to relieve and maintain such
poor child in pui'suance of the provisions of a certain Act of
Parliament i)assed in the forty-third year of the reign of
Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, intituled ' An Act for
the Relief of the Poor. ' "

" 1. The guardians of any parish or union may send any
poor child to any school certified as hereinafter mentioned

102

Past and Impending Legislation

and supported wliolly or partly by voluntary subscrij)tions,
the managers of which shall be willing to receive such child
and may pay out of the funds in theii- possession the
expenses incurred in the maintenance, clothing and educa-
tion of such child therein dming the time such child shall
remain at such school (not exceeding the total sum which
would have been charged for the maintenance of such child
if relieved in the workhouse dming the same period), and in
the conveyance of such child to and from the same, and in
the case of death, the expenses of his or her burial.

" 2. The Poor Law Board may, if they think fit, upon the
application in writing of the managers of any such school as
aforesaid ajipoint such xjerson as they shall deem proper to
examine into the condition of the school and to report to
the said Board thereon, and, if satisfied with such report,
that Board may, by writing under the hand of one of their
secretaries, certify that such school is fitted for the reception
of such children or persons as may be sent there by the
guardians in i^ursuance of this Act ; and it shall be lawful
for the said Board, if at any time they shall be dissatisfied
with the condition or management of such school, by notice
addressed to the managers and signed as aforesaid, to declare
that the certificate is withdrawn from and after a day to be
specified therein, not less than two months after the date
thereof.

" 9. No child shall be sent under this Act to any school
which is conducted on the principles of a religious denomina-
tion to which such child does not belong.

"10. . . . the word ' school ' shall extend to any institu-
tion established for the instruction of blind, deaf, dumb,
lame, deformed or idiotic persons, but shall not apply to
any certified reformatory school."

" The guardians may provide for the recej^tion, main-
tenance and instruction of any adult pauper, being blind or
deaf and dumb, in any hospital or institution established
for the reception of persons suffering imder such infirmities,
and may pay the charges incurred in the conveyance of such
l^auper to and fi'om the same, as well as those incurred in
his maintenance, support and instruction therein."

" The guardians of any mrion or parish may, with the
approval of the Poor Law Board, send any poor, deaf and
dumb, or blind child to any school fitted for the reception of
such child, though such school shall not have been certified
under the provisions of the Act of the 25th and 26th years
of Victoria, chapter 43."

" Nothing in the said Act of the thirtieth and thirty-first
years of Her Majesty's reign, chapter five, or in this part of
this Act, shall render a licence necessary in the case oi a dog
kept and used solely by a blind person for his or her guidance,
or render such person liable to any penalty in respect of a
dog so kept and used."

(This Act applies to Great Britain.)

" Whereas by section 4 of the Poor Law Amendment Act,

103

ss. 1, 2, 9
and 10.
Education
of Pauper
C^hildren
Act, 1862.

30 & 31 Vict,
c. 100, s. 21.
The Poor Law

Amendment
Act, 1867.

31 & 32 Vict,
c. 122, s. 42.
The Poor Law
Amendment
Act, 1808.

41 & 42
Vict. 0. 15
s. 21.
Customs
and Inland
Revenue
Act, 1878.

42 & 43 Vict
c. 54, s. 10.

Past and Impending Legislation

Poor Law
Act, 1879.

4') & 40 Vict.
c. 58, s. 1?..
The Divided
Parishes and
Poor Law
Amendment
Act, 1882.

1889 Report
of the Royal
C'ommission
on the
Blind, the
Deaf and
Dnml).

.of) & b7 Vict.
c. 42.

The Elenu-u-
tary Educa-
tion (Blind
and De.if
Children)
Act, 1S!I3.

1851, guardians are autliorised, with sucli consent as is
therein mentioned, to subscribe towards the support and
maintenance of any public hospital or infirmary as therein
mentioned, and it is expedient to extend the said section.
Be it therefore enacted as follows :

" The provisions of the said section shall extend to autho-
rise the guardians, with such consent as is therein men-
tioned, to subscribe towards any asylum or institution for
blind persons, or for deaf and dumb persons, or for persons
suffering from any permanent or natural infirmity, or
towards any association or society for aiding such persons
or for xH'ovidiug nurses, or for aiding girls or boys in service,
or towards any other asylum or institution which appears
to the guardians, with such consent as aforesaid, to be
calculated to render useful aid in the administration of the
relief of the poor.

'■ Provided always that nothing herein contained shall
authorise any subscrij)tion to any asylum or institution
unless the Local Government Board be satisfied that the
paupers under the guardians have, or could have, assistance
therein in case of necessity."

" The guardians of any union who send any j)auper
chUd to a school certified under the Act of the 25th and
26th years of the reign of Her present Majesty, cap. 43, may
pay the reasonable expenses incurred in the maintenance,
clothing and education of such child whilst in such school,
to an amount not exceeding such rate of payment as may
be sanctioned by the Local Government Board, for ijaujier
children sent to such school, anything contained in the said
Act to the contrary notwithstanding."

In 1889 the Report of the Royal Commission on the
Blind, the Deaf and Dumb was published, and it would
appear that the Elementary Education Act, 1893, was
probably passed as a result of recommendation No. 243 of
the Commissioners. The Education of Blind and Deaf-
Mute Children (.Scotland) Act, 1890, passed three years
previous to the English Act would also appear to have been
a result of the recommendations of the Commissioners.

The whole of this Act — eighteen sections — deals with the
education of blindanddeaf children luider sixteen years of age.

SEdw. VII.
c. 48, s. 2.
Post Office
Act, 1908.

The Publii
Health

Provides that a warrant may fix sjiecial jjostage rates for
postal jiackets consisting of books and papers impressed
for the use of the bliad, and may specify any special condi-
tions and regulations in respect of the transmission by post
of such packets.

(This Act applies to the United Kingdom, the Channel
Islands and the Isle of Man.)

By a General Order made by the Local Government
104

Past and Impending Legislation

Board under the provisions of section 130 of tlie Public
Health Act, 1875, the disease known in the medical world as
Ophthalmia Neonatorum has been made a disease notifiable
under section 3 of the Infections Disease (Notification) Act,
1889.

II. Scotland (only).

The whole of this Act (nine sections) relates to the
education of blind and deaf-mute children between the ages
of five and sixteen years.

III. Ireland (only).

" And be it enacted, that when the Commissioners shall
have declared any workhouse of any union to be fit for the
reception of destitute poor, and not before, it shall be
lawful for the guardians, at their discretion, but subject in
all cases to the orders of the Commissioners, to take order
for relieving and setting to work therein, in the first place,
such destitute poor persons as by reason of old age, infirmity,
or defect, may be imable to support themselves, and
destitute children, and in the next jilace, such other persons
as the said guardians shall deem to be destitute poor, and
unable to support themselves by their own industry, or by
other lawful means : Provided always, that in any case
where there may not be sufficient accommodation for the
relief of all the persons applying for relief whom the guar-
dians shall deem to be destitute poor, the guardians shall
relieve such of the said persons as may be resident in the
union before or in jireference to those who may not be so
resident."

" And be it enacted, that where any poor person shall,
through old age, infirmity or defect, be unable to support
himself, every child of such poor j)erson shall be liable,
according to his ability to support or contribute to support
such poor person, and in case relief shall be given under this
Act to any poor person whose child shall be liable to support
him or to contribute to his support, it shaU be lawful for
any two justices of the peace of the jurisdiction within
which such child may dwell, on the application of the
. guardians of the union, in which such relief shall have been
given, by their order to direct what sum, not exceeding the
cost price of such relief, shall be paid by such cliild to such
guardians in respect of the relief which shall have been so
given, and also what weekly or other jDeriodical j)ayments
shall be made by such child to such guardians in respect of
such relief as shall subsequently be given to such poor
person ; and the sum so directed to be j)aid, and also such
weekly or other periodical payments, when aird as they
shall become due, shall be recoverable by such guardians in
the same manner as any penalties are recoverable mider this
Act."

" And be it enacted, that the guardians of any union may
send any destitute poor deaf and dumb or blind child under

105

(Ophthal-
mia Neona ■
torum)
Eegula
tions, 1914.

53 & 54 Vict.
c. '13.

Education of
Blind and
Deaf- Mute
Children
(Scotland)
Act, ISttO.

1 & 2 Vict,
c. 56, s. 41.
Irish Poor
Rehef Act,
1838.

1 & 2 Vict,
c. 56, s. 57.
An Act for
the more
effectual
Relief of the
Destitute
Poor in
Ireland.

6 & 7 Vict,
c. 92, s. 14.
Irish Poor

Past and Impending Legislation

Relief
Further
Amendinent
Act, 1843.

39 & 40

Vict. c. 50,
s. 4.

Poor Law
Rating
(Ireland)
Act, 1870.

41 &42
Vict. c. 60,
s. 3.
Poor
Afflicted
Persons
(Relief)
(Ireland)
Act, 1878.

the age of eighteen to any institution for the maintenance
of the deaf and dumb or 'blind which may be approved of
by the Commissioners, with the consent of the parents or
guardians of such child, and may pay the expenses of its
maintenance there out of the rates raised under the authority
of the said first-recited Act."

" The expenses incurred by the guardians of any Poor
Law imion in Ireland in resjiect of the maintenance of any
destitute poor deaf and dumb or blind person in the work-
house, and in the conveyance of any destitute poor deaf and
dumb or blind person to any deaf and dumb or blind asylum,
and of the maintenance therein of any such person, shaU be
borne by and charged against the whole union."

" The guardians of any union may provide for the recep-
tion, maintenance and instruction of any pauper above the
age of eighteen, being blind or deaf and dumb in any
hospital or institution established for the reception of persons
suffering imder such infirmities, and may pay out of the
rates the charges incurred in the conveyance of such pauper
to and from the same, as well as those inciu-red in his
maintenance, support and instruction therein : Provided
always, that the amount to be paid by such union for the
reception, maintenance and instruction of every such
pauper so received in any siich hospital or institution shall
not exceed the sum of five shillings weekly."

B.— IMPENDING

LEGISLATION ON BEHALF OF

THE BLIND.
Education, Employment and Maintenance of the
Blind (No. 2) Bill.

3lemorandum.
The object of the BiU is to provide for the technical
education' of the blind by the cstabUshment and equipment
of technical schools where necessary, or by contributions
to existing schools and institutions for the employment
of the blind ; or by the establishment and equipment of
workshops where necessary, or by contributions to existing
institutions providing work for the bUnd ; for grants in
respect of augmentation of wages earned by persons so
employed ; for the provision of the expenses of blind
persons at institutions or hostels while under technical
instruction ; for the employment and maintenance of
bUnd persons away from workshops ; and for the main-
tenance of bUnd persons incapacitated from earning their
Uvelihood.

Arrangement of Clauses.
Clause

1. Local authority to iirovide technical training, emplojTuent, and

mamtenance.

2. Establishment, equipment, and maintenance of technical schools

or contributions to existing schools. Period of and qualifica-

106

Past and Impending Legislation

Clause

tion for training. Apjiroval of expense or contribution by
Board of Education.

3. Establishment, equij)ment, and maintenance of institutions and

workshops for employment, or contributions to existing
Institutions. Provision of employment. Certificate to carry
on a trade, business, or employment away from a workshop.
Conditions of withdrawal of a certificate. Approval of expense
or contribution by Secretary of State.

4. Provision for representation of contributing local authority on

governing body of institution.

5. Monthly grants to institutions in respect of persons employed.

Monthly grants to blind persons holding certificates.

6. Provision of expenses of persons at institutions or hostels, or

technical schools or workshops.

7. Statement of accounts to be rendered to contributing local

authority.

8. Local authorities may combu\e.

9. Governing bodies of technical schools or workshops established

or acquired by a local authority.

10. Monthly grants for maintenance of the incapable blind.

11. Assi.Hance under this Act no disability.

12. Definition of local authority. Expenses of local authority.

Charge of expenses. Borrowing powers. Half cost to be
borne by Imperial Exchequer.

13. Definition of expressions. Settlement of residence.

14. Application of Act to Scotland.

15. Application of Act to Ireland.

16. Date of coming into operation.

17. Short title.

a bill to provide for the technical education,
Employment, and Maintenance of the Blind.

Whereas many blind persons are unable to provide for
themselves adequate technical training or to obtain employ-
ment when trained ;

And whereas the institutions for the blind now existing
are insufficient to provide technical training and employ-
ment for all blind persons capable of profiting thereby :

And whereas many bhnd persons in consequence of their
bhndness are unable, when fuUy employed, to earn sufficient
wages or remuneration for their projier maintenance :

And whereas many blind persons are completely incapaci-
tated from earning their livelihood :

Be it therefore enacted by the King's most Excellent
Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords
Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present
Parhament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as
follows : —

1. It shall be the duty of every local authority, as herein- Local
after defined, from and after the commencement of this authority
Act, to make adequate and suitable provision within such to provide
time as is reasonably practicable for the technical training, technical

107

Past and Impending Legislation

traiiung,
employ-
ment, and
mainten-
ance.

Establish-
ment,
equipment,
and main-
tenance of
technical
schools, or
contribu-
tions to
existing
schools.

Period of
and qualifi-
cation for
training.

Api)roval of
expense or
contribu-
tion by
Board of
Education.

Establish-
ment, equip-
ment, and
maintenance
of institutions
and workshops
for employ-
ment, or
contribution
to existin<;
institutiors.

Provision of
employ-
ment.

employment, and maintenance, to the extent and in the
manner, hereinafter set forth, of every bhnd person over
sixteen years of age resident A^ithin the area of such local
authority.

2. — (1) For the purpose of providing for the technical
training of the blind every local authority shall estabUsh,
acquire, equip, and maintain within its area technical
schools for the blind : Provided that any local authority
may, and wherever practicable shall, make arrangements
with any schools or institutions for the blind within or
without its area for the provision of such techi>ical training,
and for this purpose every local authority is empowered
to contribute towards the enlargement, equipment, altera-
tion, and maintenance of such schools and institutions.

(2) The technical training provided under this Act shall
be for a period not exceeding five years in the case of each
blind peison, and shall only be given to such blind persons
not exceeding fifty years of age at the commencement of
such training as are, in the opinion of the local authority
or of the Board of Education on appeal by any person
inteiested, unable adequately to maintain themselves during
such training, and capable of receiving and being benefited
by such training. Any appeal under this section shall be
made and dealt with in accordance with regixlations to be
drawn up by the Board of Education.

(3) No expense shall be incurred or contribution granted
under this section by any local authority until the approval
of the Board of Education has been obtained to the amount
of such expense or contribution, and to the terms, if any,
on which the expense is incurred or contribution granted :
Provided that the Board of Education may draw up regula-
tions relating to the incurring of expenses or granting of
contributions under this section, and it shall not be necessary
for the local authority to obtain the approval of the Board
of Education to any expense incurred or any contribution
gi'anted in accordance with such regulations.

3. — (1) For the purpose of providing for the employment
of the blind every local authority shall establish or acquire,
equip and maintain within its area workshops for that pur-
pose : Provided that any local authority may, and wherever
practicable shall, make arrangements with any institutions
for the blind within or without its area for the provision of
such employment, and for this puri3ose every local authority
is empowered to contribute towards the enlargement,
equipment, alteration, and maintenance of such institu-
tions.

(3) The local authority shall (so far as is reasonably
practicable) obtain or provide employment under this
section for each blind person who has completed a course
of technical training under section two of this Act, or who
satisfies the local authoiity or a Secretary of State on appeal
from a decision of the local authority, that he is able with
reasonable efficiency; to practise some t:ade, industry, or

108

Past and Impending Legislation

employment. Any appeal made under this section shall
be made and dealt with in accordance with regulations to
be drawn up by a Secretary of State.

(3) If it is shewn to the satisfaction of a local authority
that by reason of the age or infirmity of any blind person
residing in the area of such local authority, or by reason of
the circumstances connected with the carrying on of any
trade, industry, or emi^loyment it will be to the advantage
of such blind person that he shall be permitted, whilst
residing in such area as aforesaid, to carry on away fi-om
a workshop any trade, industry, or employment the local
authority may by certificate authorise him to do so and shall
so far as is reasonably practicable assist him in obtaining
work in such trade, industry, or emi)loyment.

(4) The local authority may on their being satisfied on
the report of an inspector appointed by them to mvestigate
the conditions under which such blind person is cai-rying
on such trade, industry, or emiiloyment that it is not to the
advantage of such blind jjerson that such certificate shall be
continued withdraw such certificate, but no such certificate
shall be withdrawn without the local authority giving such
blind person the opportunity of being personally heard by
them on the matter and any such withdrawal shall be sub-
ject to the right of such blind person to ajtpeal to a Secretary
of State from the decision of the local authority, such appeal
to be made and dealt with in the same way as an appeal
under sub-section (2) of this section.

(5) No expense shall be incurred or contribution granted
imder this section by any local authority until the approval
of a Secretary of State has been obtained to the amount of
such expense or contribution, and to the terms, if any, on which
the expense is incurred or the contribution granted : Pro-
vided that a Secretary of State may draw up regulations
relating to the incurring of expenses or granting of contribu-
tions under this section, and it shall not be necessary for a
local authority to obtain the api)roval of a Secretary of
State to any expense incurred or any contribution granted in
accordance with such regulations.

4. The terms of contributions approved by the Board of
Education or a Secretary of State, as the case may be, may
include j)rovision for rexjresentation of the contributing
local authority on the governing body of the school or
institution to which it contributes in cases where such
representation appears to the Board of Education or a Secre-
tary of State, as the case may be, to be practicable and
expedient.

6. — (1) Every local authority shall make monthly grants
to any workshop established, acquired, equipped, or main-
tained by such local authority, or to any institution towards
which such local authority contributes under section three ( 1 )
of this Act in respect of each blind person employed in such
workshop or institution for whom the local authority has
the duty of obtaining or providing employment under this

109

Certificate
to carry on
a trade,
industry, or
employ-
ment away
from a
workshop.

Conditions
of with-
drawal of
certificate.

Apjiroval of
exjiense or
contribu-
tion by
Secretary
of State.

Provision
for repre-
sentation of
contribut-
ing local
authority
on govern-
ing body of
institution.

Monthly
grants to
institution
in respect
of persons
employed.

Past and Impending Legislation

Monthly
grants to
blind per-
sons holding
certificates.

Provision
of expenses
of persons
at institu-
tions or
hostels, or
technical
schools or
workshops.

Statement
of accounts
to be

rendered to
contribut-
ing local
authority.

Local
authorities
may com ■
bine.

Governing
bodies of
technical
schools or
workshops
established
or acquired
by a local
authority.

Monthly
grants for

Act, for the purpose of augmenting tlie wages actually
earned by such blind person. The amount of such monthly
gi-ant shall be determined in each case by the local authority,
but shall not be less than a sum equivalent to a weekly
payment of Hve sMlUngs in respect of each blind person so
employed, nor more than a sum to be fixed by a Secretary
of State in respect of each such blind person. The sums so
granted shall be paid by the governing body of the institu-
tion to each blind person employed in such workshop or
institution.

(2) Every local authority shall also make to each person
holding a certificate under section three (3) hereof a monthly
giant of an amoimt to be determined by the local aiithority
but not being less than a sum equivalent to a weekly pay-
ment of five shillings in respect of each blind person holding
such a certificate nor more than a sum to be fixed by a
Secretary of State in respect of each such blind person.

6. — (1) It shall be lawful for local authorities where they
think fit to provide the expenses of blind persons for whom
they are providing technical training under this Act. The
amomit so provided in any one year in respect of any blind
person shall not exceed a sum to be fixed by the Board of
Education.

(2) It shall be lawful for local authorities where they think
fit to defray the cost of conveying blind persons for whom
they are obtaining or providing employment under this
Act to or from the workshop or institution where the blind
person is to be or has been employed.

7. \Mienever a local authority has made any grant of
money to any school or institution under this Act the
governing body of such school or institution shall send to
the local authority accoimts, which accounts shall be
prepared, rendered, verified, and audited in such manner
as may be prescribed by the Board of Education or by a
Secretary of State, as the case may be.

8. Two or more local authorities may combine for the
performance of their duties under this Act. Local authori-
ties combining vmder this section may establish, acquire,
equii^, and maintain technical schools under section two or
workshops imder section thi'ee of this Act within the area
of any of the local authorities so combining.

9. Any local authority which establishes or acquires a
technical school or workshop imder this Act shall appoint a
governing body, consisting of not less than six persons, one
half of whom shall be members of the local authority, and
who shall be responsible for the management of such
technical school or workshop. Where two or more local
authorities combine to establish or acquire a technical
school or workshop the governing body of such technical
school or workshop shall be appointed by the local authori-
ties so combining in such proportions as may be mutually
agreed upon between them.

10. Every local authority shall also make to every blind

110

Past and Impending Legislation

person who tlirough infirmity or incapacity is Tinable to
learn or to support himself by means of any trade, industry,
or employment a monthly grant for the maintenance of such
bUnd person of an amount to be determined by the local
authority but being not less than a sum equivalent to a
weekly payment of ten shillings in respect of each such
bhnd person nor more than a sum to be fixed by a Secretary
of State in respect of each such bUnd person.

11. The provision of any assistance under this Act to a
blind person shall not deprive him of any franchise, right,
or privilege, or subject him to any disability.

12. — (1) For the purposes of this Act the expression
" local authority " shall mean the council of any county or
county borough.

(2) The expenses incurred by a local authority in carrying
out the provisions of this Act shall be paid in the case of a
county council out of the county fund, and in case of a
county borough council out of the borough fund or rate.

(3) A county council may charge any expenses incurred
by them under this Act on any part of their county for the
requirements of which such expenses have been incurred.

(4) A local authority may borrow for the purpose of
this Act —

{a) In the case of a county council in manner provided by
the Local Government Act, 1888 :

[h) In the case of a county borough council as if the pur-
poses of this Act were purposes for which they are
authorised by section one hundred and six of the
Municipal Corporations Act, 1882, to borrow.

(5) The Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury shall
from time to time repay to the local authority out of the moneys
provided by Parliament for the purpose one half of the expenses
incurred by such local authority in carrying out the provisions
of this Act.

13.— (1) In this Act—

The expression " bhnd " means too bhnd in the opinion
of the local authority to perform work for which eye-
sight is ordinarily required : Provided that where any
local authority decided that a person is not blind within
the meaning of this Act such person may appeal from
such decision in accordance with regulations to be
drawn up, and to such person or persons as may be
appointed by the Board of Education and a Secretary
of State :

The expression " technical training " means the teaching
the practice of any trade, industry, or employment
which can be followed by blind persons :

The expression " expenses " when used in relation to a
bhnd person, includes the expenses and fees of and inci-
dental to the attendance of a bUnd person at a school
or institution or technical school as mentioned in sec-
tion two of this Act, and the expenses of and incidental
to the maintenance and boarding out of a bhnd person

111

mainten-
ance of the
incapable
blind.

Assistance
under this
Act no
disability.

Definition
of local
authority.
Expenses
of local
authority.

Charge of
Expenses.

Borrowing
powers.

Half cost to
be borne by
Imperial
Exchequer.

Definition
of expres-
sions.

Past and Impending Legislation

Settlement
of residence.

Application
of Act to
Scotland.

Application
of Act to
Ireland.

while so attending, and tlie expenses of conveying tlie
blind person to or from the school or institntion or
technical school as aforesaid :
The expression " Secretary of State " means one of His

Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State.

(2) For the pm'poses of this Act, and for the purposes of

poor law settlement, a bhnd person resident in an institntion

or boarded out in pursuance of this Act shall be deemed to be

resident in the district from which the blind person is sent.

14. In the apijhcation of this Act to Scotland — ■

(1) A reference to the Scotch Education Department

shall be substituted for a reference to the Board of
Education, and a reference to the Secretary for
Scotland for a reference to a Secretary of State :

(2) The expression " local authority " shall mean the

council of a county and the commissioners of poUce
of burghs in which there are such commissioners,
and in burghs in which there are no such commis-
sioners, the town council.

(3) The expression " county fund " shall mean the

general purposes rate, and " borough fund or rate "
shall mean in burghs in which there are commis-
sioners of i)olice, the police assessment or in their
option the public health assessment ; and in burghs
in which there are no such commissioners any
assessment levied by the town council :

(4) The borrowing powers conferred on local authorities

by this Act may be exercised in the case of a county
council under the Local Government (Scotland)
Act, 1889, and any Act amending the same, and
in the case of commissioners of pohce of a town
council under the Burgh PoUce (Scotland) Act, 1892,
as amended by any subsequent Act.

15. In the appUcation of this Act to Ireland —

(1) A reference to the department of Agriculture and

Technical Instruction for Ireland shall be substi-
tuted for a reference to the Board of Education,
and a reference to the Chief Secretary for a reference
to a Secretary of State :

(2) The expression " local authority " shaU mean the

council of any county or county borough :

(3) The expenses incurred by a local authority under this

Act shall be defrayed in the case of a county council
out of the county fund, as a county at large charge,
and in the case of a county borough council out of
any rate or fund apphcable to the purposes of the
Pubhc Health (Ireland) Acts, 1878 to 1907, as if
incurred for sanitary purposes or out of any other
rate or fund which the Local Clovernmeut Board
for Ireland may on the appMcation of the council
approve :

(4) The borrowing powers conferred on local authorities

by this Act may be exercised in the case o.f a county

112

Past and Impending Legislation

council under the Local Government (Ireland) Act,
1898, and in the case of a county borough council
under the Public Health (Ireland) Acts, 1878 to
1907.
, 16. This Act shall come into operation on the first day of Date of
Januati/ one thousand nine hundred and fourteen. coming into

17. This Act shall be cited as the Technical Education operation.
and Employment and Maintenance of the Blind Act, 1914. Short title.

C.B 113

Past and Impending Legislation

DISCUSSIOX.

Mr. H. W. P. PixE (Nottingham).— Sir Ellis Cunliffe has done
me the honour to invite me to open the discussion on his paper,
probably because it has been my jjrivilege to occupy the position
of lion, secretary of the National Employment Committee as
well as the lion, secretary of the Special Committee who have
in hand the Parliamentary Bill.

The writer of the paper has given us a masterly review on the
subject we have for consideration this afternoon, and with
statesman-like grasp has indicated what is the position and what
should be the duty of the State on the one hand in regard to the
blind, and the duty of the British public on the other, not for-
getting also the obligation which rests, and must rightly rest,
upon our blind brothers and sisters themselves.

Everyone will agree that the position in regard to the blind
has moved immeasurably forward since some twelve months
ago we drafted the titles of these two jjapers. Never before has
the mind of the British public been turned to this question to the
same extent as recently, and there is evidence on all hands
that the sympathy and interest of the public have at last been
thoroughly awakened and stimulated.

In all this the recent kindly attitude and the practical sympathy
shown by the Throne towards this question have given a tre-
mendous lead, the results of which will ever remain, and the general
interest throughout the country has been so aroused by the genius
and the remarkable appeals of Mr. Pearson that I think it can no
longer in justice be said that the attitude of the public towards
the blind needs improvement. What is wanted now is that the
abundant sympathy and interest that have been evoked should be
wisely directed. In other words the British public say, " We are
willing to do all you require, but tell us just what it is you wish
us to do."

The splendid work of the seven unions of which we have heard
this afternoon in Mr. Wilson's able paper is accomplishing much
in this direction, and the scattered blind are being found out and
helped. It is to me most remarkable how many kindly people
are being brought into the work who took no part in it before,
and much information about the blind is being disseminated on
all hands.

It must be conceded, however, that in the recent campaign for
the cheapening of Braille books the public mind has been directed
in the main to what Sir Ellis Cunliffe has rightly described as one
of the amenities, rather than to the greater need of the esseniials
of the battle of life, and it will be necessary for the British public
to be still further educated and directed, not only that they may
support and be in accord with what the State may be urged and
willing to do, but also that they may know the needs of the blind
above and beyond what it is suggested is the obligation of the
State to provide.

I believe the country, as a whole, is not only willing but anxious,
judging from the many speeches I have heard and read during
the last year or two, to he directed, and is ripe for any forward

Discussion

movement for the benefit of the blind, and the public will not be
unwilling to realise' that the time has arrived in the present trend
of events in other directions in this country when, as Sir'Ellis
Cunliffe has said, it is no longer fair to leave the charge for the
welfare of the blind to philanthropy alone, particularly in such
matters as technical training and the j)rovision of employment.

Though, in these days, as someone has remarked, we are rated
and taxed up to the hilt there will always be room for the blind.

The Governments of this country have been very slow to deal
with this problem of the blind, with the exception of the blind
pauper, and have preferred to adopt the policy of " laisser faire.'"
and leave the whole cost of their education and well-being to
voluntary agencies.

This state of things prevailed until the great Blind and Deaf
Elementary Educatisn Act of 1893, since which time there has been
no looking back. Before that Act, as will be seen by the schedule
of legislation relating to the blind, which appears as an appendix
to Sir Ellis Cunliffe's paper, the only public money that could
be expended upon the blind was through the Poor LaAv, and
under the Act of 1862 the guardians had power to send the blind
poor to schools for the blind, but at a cost for all maintenance,
education and clothing not exceeding the cost of maintenance
for the same period in the workhouse. How inadequate this was
may well be imagined ! By the amending Act of 1882 the guar-
dians were empowered to jjay the reasonable expenses of a poor
child sent to a school for the blind to an amount to be sanctioned
by the Local Government Board.

The great Education Act of 1870, when a national system of
education was first established for the sighted, did not touch the
blind at all.

Until 1902 no provision from public sources could be made for
training after sixteen years of age, except by a reversion to the
Poor Law, but, fortunately, under the 1902 Act relating to
secondary education the school authority may jjrovide technical
training for the blind, but it is not compulsory.

So far as the young blind are concerned I do not think, myself,
that there is any great lack of accommodation for their technical
training, but it must be remembered that the powers exercised
are entirely optional and permissive. But when we come to
those who lose their sight in adult life the case is quite different,
for there are few institutions that will admit them after the ages,
say, of twenty to twenty-five, and I think there is a great need
here.

The Elementary Education Act of 1893 has now been in
operation for just over twenty years, and under it most of the
young blind have been, or are being, educated. The natural
consequence of this compulsory elementary education and after-
technical training has brought about a greater need for employ-
ment.

This question of employment has been the most jirominent one
since the First International Conference held in Edinburgh in
1905, when the subject occupied a very important place in the
proceedings, and the committee, known as the National Committee

115 1 2

Past and Impending Legislation

for tlie Employment of the Blind, was appointed. One of the
first acts of that committee, finding that the institutions were in
favour of the Government being appealed to, was to seek inter-
views with the large spending departments of the Goverument
to ascertain how far they coidd assist in jjroviding work, and
also, to make some appeal to the Government itself on the
problem of the blind. But the result so far as the Government
departments are concerned has been that, though large quantities
of goods have been supplied since then, the orders given, while
of advantage to the blind workers in the way of employment,
have been entirely unremunerative, in fact, have been carried out
at considerable loss to the institutions which engaged in these
contracts. It may be pointed out that, while some of the insti-
tutions cannot do without these orders for Government work
if they are to keep their workers constantly employed, it does not
appear to be an equitable proposition that the Government should
give out work to institutions at such prices as can only result in
loss, and that the philanthropic amongst the public should be
called upon to subscribe to make good that loss.

In the year 1906, therefore, the National Employment Committee
drafted a Bill to deal with this question of employment and to seek
some assistance from the State. I must not now dwell upon it, nor
can I go into details of negotiations which took place in regard to
these Bills. Sir Ellis Cunliffe has briefly explained in his paper
how there came to be two Bills and the circumstances which led
to the Bill which was drafted by a special committee appointed
for the purpose and which is now before Parliament.

I find myself in cordial agreement with the views so well
expressed in Sir Ellis Cunliffe's i^aper, and after a long experience
I am entirely with him in the opinion that after the State has
provided an education and training for those who, through no
fault of their own, are handicapped in life's battle by blindness,
the means also should be supplied by which they can realise the
resiilts of that training. Other than this falls far short of what
is required, is a waste of valuable training, and too often means
bitter disappointment, discouragement and despair to the blind
themselves.

The Bill introduced into Parliament, therefore, provides
technical trdning for all blind persons desiring it from sixteen to
fifty years of age for a term not exceeding five years. It also
enacts that, so far as is reasonably practicable, employment shall
be provided for those willing to work, and it puts upon the State
the duty of establishing workshops or of taking over or subsi-
dising existing workshops.

These are its main provisions.

The total number of blind persons in the United Kingdom
is not large, only some 34,000. Those of England and Wales for
the census of 1901 numbered 25,317, and for the census of 1911,
26,336. Of these 13,257 were males and 13,079 were females.
Out of the 25,317 of the census of 1901, 3,295 were twenty years
of age and under, and it is hoped and expected that the bene-
ficent action of the President of the Local Government Board,
to his iHHting credit, will .do much to reduce this number. It

116

Discussion

is a striking fact that no fewer than 12,538, or very nearly half,
were fifty-five to eighty-five and upwards, leaving only 9,484 of
both sexes from twenty to fifty-five, of whom it must be remem-
bered half are females.

The number, therefore, that would have to be provided with
employment is probably not so great as may have been thought.

There are three directions which may be looked to for this
employment : —

(1) The Government, i.e., the imperial authorities.

(2) The local authorities.

(3) The British public.

The Government are by far the largest buyers in this country,
and the amount of goods required such as institutions can make
for the great State departments — the British Navy, the Army,
the Post Office, etc., is enormous. It seems to some of us that
it would be a perfectly simple j)roposition for the Government
to order that the making of some of these goods should be reserved
for the blind and at prices and in the proportions and descrip-
tions at which the respective workshops could undertake them.

The departments, when we interviewed them, told us that,
while they were perfectly willing to place orders with institutions,
they had no power to alter the regulations in regard to the pur-
chase of supplies, nor to give any preference or consideration to
the institutions without an order from the Government. But
the State under its obligation to provide employment could order
this and could subsidise these State departments, if necessary,
to cover any extra cost the departments might have in providing
this work or giving this preference — and I believe a symiiathetic
public would agree.

Allow me to take one instance only — that of the War Office.
I hold in my hand tender forms and schedules of goods required
by the War Office for the past twelve months. These schedules
are sent to the respective institutions that are on the War Office's
approved list of contractors for the particular goods for which
each tenders, and a duplicate is sent to me in all cases as Hon.
Secretary of the National Employment Committee. I have sum-
marised these requirements and I find there are no fewer than
476,000 brooms and brushes, viz., 67,000 bass brooms, 60,000
sweeping brooms, 138,000 shoe brushes, 98,000 scrubbing brushes,
and so on ; while 20,000 ammunition and other baskets, 3,600
mattresses are also asked for in these forms. The regulations in
regard to quality and workmanship are very stringent and insistent,
and the work can only be satisfactorily done by the able-bodied,
capable and efficient workers, but that satisfaction can be given
may be shown from the fact that the Nottingham Institution has
made some 7,500 bass brooms since this arrangement was entered
into with only thirty-one rejected, while only fourteen of these
thirty-one were on account of faulty work, and this of the most
trivial kind, pnd for the past nearly two years not one has been
rejected at all.

I have no doubt Bradford and other institutions could give
equally satisfactory reports.

The prices, however, at which these brooms have been and are

117

Past and Impending Legislation

being supplied are entirely unremunerative, in fact have entailed
throughout a loss of 2s. to 2s. 6d. per dozen. When the price
was first allotted to the institutions it was 12s. "Id. per dozen
In the next contract it was cut down to 12s. 6rf.,then to 12s. 3(7.,
then to 12s., and, though it is a little higher in the present contract
there is still a loss consequent upon a recent rise of nearly 50 per
cent, in the price of the raw material.

The gTeatest diificulty of all that we have confronting us, in
my opinion, is the question of more avenues of employment for
girls and women. How far this crying need can be met by the
Government or under the Bill is the most perplexing problem of
all.

Large quantities of goods can be, and are, supplied by institu-
tions to local authorities, town and county councils, workhouses
and other public bodies. The prices are not so low nor the regula-
tions so stringent as in the case of Government departments.

Much more work of a varied character could be found tor the
blind in these directions and the National Employment Committee
have by resolution on two occasions called the attention of local
authorities throughout the country to this question.

There are, however, frequently local jealousies on the part of
rate -paying competitive manufacturers which would not appear
in the case of Government provision of work.

After all, it is chiefly the capable and efficient workers who
could be provided with employment by imperial authorities,
and these in a comparatively small number of occupations. It
must be left to a large extent to a sympathetic and gradually
enlightened public with their varied requirements, especially in
regard to employment for women and girls and to the great
influence of the workers in the several unions to step in and fill
up where much will be required.

In closing his admirable paper, for which I am sure we are all
indebted to him. Sir Ellis Cunliffe has made certain valuable
suggestions with most of which I cordially agree, though 1 am
inclined perhaps to doubt the practicability or wasdom ot No. 4.
The value of some of them is apparent, and in all probability, one
would think, they will be adopted, while they are all of them
worthy of careful consideration.

NoTK. — In order to show some of the results of State action on behalf of
the blind on the Continent, and to show how their connection rather develops
than checks private benevolence, may I add one or two extracts from the
report of a visit paid by Mr. Norwood, of York, and myself to a number of
institutions in Swt den, Denmark, Germany and Austria a few years ago.

Speaking of bru'^hmaking, we stated as follows : —

" Brushmaking is a large industry for the blind of Berlin, and the work-
shops in that city supply to the municipality no less than 60,000 brooms
annually for street vise alone, thus finding much constant and profitable
employment for many male and female workers.

" We cannot leave this subject of employment without alluding to the
great help and encouragement which is given to the industries of the
Continental institutions for the blind from the patronage and favour which
they receive from the Imperial and Royal Families, and from the spending
departments of the State and municipaUty, including the Army, Navy, Post
Office, hosj)itals, asylums, and many other puolic institutions.

118

Discussion

" It will be of interest to note that the foundation of institutions for the
blind on the Continent dates from the early part of last century, and, there-
fore, coincides with the similar movement in our country. We must also
call attention to the important fact that each one of the nuie institutions we
visited received in its establishment or erection direct State or municipal
aid, and in some cases the State now makes direct contributions to the
institutions to meet what is required for their annual outlay. The results
of this help from the State cannot be described as other than good, and are
to be seen in the handsome and spacious schools built, equipped and staffed
in a manner quite beyond the powers of ordinary voluntary eifort ; and also
in the liberations of the charitable funds of the institutions for the better
carrying out of a small part of that boundless work which must always bo
left to personal sympathy and private benevolence.

" In conclusion, we cannot help stating that we were much impressed
by the fact that there is undoubtedly a very great work being accomplished
for the upUfting of the blind, and for the improvement of their general
condition in the centres we were privileged to visit, and we are of opinion
that this work is in many respects advanced by the direct connection of the
institutions with the iState or municipality. This recognition by the State
of the jjosition of the blind M'hich we found on the Continent seems to have
stimidated rather than checked private effort on their behalf, for there are
abundant signs on all hands of the active exercise of private benevolence in
many forms of ' after ' and other cave which will always be best given, and
at the same time be most valued by the blind themselves, when they come
to them as an assurance of the personal sympathy of their sighted neighbours.
We were glad to see how, in every place we visited, private benevolence and
personal sympathy are sujjplementing and completing the work ol the State,
and it was everywhere acknowledged that, however much the State may do
in providing education and training to bring the blind up to the level of their
sighted neighbours, tlie still greater work of general care and of bettering
their social condition must always be left to voluntary effort."

Mr. W. H. DixsON* (Oxford). — I was greatly delighted with
tlie suggestions wliicli wei'e made in Sir Ellis Cunlilfe's paper.
At the same time, I think we ought to centre our minds even yet
on the improvement of the attitude of the public towards tlie
employment of the blind, because really the public do not under-
stand. You know the story of the German who said, '" The ghost
is ready, but the meat is feeble.' (Laughter.) The public would
like to do something, but they do not quite know what to do.
I think that one way in which we can improve the attitude of
the public towards the employment of the blind is by we blind
people ourselves not being too ready to' take up a belligerent
attitude. I mean to say when, for instance, some literary artist
writes a strong letter to orxe of the London papers on behalf of
the blind, even if we do not altogether approve of everything ho
says we ought not to be too ready to refuse gratitude to the kinh-
ness of that man and the kindly feeling which he has shown.
But I do not think we have even yet broken down the prejudicit
of the public. We talk sometimes as if ve had, but the day has
not yet gone by when a blind organist has applied to a church fur
a post and the clergyman has said, " I know you play very beauti-
fully, but you have no control over the boys." That day has not
yet gone by, and I woidd like what I am going to say to be recorded
publicly. I wish it to be known througliout the length and
breadth of Great Britain and throughoiit the world that a clergy-

119

Past and Impending Legislation

man said in Oxford that Mr. Osborne of St. Aldate's Churcli in
Oxford had more control over tlie boys than any organist he
knew.

Now as to the attitude of the State. I think it is not merely
in the matter of industrial employments that the State could do
something. It seems to me, sympathising as I do with Mr. Pear-
son, that the blind should go in more than they do for the higher
employments, I think that the State should recognise those
higher employments. I think, for instance, that when the
bestowal of a Crown living is in question, it shoiild be asked
whether there is a blind man able to fill that living. I think when
there is a question of a State or municipal musical position a
blind person might be considered. I do not see, for instance,
why a blind man or woman should not teach music in some of the
State elementary schools, and I think the State or municipality
should inquire into this. I know that Miss Matilda Aston, of
Victoria, whilst waiting for a jiosition as head of a blind institu-
tion, was sent temporarily to an infants' school in a slum district,
and she was so successful that she was afterwards put in as second
of a blind school without a moment's demur. But she was ap-
pointed largely on account of the position she had held in an
ordinary seeing school. It occurs to me, too, that great muni-
cipalities have pianos to tune. They must have scliool pianos
and others to tune, and I think they should ask whether there is
any blind person in their district willing and able to tune those
pianos.

Before I sit down I should just like to say that the public are
sometimes bewildered in the matter of the employment of the blind
and other things bythe l^ck of co-operation among societies working
for the blind, and I really cordially object to a gTeat central society
collecting in a provincial town which has a local society without
consulting the local society.

Mrs. MuRDO Mackenzie (Inverness). — I have the honour of
representing the Highlands of Scotland, and should like to thank
Sir Ellis Cunliffe for his paper. I do not agree with the last
speaker, that the public have got to the stage at which we
need not trouble any more about them. You must say what you
want very distinctly. Then say it over six times. Then say it
once more very slowly, and say that it is what you said you meant
and not what you did not say.

I have a story to tell, about a boy named William Morrison
in Inverness, sixteen years of age. We were at a loss to know what
could be done with him. He was very musical, so we sent to
Edinburgh to ask what the terms were, and how long it would
take to train him. We were told that it woidd take three years
and that the cost woidd be £.30 a year. Well, we found that we
could get £10 a year, but did not know how to find the other £20.
1 know Mrs. Andrew Carnegie, and wrote and told her about our
little bit of human flotsam. She kindly promised the £20 for
three years, and only yesterday I received my Inverness paper,
in which I read the following : " Church News, Inverness. — The
committee of the West Parish have appointed Mr. William Morrison
as organist and choirmaster. He is twenty years of age and blind.

120

Discussion

He was educated in the Northern Institution for the Blind, and
went to Edinburgh, where he received the latter part of his
musical training." ^

After the fashion of the Indian gentleman this morning, may
I say in our Highland language —

" Gu ma fada beo Sibh's ceo do bhur tighe."
(May you live long, and long may smoke come from your chimney.)

Sir Edward O'Malley (London). — ^I am connected with one
of the associations which sends delegates to this meeting, and am
speaking in that capacity. I wish to say one or two words
because I imagine that the position I take up is one that is not
shared by a large proportion of those here. But it is one which
oiight to be voiced on an occasion like this.

In the first place may I thank Sir Ellis Cunliffe for the exceed-
ingly lucid and frank statement he has made with reference
to the existing state of the law and the provisions that have
hitherto been made for the blind. I am very thankful to him
for that, and still more for the schedule, which enables one more
fully to iJrofit by what he has told us. I thank him for giving
us facts whic/h we can act upon for ourselves, while he has allowed
us the liberty of rejecting his advice if we think fit.

Now, my Lord, I have only a moment or two in which to
address the meeting, and what I wish to say is this : I am very
anxious that it should not go forth to the ijublic that there is
any unanimity at all in this meeting in support of the docti'ines
which have been propounded by Sir Ellis Cunliffe and those who
have spoken. He has i)ropounded the doctrine that the blind
as a class — and they are not a very large class in our population — ■
are to be helped at the public expense to free education and con-
tinuous employment at not less than the standard rate of wages,
and that the money to do that is to be found, not by benevolent
people voluntarily, but by contributions levied compiilsorily on
the ratepayer and taxpayer generally.

Now I represent a charitable association, as I believe that
most of the delegates do, and I do not feel that we should be
justified in allowing a proposal of that sort to go forth from this
Conference without entering our j)rotest. It may be right or
it may be wrong, but at all events, as far as we delegates are con-
cerned, I do not think we have any mandate to give our consent
to the proposals for legislation embodied in the Bill which has
been brought before us. I would rather have nothing to do with
the Bill in its present shape ; as I read it it is a socialistic measure.

Mr. EoTSTON* (London). — I did not intend to speak this after-
noon, so perhaps I may have to think just a little as I go on, but
I did expect that the paper was going to have a little more to
do with the general public rather than with their representatives,
the Government. I think, perhaps, the title would have been

1 It will intei'est the Conference to know that the minister of the West
Church is my dear friend the Rev. Gavin Lang, uncle of the Archbishop
of York.

121

Past and Impending Legislation

better if it appeared, " How to Improve the Attitude of the
Government." But I do feel very strongly that our good friends,
who are no doubt zealous and doing their best for tlie blind, do
not appeal to the public nearly enough. The public attribute
almost miracuJous powers to us, and yet at the same time when we
come to a little practical work they say that the blind are unable
to do it. I have heard it said, " Yes, somebody told me that a
blind man had tuned his piano, and that he had had to have it
repolished afterwards." The education of the public in regard
to the capabilities of the blind has been very incomplete. I
do hope that Mr. Pearson with his great powers will simply use
the Press for all it is worth to educate the j^ublic as to what the.
blind can do. There is a very small number of the blind, I
understand, employed in institutions. The largest number that
are educated are, after all, I believe, working, like myself and
some of my friends, independently in different parts of the country.
I will give you one instance in which a friend of mine was helped.
A clergyman said to him, " Well, you have got nothing to depend
upon ; you have a certificate, certainly, but that will not keep
you. I will make a list of all the people I know in London and
send you round to them, and then you must come back and tell
me what they say, and if they have not given you their pianos to
tune I will write to them afterwards." That man earned his
own living from the start through the kindly action of the clergy-
man. That is one practical way in which we can be helped.
There is another way in which we can advertise, in London
especially. We have been trying for three years to adopt a system
for a register of blind workers. It is at the National Institute
at the present time. It is not complete, but it is there. That
register is intended as an advertising medium. An excellent
plan would be to advertise the register in all the tube lifts through-
out London, the passengers have nothing to do in these lifts but
read the advertisements. And I do know this — that the workers,
for the blind have not half sufficiently appealed to the manufac-
turers of London yet and convinced them as to what the blind
can do. In these and other ways the attitude of the public towards
the blind can be improved.

Mr. SiDDALL* (Rochdale). — It was my suggestion, I believe,
that the paper under discussion should be read at this Conference,
and I am heartily glad that I did so because of the result it is
likely to bring forth. But that the attitude of the public towards
the iDlind is improving seems to me quite evident. I believe the
Government have appointed three blind men on the Departmental
Committee. I am heartily pleased that this is so, and I hope the
attitude of those three men will tend towards making the Govern-
ment take a better view of blind teachers in thefr schools.

Another point that Mr. Dixson raised was with regard to school
councils using blind tuners. I believe that if you pressed the
point when children are educated for music and tuning — if you
pressed the school council and showed them that they have spent
the money on the boy's education and that here is a chance of
putting that education to good account, you would succeed. I
have done this in Rochdale, and the school council now consider

122

Discussion

it as part of their work tiiat tlie blind shall tune their pianos.
I have also obtained a similar concession in a district outside the
borough of Rochdale. I hope this movement will spread to every
county in the country so that all the education authorities will
have their pianos tuned by blind people. I believe if the blind
and those interested in them will take this step there will be no
difficulty because you can always point out that the education
authorities have spent the money on educating these blind
tuners.

Rev. W. E. Lloyd,* M.A. (Brighton). — I am going to be brief,
because I am here to emphasise one special point, which I do not
think has been sufficiently brought out. I am speaking from
rather a different point of view to other speakers, as a clergyman
who has had to fight his way without any assistance from any
kind of institution except so far as education is concerned. The
point is this — that 1 believe one of the great mistakes which blind
people make who have to fight their own battles is that they do
not always realise their limitations, and that when they do realise
them they will not acknowledge them. I believe that is one of
the reasons for the great prejudice which exists in the public
mind to-day against the employment of the blind. If we want
employment we start by telling people that we can do everything,
and they do not believe that we can do anything. Here is an
example of what I mean — which I hope you will not think too
personal. As a rule, when I apply for any appointment — as a
matter of fact, I have only applied for two — I have told the
incumbents first what I can not do. I begin by saying that I
cannot often take weddings because I cannot write the marriage
certificate. The consequence of such a course is that, as a rule,
people are far more inclined to listen to my claim than if I had
started by saying I could do everything, because then they would
probably have believed that I could do nothing.

May I say in conclusion that I still think that the attitude of
the public towards the blind can be very materially improved.
I was visiting in a very poor parish in Brighton the other day
and one old woman told me that she thought all blind people
when they were born blind ought to be thrown into the river at
the age of three days. I told her that possibly it might have been
a good thing for me, but it would not have been at all a good thing
for her.

The Chairman.^ — It only remains for me to propose a hearty
vote of thanks to the Chairman for his able conduct in the chair.
(Applause and laughter.)

tSn- Ellis Cunliffe. — As the Chairman has already proposed a
vote of thanks to himself I can only take the opportunity of
proposing a cordial vote of thanks to Lord Knutsford.

Mr. DixsoN* (Oxford). — May I second it on the ground that I
wish to thank Lord Knutsford for having in his opening speech
talked none of the silly nonsense that is generally uttered by
Chairmen at Blind Conferences.

123

Conversazione

Thursday, June 18th. Evening.
CONVERSAZIONE.

The Master and Court of the Worshipful Company of Cloth-
workers kindly invited the members and delegates to a conver-
sazione held at the Clothworkers' Hall, Mincing Lane, E.C.

The Master, Sir Melvill Beachcroft, and Lady Beachcroft
received their guests at 9 p.m. and about 400 persons availed
themselves of this rare opportunity to inspect the hall of on of
the historic livery companies of the city of London. The mag-
nificent loving cups used at banquets, and the other plate of the
company, was on view and was much admired.

During the evening the Master made an interesting speech,
in which, after welcoming the assembled guests, he gave some
account of the history of the city livery companies. These, he
explained, occupied in the Middle Ages the place in the Life of the
community now filled more or less by the chambers of commerce
and the trade unions, that is to say, they controlled the training
of the craftsmen and apprenticeship arrangements, they assisted
their members in evil times, safeguarded the secrets of the craft,
and used their influence in various ways for the benefit of their
members. Although these companies, owing to the changed
conditions of life and commerce, no longer fulfilled quite the
functions they did of old, it must not be thought that they had
become mere historic relics of the life of the past ; most of them
in the course of centuries had accumulated considerable funds,
and these they administered to-day for humanitarian ends.
Weaving being one of the handicrafts most suitable to the blind
it was perhaps appropriate that the Clothworkers' Company
should be more especially interested in the blind than the other
companies, and he was glad to be able to say that this company
administered several important charitable funds and bequests
in the interests of the bUud. Sir Melvill Beachcroft then gave
some interesting information about the hall itself, which had
occupied its present site since the middle of the fifteenth century,
although the actual building in which they were then assembled
was only built about sixty years ago.

The select choir of the Eoyal Normal College provided an
excellent musical programme, and light refreshments were served
in the ground floor rooms. The guests left at 11 p.m. after a
thoroughly enjoyable evening.

124

Reports of Committees

Friday, June 19th.

MORNING SESSION.

Chairman : The Right Hon. Earl Manvers.

The Chairman.— I have not come here to make a speech
to-day, but really more to listen. I was very glad indeed
to have the opportiuiity of taking the chair at one of these
sessions, because, as President of the Royal Midland Institu-
tion for the Blind at Nottingham, which has done enormous
work for the blind for many years, it is of great interest to
me to come and see something of the International Exhi-
bition and to attend this Conference. All countries now
seem to be taking an interest in the welfare of the blind,
and one can see in this Exhibition to-day what tremendous
strides have been made during the past few years in giving
occupation to blind people of both sexes. Formerly it
always seemed that the blind man or woman had no future
before them in this life, and it was always very sad, but I
think now that all the sadness goes away because blind
people can feel that they are useful members of society and
that they can do a great deal to help forward the welfare
of the blind generally. I know something of what blind
people can do. I have a suit of clothes — I ought to
have appeared in it to-day, but it is not made up yet.
The material was made by the blind, and my tailor said
it would make a very good suit. Blind people can do
very good work in different ways. I have just been through
the Exhibition and seen what other countries can do, and
I hope that this meeting and combination of work from
different countries will help forward very much the welfare
of the blind in all the nations of the world.

I do not intend to delay you long, as I told you just now,
and therefore I will sit doAvn and listen to what will be to
me a very interesting meeting.

125

Report of the Conference Committee

I will now take the reports of the various committees.
I will ask Mr. Henry Stainsby, as Secretary of the Conference
Committee, to read the report of that Committee.

REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.

The Committee elected at the Exeter Conference in July, 1911,
consisted of fifteen members, of whom five were blind. The
followino; is a list of them : —

Miss E. W. Austin. M. Priestly.

Sir Francis Campbell. Dr. A. W. G. Ranger.

C. M. ColUngwood. A. SiddaU.

Walter H. Dixson. H. Stainsby.

Eev. St. Clare Hill. W. M. Stone.

W. H. lUingworth. H. C. Warrilow.

A. B. Norwood. Henry J. Wilson.

H. W. P. Pine.

The first meeting of the Committee was held in London on
November 11th, 1911, when Mr. Henry J. Wilson was elected
Chairman, and Mr. Henry Stainsby, Hon. Secretary. At the
following meeting on June 1st, 1912, Sir Francis Campbell resigned
owing to ill-health, and it was understood that Mr. CoUingwood
would not continue to serve. Mr. Guy M. CampbeU and Mr.
Joseph Mines were elected to take their places.

The Metropolis having been selected as the place of meeting of
the 1914 Conference, the Committee reahsed that the ( Conference
would assume larger proportions than usual, both as regards
attendance and visitors and the number of entries for the Exhibi-
tion, and they accordingly decided to appoint a number of Sub-
committees to be responsible for the various sections of the work.
The following is the Ust of these Sub-Committees, and the Chairman
of each :- —

Finance ..... Mr. P. M. Evans.

Exhibition ..... Mr. Stuart Johnson.

Hospitality ..... Miss Beatrice Taylor.

AdveHisements and Invitations . Mr. Guy M. Camj»bell.

Ilusio and Entertainments . . Mr. H. L. Balfour.

The Chairman of each Sub-Committee was authorised and
requested to nominate persons to serve on his or her own Committee,
the Chairman and Hon. Secretary of the Conference Committee
being ex-officio members of all Sub-Committees.

At the meeting held in June, 1912, your Committee appointed
a deputation to wait on the Postmaster-General, with the object
of securing his sympathy and support in the matter of a reduction
in international postage for embossed literature . The deputation
consisted entirely of blind ladies and gentlemen, viz. : —

Mr. H. M. Taylor, F.R.S. Mr. W. P. Merrick.

Rev. H. J. R.' Marston, M.A. Mr. H. C. Warrilow, F.R.C.O.

Mr. AV alter H. Dixson, M.A. Mr. Henry C. Preece.

Miss Lily BeU.

126

Report of the Conference Committee

The deputation was introduced by Viscount Valentia, M.P.

Mr. H. M. Taylor, who was the first speaker, referred to Mr.
Henry Fawcett, who for some time occupied the position of
Postmaster-General, and paid a tribute to Mr. Sydney Buxton,
M.P., the previous Postmaster-General, who had made great
concessions in tlije matter of inland postal rates on embossed
letters and books. Mr. Taylor proceeded to give examples of
the present rates of postage on books consigned from England
to other countries, and showed that in several instances this
amounted to more than the cost of the books. The other speakers,
whose names are given in the order in which they addressed the
Postmaster-General, were the Eev. H. J. E. Marston, Mr. Preece,
Miss Bell, Mr. Dixson, and Mr. Warrilow. The Postmaster-
General, who received the deputation most kindly, promised his
support at the next Conference of the International Postage
Union, agreeing with the deputation that the international postal
rates were very high. He advised that institutions and indi-
viduals in other countries interested in the questions should be
communicated with at once, in order to get the respective Post-
masters-General to arrange that their rejiresentatives should
support the proposition in favour of reduced international postal
rates for embossed literature. The Postmaster-General's advice
has been followed, and, up to the time of writing this report,
matters have progressed in a satisfactory manner, and it is hoped
that, at the Postal Conference referred to, an agreement will be
arrived at whereby international postage on embossed literature
will be much reduced.

With regard to the selection of subjects for papers, the Committee
have been guided by the needs of the day, and have also taken
into account the papers which have been contributed at previous
Conferences.

The Exhibition is a very representative one, and so many
exhibits have been received that additional accommodation has
had to be provided.

The meetings of the Conference Committee have numbered
eleven, and all have been well attended. A list of attendances of
members is attached to this report.

The Chairman of each Sub-Committee was co-opted as .a member
of the Conference Committee.

Henry J. Wilson, Chairman.
Henry Stainsby, Hon. Secretary.

(Continued on next 'p(i[/e.)

127

Report of the Conference Committee

MEMBERS' ATTENDANCES. 1914 COMMITTEE.

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DISCUSSION.

Mr. W. M. Stone (Edinburgh). — \Miat I am about to say
refers not so much to what is in the Report as to an omission in it.
Most of you will remember that at our last Conference at Exeter
the Committee who arranged that Conference recommended that
the next Conference should be held after a period of five years.
Unfortunately, in the enthusiasm of the moment, the Conference
at Exeter rejected that recommendation, and we are therefore
gathered here to-day. The reason that was given at that time
was that important matters were likely to be introduced shortly —
impending legislation, for instance — and it was felt that a Confer-
ence in three years would be necessary. But, ladies and gentle-
men, we never know when important matters may arise. We
have seen this year many important questions arise that we did
not look for, and therefore if that is an argument for holding a
Conference every three years it is still more an argument for some
body of a more permanent nature than a Conference can be.
I should like you, if you will bear with me for a few minutes, to
consider what these Conferences mean and what they do. 1 am
afraid you will think that I am saying too much about their

128

Report of the Conference Committee

defects, but I am quite aware also of their good points. I am
quite alive to their value, but I think we can have that value in
another form. Let me then point out what I consider to be the
defects of the Conference. In the first place it has no corporate
being. It can never express an opinion as a whole. We speak
here as individuals, and not as one body. Then, it is of a passing
nature ; it is here to-day and gone to-morrow, or at best next
week. One Conference is not the same body as the previous one,
although a great many of the same people may attend both.
Your Conference appoints committees. But these committees
are not responsible to the Conference that appoints them, and
are not, strictly speaking, responsible to anybody — or, if to any-
body at all, to a body which they themselves call into existence.
You leave your committees without funds. They have to do
their work, such as correspondence, without funds, and frequently
the expenses of these Committees have had to be borne by indi-
viduals. This I think is a wrong principle. Speaking of funds
brings one to the question of the cost of these Conferences. What
have they cost us in all ? I do not suppose that it amounts to
a penny less than eight thousand jjounds. That is a very moderate
estimate. How long are you going to be able to gather such
funds ? I imagine that the bodies which have supplied them are
beginning to look for results, and I am not sure that we have
anything very tangible to show. I think the time has come when
we shoidd re-adjust our idea of the Conference and organise it on
a different basis.

My proposal is this, that an association should be formed
representative of all those engaged in any work for the blind, that
this association shoidd be a permanent association, with funds
drawn from the subscriptions of its members, that it should have
permanent officials and annual meetings for the election of its
committees. Such a body would act as a consultative body when
questions and difficulties arose, and it woidd have the power
of calling conferences. It seems to me there is a great need for
some representative body to whom questions can be referred.
At the present time our American friends are approaching us,
or desire to approach us, about a modification of our Braille
system. To whom are they to apply f There is no really
representative body that can deal with the question. I am not
now in the slightest degree referring to any existing society, but I
do say that if we have not such an association as I have outlined,
some' other society, ample in funds, may arrogate to itself the
right to decide such issues. I am quite aware that there is a
danger of our having too many organisations, but this new
organisation would not be an additional one, as it woidd be
superseding something which already exists.

I beg to move the following resolution, which I trust the Chair-
man will consider to be in order : — " That this Conference considers
that the time has now come when some organisation of a perma-
nent nature should be called into being and that the Confer-
ence Committee about to be elected should be empowered to
organise such a body and that the control of future Conferences
should be in the hands of this body."

C.B. 129 K

Report of the Conference Committee

Eev. Dr. Burns (Ediuburgli). — May I be permitted at this
stage to second that motion. As Chairman of the Royal Blind
Asylum of Edinburgh I am here specially to suggest to this
Conference that it would be advisable for many reasons that it
should be held not more frequently than once in five years. I am
very glad that Mr. ^^tone has brought forward this motion and
think that it should be remitted to the Committee for the purpose
of considering the advisability of having an executive committee
representative of the blind so as to take immediate action when
circumstances arise affecting its interests. Our Board has felt
that between the times when Conferences are held many things
happen affecting the interests of the Blind, and if anything is
to be done, or should be done, it requires to be done immediately.
When we have to wait for the next Conference the time for action
is past. If we want anything carried through Parliament on
behalf of the Blind we must take immediate action with our
representatives. I hold very strongly that there should be this
executive representative committee elected in the interests of the
great cause we are met here to forward. I thank you for the
opportunity of speaking. I see no other opportunity of doing
what I have been sent here to do. I have much pleasure in
seconding the resolution.

Mr. Alderman Plummer (Manchester). — I would like to
dissent from the resolution. This is an International Conference,
the motion is confined to the British Empire, and I consider that
such a meeting as this is of inestimable value in bringing together
all who are thoroughly interested in the welfare of the
blind. The mere fact that we meet under these circumstances
is at once an inspiration and a help in our work. I was much
struck yesterday by the remarkable demonstration which took
place when the foreign delegates were welcomed. Nothing in
my public life recently has affected me so much as to hear these
people, coming from all parts of the world, speaking in our English
tongue, and in one instance rising not only to a great dignity of
language, but to sentiments which must have touched us all
greatly. I protest against any attempt to narrow the functions
of this great Conference to mere parochialism, and I hope that this
resolutou will not be adopted. If we from our British point of
view require to have this active association to which the motion
refers, let us have it ; but do not for a moment put up any barrier
to that community of ideas which is represented by an Inter-
national Conference, such as we now have. I consider that the
arrangement of that report is in itself quite sufficient justification
for these Conferences. I do not know whether they should be
held every three years or every five years, but I do hope we shall
not be content to set aside these Conferences, which represent
the ideas of the blind throughout the world. I hope the resolution
will not be adopted.

Mr. Guy Campbell (Norwood). — There is only one point that
I want to draw attention to with regard to this matter. I wish
to point out that if we are not to include other nations in these
Conferences our title is wrong. You call this the International
Conference on the Blind. It should be called a Conference e.u

180

Report of the Conference Committee ■

the Blind to whicli delegates from other nations are invited.
Now it may be a startling fact to realise that our continental
neighbours, the French, German, and other nations on the conti-
nent of Europe and in the East, have been holding Conferences
for some time, the last being held at Cairo. How many English
representatives went to that °? I do not want to deal with Mr.
Stone's point, but I do want the committee or the corporate body
that may be established to take into consideration how the
Confei'ence shall become truly international, and the only way is
to get into touch with those continental bodies that have held
Conferences regularly for fifty years. I do not want any title
to go forth from England conveying a wrong impression, and that
is the consideration I would like to leave with you or with any
corporate body that may be elected.

Mr. Preece * (London). — I think we have a distinct grievance
against Mr. Stone, and, if he is speaking for the other members,
with the Committee as well. Evidently he had similar ideas at
Exeter, and I want to ask him why he has not discussed the matter
with the Conference Committee in the meantime. If he has held
this view, why has the Conference Committee not considered it ?
And as they, a practical body, have not considered it, I do not
think we can decide it. I shall oppose it if for those reasons only.
I hope the Conference Committee elected this time will consider
the question fidly and report.

Mr. DixsoN * (Oxford). — I want to back up Mr. Guy Campbell,
and to suggest that we do one of two things. If we have an
International Congress — no one doubts that this particular
Conference is International, but that if we have another Interna-
tional Congress — we must hold it elsewhere than in Great Britain.
You cannot have two International Conferences, or three, or
four, all managed by an English Committee. Do you suppose
that if we propose to have in three or four years an International
Conference in Birmingham, for instance, that all these repre-
S3ntatives of foreign countries would come ? They would protest
against the idea that it should always be held in Great Britain.
I suggest either that we have another one in a given time and that
we invite foreign representatives on to our Committee and that
we try to arrange to have it in some foreign country, or that we
give up the idea of the next Conference being International and
have it as a " National " or " Royal " or " British " or " Imperial"
Conference, or anything you like, but not " International," and
in that case I think it would be very easy for it to be arranged by a
considerably broadened Union of Unions. What I should like is
a kind of permanent body such as Mr. Stone suggests, and that
that body should include Scotland and Ireland ; that the Union
of Unions should ask them to stand in, and that they shoidd have
a certain number of blind representatives on the Union ; and that
that permanent body should be appointed to arrange a Conference.
One of the difficulties against always holding an International
Conference in England or Great Britain, brought together by a
committee entirely consisting of Britons, is the immense amount
of hard work it entails. I am not one of the hard-worked ones.
I do not think anybody not in it realises the amount of hard work

131 K 2

Report of the Conference Committee

that lias to be done, and I liojie any mistakes will be allowed for
on that ground.

Rev. St. Clare Hill (Leatherhead). — I think there is a tendency
to misunderstand the resolution before us. There is no intention
of making a great alteration in the nature of the Conference,
and I do not think that at the present moment we are in a position
to discuss how we shall work out the international nature of our
Conferences. I believe it is not Mr. .Stone's intention for a moment
that such a question should be discussed. What he is thinking
about has been in the minds of several members for a long time.
I might say that many membeis of the Committee that has
just given its report to the Conference have had this idea in their
minds. It is true that the matter has not been formally discussed,
as Mr. Preece said, but it has been in our minds, because we
feel that those elected on this Conference Committee are not
necessarily representatives of all the members of the Confer-
ence in other parts of the world. That is the point we want
to get at. We want to devise some scheme by which those who
act on your Committee and manage the affairs of your Conference
are the people you want to get there. And if that is the point Mr.
Stone is wishing to bring before us, most heartily I support him.
We want to make these Conferences as democratic as we can.
We all ought to represent in every particular what all the members
who join the Conference wish. The Committee is not to be a
representation of the feelings of a certain number of people met
together in a room like we are. It must be a representation of
the feelings of all the people who joined the Conference in their
thousands.

Ladies and gentlemen, I do liope some step will be taken this
morning to support Mr. Stone in the fundamental idea of his
resolution, so that the matter may be thoroughly gone into with
the view of calling into existence the next Committee that we have,
a Committee that speaks the mind of all the people interested in
this and future Conferences.

Mr. G. I. Walker (Sunderland). — I should like to say how much
I am in sympathy with Mr. Stone's ideas. We in Sunderland,
for instance, are not represented. In the North we are never
touched by the influence of your Conferences. It may be our
fault, but it is true you are not really representative. The rank
and file of the blind have practically no voice in the Conference,
and no means of expressing their feelings and ideas, and if this
is to be a really representative Conference, those of the rank and
file, and I am one, claim and feel that they ought to have an
opportunity of expressing themselves and making their ideas known.
We are not finding fault with the gentlemen who have had the
matter in hand up to now, but we feel there ought to be a wide
development. As regards the international phase, I cannot see
how the Conference can be truly International until it is truly
British. When you are truly British you can come into active
and real connection with those societies Mr. Campbell referred to.
You have no authority now from the British blind, no mandate
to enter into touch with the foreign delegates, but were there a
permanent executive in England you could come into touch with

132

Report of the Conference Committee

permanent bodies on the ('ontinent and decide whether yon will
hold the next Conference in London or in Switzerland. But you
cannot do this until all the diiferent countries are organised.
I think Mr. Stone's idea is not to make us more truly international,
but to make us more truly British.

Mr. John Ramsay *. — I come from Sunderland, too, and have
been sent to the Conference by the League. We are prepared to
support Mr. Stone. AVhatever the social aspect of this Conference
may really be, seeing the amount of money that is expended, we
ought to be much more widely represented, and the blind element
ought to have an opportunity of being represented. I would
supi)ort Mr. Stone in his endeavour.

Mr. Tate (Bradford). — It would appear that there are two
ideas present in the minds of members which though a little
controversial need not necessarily be so. Mr. Stone somewhat
deprecated the holding of Conferences, and wondered whether the
amount of money they had cost had been justified by the results.
Twelve years ago they were beginning and have been held tri-
ennially ever since. The idea of postponing the holding of Confer-
ences was advocated at Exeter, and I took the opportunity of
urging that, in view of probable legislation, not more than three
years should elajJse before another Conference was held. I woidd
again desire to emphasise that view. I am of opinion that the
Conferences held have been thoroiighly justified. Further, we
have at the present time a movement on behalf of the blind that
is world-wide, and we must not delegate to a small committee the
decision as to whether we are to have a Conference or not. I agree
that there should be such a representative authority as Mr. Stone
desires, but I strongly urge that triennial Conference^ are con-
tinued at least a little longer.

A Voice : I second Mr. Preece's motion that the Conference
Committee consider the question and report on Tuesday or
Wednesday next. I think this would save our time.

Rev. S. F. Harris (Cotleigh). — May I make a suggestion — that
as a first step we should have members from other countries on
the Committee. That would help to establish the international
character of the Conference, and also after to-day's proceedings
that we should have an expression of opinion and then refer the
matter to the Committee.

Rev. St. Clare Hill. — -I second that second amendment so
that it may be put to the meeting.

The Chairman. — Wliat were the terms of the amendment !

Rev. St. Clare Hill. — Mr. Preece moved that the Conference
Committee should meet at once to discuss this question and
report to us before this Conference ends, and I should like to
second his motion.

Mr. Preece *. — I did not formally move that amendment,
but I now move the amendment, which my friend will second, that
the matter be referred to the present Conference Committee and
that they report on Tuesday or Wednesday.

133

Report of the Conference Committee

A Voice : May I rise to a point of order ? AVas Mr. Stone's
resolution placed in the hands of the Committee "? If not. it is
out of order, and I propose that we go on with the next matter
of business. (Laughter.)

A Voice : May I ask a question ? Was there a resolution
before the meeting '? (Cries of " Yes.") - If there was a resolution
before the meeting, my Lord, we can only have one amendment
I presume, and we cannot have another until the first is out of the
way.

The Chairman. — I do not wonder that you are confused, I am
myself. It has been proposed that we go on with the next
business. (Hear, hear). Will those in favour of the motion
signify the same by holding up one hand ? To the contrary l

A Voice : Is Mr. Stone's motion not to come up again ? I
should like to say that I am not in favour of being ruled by
committees, but I want to ask whether the motion is to come up
again — I want to know where I am.

Mr. Stone (Edinburgh). — If you pass on to the next business
now, what are we to understand ? Are we to have an Inter-
national Conference or not ? It has been said this is the wrong
time to discuss it, but I think if it had not been brought forward
now there might not have been anothei' opportunity for dis-
cussion. In the first place, my resolution is not opposed to
Conferences. It simply has to do with the organising and
arranging of Conferences, and all I ask is that this matter should
be submitted to the Committee for further consideration. Surely
you can do that. (Hear, hear.)

A Voice : Then do we understand that this motion of Mr.
Stone's is to be submitted to the Committee and that they are
to report to us on Tuesday '?

Mr. H. J. Wilson (London). — I have spoken to Mr. Stone.
Do you not think we have spent a very long time over this matter ?
Our time is precious ! Would it not be better to appoint a
Committee, as was done three years ago, and submit this question
to be discussed by them and brought forward at the next Confer-
ence ? (Cries of " Xo, no.") Do you wish it brought forward
on Tuesday ? (Cries of " Yes.") Very well, then, it shall be
discussed by the old Committee, and a report presented on
Tuesday.

The following report of the Libraries Committee was
then read by Miss E. W. Austin.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LIBRARIES
FOR THE BLIND.

This Committee was appointed at the Exeter Conference in
July. 1911, to consider the entire question of libraries for the
bhnd, with especial reference to the avoidance of overlapping and

134

Report of the Libraries Committee

the best means of utilising existing collections. 1 hose nominated
to form the Committee were : —

Miss E. W. Austin. Mr. W. H. Dixson.

Miss E. M. Bainbrigge. The Eev. St. Clare Hill

Lady Campbell. Dr. Ranger.

Miss M. Comber. Mr. H. Royston.

Miss I. M. Heywood. Mr. W. M. Stone.

Miss Moon. Mr. H. J. AVilson.
The Rev. C. E. Bolam.

Mr. Hamley and Mr. Niederhausern were co-opted at the first
meeting, the former in accordance with the recommendation of
the Conference. Of these, Miss I. M. Heywood found herself
obliged to resign, to the great regret of the Committee, owing to
her inability to attend the meetings ; while Miss Bainbrigge was
later represented by Miss Gilbert, her successor in her official
position.

The first meeting took place at the offices of Gardner's Trust
on July 20th, 1911, when Mr. H. J. Wilson was unanimously
elected to the Chair, with Miss E. W. Austin as Hon. Secretary.

Two main objects lay before the Committee : —

1. To render accessible embossed books already in existence.

2. To secure some form of union or federation among societies
for the provision and circulation of books for the blind.

They decided that the first step should be the compilation of
a " Union Catalogue " of embossed books. For this purpose a
large number of circulars were sent out to individuals and societies,
and also to every public library in the country. It was discovered
that there were about 70,000 volumes in existence, many of them
duphcates and many of them, i^robably, beyond use, but a certain
number, mainly those owned by school libraries, of very great
interest to the studious blind. These books were then catalogued
by means of slips printed as follows, in such a manner as to obtain
the necessary information as to author and edition : —

Title of Work.

Number of Volumes.

Whethe,' *fomplete
W hethei *in,.o,„j,iyte

Whether *Haiifhvritteii or -Stereotv]
*Moon Type.

peil Braille (*01il style, or 'Reviseil) or

Publishers. Eilitioii

Date. Glossaries.

Owner (or Institution)

Postal afldress.
*Strike out others.

135

Report of the Libraries Committee

Over 25,000 slips were distributed to the various societies and
libraries, whose representatives most generously co-operated in
the work by writing in the required information, a task in some
cases of considerable magnitude and difficulty.

The mass of information thus acquired was reduced to order
by Mr. G. E. Roebuck, of Walthamstow Public Library, of whose
skilled and devoted labour the Committee cannot express too
strongly their appreciation.

The catalogue, which is now completed, as far as a work to
which additions are constantly made can be said to be completed,
forms about forty volumes. It will be a source of reliable informa-
tion, since all those who contributed to it have undertaken to
continue to inform the custodian of any addition to their libraries.

It should be added that the funds necessary to supply the
materials for this catalogue, about £22, were raised almost entirely
among the blind themselves.

The Committee have, therefore, to report to this Conference the
completion of the Union Catalogue, one of the objects for which
they were appointed.

Next, the Committee drafted a scheme of federation of libraries,
which, with a few slight amendments, was accepted by the various
bodies to whom it was submitted, and now stands as follows : —

Scheme of the Federation of Libraries for the Blind,
As amended at the Meeting of the Delegates on April llth, 1913.

1. The establishment of a central office (or "' clearing house "),
whose duties shall be as enumerated : — •

(«) To collect material for, to prepare and revise periodically,
a L^nion Catalogue, which should contain particulars of
all books in embossed types in the United Kingdom ; this
office to receive notification of any new embossed works.

{b) To act as the recognised body to effect exchanges of books.

and to use its best endeavours to secure the production
of such books, either through the printing houses or by
hand.

X.B. — The Clearing House shall submit the suggestions
of readers for new books first to the publishing houses. If
these do not consider that they should be stereotyped,
they should be produced by voluntary labour, if suitable.

(d) To keep a register of the work upon which voluntary

writers are engaged, in order to prevent overlapping, and
to secure as far as j)ossible the correction of all hand-
written books.

(e) To induce public Libraries which have not ah'eady done so'

io contribute to the provision of literature for the bhnd.
2. The appointment of local representatives (where possible
the Home Teaching Society or some society aheady doing good
work in the district) to organise the work of the federation in
their respective districts, i. e. : —

(a) The enlistment and training of voluntary writer.^.

(b) The registration and employment of paid blind writers.

136

Report of the Libraries Committee

(c) The organisation of tlie financial side of the work in the
district, to inchide the establishment of a fund for the
payment of qualified blind copyists.
{d) The distribution of books through the local society, public

library or otherwise.
(e) The drawing up of periodical Usts of books required in the

embossed types.
3. The initial membership of the Federation shall be by invita-
tion and afterwards by election, and an effort shall be made to
defray the expenses of clerical labour, stationery and printing
by voluntary effort without subscription in the first instance.
On the increase of expenses, a subscription to be calculated upon
the number of exchanges will probably be charged.

A fee of 5d. on each volume borrowed shall be charged to the
borrower, to be allocated as follows : —

To be retained or collected in cash by the ( learing
House (to cover postage incurred in making the
connection between lender and borrower) . Id.

To be paid to the lender, viz.,

Carriage . . . . . . l^d.

Fee for loan . . . . . 2^d.

— M.

Total M.

Such payments will not be payable in small sums, but the
account of each member will be kept at the Clearing House,
balanced against those of other members with whom he has had
transactions, and a statement rendered periodically to all members.
The Committe3 thought it best to submit this scheme to a few
only of the larger and more specialised libraries and publishing
houses in order that its usefulness might be thoroughly te ted.
Extension will always be possible later, but the benefit of the
federation may be at once enjoyed by all by affiliation to one of
the federated bodies.
These are as follows : — ■

Birmingham Royal Histitution for the BUnd.

British and Foreign Blind Association, London (now the
National Institute).

CathoUc Truth Society, London.

Chester Home Teaching Society, Chester.

Fife and Kinross Society, Kirkcaldy.

Henshaw's Blind Asylum, Manchester.

Home Teaching Society for the Blind, London.

Moon's Society for the Blind, Brighton.

National Lending Library for the Blind, London.

Northern Counties Blind Society, North Shields.

Royal Blind Asylum and School, Edinburgh.

Royal Normal College, Norwood.

Students' Library, Oxford.

Yorkshire School for the Bhnd, York.
It remains only for the Committee to report that the council of
the federation has elected as its chairman Mr. H. J. Wilson ; that

137

Report of the Libraries Committee

it has appointed as its office and clearing house the National
Lending Library for the Blind, 125, Queen's Road, Bayswater,
London, whose committee have kindly undertaken the work
entirely voluntarily ; and as'its Hon. Secretary, Miss E. W. Austin.

The Committee understands that already several exchanges of
books have taken place and information of value has been supplied
to blind readers which would not have been available without this
organisation.

Its usefulness will doubtless increase as the work becomes
better known, and they hope that this report may serve to
encourage some of those who hear it to come forward prepared to
act as local rej)reseutatives to carry out that part of the scheme
which tends to decentrahsation and the spreading of the know-
ledge of the federation and its objects in all parts of the country.

The Committee have further to report that the message sent from
the Exeter Conference to the Conference of the Library Association
at Perth in September, 1911, was received with sympathy ; that
a special committee was appointed at that Conference to consider
the question of the distribution of literature for the blind through
the pubhc libraries, with Mr. Roebuck as secretary, and that the
report of this committee to the last Library Association Conference
at Bournemouth in 1913 uiged u])on the public libraries of the
country the duty of taking up the work wherever necessary.

In conclusion, your Committee wish to state that during their
deUberations they have come to the following conclusions which
they submit for the approval of the Conference : —

1. That no writer of Braille, whether paid or voluntary, should
be encouraged to write books for circulation without adequate
training and supervision.

2. That libraries for the blind be advised to make as much use
of stereotyped embossed books as possible.

3. That the public libraries, except possibly in the largest towns,
best serve the interest of their readers by loan collections, since
they can rarely allow sufficient space or funds to maintain a
collection of any value.

Signed on behalf of the Committee,

Wilson,
Chairman.

. Austin,
Hon. Secretary.

List of Donations.

s. d.

MissAlhson ......

. 0

10 0

Miss H. Barnett . . . . .

1 0

A. Bartlett, Esq. . . . . .

. 0

1 0

Miss Bealey ......

1 0

BUnd Social Aid Society and Literary Union

1 0

Miss Budds ......

'. 0

5 0

Sir Francis Campbell ....

0 0

J. D. Carr, Esq.. . . . . .

0 0

Carried forwa

. £5

19 0

138

Report of the Libraries Committee

List of Donations — rontinned.

A. Chappie, Esq

W. H. Dixson, Esq. (collected)

S. Dowdeswell, Esq. .

Miss Dudgeon .

W. Eaiie, Esq.

Mrs. Edwards .

Miss Etheridge

Miss Farrell

Rev. St. Clare Hill .

Mr. Jackman

Mrs. Jackson

Miss F. Kay

Baron Konstantin Lauglioff

Colonel Lockyer

Miss Mace

Lady D'Arcy Osborne

H. Warmington, Elsq.

Rev. G. F. Whittleton

Miss J. Wilson .

John Wyllie, Esq.

Robert Wyllie, Esq. .

Brought forward

()

£22 1 0

Income and Expenditure Account.

To donations
ceived

£ s. d.

22 1 0

£22 1 0

By materials for

'Union Catalogue 20 0 0

By postages . 2 0 7 J

By receipt book . 0 'O 4J

£22 1 0

The following report of the Employment Committee was
then read by Mr. Pine,

REPORT OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR
THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE BLIND.

The National Committee for the Employment of the Blind,
appointed at the first International Conference held in Edinburgh
in 1905, and re-appointed at Manchester in 1908, and at Exeter
in 1911, beg leave to present their report.

At the first meeting, Mr. Henry J. Wilson and Mr. H. W. P. Pine
were unanimously elected Chairman and Hon. Secretary
respectively.

139

Report of the Employment Committee

Owing to circumstances hereafter explained the operations
of the Committee since the last report have been more or less in
a state of suspension. In the last report it was stated that a
meeting of representatives of institutions and those interested
in the welfare of the blind had been held, and that resolutions had
been passed to the effect that the State should be responsible for
the technical training of capable blind persons over sixteen years
of age who needed it, in the same manner as it was already
responsible for the elementary education of those under sixteen,
and also that the State, the county and borough councils, and the
parish councils of Scotland should assist in the better and more
general employment of the blind. The report further stated that
a special committee had been appointed by these representatives
to consider the whole subject of employment of the blind and the
question of the necessity of Government aid in relation thereto,
with instructions to draft a new Bill if, in their judgment, they
found one was needed.

The Committee appointed consisted of six members of the
National Committee for the Employment of the Blind with others,
some of whom represented several of the largest institutions in the
country.

Inasmuch as this large question of the necessity of Government
aid and the promotion of legislation was taken in hand by the
Special Committee on which part of the National Emp|loyment
Committee was acting, the Employment Committee itself decided
to suspend all operations in this direction.

In view of this fact, and while the question of legislation and
of help from the Government is still unsettled, there have been
few directions in which the Committee could pursue their activities,
but it is beUeved that, when these important matters are de-
termined, there will be, in the new order of things, much work
for this Committee to undertake.

The Special Committee, after carefully considering the question
and the evidence submitted to them, came to tlie conclusion
that it was necessary to seek Government aid if the employment
of the blind of thecountry was to be put upon a satisfactory
footing, and they, therefore, unanimously determined to promote
a BiU upon the subject. As a basis it was agreed to take into
consideration tiie Bill that had previously been drafted by the
National Employment Committee, and they submitted this,
after revision, together with full '" instructions to counsel," in
which the whole position in regard to the bhnd was pointed out,
to a parliamentary draftsman, requesting him with these data to
draft a new Bill. It was further determined to make the BiU
apphcable to Scotland and Ireland.

Numerous suggestions were considered and modifications made
where deemed advisable, and the Bill was finally settled by
counsel and adopted by the Special Committee. It was also
submitted to the National Employment Committee and agreed
to by that body. The Bill, as revised, was then sent tq the
various institutions for the bhnd throughout the country, when
forty-one institutions declared themselves in favour of the
principle of the Bill, three were neutral, while five were against,

140

Report of the PImployment Committee

making a total of forty-nine replies received, and it was subse-
quently adopted by a meeting of representatives of institutions
and others interested in the Bill.

At this meeting the Special Committee were re-appointed with
the addition of the names of Sir EUis Cunliffe and Dr. Eanger,
and they were instructed to proceed with the Bill in whatever
way they found advisable, and to arrange for it to be presented
to ParUament at the earliest opportunity. The Bill was intro-
duced to the House of Commons in October, 1912, by Mr. Alan
H. Burgoyne, M.P., and read a first time. In the meantime
certain criticisms had been expressed by those promoting another
Bill, previously introduced by the Labour Party, and it was
deemed expedient to endeavour to find a modus vivendi,so that in
the presentation of any Bill to Parliament it should have the
united support of all parties.

Certain " conversations " thereupon took place between
members representing the Special Committee and those responsible
for the other Bill, the result of which was that it was agreed to
add several clauses to the BiU, the two chief provisions being a
monthly grant to be paid to each certificated blind worker as
a kind of compensation for blindness, and a monthly grant to be
made to every incapable blind person.

These amendments and additions to the Bill were duly con-
sidered by the Special Committee together with the arguments
in favour of their inclusion, and it was agreed to accept them.
The Bill was then adopted by the Committee in the form in which
it now stands.

In consequence of these negotiations, it was decided by those
promoting the Bill backed by the Labour Party to drop that Bill
and concentrate their efforts upon the amended and agreed on
Bill of the Special Committee only. It was considered advisable
to have the Bill backed by members from each of the parlia-
mentary parties, and, these having been obtained, Mr. Alan
Burgoyne consented to re-introduce it.

The Bill was read a first time on May 21st last, and is put down
for the second reading on June 25tli.

The attention of the Government has been called from time to
time to the question of the better employment of the blind, and
at the close of the last Conference in 1911, on the recommendation
of this Committee, a message was sent to the Government in the
following terms : —

" This Conference of representatives of institutions, societies
and agencies, and others interested in the welfare of the blind
throughout the United Kingdom, assembled at Exeter,
July 3rd — 8th, 1911, respectfully calls the attention of
H. M. Government to the urgent need for the better and more
general employment of the blind of this country ; deplores the
serious loss to the community and to the blind themselves by
reason of the enforced idleness of a large number of capable
blind workers trained for the most part at the public expense ;
and declares its conviction that the difficult question of pro-
viding employment for the blind cannot properly be solved
without assistance from national and municipal sources."

141

Report of the Employment Committee

Tlie question lias recently been brouglit into prominence by
the resolution moved in the House of Commons by Mr. Wardle,
which was followed by an intelligently sympathetic debate. It
revealed the fact that our leading politicians were keenly alivo
to the necessity of something being done, and it elicited an
equally sympathetic and practical reply from the Parhamentary
Secretary of the Local Government Board on behalf of the
Government. As is now well known, the Government promised
to appoint an Inter-Departmental Committee to consider tho
present condition of the blind.

The Committee have now been appointed and are about to
enter upon their labours, and everyone will unite in wishing
them Godspeed in their important task.

Copies of the Parliamentary Bill have been forwarded to the
Committee, and it is hoped that it may form a basis for inquiry.

The arrangements made with Government Departments for the
supply of goods under contract, described in previous reports,
have been continued, and orders for a large quantity of goods
have been placed with various selected institutions ; but it is to
be regretted that, as previously stated, the prices are not only
quite unremunerative, but entail actual loss to the institutions
which engage in these contracts.

The Committee venture to hope that this question of the
supply of goods to the Government by institutions for the blind
may form an important part of the Inter-Departmental
Committee's inquiry.

In the last report the Committee stated, as a further means
of prosecuting their work, they had framed a resolution on the
subject of the need of more employment for the blind, which,
with an explanatory statement, they had recommended to be
sent by each institution, in its own district, to all the local
authorities in the country.

The Committee now have pleasure in stating that a copy of
the circular and statement was sent to fifty-nine institutions and
workshops, asking that, if advantage could be taken of it, a
supply could be had on application, and in this manner some
2,000 circulars have been distributed. The Committee believe
that some good has resulted frpm calling the attention of public
authorities to this question : a number of sympathetic repUes
have been received from boards of guardians, town councils, urban
and rural district councils, and the matter has been discussed at
various meetings of those bodies.

It has been determined to issue a reprint of the circular and
explanatory statement, and this further appeal to local authorities
is now being made.

The Committee have further taken into consideration the
comparative merits of present trade- and handicrafts and the
question of the practicability of other possible industries, and
lengthy discussions have taken place thereon.

Another matter to which the Committee have given their
attention is the question of the advisabiUty of a larger system of
inter-trading amongst the various institutions and of buying in
bulk wherever practicable. The Committee are of opinion that,

142

Report of the Pianoforte Tuning Committee

wliere this is possible, inter-trading should be fostered and
extended, and that institutions themselves might be very good
customers of each other in certain instances.

In closing this report the Committee rejoice that the Govern-
ment and the country generally appear to be awakened to the
needs of the blind. The whole question is one of great com-
plexity and supreme difficulty, but they venture to think that,
with united action and goodwill prevailing on all sides, the
employment of the blind of this country will ere long be placed
upon a satisfactory footing.

On behalf of the Committee, H. W. P. Pine

June 1st, 1914. Hon. Secretary.

Note. — A copy of the Bill referred to in this report will be found
in the Appendix.

(As the wording of the Bill has already been given on pp. 1U6
et seq., it is unnecessary to repeat it here. — Editor.)

A Voice : I want to call attention to the report just presented.

The Chairman. — It will be discussed after Mr. Campbell h .s
read his report.

The following report of tlie Music Committee Avas then
read by Mr. Guy M. Campbell.

REPORT OF THE PIANOFORTE TUNING
COMMITTEE.

Mr. Chairman, — ■

It is strongly felt by the Committee that a bhnd tuner, in
addition to learning to tune, should be most thoroughly taught
about mechanical repairs. Even though the blind tuner may not
be able to execute personally every repair he is called upon to
meet, yet if he has a thorough knowledge of what is required, he
wiU frequently be able to explain to and direct a sighted companion
how to do what is necessary, and thus thoi'oughly satisfy the
employer and retain his or her custom ; this is especially essential
in country districts. The blind man should, therefore, be thor-
\pughly famiUar with the sticker, check and grand actions and
master constructions generally, he should be able to re-hinge a
lever, hopper, or damper, re-hinge a sticker, put in a new hammer
shank, ease a key, ease a butt, tone hammers, put on strings with
a short eye, make a hopper or spiral jack spring, regulate or make
the touch of notes with a check action, replace a broken tape or tie,
recover a lever or butt, adjust various kinds of mechanism.

In the tuning, to aim at raising or lowering the pitch and tuning
to a tuning fork in time not to exceed two hours and a quarter.
Blind tuners are often inclined to be slow.

It was further felt that, to secure and maintain the highest
standard, it would be better if one or two institutions, possibly
three, should speciaUse in this business, and bhnd men desiring to

143

Report of the Pianoforte Tuning Committee

become tuners sliould be sent to them, rather than that every
institution should have a small and, probably, more or less
inefficient department through lack of facilities or other causes.
As to the examination, it shoidd be in three parts : —
(a) An actual tuning.
(6) A mechanical examination,
(c) Viva voce questions.
As to an examination board, it is felt for the moment we should
" wait and see."

Quite recently an Equal Temperament Committee has been
formed, consisting of twenty experts representing the following
firms : — ^Messrs. J. B. Cramer & Co. ; Kemmler, Be.iard & Co. ;
George Rogers & Sons ; Erard, Norman & Beard ; Steinway and
Sons ; Chappell & Co. ; Rud. Ibach. Sohn ; Hopkinson ; J. W.
Walker and Sons ; Pleyel, Wolf & Co. ; Bluthner & Co., Ltd. ;
John Broadwood and Sons ; John Brinsmead ; Hill and Sons ;
Henry Willis and Son: The Musical Times.

This Committee is seeking to standardise equal temperament,
to found a college Avhere the subject is thoroughly taught, and to
hold examinations and grant diplomas. If this Committee is
successful in its efforts, then this is the body to which the bUnd
tuner, equally with the sighted one, should submit himself for
examination. Wherefore the " wait and see." Meanwhile it is
urged the lines of work abeady indicated should be faithfully
pursued, and the question of what may be called the future official
institutions be carefully considered.

I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,

Your obedient Servant,

Guy M. Campbell,

Eon. Secretary.

Members of the Committee :

Mr. Guy Campbell. Mr. A. Royston.

Mr. Davidson. Mr. M. Stone.

Mr. Gane. Mr. Young.
Rev. St. Clare Hill.

A Voice : May I ask the last reader if he will endeavour as far
as possible to try to teach blind men to buy jjianos '? After we
leave the schools or colleges we find this very difficult. I was
trained at Norwood .

The Chairman. — This matter will be discussed this afternoon.

Mr. Ben Purse.* — 1 notice from the reports submitted by the
authorities other than the National Employment Committee the
meetings are specified. I want to know how many meetings the
National Employment Committee have held. I think it is a
matter of sincere regret that they refuse to continue their
deliberations simply because the Government are about to
espouse our cause. The system of awarding Government con-
tracts is a matter to which urgent attention ought to be devoted.
I admit that, along with other members of the National Employ-
ment Committee in the year 1906 — 7, we made a very funda-
mental mistake in accepting the conditions then laid down to us.

144.

Report of the Braille Notation Committee

I thiuk it is witliiu the knowledge of every trading institution
for the blind in the country that the system of contracts has been
a failure. Instead of accepting the average price of all accepted
tenders, we ought to be in a position to ask the Government to
concede to us the price of the highest accepted tender. I feel
that this would be a practical way of meeting the difficulties in
this matter.

But I do think that there are many other branches of
industry which are suggested in the terms of reference to this
Committee that the National Employment Committee might
very well have undertaken. For example, it is well known to the
majority here that many Education authorities place the tuning
of their pianos in the hands of blind people in various centres.
It would be a great thing, I think, if the National Employment
Committee took more active steps to secure preference in this
matter where an opportunity presents itself. I hope that my
remarks will not be taken in any way as carping criticism. I
merely want if I can to be helpful in this matter, and I think it
was a very serious error on the jjart of the Committee to refuse
to continue their deliberations because the Government were
about to do other things which narrowed their province somewhat.

Mr. H. W. P. Pine (Nottingham).^ — I want to say one word in
answer to Mr. Purse with regard to the Employment Committee.
I will only answer one point now, and the other points shall have
the attention of the Committee. He spoke about the practice of
accepting the highest of accepted tenders. That has already been
attempted. I had a long conversation with the representative of
the Government and asked whether instead of our being paid
the average price of accepted tenders we could not be paid the
highest price, but we were told that it would really make very little
difference. We were informed that there were only a few coppers in
question. So if we want to get a better price from the Government
it must be on a different footing from either the average price or
the highest price of accepted tenders.

The following report of the Braille Music Notation Re-
vision Committee was then read by Mr. Henry Stainsby on
behalf of Mr. Warrilow.*

REPORT OF THE BRAILLE MUSIC NOTATION
REVISION COMMITTEE.

The question of the revision of Braille music, which has received
considerable attention in the Braille Musical Magazine, proved of
such widespread interest that, when it was suggested by Mr.
Stainsby that a conference on the subject should be held at the
National Institute for the Blind, the idea was warmly welcomed,
not only by the Notation Committee appointed by the Exeter
Conference, but also by a large number of other bUnd musicians.

c.B. 145 L

Report of the Braille Notation Committee

The Notation Conference was the outcome of a letter received by
Mr. W. P. Merrick from Dr. Meyer, of Berlin, wliicli caused him to
bring the subject of Braille music revision to the notice of the
Book Committee of the National Institute. Two meetings were
held at the Institute, both well attended, the first on Tuesday,
July 15th, 1913, the second on Monday, October 2nd, 1913. The
agenda for these two meetings was based upon a summary com-
prising the French, German, and English suggestions, and several
of these suggestions were recommended for adoption. A number
of recommendations were drawn up, but as these have been stereo-
typed, and as most of them are of a technical character, only main
outUnes will be given here. Among the systems discussed may be
mentioned those of Dr. Corbett, Messrs. Haun, Tiback, Strangways
Gardner, Hans Bertram, and Stericker. The last three of these
differ from the others in not being ordinary Braille music revision
suggestions. Mr. Gardner's system is an imitation of staff pro-
cedure, the notes in a chord being written over one another.

In Mr. Bertram's system, which is also apphcable to orchestral
music, the Braille alphabet is used for the notes. These two
systems were recommended for further investigation.

An increased interest was manifested in Mr. Stericker's system,
and Mr. Stericker was asked to prepare a more exhaustive key than
the one which was the outcome of the Exeter Braille Notation
meeting ; several gentlemen present undertook to study the
systems more fully, but on account of the delay in the making of
the special guides (guides for writing both Braille and Stericker)
little progress has as yet been made in this direction. The need,
which has become more pressing of late, for writing all the parts
together, is more fuUy met by this system than by any other.

Vertical Score or Simultaneous Notation. — As an illus-
tration of the growing demand for a more concise score, the
following, from the recommendations of the Notation Conference,
may be quoted : " That vertical score be adopted for the voice part
and accompaniments of aU service music." (Music under this
head, including as it does, settings, hymns, and anthems, would
only be of use to organists in this country.)

Since the Exeter Conference two books have been pubhshed
by the National Institute for the Blind, illustrating the appUcation
of vertical score to Braille music : " Hymns, Ancient and Modern ' '
and Buck's '' Unfigured Harmony." The former shows vertical
score applied to simple music, the latter to more elaborate music.

Our best thanks are due to Dr. Meyer, of Berlin, for a letter
recently received, dealing at some length with the Braille music
revision suggestions likely to be approved in Germany. It is
much to be hoped that an agreement wiU be reached between the
German Committee, the compilers of the French suggestions, and
the Enghsh Notation Committee, on most, if not all, the questions
under disciission, and it is felt, if a satisfactory conclusion is to be
reached, that there is still a good deal more work to be done by the
Notation Committee appointed by the Notation Conference. The
names of this Committee are given below.

It only remains to be added, that, though this report is brief,
considerable progress has been made since the Exeter Conference,

146

Report of the Braille Notation Committee

and we ask in conclusion for the authority of the London Conference
on the Blind to proceed with the work we have in hand.

H. C. Warrilow,
Chairman of the Notation Conference.

Members of the Committee :

Mrs. Guy Campbell. Mr. H. V. Spanner.

Mr. W. Lucas. Mr. A. C. Stericker.

Mr. P. T. Mayhew. Mr. H. WatUng.

Mr. H. G. Oke. Mr. P. L. Way.
Mr. H. E. Piatt.

* * *

The Hon. Secretary announced that nominations for the
Conference Committee must be received by 12 o'clock on
Saturday, not 12 o'clock on Friday, as stated in the Hand-
book.

Mr. Henry J. Wilson (London). — Before Mr, Illingworth
begins to read his paper this morning I wish to refer to a
most regrettable tendency that showed itself at yesterday
afternoon's session to bring personal matters into general
discussion. As Chairman of the Conference Committee,
and speaking on their behalf, I cannot express too strongly
our disapproval of such a course, and our desire to dissociate
ourselves from any action of that sort, and I appeal earnestly
to the Conference to support the intention of the Committee
to secure order, strict attention to the business in hand,
and that love of justice and fair play that we Englishmen
take a pride in considering a characteristic of our nation.
Where there are many men there must be many minds, and
it is not only absolutely unnecessary, but ivrong, to bring
into our counsels for the welfare of the blind the spirit of
bitterness and personal attack. I have no more to say, but
I appeal to the members of the Conference for their hearty
and willing support in this matter.

Mr. Illingworth.' — Reference has been made during
this Conference to the rapid rate at which things in the
interests of the blind are moving. No one could be more
delighted than myself that this should be so, but at the same
time my paper has suffered from some recent developments,
and I shall have to ask you to bear with me if what I read
is not exactly word for word what is printed.

147 l2

HOW TO DEAL WITH THE
INCOMPETENT BLIND

W. HY. ILLINGWORTH, F.C.T.B.,

Superintendent of Henshaw's Blind Asylum, Old TiafEord,
Manchester.

At the outset it is my desire to tender my sincere thanks
to those of my colleagues who have kindly contributed
towards the usefulness of this paper by answering the
somewhat lengthy list of questions Avhich I submitted to
them on the subject

For the assistance of those about to take part in the
discussion, a copy of these questions will be found appended
to the paper now in j^our hands.

In the short time allotted to me I cannot hope to lay the
subject before you with the fulness which it claims, even
were I capable of fulfilling such obligation luider any circum-
stances, so you will pardon me if my remarks appear to be
somewhat disjointed and inadequate. If, however, they
form the groundwork for a healthy and useful discussion, I
shall be more than satisfied.

As most of you are aware, this subject, under another
head, was most ably treated of by Mr. H. J. Wilson, in his
valuable paper on " The Feeble-Minded Bhnd," at the
Edinburgh Conference of 1905, and in the discussion which
followed I made a statement which I would repeat and
emphasise with all the force at my command. This is the
quotation : "In the future the best way is to 'prevent the
deficiency in these children as nmch as possible, and I
believe as much may be done for the prevention of defectives
as for the prevention of blindness.'^

Many defective children have been brought to me in the
course of my experience who, if they had been treated by

148

How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind

their parents in the same manner as other children, if they
had been given ordinary exercise and httle duties to perform,
would not have been defective either mentally or physically.
You all know that a blind child is very often left sitting
in a corner all day long, and I can cite cases where such
have actually been kept in bed most of their lives, till ten
or eleven years of age, to keej) them out of harm'' s way. Such
children are bound to be both physically and mentally
defective. A considerable amount of the blame rests upon
education authorities. I am «ure you will bear me out when
I say that, although the Blind and Deaf Mute Education
Act stipulates that the blind child shall be sent to school at
five years of age, that Act is to a great extent a dead letter.
If the Act were properly enforced, there would not be so
many mentally and physically defective blind children."
This was my view nine years ago, and it is my view more
than ever to-day.

Some of my correspondents, in reply to question 1, say,
they do not understand my term " mentally weak through
neglect," that it is a verj^ debatable term, and that a feeble-
minded person is mentally defective and vice versd. At the
risk of appearing tedious, I repeat that hundreds of our
incompetent blind are incomi^etent through neglect. If we
acknowledge, as I suppose we all do, that physical weakness
and deformity are often resultant on carelessness and
neglect, why should it be questioned that similar mental
condition results from precisely similar causes ?

The question, then, immediately before us is, in the first
place, how to prevent mental^and^physical unfitness. If we
have not such means at'our. disposal as we would like, let us
not waste our time and energies in crying for such means, but
make the best of what we have at hand. We have got an
Act of Parliament which says that blind children shall be
sent to school at five years of age ; then it is our duty to see to
it that that Act is enforced. All the institutions and societies
for the blind in England are now banded together in unions.
Can these unions not bring pressiu'c to bear on the powers
that be to compel education authorities to fulfil their obliga-

149

How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind

tions in those cases where they are unwilhng to do so ? I
appeal to this Conference to make a recommendation to
all schools for the blind in the country that they shall make
a note of all children admitted in the course of the next
six months, who, though blind, have been allowed to remain
at home after the statutory age of five years ; that particulars
of these cases shall then be sent to the Secretary of the
Union of Unions ; and that this Conference requests that
the Union of Unions will then draw up a report on these
cases and present it by deputation to the Board of Educa-
tion.

In answer to my question 22, I get the following answers :
Scotland, 8 years ; England, 9 — 10 years. One of my
correspondents says : " The average age of the last fifty
admissions is ten years." This needs no comment !

I fear I am laying myself open to the charge that I
am evading the real question at issue, " How to Deal with
the Incompetent Blind ? " but, as the Irishman said, " Sure
the best way to deal with a difficulty when it arises is to
prevent it."

I will now take up question 2 on my paper, and the eight
replies give a total of sixty-five cases. There is some
division of opinion as to question 3, but by far the majority
of my correspondents are in favour of segregation and
special schools. We have not got such special schools,
however, except in a very limited sense, and till we have,
again, we must make the best of the means at our disposal.

As some of you are aware, I am an advocate for the
employment of blind teachers wherever possible, and I am
firmly convinced, after many years' experience, that a back-
ward or a mentally defective child, who is teachable at all, will
do better under a skilful blind teacher than under a sighted
teacher. I will not attempt to enter into an explanation of
this hypothesis from its psychological side, but simply make
the statement to be taken for what it is worth, that I believe
we should have fewer incompetents turned out of our schools
at sixteen, or before that age, if the teaching of the more
juvenile classes were more in the hands of blind teachers,

150

How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind

and I believe that in a school, however small, it will pay, both
in an economic and humane sense, to pick out the backward
and defective children and place them under the care of
a good blind teacher, even though their ages be dissimilar ;
their numbers being small, sufficient individual attention
can be given to each, whereas, if mixed with the normal
children, they are apt to be neglected and discouraged, not
■ — as some say — -encouraged, by the presence of shar])er
children.

The answers to question 8 are sad reading : " They go
home to their friends or the workhouse." Alas, do they not
all go to the workhouse if they live to adult age ? While
they are young, fond fathers and mothers will spend their
last penny to provide for them, but when they reach adult
age, and fathers and mothers are dead, what becomes of them
then ?

The majority of the answers to No. 10, I will simply
say, in passing, are opposed to the theory that pecu-
liar movements of head or hands, or both, indicate mental
weakness, but many are agreed that such move-
ments in excess tend to mental deterioration, therefore
every means should be taken to eradicate them. Several
correspondents, however, are convinced — and in this idea
I heartily concur — that such movements are the result of
neglect before the child was sent to school, and there can
be no doubt they are prejudicial, to say the least of it, to
the child's welfare in after life. I much regret that I have
not got any information of value in reply to question 13,
though all are agreed in recommending plenty of hand work,
kindergarten occupations, etc., as a cure. To my mind this
is one of the saddest and most serious forms of incompetence,
for it is often found in children of the highest intellectual
capacity, and I earnestly commend the subject to the careful
consideration and persevering investigation of all teachers
of the blind, to see if a remedy cannot be found. It is to
be noticed that in almost every case of this kind there is a
very abnormal amount of dorsal flexion present. This fault
can be remedied to a great extent by continual grasping

151

How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind

exercises. Spring dumb-bells are very good, and the board
and peg exercises.

The answers to question 14, bearing on the above, are
summed up in one : "I have come across such cases — they
usually become derelicts." What a tragedy is hidden in the
last four words ! An active, useful brain in a derelict body,
which is otherwise quite healthy ! That brain is a potential
unit in the State, but under existing conditions it is
ruthlessly condemned to extinction. Can avc do nothing to
change all this, and, if we can, why don't we ?

Question 20 evokes quite a wave of enthusiasm, which I
may sum up by quoting one reply in extenso.

" It ought to be done, and, now that powers are given,
I take it it will be done. A capital resolution for the
Conference to pass would be one calling upon the Com-
missioners to establish such institutions without delay."
To this hopeful ebullition I heartily say " Amen," and
though I am not at liberty to give details, I may say that
I have, during the last week or two, been in communication
with the Board of Control and the Association for the Care
of the Feeble-minded and have every hope that a definite
action in this direction will very shortly be taken.

Question 23 brought me ten replies, of which three were
in the negative and seven in the affirmative.

Of nine backward or mentally defective children at
present in Henshaw's Bhnd Asylum, the ages on admission
were 11, 12, 7, 5, 11, 6, 12, 12, and 8. Whilst this leads to
no generalisation, it is obvious that the younger the child
comes to school the less waste of time and material there
will be.

The replies to question 24 are the saddest of all. The
best authenticated answers give varying ratios from 17 to
33 per cent. Truly the sins of the fathers are visited on
the children, and the worst feature of all is that this cause
of blindness generally carries with it the double affliction
of deafness — partial or total — and greatly increases the
number of incompetents.

I am not a militant suffragist, but I firmly believe, when

152

How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind

women do get the vote, we shall be several steps nearer the
prevention of such a shoeking and disgraceful cause of
blindness, deafness and mental deficieney.

Now, to sum up the case of the juvenile incompetent
blind, may I give a fcAv general hints as to their treatment,
and, in doing so, I take the opportunity of quoting freely
from that useful httle book "Mentally Deficient Children,"
by Dr. G. E. Shuttleworth, which I would advise every
teacher here to procure and study.

Bearing in mind that mental feebleness is often merely
a consequence of feeble physical health and malnutrition,
and that, with improved physical conditions, the mental
imjDairment not infrequently disappears, it behoves us,
therefore, first of all to examine carefully into the physical
condition of a mentally defective child, and do all in our
power, by means of good food, fresh air and interesting
exercise, to remedy existing defects in this direction. Much
good ma} be done by suitable drill — musical as far as possible
— and manual exercises to overcome the twitching and
nervous movements so common in these cases.

With regard to cases which may be classed as due to
carelessness and neglect. Dr. Shuttleworth says : " Speaking
generally, the prognosis is not favourable in such cases,
though, of course, depending upon the amount of damage
the brain has sustained or the degree of atrophy consequent
on meningeal thickening. In some cases unremediable
lesion may have been left, in others the a'-rest of develop-
ment from failing nutrition may, under favourable circum-
stances, be averted.

" Cleanly habits must be promoted by every possible
means.

" Weak-minded children are often not devoid of all pride
of appearance ; and this, judiciously cultivated, may be
made a powerful lever in the upraising of good habits. We
have known a case in which a tendency to destroy clothing
has been overcome, not by attiring the child in sackcloth,
but by providing for it a fashionable suit.

" The mentally feeble child is specially incapable of

153

How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind

comprehending abstractions ; all instruction, therefore,
must be presented to it in concrete form, which it can grasp
with the hand as well as with the mind."

As most of my correspondents agree, outdoor occupations
and lessons are to be preferred wherever and whenever
possible. Both physical and mental activities are often
aroused by such healthy environment and work when
indoor teaching and employment have failed.

It is marvellous to what an extent the cultivation of the
habit of exercising will poAver Mill be found efficacious in
curing or eradicating peculiar movements of head and hands.

I would specially wish to impress upon you my next
quotation from Dr. Shuttleworth : " Care must be taken
that recreation and relaxation do not degenerate into mere
loafing. Suitable recreation must be supplied and insisted
upon. Mentally deficient children are apt to be solitary.
They have no idea of combination, even for games." And
again, " The tactile function is not only the most general,
but in some respects the most important of our senses, and
in the normal baby its evolution takes precedence of all the
rest. Impressions through the eye and ear are criticised
through the sense of touch, and this natural development,
so serviceable in the spontaneous education of all healthy
young animals, must be imitated in our endeavours to bring
up towards the normal standard the sensorial training of
imperfect children."

The out-of-school supervision should be in the hands of
the teaching staff, and 7iever relegated to officers of the
second class, such as attendants.

I have long recommended the " peg board " as one of
the best means of eradicating spasmodic movements of the
fingers and inco-ordination in the use of the hands, and I
am pleased to note that Dr. Shuttleworth considers this
httle apparatus most valuable for such purpose, as also for
developing the tactile sense.

" In thus laying down," says the Doctor again, " these
general principles of procedure, it must not be imagined
that all cases can be treated in the same way. On the

154

How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind

contrary, it is essential to success that the teacher should
study the individual peculiarities of each case and adapt
the educational methods employed to the peculiarities.
Mentally abnormal children may be broadly divided into
two classes : (1) those who are dull and apathetic ; (2) those
whose mental and nervous action is irregular. It is obvious
that the rousing, stimulating regime suitable for the former
is not the most appropriate to the latter, in which the
inhibitory and co-ordinating functions require to be
strengthened by exercise."

Would it be possible to frame a stronger argument in
favour of the employment of blind teachers for the incom-
petent blind than this last quotation ? Nay, I might go
further, and say that blind teachers might well be employed
as the best possible educators of mentally deficient seeing
children.

On the question of the morally defective children I cannot
dwell, but it is fully dealt with in the little book which I
have mentioned and so freely quoted, and which again I com-
mend to your consideration. I could heartily wish with Dr.
Shuttleworth that, whenever an education committee sets
aside a sum of money for higher education, for the benefit
of those specially endowed, it would set aside a proportionate
sum for the pro\'ision of instruction, by experts, of those at
the other end of the mental ladder. Let us hope that the
result of the recent Commission on the Feeble Minded will
bring about this desirable end.

And now, with your permission, I will pass on to consider
the — may I say greater — subject of the incompetent adult
blind.

I now come to the most difficult and complex part of the
question " How to Deal with the Incompetent Adult Blind."
Not only is it more difficult in the technical sense, but it
is infinitely more difficult to treat of, owing to the fact
that things are moving so ra2)idly in the blind world
that any suggestions made now, in the month of Maj^ may
be too late by the time this paper comes to be read — and,
further, although I suppose I ought not to flatter myself

155

How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind

that anything I do or say will be of sufficient power to make
an impression for good or ill upon our slowly moving Legis-
lature, yet one does not like to throw anything, even a
shadow, in the way if that august body really does mean
to give real attention to some other matters than Home
Rule and battleships.

The term " incompetent," as applied to adults, has a
very different meaning from the same term applied to
juniors. In the latter case physical or mental deficiency is
generally inferred, but not so in the former. Here, again,
as in the case of juveniles, our watchword should be, wherever
possible, " prevention." Those of us who have charge of
technical schools and workshops know full well how fre-
quently applications for places have to be met with the
reply " No room," and that it is no uncommon thing for
a pupil to leave school at sixteen and have to wait for
years for a chance to get the technical training to fit him
to earn a living. Or, on the other hand, when a vacancy
does occur, and the friends are unable to pay the necessary
fees, grave difficulties arise owing to the imwillingness on
the part of higher education committees to exercise their
permissive powers under the Education Act, 1902, Part II.
Whilst acknowledging the sympathetic and ready action
of some education committees in this direction, I deeply
deplore the fact that others absolutely refuse to assume
responsibility for such deserving cases — one I could name
being that of one of our largest and wealthiest industrial
centres, and the blind children, at sixteen, have been com-
pelled to seek the aid of the guardians of the poor in order to
obtain that Avhich their seeing brothers and sisters obtain,
without question, from the education committee.

From whatever cause, then, there be a break in the
continuity of education, between the elementary school and
technical training, should that break extend to any
lengthened period, the chances of such blind pupil becoming
a competent worker are proportionately reduced. It is
impossible to over-emphasise this fact, and it is one of the
strongest arguments in favour of technical training being

156

How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind

made compulsory, and not allowed to remain permissive, so
far as education authorities are concerned.

A blind adult, from a variety of other causes, may be
unable to earn a living, and he is, therefore, as a self-support-
ing individual, incompetent, whilst possessing all his physical
and mental faculties. For instance, and this class of case
is quite common, he may have lost his sight late in life, say
at thirty to fifty years of age ; and, having never been used
to manual occupation, or, at any rate, anything of a heavy
nature, be unfitted for years to accomplish much in the way
of wage-earning, however eager and willing he may be.

It appears from the replies received to question 25 that,
in most of our workshops for the blind, no discrimination
is shown between the competent and incompetent so far as
employment is concerned, though it is admitted that the
wage-earning capacity of the latter is very low. It is quite
evident, in fact, that, if we accept the standard laid down by
those most calculated to inspire confidence in their deduc-
tions as to what constitutes a competent blind worker, very
few indeed would reach the border line of competence.

To take a few examj^les, a superintendent of long and wide
experience says a competent baskctmaker should earn 20^.
to 30,s. a week ; matmaker, 15s. to 20^, ; pitch work brush,
15s. to 20^. ; woman chair seater, 10s. ; knitting machinist,
105. Another says, baskctmaker, 16s. ; loom mats, 12^. ;
pitch brush, 125. ; woman chair seater, Qs. With this latter
estimate the majority agree, and, I believe, at ordinary
trades union piecework rates only, it represents a fair
average. Those who favour the higher amounts have, I
fancy, included augmentation, or have stated the amount a
competent worker should receive — not earn — but all this
should come out in the discussion, so I will pass on.

I must confess I am somewhat puzzled by the replies to
my next question, to which most of the answers are in the
negative, although, in the previous question, I asked for the
tninimum that should be earned by a competent worker.

One gets at the root of the matter and strikes a truly
pathetic, but practical, chord when he says : " Yes, in one

157

How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind

sense they are incompetent ; but, so far as good work is
concerned, they are not. The one who earns the lowest
•wages with us does the best work."

It is fairly well agreed that the proportion of incompetents,
judging from a wage-earning standpoint, is about one-third
of the number employed, and where a uniform standard
wage is not in vogue, as in Edinburgh and Glasgow, increased
augmentation is given to the low wage earner. But I would
observe, in passing, such a course is open to abuse, and even
in its very essence is wrong in principle, seeing that in the
very best such scheme, a sliding scale scheme, there is a
point where the man who actually earns, say, 15s. lOd.
receives more than he who earns 16*. To my mind it is a
better method to give a lump sum to each worker, irrespective
of his earning ability, as comj^ensation for blindness, that is
to say, to reduce the handicap between a blind man and a
seeing, and then let each earn as much as he can. At
Henshaw's Blind Asylum we give 4*. per week in this form.
Wages are paid on Friday and the compensation grant on
Tuesday, so that the -is. comes in very handy if the previous
week's wages are exhausted and supplies in the home are
running low. In this way the very lowest wage earner
gets 156'., and at least 80 per cent, get over £l.

With one or tAvo exceptions, it appears to be the general
opinion that it is undesirable to place incompetent workers
in separate departments from the others. The arguments
are chiefly based on financial considerations, " The expense of
such separation would be too great, etc." But I must admit
there is something to be said for the idea that the success
of a smart man on the next plank stimulates to greater
energy on the part of the slow worker.

At the same time it must be borne in mind that some of
the incompetents do really bad and faulty work, and this,
when sold at any price, is detrimental to the best interests
of the blind worker as a unit in the industrial world.

Further, there is also such a thing as the slow worker
being totally discouraged by the success of his next neigh-
bour.

158

How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind

I am not a little surprised to find that most workshops
pay wages and augmentation all together at the same time.
Probably those who prefer this method have sufficiently
good reasons for such a course.

Question 33. There is a general consensus of opinion
that the Poor Law guardians, who are responsible for the
feeding and clothing of sighted incompetents, should not
be relieved of such responsibility simply because an incom-
petent happens to be blind. In other words, money left
for charitable purposes should not go to relieve the rates.
Let it augment rate-provided relief as much as possible. It
is a very mifortunate fact that many pension funds open
to the blind are cursed with regulations which stipulate that
no person shall become a beneficiary under such pension
scheme if he has been, or be at the time, in receipt of parochial
relief. How I should rejoice if this Conference could set
wheels in motion to end this deplorable state of matters !
Is it not possible that our assembled wits can suggest a
means to so desirable an end before we break up ?

There is no doubt that incompetent adult blind of the
physically or mentally deficient type, as also the hopelessly
bad worker, should be provided for in homes, with careful
and absolute segregation of the sexes. Here work of a
suitably simple nature should be supplied, to prevent their
living in idleness- — even though the work, when done, be of
no practical use or value. The guardians should provide
the home, and charitable funds or the Imperial Exchequer
the rest.

The home should be " run " by the local institution
authority, and should not bear the stigma of the work-
house.

I maintain that there is nothing unreasonable in our
assumption that it is the duty of the Legislature to provide
the necessaries, and even some of the comforts, of life for
those whom nature or accident has deprived of the power,
either mental or j^hysical, to so provide for themselves.

Amongst peoples that we, in our superior wisdom, are
pleased to term savages or barbarians, a most efficacious

159

How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind

method of dealing Avith the unfit is in vogue. They are at
once despatched as quickly as possible. We shrink with
horror at the thought of such brutality, as we call it. But
I put.it to you in all sincerity, which is the more humane
method, theirs or ours ? and I feel sure you will be bound to
admit that the answer must be, in truth, " theirs." They
reduce suffering to a minimum by inflicting a speedy death-
bloAV. We, in our enlightened country, insist that the
weakling in mind and body shall be tended and matured
through a delicate infancy, endure privation and suffering
through youth, and when it reaches maturity we turn it
loose to reproduce its^kind and to multiply misery and
suffering beyond measure.

Therefore I say, again, the State that decrees that the
incompetent shall live is bound by all the laws of logic and
civilisation to see to it that such life is something better
than a living death. We may all, I trust, hope for a practical
solution of this great difficulty soon, seeing that care of the
incapable blind is included in the Blind Aid Bill now before
Parliament and the subject of inquiry by a special
Committee.

One of my correspondents writes : "A mentally defec-
tive blind person most certainly ought to be in a special
home, and not relegated to the union. There was an
opportunity for Manchester to shine when preparing their
plans about three years ago, by providing a special wing for
'em."

I would like right here, as our American cousins put it,
to say : We did provide a wing for 'em, and at the present
moment we have from twenty-five to thirty full-grown
chickens— not mentally defective certainly, but incompetent
through no fault of their own^ — sheltering under that wing
and leading a happy life in the Mary Ann Scott Memorial
Home, and I will conclude my paper by saying to my friend
already referred to, with all earnestness, and to all others
here in similar positions: " Go and do thou likewise."

160

How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind

First as to Children under Sixteen Years of Age.

1. The term " Incompetent " includes, I take it,
" imbecile," " feeble-minded," " mentally weak through
neglect," " physically defective, in addition to blindness."

(a) Do you agree with this hypothesis ?

(b) Can you suggest any other form of incompetence ?

2. How many children who can be classed under any of
the above heads have you at present in your school ?

3. How many, approximately, have you declined to
receive into your school, during the past five years, on
account of any of the above-named forms of incompetence ?

4. How many have left as unteachable, or been found
unfit to go forward to technical training, during the same
period ?

5. Do you have special classes or lessons for defective
blind children, or do you allow them to mix, in class and out,
with the normal children ?

6. What is your opinion on the question of segregation,
where such is possible ?

7. Do you apply any test as to the child's intelligence
before you receive it into school ? If so, kindly give par-
ticulars as to the tests j^ou use.

8. What, to the best of your knowledge, becomes of those
applicants whom you refuse as mentally or physically
defective ?

9. Before discharging a child as physically defective, does
your medical officer certify the child as such, or is the
evidence of the teacher considered sufficient ?

10. It is considered by some that the peculiar movements
of hands and head, so often noticeable in blind children,
indicate mental weakness. What is your opinion on this
subject ?

11. Do you consider such movements tend to mental
deterioration ?

12. Many blind children suffer from inco-ordination in
the use of the hands. What means do you take to remedy
this defect ?

c.B. 161 M

How to Deal with the* Incompetent Blind

13. What positive results have you obtained by such
treatment ?

14. In the course of my experience I have met with several
cases of remarkable intelligence, combined with such
complete inco-ordination in the use of the hands, as to
absolutel}^ preclude the pupil from following any manual
occupation. Have you come across such cases ? If so,
what has become of them after school age ?

*20. What is your opinion on the question of establishing
an institution for feeble-minded blind children ?

21. To what extent do you consider neglect during the
early years of the life of the blind child conduces to mental
and physical deficiency ?

22. What is the average age of your pupils on admission ?

23. Do you find mental deficiency more marked in those
admitted over ten years of age than in those admitted
younger ?

24. What proportion of your pupils are blind from
syphilitic causes, and what percentage of these are deaf
also ?

Adults*

25. In the workshops, how do you discriminate between
competent and incompetent ?

26. What amount of wages per week do you consider a
competent workman should earn as a minimum, given the
opportunity to work ?

As basketmaker ?
Matmaker ?

Bruslimaker, (o) pitch ? {b) drawn ?
And woman as :

Basketmaker ?
Chair seater ?
Mattress maker ?
Knitting machinist ?

* Questions 15 to 19 were cancelled as the subject they touched is dealt
with in the Paper on the " Blind Deaf."

162

How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind

Swedish weaver ?
Brushmaker (drawn) ?

27. Would you class all who cannot earn these amounts
incompetent ?

28. What proportion of your workers would thus be termed
" incompetent " ?

29. How do you treat such cases in the matter of wages ?

30. Do you consider it a wise suggestion that these
incompetent workers, who require an abnormal amount of
monetary and other assistance, should work in rooms
separate from those who earn sufficient for their support ?

31. Do you pay actual wages separately from augmenta-
tions, or do you pay all at once ?

82. Should any of your inefficient or incomjDctent workmen
marry, would you favour the granting of further augmenta-
tions in respect of wife and family if in distress ?

33. It has been suggested that blind persons who, through
physical or mental unfitness, cannot earn their living, or at
any rate a reasonable proportion of it, should, like sighted
people in similar circumstances, be chargeable to the
guardians of the poor, and not constitute a continual drain
on the finances of a blind institution. Please state your
views on this suggestion.

34. What other method of dealing with such cases have
you to suggest ?

35. How would you suggest that mentally deficient blind
adults should be provided for ?

36. Do you favour the idea of a residential home and
workshops for them ? If so, to whom should the cost be
chargeable ?

37. Any remarks from any point of view on the subject
" How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind," please.

163 M 2

How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind

DISCUSSION.

Mr. W. H. Thurman (Bii-mingliam). — Mr. Illingworth has
given us a paper this morning on a problem which is most difficult
to solve. It is one of absorbing interest, and of which only the
fringe can be touched in the short time allowed for discussion.

I am pleased to have the opportunity to express some of my
views, especially in regard to the mentally defective blind. All
will agiee that we are indebted to the writer of the paper. He
will, I know, forgive my candour. On reading his paper about
a fortnight ago I say at once that I was very disappointed. I
expected something tangible — some concrete solutions of the
difficulties in regard to the incompetent blind. In a word, I
expected some suggestions as to their permanent care and control.
Eighteen months ago I touched upon the question of the mentally
defective blind in an article I wrote on " Trading Departments
of Institutions for the Blind," when I stated : "It must not be
thought that I do not possess sympathy with the dreaded spectre
of the mentally defective blind, and of this I am quite sure, that
many institutions have such cases, possessing conditions of
extreme sadness, to deal with. There is, however, no disguising
the fact, that a market does not exist for the products of the
mentally defective blind. And quite apart from the point of
trading, the question of morals ought to weigh heavily. All that
can be done for this unfortunate class is on the charitable side,
so as to alleviate wherever it is possible their troubles and difficvd-
ties, which could be reduced to a minimum by segi'egation."
Those words I endorse to-day.

Mr. Illingworth says that we shall agi'ee with him that the
Blind and Deaf Mute Act — I suppose he refers to the Elementary
Education (Blind and Deaf Children) Act, 1893— is a dead letter
in regard to the age of blind children and their first admission to
school. My experience is that there are very few instances in
which children are not sent as early as possible. It is generally
a case of " no room " at the schools. As to the suggestion of the
Union of Unions approaching the Board of Education by Depu-
tation on the subject of defaulting Education authorities, a much
better plan woiUd be to deal with the individual education authori-
ties by corresponding with them as the necessity arises, and in a
pleasant way issue an ultimatum to the effect that the Board
of Education would be informed if the cause for complaint were
not removed. One gentleman says that would be of no use.
Well, we in Bii'mingham have tiied it, and it has been successful,

Mr. Illingworth makes a statement on the top of page 2. He
says : " Many defective children . . . mentally or physically."
I do not agree with him at all when he says " many." Knowing
a good deal about mentally defective children, both seeing and
blind, I say emphatically that in the large majority of instances
the defect cannot and never will be cured. What, then, is the
position 1 I am not here to say what figures can prove, but I
will give some dealing with the subject so far as the Birmingham
Institution is concerned. In the last five years 156 pupils left
the institution- — average 31 per annum. Of these 22, or 14 per

164

Discussion

cent., were distinctly mentally defective ; of the others 17, or
11 per cent., were physically defective. None of these will ever
become normal. Now is an opportune time to pass a resolution
dealing with these children. Mr. Illingworth has informed us
that something is going to be done. I should like to ask what is
going to be done ? Is a wing to be put on to the ordinary Mentally-
defective Colonies ? I rather think, from information received,
that that is the proposition. If so, I should like to oppose it. \Vliy
not approach the Board of Control appointed under the Mental
Deficiency Act, 1913, who will look to us for a lead f Let us tell
them that there are 480 mentally defective children in this
country who are blind or partially blind, and that they ought to
be placed in colonies on the Monyhull principle, quite apart from
the seeing feeble minded. The accommodation at each establish-
ment should be for 80. There should be one in the south, one in
the west, a third in the Midlands, one in North Wales, another in
the West Riding of Yorkshire, and a sixth somewhere around
Durham. These should be established in the country. Three of
them should be for males and three for females. The staff should
be of the same sex as far as possible, for obvious reasons.

Let Conference be active for once and pass a resolution on this
subject which can be forwarded direct to the Board of Control.
(Hear, hear.)

A mentally defective child, whether seeing or blind, ought not
to be in a class with normal children. It is not fair to the child.
Neither is it fair to the child who is normal. Again, it is imfair
to the teachers, and also to the parents. Parents of normal
children object to sending them to school to be educated with
mentally defective children, and rightly so. I know they have
complained in Birmingham, and their complaints have been :
" Before my child went to the mentally defective school he was
all right, but since he has been attending there he is all wrong."
He has probably copied the other children, and I sympathise
with those parents. The children do copy bad habits ; to a
greater extent than the lower grade are lifted up to the level
of the higher grade.

In these colonies which I suggest should be established for
blind mentally defectives the following should be a general
outline of their daily occupations : —

They might, under seeing supervision, do dairy work, fruit and
vegetable growing, cattle rearing, poultry rearing. In many ways
the children, and adults too, could be found something useful to
do. The schools for the blind now existing and the mentally
defective institutions should be sorting houses for these colonies,
and should generally deal with doubtful cases.

Now a word, Mr. Illingworth, as to blind teachers of blind
mentally defectives. I strongly disagree with you. Mr. Illing-
worth tells us that a blind teacher makes the best teacher for
mentally defective children who are blind or otherwise. In my
opinion a teacher of such children needs six pairs of eyes if that
were possible — I mean what I say. They require to be constantly
alert, and even weak sight would be detrimental. Teachers of
this class of children will agree with me, and especially those who

165

How to Deal \vith the Incompetent Blind

liave been engaged in the work for years. As to totally blind
teachers being engaged as teachers of seeing children, this
position is impossible and not worth serious consideration. It
is time to speak out, and therefore I have done so. Of course
there are glorious exceptions. There is one in Birmingham. To
no one will I yield in my admiration of blind teachers, but the
case of blind teachers of mentally defective children generally is
another matter. As I have said, there are exceptions, but
generally speaking such appointments would spell " failure."

With regard to augmentation. If given at all, the defective
blind should have the advantage. In his paper I am quite certain
Mr. Illingworth points directly to Birmingham. He has reflected
on our augmentation scheme. But he does not tell you the basis
of it. He does not refer to Clause II. of the Scheme, and that is
that we find out the ability of the worker before we fix his rate of
augmentation. That puts a different complexion upon the
matter.

As to pensions, I will cite what we have done. Under the
Henry Stainsby Pension Scheme we have awarded a few pensions
to deserving cases who are in receipt of parish relief on the distinct
understanding that the guardians would not withdraw their
weekly allowance to the recipients. I am pleased to be able to
say in all instances the guardians met us in this matter. They
sent us very sympathetic replies, and I say here as a compliment
to them that there is not a better board of guardians in the whole
country in their sympathy with the blind.

Now, Mr. Illingworth, in regard to your mentally defective
wing at Manchester. Time forbids me to deal at length with this,
but I congratulate you on the fact that you are making a move in
this direction.

Mr. W. R. Wade * (Dublin). — As an Irishman I stand up to
say a word about Ireland. I regret to say that Ireland with
regard to the blind is in a terrible state. We have no less than
one in every seven blind persons in the workhouse, and out of
those there are only very few capable of being taught anything.
Many of them are over sixty years of age. But some of them are
able and willing to do work if only they could get it. Out of
114 in the workhouses in Dublin I have only come across two who
are there from any faidt of their own. I wish on this platform
to deny the statement made in the House of Commons — I forget
by whom — when it was said that blindness in the United Kingdom
was on the decrease. At all events at the time of the last census
there was an increase of 59 blind persons since the previous
census in Ireland. And in the poor houses of Dublin on April
2nd, 1911, there were 83 blind persons, and in December, 1913, I
visited 114 blind persons in these workhouses. I think it is a
disgraceful thing that something cannot be done for them through
the State. I would suggest that the State should help these blind
people to earn their own living.

I would also like to point out that in Belfast there is a man
about twenty-five years of age. He lost his sight by an accident.
He was eai'ning a good wage as an accountant. He could do
nothing but go to the workhouse. Fortunately the Belfast

166

Discussion

people found him and took him to one of the homes, and he is
now earning his board and lodging by copying Braille books for
that institution. That man is stone deaf and totally blind. I
personally talked to him on his fingers by means of the deaf
and dumb alphabet and I taught him in ten minutes to use the
" Stainsby-Wayne " machine, and he could write the title of
the book he was copying in that time.

I would also like you to bear with me one second while I ask you
what we are to do with the blind epileptics ? I have come across
a case in my own district. The boy is fourteen or somewhere
near that age. He is willing to go to work at baskets, but the
institutions will not take him till he is sixteen. \Vliat is to be
done for him ? The institutions of his religion will not take him
because he needs a special attendant. I asked his parents to
write to one of the institutions and state that they would not
hold them responsible for accidents, but it was of no use.

Miss Meiklejon * (St. Leonards-on-Sea). — I would like to say
that, after twelve years' experience in the Hastings and St.
Leonards School for Mentally Defective Blind Children, which is
the only one recognised by the Board of Education, in the main
I quite agree with what Mr. Illingworth says, and I would like
to thank him for his paper. I only regret that I did not see any
of the questions or have an opportunity of studying the paper
until last night. One of the great things he mentions is the
segregation of the children. I would like to make another
classification of the incompetent blind, firstly into the permanently
defective, who I think there can be no question should be cared
for from the cradle to the grave — first in a special school and
afterwards in a home for the mentally defective, in a blind class,
not in a big colony or institution, but in a small home where such
can receive the best of supervision. And secondly there is a very
special class of mentally defective blind children whom I would
term temporarily defective. And then I think we ought to give
a warning to teachers. In my experience several children have
been passed into my school from others who might have been
greatly benefited if they had come earlier. I do not think that
even a backward child can receive adequate attention in a school
for normal blind children. It is better that a child shoidd be for
a time the brightest boy or girl in a class of backward children
than that he or she should be the dullest or slowest child in a
school for normal blind children. My own opinion is that normal
blind children are not treated as defectives as much as they ought
to be. Then, as regards the teacher, I would like to say that
I do not agree with a blind teacher having charge of mentally
defective seeing children. I do think that the blind teacher
is best for mentally defective blind children, but she should have
a seeing assistant to act with her as her eyes. After twelve years'
experience I may say that I never teach without such help, even
if it is only a young student teacher ; I never teach without a pair
of capable eyes in the room with me.

And then, as far as the after-care of the blind is concerned, I
may say that the du-e need for such a home as Mr. Illingworth
refers to was so thrust upon us that under financial and other

167

How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind

difficulties we did establish a liome of our own — an after-care
home — so that there might be no break in continuity between
the training in the school and the training in the home. I think
it is a terrible thing for a child to go out into the world and get a
taste of liberty and then be brought back again.

Mr. Charles F. F. Campbell (U.S.A.). — Just a word about the
incompetent blind. We could say a lot about the child, but I
will confine myself to the question of the adult. More than half
the blind in this world have lost their sight after middle life.
Now we are here, many of us, in the interests of the young blind,
but we must not forget the adult blind, and it is an awful problem.
Accepting, therefore, that more than half our problem is with the
adult, we come face to face with the question of monetary relief
for tlie blind, because they are so handicapped. Now I want to
tell you what I heard in the United States. A very eminent man
said : " Gentlemen, you pension not only in America, but all over
the world, the man who cuts someone else's throat or who loses a
limb in killing another man ; why not be as fair at least to the man
who has worked at the work-bench and lost his sight in the fight
for life." I do not advocate any particular system, but just as
surely as I stand here the problem of monetary relief for the
incompetent and for the competent blind man and woman is
here and you have to face it. I stand here as a bit of a repre-
sentative from a foreign country. You must not forget there
are 100,000 blind people in America. The question of monetary
relief was brought before us, and to the honour of the Committee
be it said that that question is now being vigorously taken up.
Do not dodge it. Fight together on it. I come here from only
one State, the State of Ohio, with 5,000 blind persons. Our
association covers an area of 200 square miles. That one State
last year gave in the form of monetary relief to help the blind
approximately £80,000. That is a step in the right direction.

Now before I leave the platform I want to say this. In America
the blind went forward irrespective of the sighted — that is the
point — irrespective of the sighted and without their co-opera-
tion, and because of that we have not got a wise, judicious or
helpful system. We are going to have one, though. My associa-
tion is studying the question. I say to you now, do be square and
get together and each help the other. For heaven's sake, do not
let the blind throw a rotten egg or a dirty brickbat at men who are
trying to help them — and that is what they do. I was burning
to speak for one minute only on that discussion about conferences.
I myself unfortunately have had to be responsible for conferences
for about ten years in the United States. And the one thing we
have accomplished is this — that the blind and the sighted, the
lion and the lamb if you please, have agreed to sit down together,
and God l^less the meeting and work out our salvation together.

Mr. P. Gray (Montreal). — I represent the Association for the
Blind in Montreal. I was recently the head teacher at the Royal
School for the Blind in Bristol, and I should like to congratulate
Mr. Illingworth on his excellent and helpful jjaper. I early sat
at the feet of Gamaliel. It was Mr. Illingworth who introduced

168

Discussion

me to the blind, and I know something of what he has done for
them. When Mr. Illingworth speaks I think we all listen. Now
we have great and grievous problems in Montreal to face. These
problems are most difficult to overcome because all the blind are
supposed by their parents to be incompetent. We cannot reach
them. One of the best arguments I have in reaching them is
by taking with me our music master, Mr. Austin, and by his
reading and playing when there is a piano at hand. We find that
we can reach them in that way. Then, too, we have concerts and
ask those people to come to the school, and we are able to draw
them in that way. There is no compulsory education system in
the province of Quebec, and therefore we are " up against it."

Now before I left Bristol I used to think that the decision with
regard to defective children was very much left in my hands, and
it ought not to be in one person's hands at all to decide whether
a child is to remain after attaining the age of sixteen or whether
he is to leave. It is a very serious state to be in. We want a
consensus of opinion. I am sure that our own institutions could
do a great deal more than they do in regard to this problem.
They could have the incompetent blind in separate departments
of the institutions when they are taken, as it were on approval,
into the institutions. That is to say, we do not accept a great
deal of responsibility if we are only dealing with the young. If we
are going to carry them forward in our institutions such a system
would fail. We ought to keep them until we are absolutely
certain that they are defective and then weed them out. Then,
and only then, will we be sure that we are doing all we can do for
them. I have been most interested in the subject, and have
found it ever so trying since I went to Monti'eal, but I feel after
hearing this paper of Mr. Illingworth that I shall be encouraged
and helped. And I should like to say that I think that in en-
lightened England our teachers are very poorly represented at
conferences. I used to fume and chafe against receiving all the
news of what transpired at these meetings second hand, and I had
to go to Montreal before I was. able to attend an International
Conference on the blind in England.

Mons. Eugene Bally (Switzerland). — If anybody is thankful
to Mr. Illingworth for his excellent paper it certainly is the
speaker, and I address you as President of the Swiss Institution
for Feeble-minded Blind. I have been living with them for six
years, and when anyone has gone through all the misery and aU
the pitifid exj^erience with the poorest of the poor blind such man
can be thankful to hear what is done elsewhere on this ground.
And if to-day's Conference comes to a tangible resvdt with regard
to the question of the incompetent blind, your General Committee
which so valiantly arranged this beautiful Conference may well
be proud of the result. Let me give you only a few notes. ^Vhat
you want is an institution for feeble-minded blind in England.
Do all that you can to establish it, and you will — I am quite sure
you will — succeed. In Switzerland we began with a very little
fortune.

Mr. W. H. Tate (Bradford). — I beg to move as a point of order

169

How to Deal with the Incompetent Blind

that we adjourn tlie discussion till 2 o'clock. This gentleman
could give us some very valuable suggestions, and I propose that
we take it for the first item this afternoon.

Mons. Eugene Bally (Switzerland). — In establishing an
institution for the blind feeble-minded, take the children as young
as possible, put them at two or three years into this institution,
keej) them, and never leave them — keep them as adults and keep
them to the end of their lives. That is what we do. We began
with not more than £300, and in three years we have got to a sum
of £10,000. Our establisliment exists, and if you have any interest
in seeing our reports they are at your disposal. My sincere
wishes go forth to a similar institution in England, and I shall be
glad if to-day's meeting brings such a result about. My best
wishes accompany all your efforts in this direction.

A Voice : Mr. Chairman, I quite agree with what Mr. Tate
has said. It is a very important subject. This afternoon there
is only one paper, and it will not necessarily be a long discussion.
With Mr. Tate's permission I will suggest that we continue this
discussion after the paper is finished this afternoon.

Mr. Pine. — Although we have had a long and exhausting
sitting, I am sure you will like to stay a moment while I propose
a hearty vote of thanks to Lord Manvers for so kindly presiding
on this occasion. Lord Manvers has taken a long and hearty
interest in the subject of the blind. He has been President of
the Nottingham Institution ever since he has been Lord Manvers,
and his father was president before him, and his grandfather laid
the foundation-stone of the present building.

{Discussion continued on jj. 195.)

170

Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for Blind

Friday, June 19th.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Chairman : The Right Hon, Lord Southwark.

As chairman of the Royal School for the Indigent Blind
at Leatherhead, which I might say is one of the finest institu-
tions of the kind in the world, and in connection with which
we have also workshops, it gives me very great pleasure to
preside over this gathering, especially as Mr, Philip Layton,
who is going to deliver the address, is one of our old boys.
In my opinion, and I know it is also the opinion of my
colleagues, it is no good teaching the blind unless, after they
have received a good education, employment can be found
for them. In this I know I am supported by our very able
and earnest principal, the Rev. St. Clare Hill, and also by
my friend General Hill, the Treasurer, both of whom may be
considered the very best and kindest friends of the blind.

I am sure we are all very thankful to their Majesties the
King and Queen for the practical interest they take in the
welfare of the blind, and I have no doubt that this great .
Conference which is taking place will also result in very
great benefit in improving and developing the education
and employment of the blind. And here I should like
to say that unless we have employment education is
very little good, for financial purposes at least. I hope in
this country we shall receive the active and vigorous support
of our new President of the Board of Trade, Mr. John Burns,
whose work in connection with his last office was so greatly
praised by his political opponents in the House of Commons
last night. We know he has great sympathy with the
people, and I am sure he would like to do great work in
connection with the blind. Therefore I emphasise the fact
that we want this question of the employment of the blind
to be seriously taken up, and if the Board of Trade will come
to our assistance it is practically certain that something
beneficial will be done.

Well, it has been my pleasure from time to time to pre-

171

Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for Blind

side over meetings of the blind, and I never wish to address
more cheerful or more enthusiastic audiences. They are con-
tented and happy. At one time I had the honovu" to repre-
sent West Southwark in Parliament, and in those days
there were a great many blind in the area, and of course I had
to go on my knees and beg for their votes ; they used to
give me a pretty good heckling ; I soon found that they took
a great interest in public affairs, and although I hope I had
their sympathy, and they had mine, still I want to say how
they enjoy life and know how to be very practical.

We have come this afternoon to hear an address from Mr.
Layton, and the subject is " Pianoforte Tuning : An
occupation for the blind, and how to make it one of the most
successful." In introducing him I should like to say some-
thing of a practical character, because I think that he fur-
nishes a practical illustration of the fact that if you educate
a blind man properly you can get remarkably good results.
Mr. Layton has no objection, I am sure, to my telling you a
little of his history. I find that he entered our blind school
in St. George's Circus at the age of thirteen. He received
a good general education, and at the same time he learned
to make baskets, and also received a more or less general
musical education under the late Dr. Murray. At the com-
pletion, as he thought, of his school education he had the
good fortune to meet Dr. . Afmitage in Norfolk, and Dr.
Armitage, finding that he possessed musical talent, advised
him to go to the Royal Normal College at Norwood. There
he learned tuning and organ playing, and having completed
his education in this Avay, instead of stopping at home to
make the best of it here he went to Montreal. We are all
very glad that his career in Montreal has been so highly
successful. He went as a piano tuner. That piano tuning
brought him in contact with various people, and he thought
business and pleasure could be combined and took to selling
pianos as Well. Now he is the head of an institution which
turns over £40,000 a year. I can assure you that we at the
Leatherhcad School are very proud that we had a little to
dO' — or our predecessors had a little to do — with starting

172

Chairman's Speech

him on the road to accomphsh such splendid and useful
work. He appreciated the benefits he had received and
thought of his fellow-blind. He had the good fortune to
marry a very good wife, I believe. He and his wife set to
work and thought they would like to do something for the
blind in Canada. They collected 100,000 dollars and
started a blind school and workshops in Montreal. In that
good work he had the assistance of that noble, high-minded
and patriotic man whose loss we deplore, Lord Strathcona.
That is Mr. Layton's history shortly told.

I hope you will not think that I have intruded too long a
speech, but the facts seemed so interesting to me that I
thought they would be interesting to others.

I have now very great pleasure in asking Mr. Layton if he
will kindly deliver his address.

Mr. Philip Layton * (Montreal). — As I am not an expert
or rapid Braille reader, I will, with your permission, ask
Mrs. Layton to read my paper.

173

PIANOFORTE TUNING, AN OCCU-
PATION FOR THE BLIND, AND
HOW TO MAKE IT ONE OF THE
MOST SUCCESSFUL

PHILIP E. LAYTON,

Montreal.

The Paris Institute for the Blind, that wonderful pioneer
institution that gave the world the Braille system, has the
honour, as far as we know, of first introducing piano-tuning
as a profession for the blind about the \ear 1830.

It would be a sheer waste of time for me to say but. very
little as regards the practicability of piano-tuning as a pro-
fession for the sightless. The blind everywhere have fully
demonstrated their efficiency in this art.

Why piano-tuning is specially adapted to sightless men is,
that it is a work that appeals to the ear rather than the eye.
Through necessity, the sense of hearing becomes very acute
and accurate with the blind, hence the reason why they
become so proficient as tuners.

Again, there is such a gi-eat demand for piano-tuners on
account of most people possessing a piano, there being
probably in Great Britain alone forty thousand of these
instruments sold annually.

Although there is, of course, much competition in the
profession, still it is not so great as with piano teachers.

A strong reason in favour of piano-tuning as an occupation
for sightless men is that people are not as a rule prejudiced
against blind tuners, but, on the contrary, have the utmost
confidence in them.

Some of the most famous piano manufacturers specially

174

Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for Blind

employ a blind tuner to say the last word to an instrument
before it leaves the factory, A perfect tuning means sun-
shine to the piano, and this a blind man can do better than
his seeing competitor.

Mr. Edward Allen, Director of the Perkins Institute, states
in the " Outlook for the Blind," that he visited a piano-
manufacturing firm in Germany employing thirty blind
tuners. I, personally, know of sev^eral manufacturers in
Toronto who have from eight to ten tuners not possessing
sight, while there are some who employ none but blind tuners.

The demand for tuners is, and will be, greater than ever,
owing to the invention of the player-piano which has made
musicians of everybody. The silent piano is now a thing of
the past.

In my opinion piano-tuners could often be employed to
advantage by organ manufacturers ; although it might not
be possible for them to do the work inside the instrument,
they could certainly sit at the keyboard and direct an
ordinary mechanic to do this.

Our church and concert organs would then probably be
more evenly and scientifically tuned than they are at the
present time. I have heard of blind tuners who wholly
undertake to do this work, and there is a blind French
gentleman in Montreal who has been successfully repairing
and tuning pipe organs for many years. Of course, he uses
an intelligent boy.

I would suggest that j^rincipals of institutions try to get
some engagements for their pupils with organ builders.

Piano-tuning lends itself splendidly to the sale of pianos
and organs. The tuner will get customers through his
tuning connection, and also by advertising in the local
newspapers.

I know of many blind men who sell quite a number of
instruments annually and thus considerably add to their
incomes.

A regular showroom or shop is not necessary for the
purpose. Instruments can be sold from the private house,
thereby saving a great deal of expense. There are many

175

Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for Blind

people who would far rather buy their piano from a practical
man than an ordinary dealer. All things being equal,
the blind man generally gets the preference when in a
competition.

I now come to the second jjart of my paper, namely, " How
to make Piano-Tuning one of the most successful Occupations
for the Bhnd."

There are three classes of piano-tuners : first, those who
tune in factories or Avarerooms ; secondly, those who attend
to a tuning connection for a firm ; and, thirdly, the tuners
who work up their own private connection.

It is with the latter class that I specially wish to deal.

To work up a private tuning connection is probably one
of the most difficult problems that a blind man could have
to face.

He must have faith in liimself, otherwise how can the
public have faith in him? and he must have the strongest
desire to be free and independent, and no man can be this
whilst depending upon his friends, in any way, for financial
support. Without this desire is paramount in his mind, he
is likely to give way under the hardships and disappoint-
ments to which he will surely be subjected. But, with
determination, he cannot but meet with success, if he carries
out the following suggestions, which are largely my own
personal experience.

A young man must be careful as regards his personal
appearance. He must see to it that his boots are well
cleaned every day. Sometimes they will need cleaning two
or three times. He ought to be able to do this work himself.
His clothes must be well brushed and his linen spotlessly
clean. If his eyes are disfigured he should wear dark glasses.

If the tuner has a little sight his difficulties will be greatly
lessened, but this paper is written chiefly for those who, like
myself, are totally blind.

Every young man starting out in life to work up his own
private tuning connection should be provided with a guide,
either by his friends or bj^ the institution in which he has been
trained. In this way his progress will be more rapid.

176

Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for Blind

It probably costs £400 to educate the average piano-tuner.
This, of course, includes his maintenance and general educa-
tion ; therefore, it does seem regrettable, that for the sake
of a few pounds, the institution should allow him to drift and
absolutely to sink into idleness and wretchedness.

An intelligent boy can be of the utmost value to a tuner
in minor repairs.

It is quite surprising how quickly a lad learns to do this
work, but when it is not possible for the tuner to have a
guide, he must then strike out for himself, and peg away
until he can afford to pay for one.

This brings me to a point of the absolute necessity of the
institution training its pupils to travel alone. They ought
to be encouraged and instructed to walk on the streets
by themselves. This is as necessary as any part of their
education. It is extremely wrong to keep young men and
women shut up in a school from one year's end to another,
depriving them of their freedom, and of the opportunity of
mixing with people with whom they will have to get their
living in after years.

I attribute a good deal of my success to the fact that I
have always been able to travel alone, but, of course, I much
prefer to have a companion. Whenever I have had a diffi-
culty Avhen alone, I have always met with a friend ready to
lend a helping hand. I have travelled on several occasions
unaccompanied from Montreal to London without any
trouble. All that is necessary is attention to a few simple
rules.

To work up a successful tuning connection it is absolutely
essential to get about and be known, and it is impossible
always to have a guide. A tuner probably cannot employ
his boy after six o'clock, therefore he will often have to go
out of an evening by himself.

When he cannot afford permanently to keep a boy, he
will have to use a little boy or girl after school hours to help
him with his interviewing and other work ; and, again, if he
has a piano to tune, he will have to get the child to take him
to the house before going to school in the morning, and he

C.B. 177 N

Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for Blind

must find his way home bj^ himself the best way he can,
which will not be a very difficult task if he uses his brains.
He will have to learn the art of using other people's eyes.

I remember reading a paper given at the Manchester
Conference on the Blind, 1908, in which the writer deplored
the hardship of the poor l^lind in being jostled on the streets
in Paris. It is a thousand times a greater hardship to be
jostled out of your boarding-house because you cannot pay
your bill.

When tuning he must not leave without seeing the lady
of the house and playing a tunc on the piano. In this way
he will often pick up a good prospect for another tuning or
the sale of an instrument.

The tuner should always try to get his customers interested
in him. Cards should be left with a request that they be
given to friends.

I once went to tune a piano, an annual, when I fomid the
house had been sublet to a Dr. and Mrs. Howard, the latter
being a daughter of Sir Donald A. Smith, Montreal's leading
citizen, who afterwards became Lord Strathcona.

I followed my usual custom, rang the he\ and asked to see
Mrs. Howard. I told her I was anxious to know whether
the pitch suited her — it was international.

At her request I played the piano, and then told her I had
come to Canada and was working up a business in Montreal.

I showed her my diploma and the bag of tools presented
to me as a tuning prize by Her Royal Highness the Princess
Royal of England. I found Mrs. Howard very kind and
sympathetic, and I said it woiild help me very much if I
could get Sir Donald Smith's pianos to time. She promised
to speak to her father about me. To my great joy, two days
after I got a telephone message to go and time Sir Donald's
pianos. One was a 1,000 guineas Art Stein way Grand, and
the other a square piano standing in the Art Gallery. After
this I had the privilege of having Sir Donald A. Smith's name
on my card. Later, he purchased a seventy-fiAC guinea
piano from me for the Royal Victoria College.

Through this connection I had the honoiu- of selling an

178

Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for Blind

Angeliis Piano-Player to the Governor-General of Canada,
Earl Minto, and in 1911, he, Lord Strathcona, gave me
$10,000 to complete the $100,000 fnnd to erect a school in
Montreal for the English-speaking blind.

I could give many other illustrations of the advantage of
getting well acquainted with your customer, but the above
will suffice.

If a young man can sing a little, it always helps him to
become popular. It does not necessarily follow that he shall
be an artistic singer or possess an angelic voic ; Chevalier
has not got this, but he can please the people.

A topical or humorous song is always welcome. Being-
able to sing and play helped me very much at the start. It
gets one known, and that is what is wanted.

A silver plate bearing his name and profession shoidd be
on the tuner's bag. This is the best possible advertisement
he can have. The bag should always be placed in that
position in which the plate is showing.

It would help a tuner very much if he had a good public
send-off. This should be done by the institution where he
received his education. A concert could be given by a few
pupils, and the principal or his representative could make a
speech emphasising the superiority of blind piano-timers and

asking the public to patronise Mr. . Two or three

prominent people of the locality shoidd be asked to come on
the platform and say a few words, but the great strength of
the timer's success will be in personal interviewing, coupled
with first-class work.

Every name or prospect must be followed up with a call.

A thousand circulars should be printed in letter form.
These should be sent off in fifties, each being followed up by
a personal call.

Thus, the tuner calls at No. 1, Hanover Street, and asks to
see the lady of the house. The servant will probably want
to know his business. His reply will be that he called in
reference to a letter. The lady then comes to meet him and
asks to what letter he refers. After he has explained, she
probably will say that they have a regular tuner, but he must

179 N 2

Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for Blind

then be equal to the occasion, and tell her of the people he
tunes for, the diploma he holds, etc. He asks to be allowed
to try her piano over. It always interests him to see
different instruments. If this request is granted he has
scored a great point. One can talk far better when seated
at a piano. If the instrument is not well in tune, he should
point this out quietly to the lady and tell her how glad he
would be to show her w^hat an improvement could be made
in her piano. She may tell him she will talk it over with her
husband, or will write him.

He then calls at No. 2. The lady herself answers the
door. She has no piano. He asks whether she will not be
getting one. She may tell him she intends doing so next
Christmas.

He will then mention Stokes and Sons, whose representa-
tive he is, and speak about their beautiful pianos. This
interview may mean five guineas in his pocket. He takes
this name and address to Stokes and Sons, from whom he has
previously obtained an agreement in writing in which they
agree to give him 10 per cent, commission on all sales, where
he has previously handed in the name and address of the
customer, or personally taken the prospect into the ware-
rooms.

When he has got through the first fifty circulars, then
another batch must be sent off, and so on until the thousand
have been disposed of.

He must call back again when he finds that the people are
out. Evenings are always the best time for an interview
when trying to sell a piano. The husband is then at home.
The tuner must speak out and not be afraid. He is doing
his duty in trying to earn his living — he will gain confidence
in himself as he proceeds. It will be up-hill work at first,
but after a few months he will then begin to reap the harvest
of his labours.

When making a number of interviews he must not trust
to his memory, but must take short notes and revise these
when he gets home.

When making calls it is most profitable to know the name.

180

Pianoforte Tuning", an Occupation for Blind

This can generally be ascertained from the previous house.
Of course, in good-sized towns and cities, one can always
look up a directory.

He must not talk on the doorstep but endeavour to get
inside the house.

The local musicians must be called upon. It is advisable
to offer to tune their pianos free of charge, just to let them
see his work. The name, and addresses of their pupils should
be asked for ; two or three local testimonials will be most
valuable on his circular.

On account of musicians' influence a good reduction in
charges to them should always be made. This procedure is
also applicable to ministers, who should become the tuner's
best friends. If he has the honour of tuning for the clergy-
man, this will help him greatly with the congregation.

If a young man's home is in a village, it is advisable that
he makes his start in a neighbouring town and work for a
radius of fifteen or twenty miles around.

If a tuner has a knowledge of the staff notation and can
play the piano a little, this will be of the utmost value, as he
can give lessons in music.

When I came to Montreal I got into a home, Avhere I taught
two boys the piano as part payment for board and lodging.
One of them is now my sales manager. But the tuner should
give up teaching as soon as possible, for he will quickly find
out that tuning and selling pianos is far more profitable than
teaching.

As he gets on his feet, he can buy up a second-hand piano,
and after he has had it repaired can sell same at a good profit.
He should advertise it in the local paper. He will often find
that when people come to look at the second-hand piano
they will purchase ni preference the new instrument in the
room.

Every tuner should carry a pocket diary. This is indis-
pensable. It is a strong reminder of work that has to be
done. The diary should be transferred every night, and
unfinished work written in for another convenient date.
These diaries can be bought at any stationer's for a shilling.

181

Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for Blind

A boy or some friend in the house can make the entries. A
Braille diary might be arranged.

Now I come to the subject of repairs — ^the rock on which
the careers of so many tuners have been wrecked. Few can
tell whether a piano is in perfect tune, but everyone knows
whether a note is sluggish, whether it jingles, whether the
pedal squeaks or whether a hammer or string is broken.

If the tuner cannot do minor repairs or does not know
how they are done, so as to direct others to do the work, he
will be greatly handicapped, and I fail to see how he can
possibly succeed. He ought to pass an examination for
repairs, and I cannot urge too strongly upon our institutions
the great necessity of well instructing their pupils along this
line. The man who teaches repairs in a school should take a
class regularly every week and deal with one special subject,
illustrating the same. It is nonsense to say the average
blind man cannot do the ordinary repairs of a piano. I know
of a number of men without their sight, who, with seeing help,
are able to do the most difficult rej^airs, such as putting in a
new wrcst-plank, putting on a new bridge, re-covering a set
of hanuners, or entirely re-stringing the instrument, etc.

Men who undertake to teach this work in the school must
have confidence in the blind, and should not perpetually say,
" He cannot do this," and " He cannot do that."

I am of the opinion that a capable blind num, who has an
outdoor experience, and has a good mechanical ability, could
with profit be employed one day a week to hel^) impart this
knowledge :■ —

First, because he would have the confidence of the pupils.

Secondly, because he has faith in them, and can understand
their difficulties, and therefore can teach the blind better
than the average man with his sight.

Mr. J. Alleock, 438, Liverpool Street, Seedley, Manchester,
who has invented several ingenious contrivances to assist
blind men in repair work for piano actions, writes me as
follows :• —

" I see no reason why the average blind person cannot do
the same ordinary repairs on jjianos as a man with his sight."

182

Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for Blind

Mr. Allcock is a graduate of Henshaw's Institution for
the Blind, and has a very large private tuning connection.

What I have said above equally applies to the rc})airing of
player-pianos — the introduction of which has greatly added
to the difficulties of the piano-tuner, hence the necessity
that institutions should be most thorough in this department.

A young man with his sight from a neighbouring piano
establishment, who has received special training in the
repairing of players, could with advantage be employed for
an afternoon or an evening a week to help in this branch.

I recently received a letter from Mr. Edward Roberts, the
blind instructor of the Tuning Department in the Columbus
School for the Blind, Ohio, whom I consider to be one of the
greatest authorities on tuning and repairing, in which he
writes : —

" I would say that the repairing of player actions is within
the reach of some blind tuners, and even beyond the reach
of some seeing tuners who are destitute of mechanical ability,
for it is with tis, just as it is with all other men, the square
peg is often placed in the roimd hole.

" In connection with my school work I have made over
many entire upright actions. For some time we have had
two pianolas in oiu" school ; the one in the tuning depart-
ment has been dissected and adjusted many times, for the
benefit and advancement of oiu' students, and still the instru-
ment remains in perfect order. The three yoimg men whom
we graduate this year feel very well acquainted with it.

" On first sight a player action looks like a ^-ery complicated
bit of machinery, and would frighten an inexperienced hand
into insensibility, but a little careful study, with the skilful
use of a screw-driver, will soon bring a mechanical mind to
see its secrets, and when once seen, the student will marvel
at its simplicity."

Advice to a Tuner.

Dont walk into a lady's drawing-room with muddy boots.
Remember, this is her sanctum. Wipe your boots well on
the mat at the door, and see your guide does the same.

183

Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for Blind

Don't knock ornaments off the top of a piano, or off a
table beside it.

Don't scratch the piano when taking the front or action
out, or putting them in again. Hurt your hand rather than
disfigure the instrument.

If you have a difficulty with the action do not be too
proud to ask someone in the house to lend you the use of
their eyesight. This is a thousand times better than making
a serious blunder or botcliing up the work.

Don't worry and fret when you lose a customer.
Remember, you cannot j^lease everyone, and most of your
customers have been taken from someone else.

Don't make an excuse and stay at home when the weather
is bad. A wet day is a splendid opportunity for a good
interview.

Don't be discouraged if business is not coming your way,
but give yourself a good scolding if you have not made at
least twenty-hve calls that day to look up business.

Don't stay away from your church, concerts, entertain-
ments, or parties simply because you have no one to take you.
Be your own pilot, and when you meet with difficulties on
the way, do not be afraid to ask for heljD. Remember, a
seeing person is more pleased to helj) you across the street
than you are to seek their assistance.

When help is proffered you on the street do not abruptly
refuse it, otherwise you may so hurt a person's feelings that
they may never offer to help a blind person again. Always be
most courteous and thankful for every kindness you receive.

Don't expect seeing people to do everything for you and
you do nothing for them.

Don't sit like a stuffed mummy when you are invited out
to spend the evening. Sing, play, tell an anecdote, do
something.

Don't sit down and wish you were an organist or had
learned a trade, but rather be thankful and know that you
have the very best profession in your hands a blind man can
have, and one that lends itself to greater possibilities of
making money and friends than any other.

184

Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for Blind

The three P's are what you need, Patience, Pluck, and
Perseverance.

Don't be afraid to get into a conversation with a fellow
traveller. This may often lead to business. Be liberal in
giving away your cards. Remember, you are sure to meet
with opposition which sometimes is unscrupulous. You
must always be advertising yourself one way or another.

Mr. J. L. Haworth, of Accrington, one of the largest piano
merchants in Lancashire, a pupil of the Royal Normal
College, and one of its greatest successes, used to start out
bag in hand, even when he had nothing to do, and walk
briskly in a certain direction as though going to execute an
order.

If you smoke, don't carry your ammunition in your pocket,
and so make it necessary for a lady to ventilate a room after
you have finished your work. Ladies will be your best
friends, so it behoves you to study them in every possible
way.

Don't get offended and angry when someone makes a
complaint about your work ; it may only be fancy on their
part, which a little explanation will set right, but you must
go and look at the instrument and rectify it, if w^rong.

One of our leading piano-tuners in Montreal had a com-
plaint from a lady to the effect that he had ruined her piano.
She stated that the tone was altogether too subdued. He
then put all the unisons out a little. This made her perfectly
satisfied. You must humour your customers. A little tact
goes a great way.

In conclusion, be hopeful, be cheerful, be faithful to your
opportunities, and remember that if you succeed you not
only have helped yourself, but you have helped the great
cause of the blind.

185

Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for Blind

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Layton. — I thank you very much for the way in which
you have received this paper. Of course I expected some criticism
and shall have it, no doubt. I cannot expect everyone to
think as I do. My Lord, you never knew of a family of,
say, six boys and girls who absolutely agreed on every point.
If you did, I would say that it must have been a very tame
family, and a very uninteresting family, and I am afraid a very
unhealthy family. But before I go further I want to say this,
that we workers for the blind all over the world, from every nation,
belong to one gi-and family working for one great cause. We
may not all agree, we cannot all agree, but we are united in that
we all want to uplift and better the condition of the blind all over
the world ; in this we are united, and the rest does not amount to
a row of i3ins.

You have to thank Mr. Stainsby for this paper. He wrote to
me at the beginning of the year, and I told him that I could not
come. He wrote again and pressed very hard, and I told him
I would write it, but could not come and read it. He pointed out
that in that case it would fall very flat, and that such a procediire
was against the rules of the Committee. To follow this up he got
Mr. Wilson, the chairman of the Conference Committee, to write
to me. Now I want to ask you this : Who could refuse two such
gentlemen a favour or refuse to accede to any request made by
Mr. Henry J. Wilson and Mr. Henry Stainsby f Anyone who
refused two such giants in the work, who are doing so much for
us, would need to have a heart of flint.

I was thinking this afternoon, my Lord, if Mr. Stainsby had
started j)iano trading on his own account what a successful man
he would have been. He would have had to-day the largest business
in the Empire, because whatcA^er he takes in hand he goes at it
with all his strength and all his soul. Whether he is at the
head of the Birmingham School or as the inventor of a type-
writer for the blind, or whether at the head of the National
Institute, it does not matter because he gives all his strength
and soul. " Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy
whole heart, soul, mind and strength." This is what Mr. Stainsby
has always done, and that is why he succeeds and why the National
Institiite is making such good progress. Whether we are playing
a game of cricket or a game in life, if we do not go at it in this way
we cannot succeed.

I am very glad indeed to be here to-day. When I wrote the
paper it was only to help those starting as piano -tuners, but I
hope what I have said may help those starting as piano teachers or
in business. Get away from the beaten tracks. We do not travel
the same as we did a hundred years ago, and if a man carries on this
year's business on last year's ideas he cannot expect to succeed.

You referred to my success, my Lord. If I have seemed to
accomplish a little more than my friends, it is because I have had
greater opportunities. I tried to get a living in England, but no
one wanted a blind organist, though I managed to get a situation
in Norfolk. Until I went to Canada I could not get on, but I had
the opportunity of going to that most wonderful and greatest

186

Discussion

country in the world. And then, your Lordship, 1 had another
great opportunity, and that was when I met Mrs. Layton. You
have referred, Sir, to ray work for the blind in the province of
Quebec, but I want to say that I could not possibly have done as
I did without Mrs. Layton's help. She has been to me what
Milton was to Cromwell. The cause of the blind has been as dear
to her as to me. She has often sat at her desk from 7 in the
morning till 12 at night. Mr. Stainsby knows, and you who are
in the work know, what it means to work up a cause — the work
you have to do is incessant. But I thank God we have prospered.
I consider that every man and woman who are doing their best
to be free, doing their best to earn a living, are doing as much as
ever I did. For if we are doing our best, whether we succeed
or fail we cannot do more, and a king can do no more than his best.

The Chairman. — ^I am sure you will all have been delighted with
the paper we have just heard, and I will say this, that I introduced
myself to-day as the chairman of the Royal School for the Indigent
Blind, but I also happen to be the President of the London Cham-
ber of Commerce, and I think the paper would be almost as
interesting to the business men of London, and those connected
with commerce, as it has been to you. When I heard the address
read I took my pen in my hand and j)ut a little mark against
certain points which I thought some day I might use to give a
little advice to those I may be addressing.

Mr. J. L. Haworth^'- (Accrington). — ^The paper which has been
so well read by Mrs. Layton and prepared by Mr. Layton deals
with a subject that is well worthy of our consideration. Some of
us who have been in emj)loynient for twenty-five or thirty years as
piano tuners know that it is the best and most profitable, as well
as the most suitable, occupation for the blind. Experience shows
that a blind tuner who has been well trained can compete success-
fully with those possessing their sight. If this paper has made
this advantage clear, and will influence those who are responsible
for the education and training of the blind to give better facilities
for training tuners and repairers of pianos, it will have been
crowned with success, and the afternoon will not have been wasted.
Every opportunity should be given to the pupils to cultivate
business aptitude. A course of commercial book-keeping for the
blind would be a good asset to every blind tuner ; it would enlarge
his capacities and stimulate his thought commercially. It has
been said that business men are born and not made, but I know
that business qualities can be acquired. What are the qualifica-
tions that are most necessary "? I will give you three which I
think are of great importance — imagination, ambition and dogged
perseverance. With these backed up with a good, useful education
and a good training, there is no reason why a blind man should not
take his place in the world. I should like to say, my Lord, that
the blind cannot be carried to success. They must make the
start themselves, shape out their own careers, step forward, and
not wait to be pushed on. Mr. Layton has shown the ladder
and it is for you to place your goal on the topmost rung, and to
climb that ladder for youi'selves. It is due to you to show those in

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Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for Blind

authority that the money has not been wasted on your education.
You must carry the flag of progress higher and still further than
youi' predecessors, and show the world that blindness is no bar
to business or to the highest professions.

Now, my Lord, if you will allow me for one moment, I will be
personal. Twenty-seven years ago I commenced business as a
pianoforte tuner, and later stocked two or three pianos. To-day
I have a stock of 120 pianos, and I pay wages to twelve employees.
During January of this year I paid in rates and taxes £94. During
the last twenty-seven years I have sold over 4,000 pianos. And I
think I have fairly established one of the best businesses in Lanca-
shire. And I ask you to bear in mind that I was not helped forward
with capital. 1 started practically without any money, making
my capital as I went. Last year my sales in pianos and other
instruments amounted to about £10,000. Of course, we cannot
talk of big things here like they can in Canada, but of us who have
stayed at home some have done fairly well. All the pupils whom
I know, and I know a good many, who have left the Royal Normal
College, 90 per cent, of them are to-day self-supporting.

Mr. C. F. F. Campbell (Ohio). — After the fireworks this
morning I do not think I need more than a moment. For the
last ten years I have been working among the graduates from
schools for the blind in three great States in America, which have
something like 800 pupils on their roll. And as one who works
among them, I want to say that so far as I know I have rarely
heard or read a clearer or a more helpfid paper than Mr. Layton
has given to us this afternoon. I do not say this unkindly — I am
guilty myself — but many of omi papers could be measured by
volume in gas. They are like a lot of hot air, a lot of wind, many
of them. Of course I do not refer to those that have been
delivered at this Conference, but at others.

The gentleman sitting at my side here is said to be one of the
most beloved men in the United States, so modest that he will
not allow his name to appear on programmes, and will not speak
himself, and yet he speaks every moment to over 100,000 blind
people in the United States. I refer to Mr. Walter G. Holmes,
the editor of the Ziegler Magazine. I would like to say that I had
the honour of coming here with him. He happened to meet us
at lunch the day before we sailed, and he became so enthusiastic
that he bought his ticket that night and came with us at 10 o'clock
the next morning. Now the reason I have introduced his name
is this : When I read the paper which Mr. Layton has contributed,
I said it was the best thing I had ever read and that I should
ask Mr. Holmes to put it in the magazine. When I got back he
said, " Charlie, that is going into the next Ziegler.''' That is the
way we do things in Yankee Land. We do not hold a lot of
committee meetings about it.

As I still have a minute, I want to say what was in my heart
this morning, in honour to Mr. Stainsby, Mr. Wilson, and all the
men and women who have assisted in organising this Conference.
Now I have been the poor goat to run conferences in America^-
I think that my wife gave her life for that work. It is cruel to
any superintendent — 1 do not care who he i& — to say to him,

188

Discussion

" For the next conference we will come to Timbuctoo or Cala-
mazoo, and you will be the titular man." It is not fair. Once
in a lifetime is quite enough. There is a way to get out of it.
I do hope that after the talk this morning, a British Association
of Workers for the Blind may be formed, but if you cannot get
that, for Heaven's sake at least employ a permanent Secretary
and have him on the job until the association is formed, and he
will be busy all the twenty-four hours. I know something about
it. Now this is what brought me here. I believe, as you believe,
profoundly in having the blind have confidence in themselves.
The two men who have preceded me would never have been here
to-day, with far more money than any superintendent in the
room, if they had not had faith in themselves. I do not belittle
that faith. Wlien boys go out of school to practise their different
professions they find the world is not a bed of roses. It is not.
It is the cussedest place to earn a shilling. There is a man waiting
round the corner to do you, if you do not do him. I will give one
illustration. A young man from a school for the blind came to me
before I sailed and wanted me to help him get a job. He lived in
a small town, and I said to him, '' When you go home, go and-offer
to tune the piano of your minister for nothing." He nearly
fainted on the spot. But it is good advice. When your boys go
from school, tell them not to be afraid to do some tuning for
nothing for the best man or woman in the town. Simply say to
him " I want to show you that I can do the work," and that man
will be your friend for life.

Miss HECKRATir (London). — -There is one thing which I think
is rather important although it is not actually connected with
tuning. In the course of my experience among blind tuners I
have found a good many of them take up copying Braille music in
their spare time. Where duplicate copies are needed this is a
simple matter ; but a real difficulty arises when first copies have
to be made from sighted music, as it so frequently happens that
reliable and accurate sighted dictators are extremely difficult to
find. Is it not possible for technical instruction to be given to
willing volunteers for this work °?

Mr. Kreamer * (Stepney). — It gives me great pleasure to say
a few words on this occasion, as I am an old friend of Mr. Layton's.
We have just remarked that it seems but a few months ago we
were playing together in St. George's grounds. We followed
each other to the Koyal Normal College. I became a tuner and
succeeded fairly well. There is one thing I should like to ask the
authorities of institutions to pay more attention to, and that is
to teach their pupils how to buy the pianos, and how to sell them
to the public when they get out into the world. When I left the
institution I knew nothing about buying pianos, and more than
once I was robbed absolutely by maniifacturers who knew my
ignorance and played upon it. \Vhen we are trained we should
learn the whole thing from top to bottom. A young man who is
being trained as a tuner and repairer of pianos should likewise
be trained as a salesman, because I must tell you that the greater
part of my own success has been due to the selling of pianos

189

Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for Blind

rather than to tuning them. As to the competition that a blind
man has to meet with in East London, I will tell you a case that
has just happened to me, and yoxi may imagine what we have to
contend with. For twenty-six years I have been tuning the
pianos for the St. George's in the East Board of Guardians.
Some months ago I ran for the borough council as a Conservative
and Unionist and opposed certain Eadicals of the constituency.
To spite me these men have sacked me after twenty-six years,
and they have not given the pianos to a competent tuner, but have
employed an organ builder.

The Chairman. — ^I do not think we can discuss these things.
We must confine ourselves to tuning.

Mr. Kreamer. — Well, my Lord, I endorse what Mr. Layton
has said in every way possible. When I started in London twenty-
seven years ago I had greater difficulties than he had, because
blind people were not then allowed to travel on the Metropolitan
Railway by themselves. That was a great hardship. I want the
institutions to teach their men to walk alone in the street and not
confine them in the institiitions. Let them mingle with the
public to learn what the public is and to learn how to amuse the
public. I joined clubs and I find that getting among card
parties sometimes gets me tuning to do. 1 advise institutions
to teach their people to go in for all kinds of sports as far as
possible — -chess, card-playing, etc. With these few words I have
very much pleasure in endorsing what Mr. Layton has said.

Mr. Guy Campbell (Xorwood). — ^In the first place may I
congratulate Mv. Layton and Mr. Haworth on their remarks. It
is delightful to feel that they are both old students of the Royal
Normal College, but for that reason perhaps Mi-. Layton will not
mind his old master taking issue with him in the hope that some
of his points may be more fully amplified. 1 was so delighted
to find that he emphasises the importance of a cleanly appearance
for piano -tuners. With I'egard to smoking, he says a man should
not " carry his ammunition with him in his pocket," but he did
not mention that he had the slightest objection to a man smoking
up to the front door and dropping his cigarette ash on his waist-
coat. I have frequently found that blind people will go about
smoking and making themselves repulsively untidy, and therefore
minimise their opportunities of having a successful interview or
getting their tuning commended. I am not opposing smoking,
but there is the proper time and place for it. If the blind man
is not willing to recognise some of his limitations, as Mr. Lloyd
has said, he is not going to be a big success. And one of these is
that because of his blindness and its effects he must relinquish
smoking until he is in the proper place.

Another matter I want to refer to is that question of " after
e:re." Of course, many institutions do what Mr. Layton has
pointed out. He says it probably costs £400 to educate a blind
person and it does seem very regrettable when it is found that
this amount of money has been wasted. But it is impossible to
keep these people all their lives. If you work on that principle
you are doing what is not done for the seeing. Does Oxford or

190

Discussion

Cambridge or any other school find employment for its graduates f
The idea is a magnificent one, of course, and it should be done
whenever possible, but to blame institutions or workshops because
they have not been able to get employment for all who have been
trained there is unfair. I think it is worthy of the consideration
of this Conference and the future Conference Committees whether
a pound or so per annum should not be added to the fees charged
to the education authorities or the boards of guardians on the
understanding that this extra amount is to go towards giving the
pupil a start in life when he leaves his school.

With regard to going about the streets. It is a lovely idea,
and those from the college know that it is encouraged there, but
the conditions of the streets change every year and every day.
What is the use of a tuner arriving at his destination smothered
in mud through having been knocked over ? It will create a far
more pleasing impression if he goes with a neat and attentive
guide. I believe in independence. We encourage the idea more
than any other institution ; but I do not like to see three or four
blind people trying to potter along the streets by themselves and
call that independence. It is cheek.

Now the last point. Mr. Layton says something about playing
the piano when you have seen the good lady of the house, and that
this is a good way to please her. I think he has forgotten the chil-
dren. Many a tuner have I helped by saying '' Always make love
to the children ; do not go in for corrupt practices, but do not fail
to have some chocolates with you." Next to making friends with
the lady the best thing is to make friends with the children.

Rev. St. Clare Hill (Leatherhead). — I stand here this after-
noon in a sort of reflected glory. I wish I could say that Mr.
Layton and Mr. Haworth were my pupils. They were before my
time, but there is a reflective glory from those two men which I
enjoy at the present moment.

There are one or two points to which I would like to refer.
First with regard to the paper which Mr. Layton has given us.
As I listened to it I thought " what a lot of hints I am getting for
my next sermon," so pre-eminently practical, teaching the every
day things which I call the Christianities of life. It will be written
out in Braille for oiir pupils to read. There is just one important
point that has not been touched upon. I do think that those
of us who are responsible for institutions should concentrate our
attention more upon the choice of the person whom we allow to
learn music and tuning. Pupils who present themselves for
admission may say '' I want to learn music " or " I want to learn
tuning." But how can we possibly make a success of a young
man in those professions unless he possesses the capabilities which
will respond to the tuition given ! So I urge you, not to permit any
person to take up pianoforte tuning as a profession and business
unless he has passed through a test to find out whether he has the
necessary qualifications. Another point I should like to refer to,
or rather accentuate, is the absolute necessity of a pianoforte
tuner being ready to do ordinary repairs. We cannot exjject a
lady to say, " We will have a blind man to tune the piano and
next week will have another to repair it." One man must be able

191

Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for Blind

to do the two things, and if, unfortunately, the blind man cannot
do the repairs, he goes to the wall. So I urge very strongly that
all of us should make it a regular rixle in oiu* institutions that the
person who is learning piano tuning as a trade shall also have
mechanical capabilities, and if he does not show an evidence of
success in that direction he should give it up and learn some other
occupation.

One other thing I would urge, and that is to have a class held
weekly if possible when the commercial aspect of the whole subject
can be discussed with the pupils. You have already heard a
previous speaker say that he lost custom or was robbed because
he did not know how to buy. Of course, how can a man know
how to do these things unless he is instructed by somebody who
has the valuable experience ? So I strongly urge that there
should be this commercial class. If the teacher of tuning happens
not to be a commercial gentleman, then call in a commercial
gentleman, and give your pupils the education that it is necessary
for them to have.

I cannot sit down without saying how thankful I am that our
dear old school has done such fine work in bringing forward two
men such as you see here this afternoon, and I have every reason
to believe that it has also brought out many other successful
men, all of them proving that it is worth while to go on trying
with the education of the blind.

Mr. Greek* (London). — I am here this afternoon, not speaking
for myself, but for the members of the Blind Social Aid Society,
for piano-tuners, and for other members we have met with lately.
A suggestion has been made which I think should be considered by
institution officials. ^Mien teaching us tuning they should also
teach us to buy second-hand pianos from auction rooms or else-
where, bring them to the shop, and teach the blind to repair them
thoroughly. They can then be returned to the auction room and
sold. In this way you have no responsibility ; if the job is not
done well, nobody knows and nobody has any responsibility, and
every blind man can learn thoroughly all about repairs. Then I
think all will agree that it is most necessary for blind people not
only to learn tuning, but also to learn how to " chip up." Many
blind people are in the factories and have to " chip up," and for
some time they take considerably longer than a sighted person,
but if they are taught, and have had practice, they can be made
pretty efficient. Then, again, it is necessary for blind people in
factories to know how to tone. Now, I learnt tuning at the
Royal Normal College. There is nowhere that can teach it better,
but when I first went to the factory I did not know how to tone.
My employer said, '" Do you not know how to do it ? " And he
took me in hand and taught me on an old piano. Now it is an
essential thing for blind people to learn to tone. We could often
get more work if we could only tone.

Then again, a suggestion has been made that it might be possible,
either for the National Institute for the Blind or for the institu-
tions all over the countiy, to supply blind men with materials for
repairing. It may not be known to most people that nobody can
buy from ordinary trade places unless they have two trade refer-

192

Discussion

ences — ^I mean, of course, on trust. Many blind men at tlie begin-
ning of their careers liave not tlie ready money to pay, and it is
therefore necessary that the institutions or the National Institute
should be able to supply blind men with materials and allow them,
say, a month's credit. I believe it is possible for us to do it through
the college, but I know of several places where the ex -pupils
have not been able to do it. I think that is a point to be remem-
bered.

I think also that besides making a blind person an efficient tuner
he must be trained to be quick. As I have said, the Royal
Normal College teaching is the best we can get, but we want more
quickness. There should be less time spent on the piano. It
does not matter if it is not quite right at first — let the pupils run
through it and then give a rough criticism. So long as the pupils
get quickness it does not much matter at first. In a factory they
will be expected to do eight pianos a day. How many who leave
an institution can do that ?

Mr. Latton. — -In reply to my friend Mr. Guy Campbell's
criticism, I would say that I am in hearty accord with him as
regards the folly and foolishness of blind tuners getting themselves
covered with cigarette ash. I thought I made it clear that the
tuner must be particular in the first place about his personal
appearance. I thought that would cover the question. As
regards making friends with the children, I also agree with Mr.
Campbell. I have often sold a piano through taking a baby on
my knee and kissing it. (Laughter.)

I do not like to go contrary to the principal of an institution
to which I owe so much. But for the Royal Normal College
I should never have been able to do what I have done either for
myself or for the blind. Through going to the College I learned
piano tuning thoroughly, and I learnt many other things there,
and the Royal Normal College has made me what I am. But I
cannot find language strong enough to go against Mr. Campbell's
theory that the Institution should wash its hands of its pupils
when their training is complete. The institutions may not be
able to afford otherwise. I am not blaming the Institution.
I am blaming the system. I want to give an illustration. A
school is in the position of a manufacturer. What would be
thought of a piano manufacturer who kept on making pianos
and piling them up and never troubling about the marketing ?
There are two sides, the manufactm^ing part, and getting the goods
on the market. You have got to have different men for these
two different departments. You want yom- mechanics, and for
getting the goods on the market you want your commercial
travellers, etc. If the institutions cannot do it singly, they
should do it jointly. There should be an employment manager — -
a man to get situations for the blind. Another point I want to
mention is with regard to blind pupils in institutions being taught
to be more independent. I mean every word I have said. I have
been blind for forty-one years and have mixed with hundreds of
thousands of blind people, and I know that our seeing friends are
always willing to help us ; but there are many things we could do
alone, if they would only let us. With regard to travelling, I

c.B. 193 o

Pianoforte Tuning, an Occupation for Blind

still disagree with Mr. Campbell. I know London as well as I
know Montreal, and I can go out of this hall and if Mr. Guy
Campbell will bet me a thousand pounds I will take the wager,
( because I want to prove the vital question in the interests of the
ijlind), that I can find any address in the city of London, and that
I can find it without a guide or a taxi-cab, and I will find it nearly
as quickly as a man with his sight. I find in going about London
now that it is easier to do so than it was twenty-five or thirty years
ago. I will prove it. I used to come from the college and get off
the train at Victoria Station, and take a bus there, and be put off
at Tottenham Court Road and then walk to Euston Square. I
could not hear where I was going ; the noise of the traffic was
deafening ; there were no rubber tyres then, and the steel tyres
made such a din that you could not hear anything else. Now as
you walk along Euston Road you do not hear this deafening noise,
and I maintain that although difficulties have increased in some
directions they have lessened in others, and I would rather
travel to-day with all the increased traffic. Of course, a blind man
has to be very careful how he crosses the street, because if he gets
knocked down he hurts the whole cause of the blind. But I
maintain that the blind can go alone, and they ought to be trained
in our institutions to do so.

General Hill (Leatherhead). — Before we separate I wish to
move a very hearty resolution in favour of our chairman for the
able manner in which he has conducted the proceedings. Not
only has he been a good chairman, but he has been very cheerful
with it and has kept you in laughter. At the same time I take
this opportunity, being connected with the Royal School for the
Indigent Blind, of congratulating you on the fact that you have
had before you two so very successful men who received a portion
of their education at that school. It is a great credit to the school,
and it may be of some use to you to know that there is a very good
school, known as the Royal School for the Indigent Blind, at
Leatherhead.

Mrs. Layton (Montreal). — It gives me much pleasure to
second the vote of thanks to Lord Southwark this afternoon.

Rev. E. G. Cocks (Plymouth). — May I ask you a question ?
Seeing that a lady has put forward a question of some very con-
siderable importance this afternoon touching the matter of the
writing of Braille music, I should like to ask whether such music
is also interpreted in Moon type, because there are two types in
use among the blind, and if so, I do not think all the consideration
should be given to the one. We have heard a great deal about
one.

The Chairman. — I was wrong to let the lady introduce another
matter into the discussion.

Rev. CocKS.^ — Thank you, my Lord.

The Chairman. — I am very much obliged to ray friend General
Hill for his remarks, and also to Mrs. Layton. It has been a very
great pleasure to me to preside here this afternoon. And as
regards Mrs. Layton, I should, of course, have been glad to allow

194

Discussion

lier to go on another half -hour. The paper was most interesting
and instructive, and I am sure we have had a most enjoyable
afternoon.

Now my business is ended, because I am the chairman for the
purpose of this paper only. You are now about to continue the
discussion of this morning on Mr. lUingworth's paper, and the
chairman of the Conference Committee will take my place.

Mr. H. J. Wilson (taking the chair). — Wc will now
continue the discussion on Mr, lUingworth's paper.

Miss CtARAway (London). — I want to speak, if I may, on one
small point that was raised this morning. Mr. Illingworth alluded
■ to the work we had done or to the results that we hope to get from
the Mental Deficiency Act, and said he had been to the Board of
Control and hoped something was going to be done. I felt I must
speak because we — ^and when I say " we ' I am alluding to the
Association of Teachers of the Blind, who have done everything
in their power to safeguard the interests of the blind — ^we as an
association approached the Secretary of State and asked that,
in considering the case of the mentally defectives, the mentally
deficient blind should be jjrovided for in homes of their own, and
not scattered in homes for the mentally deficient where no ade-
quate provision could be made for them. And in arranging this
deputation we asked the College of Teachers for the Blind and the
Smith Training College to co-operate with us. We urged that
the juniors should be separated from the seniors, that the sexes
should be separated, and that suitable homes should be provided.
We were a little disappointed with the result of our efforts. When
the regulations were published a little while ago absolutely no
notice was taken of the blind or the deaf. These preliminary
regulations were not in themselves a very important thing, but
we felt that the Authorities should at least know whether the
children they were going to train were blind or deaf. They
should have that knowledge to work upon. So we made a further
effort and endeavoured to insist that the forms should show
whether the children were blind or deaf. I hope Mr. Illingworth
is not too sanguine. I am afraid there is a great deal yet to be done,
and it behoves us all to use every effort in our power to see that
care is taken to obtain the greatest possible advantages for the
blind under that Act. The Act says that suitable homes and educa-
tion will be provided ; but it is the interpretation of that word
" suitable " that is so greatly needed, and it requires very careful
watching to get the right interpretation put upon it. We cer-
tainly feel, as an association, that the work is not yet done, and
I wish to commend it to the attention of all who have any influence
to get the proper interpretation put upon the expressions 1 have
just called attention to.

Rev. E. G. Cocks (Pjymouth). — ^I think it is rather difficult
under the circumstances for us to get back to the atmosphere

195 o 2

How to deal with the Incompetent Blind

which was created hy the paper we heard this morning, and unless
we can bring our minds back to that, I do not think that what I
am about to present to this meeting is likely to have the effect we
could wish. May I say, sir, that in connection with the paper
read by Mr. Illingworth there were some points on which I wish
to join issue ? He says on page 2 that there is a considerable amount
of blame to be attached to education authorities. It seems to
me, sir, that the blame, if there be any, is not so much with the
education authorities as, in some instances, with the magisterial
bench. It must be remembered that a child to-day cannot be
received into a school until he is five years of age, and if he does
not attend then it is the business of the attendance officer to see
that he is sent. And the experience that some of us have on
attendance sub-committees is that it is difficult to get the magis-
trates to back us up. In cases where we have tried to get the law
put into effect, from reasons of sentiment the magistrates were not
prepared to give us the assistance we ought to have. And there- .
fore it is not so much the education authorities as the magisterial
bench who are to blame.

Then another matter of importance is the statement that is
made that hundreds of our incompetent blind have become so
through neglect. That may have been so in the past, but it need
not be so in the present, and we hope still less in the future.

Ophthalmia neonatorum is now made a notifiable disease. There
is, we are told, the greatest possibility of reducing some of those
things in the way of blindness that manifest themselves in infancy
almost to decimal nought. Again, the speaker said that most of
those pupils who fail in the schools drift into the workhouse. I
say emphatically that they do not. As vice-chairman of a board
of guardians in East Stonehouse, I say that in that particular
board, and in that particular house, we have not one single case
of blindness in a hundred. I was making an inquiry on the same
point in another district, and I find that in a house of 500 inmates
not more than about 1 per cent, are blind in that workhouse to-day.
I do not think, therefore, that it can truly be said that aU who have
failed in their schooldays drift back to the workhouse.

Again, if I may bring things to a practical issue, sir — and if I
am out of order I submit to your ruling — we want to come to
something like a satisfactory conclusion, and not, as the gentleman
from the United States said, allow everything to end in gas. I
would like to move this resolution : — ^" That in the opinion of this
Conference the time has come when it is necessary and desirable
that the mentally defective blind children should be segregated,
and training schools specially set apart for them by local educa-
tion authorities, as is done in the case of the ordinary mentally
deficient."

I believe that something of the kind is already being attempted.
I think if it could go forth from this Conference that we desire to
back up any work that has been done in that direction, we should
not have met in vain, and that we should materially strengthen
the hands of those who are trying to assist us with regard to the
work for the blind. If you are prepared to accept that as a
resolution I am prepared to move it.

196

Discussion

Mr. Kelly* (London). — I presume nobody will dispute the
proposition that there has never yet been a paper prepared — and
certainly I have never heard one read — that would not be the
better for a little criticism. And I purpose very briefly to offer a
little criticism on Mr. Illingworth's paper to which we listened this
morning. As the last speaker said, it is somewhat difficult to
get back to the atmosphere that was created this morning, but I
trust my recollection is sufficiently keen to recall the statements
that were made. Although the paper has been criticised by various
speakers, I am of opinion that the criticism has fallen rather
short of what the paper deserves ; for I venture to express my
own opinion that the paper to which we listened this morning
ought never to have been written, and therefore ought never to
have been read. (Laughter.) My reason is that the title of the
paper is in my opinion an entire misnomer. It is called " What
to do with the Incompetent Blind " : that is, I believe, the title.
Who are the incompetent blind ? Evidently the blind whom
Mr. Illingworth had in his mind were children. (" No, no."') We
were told by a subsequent speaker that the incompetent blind
were half, or more than half, of adult age. Well, sir, I belong to
that section. I am qiiite willing to accept all responsibility for it.
I am, and I am not ashamed to own it, one of the incompetent
blind by the verdict of all the best authorities. Now, sir, I say
a paper that deals with that section of the incompetent blind for
which the State already makes provision ought not to have been
delivered in this Conference. Because we cannot move the wheels
of the State, we cannot put the statutes into operation and see
that the work has been done, and where it is not in operation
everybody knows how to set the wheels going. But there was
only one reference to the section to which I belong, and it was
contained in a few lines at the conclusion of the paper. As I said,
the State looks after some of the incompetent blind, but it does
not look after all — it does not look after me, and I do not want it
to. I do not advocate State aid. I do not oppose those who
want it, but I am not pleading for State aid. I am endeavouring
to impress upon those concerned with institutions that some of
them at all events should take the advice tendered yesterday,
and begin at the beginning. The incompetent blind of adult
age have nobody to look to but the managers of the institutions
throughout the country, and personally I have been rejected by
at least half a dozen institutions I have gone to for employment,
because I am one of the incompetent blind. It may be said that
my age is against me. That may be so, but I do not recognise
that I am incompetent. I am capable of working, and when I
feel that I am no longer capable I will recognise that I am incom-
petent, and there will still be a little work left for the undertaker.
I have mixed a good deal with the blind of the various societies
since I became a citizen of the blind world. I made up my mind
to learn all I could about it, and I have lost no opportunity. I have
come across many of those who have lost their sight late in life. One
man I know went to an institution and wished to be taught tuning,
but was told that he was too old, and that they did not take pupils
over the age of twenty-one. He learned tuning subsequently and

197

How to deal with the Incompetent Blind

is earning his own liying now, but there are no thanks due to any
institution for that.

I wished to criticise the speaker further, but as I have used
up my time I bow to your decision, sir, and leave the matter where

it is.

Miss Rose Petty (London). — ^I was very glad to hear one
speaker say a good word for the education authorities, because
in London, at any rate, children do not get overlooked. We have
heard a good deal about the children not being admitted young
enough, but that is often due to the fact that they are not certi-
fiable as blind. Some are attending hospital and have hopes of
regaining their vision. All that sort of thing helps to make the
average age of children who are not attending school appear higher
than it really is. But I do agree that we often admit young
children who are not actually defective, but who are considerably
behind the standard for their age, and we have to make up about
two or three years' loss of time, which has been quite unnecessary.
I have always felt that this was a thing for the Unions ; if they
could get hold of the children before they were of school age, if
the ladies would visit the cases and encourage the mothers to
teach them as normal children, the work in schools would be
easier. I was very surprised to hear Mr. Thurman say that
of the children who have left Birmingham during the last five
years 14 per cent, were mentally defective. That seems
to me to be a very large proportion. In the normal ele-
mentary school population the education authorities only allow
for 1 per cent, of defectives. It shows how very serious this whole
question is.

Then I should like to emphasise Miss Garaway's remarks about
grading the deficients. I feel we ought to have schools which
would be more or less clearing-hovises where the children could
be kept for a year or two until we find out how deficient they are.

Mr. Peter Miller * (Hull). — I want to make myself heard.
The difiiculty in this room, sir, all through up to now has been
the hearing side for us blind people ; I am afraid some of them
do not hear well. I represent Hull. Through the Rt. Hon. Thomas
Ferens, M.P., and Mr. Tom Wing, M.P., I have the pleasure and
freedom to come here to represent the blind of my city, where
the National League and everything else was started to help the
blind. We began in 1870 when the Education Act was passed
for the sighted, and we worked away, as all the blind know. I
was very pleased to hear Mr. Purse this morning, as I have not
spoken to him for some years. I am out to agitate for the after-
care of the blind. There are a hundred blind begging in the
streets of Hull. The subject, as I understand it this morning,
was that Mr. Illingworth is desirous of having better conditions
for the blind.

The Chairman. — The paper deals only with the incompetent
blind

Mr. Peter Miller.*^ — If you will let me, sir, for the few minutes
that you are giving me, go my own way, I will try to get to what
I Avant It took me six weeks to get here, and I should not have

198

Discussion

been here at all if it had not been for the gentlemen I have men-
tioned and other friends. Bnt in representing Hnll I cannot
say that I represent any but my own ideas. The Government
has taken up the whole work of the blind up to the age of twenty-
one, and now all that we have to do, as blind men, is to make a
better condition for ourselves, to get more into line with each
other, and to get the Government to make a better condition for
the lot of us, which they are willing to do. The only way, sir, is
by agitating, and I have come to agitate my ideas absolutely
as I think. The first thing we want is more total abstinence
among the blind. There is too much drinking. Whilst men and
women have to get their living at the doors of publics and in
publics, they cannot be free, and they cannot do what they would
do if they had freedom. Now the nation is willing to make a
proper grant, with moneys already left to us, to make a better
condition for us. The first thing (Mr. Hirst advocates this, I know)
is that we should have more bread and butter and less of what we
call subterfuge. I am in accord with Mr. lUingworth's idea that
the future work we are going to do is getting a better condition
for om'selves. Let everything be national. In London you have
1,220 blind people in the workhouses. The guardians in Hull
have offered us parish relief, but we cannot accept parish relief
under the present law. 1 wish to thank the Committee, and I
wish to thank Mr. Hlingworth for his paper.

Mr. S. E. Stevens (Liverpool). — ^Mr. Hlingworth referred this
morning in his paper to the unwillingness on the part of some of
the higher education committees to exercise their powers under
the Education Act, Part IL We at Hardman Street find the
same difficulty. The education committee prefers to leave it to
the guardians, who, I am glad to say, generally come forward to
the assistance of the blind. The blame is sometimes due to the
indulgent parents, who often prefer, if the pupil is a girl, to have
her at home at the age of sixteen. I have a case of that kind in
mind. I have pleaded with the mother to have her child's training
continued, but so far without response. As Mr. Hlingworth has
pointed out, there is a weak link in the chain, and 1 honestly
believe it would be a great boon if elementary training for the
blind were stopped at the age of fourteen and followed by compul-
sory technical training for four years.

Mr. SuTHERBY (Hull). — ^I feel that I cannot let such a statement
as that made by a recent speaker go forth to be commented upon in
the Report without correction. Hi his remarks he stated that there
are a hundred street beggars among the blind in Hidl. I flatly con-
tradict such a statement. He is absolutely wrong in his figures. I
quite agree with Mr. Hlingworth's remarks about blind teachers, and
can quite endorse, from personal experience, that a blind teacher is
the most capable person to deal with mentally and physically
deficient cliildren. I have a case in mind, and I think it will illustrate
what I want to put before you. The education authority in Hull
some time ago received a blind girl aged sixteen from another blind
school. Her report stated that she was mentally or physically
unfit to be taught anything. The education authority wrote to

199

How to deal with the Incompetent Blind

my committee to ask if anything could be done for lier. After
consultation the child was brought before the committee, who
formed the same opinion as the education authority ; but I
pleaded that the girl should be given an opportunity to show
whether she could do anything by further training and tuition.
And so the education authority made a temporary grant of 5s.
per week for six months, so that this case, which had been rejected
by other institutions, might be given a chance to earn something.
I am pleased to say, sir, that to-day that case is proving most
successful ; the girl can already completely seat a chair from
taking out the pegs to finishing the chair. I think if blind
teachers were used more in such cases we should get better results,
for I am sure they have more patience and sympathy, especially
with backward children, than the sighted have.

I thank Mr. Illingworth also for a little hint which he threw out
in his paper where he speaks of the augmentation of blind workers'
wages being paid on Tuesday. This is a suggestion which I shall
take home with me, for one frequently finds that by the middle
of the week the money earned by om" people has been spent, and
I feel certain that the payment of their augmentation during the
week would be of great benefit and help to them.

Mr. Tate (Bradford). — At this late moment I will trespass on
your patience but to say a word. I think sufficient has been
advanced this afternoon to justify my words at noon, that this
subject is altogether too vast to be brought within the survey of one
short session. I think the fact that of the blind children leaving
the Birmingham institution in five years so large a proportion were
incompetent shows that this question is a wide and far-reaching
one, which is borne out fully by our experience in the North. I
approve the resolution in a sense, because I feel that if we could
have the considered judgment of the experts of this Conference
focussed into a resolution that could be forwarded to the Board of
Control it might materially assist them.

The next point I would like to emphasise is that there should go
forth from this Conference some recommendation to the Inter-
Departmental Committee that it should appoint a sub-committee
to specialise on this subject, to find out the grades of deficiency,
how they have been occasioned, and to what extent any of the
defects may be curable. I think it will be found that parental
neglect is a very great factor in many cases, and once it is known
that a defective blind child is in a district the education authority
should be empowered, where necessary, to step in and adopt the
child. May I give a case in illustration.

A vicar's lady came to me and said : " What can we do in regard
to a blind baby in my husband's parish ? It is said to be five
years of age, but is still confined to the cradle, and the parents
refuse to allow any of the neighbours to see it." She had tried in
her own way to get into the house, but could not. I said to the
lady : "If the child is five years of age, go to the education
authority and urge them to put their- powers into operation." I
have had many instances of defective children, not only blind, but
sighted, whose defects have been clearly traceable to parental
neglect.

200

Discussion

I should like to controvert the statement that the magistrates
are to blame to any great extent. I happen to be one of those
responsible for the administration of justice in a children's court,
■ and in reference to sighted delinquents it has frequently been said
by my brother magistrates : '" This child's defect is entirely due
to its environment and the lack of parental care and control."

I have read Mr. Illingworth's paper with great interest, but I
deeply regret that his studies should have led him to include a
laudatory reference to the inhuman ways of cannibal races.
Fortunately for society and for civilisation we do not share his
views. And well it is for many afflicted ones that we do not, for
had we not had men of the stamp of Dr. Howe, Dr. Shuttleworth,
and others, we should have had no Laura Bridgman or Helen
Keller.

Mr. Illingworth (Manchester). — I did not recommend that we
should use the methods of barbarians. What I said was that
their methods were preferable, and that if we allow defectives to
live we should see to it that they live in some degree of comfort.

Now, with regard to Mr. Thurman's criticism on the subject
of the blind teaching the seeing, I think I was misunderstood. I
said it would be well for the blind to teach seeing defective children,
but you have to read that statement in connection with the para-
graph before it, which deals with the development of the tactile
sense. The blind can teach that better than the seeing.

To those who adversely criticise my statement that the blind
are the best teachers of the juvenile blind, I say, " Go to the schools
and see for yourselves." I will not say what schools. I have in
my mind now a college or university trained teacher who leaves
the college or university with all manner of certificates, but no
knowledge of the blind, seated before a class of blind children and
professing to teach them action songs, say, and never stirring
from her place, whilst the children in no semblance of order loll
about the desks indulging in all kinds of mannerisms. In the
next room is a blind teacher with a class of children in absolute
order who are paying attention to everything that is going on, and
she knows exactly what they are doing. I will not attempt to
explain how they do it, but there are blind teachers who can tell
whether the blind pupils are attending. I have had them in
Edinburgh and in Manchester. One of the best blind teachers of
tuning in the kingdom whom I know can tell whether a pupil has
cleaned his nails and brushed his shoes.

I thank Miss Garaway and Miss Petty very much for their
remarks.

Now, I am in a little difficulty. I do not want to exaggerate
the position, but would like you to note that originally I had in
my paper a distinct recommendation urging upon this Conference
that it should pass a resolution asking the Board of Control for
immediate action on behalf of the defective blind, and that I took
it out simply because of the correspondence I have had with Sir
William Byrne, the Chairman of the Board of Control, and further
correspondence with the Association for the Feeble Minded, as I
felt it would come badly from me to move such a resolution. I
am quite willing that such a resolution shall go from this Con-

201

How to deal with the Incompetent Blind

ference, but I prefer not to move it. I think that you may take
it from me that things are really approaching a very satisfactory
conclusion, and it is not intended, I believe, that these institutions,
establishments or colonies, or whatever you call them, shall be iii
any way connected with the ordinary feeble-minded children's
colonies or schools.

Mr. Thurman. — May I ask if that is definite !

Mr. Illingworth. — I beUeve so. I cannot say more definitely.
I know that many of these children who come to the blind schools
as apparently mentally defective are, after a certain amount of
hygienic treatment and proper feeding, able to take their places
in ordinary blind classes, and if the prospective establishments are
associated with institutions for the blind, the children will then be
able to be drafted directly from the defective department to the
normal department. Further, if such institutions are set up in
connection with some of the larger blind institutions in the king-
dom, the same stigma would not attach to pupils who were sent to
them as if sent to a special feeble-minded school, because they
would go to the blind institution in the ordinary way and would
there be placed in the establishment-set apart for defectives.

Mr. Cocks was quite mistaken when he suggested that I meant
that some of the blind became defective through ophthalmia
neonatorum. I did not mean that. The neglect I referred to was
the physical and mental neglect after ophthalmia had done its
work. His stateiuent that in a workhouse of a hundred ordinary
people there was not one blind person is not to be wondered at.
The proportion of the blind is only one in a thousand. But when
he stated that in a workhouse of five hundred there were five or
six blind persons, I think he helped to prove my point. I think,
Mr. Chauman, that is all I have to say. I am very giateful to the
Conference for the appreciative way in which my paper has been
received.

Mr. Wilson. — We have had a very interesting and important
paper and discussion. Mr. Cocks has put into writing his suggested
resolution, which is as follows : " That the Board of Control be
informed that in the opinion of this Conference immediate steps
should be taken to deal efi'ectively with the mentally-defective
blind by creating separate establishments in convenient country
districts."

This was seconded by Mr. W. H. Thurman, of Birmingham, and
carried nem. con.

Mr. Henry Stainsbt (London). — ^Mr. Walter Hanbury wishes
to say a few words.

Mr. Hanbury* (Brighton). — Last evening the Royal Deaf and
Dumb Association gave a tea to its deaf-blind people at 419,
Oxford Street. After the tea a most interesting incident occmred,
which I think all who are here at this meeting of the International
Conference on the Blind will heartily appreciate and warmly
reciprocate. The chaplain, the Rev. F. W. G. Gilby, made a
speech on his fingers to the deaf-mutes, who also spelt it on their
fingers, I should say, to the deaf-blind there assembled. That
speech referred entirely to the wonderful success of this gathering

202

Discussion

of ours, the International Conference on the Blind. And I think
that before the Chairman reads the message which they asked me
to bring to yon I ought to say all honour to the Royal Deaf and
Dumb Association for the kindly remembrance of those who,
perhaps more than myself, are doubly afflicted with blindness and
deafness.

The following message was then read by the Chairman : —

''June 18th, 1914.

" The Royal Association in Aid of the Deaf and Dumb, at a
party of about eighty persons, all deaf and dumb (fourteen of
whom were deaf-blind), passed a unanimous vote of sympathy
with the great effort that is being made at the present time to
raise the condition of the blind and wish to send a message of
congratulation and goodwill to the friends who are gathering at
the Church House.

(Signed) " F. W. G. Gilbt, Chaplain."

Mr. Tate (Bradford). — I think it would be nice if we
returned to the association a letter of thanks reciprocating most
heartily the good feeling that has been shown to the Conference.

Seconded by Mr. W. M. Stone, Edinburgh, and carried.

Friday Evening, June 19th.
CONCERT.

In the evening a grand concert was given at the ^olian Hall,
New Bond Street, W. Admission was by invitation only, and,
although the entire hall was reserved for members and delegates
of the Conference, the accommodation was barely sufficient
and many applications for tickets had, unfortunately, to be
refused.

The programme was well varied and gave full scope to the
performers to show their executive skill and artistic perception.
Several works by blind composers were included.

The choral items were sung by the junior and select choirs
of the Royal Normal College, and, if it is permissible to single out
any item for special mention where the whole was so excellent,
the success of the evening was undoubtedly the wonderful render-
ing of Hollins's " The Lion and the Mouse " by the children's
choir. Signor Fabozzi, the bhnd Itahan pianist, also gave a fine
performance and was warmly applauded.

The artistes taking part were as follows : Soprano, Miss Ada
Thornewell ; Mezzo Soprano, Miss Edith Wood ; Contralto, Miss
Sarah Maden ; Tenor, Mr. William Turner ; Bass, Mr. Andrew
Fraser, L.R.A.M., A.R.C.O. ; Violin, Mr. J. R. CoUacott ; Piano,
Cav. Prof. Gennaro Fabozzi, Mr. Ronald Goiirley and Mr. W^ilfrid
Kershaw, L.R.A.M., A.R.C.O. ; Organ, Mr. Horace Wathng,
L.R.A.M., F.R.C.O., Mr. WilUam Wolstenholme, Mus. Bac. ;
Accompanists, Miss Laubach, Miss Helen Liles, L.R.A.M., Mr.
John Hunter, F.R.C.O., and Mr. Wilfrid Kershaw, L.R.A.M.,
A.R.C.O. ; Choir, Select and 'Junior Choirs of the Royal Normal
College for the Blind, Upper Norwood, S.E.

203

Le Braille et ses Modifications

Saturday, June 20th.
MORNING SESSION

Chairman : The Right Hon. Lord Kinxaird

The Chairman. — -Our subject, as you know, this morning
is " Braille and its Modifications," and mentioning that
name one feels what a deep debt of gratitude we owe to our
French friends, who, as in other sciences, have put the
world under another obligation by inventing a system of
reading and writing for the blind which has become of
world-wide fame and will be a means of communication
between the blind all over the world. Therefore, as
Englishmen, we feel pleasure in welcoming the representative
of an institution in France who will speak on this question
of " Braille and its Modifications." We feel also how much
we owe to one in this country who did so much to introduce
the Braille system here- — I refer to the late Dr. Armitage.
It was my pleasure to know Dr. Armitage and many members
of his family in connection with many charities, and we feel
that his work in this country did a great deal to stimulate an
interest in Braille reading and writing. If he could have been
here to-day he would have rejoiced to find how the system
has helped the blind, and would have wished that a further
development of it should be a help to them in order that they
might go forward in the various branches of trade and in the
professions they follow, and so that they might keep in touch
with the world and with that scientific knowledge so neces-
sary to enable them to hold their own in the competition of
life. We must all be rejoiced to see how many new avenues
are now open to the blind, and I trust this Conference will
give a fresh impetus to the further improvement of Braille.

I will now ask Mile. Thevenin, of Paris, who has come to
read the paper prepared by M. Perouze, of the Valentin
Hauy Association ; he was miable to come to London and
Mile. Thevenin has come in his place.

Mr. Abseil, the Assistant-Secretary of the Conference,
will read the paper, as the lady feels that her voice might
not fill the room and she is anxious that everyone should
hear in order to get full benefit from the paper.

204

QUELQUES REFLECTIONS SUR LE
BRAILLE ET SES MODIFICATIONS

Monsieur PEROUZE,
Association Valentin Haijy, Paris.

A MAiNTES reprises, en France et ailleurs, une idee
seduisante au premier abord a ete emise. !]^pris de
logiquc et considerant que dans le syst^me Braille tel que
I'a con9U son auteur, les signcs tres frequcmment usites ne
sont pas tou jours ccux qui renferment le moins grand nombre
de points, certains esprits ont propose de remedier a cet
inconvenient en procedant a une classification " scientifique,^''
de fagon a obtenir un alphabet d'une ecriture plus rapide
et aussi, disent quelques uns, d'une lecture egalement plus
rapide, parce que le doigt aurait ainsi un moins grand
nombre de points a toucher.

Jusqu'ici cette idee n'a ete mise en pratique qu'aux
Etats-Unis, dans le syst^me dit " Braille- Americain."
Mais comme des efforts semblent vouloir etre tentes main-
tenant pour la propager dans toute I'Union et m^me au
dela, il nous parait opportun, a nous Fiancais, de dire
notre mot dans le debat afm de defendre la conception de
notre grand compatriote.

D'ailleurs, nous ne sommes pas guides par I'esprit de
clocher et nous pensons pouvoir donner mieux que de
simples raisons de sentiment.

L'avantage que procure dans la lecture un alphabet
base sur la reduction du nombre des points n'etant mis en
avant que par des personnes peu au courant de la question
qui nous occupe, nous n'en dirons qu'un mot en passant :
la lisibilite d'un texte en relief ponctue ne depend pas du
nombre plus ou moins grand de points qu'il renferme :
elle depend de la variete des signes et de leur position

205

Le Braille et ses Modifications

nettement determinee, evitaiit les confusions et les hesita-
tion au doigt exeree qui saisit d'ensemble la forme des
caracteres sans s'arr^ter a analyser leurs elements. Sous ee
rapport, le Braille integral n'a absolument rien a envier
a aucune autre syst^me.

L'assertion relative a I'ecriture est autrcment serieuse
et merite d'etre examinee de pres. II est incontestable, en
effet, qu'une economic de points permet d'ecrire sensiblement
plus vite. C'est la un avantage certain et appreciable.
Mais il n'est pas aussi grand qu'on parait le croire et I'usage
d'un alphabet particuli^re a pour les aveugles qui s'en
servent des inconvenients graves.

D'abord, I'augmentation de rapidite n'existe que dans
I'ecriture a la main. Car dans les impressions et dans
I'ecriture a la machine dont I'emploi se generalise de plus en
plus parmi les aveugles qui ont besoin d'ecrire vite et
beaucoup, le profit est nul. En second lieu, il est possible,
meme dans I'ecriture a la main, d'obtenir un resultat
identique par I'emploi d'un abrege facile et bien concu,
voire meme d'une veritable stenographic."

Ainsi done, I'advantage, bien que reel, se reduit, en fin
de compte, a bien peu de chose ; est il suffisant pour compen-
ser les inconvenients qui en resultent ?

Si, apr^s avoir reconnu que les derives d'un signe genera-
teur de trois points de hauteur repondaient parfaitement
aux exigences du toucher tout en fournissant un nombre
suffisant de combinaisons graphiques. Braille s'etait borne
a choisir parmi ses 43 signes ceux qui convenaient le mieux
a la langue francaise, surtout sous le rapport de I'ecriture
jious aurions a I'heure prcscnte, au moins un alphabet
parti culier pour chaque langue.

Les relations entre correspondants de pays differents
deviendraient, de ce fait, beaucoup plus compliquees, et
I'etude des langues etrangeres offrirait souvent a I'aveugle
une difiiculte de plus qu'au clairvoyant, parce que celui ci,
deja plus favorise de bien des facons, n'a pas toujours
besoin de s'assimiler un nouvel alphabet.

Les musiciens, professeurs et organistes qui formcnt une

206

Le Braille et ses Modifications

categoric nombreuse parmi les aveugles, auraient, eux
aussi, a souffrir d'un pareil etat de choses. Actuellement,
ils ont la facilite, grace a I'alphabet imiversel et a remploi
general de I'italien comme langue rausicale, de pouvoir
aisement profiter des oeuvres de musique publiees partout,
tandis qu'autrement ils seraient reduits, a nioins de se
resigner a un surcroit de fatigue, a n'employer que la
musique publiee dans leur propre pays. Bien plus, on
verrait sans doute se reproduire en plusieurs endroits ce qui
se passe aujourd'hui aux Etats-Unis oil les aveugles ne
peuvent profiter des ouvrages cdites en Angleterre, dans
leur langue meme, qu'a la condition de connaitre deux
alphabets.

Par une heureuse intuition, et peut-etre aussi influence
par le tableau de Barbier, Braille ne s'est pas contente d'un
alphabet particulier a notre langue qui aurait eu certaine-
ment quelques avantages pour I'eeriture de frangais, il a
cherche et trouve un classcment fonde sur la symetrie, dotant
ainsi les aveugles du monde entier d'un alphabet commun.
Du meme coup, il a assure a son syst^me une fixite qu'aucun
autre mode de classcment ne lui aurait donne a un aussi
haut degre.

II nous parait difficile de renoncer a I'ordre symetrique
des series sans boulevcrser compl^temcnt le syst^me, et
sans se priver par consequent d'un point d'appui relative-
ment solide. On pent bien ranger les lettres d'une langue
suivant la frequence de leur usage, mais on n'a pas de r^gle
pour attribucr tel signe a telle Icttre, et Ton doit la plupart
du temps proceder arbitrairement.

Le principe de I'economie des points nc saurait en effet,
donner une r^gle fixe et precise : applique dans toute sa
rigueur, il conduit a la constitution d'une foule d' alphabets
aussi peu lisibles les uns que les autres ; sans aller si loin
et en tenant conqDte des exigences de la lecture comme de
celles de I'eeriture, la m6me methode conduit neanmoins
a un nombre considerable de groupemcnts alphabetiques,
a peu pres d'egale valeur et dont pas un ne s'impose assez
pour exclure irrevocablement les autres. En dehors de

207

Le Braille et ses Modifications

I'ordre symetrique, on tombc dans une variete telle, que tout
derni^rement encore, la meme personne nous proposait a la
fois 4 alphabets orthographiques et autant d'alphabets
phonetiques, qui, au dire de I'auteur, offraient tout, a des
degre divers, les plus grands avantages.

Du reste, d'autres principes peuvent egalement ^tre
invoques : il s'est rencontre, par exemple, a des epoques
et dans des pays differents, deux hommes qui ont eu I'idee
de faire choix des signes Braille ay ant vuie certaine analogic,
assez vague, bien sou vent, avee les Icttres vulgaires pour
en composer un alphabet ressemblant a celui des clair-
voyants. Ceux-ei n'auraient eu dds lors, assurait-on, que
pcu on point d'effort a faire pour corrcspondre aisement avec
les aveugles. Inutile de dire le rble preponderant que
joucrait la fantaisie personnclle dans dc parcils choix.

En resume, le Braille, pris dans sa forme originale, est scul
capable de donner un alphabet stable et convenant a toutes
les langues. Les autres formes peuvent, il est vrai, offrir
de legcrs avantages, notamment une rapidite un peu plus
grande dans I'ecriture, rapidite qu'il est d'ailleurs possible
d'obtcnir par un moyen detovn-ne, mais toutes ont un double
et grave inconvenient : faites pour une langue, dies ne
conviennent qu'a cette langue, ce qui revient a dire qu'elles
isolcnt les aveugles. Constituees seulement d'apres des
convenances personnelles, clles prescntent bcaucoup plus
de prise a la critique qu'un ordre symetrique purement
impersonnel et sont par suite plus exposees aux tentatives
de revision.

208

SOME REFLECTIONS ON BRAILLE
AND ITS MODIFICATIONS

Monsieur GEORGES Pi]ROUZE,

Association Valentin Haiiy, Paris.
(Translation by A. Absell, Assistant Secretary of the Conference.)

At various times, in France and elsewhere, an idea,
seductive at first sight, has been put forward.

Led away by logic, and seeing that in Braille as conceived
by its author the signs in very frequent use are not those
containing the smallest number of dots, certain minds have
proposed to remedy this disadvantage by proceeding to a
" scientific " classification, so as to obtain an alphabet of a
more rapid script, and also,, some say, of an equally more
rapid legibility, as the finger would thus have a smaller
number of dots to touch.

Up to the present this idea has only been put into practice
in the United States, in the so-called system of " American
Braille." But as it seems that efforts are now being made to
propagate it throughout the Union and even beyond, it
appears opportune that we Frenchmen should say a word in
the discussion in order to defend the conception of our great
compatriot.

For the rest we are not moved by any narrow-minded
spirit, and we believe we can show more than mere reasons of
sentiment.

The advantage in reading to be secured by an alphabet
based on a reduction of the number of dots being only put
forward by those who have little acquaintance with the
question before us, we shall only say a word in passing with
regard to it. The legibility of a text in pointed relief does
not depend upon the greater or less number of the dots it con-
tains ; it depends upon the variety of the signs and their
precisely determined positions which obviate confusion and

c.B. ?09 P

Braille and its Modifications

hesitation for the practised finger, which seizes the forms in
their entirety without pausing to analyse their elements. In
this respect the Braille character covets absolutely nothing
from any other system.

On the other hand, the statement with regard to writing
is a genuine one and deserves closer examination. It is, in
fact, incontestable that economy of dots permits of sensibly
greater speed in writing. That is a certain and appreciable
advantage. But it is not so great as people seem to think,
and the use of a special alphabet has grave drawbacks for the
blind who make use of it.

First of all, the increase of speed exists only in hand work.
In printing and in machine writing, the use of which is
becoming more and more general among the blind who have
to write much and quickly, the advantage is nil. Secondly,
it is possible, even in handwriting, to obtain an identical
result by the use of a facile and well-conceived abbreviation,
to use, in fact, a true " stenogi-aphy."

Thus then, the advantage, although a real one, amounts
in the end to very little. Is it sufficient to compensate for
the drawbacks which result from it ?

If, after having recognised that the derivatives from a
parent sign three dots in height fulfilled perfectly the
exigencies of touch and at the same time furnished a sufficient
number of graphic combinations. Braille had confined him-
self to choosing among his forty-three signs those which best
suited the French language, especially as regards writing,
we should, at the very least, have had to-day a special
alphabet for each language.

The result would have been that the relations between
correspondents in different countries would have become
much more complicated, and the study of foreign languages
would have offered to the blind one more difficulty than to
the sighted, because the latter, already more favoured in
many ways, are not always obliged to assimilate a new
alphabet.

Musicians, both teachers and organists, who constitute a
numerous category among the blind, would also have had to

210

Braille and its Modifications

suffer from such a state of things. Whereas now, thanks to
the universal alphabet and the general use of Italian as the
musical language, they are able to benefit by musical works
published everywhere, whilst they would otherwise have been
reduced, at all events withoutresigningthemselves to excessive
labour, to use only the music published in their own country.

Further, we should doubtless have seen reproduced in
other places what is happening to-day in the United States,
where the blind can only take advantage of works published
in England, although in their own language, on condition of
knowing two alphabets.

By a happy inspiration, and influenced perhaps by the
table of Barbier, Braille did not content himself with an
alphabet specially for our language, which would certainly
have had some advantages for the writing of French ; he
sought and found a classification based on symmetry,
thereby bequeathing a common aljjhabet to the blind of the
whole world. At the same time he secured for his system a
fixity which no other classification would have given him in
so high a degree.

It seems to us difficult to abandon the symmetrical form of
the series without completely upsetting the system, and conse-
quently without depriving ourselves of a relatively solid stand-
point. One can arrange the letters of a language according
to the frequency of their use, but one has no rule for attribut-
ing a certain sign to a certain letter, and most of the time
one must proceed arbitrarily. The principle of economy of
dots will not in fact provide a fixed and precise rule ;
rigorously applied it leads to the construction of a crowd of
alphabets, each as little legible as the other : without going
so far as this, and having regard to the exigencies of reading
as well as of writing, the same method nevertheless leads to a
considerable number of alphabetic groujiings of approxi-
mately equal value, no one of which is able to imjiose itself
sufficiently to irrevocably exclude the others. Outside the
symmetrical order one falls into a variety such that, even
quite recently, one and the same person suggested to us four
orthographic alphabets and as many phonetic alphabets,

211 p2

Braille and its Modifications

which, according to the author, all offered the greatest
advantages in varying degrees.

Besides, other j^rinciples may equally be called upon ; for
example, we have seen at different times, and in different
countries, two men who have each had the idea of selecting
the Braille signs having a certain analogy, vague enough
very often, to the ordinary letters, and of composing of them
an alphabet resembling that of the sighted. Thus, .they
assured us, the latter Avould have little or no difficulty in
corresponding with the blind. It is needless to point out
the preponderating rdle which personal fancy would play in
arrangements of that kind.

In sum. Braille alone, in its original form, is capable of
giving a stable alphabet suitable to all languages. Other
forms, it is true, may offer slight advantages, especially a
somewhat greater rapidity in writing, a rapidity which,
moreover, it is possible to attain by other means, but they all
have a double and a grave disadvantage : made for one
language they suit that language only, that is to say,
they isolate the blind ; constructed only according to
personal convenience, they are much more open to criticism
than a purely impersonal, symmetrical order, and are
consequently more exposed to attempts at revision.

212

Discussion

DISCUSSION.

Mr. H. M. Taylor * (Cambridge).- — I think the reason that I
am the first to be called to address you this morning is that I have
the honour, and have had the honour for the last two or three
years, of being chairman of the Book Committee of what vised
to be called the British and Foreign Blind Association. That
leads me to consider very often with my committee the question
of printing books — in fact that is our chief duty — -not only on
different literary subjects, but also on scientific work.

I listened yesterday morning to some remarks on the question
of whether this Conference ought to be called, and was properly
called. International. I think the character of the paper we have
just heard from M. Georges Perouze sufficiently justifies the
Conference being deemed International. I am very glad of it.
\Vlien I first became blind, twenty years ago, I tried to read a
Moon book, and succeeded in getting to the end. But I found
out very soon that I had no opportunity of getting books on the
subjects that I take interest in, and that I could not write notes
for myself, so I was led to learn to read Braille. When I tried
to write Braille with a style I found that I was very clumsy, and
made little advance in writing until I had the luck to hear of the
Hall Braille writer. When I used this machine I found it extremely
easy to write notes which I could read with very little trouble.
After that I took to Braille in earnest. When I was first called
into public life as a blind man thirteen or fourteen years ago
and was subsequently asked to join a committee which was in
co-operation with our friends across the Atlantic about Uniform
Braille (that meant not uniformity among the French, Germans,
Italians, and all English-speaking people, but for the latter only).
I thought it was a capital idea when I heard the Americans had
chosen those signs that have the least dots for the letters that
occur most often in English. But when I found out that all the
European countries had adopted the French Braille alphabet
without any change, I thought it the duty of English people to do
the same, and gave up the idea of Uniform Braille for English-
speaking people contrary to Uniform Braille for the whole world.
Some of our friends from America are here to persuade us that it
would be a capital thing for a uniform system for English-speak-
ing people to be introduced. I have come to the conclusion that
it does not much matter what the alphabet is, but I think if all
the blind people of Europe have the same alphabet, it is a pity for
anyone, no matter how large or how influential a body, to try to
make a change so that they should be diverse from the rest of
the world. I am heartily glad that we have a paper of this kind,
because I think it will be a splendid opportunity for our friends
from different countries to express their opinions as to what they
think of the importance of all languages as far as possible having
the same Braille alphabet. If any blind person wants to study the
language of another country, it is a great help to know the letters of
the alphabet to start with. When the late Dr. Armitage had
looked about to see what was done for the blind in other countries

213

Braille and its Modifications

he came to the conckisiou that Braille was the best type and
imported it into England, and although the " w " of the English
language does not come quite in its proper order, he did not
attempt even to change that. He seemed to have a prophetic
idea of the Entente Cordiale which was going to happen some day.
I believe all the other languages have taken the French alphabet
and punctuation marks, and that is an important thing when you
want to read Braille in a different language. I sincerely hope that
every person who represents a non-English-speaking country
to-day will express his opinion candidly as to the importance
of having the same alphabet as far as possible. I know it is
applied to most European languages ; I have seen Spanish books,
and books in Italian, French, German, and Danish ; I have seen
Greek books too, but not modern Greek. Of the different Euro-
pean languages the only ones that I can think of where the French
alphabet was not adopted are Greek and Russian, and I hope they
make use of it as far as it will go. That is what we have adopted
in printing Greek classics and what some of us are aiming at when
we attempt to print Hebrew. It is a great advantage to a student
to have many of the letters the same as he has been used to when
he takes up a new language.

Mr. E. H. Fowler * (Uniform Type Committee, America). — It
is a great privilege to be here to say a few words on the subject
of Braille and its modifications. It is a subject which in America
we are now approaching under the title of a Uniform Type. I
wish to thank our friend across the Channel for the instructive
paper we have just heard. I think the writer of the paper has
treated the subject ably, and put it forth in as good a light, as
possible. I must, however, say that on some points I cannot
quite agree. One of these is that the modifications of the Braille
system, which have been in existence chiefly in the United States,
have meant nothing but dire misfortune. On the contrary, I
think they have done a great deal of good. For one thing they
have brought the different systems into competition and in that
way have stimulated the invention of machines for writing and
printing, and they have also stimidated printing itself, which
has given the blind a larger amount of literature than they would
otherwise have had. A few years ago — I do not know how it is
now, but a few years ago, perhaps four or five — I had occasion
to look up the amount of literature in the different systems, and
found we had in America more works in each of our American
systems than were shown in the catalogues of the British and
Foreign Blind Association and the Craigmillar Press combined.
For the last two or three years our presses have been slackening
their efforts, looking for the Uniform System, and I presume your
presses have been going on with gieater rapidity than formerly.
I have the honour to be one of the representatives of the Uniform
Type Committee. About a year ago we sent two investigators to
England to conduct certain experiments in legibility, and I want
now to congratulate your English and Scotch readers on the
gieat number of remarkably good readers that you showed.
But while these results indicated great skill on the part of your
readers, they nevertheless contained within themselves good

214

Discussion

evidence that a somewhat better and more serviceable system
can be devised, and the real test that is to settle the Uniform
Type of the future is not symmetry, but service. These results
have been printed in our reports, where anybody can find them,
and we do not care to disregard them, because our constituents,
to say nothing of our own consciences, would turn upon us and
say, ■' Thou wicked servant, out of thine own mouth will I judge
thee." But that is not the best reason for desiring the best
system. We hear a good deal about the cost of printing books,
but not much about the cost of learning and reading. You men
who are in schools know what a large amount of the pupils' time is
spent in learning and in reading and writing and how much it
costs to maintain the schools. Putting the matter on a sordid
basis, you will find that the cost of reading is very great, even
compared with the cost of printing. This is not all. We must
not forget the keener pleasure that comes from easy reading,
the greater quickening of the mind, the lessened handicap and the
greater efficiency. With these objects in view we have no right
to rest until we have done the work entrusted to us so well that it
will not have to be done over again.

Mr. C. Arthur Pearson.* — -I have hstened with deep interest
to the paper of the distinguished French BraiUist, and generally
speaking I agree largely with the conclusions arrived at. I think
aU of us who have to depend on Braille know what a deep debt
of gratitude we owe to the large-hearted Americans who have
devoted time, trouble, and money in the endeavour to devise
a perfect system of tactile reading. But with every deference
to them, and wishing to speak with the utmost good fellowship,
I do not think the tail should wag the dog. The Americans are
a great nation, and are growing with great rapidity, but they are,
after all, only one of many nations, and seeing that the Braille
type has been adopted, I think universally, by the other civilised
nations of the world, it seems to me very important that its main
constituents should remain unchanged. The BraiUe system is used
universally. I do not say I consider it to be perfect. I think
myself — though I speak with deference, as I have only recently
been obliged to learn it — that if an alphabet of the kind were
devised to-day less care would be taken to make it easy to learn
and more to make it easier after the learning. But there, we
have it. All nations have it, and I think we must stick to the
Braille alphabet. As to the system as a whole, I think most
people will agree with me in the idea that there can be no objection
whatever to giving the most careful consideration to what I may
perhaps call Grade III. Grade II. was adopted after much care
and study, but I think that as Grade II. was an improvement
on the old authorised Braille, so it is equally possible to devise
still further improvements. The contractions might be made
more numerous, and I think in many cases more serviceable,
and I am sure that we should all — I do not speak only for British
BraiUe readers, but for the continent of Europe generally — we
should all welcome the opportunity of conferring with the repre-
sentatives of the American Uniform Type Committee upon this
subject. But we ought to approach the matter from the stand-

215

Braille and its Modifications

point of "leave the alphabet alone," not because it is perfect,
but because it is a universally used alphabet. Members of the
Uniform Type Committee are here now at the instance of the
National Institute for the Blind. They had decided to come
rather later, but we cabled to them, and they have responded
by their presence to-day. I very much hope that all who are
interested in Braille will take an opportunity of talking with the
members of the Uniform Tyjie Committee and of going into the
subject as fully as is possible during the time they are in England.
As I said before, we on this side owe a great debt of gratitude to
the Americans for bringing forward the subject. We realise
their difficulties and deplore the state of affairs in the United
States. We should welcome anything that would enable a free
interchange of books produced in America and this country.
I look upon it as a point of the utmost importance that books
should be interchangeable. As Mr. Fowler says, the American
output is much greater than ours, the reason being that in the
past the Americans have had the advantage of greater financial
resources. The resources of those who produce British Braille
in future will be adequate to meet all demands. We shall be
increasing in every direction, in quality, quantity and diversity,
the output of Braille books, magazines and papers in a few
months, and now is the psychological moment to discuss any
pending changes. The saving of cost there is no need to dwell
upon. Plates can be produced in both countries. It will be
perfectly simple to have a committee in America and one in this
country, and the members of these committees would decide
what books should be produced on each side. The plates would be
produced on or.e side and books printed from them. The plates
could then be sent across the Atlantic and the supply of all but
ephemeral literature would be practically doubled. I do hope
that our friends will see their way to stepping down a little bit
from the rather high platform on which they have started and
join with us in a whole-hearted endeavour to make a uniform
type which shall be usable on both sides, but which at the same
time shall not interfere with the free and general use of the
Braille alphabet throughout the civilised world.

Mr. Jacob Koloubovsky (St. Petersburg). — Mr. Koloubovsky
handed a written paper to the Chairman, who said — With refer-
ence to Mr. H. M. Taylor's doubts about Braille as applied to the
Eussian language, Mr. Koloubovsky, delegate from the Imperial
Government at St. Petersburg, wishes to say that the French
alphabet forms the basis of Braille in Russia.

Mrs. George Wilkinson (China). — I thought it would interest
you this morning to know how we can adapt the Chinese language
to Braille. When you think that we have to learn thousands
of characters to read Chinese classics, and over 4,000 to read the
Bible, it seems impossible to teach the blind to read. But with
the Initial and Final System we do that, and in South China we
have three schools using that system, one for boys, one for girls,
one (with a different dialect) where there are about thirty girls
and women. I am glad to say I think this system can be used

216

Discussion

over the whole of China. I was asked by a missionary if I would
adapt it to the Mandarin, and I found it was possible to read it
perfectly well, and she was sure they would be able to use that
system. I have here something that may help you to understand.
In Chinese we have so many initials and so many finals, and with
combinations we can make up 420 different signs. It is so simple
that one boy who had never been to school was able to learn to
read and write 8t. Mark's Gospel in six weeks. The British and
Foreign Bible Society, I am thankful to say, have adopted it,
and now print a book of the Bible each year. My name in
Chinese is " Guang," the initial G, and the final " uang," which
means a ruler. Now in our dialect we have seven distinct tones
and combinations which makes it difficult. A very noted English
Chinese scholar thought the devil had something to do with our
dialect. Mandarin is much more simple. In the Foo Chow
dialect if I want to say " mountain " I say " sang " ; if I want to
say " I am very angry," I say " sang " (in a different tone). In
the Chinese there is a character for every word, the " sang "
meaning " mountain " will have three strokes, and the " sang "
meaning " I am very angry " will have five different strokes, and
you know by the look whether it is " angry," '• mountain," or
" umbrella " ; but in the Romanised we add a tone mark after the
word, and thus know what it means. (The speaker showed a
chart and gave a number of examples.)

I would like to say just one or two more things. You see
(pointing to the chart) we do use the English numerals. I have
started to teach English, have seven boys now learning, and I may
say the Government has given the degree of B.A. to one boy for
his knowledge of English, Braille, and Mandarin. I think if Mr.
Murray were here to-day he would adopt this system, but all
honour to him for the work he has done. I have just heard that
a conference was held in Shanghai, in November last, and the
English and American Bible Societies have decided to emboss the
Scriptures for the whole of the Mandarin speaking parts of China
in the Initial and Final System that was accepted by that confer-
ence.

Mr. 0. H. BuRRiTT (Pennsylvania). — May I remind our friends
on this side of the water of some contributions that we feel we
have made and are making to this question of a uniform type and
a good type for the blind ? I hope you will bear with me for a
moment while I call your attention to some of the work done in
America. I have only time to sketch it briefly. The New York
Point system was worked out theoretically in the New York
City Institution. The work done by Mr. Wait and others prac-
tically enthroned the dot type, and drove out the line type that
was in universal use. The American BraiUe system was worked
out theoretically after much consideration and exjjeriment with
English BraiUe, and was used by some of our American teachers,
who came to England chiefly, if not wholly, to the Royal Nor-
mal CoUege, and then went back to America taking that type
with them, seeing advantages which they believed that New
York Point had not, and a small group beheved it so thoroughly
that they cling to it still. They felt at that time — we have

217

Braille and its Modifications

learnt much since then, and are learning now, I hope — there was
much to be said in favour of the principle of recurrence, i.e.,
representing the letters that occur most frequently by characters
containing the least number of dots. That method seems to have
an advantage. The exiieriments of the Uniform Type Committee
have proved to us that it does not possess the advantage that we
supposed, but that it has some advantages has been proved by
tests in New York Point, American Braille, and Enghsh Braille.
In your own system the tests taken here last year proved that
there is some help to be had from the principle of recunence.
It remains to be determined whether that help would be sufficiently
great to warrant a modification of your alphabet. May I remind
you that in America we have 7,500 pupils enrolled in schools, that
we are dealing with blind readers to the number of 100,000, that
since 1879 the National Government has subsidised the Ameri-
can Printing House for the Blind at Louisville, Kentucky, to
the extent of £2,000 a year for thirty-five years, that the Howe
Memorial Press at Boston has for years spent something like
£1,600 a year, that the school at Philadelphia is spending £700
a year in embossing books, and that one of our States (New York
►State) is now annually appropriating £400 for the production of
books ; that the Ziegler Association is doing a good work at a
cost of £4,000 a year. We are thus expending £10,000 to
£15,000 a year on books for the blind, but we are coming directly
to the point that we want to know what is best. In America,
as in England and Europe, we have done much theorising, but
very little experimentation. We want to know before we go
ahead in what direction we should go, and it is for that reason
we are now raising money and have been expending money
in experimentation, for we want to get at the facts. If those
facts lead us in the direction of the English BraiUe, then we
say " Amen." But we want the facts to lead us there, and
that is what you want. And is not that the only satisfactory
route by which to arrive ? We are not prepared any more
than you are to accept all of your contractions. We are not
satisfied, and you are not. But we do not know, and you do not
know, what the errors really are. Our Uniform Type Committee,
backed by the American Association for the Blind, has been at
work since 1905, when the educators of the blind had become
so exasperated over it that it could not be discussed at a con-
vention. We have asked for criticisms, and have received
them. They have been commendatory in the main. We can-
not find very many vulnerable points in the experiments that
have been conducted. We are coming to you if to you we
must come. We are coming home if we must. But facts, let
us have the facts ! And may I remind you that because a
group of a few men, educators of the blind in America, be-
lieved that English Braille had advantages in it that were not
found in the systems in use in the United States, for that reason
to-day there is a contribution very directly leading to a universal
alphabet which looks hke an English Braille alphabet. If the
small gioup of men and women had not started on this work we
would not be so far forward as we are to-day.

218

Discussion

Mr. H. G. Oke * (Margate). — I am afraid I have not very
much to add to what has ah'eady been said. I feel that as I can
read a good many types I am in a position to say something with
regard to the matter. I have been a reader of American Braille
for about eight years, and I can read it with nearly as much ease
as my own type, though not quite as much. New York Point I
cannot read so well, but I can read all forms of English Braille.
My teeHng is that the systems containing the fewest dots are not
so easy to read, because the dots straggle and you cannot be quite
sure what part of the letter they belong to. I can read it, but it
takes an infinitesimal fraction of time to discover wliat position
the dots are in. Therefore I feel very strongly that whatever
system we have, it should be something where the positions are
very definitely defined. Then, of course, another point I feel
strongly is that we want a system we can all read. Take the
question of music. There is a lot of music published in America
which would be very valuable in England, but some of us cannot
and some will not learn the system. Some have not the time.
Songs, for instance, where the words come in : that is where the
difficulty commences, and makes another argument for an inter-
national system. In fact, I suppose there really are no arguments
against it. The whole trend of the present age seems to be in
favour of internationalism, and that is a point I feel I should
like to emphasise.

Miss Pearl Howard * (American Uniform Type Committee). —
I f,eel that there is very little left for me to say at this time, but I
am indeed proud to have the opportunity to let my voice be
heard at this great Conference if by so doing I may help out the
cause which is closest to my heart. We are seeking for the best
for Uniformity. I do not think we are seeking for the best
because it is the best, or because we want an ideal or a perfect
system, but we of the Uniform Type Committee are trying
earnestly, laying aside all preference and prejudice, to find what
is best for Uniformity, and when we are satisfied in our own
minds what that is, we hope to unite with the world on that basis.

Mr. Percy W. Merrick * (Shepperton). — I have two points
I should like to bring to your notice. First, that a perfectly
uncontracted system, where the alphabet is uniform throughout
the world, is very useful, because everybody can get friends
and relations who can see to learn that system, and can correspond
with them on important matters, such as family affairs, which
they do not want to go through the hands of secretaries. That
is a good reason for a sijnple alphabet, while the blind themselves
have their shorthand and stenography, which has to be adapted
to every language because one system will not fit two languages.
In Esperanto we have no contractions, and we find it easy to get
people in all countries to learn the system and to write books for
us. A gentleman from Finland told me that in their country
they spoke two languages, as there were the Fins and the Swedes,
who are practically cut off from each other, but they have their
Braille, and they can find people who will write their letters and
will also write books for them, because they have no Braille

219

Braille and its Modifications

contractions. Now in Esperanto several Americans have taken
it up simply to correspond with other Americans who did not read
their particular point system. I have known one or two readers
of American Braille who learned Esperanto in preference to New
York Point. Several Americans write to me in Esperanto ; they
say, " I dare not write in English Braille, but I can write in Esper-
anto, and I want news from England." I think I must now
make room for another speaker.

Director J. A. Lundberg * (Stockholm). — I only want to say
a word. In accordance with the kind exhortation of Mr. Taylor
I feel bound here to bear a simple testimony for the blind of
Sweden as to our attitude towards the system of the immortal
Louis Braille. As belonging to a small nation I have no right to
interfere in the modern world of the great Powers (" Yes, yes,"),
the world of England and America, the world for the rest so filled
with noble sentiments — I have no right to impose on this Confer-
ence the opinions of our humble nation. (Applause, and cries of
" Yes.") I have, however, a duty as a blind man indebted to
the Braille system for so miich, to confess my pure, my never-
failing faith in the undivided Uniform Braille. (" Hear, hear.")
It is my duty to remind you of the sentence, often, but never too
often, heard, " Unity (that is, here. Uniformity) gives strength."
(•' Hear, hear.") I think personally that it will take years, cen-
turies, before the system of Louis Braille will be equalled or
surpassed. (" Hear, hear.")

The CiiAiRMAN.^ — I am sure the Conference is very glad that
Herr Lundberg did speak, for we want to have the opinion of the
smaller countries just as much as the larger ones.

Mr. Eandolph Latimer * (Baltimore). — -I do not come to
you from America only but from Maryland. Maryland was the
first British colony which, while you over here were taking off
the head of Charles I. was passing a law granting religious freedom
to every one of its citizens. We are tolerant people in Maryland,
and I take it that you are fully as tolerant as we. It seems to me
that we are approaching one goal from different view points.
You want British Braille as it stands, if possible, to be the Uniform
Type. We, basing our views upon experiments made upon
1,200 readers and upwards, find that we cannot accept, as it is,
any one of the three major systems now in existence as being
capable of becoming the Uniform Type. There are manifest
advantages in British Braille- — that goes without saying. There
are manifest advantages in American Braille- — ^that goes without
saying in Boston and Philadelphia. There are manifest advan-
tages in New York Point — that goes without saying in New York,
North Carolina, Ohio, and Maryland ; in fact, in 60 per cent, of
America. There are twice as many readers of New York Point
in America as of British Braille here. There are more readers
of American Braille in America than there are readers of British
Braille here. But the Uniform Type Committee faces a three-
cornered position. There are three systems, and each claims
superiority. British Braille has a slight advantage in legibility ;
New York Point in economy of space and writeability. How

220

Discussion

far these different points are of practical value is a matter, to
some extent, of opinion, but also of experimentation. I regret
that the major pajjer presented before us to-day, while it was in
many respects an excellent exposition of the question from the
view point of the British Braille alphabet or the Louis Braille
alphabet, gives us no data whatever as to any experiments made.
It makes sweeping assertions as to the inadequacy of any recurrent
basis. The Uniform Type Committee has for a number of years
been making experiments. It has determined that the principle
of reciirrence has value. The experiments which proved American
Braille to be below British Braille in legibility show that the
principle of recurrence did bring the system up high in legibility ;
whereas certain confusions in form^ — ^the introductions, for instance,
of the American Braille " N " which is the British " ing "^ — -confuse
that character with the letter " U " ; the corresponding character
for " P " was confused with " M " ; and many other confusions
resulted. But we want, ladies and gentlemen, to get at uniform-
ity. We want to go along the lines of compromise, not in a spirit
of controversy. We want criticism and careful co-operation in
the study of the question, and it is hoped that the proper authority
in Britain will appoint a committee which will receive the findings
of our committee and pass upon them. Remember that to say
we want miiformity is to say that we want an alphabet that may
vary very slightly from yours, and we hope that some day that
will also be the alphabet in every country as well as of Britain
and America. I thank you for your attention*

Miss E. J. diFFEN (Washington).^ — -I wish merely to state that
the National Library for the Blind, incorporated in 1911, uses only
the English Braille. We have taken this because we expect
to exchange our books. We are an international library, and
have taken English Braille because other countries can then
exchange books with us.

Mr. Herbert Warrilow * (Oxford). — I am sure we all thank
M. Georges Perouze very much for his paper, and I think he has
made two strong points. The first is that we want an alphabet
that shaU be international, and if you have an alphabet based
upon mechanical or experimental statistics, you have an alphabet
which must vary with the languages. And the second point is
that if you have such an alphabet you inevitably invite change,
which is a thing we are seeking to avoid. I must also call atten-
tion to the comparison between the New York Point readers in
America and the British Braille readers in this coimtry. I think
the comparison should be made between the New York Point
readers in America and the Braille readers in Europe. If the
comparison were made in this way there would be a great many
more on this side. I must say also that we are very heartily
indebted to the Uniform Type Committee for their conscientious
work, and we should thank them very much for all they are doing.

Mr. W. M. Stone (Edinburgh).— I merely wish to say, on
behalf of some of the British delegates, that we have heard what
our charming American friends have to say, and we not only
hear what they have to say, but we receive it with the fidlest

221

Braille and its Modifications

sympathy and close no door. We hope when we have accom-
plished what some of us have in our minds, the formation of a
British Association for the Blind, that we may be able to consider
the matter more in detail and hear them further.

Mr. W. M. DixsoN * (Oxford).— I only want to say that I
think, after all, with regard to the war between us and America
—the civil war^ — ^that the matter is bound to be settled by the
best existing system. It will always be settled by the best
existing system, and we are not going to try to devise a perfect
system, because we might be doing nothing else. After all, the
way the question is going to be settled, in my opinion, is by reduced
international postage. I believe that will cause such an influx
of books in the best system that that system will win in the end.
And, of course, when later on we get our Government aid in this
country, and our Government printing-house, perhaps matters
will be very much changed.

* * *

Mr. Stanley Hedger (Sydney). — Before I read my paper
I should just like to say a word. Owing to the number of
speakers I could not get an opportmiity yesterday. The
question was raised as to whether this is or is not an Inter-
national Conference. Well, I ask, if anyone has come as
far as I have to attend it, what is the answer ?

222

THE WORK OF THE SYDNEY

INDUSTRIAL BLIND INSTITUTION

OF NEW SOUTH WALES, 191 3

Read by Mr. STAN. HEDGER,
Manager's Assistant and Librarian.

In every country philanthropy has thrown its sheltering
cloak around those with whom the light has failed. Once it
merely gave them doles. The doles kept them in food and
clothing and shelter, but did nothing to help the idleness of
the sightless. The aimless charity that once helped them
along was as the blind leading the blind — and it led nowhere.
The afflicted rich enjoyed the maximum of bodily comfort,
but in the absence of some concrete and mentally satisfying
and physically useful occupatioa, their increased activity of
mind was a further punishment. The poor who have never
enjoyed the culture which teaches automatic restraint of
passion no longer strained to achieve it, for they knew a
sympathetic world forgave almost any offence of the blind.
To-day there has been evolved, out of the chaos of sentiment
without rule or specific end, an organisation of treatment
with a substantial motive as the present and ultimate goal.
In every civilised community there is at least one institu-
tion guided by capable students of the problem of satis-
factorily handling the blind. They are men who have
mastered its psychological and material perplexities, and
though their methods may differ in detail they have the same
end, viz., to impress the blind with the conviction that they
have a distinct place of utility in the home or industrial hfe.
That feeling begets confidence in its sense of self-reliance,
boldness and courage, and the lamentable and the lament-
ing blind person ceases to creep, frightful and fretful and
clinging, and instead walks with the steadying knowledge that

223

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

he is not without a useful niche in the universe. He has been
fired with a new sense of self-reHance. He is fearless in the
street, often walking briskly and unerringly without a guide ;
within doors he is master of all rooms and corners and when
not industriously employed, reads and writes or plays games
of cards, chess, dominoes, etc. The new teaching which has
given him self-confidence has redeveloped his manhood.

Philanthropy knows perhaps no more pronounced victory
over distress than this, and it is gratifying to find that in
Sydney (Australia) we have an Institution for the Blind which
for comprehensiveness and methods may be ranked among
the most useful institutions in the world. There is also an
institution for the juvenile blind, but its admirable work is of
an elementary nature. Our Industrial Institution is charged
with the handling of all blind persons over sixteen years of
age in the State, and in its thirty-four years of existence it
has grown to be of immense value to the community. What
that means is clear from this simple fact, that the institution
has employment for every blind person, male or female, of
working age, and a home for every friendless female, and also
one for boys over fourteeen years of age in New South Wales.

It is an institution which teaches independence through
industry. Thrift and industry are always admired, even
among those well endowed with this world's goods, but how
much more must we admire the spirit of those who desire
that the sorely handicapped blind shall earn their living, and
shall not depend on charity, which though perh'aps warm to
the giver, is after all cold and dispiriting to the receiver,
tie matter how appreciative he or she may be. The Sydney
Industrial Blind Institution is endeavouring to make the lot
of the thousand odd blind people in the State a hajDpy one by
teaching them trades at which they can earn their living
despite their big handicap, and also to teach them to read
and write by the Braille and Moon types.

In the " Life of Fawcett " (the late Postmaster-General
of England), who was blind, written by Mr. Leshe Stephen,
the following passage occurs : —

" Briefly his (Fawcett's) advice to all his fellow sufferers

224

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

was — ' Always do what you can to act as though you were
not bhnd. Be of good courage and help yourselves ' ; and
his advice to the seeing ones was, ' Do not patronise. Treat
us without reference to our misfortunes, and, above all, help
us to be independent.' "

In those few sentences are embodied the reason for the
existence of the S. I.B.I, of New South Wales.

Number of Blind in the State of New South Wales
Census (1902).

Males.

Females.

Total.

Under 15

15 and under 25

25 and under 40

103

40 and under 50

50 and over .

355

231

586

535

349

884

The above comparison shows an increase of 129 males and
twenty-four females over the census of 1891, and the average
age of the blind is now fifty-four years. The most pleasing
feature of the 1902 census is that infantile blindness is
decreasing in this State. This is no doubt due to the fact
that the progress made during the last quarter century in
medical science and in dealing with diseases of tiie eye has
been enormous. The improvement of late years is very
noticeable, and is certainly in the main attributable to the
greater precaution taken to prevent severe ophthalmia and
to improvements in surgical treatment.

The system of payments in the different grades is very
liberal as follows :—

Immediately a man enters the institution to be taught a
trade, he obtains these benefits, even before he can earn a
penny.

Married Men (Learners) are admitted up to hfty-five years

c.B. 225 Q

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

of age. They are granted a minimum allowance of £l a
week, they can also obtain the Commonwealth Pension of 10s.,
making a total of £l 10s. a week to start learning their trade.
After they have learned their trade, they are paid at union
rates, and, in addition, are also paid a bonus of from 25 per
cent, to as much as 50 per cent, on their weekly earnings, but
(as stated above) they cannot receive less than £l IO5.
weekly.

In addition to his wages the institution pro^^des and pays
for doctor and medicine for himself, wife and family, which
costs the institution £140 a year, and when sick the " Sick
Fund " provides a weekly allowance of 155. without con-
tribution from workers.

A married man in needy circumstances, having children
to keep, is also given up to £5 in case of illness of himself,
wife or family.

After ten years' service, if he becomes incapacitated from
work, he may retire on a pension of from 7*. 6d. to 10*. a
week, in addition to which he is also entitled to claim the
Commonwealth pension of 10s. a week.

The institution also pays for quarterly railway tickets for
workers who reside in the suburbs. Married men also receive
pay and a half for Christmas week as follows : —

£ s. d.
From the institution^ — ^minimum wage

and a half 1 10 0

Parcel of groceries . . . . 10 0

Commonwealth Government pension . 10 0

£2 10 0
All blind workers are paid for holidays (about eighteen

yearly), and free railway passes are obtained at Christmas

for them to visit their friends and relatives anywhere in New

South Wales.

All workers are insured by the committee against accident

under the Workmen's Comj^ensation Act.

Single men, from sixteen years of age, on being admitted

to learn a trade are paid as follows : —

226

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

1st and 2nd year 16 0 a week and clothes (if

destitute of means).

3rd ,
4th ,
5th ,.

Also the Commonwealth i^ension to make their allowance up
to £l a week during the first four years. Learners other
than basket-makers, who show good progress at their work,
may be advanced one or more years, so that it is possible for
a worker to receive the maximum amount after one
year.

After becoming journeymen they are paid union rates and,
in addition, arc paid bonuses of from 10 per cent, and
upwards to as much as 100 per cent, of their weekly
earnings.

Annual holidays (about eighteen) are paid for, and free
railway passes are obtained to enable them to visit their
friends and relatives in New South Wales.

They also receive pay and a half for Christmas week.
After ten years' service, if he becomes incapacitated, a worker
may be retired on a pension of from 7s. 6d. to lO.s. a week,
in addition to which he is also entitled to receive the
Commonwealth pension of 10*. a week.

All workers are insured by the committee under the Work-
men's Compensation Act.

All men are taught pianoforte playing and singing.

Women and girls are admitted from sixteen years, and are
paid 12,s. Qd. a week during the first year, in addition to
which they may receive the Commonwealth pension of
7*. Qd., making a weekly allowance of £l to start learning
their trade.

They also receive free tuition in pianoforte playing and
singing, also lessons in dancing.

They also receive the other benefits enjoyed by the men as
enumerated above.

Working Hours. — Men : 44 hours in winter, 48 hours in
summer. Women : 41 hours all the year round.

227 Q 2

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

Where the Money comes from.

The institution derives its income from the following
sources : — Income from invested legacies, jDublic subscrip-
tions, Government subsidy, sale of manufactures.

The number of blind people now employed by the institu-
tion is 117 (males and females). They are classified as
under : —

1. Those residing in their own homes and coming to the
institution daily.

2. Those who are assisted by giving them work to do in
their own homes.

3. Women in residence.

4. Boys in residence.

The women and boys in residence do not receive any
wages, but are allowed pocket money and provided with
clothing.

The total number of blind now administered to by the
institute and receiving benefits from it is 388, comprising 117
institution workers, eighteen working in their own homes,
253 readers connected with the library exclusive of those
among the workers, while it is probable that the officials of
the institution are in touch with fully 150 more living in
various parts of the State.

The committee arc always desirous that the benefits con-
ferred by this institution should reach as many adult blind
persons as possible. It must be remembered that quite
two-thirds of those who become blind after birth do so as
adults, the average age of blindness in the State being fifty-
four years. All these have learned some trade or calling
before becoming blind, and must be trained for some other
sphere of labour which can be prosecuted without the use
of the eyes.

The committee of the institution have devoted much
earnest and helpful consideration to those unfortunate men
and women, and they have shown by this distinct service
what it is possible to achieve in the way of teaching the blind
to work with their own hands. The work which they have
been taught to do has let light and happiness into their lives,

228

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

where formerly they had lived a life of dark monotony of
helpless and aimless existence.

The system of payments and bonuses together with the
other benefits are regarded as being the most liberal in the
world. For instance, I quote a few examples of the highest
and lowest wages, showing system of paying wages to piece
workers and allowances to supplement their earnings taken
from pay sheets, 1911 — 12.

No.

Earned at
Union Rates.

Allowances

granted to

Supplement.

Total
One week.

£ s. d.

2 0 0

0 10 0

2 10 0

1 18 9

0 9 8

2 8 5

1 17 0

0 9 3

2 6 3

16 9

0 9 0

1 15 9

19 5

0 10 0

1 19 5

16 2

0 7 2

1 13 4

0 19 9

0 7 2

1 6 11

Age G5,
minimum 20.5.

0 5 8

0 14 4

10 0

Age 68,
minimum 205.

0 16 7

0 6 0

12 7

1 10 2

0 12 7

2 2 9

I know the argument is used that if this system were
adopted it would tend to encourage the fast worker to come
back to the level of the slow worker, and this may be true to
some extent, but I believe I am right in saying that while
there will always be some malingerers the vast majority of
the blind pride themselves on earning as much as possible.

In regard to the incompetent or slow workers, viz., those
who cannot, even with a liberal bonus, earn anything like a
living wage, our idea is not to judge any worker as being
incompetent so long as he can turn out saleable work. No
matter how small his earnings may be, he is granted enough
to live on.

229

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

Incompetency in my opinion should not be judged accord-
ing to the earning power of the worker, so long as that worker
is honest in his endeavours to try and earn a livelihood. I
consider that he is entitled to every consideration, and indeed
much more than the more fortunate individual who is blessed
with stronger power and greater dexterity in manipulating
his work.

The liberal treatment of the workers makes the cost of
production much greater than that of commodities turned
out by labour-saving machinery, but the donations of the
public and the subsidy of the State are devoted to reconciling
the disproportion in the earning power of the workers, so
that on the basis of union rates of pay, with very liberal
bonuses to supplement their earnings, they make a living
wage, and yet the goods may compete in the open market.

One thing is clear, however, were it not for this bonus
system, many old and slow workers would either have to
remain a burden on their friends, or become inmates of a
Government asylum, and there would be no need to call on
the public benevolence, but, as the system is worked, the
happiness of the afflicted is measured by the support of the
eommunit3%

Manufacturing Department.

The trades taught to the blind are mat-making and
matting, weaving, basket-making and wicker furniture, ,
brush and broom-making, bedding and halters, chair-
caning, netting, and also Braille writing and typewriting.

The gross sales for 1913 amounted to £12,504 5s. 4d.,
which is £745 2*. lid. more than the sales for the previous
year.

The total for this year, however, would have been con-
siderably larger had the institution been able to undertake
all the orders sent in, but the output of manufactured
articles was not nearly equal to the demand.

While this fact may be taken as evidence of the stability
of the manvifactures turned out by the institution, and,
better still, that all the blind who want work to do can have

230

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

it to do, nevertheless, notwithstanding the many privileges
and advantages offered by the institution, it is sad to know
that there are many of the blind in various parts of the State
living in idleness, a burden to their friends as well as to
themselves and the public in general.

When it is considered that, in starting to learn a trade,
no boy or girl from the age of sixteen years need receive
less than £l per week (inclusive of the Commonwealth
pension), with medical attendance and sick pay (without
payment of fees), music tuition, reading and writing, and
numerous other benefits which go to make this institution
undoubtedly one of the most liberal in the world, it is hard
to believe that there would be a single youth in the com-
munity without occupation. Several of the best workers
have spent over twenty-five years in the institution, and,
with the improving conditions, there is no reason why others
cannot do the same.

In scope of employment for the blind, it would be one of
the largest institutions in the world, in point of numbers, if
there were more blind people requiring employment, which
fortunately there are not.

Wages.

Last year the actual earnings of the workers at Wages
Board rates amounted to £3,501 135, 5d., and £1,G5S 7^. 8d.
was granted to supplement the above amount, making in all
£5,170 Is. Id. To this sum must be added £467 18s. lOd.
paid to music teachers, transcribers and home teachers,
making a grand total for the year of £5,637 19,9. lid.

The value of the institution, however, cannot be gauged by
the mere monetary return to the workers. Important as
that is, when an adult finds himself blind, everything looks
literally black to him. If his mind could not be occu]>ied
he would sink into despair. Here the institution steps in
and provides occupation for mind and body, and the know-
ledge that he can still help himself, by honest work, and
have a useful place in the world, takes the sting out of his
affliction. Once they are taught to realise that they can still

231

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

produce and still earn a livelihood without being a burden on
others, peace of mind is restored, and their thoughts are led
into brighter avenues. Their mind is taken away from think-
ing of their misfortunes. Their hands are kept busy. In my
experience of the blind, their loss of sight does not distress
them much. They can scarcely spare a thought to the cir-
cumstance. What they always dread is the helplessness
which arises out of their affliction. They do not desire
sympathy in their blindness, which is alwaj's distasteful to
them, but sympathy with them in their efforts to make a
livelihood is always acceptable.

Philanthropic.

Apart from the industrial training of the blind, the
charitable work carried on by the institution is growing
very considerably, and covers almost every phase of work
attempted for the blind, viz. : —

1. Home teaching in reading and industries. (Teachers
are sent all over the State free of charge.)

2. Lending and reference library of over 5,500 volumes in
Braille and Moon tyjses.

3. Home for blind women.

4. Home for blind boys.

5. Tea agency for the blind.

6. Assisting the outdoor blind and destitute workers with
clothes, grants of material and monetary assistance, in cases
of distress.

7. Providing picnic, concert, and theatre parties.

8. Pianoforte tuition.

9. Singing tuition.

10. Blind men's social and debating club.

11. Dancing class for women.

12. Holiday rest home for the blind.

13. Pensions for incapacitated workers of from Is. 6cl. to
105. after ten years' service.

The cost of administering the above dejiartments for the
year amounted to £3,737.

These figures will emphasise the fact that the institution

232

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

is not confined merely to teaching the bhnd how to work,
but it is also engaged in a great and meritorious work other
than industrial training.

Home Teaching.

This beneficent work of home teaching began in 1882,
and has steadily grown in size and importance. New cases
of importance are constantly being brought under the notice
of the committee. The teacher is despatched without delay
to report on each case as to the best means of affording help.
The "importance of this work is never lost sight of. A
vigorous canvass is maintained with the object of discovering
the whereabouts of blind people who, through various causes,
have not availed themselves of the benefits they can derive
through the institution.

Magistrates, postal officials, i^olice, and clergymen of every
denomination have been pressed into service by the home
teacher. When a fresh case is discovered, the teacher puts
the advantages and benefits of the institution before the
blind person, who is given the opportunity of learning to read
and write the Braille and Moon types, and also mat-making,
halter-making, bedding, chair-caning, netting, and also how
to play dominoes, cards, chess, draughts, etc.

The reluctance of many afflicted ones to leave their own
homes for the purpose of reaping the benefits of such institu-
tions is met by this benevolent scheme. One might reason-
ably suppose that people so afflicted would rejoice to know
of an Alma Mater provided for their needs, and would lose
no time in getting there. But the blind are no different from
other people; there are the indolent, apathetic blind who
prefer to accept the dole of charity to the earnings of indus-
try, but this class are hap^iily in the minority in New South
Wales.

No spot in its remote territory is too remote for the ener-
getic teacher who, accompanied by a guide, seeks, as the
Scrif)ture has it, " For the stray sheep of his flock," taking
the gifts of the institution, free knowledge and tuition, light
for the imprisoned mind, work for willing hands fettered by

233

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

darkness, and also monetary assistance. Often he must
cover rough bush tracks and perilous crossings by creek and
river on these errands of mercy, but no obstacle deters him
from the philanthropic duty placed in his hands.

The tediousness of these journeys can be well understood
when it is stated that to visit one of his pupils the teacher
had to travel by train and coach a distance of 1,200 miles,
and in the early part of the present year the committee beat
all records for distance by sending a teacher nearly 3,000
miles, the teacher leaving Sydney by train on Monday at
8 p.m., and arriving at his destination on Thursday morning,
having spent three nights in succession sitting up in the
train, and certainly a more irksome or tiresome journey could
not be undertaken. I question if this record for a journey
to teach the blind in their own homes will ever be beaten.

As an illustration of what it is possible for a blind man or
woman to accomplish under great difficulties, it may be
mentioned that the average age of seven of the new cases
taught last year was sixty-nine^ — the oldest being seventy-six
■ — a remarkable case being that of a lady who is deaf, dumb
and blind, who was taught to read the Moon type and has
been suj^plied with books ever since. Another wonderful
case is that of an old lady over ninety years of age who took
lessons in the Moon type, and she is making good progress.

We have to remember that a man or woman suddenly
stricken with blindness becomes as a child again and requires
to be taught to read again before being able to make use of
the books in the Braille and Moon types. Moreover, when
it is considered that the average age of the blind in New
South Wales is fifty-four, one can realise what difficulties the
teachers have to contend with and how much praise is due
to them for the success they have achieved in dealing with
so many aged pupils.

Another feature of the home teaching work is that the
Saxon system has been introduced, and the blind who have
been taught a trade are supplied with such materials as they
require to work up in their own homes, and in some cases
selling the articles they make. The value of the material

234

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

granted varies according to the circumstances of each case,
the amounts varying from £5 to £10 per annum. There are
many of these people who, through illness or old age, can do
little to support themselves, but their lives can be made
more bearable through learning to read and write and to do
some useful work, which at least can give them the blessing
of occupation, and prevent them brooding over their mis-
fortunes.

Many of the blind in the country have lived idle, cheerless
lives, but as soon as it is proved by j^laiting a halter, making
a mat or caning a chair that they can again do some work,
they cease to be a drag upon those who have to support them
in enforced idleness.

Free Circulating and Reference Library for the Blind in
Braille and Moon Types.

This valuable branch of the institution's work has proved
a great blessing to many who have been taught to read and
write. The number of volumes will very shortly reach 6,000,
and it is believed that the library now ranks among the most
up-to-date in the British Empire. The number of readers
now suj^i^lied with books is 253, residing in all parts of the
State. During the past year over 500 volumes were added.

The library is open every day from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., and
any blind person is made welcome, and can receive lessons in
reading and writing or in any of the home teaching branches
free of charge. The demand for embossed books is ever
increasing, nearly 5,000 books being lent last year, many of
them being sent to far distant parts of the State, as well as to
New Zealand and Fiji, and several blind people travelling
from Australia to England have been lent books to read on
the voyage.

Nearly every available magazine for the blind published
in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth is received
regularly by mail, viz. : Progress, Braille Literary Journal,
Hora Jocunda, Santa Lucia, Hamstead, Braille Musical
Magazine, Channels of Blessing, Comrades, London Daily
Mail, Moon's Monthly Magazine, Morning (S.A.), Odds

235

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

a7icl Ends (Vic), Boomerang (N.S.W.), Blind Teachings and
Spineless Cactus (U.S.A.), Weekly Summary, etc.

The committee spare no effort or expense in keeping the
hbrary thoronghly up-to-date. Large quantities of Braille
and other writing frames, paper, and every kind of apparatus
are imported and sold to the blind at London cost price (the
committee defraj'ing expense incurred by freight, etc.).

Four paid blind transcribers are kept constantly employed,
while the committee receive valuable assistance from several
ladies and gentlemen (blind and sighted) as hon. transcribers.

Holiday Rest Home for the Blind.

This home is intended to provide residence to blind per-
sons, whether workers in the Industrial Institution or not,
who may be recovering from illness or surgical treatment,
or who may require change and rest and are otherwise unable
to obtain it.

The cottage is situated in the Blue Mountains, which are
famous throughout Australia as a health resort, and it is
within easy reach of Sydney, taking one hour and twenty
minutes to reach it by train.

Applicants must produce a doctor's certificate, supplied
free, certifying that they need a change and rest, and that
they are free of infectious disease. Everj^thing is done to
make them comfortable during their stay in the home — a
matron is placed in charge, a piano is provided, also games of
various kinds, and books, etc.

There are no charges of any kind in connection with the
home ; railway fares are paid, and in some cases the wives
of married men are allowed to accomi^anj^ their husbands,
so that their stay is made more pleasant than it otherwise
would be.

It has been decided to extend the privileges in connection
with the holiday home, and arrangements are now being made
to secure accommodation for cases at the seaside, on the
mountains and inland, so that applicants requiring a change
can have their choice of all the well-known health resorts.

236

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

Sick Fund and Medical Benefits.

Immediately a worker joins the institution, a medical
officer in his district is appointed to examine the applicant
for medical benefits. Thus every worker is provided with a
doctor and chemist free of charge, and the wives and families
of married Avorkers are also granted this concession.

The cost of these benefits last year was £208 II5. Id., and
£30 was paid to insure all workers under the Workmen's
Compensation Act. Formerly it was the rule for the blind
workers to contribute Is. per month, but, owing to the
favourable j^osition of this fund, the committee decided to
forego the members' contributions to it, so that sick pay and
medical benefits are noAV jDrovided free to all workers.

In addition to the paid medical officers, hon. specialists are
appointed to deal with special cases, viz. : hon. medical
officers, hon. oculist, hon. neurologist, so that nothing con-
ducive to the health of workers is left undone.

Homes for Males and Females.

These homes are available for every blind person through-
out the State and are conducted as boarding houses, free to
those whose parents, many of Avhom live 300 miles from
Sydney, are desirous of sending them away from home
to be taught to work.

There are at present twelve males and nine females in
residence. They are provided with clothes, and allowed
10 per cent, on their earnings for pocket money. Matrons
are placed in charge of the homes, and are unremitting in
their efforts to look after the welfare of those placed in their
charge.

If no such provision existed to meet such cases, many of
the younger blind would never be allowed to leave their far-
away homes, and consequently would grow up and never
know the value of work.

Pensions for Incapacitated Workers.

These pensions are instituted by the committee to provide
for those of the workers who, after ten years' service, may,

237

exceeding 7

6 a week

0 „

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

through physical disabilities or old age, have to give up work
and retire from the institution. This pension has already
proved a great blessing to those who have had to retire, and
with the Commonwealth pension of 10^., has enabled the
recipients to live in comparative, comfort, instead of in
hovels or for ever in Government asjdums.

The following regulations govern the payment of pensions
to those who have served not less than ten years' service in
the institution with good conduct : —

For 10 years' service .

,, 10 to 13 years' service

„ 13 to 16

,, 16 years and uj) wards
I am pleased, however, to record the fact that the first
worker who was offered the retiring pension respectfully
declined to accept it, stating that he preferred to continue
work as long as possible.

Pianoforte Tuition and Singing Club for the Blind.

Every adult blind j^erson may take lessons in music and
singing, whether they are connected with the institution or
not. They are instructed by blind teachers and, although
very few can expect to become expert players at the age they
start, nevertheless it can reasonably be expected that some
of them with patience and experience may play well enough
for pastime and recreation purjwses.

In addition to teaching music, the male teacher conducts
a singing class, and, considering the material he has at his
command, very excellent results have been achieved. Girls
are also taught to read and write, music, hand-knitting (the
latter being a useful occupation as an earning power as well
as for pastime).

Recreation and Amusement.

The work of both sexes is well catered for in the way of
recreation and amusements after working hours. Tickets
are obtained for admission to all the leading concerts,

238

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

theatres, organ recitals, symphony and orchestral concerts,
elocutionary recitals, etc., and thus the blind are afforded
the opportunity of hearing every leading artist in the world
who has visited Australia, notably Madame Melba, Madame
Clara Butt, Madame Kirkby Lunn, Madame Ada Crossley,
John McCormack, Bishpham, Mons. Kubelik, Sousa's Band,
The Kilties Band, Hollins, and many others. Concerts are
also given in the hall of the institution every month, which
are devoted to the blind and their families, and several motor
launch outings are given on Saturday afternoons.

Picnic and athletic sjDorts are held regularly every year.
The sports consist of running races, walking matches, high
jumps, long jumps, potato races, throwing the cricket ball,
cutting off the Turk's head, and occasionally swimming and
rowing races. The picnic and sports are eagerly looked
forward to by the blind and their friends. Last year's event
was quite the largest function of the kind ever held in
Australia. Just on 400 sat down to lunch and tea, which
are provided by the connnittee, the outing costing nearly
£80, exclusive of the wages paid for the day. About £15 is
provided by the committee and friends for prizes, and, in
addition, the patron of the institution. Sir Robert L. Lucas-
Tooth, presents a valuable cup for the champion of the insti-
tution, which has been responsible for increased interest in
this function, and causes very keen competition in the various
events.

Mr. Hcdger, the Manager, has invented the first circular
running track for the blind, which enables them to race over
long distances, and we shall be pleased to send a full
description of the same to anyone. Mr. Hedger also
invented the straight running track.

Then we have initiated the Blind Men's Social and Debating
Club. The object of the club is to furnish enjoyment and
intellectual acti^'ity to its members. It gives the blind men
the stimulus of meeting other men on an equal basis, and
enables them to spend a pleasant evening together. Interest-
ing papers are read on various topics, mock banquets,
domino and card tournaments are held every quarter, and

239

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

musical evenings to which their sighted friends are invited.
The club, which is open to any respectable blind man in New
South Wales, meets in the library of the institution, and,
when business is over, light refreshments are provided by the
committee.

Dancing Class for Women.

During the winter months, a dancing class for women is
held in the hall of the institution under expert supervision.
Each blind person attending the class is allowed to have a
sighted female friend to act as a partner, and who also
receives tuition free of charge. Dancing is a favourite
pastime for the women, and the season is wound up by holding
a social to which they invite their sighted friends of both
sexes. The latter return the compliment by giving a return
dance to the women, who are always sorry when the season
draws to an end.

Even the lunch hour is taken up every day by prominent
gentlemen who attend regularly to read the newspaper to
those who care to listen to them ; a garden roof of 80 by 40 feet
is utilised for this purpose. For those not caring to listen, a
paddock adjoining the institution is used to lounge in during
the lunch hour ; swings, trapezes, etc., and smoking shed
are provided for those who like them. In fact, nothing is left
undone by the committee and officials in trying to make the
lives of those we administer to as bright and happy as it is
possible to make them with the limitations of blindness.

It is evident that the conditions are made very much
easier for the blind in Australia than those obtaining in the
Old World, and our sympathy is always with the manage-
ment of English and other institutions in their earnest and
constant endeavours to jorovide more work for the blind.
We feel sad to know that the institutions in the homeland
lack the support that is so urgently needed to enable them
to teach and to give employment to all those of the blind who
are capable and willing to do it. At the same time I believe
that if the matter is brought more forcibly under the notice
of a generous English public whose hearts have so often

240

Sydney industrial Blind Institution

responded in the cause of charity, that the great and crying
needs of this afflicted class will receive better recognition
than heretofore.

Summarising the whole of Australia's efforts in ameliora-
ting the lot of the blind, I believe the recognition of the States
in subsidising such institutions has proved very helpful, and,
with such aid and with private assistance, it has made pos-
sible the achievement of results that otherwise would have
been impossible to reach, and thus we have been able in a
great measure to bring sunshine into the hearts of those who
are compelled to dwell in the mundane kingdom of darkness.

When Helen Keller appealed to the people of America to
provide work for the blind she did so in the following words: —

" I ask that those who have plenty invest a little of
their abundance in the practical work of the sightless. I
appeal not for charity for the afflicted, but for opportunity
to those who are able, willing and want work. I hear the
cry of the blind — Give us opportunity to get work."

Fortunately there is no need for such an appeal in Nevr
South Wales, where we have solved the problem of employ-
ment for the blind, who are not only taught and provided
with work, but are actually paid while learning to do it. It
is fortunate for the institution that it has such a splendid
committee of management, comprising as it does some of the
most influential and best-known members of the community ;
much of the success it has achieved is undoubtedly due to their
influence and the keen interest they have taken in the insti-
tution, giving as they do their valuable advice, time and
money most generously in the interests and welfare of the
blind of the State.

Indeed, New Soilth Wales can boast of an institution that
is in many respects second to none, offering advantages —
nay, carrying those advantages — -to the doors of afflicted
humanity.

Note. — On Thursday last Sir Robert Ellis Cimliffe, in his outline of
proposed Legislation said that as far as he knew no Government had yet
come forward to the extent required to help the Blind, and he hoped the
credit of doing so would fall to the British nation. Although I A^as the

C.B. 241 R

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

first delegate to pass my card to the Chairman in order to defend my
Government I was overlooked, and had no chance to speak. In justice
to my generous Government I now want to say that they have come
forward by subsidising the Public's generosity pound for pound, as well
as interest on invested legacies until they cap'.talise, and the Common-
wealth Government give a pension of 10s. Meekly to every incapacitated
blind person over 16 years of age in the Commonwealth. Sir Robert and
all here will therefore agree, that these facta in conjunction M'ith my paper
prove that Australia has solved the problem for its bUnd community, and
the credit does, after all, fall to us all — for is not Australia bound to the
d<^ar old Mother Land by tiee of love stronger than death ?

242

Discussion

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Isaac Dickson (Queensland).— You have heard the repre-
sentative from South Australia, and now I would like you to hear
something from the youngest state of Australia. My disposition
is different from that of most of the representatives who have
addressed you. No paper has been prepared by me, but I have
dotted down a few particulars which may be of interest to you,
and I hope they may be of some benefit, although you will find
that our work is carried on on very much the same lines as the
work in South Australia. It is a great pleasure and privilege to
be here and to come across so many blind people who have gained
so much distinction. It is a great inspiration to all who help in
the work.

The Queensland Institution for the Blind was established in
1884. The first president was Bishop Hale, of the Episcopal
Church. The work was commenced in a very small way in a
wooden cottage in Brisbane, about half a dozen men being gathered
in by J. W. Tighe, a blind man himself. The work was carried
on here for about two years ; meantime, funds were being gathered
together for the erection of a more suitable workshop. The
Government of that day gave to the committee an area of ten
acres of land in the suburbs of the city, and a building (of wood)
was erected thereon in 1886.

In that year the total income was £52 3s. 6d. In 1913 the
total income from all sources amounted to £18,996.

Up till 1892 nothing was done in Queensland for the children,
but some of the blind children in the State were sent to the
neighbouring colony of New South Wales, to the Blind School
there.

In 1892, on June 25th, the foundation-stone of a brick building
was laid by that fine old gentleman, Sir Henry Wyllie Norman,
then Governor. The building cost over £2,000, and had accom-
modation for twenty children. A start was made with sixteen
children. One hundred and eighteen blind children have passed
through the school, some of whom are in business and doing well,
but the greater number are in the workshops connected with the
Institution. At present there are thirty blind children in the
school. It may be interesting to point out that the Queensland
institution differs from most other institutions in that it provides
schooling for the blind, and also for the deaf and dumb, as well as
the workshops, all being under the same control. In a coimtry
like ours with a small population the grouping of all the afflicted
in this way has many advantages — it saves overlapping and the
confusion and annoyance that is often caused when collectors
go round and find that the money intended for them has been
given to someone else. It also saves the public some trouble.

The association of the deaf and dumb with the blind, I think,
is helpful to both.

Special attention is given in the school to physical exercise,
regular lessons in deep breathing and gymnastic drill being given
daily in the regular school hours. Swimming is also one of the
favourite amusements of both boys and girls. The girls are

243 r2

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

tauglit to cook, and all who show any aptitude for music have the
chance of learning. Teachers with special qualifications for the
work have been selected from British schools.

Every year pupils are entered for the Trinity College musical
examinations, and are generally successful in obtaining passes,
sometimes honours.

The school work is modelled to some extent on the lines of our
State schools, the same books being used and the same standard
of work maintained. Excellent reports are received from year to
year by the committee from the State school inspector as to the
work being done.

Buildings. — Up to now the total expenditure on buildings has
been something like £20,000, and during the last three years
about £12,000 of this sum has been spent. The dormitory
accommodation is the best that can be devised for the special
requirements of the country, and at all times are cool and com-
fortable. Eighty pupils can be boarded.

There is a separate and distinct school for the deaf.

An emergency hospital is provided on the grounds ; and a
swimming pool has just been added.

No water-closet system exists in Brisbane, but the institution
has built a septic tank, and has an up-to-date lavatory system.

The workshops are spacious and well ventilated, and there is
room for more than one hundred workers — about ninety are at
present employed, principally at basket-making, brush-making,
and millet broom-making. When more buildings are required
they will be forthcoming.

A suction gas plant has been installed recently, with dynamo
for creating power to drive necessary machines used in the work
and for lighting the premises.

System of Payment. — Workers are admitted on probation for
one month : if they show any desire to work they are retained,
and receive 1 5s. per week from the committee ; this is supple-
mented by another 5s. from the Invalid Pension.

The Commonwealth Government insists, however, that all
able-bodied men and women endeavour to assist themselves by
working in some institution. Those who may not be able to
gain admission to an institution receive the full amount of 10s.
per week from the Government. The institution authorities
are requested by the pension officer to report on every application
they receive from blind persons for the invalid pension. If an
institution reports that they can give the applicant work at 15s.
per week, the Government will then only grant the applicant a
pension of 5s. If an applicant for admission to the institution
is refused, the reason must be assigned for such refusal.

In Queensland the blind are in this happy position, that no
single man or woman need be in receipt of less than £1 per week,
and married men can be in receipt of £1 10s. per week, as the
minimiim wage from the institution is £1 and the Government
give the 10s. to the man's wife.

The institute cannot get enough sightless workers to carry out
the work they have on hand.

Piecework. — As many men and women as is possible are employed

244

Discussion

at piecework, the full union rate of wages being paid, and an
addition of one-tliird to all earnings.

Two weeks holiday each year is granted at Christmas to all the
workers on full pay. The amount of wages paid to the blind
workers in 1913 was £4,169.

The workers have their own sick fund which they manage
themselves, paying into it Is. per month. The institution pays
them 10s. per week while sick, and their own fund another 10s.
They see thai no malingering is carried on. Often have they
refused to pay one of their number when the sick fund money
from the institution has been paid.

Home Teaching. — A blind man has been appointed home
teacher and librarian ; his work lies in the homes of the aged and
infirm blind ; he carries a message of hope to those who sit in
darkness and solitude. Moon books are mostly sought after by
the old people, and many a life has been brightened and many
a weary, sleepless night shortened by the j^erusal of one of these
books lying on the bed with the sufferer. Light work is taught,
such as chair-caning, netting and plaiting.

There are about 1,000 volumes in the library ; these have been
mostly selected by the readers.

A Braille Writers' Association have a library of about 800
volumes, which are at the disposal of workers and children, and
are largely used.

Endowment. — The Government endows the subscriptions
received by giving pound for pound. Up to last year the endow-
ment was £1 10s. for every pound. It will thus be seen that the
institution has a splendid incentive to increase its subscription
list, and it was largely through this means that so much has been
done in late years in erecting so many buildings.

South Australian Eoyal Institution for the Blind. — The institu-
tion was established in 1884. There are about eighty workers
employed in the workshops. One hundred and fifty-nine blind
persons in the State are being visited by a home teacher, where
instruction is given, and all who desire it are taught to read and
write. A large proportion of these have learnt Braille.

The library contains 2,123 volumes and 1,515 periodicals. In
connection with the institution there is a publishing department.
A monthly magazine. Morning, edited by the manager, Mr. A. W.
Hendry, is read with much acceptance by the blind in all the
States.

Need for more suitable premises is badly felt, and an effort is
being made to raise £4,000 from the public ; this with a similar
sum promised by the Government will enable them to erect
suitable buildings to carry on the work with more comfort.

The sales for the year 1912-13 amounted to £11,383, and the
amount paid in wages to afflicted workers was £4,150 ; 41,985
brooms and brushes, 5,148 baskets, 4,085 articles of furniture,
1,377 door-mats, and 1,249 yards of matting and various other
work was made during the year. Ready sale is found for the
output of the institution. The number of orders dealt with for
the year was 5,844.

In Australia the blind community are in a happy position

245

Nominations for the Conference Committee

compared to other parts of tlie world, inasmucli as the Commou-
wealtli Invalid Pension Act applies to all bond-fide blind persons
sixteen years of age and over. For instance, a blind girl may be
employed at an institution and receive 10s. per week ; she is
also entitled to another 10s. per week as an invalid pension.

Men receiving 15s. per week from an institution will receive 5s.,
making their income up to £1 per week.

Married men may receive £1 per week from an institution and
still get the 10s. invalid pension ; so really no blind man or
woman (single) need be in receipt of less than £1 per week provided
they are willing to so some work.

It may be interesting to note the rapid progress made by the
institution during the past ten years ; in 1904 the sales realised
£4,700, while in 1914 the sales totalled over £11,000. The increase
of workers was from fifty-two to seventy-foiir, and the increase
of money paid to the blind during this period from £2,356 to £4,150
per annum.

Now, Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, I am sorry that this
paper has been so hurriedly got up, becausg really I dotted it down
this morning, but I hope some of the particulars will be of benefit
to workers here. There is no doubt in my mind that AustraUa,
so far as the afflicted are concerned, is far ahead of other countries.
Of course, it is an easier problem in our country because it is a
new country and we have started right. You perhaps have
started wrong.

In accordance with the request of blind members the Hon.
Secretary here read the Hst of nominations for the Conference
Committee, as follows : —

Blind Representatives.

Bolam, Rev. C. E. Piatt, Mr. H. E.

Carr, Mr. Alfred Preeee, Mr. H. C.

Dixson, Mr. W. H. Purse, Mr. Ben

Hawarth, Mr. J. L. Royston, Mr. H. S.

Mines, Mr. J. H. Siddall, Mr. A.

Passmore, Mr. L. M. Warrilow, Mr. H. C.
Pearson, Mr. C. Arthur

Sighted Representatives.

Abseil, Mr. A. Evans, Mr. P. M.

Austin, Miss E. W. Caraway, Miss M. M. R.

Brown, Mr. G. C. Hill, Rev. St. Clare

Campbell, Mr. Guy Johnson, Mr. Stuart

Ellis, Miss Jolly, Col. T. R.

Epps, Mr. ■ Martin, Mr. T. H.

246

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

Sighted Repre sek t ati ve s — -co?} tin ued.

Norwood, Mr. A. B. Stevens, Mr. S. E.

Petty, Miss R. Stone, Mr. W. M.

Pine, Mr. H. W. P. Taylor, Miss Beatrice

Priestley, Mr. Miles Tennant, Mr. John

Ritchie, Mr. J. M. Thurman, Mr. W. H.
Rosedale, Rev. Dr. H. G. Wilson, Mr. H. J.

Smith, Mr. Lister S. Woollatt, Mr. F. A.
Stainsby, Mr. H.

Mr. H. J. Wilson (taking the chair).— The Chairman
Lord Kinnaird, has been obliged to leave, and as he passed
he begged me to say how much he has enjoyed the meeting,
but that he did not Avant a vote of thanks. It is just like
Lord Kinnaird — he is so kind-hearted : all the same I am
sure we very much appreciate his services in the chair.
If you only knew as I do the amount of philanthropic work
he does^ — -I have worked with him for over thirty years — •
you would realise what an excellent man he is in every
particular, and how devoted he is in the cause of the blind.

I will call on Miss Moon to continue the discussion.

DISCUSSION— (coNimHefZ).

Miss Moon (Brighton). — Before this subject is concluded I
wish to state a few important facts in connection with home
teaching in Australasia showing its beginning and progress ; I can
vouch for their accuracy, and it is well they should be known and
remembered by all interested in the welfare of the blind.

In 1874 Mr. T. James commenced the home teaching for the
blind at Ballarat, Victoria.

In 1877 Mr. H. S. Prescott, after several interviews with Mr.
James, proceeded to Syduey, New South Wales, where he com-
menced the work of home teaching, the Moon Type being used.
One result was the estabUshment of an Industrial Institution
for Blind Women, afterwards affiliated to the Sydney Industrial
Blind Institution in that city, where the home teaching is now
efficiently carried on. Mr. Hedger is the superintendent. His
son we have with us.

In 1883 Mr. Prescott taught, equipped, and sent to Brisbane,
Queensland, a Mr. Tighe, who commenced home teaching, which
resulted in a few years in the establishment of the Educa-
tional and Industrial Institution of Queensland, whose super-
intendent, Mr. Dickson, is also now with us. Prior to this the
blind of Queensland were totally uncared for.

247

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

In 1887 Mr. Prescott equipped and sent to Hobart, Tasmania,
a Mr. Mercer, who commenced lionie teaching, which he established,
the Moon Type being used. Subsequently he resigned his work
in Tasmania, which was then taken up by Mr. Scowne, of South
Australia, the result being the present Educational and Industi'ial
Institution of Tasmania. Prior to this the blind of Tasmania were
■totally uncared for.

In 1889 Mr. Tighe, after establishing the institution in Brisbane,
Queensland, was sent to Auckland, New Zealand, by Mr. Prescott
and commenced the work of home teaching there, the Moon Type
being used, which afterwards grew into the present Educational
and Industrial Institution of that colony. Prior to this the blind
of New Zealand were totally uncared for.

In 1894 Mr. Prescott equipped and sent Mr. Davis to Perth,
Western Australia (where Mr. W. H. Dixson had carried on pioneer
work some time previously). Mr. Davis continued home teaching,
but, dying shortly after, his work was taken up by Mr. Kent from
Adelaide, South Australia, the result of which is the present
Educational and Industrial Institution.

Mr. Prescott in conjunction with Mr. James equipped and sent
a Mr. Pittz to Adelaide, South Australia, where a school for blind
children already existed. He commenced home teaching there,
but not meeting with immediate success he returned to Victoria.
A Mr. Hendry of Adelaide, South Australia, perceiving the
needs of the blind and the importance of liaving such a centre
of educational activity, took up the work which the latter had
resigned, and his devotion and energy were such that within
a short time the Industrial Institution was founded there, which
includes a home teaching branch.

Mr. Stainsby. — It is not usual or right for the Secretary to
take part in the discussion, but I feel so interested in this Austra-
lian question that I must say one word. I am delighted to find
that Miss Moon's work and the type which lier father invented have
had such great success in Australia, and as one who knows to
what extent Braille books are used there, I feel I ought to say
that Australia buys more books from the National Institute than
any other part of the world. I think this is greatly to the credit
of our friends in Australia.

Mr. Tate (Bradford). — If this Conference had called forth no
outstanding feature with regard to the work and management
of the New South Wales Institution except the paper we have
listened to its results would have been abundantly justified.
In that paper we have an epitome of the actual work in what
appears to be Utopia — so far as the blind are concerned. I do
hope that representatives of institutions and workshops in Great
Britain and in Europe wiU cii'culate copies of Mr. Hedger's
paper everywhere, and that a copy may be sent to every member
of the Inter-Departmental Committee. (" Hear, hear'). I hope
our esteemed Chairman, Mr. H. J. Wilson, and other members
of the Committee will support the ideals there set forth. Nay,
more, that the great English public may be shown how far its
treatment of the blind is below the standard of daughter States

24<8

Discussion

in the Soutlieru hemisphere. If the one outstanding feature, viz. —
that for every pound subscribed by private charity the Govern-
ment steps in and gives another pound — could be brought into
operation in our EngHsh institutions, what a great forward wave
woukl immediately be given to all our work, \^^lat is the attitude
of many of our committees when asked to take in hand additional
work for the blind ? They say " We cannot afford it." And what
are the tests by which results are judged ? The commercial
sales — the financial side of things ! Wlien as in New South
Wales there are no financial difficulties there will still remain the
great fact that the man is more than his work. Until that
consideration becomes the ideal actuating the members of every
organisation ministering to the blind complete success will still
be unattained.

I would suggest that one of the International Conferences be
held in New South Wales, and that it be a request from this
Conference to administrative bodies to send representatives to
see -v^hether these things are really as represented, for Mr. Hedger's
paper is so wonderful as almost to take our breath away.

If I may refer again to the question of the Inter-Departmental
Committee, I would ask them to make this paper the test by
which all institutions are judged when making their inquiries
throughout this country, and then our friends will begin to put
forth the energies which, undoubtedly, many of them possess and
which are held back because of beggarly £ s. d. difficulties.

Mr. DixsoN * (Oxford). — I really feel rather ashamed. I was
going to waive my right to speak again. However, I do want to
say a word about the kindness which I experienced at the hands
of Mr. H. S. Prescott, who was referred to by Miss Moon, when I
did a little home teaching work in a voluntary sort of way in
Western Australia. He was then the home teacher and, I think,
the general head of the Society in New South Wales, and the
alphabets and plates and other apparatus which he sent to me, and
the help which he gave me when he knew I was a mere youth
just doing a little work in an inexperienced way, are things I shaU
never forget. Mr. Prescott lives in Seaford, in the county of
Sussex, and I am very sorry he is not here, but I thought I would
not like this meeting to pass without paying a tribute to the work
which he did in the way of helping us.

I should like to say that I, too, was very much impressed with
what I saw in Australia about four years ago, and I think the
reason they have achieved such magnificent results is that they
are a country with a small population and can try experiments
which ought to be tried in this country, but which cannot as a
rule be tried with much speed.

Rev. E. G. Cocks (Plymouth). ^ — It is because I have a duty to
perform that I stand here this morning. I was charged by my
committee before coming here that if I had an opportunity to
put in a word on behalf of the Moon Type I would do it. I said
that I could not do so unless the opportunity presented itseU.
It seems to me that that opportunity has now come, and if one of
the i)revious speakers has been correct in his diagnosis of our

249

Sydney Industrial Blind Institution

present position when he stated that so far as New South Wales
is concerned it has done a great deal towards solving a difficult
problem, then his idea of Utopia has been reached ; and that
Utopia has been reached in New South Wales is largely due to the
fact that not one but two types of reading for the bhnd have been
in use. It was with intense satisfaction that I found out that
a west countryman — and I have to represent the W^est counti'y at
this Conference, Devonport and the Western Counties Institution
for the Blind occupies the most western area — when I found that
a Cornishman had been instrumental in carrying on the work
for the blind in that particular colony ; and it affords me
no small satisfaction that I am able, under the circum-
stances, to say something on behalf of the Moon type.
The institution I represent is entirely a workmg one, and both
types are in use. I do not represent one more than another,
but I am asked by my committee to state that they hope
that in any allocation of funds on behalf of the bUnd, all
shall not go into one channel, but that there wiU be some
consideration given to those who are readers of the Moon type as
well as to those who are readers of the Braille. Not only am I
asked to say that by my committee, but, being a member of the
Western Counties' Union, I am also asked by them to urge that
this matter shall not be left out of consideration by those interested
in the general welfare of the blind. I therefore feel that I have
discharged my duty, and shall be able to go back and tell my
committee that I have said something on behalf of the Moon type.
Having looked at the matter closely, I am of opinion that those
going blind late in life, say, somewhere about fifty years of age,
for such it would be much easier to read what is a kind of develop-
ment of the ordinary Roman type, while the dots and dashes that
represent the Braille would be more difficult. Personally, if I
were expected to read, so far as I am able to judge, I should not
prefer the intricacies of the Braille type.

Mr. Stainsby. — I should not have risen again but for the fact
that Mr. Cocks has mentioned the Moon type and the Braille
type, and stated that some of the funds which are available for the
Braille ought to be used for the Moon. I have Miss Moon's
permission to say that that suggestion is in the air. The National
Institute is now conferring with Miss Moon with the idea of
bringing about a union of the two Societies.

Mr. Peter Miller * (Hull). — I want to give just the figure of
the blind themselves. You see we are so handicapped by not
having our Congress together. So all the blind of England have
decided to come to London next week for a week instead of being
here to hear us talk. There are in England to-day 40 per cent,
of the blind who lose their sight after thirty-five years of age,
and we cannot get them to read anything. I lost my sight forty
years ago and I cannot read anything but Moon type. That is
beautiful. Many blind people have been to college, but I have
been working ever since I lost my sight, and we cannot get basket-
makers to read Braille — their fingers wiU not aUow it. We want
Moon in Hull.

250

Discussion

It is all right to say that the blind are properly looked after,
but I can bring you back to Hull to people who cannot read
anything. I never could read Braille, and I must have Moon
type. The blind of Hull want Moon type. The secretary of the
Blind Institution says that Moon is obsolete.

Mr. Kelly. — Can those who cannot attend the meeting vote
by proxy ?

The Chairman. — No, we cannot admit proxies.

Mr. Hedger. — I will not add to what I have said, except to
mention that one of the speakers was rather inclined to doubt
our good work — only in a friendly way, of course. Our object
in printing that paper is that it may go before all the world,
because when it is in print we can stand by it. With regard to
legislation, the British Parliamentary Committee have asked me
to appear before them to give them particulars of our legislation
in Australia. They have been so taken with our work in New
South Wales that they asked me to prepare a paper and let them
know what we are doing. In reference to the controversy regard-
ing Braille and Moon types, in Australia we want both. Some of
the older blind cannot do without Moon. AVe must have Braille
too, and we beg of Miss Moon and Mr. Stainsby and Mr. Stone and
other leading printing presses throughout the world to go on with
their good work. We can at present buy the whole lot, as well
as print our own. I gave a lecture on board the s.s. " Malina "
coming here, and collected over £37 towards the National Institute.
The Captain had not received any wireless appeal, and I placed
the matter before him, with the result mentioned. This shows
that we are not confined selfishly to helping our own institution.
I may say that the managers of a continental and an American
institution have asked me to show them how we make our mats.
I agree that we always experiment largely for the benefit of the
blind, but our success is due mainly to the English institutions
industrially. We are able to improve where you have led the
way. America is waking uj) to tho fact that the blind of their
country want work.

Mr. Tate (Bradford). — I am very much in favour of Mr. Illing-
worth's idea of employing blind teachers of the blind. How
many have you teaching the blind in those industrial schools
in Sydney !

Mr. Hedger. — Our music and home teachers are blind.

Mr. Tate. — But in the industrial schools how many have you ?

Mr. Hedger. — I cannot say about the schools, because the
deaf, dumb, and blind in New South Wales have separate estab-
lishments for children. We take only those over sixteen years of
age, and give work to blind persons in all positions that a bhnd
person can successfully fill.

251

Garden Party at Royal Normal College

Saturday Afternoon.

By the kind invitation of the chairman and Executive
Committee of the Royal Normal College for the Blind,
Upper Norwood, the members and delegates attended a
garden party in the college grounds, and were received by
Sir Harry Samuel, M.P., and Lady Samuel. The event was
favoured with brilliant weather, and a most interesting pro-
gramme was successfully carried out by the students of the
College. The demonstrations included roller skating, indoor
and outdoor gymnastics, swimming, diving and lifc-sa^'ing
in the swimming bath, rowing on the lake, cycling, stilt
walking, etc. Of especial interest was the demonstration
of the results of the system of oral training in music used at
the College. The tests included the analysis and repetition
of a melody heard for the first time, the extemporisation of
passages to complete opening phrases of melodies set by the
teacher, or the second and fourth phrases of a sixteen-bar
passage, while one pupil extemporised a complete valse.
The success attained seemed to demonstrate the superiority
of modern methods of teaching music. Tea was served on
the lawn, and photographs were taken by Mr. J. J. Bayfield,
the College Studio, 37, Gipsy Hill, S.E., from whom copies
can be obtained. The London, Brighton, and South Coast
Railway kindly provided special trains to convey visitors
to and from Norwood.

Saturday Evening.

At 8.15 p.m. the foreign visitors were entertained at a
dinner given in the Victoria Hall of the Hotel Cecil, when
243 persons were present. The chair was taken by Mr. Alan
Hughes Burgoyne, M.P., and after the loyal toasts had been
honoured he welcomed the guests of the evening in a happy
and humorous speech. He said he did not profess to be an
expert on matters relating to the blind, but he had had the
honour of piloting the Blind Aid Bill through the House of
Commons, and he presumed it was on that account he had

252

Dinner at Hotel Cecil

been asked to preside that evening. The thanks of the
guests for the hospitahty extended to them were gracefully
expressed by Miss Winifred Holt (New York), Director
Lundberg (Stockholm), M. Silva de Mello (Brazil), and Sir
John Parkington (Montenegro). In conclusion Mr. Henry
J. Wilson made a short speech thanking the chairman for
coming there that evening at such short notice, and also for
the great service he had rendered to the cause of the blind
in the House of Commons. Photographs were taken
during the dinner by Messrs. Fradelle and Young, 283,
Regent Street, W., from whom copies can be obtained.

253

The Elementary Education of the BHnd

Monday, June 22nd, 1914.
MORNING SESSION.

Chairman : Mrs. Wilton Phipps (Chairman of L.C.C.
Special Schools Sub-Committee).

The Chairman. — When I was asked some months ago to
come here to-day and take the chair at this Conference, I
felt great diffidence in accepting the invitation, because I am
really a learner in the subject in which you are all so much
interested, and I felt a little doubtful as to my fitness for
being here on this occasion. At the same time I realise
that, representing (unofficially) as I do the Blind Schools
under the London County Council — I am chairman of the
Special Schools Sub-Committee which is responsible for all
scholars suffering from all forms of defect, the blind, invalid,
and mentally defective— I felt that it would not be right
for me to decline the honour, and am therefore here to-day
to take the chair. I have very little to say as chairman,
because I have been brought up to believe that a chairman
takes the chair and other people speak. For that reason
I have very little to say, but I see on the list of the schools
you are to visit to-day that our schools are among them,
and I can only say how delighted we are that you should
see anything that we can show you. I also desire to say that
the schools for myopes have been an experiment for the
past few years, and they have proved extraordinarily
successful. Myopic children are taught with others who see
well, and it has been a great happiness to them to mix
with sighted children and learn many things they would
not otherwise do. The experiment has been such a success
that we now have before us the prospect of opening within
the next few months five of these schools. London is
leading the way in this direction, and I felt I ought to men-
tion this. Of course, you all know that the great difficulty
we have to contend with is to know what we are to do with
the children after they leave school. That is the great

254

The Elementary Education of the Blind

difficulty. We can manage them so long as they are in the
schools. We do all we can for them there, but afterwards
the problem is a very grave one, and for that reason I am so
glad to be here to learn what I can as to any suggestions
by which we can see our way to helping the children when
they leave. Now I began by saying that I did not intend
to make a speech, and I will keep my word. I feel very
much honoured at having been asked to come here this
morning, and very proud to be in the chair, I will ask Lady
Campbell to read her paper.

Lady Campbell. — I think you will be glad to hear that
Sir Francis is very much better. The doctor said yesterday
that he did not see why Sir Francis should not enjoy life
for some time longer if we could keep him quiet. I told
the doctor that was a difficult task but that I should do
my best to care for him.

I want also to apologise for the length of the paper. I
shall not inflict the whole of it upon you, but having gained
a great deal of information from my correspondents I felt
that it would be well to put it into print so that it might
appear in the Conference Report.

255

THE ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
OF THE BLIND.

LADY CAMPBELL,

Hon. Lady Superintendent, Roj-al Normal College for the Blind.

1875—1912.

At the Conference held in Edinburgh in 1905, Mr. Henry
Stainsby dealt with the Elementary Education of the blind
in an exhaustive manner, presenting to his audience in a
clear and concise style the views of experts on the general
principles underlying the subject, namely, residential schools
versus day classes, mixed classes, school curricula, musical
instruction, physical training, blind versus sighted teachers,
etc. The report of that Conference is, or ought to be, in the
library of every school for the blind, and it would be a waste
of time to recapitulate the conclusions therein set forth.

The object of the present paper, which has been largely
compiled from replies to a questionnaire, is to lead those
engaged in teaching the blind to study the individual
requirements of their pupils a little more closely. I have
tried to obtain detailed information as to the best means of
cultivating manual dexterity, the training of the other
remaining senses, any new methods of teaching the subjects
in the curriculum, and suggestions for future improvement.
My sincere thanks are tendered to all those who furnished
replies, and I regret it will not be possible to quote more of
them in extenso. In some instances the replies were pre-
pared by a conference of superintendents and teachers, in
which case the name of the Institution is given, while others
represent individual opinions.

Turning for a moment to the education of the seeing, we
learn from educational journals, teachers' conferences, the
daily papers, and the reports of deputations to the Board of

256

The Elementary Education of the Blind

Education, that the results produced during the last forty
years are disappointing. Among the improvements sug-
gested are the curtailment of the academic portion of the
curriculum, and the allotment of more time to manual
training, domestic science, agricultural knowledge, organised
games, scouting, etc., in a word, the cultivation of manual
dexterity and motor activity. The very handicap of blind-
ness makes these two new factors in the education of seeing
children, a necessity in the training of our pupils, and rightly
applied, a source of great mental advancement.

In an address on blindness, Sir James Crichton Browne
spoke of the effect of blindness on the visual centre, and the
beneficial results produced by the early development of the
other centres of the brain.

" When from any cause there is blindness, dating from
birth, infancy or childhood, the visual centre is deprived of
its appropriate natural nourishment at its growth period, no
supplies from the retina are conveyed to it, and it remains
starved, stunted and curtailed of fair proportion. The visual
centre that is left to itself must remain more or less dwarfed,
and must fail to participate fully in the general life of the
brain, that is to say, in its intellectual and emotional func-
tions.

" If the blind are taken in hand betimes, much may be
done to compensate any defect for which the undernourished
and undeveloped state of the visual centre is responsible.
That visual centre is surrounded by other centres in the
brain, those concerned in touch, taste, smell, hearing,
general sensibility, and those presiding over the movements
of all the voluntary muscles of the body, and with these
centres the visual centre is, or ought to be, in constant inter-
course through innumerable lines of intercommunication, if
these lines are only properly opened up. It is by taking
advantage of these collateral lines of communications that
the visual centre in the brain of the blind may be aroused,
and perform its associative, if not its primary functions. In
order to effectually help the blind you must attack this
crippled visual centre on all sides, link with it all the motor

c.B. 257 s

The Elementary Education of the BHnd

centres, in manual exercise, in games, sports, and athletics,
and mainly that great sense of hearing, the centre for which
in the brain lies in immediate juxtaposition to the centre
for vision."

Thoughtful parents might do much to foster the mental
development of the little blind child by encouraging it to
move about freely. The seeing infant toddles around,
handling, rattling, biting, and banging the various objects
■with Avhich he comes in contact, and is, by that very motor
activity, contributing to the rapid growth of its brain-cells.
Unless there is some one to watch each movement and guide
each step, this activity is repressed rather than encouraged
in the blind child, with the result that the brain is stunted,
and the centres which might have partially supplied the
want of sight remain undeveloped.

Many of the children enter our schools, inert, awkward,
helpless, timid, wanting in strength and decision of character,
younger by two or three years than their ages indicate.
Needless to say, lessons in dressing, eating and bed-making
are among the first that should be given the child, and for
those who experience great difficulty, some apparatus for
teaching buttoning, lacing, tying, etc., like that of Madame
Montessori, is helpful and easily made. It is well to arrange
some other time than meals for acquiring good table manners,
as it will be less wearing and vexatious both for teacher and
pupil, although vigilance at the table must not be relaxed.

All through elementary school life, plenty of time must
be allowed for play, for at the outset it is often the only
thing that will arouse any interest. Blind children who
have not been allowed to take their full share in the duties
and pleasures of family life, have little inclination for active
games, and it requires a real love of children, with plenty of
initiative on the part of the teacher, to make the play hours
a success.

Having aroused the pupils and created a desire for active
exertion, we are now ready to consider the question of cur-
riculum. One of our ablest brain specialists states that
the development of the hand centres probably commences in

258

The Elementary Education of the Blind

the first year of the child's life, and is most active between
the fourth and fifteenth year ; should this period be neglected
and the hand left untrained, it beconies incapable of high
manual efficiency. Manifestly, then, manual training* mvist
occupy a large portion of the time, especially as many of the
pupils will have to depend on some form of handicraft for
their future livelihood.

Sir John Cockburn took as the subject of his recent address
at the Leeds Training College, " Handmindedness." In
that helpful book, " Talks to Teachers," Professor James
says: "An impression that in no way modifies the pupil's
active life is an impression gone to waste, its motor conse-
quences clinch it. The introduction of Manual Training
Schools will give us citizens of an entirely different intellectual
fibre." Therefore, in planning for a special course of hand-
training, conducted on educational lines, we are taking the
best means to arouse those centres in the brain which will
develop the child's intelligence.

We must not forget that when considerable facility has
been acquired in any manual operation, the act tends to
become automatic, the movement is controlled by the lower
centres of the brain, and the exercise has lost much of its
value as a means of mental development, hence the need of
constant variety and advance in the hand-work course,
until the time arrives when the aim is to acquire speed and
dexterity in some special form of manual work. If possible,
all the work should be made for some purpose which the
child can appreciate, for it grieves him to think his handi-
work will be counted as rubbish, and thrown away. The
extent to which a class can be employed in carrying out some
cherished purpose is well illustrated in the practising-school,
connected with the L.C.C. Day Training College, or the
Mixdenden Council School, Halifax. A stimulus we have
used to foster perseverance and industry is the pleasure the

* "The Book of School Hindwork," edited by H. Holman, M.A.,
pubUshed by the Caxtoa Publishing Corapmy, Clun House, Surrey Street,
W.C., will be found helpful in the school library ; it contains much that is
not applicable to blind children, but the wide-awake teacher can adapt
many of the occupations.

259 S 2

The Elementary Education of the Blind

articles made in the kindergarten, knitting, and sloyd will
afford parents and friends if used for Christmas or birthday
gifts.

1. Mention the various means by ivhich manual dexterity
can he cultivated. Outline of courses of training for children
between the ages of five and fourteen. Suggest ions for overcoming
the helplessness of children in whom the connection between the
hand and brain is defective.

Very full replies were sent to this question, and detailed
schemes will be found in Appendix I. For the junior classes,
all correspondents mention Kindergarten occupations.
Some lay great stress on the value of beads in all the forms
in which they can be used, beginning with a large size and
gradually introducing smaller ones; it was also suggested
that children be asked to supply original patterns. If the
beads are varied in shape, interesting number lessons are
provided at the same time as hand-training. Some teachers
would banish blocks, but Mr. Illingworth advises the use of
larger ones than are sold with the usual Kindergarten material.
Mr. Stone recommends giving much time to free play with toys
at this stage. Mr. Norwood follows the course and occupa-
tions suggested in the Code for Special Schools (Board of
Education) with specially devised apparatus to meet the
difificulties of abnormal cases. The following occupations
w'cre common to nearly all the lists : modelling (both clay
and plasticine), stick-laying, cane-weaving, paper folding and
cutting, graduated weaving (both wool and rafia), straw
plaiting, the sand pit and sand table. By means of bent
wires and felt mats, or cushions, geometrical forms can be
taught, and stories illustrated. All the occupations men-
tioned are suitable in more advanced stages for pupils in the
Intermediate department.

Most of the children in the Kindergarten department can
begin sewing and knitting, and for the former, a course first
taught at the Royal Normal College by Miss Molander, a
Finnish lady, is recommended. All the different stitches are
taught on very coarse canvas with wool, repeated on finer
canvas, and, finally, taken on very fine canvas with silk.

260

The Elementary Education of the Blind

We afterwards adopted a ehart with eyelets for the most
helpless ehildren. By this course, the position, of the needle
and shape of the stitch were firmly fixed in the child's mind.
From the beginning, the canvas was cut to such a size that
useful or pretty articles could be made from the finished
work, and it was delightful to see the pleasure of the children
in their handiwork. It was easy to transfer the knowledge
thus gained to cloth of different qualities. A course in
knitting outlined by the same Finnish lady secured, from
all but the most helpless, good progress.

In reply to the second part of the question, Miss Garaway
and Mr. Stoddart say : " The problem of the helpless children
we have not been able to solve."

Birmingham. " From the beginning, insist upon such
children becoming proficient in matters which concern their
own person, such as dressing, boot-brushing, bed-making, etc.
Pay special attention to weak deportment and mannerisms — ■
individual attention in the exact use of school apparatus.
Insist upon effort rather than mere attempt at perfection.
Simple exercises in wrist and finger training in as many forms
as possible. It would seem futile to expect that ail children
suffering from th's defect shall become proficient in manual
work and be able to earn their own livelihood — ^there must
be a fair percentage of them who, after specially sympathetic
treatment, still continue to be defective,"

York. " By as great variety as possible of various simple
occupations {e.g., rubbing a desk or table both top and legs,
brushing clothes, taking a number of books from one shelf
to another some distance away, etc.) which are not regarded
by children as lessons. In this work plenty of change is
essential. Great care should be taken that the forms of
manual occupation do not include processes which are
beyond the mental powers such pupils are able to exercise
in their kind of work."

Mr. Stone. " Do not think artificial methods are much
use. Helplessness is physical — much exercise and fresh air
needed — such children are often intellectual and unfit for
industrial work."

2G1

The Elementary Education of the Blind

Miss Mciklejon. " The first occupations should be of a
nature to keep the fingers and hands mo^'ing without undue
demands upon the mental capacity or tactile sense. Then
should follow exercises in which balance and some control
are required."

Mr. Illingworth. " It will be necessary to confine such
children to more elementary exercises, taking particular note
of individual progress and the means which in each case
produced the best results for future guidance ; when the
lack of co-ordination is the result of chronic physical defect
little can be done to overcome it."

The other suggestions for such children were, " more time
devoted to work in which all mistakes are very noticeable,"
"repeating steps till they become familiar," "constructive
puzzle games," " such toys as ' mecanno ' out of school
hours," "placing geometrical forms on corresponding open-
ings in a wooden frame," " action songs and musical drill."
All are agreed that such childien call for endless patience,
perseverance and sympathy. They require individual treat-
ment which cannot be given them in a class with other
children, and the most heljiless should he provided for in
sejjarate schools.

2. What are the best forms of manual trahiing for pupils
from fourteen to sixteen years of age ? Should the manual
instruction he of a genercd character, or directed to some specicd
trade to he follotved in adidt life ? What trades are suggested
as suitable, considering the appliances availahle in Elementary
schools ?

The following occupations were recommended, and
although none of them are new, improved apparatus and
methods of teaching have been introduced in many institu-
tions. Wood and bent iron work, chair-seating, basket,
brush, and mattress-making, mats and rugs, cork fenders,
boot-mending, typewriting, tuning, hand and machine
sewing, hand and machine knitting, crocheting, weaving,
and domestic subjects.

For the pupils who will have to depend on handicrafts, the
majority were in favour of a course of manual training

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

between fourteen and sixteen years of age which should bear
on their future occupation, but this did not imply that all
other subjects were to be neglected.

There were only two who referred to the appliances avail-
able in Elementary schools. Mr. Stoddart, who replig(j
" Owing to the proximity of our workshop, we are in h^q
fortunate position of being able to get expert teacher^ j^^
every department," and Mr. Illingworth, " If the applia
are not there they ought to be." nces

3. Do you favour the transfer fro)n Elementary to Secondary
schools at fourteen instead of sixteen years of age, if means are
provided for a five or six years' course of Secondary training ?
Considerations which should govern the choice of a profession or
trade.

In direct connection with the second part of question 2 is
the consideration of the age at which pupils should be trans-
ferred from an Elementary school, certified under the Educa-
tion (Blind and Deaf Children) Act, 1893, which extends the
age for the Elementary education of blind children to sixteen
years. This question does not arise when the elementary
and secondary classes form two departments of the same
institution, for the pupils have the advantage of training by
expert teachers, and the use of the appliances of the Secondary
department. If, however, they have been in Day-classes, or
in an institution which sends them away at sixteen years of
age, and their training is to be continued in another institu-
tion by the help of a Secondary education authority, then it
seems to me desirable to make the change at an earlier age.
The replies showed that the tendency is to specialise at
fourteen years, and it frequently happens that a pupil begins
some trade, or studies for some profession, but not on the best
lines, or with all the advantages he could obtain in a larger
institution. As the senior pupil in a small school, he has
been brought forward, perhaps praised unduly, and it takes
some time for him to find his level ; often, too, he is unwilling
to adopt any new suggestions as to methods of study, work,
or practice.

Most of the answers were favourable to an early transfer,

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

but it is only fair to quote Mr. Ritchie's objections : " I am
strongly in favour of children being kept in the Elementary
school until sixteen years of age. During the last years a
strong manual training element may be thought desirable,
but it is essential that the general atmosphere should be that
of a school and not that of a ivorkslwp. The atmosphere of
the apprentice establishment must always approximate more
or less closely to that of the workshop even where classes of
a literary character are included in the curriculum. In my
opinion it is better that the adolescent period should be
passed in school, Avith its closer supervision, stricter and more
experienced control and higher ideals, than that boys and
girls should at the dangerous age of fourteen pass under a
new, and in some ways, to them, an undesirable rdgime.^^

If the change meant companionship only with adults in a
workshop, I should agree with him, but many institutions
have a secondary department where the pupils are still under
good supervision. If an Act is passed making Secondary
education and training compulsory for the blind, I hope to
have the support of all interested in their welfare in urging
that the age of transference be fourteen.

In deciding upon the trade or profession to be followed by
the pupils, the capacity, mental and physical, must be care-
fully considered. It often happens that the latter is left out
of account, and lads who have a good car but lack co-
ordination of the hand and brain, or who have hands so
damp that they cannot touch a wire Avithout rusting it, are
unfortunately recommended for pianoforte tuning. Again,
to train a boy for the musical profession who shows no desire
to become neat in his appearance, courteous in his manners,
and free from all mannerisms and peculiarities that Avould
render his presence noticeable, will still further increase the
prejudice already existing against employing blind organists
and music teachers.

The considerations specified in the replies were, "individual
aptitude," " facilities for the proper following of the trade
when training is completed," " market value of the occupa-
tions," " home environment and private resources," " give

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

the pupil a voice in the matter if possible, as he is more
likely to succeed if allowed to follow his own bent." We all
know that a blind man's chance of success is usually doubled
when he has a good sighted wife, and Mr. Brown thinks we
must estimate the " possibilities of marriage " in the choice
of a profession ; but we must ask him to give some hint as
to the manner in which he judges the chance of his pupils
in the matrimonial market so early in their career.
. One successful blind man writes : " The tendencies and
capabilities of the blind person should form the criterion ;
home surroundings, position of parents or guardians, should
be left out of account. The point to decide is, can he be
made technically good ? " If the pupil gives evidence of
that indomitable pluck and perseverance which conquers all
obstacles, we can safely follow this advice, but not otherwise.

4. To what extent should household duties he taught the female
2)upils ? affect on pupils.

There are many domestic duties which blind girls can per-
form as well as their sighted sisters, indeed some successful,
enthusiastic blind housekeepers maintain that they have
managed their households single-handed for many years,
to the entire satisfaction of husband and children. Not
all seeing housekeepers can make so proud a boast, and it
shows unusual aptitude and executive ability when a blind
woman surmounts all the difficulties. Domestic training
should have a place in the curriculum, and when the necessity
of preparing in a limited time for a trade or profession
precludes the possibility of a thorough course, the girls
should be encouraged to gain a knowledge of housework
during the vacation. It is more difficult to persuade the
mothers that such duties are possible for their daughters, than
to arouse in the girls an ambition to become useful members
of the family. Mr. Dow, Superintendent of the School
for the Blind, Faribault, Minnesota, U.S.A., enclosed a
copy of an excellent leaflet he sends to the parents at the
beginning of the holidays, pointing out that no school can
relieve them of all responsibility for the education and
training of their blind children. (See Appendix IV.)

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

In nearly all the schools, bed-making, dusting, laying
tables, washing dishes, and some other light household
duties are undertaken. The American schools have prac-
tising-rooms with a complete outfit for a thorough course
in Domestic Science. The Glasgow Asylum is fitting up a
room in their technical school for cooking, housekeeping,
and laundry work, where an expert teacher of these subjects
will give lessons. All the replies were in favour of such train-
ing, but Mr. Siddall notes " the time given should be dis-
tinctly defined, or it will be overdone to save female labour.
It should be graded so that a girl may gain general
information." The advantages are so apparent, I shall only
mention one that was given. " The effect is to make them
considerate for those who serve them, as well as making
them independent."

5. Suggestions for the cultivation of the sense of hearing as
regards direction, distance, object, and material.

We do not give enough heed with young children to the
cultivation of the sense of hearing. Their attention should
be frequently called to the different echoes produced by
their own footfall in their various surroundings, the footsteps
of their companions, the sounds of the outdoor world,
especially the song of the birds, and noises made by any-
thing passing them in the street. I am sure my knowledge
of the mechanical construction of different vehicles has
been greatly increased by the catechising of Sir Francis
Campbell, for not a sound escapes his attentive ear.
In addition to this incidental training, a few minutes can
be given out of class-work each day to exercises, illus-
trating the sounds produced when different substances and
articles are struck, dropped or rattled. When the children
begin to show fatigue and inattention, if introduced as
a game, it will wake them up. It is important to impress
upon our pupils the necessity of judging distance and direc-
tion, and following a straight course to objects within a
small radius. A little practice will enable them to establish
sound signals in familiar surroundings, and save that helpless
groping and wandering to reach an objective point, which

266

The Elementary Education of the Blind

impresses the observer so forcibly with a feehng of the in-
competency of blind people.

Many correspondents mentioned the great benefit to be
derived from playing games with a ball having a bell inside.
Other suggestions will be found in Appendix II.

I hoped to gain many useful hints from my blind friends,
but the cultivation of their sense of hearing has been so
gradual it seems to them instinctive, and they are unable
to explain the process.

Mr. Siddall. " The answer depends largely on the pupil,
but he could be materially assisted by not making the school
gates the boundary, and by sending him to the shops near at
hand. Nervousness is detrimental to correct hearing, and can
often be prevented by starting the child when fear has not
entered too strongly into its inind, and the idea of looking
foolish does not occur to him."

Miss Till. " Blindness causes the sense to develop itself ;
we soon notice the difference between the sound of a wall
or a hedge, a fence, etc. I found hide-and-seek amused,
exercised, and developed the sense of hearing in my little
pupil."

Mrs. Wood. " The best method of cultivating the sense
of hearing with a view to becoming more self-helpful, is
an earnest determination to make use of the common oppor-
tunities of daily life for locating objects by sound. Just as
a blind person may distinguish almost anything by its
scent (if it has any), so anything in life that is capable of sound
has its own characteristic sound."

Mr. Moyes, " Outdoor exercise in such an area as will
of necessity compel the child, for reasons of personal safety
and decorum, to rapidly gauge the nature and location
of such objects as are met with during locomotion. Associa-
tion and experience will be the main factors of development."

Sir J. M. Barrie relates that the friends of " Old Irons,"
the blind tailor of Thrums, " granted that he could tell when
a doctor went by, when a lawyer, when a thatcher, when a
herd, for all callings have their walk ; but he was regarded
as uncanny when he claimed not only to know ministers in

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

this way, but to be able to distinguish the steps of the dif-
ferent denominations." I do not know whether anyone
present can rival " Old Irons," but the following incident
was told me by a friend of Mr. Hendry, of Adelaide. They
were walking together, when Mr. Hendry suddenly raised
his hat ; the friend inquired the cause, and learned that Mr.
Hendry was bowing to the chairman of his executive com-
mittee, who was passing in his carriage. Mr. Hendry had
recognised the trot of the gentleman's horse.

Time and space will not permit me to deal with the musical
aspect of this question, but I should like to urge upon all
educators of the blind, the necessity of introducing a pro-
gressive and co-ordinated scheme of aural training, whereby
the hearing and rhythmic faculties will be systematically
developed from early childhood, and upon which the study
of harmony and composition can be successfully based.

I regret no inquiries were made in regard to the cultivation
of the sense of touch. The compensation of which people
talk so glibly comes to the blind only by the careful training
of the senses that remain, and tlie longer that training is
delayed, the more difficult becomes the task of the teacher.
The importance of the sense of touch in the education of a
normal child leads to its early and constant use in Madame
Montessori's system. In his exposition of the system (Board
of Education Pamphlets, No. 24) Dr. Holmes says : " The
sense of touch is the first developed of the bodily senses, and
is also the first to be dulled if left uncultivated."

The most important properties of bodies, roughness, hard-
ness, weight, shape, and temperature, are acquired by the
tactile sense, with which we include the muscular sense.
The physiologists and psychologists are making the sense of
touch a subject of careful research. In Appendix V. will be
found the results of an experiment that shows to what an
extent the sensitiveness of the skin can be increased. Next
to the tip of the tongue, the tactile sense is most acute in the
tips of the index fingers, but it can be brought to a great
degree of sensitiveness in all the fingers, and even in other
parts of the body. Some teachers consider the task is

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

accomplished when a pupil can read fluently with the fore
finger of one hand.

If it is regarded as such a help in the education of
seeing children, how much greater is its importance to blind
pupils. Mr. Illingworth delivered two valuable lectures on
this subject at the Holiday Course for teachers, held in
Manchester two years ago, from which he has kindly allowed
me to quote. He emphasises the necessity of keeping the
class rooms warm enough to prevent the fingers losing
sensitiveness through numbness.

" In this condition, the tactile sense is in abeyance, but
the muscular sense may be brought into play by drill or any
active movements with excellent results. The finger tips
are the media, we might almost say the organs, with which
wc are chiefly concerned. Let us do our utmost to prevent
these from being impaired before the child reaches school
age. We hear a great deal about the prevention of blindness,
but injury to the finger tips means double blindness. Nail-
biting is a habit, which militates powerfully against sensi-
tiveness of the finger tips, and unless the nail-biting habit is
eliminated at an early age, the fingers affected are per-
manently injured for reading purposes. The teacher who
really desires to comprehend the possibilities of the develop-
ment of the sense of touch, should have at least an elementary
scientific knowledge of the construction of the machinery
with which he has to deal, otherwise his work will be per-
formed by ' rule of thumb,' and cannot be guided by
intelligent aim, founded on a real knowledge, as, if it is to be
thoroughly and successfully applied and directed, it ought
to be."

The lectures described in detail how the various Kinder-
garten occupations can be made most effective for cultivating
the tactile sense.

Miss Meiklejon, who has a school for defective children,
speaks of the importance of active exercise as a pre-
paration for lessons dependent on touch. " The class
should begin with finger and hand exercises. If the
children's hands are cold, they have to warm them

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

through their own activity- — clapping, rubbing, hand-shaking
and twisting, finger drill on and off the table, exercises in
gripping and relaxing, pulling, pressing, etc. The feeble
attempts children make in rubbing are astonishing ; it is an
excellent exercise to make big sweeps with firm pressure, also
circular mo^'ements on table or polished floor. The circular
movements, being particularly good, are given in a variety of
ways. Dr. Francis Warner lays great stress on systematic
training of the muscular sense by means of weights."

The Rev. W. Jackson, one of our former pupils, gives
some interesting and amusing advice on the matter.
" The chief thing to which I can attribute the develop-
ment of the tactile sense is careful instruction in childhood,
with my sisters, in various household duties. I am confident
there is only one sound method, ' toys and toys and toj'^s ; '
mechanical toys for construction and destruction, old clocks
for analysis, numberless dolls and myriads of Noah's arks.
Apart from toys and puzzles, amateur mechanics and car-
pentry, sewing and embossed geometry are most valuable.
For the art of balance, playing with balls, balancing sticks,
carrying full tea-cups and pails of water is useful. There is
one point of practical imjoortance, the deportment of a boy
depends largely on his contact with the ground through the
tactile sense, and this is affected by the shape, weight, and
flexibility of boots."

I will close this section with the testimony of Helen Keller.

" Necessity gives to the eye a precious power of seeing,
and in the same way it gives a precious power of feeling to
the whole body. Sometimes it seems as if the very substance
of my flesh were so many eyes looking out at will upon a
world new-created every day." (" The World I Live In.")

6. Illustrations of the use of motor activity as a stimulus to
mental development. What active games and ivhat other forms
of physical exercises are popular ? Are the p/f/?/ hours super-
vised ? Is the Gymnasium available in free time ?

This subject was dealt with by Sir Francis Campbell, at
the London Conference, 1902, and in Mr. Littlcwood's paper
at Manchester, 1908, but it bears so directly on the mental

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

development of the child it is worth our while to consider
it again. If there is no desire for play on the part of a child,
there is generally but little energy available for work. With
many blind children, we must keep constantly in mind their
tendency to sit down and dream, or to wander about aim-
lessly, and counteract it by arousing a desire for active games.
Dr. Wood Hutchinson, in an article in the Contemporary
Reviezv, asserts that for every pound spent on schooling, ten
shillings should be spent on play, as it leads to such all-round
adaptability. That the committees of schools for the blind
are beginning to realise this fact, is shown by the removal of
so many of the schools to sites that furnish room for ample
playgrounds.

It was the unanimous opinion that play is a great stimulus
to mental development, that the play-hour should be super-
vised unobtrusively, and the children left free to choose their
own games. In most cases the gymnasium was not used
in free time miless a responsible person was present. You
will be interested to learn to what an extent play has become
part of the daily life of the pupils in our Schools for the blind
and what games are popular, therefore the replies are quoted
in the Appendix III.

One point to be remembered in suggesting or arranging
garhes for the children, is to try to work in a line with nature,
and suit them to the succeeding stages of the child's develop-
ment. With little children the dramatic instinct is strong,
playing shop, or school, representing the events of daily
life, or characters in a story are favourite amusements.
On these occasions " we have the giftie gie us, to see oursels
as others see us." While the blind child is quick to catch the
tone and manner of those with whom it associates, the want
of sight deprives its play of the development that comes
through imitation of everyday actions. Here is a chance
for valuable lessons, if we can enter into the spirit of child-
hood, and make believe successfully. At this stage round
games accompanied by singing and action songs are a
delight. The latest books on musical instruction contain
many rhythmic exercises to which the children are to

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

listen, and afterwards give expression through movement.
Indeed, the representation of musical rhythm by movement
has been elaborated into a system of rhythmic gymnastics
by Mons, Jaques Dalcroze, and its introduction in this
country is strongly urged by his converts.

A little later, with the boys, comes a strong desire to play
robber, pirate, or police, to fight, storm forts, and knock
each other about, the product of past racial activities.
At eleven or twelve years of age individual activity yields
to a desire for corporate action, and we must either
adopt a modified form of cricket and football, or devise
something to take their place. We had a striking example
of the necessity of the competitive element in order
to keep up a real interest in games. After the novelty
had worn off, our skittle-alley was scarcely touched, until
the boys themseh'cs organised at the beginning of each
Easter Term a number of clubs. A strict record is kept,
with prizes on Sports' Day for the winning team and
champion player, and now the skittle-alley is in constant
demand during free time.

7. The best means of visualising the outer ivorld to those
•who have lost their sight in infancy.

In reply to this question the following summarises the
suggestions : " Contact with objects, and when this is im-
possible, the use of models " ; " models should be made
simple, not overloaded with detail to the detriment of im-
portant points " ; " using your own height, weight, and
other well-known standards for purposes of comparison " ;
" illustrative analogies from the known to the unknown " ;
" visits of observation and to museums " ; " clear explana-
tions, with opportunity for questions " ; " descriptive
walks " ; " descriptive literature."

Mr. Siddall. " The answer to this question is the hardest
to find, either for teacher or blind person. I am convinced
that embossed pictures are no use in the majority of cases
to a blind man who has lost his sight before understanding
pictures, and every blind man I have asked (and they are
many) is of the same opinion. Models in wood, or some such

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

material, stuffed birds and wild animals would impress the
general outline on the mind of the blind person. Maps give
a good idea of the shape of the land, etc., because we have
a knowledge of the land we walk on."

Mr. Ritchie may be right in saying, " We can help those
blind from infancy to realise something of the world around
them, but never to visualise it." The blind with whom I
have been most intimate have enjoyed so keenly the wonders
and beauties of nature, it is hard to believe they have not
a vivid picture of the scene before them. To quote again from
Helen Keller : " Every atom of my body is a vibroscope.
The thousand soft voices of earth have truly found their
way to me^ — ^the small rustle in tufts of grass, the silky
swish of leaves, the buzz of insects, the hum of bees in blos-
soms I have plucked, the flutter of a bird's wing after his
bath, the slender rippling vibrations of water running over
pebbles. It is not for me to say whether we see best with
hand or eye, I only know that the world I see with my
fingers is alive, ruddy, satisfying."

The everyday surroundings are so familiar to us, we
neglect to mention details that are essential to the forma-
tion of an accurate picture. Often a very little child is
a blind man's best companion in a country walk, for the
commonplace has a freshness and interest for him, which is
manifested by constant questions. When excursions are
planned to places noted for natural beauty or historical
interest, prepare for them by reading good descriptions,
also poems or other compositions that express the feelings
awakened in the minds of others. When reading we should
bear this in mind, and note any beautiful word-painting that
will convey a vivid impression to our blind friends.

Visits to museums and zoological collections are helpful
features in cultivating the imagination of our pupils. Mr.
Deas has shown what striking results are obtained when
the visits are under the superintendence of an enthusiastic
expert. A full account of the visits to the Sunderland
Museum inaugurated by him will be found in the Museums^
Journal, September, 1913.

c.B. 273 T

The Elementary Education of the Blind

8. Are visits to museums a regular part of your school work ?
Results.

Mr. Stone notes, " the Scottish National Museum authori-
ties have placed a room filled with specimens at our disposal,
and have supplied full descriptions of the objects that have
been put into Braille and placed beside the objects. The
pupils are greatly interested, a great number of fresh
conceptions have been received and misconceptions
removed."

Birmingham. " Arrangements at present are being
negotiated with the keeper of the Birmingham Art Gallery,
Sir Whitworth Wallis. Visits are made to the Botanical
Gardens, where there is a zoological section. It increases
interest in nature study and natural history, and stimulates
mental activity."

York. " We have a small but good museum of our own
which is constantly used. All the staff and other members
of the various departments of the institution are encouraged
to bring for the pupil's observation any object which they
think will interest and instruct our pupils. Our pupils paid
a visit of observation to Streasall Common and Military
Camp. They were divided into parties of four, each party
in charge of a guide. The plan of the visit was that each
party should choose the feature it wished to see, and that no
information was to be given by the guides except in reply to
an inquiry from one of the party of observers. In this way
the camp guard-room, a soldier's tent and its equipment,
the series of rifle butts and arrangements for scoring,
with other features of camp life, as well as the flora were
studied."

Glasgow. " We have a very comprehensive museum of
our own used daily in object teaching, and occasional visits
are paid to the public museums on Saturday mornings."

Mr. Brown and Mr. Evans mention occasional visits, and
their use in bringing to light long-concealed misconceptions,

9. Any new devices or methods for teaching Reading and
Braille ivriting.

It was thought this question might lead to the discovery

274

The Elementary Education of the Blind

of some ingenious person who had found a way to adapt for
the use of the bhnd the latest methods in vogue with seeing
children, but apparently the inability to eomparc quickly
one word with another by the sense of touch is an obstacle
to the " Look and say," or other modern methods of teaching
reading. Metal plates, the ethelda, or boards on the plan
of the braillette are in common use for teaching the alpha-
bet. Some teachers recommended enlarged letters, but we
have found in most cases the standard size preferable, as the
little fingers more readily cover a smaller-sized letter. The
type-board can be utilised for forming words, letters, and
sentences ; many exercises can be devised to keep up the
interest. If the class consists of a number of beginners at
different stages of progress, each one requires individual
attention, and by means of type-boards you can easily keep
them all busy and have a record of what they are doing.
At the same time the fingers are being trained, and the child's
natural desire of having something to show for his effort is
gratified. It also gives excellent drill in spelling before the
class is able to use the Braille frame.

Our teachers prepare many reading cards, introducing each
new letter as it is learned. Miss Lily Bell suggests the
following : " Before the lesson commences, prepare a story,
writing on cards all the principal words, which should be
short and easy ; tell the story to the class, and when their
interest is aroused, let them read the prepared words."
This embodies an important principle — create in the children
a strong desire to learn to read for the pleasure it will bring.

We all desire in teaching reading to " touch the true chord,"
and often the promise of a library book is a strong incentive
to progress. In our course, after the primer and one or two
readers, we have used stories in preference to more readers,
but the revised Braille has forced us to give up the abridged
edition of Scott's novels, " Myths of Hellas," Church's
" Iliad " and " Odyssey," and many others, which we had
collected in duplicate for this purpose.

Writing.- — All are agreed it is unwise to begin Braille
writing until the child's hand is strong enough to hold the

275 T 2

The Elementary Education of the Blind

style in a proper way. If a bad manner of grasping the style
is once acquired, it is as difficult to correct as awkwardness
in holding a pen. Although it will require patience with
helpless children, it is important for them to learn to put
the paper in the Braille frame.

Mr. Robb. " For teaching reading and writing to pupils
below the normal, we have found a plasticine alphabet useful,
the pupil makes his own A B C on the desk, using large
balls at first."

Mr. Norwood uses a perforated board with rivets.

Mr. Illingworth. " Best of all methods, supply blind
teachers for these subjects. I do not favour devices. I
think it is a mistake to make things too easy."

Mr. Dow. " For saving time and labour, and securing
best results, writing machines should be used as soon as
possible."

Mr. Hamilton. " The Cooper Engraving and Manufactur-
ing Co., 558, West Washington Boulevard, Chicago, manu-
facture for $5 the ' Midget Braille and Point Writer.'
This is extremely simple, reasonable in price, and easy to
operate."

10. Methods of teaching Geography in the early stages to
blind children.

The teaching of geography has been almost revolutionised
in the last few years, and the methods now in use among
seeing children are those which are advantageous for the
blind child.

All the replies recommended the use of sand, or models of
clay, wax and plasticine, for the early stages, to be followed
by plans of the premises, playgrounds and neighbourhood,
the children measuring the distances and making the plans.
For this course the type-boards, wives and cushions, or per-
forated boards with rivets can be used.

The long lists of rivers, lakes and mountains have given
place to descriptions of the people of different countries,
their occupations, the productions, etc. Sometimes the
older children, who are more advanced in modelling, can
provide illustrations for the little ones. The following books

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

are useful for lessons of this description : " Seven Little
Sisters," " Living Races of Mankind," " Customs of the
World," "Man in Many Lands," "Man and the Earth."
Although the work belongs to a later stage, I would like to
mention the great value of having the pupils study in detail
the raised maps of the United Kingdom and Colonies, also
other countries, if time allows. In after life they cannot
always be consulting an atlas, and if the knowledge is gained
in youth, it becomes a permanent possession, which adds to
their interest in the news of the day, books of travel,
etc.

Mr. Robb and Mr. Benj afield suggested the representation
of geographical facts by means of games. The latter uses
models of the different countries cut out of thin wood ; one
of these models is placed on a perforated board, and the out-
line traced with small nails. Afterwards the pupil makes the
outline from memory and fills in the physical features of the
country.

Mr. Illingworth notes that this subject is too much
neglected. You will pardon me for relating the following
experience of Sir Francis Campbell. He was told it was no
use to teach geography to the blind, and as an argument, the
gentleman, leading him to an embossed globe and placing
one hand on New York, the other on Liverpool, said, " You
can't tell how far it is from one place to the other." Sir
Francis immediately turned round and asked, " Can you ? "
The gentleman hesitated, and finally acknowledged he
could not. " Then what is the use of teaching a sighted man
geography ? " retorted Sir Francis, adding, " the distance is
exactly 3,066 miles " — he had recently crossed the Atlantic.

11. Course of Nature Study adapted to blind children.

The syllabuses for nature study followed closely those in
general use, including lessons on plant life arranged according
to the seasons (bringing the children, if possible, in contact
with the growing trees, flowers and fruits), gardens of their
own, and germinating seeds in the schoolroom. During
the winter, our Kindergarten table is covered with vessels
containing peas, beans, grains, and nuts, each one labelled

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

with the owner's name, for personal ownership adds greatly
to the interest. Lessons on insects, birds, elementary
seience, and physiology were included, until one felt the
school hours were not long enough for all the nature know-
ledge one would like to impart. The keeping of pets was
also mentioned.

12. Course of History adapted to blind children.

In pursuing this study there is practically no difference
between the blind and the seeing child, and the former has
the advantage in the fact that his memory is generally
stronger. Therefore, all correspondents recommended the
courses generally adopted in progressive schools. A few
of the practical suggestions are appended. " The sand-table
for illustrations, dramatization of historical incidents, and the
reading of historical novels." Mr. Stoddart notes that they
encourage the senior pupils to take a supplementary course
in history, by placing on the library shelves all the interesting
books in embossed type bearing on the subject.

13. Correlation of studies.

The interest which arises from discovering the relations
that exist between different studies and their natural
groupings are so obvious it is unnecessary to dwell on this
question.

14. Have you ojjen-air classes ? What results are notice-
able ?

Classes are held in the garden during the summer months in
nearly all the Schools, the only ones having special facilities
in the form of open-air classrooms being Birmingham and
Stoke-on-Trent.

It was the general opinion that the children benefit
physically when the conditions are suitable, but less work is
accomplished during the lesson as the attention of the class
is diverted by the many sounds.

One principal notes, " everything which distracts and
dissipates attention is objectionable, and open-air classes
are not desirable except for the frail and sickly. Have
abundant play and exercise, but have school classes in
regular schoolrooms, properly constructed and ventilated."

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

15. Are joint Institutions for the blind and deaf mutes
desirable ? If not, ijlease give reasons.

The imanimous \ erdict was against joint institutions for the
following reasons : " There is nothing in common between the
two classes and the course of training is entirely different."
" Under one headmaster, one or other class gets the prefer-
ence to the detriment of the other." " The blind children,
when talking to the deaf, contract facial exaggerations,
and the imperfect language of the deaf is imitated." " Each
class had better be educated with normal children than
with each other." " The difficulty is to think of any reason
why they should be together. Neither party is the slightest
use to the other, and it has brought about intermarriages."
There have always been strong, but unavailing, protests
when educational authorities proposed to erect joint Schools.
One council even contemplated adding accommodation for
the mentally defective. It is to be hoped that this unanimous
testimony, from those who can judge by experience, will
prevent the building of similar Schools in the future.

16. Are there serious defects in the present education of the
blind ? If so, zvhat remedies would you suggest ?

" The want of good text-books, models, and maps " was
mentioned as one of the defects at the present time. '.We
appreciate what Mr. Stainsby has done since he came to
London to increase the supply, and we know that he intends
the immediate preparation of maps and other educational
publications. The greatest want is, " the lack of financial
support.'' In employing teachers, buying apparatus, or
enlarging premises, one has to stop and consider how the
additional expense is to be met and forego many improve-
ments that would add to the efficiency of the school. -We
w^elcome the increased Elementary grant, and hope before a
year has elapsed ample provision will be made by the
Government for the education and training of those over
sixteen years of age.

" Difficulties of classification owing to irregularities in the
age of admission " could be met by giving up Day-centres in
favour of more centralisation. " The lack of blind teachers

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

on the staff " was regarded as a serious defect, and the
prejudice against their employment can be overcome only
by the continued protest on the part of those superintendents
who know the worth of their blind assistants. " The need
of frequent interchange of ojiinion upon vital points of the
work " will be met by more extended work on the part of
the "Association of Teachers." It was urged that educa-
tional authorities " should grant facilities for members of
the staff to visit other schools." " The education of myopes
in a separate school " is already receiving attention.

" A work on pedagogy written by an expert in blind work "
was asked for. Many suggestions that will be helpful can
be gained from practical ps5'-chologies and educational pub-
lications already obtainable. There is a danger of differen-
tiating too widely between the capacity of blind and seeing
children. I would urge upon all teachers in schools for the
blind to associate more with their fellow teachers in schools
for the seeing- — ^join a " Childhood Society," keep up-to-date.
You will be surprised to find how much of the fresh know-
ledge gained can be applied in your special work.

17. Do you find that teachers who come fresh to the work
experience any difficulty in adajJting themselves to the needs of
the blind children ?

There is abundant testimony that teachers who come fresh
to the work, while they may experience a little difficulty at
first, soon adapt their methods to the needs of the children,
and bring fresh life and interest. One correspondent dis-
agrees, and criticises unfavourably " the college-trained
infants who are so full of i^rcconceived notions of what they
call psychology and hygiene, that they have to unlearn much,
and this they are reluctant to do." He would have sighted
boys and girls enter as student teachers and be trained for
service in the institution. I cannot agree with this sweeping
condemnation of trained teachers. The " trained infants "
must have listened to lectures on psychology and hygiene
more mj^stifying than enlightening. Teachers who consider
their training is finished zvhen they leave College, and are not
prepared to he learners all their lives, are of little use in any

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school. Student teachers who receive all their training
inside an institution are apt to have a narrow view point ;
some experience with normal children is desirable, otherwise
there will be a tendency to set too low a standard for the
blind children.

18. Have the examinatiofis of " The College of Teachers "
improved the attainments of your staff?

Where new teachers have been added to the staff since the
organisation of " The College of Teachers," there is gratifying
testimony as to the good effects of the examinations of that
body. In one or two replies, there was a criticism of the
academic qualifications required of the candidates. At
first it was impossible to set a high standard of attainments
for the candidates, but the council and committee should
consider whether the time has not come for a revision of the
conditions of admission to the examinations.

19. What proportion of your teachers have had a Training
College or Kindergarten course ?

It is a matter for congratulation that so many teachers
now employed in our schools are trained and certificated. A
course of training will not make a teacher of one who has no
fitness for the work, but any natural qualifications are
strengthened and given a right impulse by residence in a
good Training College.

Lord Morley in a recent address at Manchester University,
after complimenting the city on the munificence and energy
to which the University owed its existence, referred to the
skill, devotion, and perseverance of its long list of distin-
guished teachers, and added, " the teachers are the soul of a
college^ This applies with even greater force to those in
charge of the blind, as the pupils, owing to their circum-
scribed environment, are more dependent on the teacher's
influence. A teacher who has no enthusiasm, no initiative,
no genuine love of teaching, is out of place in a school for
the blind. Great care should be taken in choosing the
teaching staff, and I would beg governing bodies not to try
and economise on the salaries of their teachers. Education
and training are usually the blind youth's only capital, and

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

surely one so handicapped and restricted in the hnes of work
open to him deserves the best education that can be given
him as a preparation for future employment — an education
that will not only make him skilful in some trade or pro-
fession, but also fit him to take his place in the community
as an intelligent, self-respecting, upright citizen.

Those who are familiar with the condition of the schools
for the blind forty years ago, when children were housed with
adults, when the school curriculum included little beside
reading and arithmetic, when physical training was regarded
as beyond the capabilities of the blind, will realise how great
has been the advance in all departments of their education.
But there is no standing still in educational work, we must
either advance or go backward. It rests with all the teachers
and their co-workers, not alone those gathered in this Con-
ference, to determine whether the course in the future shall
lead " right onward " towards a higher ideal.

APPENDIX I.

MANUAL TRAINING COURSE FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN
THE AGES OF FIVE AND FOURTEEN.

Outline prepared at the Birmingham Royal Blind Insti-
tution.

Manual dexterity can be cultivated : — •

(1) Directly. — By means of manual training.

(2) Indirectly. — By making the child independent in matters
of personal cleanliness, tidiness, domestic duties, etc.

Outline Course.

(1) Paper Folding and Cutting leading to geometrical forms.

(2) Mat-plaiting, raffia and wool-weaving, leading up to cane-
seating chairs.

(3) Bead threading — making of original patterns.

(4) Plasticine modelling, illustrating nature lessons, geography,
history and story lessons with original modelling.

(5) Knitting (graded).

(6) Sewing (graded).

(7) Wire work (boys).

(8) Cane weaving; from fiat weaving to baskets and fancy
articles.

(9) Domestic duties (laundry and housewifery).
(10) Woodwork (boys).

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

Outline prepared by Mr. W. M. Stone, Royal Blind Asylum
AND School, West Craigmillar, Edinburgh.

I. — (1) Performance of elementary duties such as clothing and
feeding, fastening buttons, lacing boots, etc.

(2) Playing with toys.

(3) Occiipations of infants' schools.

(4) Manual work, such as carpentry, bent iron work, knitting,
etc.

II. — (1) Free play with toys, bricks, cups and saucers, dolls.

(2) Bead work, raffia work, simple weaving with wools.

(3) Pulji cane work, knitting.

(4) Carpentry, basket-making, bent iron work, knitting
(hand), knitting (machine).

(5) More advanced carpentry, sewing machine.

Outline prepared by Mr. J. A. Cheek, L.C.C. School, Linden
Lodge, Wandsworth.

For boys between the ages of twelve and sixteen years, I believe
a general training is best and would recommend at least three out
of the many subjects. One, woodwork, with a variety of well-
directed thrusts, pulls and knocks, with fine set tools, scientifically
reducing hard material and constructively assembling the parts.
Another, basket work, which brmgs into play a totally different
set of finely judged manipulations of pliable material, in which
tools are almost negligible. And another, clay modelling, a
subject providing means to cultivate gentler touch in work. I
think these three forms of training suijplement each other, and,
combined, complete a fairly comprehensive system of hand
training.

Outline prepared by Misses Delph and Garlick, L.C.C.
School, Morning Lane, Hackney.

Kindergarten, bead work, modelling, knitting, sewing, rug-
making, macrame work (which we find most useful for boys),
netting, basket-making, stool and chair-seating, and woodwork.

Outline prepared by Mr. J. M. Ritchie, Henshaw's Blind
Asylum, Manchester.

Infants, 5 — 9. — Mamly by the manipulation of the various
forms of apj)aratus specially designed for Infant handwork. Here
we use miich of the material siipplied by such firms as Charles and
Dible, Edward Arnold, etc., which can be adapted to the use of
the blind or which can be used without adaptation. Probably
the most educative activity is clay modelling, which we correlate
with nature study and other lessons. Beads are used in three
sizes, large, intermediate, and seed beads. Band-pit and sand-
table play and lessons give exercise for manual dexterity, as also
garden work.

From 10 — 13. — In this intermediate section the most advanced

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

forms of Kindergarten occupations are retained. The ciiief are
clay modelling, seed bead and pulp cane work.

From 13 — 16. — In this senior section tlie factor of utility plays a
prominent part. Tlie scheme here in use was outlined in an
appendix to Mr. Stain^by's paper at the Edinbui'gh Conference
and printed in that Keport.

Outline prepared by Miss Gertrude Radford, London
Society for Teaching the Blind, Hampstead.

1. Modelling. (5 — 14 years.)

Manipiilation of plaiticuie.
Modelliug, simple forms ; roll-ball, etc.
Modelling, complex forms.
Imitation of various objects.
Expression of ideas.
Modelling should be used to ilhistrate any lesson.

2. Bead Worh. (5—10 years.)

Stringing beads, starting with very large and gradually

introducing seed beads.
Stringing beads of different sizes and shapes.
Making articles with beads and wu'e : (1) round, (2) oval,

(3) square.

3. Baffta Work. (5 — 10 years.)

Raffia binding over cardboard, starting with (1) square,

(2) ring.
Raffia weaving on frame.

4. Plaiting, etc. (5 — 10 years.)

String (coarse, fine), 3 strands, 5 strands.

Rush, 3 strands, 5 strands, 7 strands.

Raffia, 3 strands, 5 strands.

Fastening buttons on button frame, coat, etc.

Tying bows, dressing dolls.

Lacing: (1) wooden frame, (2) strips of leather, (3) boots.

5. Knitting. (8 — 14 years) with :

String on frame at first, then needles.
Wool: (1) coarse, (2) fine.
Method of holding needles :
(1) Plain, (2) purl, (3) ribbed.

(4) Four-needle work.

(5) Articles in various patterns.

6. Cane Weaving. (8 — 14 years.) (Sizes 6 — 0 cane.)

( 1 ) Single, double, triple weavmg on wooden practice frames.

(2) Round baskets with wooden bases.

(3) Round baskets with wooden bases, handles, lids.

(4) Round mats.

(5) Round baskets with cane bases.

(6) Round baskets with cane bases and lids, etc.

(7) Oval trays -with wooden bases.

(8) Oval baskets with wooden bases.

(9) Oval baskets with wooden bases and lids.

(10) Oval mats.

(11) Oval baskets with cane bases, lids, etc.

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

(12) Square baskets.

(13) Fancy shapes.

7. Chair Caning. (10 — 14 years.)

(1) Square frames.

(2) Square chairs.

(3) Ordmary cliairs.

(4) Round chairs.

8. Typing. (12 — 14 years.)

(1) Letters of alphabet.

(2) Sentences.

(3) Tables.

(4) Business letters, etc. Speed tests.

9. Crochet. (12 — 14 years.)

(1) Large hook and coarse wool.

(2) Smaller hook and fine wool.

(3) Chain, doubles, trebles, etc.

(4) Various articles.

10. Sewing. (12 — 14 years.)

(1) With wool on canvas (coarse, fine).

(2) Coarse calico and thread.

(3) Fine cloth and cotton.

(4) Various stitches, tackmg, hemming, runnmg, sewing,

fancy stitches.

(5) Cutting out and making various garments.

Outline prepared by Mr. R. Toms, A.M.I.M.E., West of
England Institution for the Blind, Exeter.

Woodwork [First Tear).

Exercise I. — -Marking and sawing off to a given length.

Exercise 11. — Gauging on flat.

Exercise III. — Gauging and marking off to a given depth.

Exercise IV. — Gauging, marking, boring and nailmg.

Exercise V. — Gauging, marking, sawing and chiselling to a
given width and depth.

Exercise VI. — Gauging, marking, sawing and chiselling on the
edge, every other groove being twice the depth of the others.

Exercise VII. — Gauging, marking, sawing and chiselling grooves
in the width of the wood.

Exercise VIII. — Planing to a given width and thickness.

Exercise IX. — Planing, markmg, sawing, chiselling and inlaying.

Exercise X. — Planing, marking, sawing, chiselling and oblique
inlaying.

Exercise XI. — Planing, setting out with compass, boring,
sawing and spoke-shaving.

Model. I. — Square mat. Planing, shooting, glueing, setting out
with square, rule and compass, spoke-shaving.

Model Ia. — Round mat. Same tool operations as the last.

Model II. — Square prism.

Model III. — Octagonal prism.

Model IV. — Round ruler.

Joint I. — Lapped halving.

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

Joint II. — Lapped halving on edge.

Model V. — Key rack, involving all tlie foregoing tool operations
and exercises.

Woodwork {Second Year).

Model I. — Bracket. Planing, sawing witli bow saw, paring
with gouge and chisel, boring and sawing.

Model II. — Soap bos. Planing, sawing with tenon saw, end
grain shooting, paring with chisel, boring, nailing and screwing.

Model III. — Letter rack. Planing, boring with brace and
centre bit, glueing and screwing.

Model IV. — Pipe rack. Planing, parmg with gouge and chisel,
boring with brace and centre bit, sawing with bow saw, spoke-
shaving and screwing.

Model V. — Knife box. Planing, shooting end grain, grooving,
boring with centre bit, spoke-shaving and nailing.

Model VI. — Egg stand. Planing, boring with centre bit, spoke-
shaving, application of the lapped halving joint and screwing.

Model VII. — CoUar box. Planing, end grain shooting, nailing
and screwing.

Model VIII. — Book rest. Planing, end grain shooting, bormg
with brace and centre bit, paring with gouge and chisel, spoke-
shaving, nailing and glueing.

Model IX. — ^Coat rack. Planing, bormg with brace and bit,
paring with chisel, chamfering with plane and chisel.

APPENDIX II.

REPLIES TO QUESTION No. 5.

Birmingham. — By carefuUy devised tests which sliaU bring
mto play the sense of hearing as regards obstacles, their size and
nature ; sounds, the direction of issue, nature of same.

Mr. Stone. — I have not much faith in special methods. Plenty
of activity, games, exercises in the open is what is requisite. As
soon as possible pupils should be allowed and encouraged to go
short walks and long ones, too, as they advance in years, into the
country and into the town. Then they have to use their
hearing, and the jiower of judging distance and direction grows
stronger.

Mr. Brown.— Various games and training of boy scouts I have
found to be invaluable. Cricket, poultry farming and museums.

York. — The sense of hearing may be cultivated by constant
practice in sounds of various kinds and intensity in rooms, halls,
and in many different conditions in the open. This testing and
judging sound is done by our pupils in all their outside walks, and
periodical tests are held in locating, distinguishing and otherwise
determining sounds, both inside and in the open, under varying
conditions of furniture and surroundings.

Mr. Dow. — Gradual extension of the environment of the blind
child as fast as conditions of safety will permit will automatically

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

cultivate the sense of liearing tlirough necessity. Attention
should frequently be called to things desirable to be noticed and
questions as to comparative results may profitably be held in
classes.

Mr. Hamilton. — Have a portable electric bell which can be
placed at various distances from the pupils ; teach them to gauge
this distance, have them measure it. Walk to the sound and back
again, thus forming the idea of distance. It also helps to have a
small bag of sand to throw at the bell.

APPENDIX III.

REPLIES TO QUESTION No. 6.

Birmingham. — A carefully graded scheme of physical exercises
and gymnastics, dancing and rhythmic movements, calling into
play the various muscles of the body and inculcating a sense
of direction and distance. All forms of ball games (adapted),
races, running, skipping, jumping, swinging ; play hours are
supervised ; gymnasivim free after school hours.

Dundee. — All ordinary children's games ; play is not super-
vised ; gymnasium is open at any time for play or practice.

Edinburgh. — Young children : free play, rocking horse,
bicycle. Boys : football, cricket, quoits, bowls, running, dancing,
Swedish drill, gymnastics. Girls : skipping, swinging, dancing,
acting, Swedish drill, gymnastics. Play hours are unobtrusively
supervised ; gymnasium available in free time if teacher is present.

Glasgow.^ — We have children lethargic and mentally dull on
admission who have become quite normal after a course of
physical training. Skipping, hide-and-seek, stilts, running round
in the joy wheel, football, dancing, swimming, rowing at the coast.
While the playgrounds are overlooked, the pupils are allowed to
play freely and choose their own games. Gymnasium open in the
morning for voluntary work, but always under superintendence
of the physical instructor.

Liverpool (Catholic Blind Asylum). — The physical exercises
approved by the Board of Education. Football, cricket, stilts,
swinging, see-saws, running game, dancing. Play hours are
supervised.

Linden Lodge. — I consider the gymnastics one of the best
means of mental development, especially where the pupils are
allowed to practise by themselves by way of recreation. There
is no limit to invention of new exercises. The content of the
apparatus is grasped, and an exercise must be conceived before
it is attempted. The joy of daring and conquering is induced.
Gymnastics for the blind correspond to golf to the sighted. Tree-
climbmg, rambles in the country, roller skating, training for
school sports, cricket, pushball, skittles, and a game pecuhar to
ourselves, played in a narrow alley with a wicker baU, gardening,
walking competitions. A master is always responsible, but play

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

is not closely supervised. Gymnasium only available under
supervision.

Manchester. — Children wlio have been previously dull and
listless develop sharpness and keen interest, especially if taught
the principles of mechanical force. Motor toys are useful in this
connection. It is remarkable how the Swedish-loom has developed
a bright iatelligence in some of our previously dull, and so far as
handwork is concerned, useless blind girls over sixteen. Football
and cricket are most popular with our boys, also swimming, but
the giiis enjoy skipping and ordinary girls' games. Play hours
are supervised, but every freedom is allowed. Gymnasium free
to a certain extent.

Newcastle. — All games involving motor activity stimulate and
cultivate mental development and independence. According to
the season, we have football, cricket, running tracks, tops, hoops,
skipping, stUts, swings and see-saws. Play hours are all super-
vised. No gymnasium.

Norwood. — Gymnastics, swimming, roUer-skating, cycling,
boating, dancing, skipping, jumping, putting the shot, tug-of-war,
walking and nmning competitions, skittles, swings, stilts, see-saw,
etc. The play grounds are overlooked, but the pupUs are allowed
to play freely. The gymnasium is open in free time for voluntary
work.

St. Leonards. — The cbUdren should conduct and select their
own play as far as possible. The teacher's duty should be to
prevent danger and harm of every description, moral and other-
wise, and to prevent stagnation and aimless wandering about of
the helpless ; to correct bad and nervous habits, to encourage
and take an interest in children who have hobbies. The teacher
has great opportunities of bringing out much that is good in the
children, of tnspii'ing them with ambition, and forming tme
companionship.

Swansea. — Skipping, jumping, football, tug-of-war, swinging,
running, gymnastics, and dancing. Play hours supervised.
Gymnasium apparatus sometimes available.

Stoke-on-Trent. — A few remedial and recreative exercises
interspersed occasionally in the daily work ; football, cricket,
hockey, horses, skipping, dancing, barbells and wands ; all the
times devoted to games are organised and supervised, but not
ordinary recesses ; no gymnasium.

St. John's Wood. — General supervision in play hours, a
portion of the time spent in organised games, but much free play ;
gymnasium not available in free time. Cricket, skittles, wrestling,
leap-frog, chains, tug-of-war, roller skating.

Worcester. — Rimning games, scouting, cricket, stUt-fighting,
country walks, dancing. Play hours supervised unobtrusively.
Gymnasium available provided the boys can get a master to be
present.

York. — A simple illustration of the use of motor activity as a
stimulus to mental development is readily found in the game of
skittles, the pupils having in the ordinary course of the game to
comit the balls and also skittles overthrown, as to value and
number, also to judge the direction in which the ball must be

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

thrown, the force required and so forth. Cricket, skipping, leap-
frog, hare and hounds, tug-of-war, fox across, disguising voices,
giant-strides, see-saw, swinging, wrestling. Outside gymnasium
api^aratus always available. A teacher is responsible for the
pupils durmg play hours, but there is no attempt to interfere with
the freedom of the children ; it is the true essential of real play.
At the same time, the children are encouraged and taught to play
by the teacher when necessary.

Eov. C4eo. WiiiTTLETOisr. — Country walks if the party be not
too large. The walking over rough country, and the negotiating
of gates and stiles all tend indirectly to develop the physique of
the child, and if a really interesting description of the country be
added, and it is not overdone, tlie average child will be able to
visualize his surroundings. I am greatly interested to see that
the Scout movement has extended to the blind. Of its great
benefit to the rough lads of this neighbourhood I can bear grateful
testimony, and I think it will be useful to the blind. Camping for
blind boys, if not an accomplished fact, I feel sure is practicable,
and would be useful. Some ten years ago, with two blind com-
panions and a lad aged fourteen, I rowed from Oxford to Putney,
and each night we pitched our tent and did simple cooking with a
little help from the boy.

APPENDIX IV.

MINNESOTA SCHOOL FOE THE BLIND.

Suggestions for the Home Training of Blind Children
DURING Vacation.

Parents and friends of the blind should bear in mind that no
school can, or should, relieve them of all responsibility for the
education and training of their children.

Many things which cannot well be learned at home will form
the subjects of training at school, while many others which can
as well, or better, be taught at home should receive attention
there.

One great purpose of the long summer vacation is that during
that time j)upils may'have time and opportunity to learn at home
those things which, with little effort and no expense, can be
imijarted to them there, but which could only be given at school
at considerable exi^cnse, and then less profitably and efficiently,
for since many of these are to be practised in the home in after
life, they can best be originally learned there.

During this season girls should, step by step, acquire a know-
ledge of all the kinds of housework which have a place in the
household of which they form a jiart. Sweepmg, dusting,
mopping, arrangement of furniture, washing, ironing, settmg the
table and clearing it off, dish washing and wiping, the preparation
of all kinds of vegetables, and, when sufficient deftness in other
directions has been acquired, practice in cooking. All these can be
satisfactorily done by blind girls with proper training and atten-

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

tiou, wliicli may generally be incidentally and easily imparted by
the mother or sisters wliUe engaged in tlieir work.

Do not be too fearful of letting your girls try experiments in
any and all of these directions, and if some small loss or incon-
venience occurs in the process of instruction and experiment,
remember that the State has been to immensely greater cost that
your child might learn the things you could not teach her, and
certamly yoiir interest in her development should not be less.
The entire resi^onsibility for such training cannot be delegated to
the State ; it falls primarily upon the parent and should not be
evaded.

Again, do not keep the girl at one or two things which she may
have learned to do fairly well, simply because it is some conveni-
ence to have them done. Some girls are kept at dish-washing or
tending the baby until they fairly loathe the thought of such
work, when, if it were diversified by the opportunity to engage in
the many other kinds of work which they might do, the aid would
in the end be even greater and the benefit much greater, besides
being much more agreeable.

Remember that, wherever your daughter is to live, a capacity
to do all of these thmgs will be of immense advantage to her. If
she is to live in the home, as most blind girls will, she may in the
declining years of the parents be the main stay of the family in all
kinds of housework, with only such superintendence and assistance
as may be required, from seeing persons. And certainly her
position will be vastly more comfortable, if she is to live in the
families of brothers and sisters or strangers, if she is quick, deft
and tidy in all matters of hoiisehold work.

The same remarks apply in differing directions to blind boys
during the vacation.

The farmers' boy should be taught to do everything about the
farm which does not absolutely require sight, and it is astonishing
how few things do, when an earnest effort is made to do them
without it ; milking, the care of stock, all the house and barn
chores, sawing and splitting wood, piling it up and getting it into
house and shed, turning the grindstone and fanning mill, sacking
grain, sorting potatoes, and a thousand other things which may
readily be learned. Even a very little sight will help very
materially in farm work as also in the household. I have known
young men with barely sight enough to avoid large obstacles to
do a full man's work in the hay field and in harvest by a little care
in arranging the kind of labour.

Here, too, do not keep the boy at one thing because he can do it
pretty well and so be of more temporary help .at that than at
anything else. Do not keep him at the grindstone, or the fanning
mill, or the saw buck until he comes to hate them and with them
all other kinds of farm work.

The town boy has less opportunity for varied outdoor employ-
ment, but even for him the vacation presents some opportunities.
The inside chores and hoiisework he may profitably learn, and he
need not be at all ashamed to do " girls' work." Teach him that
it is better to pay his way by doing " girls' work " than to be a
helpless dependent.

290

The Elementary Education of the BHnd

The summer vacation furnishes the town boy an opportunity
to experiment in little business ventures. One totally blind town
boy makes a good living by selling daily paj)ers. Many little
ventures of this kind can be undertaken, and the business training
thus got will be of immense value, even if the financial gain be
small.

In short, let the blind child, boy or girl, feel that the vacation
is a time for traming just as much as the school time is, although
of another kind. The brother or sister with sight expects when
school closes to go to work indoors or out in whatever way may
be most desirable or necessary. Let the blind child feel the same
responsibility.

This is the work and duty of tlie parents during the vacation
period, and it should be heartily accepted, and the utmost jiains
and ingenuity be exercised that good methods be selected and
that good results follow. The special characteristics and capacities
of the child should be observed and pains taken to bring out all
the powers and j)ossibilities he may possess.

The sujjerintendent of this school will gladly assist by sugges-
tions in more detail in all cases where it may be desired.

James J. Dow,
Superintendent School for the Blind,
Faribault, Minn.

APPENDIX V.

EDUCATION OF THE TACTILE SENSE.

One experiment consisted in finding the minimum distance at
which two compass pouits could be distinctly felt, before and after
the education of the tactile sense. A portion of the skhi 5 centi-
metres square between the wrist and elbow was taken on the left
arm of a man, and the right arm of a woman. At each sitting
twenty-five to forty observations were made, the svibject being
blindfolded. At the beginning, on the arm of the man the
distance between the points was 33 millimetres and at the end of
the fourth week, 3 millimetres ; on the arm of the woman, 21
millimetres, and at the end of the fourth week, 4 millimetres. At
the end of the fourth week corresponding places on the opposite
arms were tested, and the points were recognised at 5 millimetres.
The education had crossed over, so to speak, or the general dis-
criminative ability had been wonderfully sharpened. That it
was not due to the latter was proved by testing neighbourmg parts
of the skin.

Bex>lies were received from tJie following : —

Superintendent and Staff, Royal Institution for the BHnd,
Birmingham.

Superintendent and Staff, Royal Institution for the Blind,
Dundee.

291 u 2

The Elementary Education of the Blind

Superiuteudeut and Staff, Catholic Blind Asylum, Liverpool.

Superintendent and Staff, Royal Victoria School for the Blind,
Newcastle.

Superintendent and Staff, Royal Asylum for the Blind, Glasgow.

Superintendent and Staff, Yorkshire School for the Blind, York.

Mr. G. C. Brown, College for the Higher Education of the Blind,
Worcester.

Misses F. Brautigam, H. DeljA, F. Garlick, M. Holmes,
K. Norris, E. Whitehouse, L.C.C. Day Centres.

Messrs. H. W. Benjafield and R. Toms, School for the Blind,
Exeter.

Mr. J. F. Dow, School for the BUnd, Faribault, Minnesota,
U.S.A.

Miss M. M. R. Garaway, Messrs. J. A. Cheek, E. Evans, and
P. Robb, L.C.C. School, Linden Lodge, Wandsworth.

Mr. S. M. Greene, School for the Blind, St. Louis, Missouri,
U.S.A.

Miss L. Hughes, School for the Blind, Wavertree, Liverpool.

Misses B. Hatherwell, N. Preedy and B. Thomas, School for the
Blind, Swansea.

Mr. C. A. Hamilton, School for the Blind, Batavia, New York,
U.S.A.

Messrs. W. H. Illmgworth and J. M. Ritchie, Henshaw's Blind
Asylum, Manchester.

Miss A. Meiklejon, Special Residential Blind School, St.
Leonards.

Mr. T. S. McAloney, School for the Blind, Pittsburgh, Pennsyl-
vania, U.S.A.

Misses E. M. Ridley and G. Radford, London Society for Teach-
ing the Blind, Hampstead.

Mr. L. S. Smith, School for the Blind, Stoke-on-Trent.

Mr. W. M. Stone, Royal Blind Asylum and School, West
Craigmillar, PMinburgh.

Miss C. Till, Fentou.

Mrs. M. Wood Putney,

Mr. C. H. Irwin, North Shields

Rev. W. Jackson, Ilford.

Mr. P. Keiley, Alford.

Mr. J. R. Lawfeon, Hull.

Mr. T. B. Moyes, Sterling.

I\rr. A. Siddall, Rochdale.

Fpv G. Whittleton, Plumstead.

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Discussion

DISCUSSION.

Miss Garaway (London). — There are so many points arising
out of Lady Campbell's paper that will lead to much discussion
that I wiU, with your permission, select one or two on which I
should like to add a few words.

Under \. — As to the problem of the helpless child. I quite
agi'ee that exercise, especially very varied exercise, ten minutes
at this, ten minutes at that — may aid to a limited -extent;
we have found it helpful. But I have in mind the intelligent
child who has apparently ample general exercise, but who
seems quite unable to express his ideas through his hands. There
must be some psychological reason for this, and some special line
of treatment to be followed, if we could only discover the reason
of the difficulty. That there are seeing people equally deficient
in this respect is well known, they, however, being less dependent
suffer less. I am convinced in my own mind that till we locate
the cause we can never cure the evil.

Under 2. — I believe woodwork to be the means of excellent
hand training, but I strongly deprecate the use of templets or
any artificial guides. The work may have a less finished appear-
ance when no such aids are used, but that is a very secondary
matter ; our object is to obtain the independent work of the boy
or girl, and the accurate thought, measuring, and work that are
required are of the highest value. In this as in every other
branch of our work we must aim at the greatest possible output
of individual effort, and the more we can get our boys independent
of the help of artificial aid or of the master, the greater is the mea-
sure of our success.

Under 16 (Are there any serious defects in the present edu-
cation of the blind ?). — 1 should like to speak for a very few
minutes on education as distinguished from instruction.

At the educational meetings held in London last Christmas I
was present on one occasion when moral training in schools was
being discussed ; and a paper was read by the head mistress of a
large school in the Midlands in which she stated at the outset
that she was only going to speak of those qualities which could
be to any extent adequately dealt with in the class-room. Others,
she considered, must be left, certainly mainly, if not entirely,
to the home. Those of us who have to deal with children in
residential schools must do our best to meet the needs of the
children in all directions, and cannot confine ourselves to that
training which takes place in the class-room proper or in the
workshop.

The charge is sometimes brought against us that we produce
a type, and it is implied that the type is not the best type. Must
we plead guilty — are we sending out children wanting, for in-
stance, in adaptability, due to a too rigid following of orders and
not sufficient opportunity for experimenting, adventuring and
making mistakes, or children wanting in individuality, all having
been formed on one pattern ? It is a question I sometimes ask
myself. I certainly think it is a danger we ought to have in mind.
It is quite true that the weakness is not necessarily confined to

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

residential schools, but seeing that, should it exist, it is more
dangerous there, we ought to be on the lookout lor it.

It seems to me that such an evil can be best combatted by
maintaining as free a discipline as possible, by letting the children
largely do as they like in their free time, without continuous
supervision, by letting them go out alone, by giving them the
opportunity of all sorts of experience such as they would have in a
well-ordered home.

I know that this more liberal life brings with it some difficulties —
in a measure it increases the work of those responsible for the
children. There is less exact order, less personal neatness — clean
collars and unchecked play are not always compatible ; if you
give children the run of the house and garden, they tend to become
far less neat, and things have a habit of getting into places where
they ought not to be. You cannot make a fetich of exact order
and neatness without sacrificing something of high value for it,
and those of us who know what it is to be visited and inspected,
and those of us whose duty it is to inspect, will do well to bear
this in mind and remember that it is not the things that are most
easily appraised, and that commend themselves to the superficial
observer, that are the most important.

I think we should sometimes be unconventional. We are all
very imitative, and I admit that it is wise, when being uncon-
ventional, to ask ourselves whether what we hope to gain is worth
more than what we stand to lose, realising that convention is
largely the result of much experience"; but it must also be remem-
bered that any particular convention may be the result of the
experience of those striving after a different end than ours, and
then surely we shall be wise at least to moderate our action.

Do not think I am suggesting indifference to neatness and order,
far from it. I only want to impress on myself, as well as others,
that it is not the most important thing, and a rigid or even a
narrow discipline which limits children's opportunities of expe-
rience must have a cramping effect on them, and may lay us open
to the charge of producing a tyiJC, and that not a desirable one.

One of the signs of a good education is the capability of adapting
yourself to your conditions. Knowledge may bo poiver, but if you
can only use your knowledge in one particular way, certainly
your power may be very limited. We are most desirous of
turning out men and women who have not only knowledge, but
who are capable of using it to the best possible advantage in
whatever circumstances they may find themselves.

Under 17. — I feel I ought almost to apologise for having in
this year of grace to speak about tiaining of teachers, remem-
bering, too, that in a very short time an untrained teacher will
not be able to put his name upon the register, and will therefore
not be regarded as a member of the profession.

Those of us who have had the privilege of listening to Professor
Adams on Saturday — and I suppose there is not a man in the
country whose opinion is better worth considering — had impressed
upon them the value of professional training. Professor Adams
emphasised the fact that much which we call theory we forget,
and rightly, but not before it has for ever modified our minds and

294

Discussion

outlook. " Teachers me born, not made " — there is much truth
in this ; so are doctors, but you insist on a doctor liavinc; his
professional training, if not you call him a quack, and veiy few
of you would trust yourselves to his ministrations. 1 should like
to couple my name with Lady Campbell's in appreciation of the
work of blind teachers, of whom the large majority are both
trained and certificated.

Mr. Illingworth (Manchester). — As a good many of my views
on this subject have already been kindly included in her paper by
Lady Campbell, I will not inflict more than a minute on you.

I want to emphasise one thing Lady Campbell has spoken of on
p. 268 with reference to compensation, and in order to cut my
remarks as short as possible I have taken the liberty of writing
them down.

Many years ago I was very much struck with a remark made by
Dr. Eichholz when he visited our school. Commenting on educa-
tion in general he made this remark : " All methods of educating
the blind fail in their object if they do not tend towards the
development of the remaining faculties to compensate for loss
of sight." Nature does not unaided compensate for loss of sight
in the direction of providing bread and butter. It is necessary
to place the blind child or adult in an environment which will
guide and stimulate the development of the compensating powers ;
in other words, place the child at the earliest possible age under
the care of those whose special aim is to supply other eyes for the
darkened ones.

I consider that teachers and others connected with institutions
ought, wherever and whenever possible, to do their utmost to
prevent chairmen and other speakers at public meetings in
connection with such institutions referring to the pupils' dei)riva-
tion and the wonderful way in which Nature, in taking away one
sense, gives another." This kind of speech from somebody in a
responsible position at a meeting of the blind has a misleading
influence on the public. It makes them think that the blind,
because they are blind, are made up to by Nature in some remark-
able way for the loss of sight and require no help from the seeing.
They talk about sympathy and say they are very sorry for them.
At such times I feel inclined to say to such people, as the Quaker
said to his friend when they were visited by some one wanting
assistance, " Well, friend, I sympathise five pounds ; how much
dost thou sympathise "? "

Mr. H. R. LATiMER*(MaryIand). — As coming from a school of 140
all told — kindergarten, primary, grammar, and higher grade —
and as a descendant of Bishop Hugh Latimer, who was roasted
by some of you good Englishmen, I am here to say that I hope
by God's help, as he did to his brother Ridley on that famous
funeral pile, we will kindle in Britain to-day so great a fire as will
never go out.

Touching the point of actual contact in visualising objects,
I would say that one of our little boys whom we moved to our new
school, which I believe is on a cottage plan, taking our model in
some respects from the Royal Normal College — that little boy

295

The Elementary Education of the Blind

was running around and we were warning liim constantly to look
out for the lamp-posts. He came to me at the end of the Aveek and
said, " I know where they all are, I have bumped every one."
That is the best way to teach a boy to get about. Let him bumj)
everything.

The next point is that of the blind teachers. Of course I am
one, and may be regarded as prejudiced, but our superintendent
says, " My blind teachers are my best teachers." He goes
further, and says, " My blind teachers cannot teach everything
best." We have our limitations, we ladies and gentlemen of the
blind world, just the same as ladies and gentlemen of the seeing
world. We must leave their limitations to be discovered by them-
selves and find out our own. We must be awake to our failings.
Now as to matters of discipline. Why should the discipline in
oiir blind schools be any different from that in schools for seeing
children ? If it is wise for boys and girls to be under supervision
when they can see, why is it not equally wise when they cannot
see "? Make one rule for all. Propinquity is the danger. Throw
young people together and they form their attachments and
habits and customs from their associates. Be sure that their
associates are all right, and you take care of the blind children as
well as of the seeing.

One more point. The question of age has lost its specific
significance in our schools. We have passed BiUs in many of our
Legislatures, admittmg children to our schools theoretically for
any period, from three days to ninety-nine years. Where they
commence sufficiently early they leave at from sixteen to eighteen
years of age, but we are free in this respect. As to the promotion
of a child to the primary, grammar, and secondary schools, this
is done on the basis of the subject, and not the grade. If a pupil
is capable in arithmetic, we have it so arranged that he can advance
in tliat subject ; if he is proficient in English composition, etc.,
he can move along. If he is clever at geography or music or any
other branch of study, he goes forward in that particular branch.
The advantage of this is that he is kept abreast all the time of
what he is actually able to do, and he is never beyond his depth or
discouraged by inability to keep up with those in the particular
class with him. This enables us to give each boy and girl the
satisfaction of doing something for which they are bound to
receive the proper reward, and of getting the proper punishment or
discredit for what they do not do. We have established by that
means a school system of credit by which every boy in the school
from the first grade to the twelfth is judged. A boy in the first
grade may take the first place in the school over a boy in the
twelfth.

Mr. Keir """ (Aberdeen). — I perhaps occupy a unique position,
inasmuch as the previous speakers dealt entirely with what I
may call special schools for the class to which we belong. I am a
delegate fi'om the Aberdeen School Board, of which I am chairman,
and that Board manages educational affairs rather differently in
what I suppose would be described in this large centre as a North
Country village. AVe cannot boast of a special school, and I am
not sure that we desire to have such a possession. For a number

296

Discussion

of years we Iiave educated our bliud cliildren in an ordinary
school, under tlie care of two blind teachers and under the super-
vision of a sighted headmaster. This particular class room in
which our blind pupils are accommodated forms an integral part
of an elementary school of about 1,050 children, so that it will be
seen that the opportunities for rubbing shoulders with sighted
children arc not wanting. We claim, and I personally feel myself
responsible to a very large extent — we claim that by this means
you better fit the children for their future life's work. We further
claim that you cannot too early impress upon the child habits of
self-reliance and self-confidence and of always being ready to help
himself. We have found that in some cases where the children
come, unfortunately, from undesirable homes — but I may say
here that we find that many of our children come from desirable
homes — we find in those cases that a blind child is not always well
attended to, and in such a case we have found it necessary to
have the child sent to a special school in another city where the
conditions were much better than were provided at home. In
that connection 1 should like to say that I hope to see the time
when not only blind children but all children will be removed from
parents or guardians who fail absolutely to discharge their duties
to the children. I think we shall never be in a satisfactory state of
civilisation, we shall never approach perfection, until the children
are taken care of by the State when those entrusted with the care
of children do not discharge their duties either from inability or
owing to criminal habits.

WHiat we do with the children in Aberdeen at the age of fourteen
or fifteen when no special aptitude has been shown, no special
musical or literary gift developed, we arrange with the local blind
asylum to which they are transferred, and they begin to have a
trade taught to them. We feel that in this way we are doing the
very best we can for the rank and file, because after all they will
most of them have to earn their bread by the sweat of their brow.
We have, however, had occasion to send some to Craigmillar
School, Edinburgh, and one, perhaps the most brilliant of these,
went to Edinburgii University and proved to be a prizeman and
medallist in Mental Philosophy last spring, reflecting great credit
on Mr. Stone, who is the head of the excellent staff at West
Craigmillar, and just a little, I hope, on Aberdeen, as it shows at
least the fact of a blind boy passing through an ordinary board
school does not i)revent ability increasing where it exists. His
name is William Murray, and after he went to Edinburgh the
Secondary Education Committee in Aberdeen readily contributed
towards the cost of his education there. Someone said that the
Act, so far as the compulsory attendance at school of blind
children at the proper age was concerned, was a dead letter.
That may be so in England, but in Scotland it is not so.

I thank you for allowing me to trespass so long on your time.

Mr. R. Wade* (Dublin). — I think I have a little opportunity
of knowing something about the work in Ireland. We have more
blind j>eople there than in Scotland, and I think we have one
more institution than in Scotland. I would like to tell you that
with regard to the teaching of the blind in our institutions they

297

The Elementary Education of the Blind

are most admirably conducted, and in our St. Mary's Asylum for
the Female Blind in Dublin tlie children have a most ))eautiful
orchestra and play marvellously well. They are taught natural
history by the best methods of stuffed birds and so on. I would
also like to mention the institution of St. Josejjh's, which is the
only institution in Ireland where, besides being educated, they
are taught mat-making.

With regard to Belfast, we have an institution there which is
carried on very well, where we combine not only the blind, but the
deaf and dumb. And I regret to say that there are a great many
deaf and blind in the north of Ireland, more so than in the west
and south.

I would also like to take up Lady Campbell's challenge.

Mr. Miller. — I rise to a point of order. Is there any free
education by the Government in Ireland for the blind !

Mr. Wade. — I apologise if I have said anything that is not to
the point. (Cries of " No, no ; go on.")

I take up Lady Campbell's challenge with regard to the hearing
of the blind. I know a good deal of what can be done by them in
regard to hearing. A gentleman was asking me in my office one
day, " You are a blind man, and you cannot sec ; I have two eyes,
so I ought to be able to see double." My explanation of that is
that if you shut one eye and open the other, an object is conveyed
to the brain ; if you close that eye and open the other one, the
same object is conveyed to the brain by that other eye, but if you
open both eyes and look at the object, it is conveyed to the brain
by both eyes at one and the same time, and therefore you only
see one object.

If I feel one thing with this hand and the same thing with that,
or if I feel the same thing with the two hand§ at once, still only
one object is conveyed to the brain. I personally can, and have,
told my wife and children those who have come into ('hurch by
their step, and I stand here to say so : and what is more, I would
also say that I can distinguish not only which way a trap or cart
is coming, but when I am driving myself I can tell you whether
we are meeting them or overtaking them. I can tell you whether
a horse is being led, and also in some cases whose trap is coming
to the station behind me or just in front.

Mr. Oke * (Margate). — I am afraid that as a private individual
I cannot say much with regard to the school side of this matter,
but I always feel very strongly upon the paramount import-
ance of the early training of the young in this particular matter
of touch for instance. Why should not a blind child touch
everything that comes in his way ? I would almost say that he
had better break a few things rather than not touch them. I have
known numbers who have suffered, and I have myself suffered,
from that sort of mistaken idea of '' You must not touch that or
you will break it." The consequence is I have not learnt as
much as I might have done, and when I was a little over twenty
years old, altjiough I was pretty well educated, little sighted
children of five knew certain facts that I knew nothing of. I have
not quite got over it even now. That kind of thing should not

298

Discussion

be. I would like to impress upon the aTuateurs in the blind
world that a, blind eliild sliould be allowed to do as inuch for himseli
as possible ami should bo encouraged to touch everything ; that
he sliould bo told about everything and have it described to him,
and it should not be taken for granted that he knows about it.
People used to say, " I did not have to be told " ; but I said, " You
saw, and you imitated ; but I could not see and so I am all wrong."
That is my object in speaking. I feel so convinced that the
main thing is to teach these youngsters the little things which to
the sighted are so obvious that they think it is not worth while.
Describe every little thing you see when with a blind child. Make
him understand it. I am sure it is possible to some extent for
blind peojile to appreciate descriptions of scenery. Whether we
get the same impression as a sighted person I do not know, but I
myself and many other blind people whom 1 know very much
enjoy a description of scenery.

Mr. Ritchie (Manchester). — I want first to thank Lady Camp-
bell most sincerely for her helpful paper, and while doing so
should like to congratulate the Conference Committee on their
most happy choice in the writer of the paper and the opener of
the discussion. It is a matter for congratulation not only to us
who have had the privilege of listening to them, but to all the
teachers who will look forward to learning from the Conference
Report what has been said here. I should like to speak first
about the transfer of pupils from elementary schools, because I
find from Lady Camjibeirs paper that I am in general disagreement
with other teachers. I think the children ought to be kept in
the elementary school until they are sixteen years of age because
of the extreme importance of an educational atmosphere between
the ages of fourteen and sixteen. It would be an exaggeration
to call some of our apprentice shops or schools of technology
educational. Motive counts for something in the creation of an
atmosphere, and I think that in some cases the motive for tacking-
on English subjects to the end of a six or seven hours' day of
manual occupations has been financial rather than educational.
The reason why objections have been raised to taking the children
away from the elementary school where it has not been connected
with an over-sixteen department has been that the manual side
of the education would suffer. The moral side counts more than
the manual side, but taking it on its own merits I do not think
that the facts of the case can bear out this contention. I do not
think anyone can point to a school worked with an over-sixteen
department which can produce, or is producing, better handwork
than the two residential schools for boys and girls under the
London County Council.

With regard to our belief or disbelief in the visualising powers
of those who are born blind or who have lost their sight very early
in life, I do not think it matters much. We are all agreed that
the more vivid we can make our descriptions the better our
teaching is, but we are also all agreed that descriptions should
not be resorted to till the appeals to sense have been tried and
found impossible. I want, too, to disagree, if Lady Campbell
will not think it impertinent, with the opening sentence of the

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

paper. The tilings enumerated here, the heads of Mr. Stainsby's
most vahiable paper, are not the principles underlying the educa-
tion of the blind. I should say that the principles underlying
the education of the blind are those principles which are common
to the education of the seeing and the blind, and if we want
education and instruction in these we must not go to a consensus
of opinion of our colleagues, but to the professors of education
in our universities. To some — it may bo, of course, a very small
minority — but to some who are approaching the " sere and
yellow leaf" the crime of being young is an unpardonable one;
but "there is no standing still in education"; we must go on.
In the hands of the " college-trained infants," and nowhere else,
lies the future of the education of the blind.

Mr. Preece * (London). — Although I have not been directly
associated with the elementary education of the blind, yet for
twelve years before I went blind I was a lecturer on English
Literature and Constitutional History in King's College, London,
and if I may be pardoned a modesty almost Aberdonian, many
of the students who passed through my hands now occupy very
distinguished positions. Nothing struck me more in that work
than the fact that in training young men for competitive examina-
tions like that of the Civil Service the most progTessive and
reliable text-books and books of all descriptions are necessary.
Now there is a great shortage of such books in schools for the
blind. I have been making some inquiries on the subject. I have
two boys at the present time at Highgate Grammar School, and
I went through the various text-books used there in history,
geography, reading, and one or two other subjects, and I found
that not one of these is available at the present time in our elemen-
tary schools for the blind. That is a national scandal which I
hope, under recent developments, will be remedied. I may say
that I consulted lately some of the headmasters of schools for the
blind under the London County Council, and with one or two
exceptions the books I refer to were not available. Through
the magnificent labours of Mr. Pearson we all hope that this
state of things will soon be rectified. And if I may make a
suggestion to superintendents and teachers engaged in the elemen-
tary education of the blind, I would recommend that they send
to him at the National Institute a list of the particular books that
they want in training their children, so that at an early date we
may get a reliable set of text-books, primers, and maps.

Now I want to strike a new note. I have listened to all that
goes on in the curriculum of our schools, but I think we want to
train the pupils to reaUse that they have to take a practical
working part in the work outside the school waUs.

We are looking forward in this country to the extension of
national and municipal control, and I think we want to teach the
yoimg blind children something of citizenship in this country.
Now that we have so many educated and briUiant blind men, we
look forward to seeing more of them in councils and in Parliament.
I hope a book will be put into Braille so that teachers may teach
the difference between rates and taxes, the functions of different
Government departments, and the functions of the exercise of the

300

Discussion

vote. If tliat sort of instruction is necessary for boys who can
see, it is just as necessary for blind boys. And not only blind
boys, but blind girls also, because I am an enthusiastic advocate
of more electoral responsibilities for our women.

The Chairman. — I am afraid that is not in order.

Mr. Preece. — I do suggest that a book on citizenship should
be given to blind children who are being trained to fulfil their
duties in their future life. I have suffered from this lack of
books myseK as a public lecturer, and I do wish that some-
thing could be done to improve matters in this respect. During
the last few weeks I have spoken to some large audiences in the
North, and have referred to the struggles and difficulties we
meet with in our world. I do wish we could send round men
like Mr. Disson and Mr. Layton, so that the pubUc might realise
what a good education may do for a blind person. I hope we
shall all combine for a common purpose, so that we may train
our children more and more effectively for the battle and the
competitive struggles of life.

Mr. Stainsby (London). — I should Hke to remind Mr. Preece
that a book on Citizenship, by Oscar Browning, is in the Book
Committee's- hands, and is being issued in the School Magazine.
I agree that it is a subject of vast importance.

Mr. BuRRiTT (Pennsylvania). — I like your English method of
sending up a card. It enables a man to calm himseff during the
waiting period, and very often some of the things that would be
said are wisely left unsaid. I should like to say a word about the
transfer of children at the age of sixteen. But I must confess
that I am not familiar enough with your methods to speak directly
to the point. As I am touching on it to-morrow in my paper, I
will only say now that we believe we must deal with each pupil
as an individual, and that sixteen years or fourteen years are
merely suggested ages.

With regard to question 4 — " To what extent should household
duties be taught to our female pupils ? " — may I omit the word
" female " and say that the latest institution in America takes
into account the utility of household duties for all pupils. Now
the boys in the rebuilt Perkins Institution in Boston thought they
would not take kindly to this household work, and this meant
that leadership was necessary on the part of teachers and all
officials to secure the right atmosphere. But I believe we are
heading right. The schools in Maryland and Baltimore are taking
a large account of the abilities of the pupils to contribute to the
daily routine of the school, not to say the expense — though that
is not to be sneezed at, as we say in America — but the two import-
ant things are, first, that the pupils may learn by actual contact
with life that you cannot get something for nothing in this world,
and, secondly, that as he is most capable who learns by doing,
we want to give our pupils the opportunity to learn how to do
things, even though they may be humble. In America the large
majority of our pupils come from homes that are poor, where every
economic factor is needed, and we feel we are only giving them the
opportunities they deserve. You will, I am sure, pardon a

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The Elementary Education of the Blind

personal word, but the most valuable part of my own education
was the work I had to get up and do before I went to school ;
it was very important in character training, and I beUeve it is
beneficial to our pupils.

With reference to the point on p. 273 with regard to Nature
study, one of the best things we have is not only school gardening,
but boxes in the class-rooms. You have all those things here which
the children can observe under the supervision of the teacher —
the plants in the windows, and school gardens, and walks twice
a week with the teacher for the purpose of observing various
things in Nature in season.

The feeling with us in regard to educating the blind and deaf
together is decidedly against that principle. We have in
many instances had to do it, for the reason that both classes were
small, but just as soon as the numbers warrant, separate
institutions are provided.

With reference to that section of the paper dealing with serious
defects in the present education of the blind, etc., the lack of
blind teachers on the staff was spoken of. Some of our schools
in America have unfortunately come to feel that blind teachers
cannot do the work in schools for the blind, but I am glad that is
not the opinion of all our schools by any means.

A word with regard to the selection of teachers. I had ten
years' experience in i)ublic school work before I took up the work
for tlie blind, and in selecting teachers in public schools and in
schools for the blind the same principles must apply. The
teachers must be wisely sympathetic and well trained, no matter
whether they are in a normal school, at college or in a university
— it is the personality that counts. AVe go where we can find
teachers, and we spend more time in seeking out good teachers,
blind or seeing, than on almost any other part of our work, so
important do we consider it.

A Voice : Would the last speaker tell us whether the recon-
struction of schools was paid for by the State ?

Mr. BuRRiTT. — ^With regard to the two instances referred to,
in the case of the Perkins Institution at Boston the cost of recon-
struction was paid entirely out of private funds, and in the case
of the Maryland Institution this was practically, though not
entirely, so.

Mr. H. M. Stone (Edinburgh). — I wish to speak about books.
We have been told frequently that there is a dearth of books,
and that we want more books. We have had a speech this
morning, a splendid advertising speech, on the subject of books.
Now I would really like to understand what you mean by books.
Remember that we are discussing the elementary, not the second-
ary or university, education of the blind. Do we want text-books
in our elementary schools ? I say '' No ! " They are the most
abominable things ever invented. The innate capacity which
children possess of discovering facts for themselves, and the
judicious guidance of that capacity by well-trained teachers,
is worth all the text-books in the world. If you mean by books
school reading books of a literary nature, I agree, and I hope we

302

Discussion

shall get them — I think we shall. If you mean such things as
School History Readers or Geographical Readers, I hope and
trust you will not get them. They may be Readers, but they are
certainly not histories or geographies. More misconcejitions of
history are due to these «mall history books than can be well
imagined. To my mind the comparative scarcity of books for
school i^urposes is a distinct asset. This may appear to some of
you a paradox. I will explain. It is commonly remarked that
the children in our schools possess good literary taste. The
reason for that is that their taste is not defiled and contaminated
by the rubbish in common circulation. If we have not much,
what we have is thoroughly good. But we really have a great
deal if all the available sources are made use of. The senior
children in my school were asked by an inspector a month ago
what books they were reading, and they replied " Romola,"
" Barchester Towers," and " The Mayor of Casterbridge." When
I came away they were reading " Strife," by Galsworthy, and
" Atalanta in Calydon," by Swinburne. When teachers speak of
a dearth of books I ask them if they subscribe to the National
Lending Library, and their usual reply is that they do not. If
you are teaching literature what better books can you use than the
English " Men of Letters " series edited by Lord Morley ? Now
nearly all this series is to be found in the catalogue of the National
Lending Library, and what is not to be found there is obtainable
from our Library at West Craigmillar if you will join the Central-
isation Scheme.

We have been told by Mr. Preece what we ought to teach, and
that we ought to teach Citizenship. We really feel very humble
people and we accept his advice gratefully, but most of us have
been teaching Citizenship for many years. At the recent examina-
tion of the College of Teachers, one of the best lessons given was
on this subject, and it was given in such a way that it was quite
evident that the teacher was in the habit of regularly giving such
instruction. We have heard, and heard with much humility,
that a beginning is to be made with education. Good
gracious ! Have those who talk in this manner never heard of
Henry Stainsby, of Sir Francis and Lady Campbell ! Have they
never heard of Mr. Buckle, of York, and the men of his day 1
These are the men who made the beginning, and right well they
made it. We have gone a little way further. We have not
reached the end, and never shall, biit we are making progress.
Ladies and gentlemen, the state of the education of the blind in
this country at the present time is thoroughly sound. I do not
speak merely as a teacher of the blind. My exjierience has been
chiefly among the seeing, and I say that the standard of education
in our schools for the blind is a higher standard than in the schools
for the seeing, and that it is the same all over the country, from
that splendid little Day Centre in Aberdeen to the school at
Exeter. If you doubt what I say, go and look at the London
County Council exhibit downstairs, and see if anything can be
finer.

May I say one more word '? I have been chairman of the Asso-
ciation of Teachers of the Blind for a year, and I should like to

303

The Elementary Education of the Blind

assure Lady Campbell tliat slie has not only our deepest respect
and veneration, but tlie love and gi-atitude of the teachers of this
country.

Mr. Barker (Gorleston-on-Sea). — As a learner in the education
of the blind, I do tender most sincere thanks to Lady Campbell
for her valuable paper. It has been most inspiring,' and so was
Mr. lllingworth's paper on Friday. Again as a learner I hesitate
to utter one syllable of anything like criticism, but I would say
in all earnestness a word with regard to the East Anglian Institu-
tion for the Blind and Deaf. I fully understand Lady Campbell's
caveat with regard to the mixing of these two classes, but I learn
that there are only three such schools in this country, and therefore
our experience has not been a very extended one, and there may
be something in it after all. We have found a good deal in it,
both for the blind and the deaf. I am not dogmatising : we are
still learning. There is nothing in common between the two
classes, and their training is different in the class-room, but out
of the class-room they have a good deal in common. The blind
are not all totally bUnd. It has been said that the blind children,
in talking to the deaf, contract facial exaggerations. I have not
seen it. Then we are told that the bad speech of the deaf is
imitated by the bhnd children. I should Hke to say with all
respect that I do not believe it. Of course it is cheaper for them
to be together, but I do not want to touch on that, and I should
like to say again that we are certainly finding something of gi-eat
educational value to both classes of children.

A Voice : Wliat do you find ?

Mr. Gray (Montreal). — I am sure many of you must envy me
for being the principal of the School for the Blind in Montreal
after you have heard that I am under Mr. Layton. There are
just two or three points I want to deal with. Fust of all with
regard to domestic training. I think it is always good to get
different people together and to hear them talk about what they
are actually doing. In the city of Montreal in the new school
established there through Mr. and Mrs. Layton's efforts we have
many things that are unique, or, at any rate, unique as
regards the average school. Now we take the domestic
training of the girls. There, first of all a girl comes along and
lays a clean white table-cloth. She puts a flower-vase in the
centre. She sets glasses round about for each person. She puts
down forks and spoons exactly as in a restaurant. Serviettes
are folded by these gu-ls, and everything is in keeping Avith what
we might like to find in a well-equipped home. Now I am sure
that the one reason why that is possible is because the school is
small. We could not possibly do it in our larger schools. Then
as regards the dusting and cleaning, even to the cleaning of the
windows, our girls are taught to do that as well, and if it is not as
clean as we should wish, the maid or porter is asked to finish the
work. As regards ear training I was very interested in what
Lady Campbell said about this. Mr. lUingworth could have told
us that in the School for the BUnd at Edinburgh he used to have a
device with about two octaves of hand-beUs supported a little

304

Discussion

above the floor, and balls were rolled along to hit the tongues of the
bells, and pupils were asked to tell the particular note struck.
I think that was a great help in training their ear. Points were
given to those who succeeded. It was also a help in selecting the
music pupils, which is often a great difficulty, for it does not
always appear in the early stages of a pupil's training whether he
is suitable to be trained in music. It is a good idea, too, to line
up the pupils in a large field ; go to certain points in this field,
call the names of the children, then blow a whistle, change the
whistle to a bell, etc. ; sometimes a child goes backward instead
of forward.

I was pleased to hear Mr. Siddall mention that too often the
four walls of the institution were looked upon as the horizon of our
schools. Now I think I heard Mr. Guy Campbell say that blind
people should not walk in the streets alone. Of course I raise
my hat to Mr. Campbell, but we find in Montreal that our pupils
are very anxious to explore for themselves. We are right away
out of the city. They will do anything if we will only allow them
to go out in play hours. They discover more Nature knowledge
in a few minutes than by all your teaching inside. At any rate,
the two combined are certainly good. Now a word about
museums for the blind. In the city of Montreal it is not possible
to get at a museum, but we made love to a taxidermist and asked
him to give us week by week models from his collection. This
he has very kindly done, so that we are able to get what we want.
We keep the models for a time and then return them. We find it
is a very great help.

Mr. Guy Campbell. — I did not say that blind people should
not walk in the streets alone. I think that the idea of the blind
going about by themselves should be encouraged wherever
possible, but not in dangerous places.

Mr. Brown (Worcester). — I did not intend to speak on this
paper, because I have not been connected with elementary educa-
tion, and I must say I do not understand what it means in view
of the paper and discussions. I recognise the reason tor the
primary, secondary, and university education, but I cannot see
why an elementary education for the blind should be continued
to the age of sixteen. It seems to me that elementary education
does not mean education proper. At the College for the Educa-
tion of the Blind boys have been sent to me who have received
an elementary education in institutions, and they come to me at
the age of sixteen, and they cannot rank in a class which their
age justifies us in expecting to be able to place them. They have
to take their place with boys twelve and thirteen years of age. I
think this is a very great pity. As the blind are so handicapped,
they ought to have the very best education possible.

With reference to what Lady Campbell says about the present
early age of transfer from the primary to the secondary school, I
consider fourteen to be too late. If the boy or girl has to make
proper progress in all the subjects now necessary for education
it must be made at an earlier age generally.

Then there is the point of the efficiency of the education of the

C.B. 305 X

The Elementary Education of the Blind

blind at the present time. 1 am the correspondent who required
a, work on " pedagogy " written by an expert in blind affairs.
At jnesent the methods employed iu the education of the blind
appear to me to be too empirical. It should be based more on
sound theory. I think it is a most pressing want. The writer
of the paper says much may be obtained from the ordinary works
on psychology. I suppose every teacher knows that, but the
fact remains that all sound teaching is based on psychology, and
that nothing less than a complete work MTitten for teachers of the
blind is sufficient. Moreover, to my way of thinking the Psycholo-
gies now in existence are wrong. I know it is impudence of me to
say so, as I have only been connected with blind work for eighteen
months, but writers on psychology touching on blindness are
sometimes in seiious error.

I must just refer to the question of marriage. I am afraid
Lady Campbell must have misquoted me owing to my bad writing.
In any case I can answer her from her own paper. Speaking of
pianoforte tuners, she said they ought to be free from peculiarities
which so many of them possess. I suppose that such a man as
that is not the man likely to be married, and therefore it is no
g'ood preparing him for a trade where marriage is essential. It
would be of no use putting him into a grocer's shop.

With regard to books, I know the crying need there is for these.
Text-books may not be wanted in primary schools, but in secon-
dary schools they are very essential. We must have text-books,
and it is a very crying need.

At present boys have either to be taught too much orally,
which is like being fed with a spoon, or to write out from dictation
books that they need. No one would think of carrying on secon-
dary education in the seeing world without text-books. They are
equally essential to the education of the blind.

Mr. C. Arthur Pearson * (London). — I endeavour to practise
as many as possible of the Christian virtues, but I am not good
at turning the other cheek. I most cordially agree with what
our most courteous Chairman said the other day with regard to
personalities, and I think it is a great pity that they should be
indulged in at meetings of this kind, but when Mr. Stone went out
of his way to talk of newcomers into the blind world and accuse
us of casting slurs on the work of our predecessors, I think a reply
is called for. I yield to no man in my admiration of the work of
Dr. Armitage, Sir Francis Campbell, and particularly of Lady
Campbell, whose personal work I do not think has been sufficiently
realised. And I object most strongly to being told that I and
those with me have said or are likely to say anything in depre-
cation of that noble work. Mr. Stone stated that there was no
need for more school-books. Let me say that I have in my
possession letters from school teachers in all parts of the United
Kingdom complaining most bitterly of the need of more text-books.
I have letters from Miss Ellis, of Leeds, Mr. Maddocks, of Sheffield,
and many others. And I may further say, though I do not know
that I ought, that at the last meeting of the Inter-Departmental
Committee on the Blind, of which I am a member, Dr. Eichholz,
whom you all know and who is an authority at least equal to Mr.

306

Discussion

stone, stated in iei>ly to a question wliicli was put to him by the
Chairman, and not by me, that the great and crying difficulty
with regard to the education of blind children was in his opinion
the inadequate supply of suitable books.

I want, if I may be allowed, to say something which I hope will
remove a misapprehension. It is not exactly bearing on the
question. There seems to be a general impression that the work
of the National Institute has to do only with the matters of
amplifying and cheapening literature for the blind. At the
present time that is so, but the day will come when the National
Institute will go on to other branches of work to benefit the blind
community. I may say that this has already been done to a
considerable extent. For example, on May 17th last I went to
Bolton to open the new workshops there. I asked them how they
stood financially and was told that the workshops cost £4,600 and
that they had raised £4,100 towards this amount. I said, " Let
us raise the £500." The Hon. Secretary said, " It cannot be
done. We have squeezed Bolton dry already, and furthermore
we have an ai)peal on foot for the erection of a new infirmary,
which is to cost £25,000." I said we would try. I called at the
office of the Bolton Evening Newspaper and secured the co-opera-
tion of the editor and proprietor. I then wired for three of our
blind organisers and speakers. I set the ball going in my speech,
and the £500 was in the hands of the committee within eleven
days. I say that not in the least in a spirit of self-glorification,
but because I want to do everything possible to remove the
impression that the National Institute exists for one thing only,
which many of you, I believe rightly, think is not in the very
forefront. But we must do two things. First we must set the
house in order, and secondly we must begin at the beginning ; and
education is the beginning of all progi-ess.

Miss ROTHWELL (London).- — There are several points in con-
nection with the elementary education of the blind on which I
should like to touch, and, as one's time is limited, I have written
down my remarks in order to get as much as possible into the
allotted five minutes.

First with regard to specialisation under the age of sixteen.
Most strongly would I endorse Lady Campbell's remarks " on the
need of constant variety and advance in the handwork course,
until the time arrives when the aim is to acquire speed and dex-
terity in some special form of manual work." But I am strongly of
the opinion that this time does not arrive before the age of sixteen.
Modern education, in adapting itself to the needs of the present
age, is tending more and more to delay the time for specialisation
for the seeing child. Does not this apply even more forcibly to the
blind child "? — for we want our children to be alert, intelligent,
and adaptable, and in order to obtain this we must bring them
into contact with as many forms of handwork as are compatible
with thoroughness during their elementary course. More and
more do we need, especially with our older pupils, a liberal curri-
culum such as will provide increasing opportunities for the
development of thought. Life means more than earning
one's living, and education has not fulfilled its aim when it has

307 X 2

The Elementary Education of- the Blind

turned out our cliildren as wage-earuers ; it must prepare them
for the right use of their leisure hours, and for this reason I should
lay great stiess on the lessons which help them to appreciate the
beautiful in literatiue and. music.

And now some points dealing with the status and work of our
teachers. It goes without saying that they must be men and
women of Uberal culture and of broad and sympathetic interests,
and for them it is essential that there shall be a sufficiency of free
time when they can develop those interests and keep in touch
with the larger world outside school. Are we likely to attract
the best members of the teaching profession into our work when
in so many cases we make it practically impossible for them to get
the mental and physical refreshment necessary for their success
as teachers ? Several times of late years the resident post at
Elm Court has fallen vacant, and I have been confronted with
applications fi'om third and fourth-rate people, while there has
been a noticeable dearth of first-class candidates. Over and over
again I have approached fine teachers whom I knew to be inte-
rested and desirous of taking up our work, but who could not be
persuaded to enter it because of the small chance of promotion and
of the residence, which inevitably means narrowing. And what
are we doing to equiji the recruits who do enter our work !
Generally speaking they take the place of fully qualified teachers,
and during their learning period often do untold harm to their
children from lack of experience and knowledge of right methods
of dealing with the blind. By aU means let us have for our
children teachers who have had experience in ordinary schools,
but do let us insist on our education authorities making it
possible that new-comers should have a period of observation and
training before being responsible for a class.

Let the College of Teachers of the Blind see to it that their
examination is really an educational one ; that the papers set
are not given primarily for the purpose of " catching " candidates,
but of ascertaining whether they possess the right equijjment for
their work. Let the examiners in all subjects be experts in their
particular subjects and not merely be chosen because of their
prestige as administrators of institutions.

As teachers of the blind we must keep in close touch with the
teaching in the best ordinary schools, and wherever possible
adapt any new development to our needs. For this reason I
think it is good for a blind school to be in touch with an ordinary
training college.

Now a word on the vexed question of Eesident versus Day
schools. There is no doubt whatever that the many resident
institutions for the blind have done good work, but from my
unique training, and many-sided experience in schools for day
pupils only, resident pupds only, and for the last few years at Elm
Court (where we have now forty resident and twenty-seven day
girls), I am strongly of the opinion that to achieve the best results
we must have day rather than resident schools. Where homes
are absolutely impossible, board the children out, as has been done
so successfully in London. In our day schools we have now the
possibUities of medical inspection, cleansing and feeding, and our

308

Discussion

time tables include rest intervals. Our hours could be the same
as those of the London County Council open-air schools if desired,
where the children are in good surroundings for the greater part
of the day. I take it that our aim is to make our children as
much as possible like normal children and to train them to take
their place in the ordinary life of the world. Are we doing our
best for them when for so many years of their lives we are cutting
them off from ordinary home life f Had time allowed I might
have offered applications drawn from my own exijeriences in
dealing with jiarents and children, but as we hope to have the
opportunity of welcomiug some members of the Conference at
Elm Court School to-morrow afternoon, may I say that I should
be glad then to discuss this matter with any of the visitors.
In conclusion may I bring forward the fact that our poor law
children are now being largely boarded out instead of being
placed in resident institutions and that there is a movement in
the same direction in the case of industrial children. And are so
many of our children still to be limited to the kind of life con-
sidered too narrowing for the children I have mentioned "?

Miss EosE Petty (London). — Miss Rothwell has just men-
tioned the question of Day Schools versus Residential Schools,
and has referred to the boarding out of pupils. For the last
fourteen years I have been connected with this work. I do not
think it is at all an easy job to find the right sort of homes for the
children. We have been exceptionally fortiinate, but you want
a very intelligent woman to understand a blind child and take the
necessary trouble with it. It can be done, but it is not easy,
and I have been very gi'ateful to the London County Council for
not making me responsible for the boarding out of girls over
thirteen. I do not think the day classes can ever completely
cut out the residential schools, because we feel that the discipline
of the latter is in some cases more suitable.

With regard to the question of domestic work for blind children,
I have always tried to impress that on our foster-mothers, so that
if it is not done in school it may be done in the home.

As to the blind teachers, several of our sighted teachers have
said that their gi'eat value to them was that they had a blind
educated person on the spot to consult. With regard to the
question of recreation and games, no one has mentioned dancing
in this connection, and our exjierience is that not only do the
children love it, but that it improves them physically. It is also
a mental exercise. It is wonderful to see the totally and partially
blind children dance the " lancers." It must have been a con-
siderable mental effort for them to remember all the figures.

Several of our children have gone away with the Coimtry
Holiday Fund, and in one case they went to the village of Ashford.
It is astonishing to read the letters that they write . about the
things they have noticed — the growth of plants, etc. The chil-
dren's letters were so good that they were awarded several prizes
by the Children's Holiday Fund. We had rather an amusing
experience with one of the children invited down among others
to spend a holiday in the country. The people were milking the
cows. One of the children said, " Do you know I never knew

309

The Elementary Education of the Blind

where the milk came from ; I always thought it was scooped out
of a hole iu its back." That shows how difficult it is to understand
how often the children cannot visualise things, and that we cannot
do too much in the way of teaching them everything and showing
them everything.

Miss Bell* (Norwood). — There are several points on which I
should like to speak, but I will confine myself to three. The
first is the age at which blind children shoukl be transferred from
elementary to special or secondary schools. I will only speak
on the latter. I think children should be transferred at the age
of fourteen. The course provided at the elementary schools is
complete in itself, but does not lend itself to have other difficult
courses fitted to it. If the pupils go to a secondary school they
should go before they reach sixteen.

Then in regard to models for the blind. I think they are most
essential. I do not think that those who have had the education
of the blind in hand have realised what our pupils lose from the
non-use of pictures, and how little raised pictures suggest to their
minds. I quite sympathise with the gentleman who said he could
hardly distinguish an angel from a leg of ham. You give a child
a model, however, and it very soon forms a good idea of the
object. I know that the National Institute has done something
in the preparation of paper models. I wish they would supply
models of common objects, siich as houses, cathedrals, the principal
bridges, etc. It adds to the interest of the children if they can
have models to feel; and as you know, if you buy them privately,
or such as you get when visiting places of interest, it runs into a
great deal of money. It would be well if some institution would
provide them at a low price.

May I also speak of the great need that we blind schools expe-
rience in obtaining a supply of proper maps. I am sure that the
blind, and probably the sighted, will endorse my words. AVe
are very much in need of simple maps that have not much detail
in them and can be purchased in such a manner that each child
can be supplied with one.

May I just add that I should like to suggest that in the pre-
paration of the maps and models there should be some committee
consisting of blind and sighted persons to inspect the things
prepared and to make suggestions ?

Miss Holmes (Boundary Lane School). — I ought to apologise
for taking up any time, especially at this late hour, but at the same
time I feel that a word perhaps from one who is at the day schools
may be appreciated by some. Personally, I thank Lady Campbell
for her paper, and Miss Garaway for her remarks, because they
were so helpful and inspiring to day teachers as well as those
connected with residential institutions. Of course, we gi-eatly
appreciate our totally blind assistants. After twenty years of
experience — about ten in residence and ten in day schools — I can
say that I value their assistance more than I can tell, and also
their practical work, and I am glad to say that my blind teachers
have always known what they can teach best and what they had
best not teach.

310

Discussion

The two points I wish to mention in connection with Lady
Campbell's paper are these. We heard from Professor Adams
on .Saturday about theory and practice. Some of us have many
fine theories but cannot put them into practice. Many times I
have planned a series of lessons for the improvement of the
children's hearing, but with motor buses passing every few seconds
I found that we could not do much in that way. Then as regards
children having free play. We could do much more, and would,
if we were not relegated to the corner of a playground iised also
by 500 other children. As to taking children into the country
and making them observe things, I quite appreciate this, and so
do my children. A little girl in my school greatly ai)preciated
'walking round a big Alderney cow lying in a field belonging to a
lady who has a farm where we took a number of our children last
summer for the day. We have a number of stuffed birds, but I am
sorry to say we have nowhere to put them, as space is a great
consideration with us.

Lady Campbell. — Before replying I should like to say that
Mrs. Charles Campbell is at the door, and will be very pleased to
receive orders for the pictures taken on Saturday.

Mr. Wade spoke of a challenge, but he missed the point of my
remarks. It was for training the hearing of young children I
pleaded ; I know the hearing of the adult blind is generally very
sharp, but I want these little children to become expert in this
respect. It will save them from many mistakes.

The very fact that the London County Council transfers the
children at the age of thirteen from a day centi-e to residential
schools proves my point. Sir Francis always urged that a change
should be made at thirteen, as it was then possible to form an
opinion as to the child's future. What about the children who ai"e
musical "? If music is to be the future means of livelihood, the
training should begin before sixteen if the blind musician is to
rise above mediocrity. A good foundation must be laid in child-
hood.

With regard to text-books, publishers will find the selection a
difficult matter. In some schools for the seeing the books are
changed with each removal of a pupil from one form to another.
Dr. Kimmins, of the London County Council, read a useful paper
on that subject a few weeks ago.

In regard to training the blind and deaf together, I think the
impression made upon the blind is the thing we have to consider.
If they are educated together the public confuse the defects of
one class with those of the other. A lady came once to the
Perkins Institution for the Blind and listened with great admua-
tion to the singing of the pupils. Afterwards she said : " Dr.
Howe, it is a wonder how you taught those poor deaf and dumb
creatures to sing so beautifully " ; and that was the result of
having only one deaf and dumb person in the institution.

The Chairman. — There is just one thing I want to add. I
think Miss Petty omitted to say that in regard to the London
County Council and the question of blind teachers a resolution
was passed by the sub -committee of which I am chairman that

311

The Elementary Education of the Blind

tliere should always be a blind teacher in each of our day schools.
I think there is much help to be derived in the training of blind
children by having with them a teacher who is herself suffering
in the same way as her pupils. I say this so that no misappre-
hension should arise with regard to the matter.

Mr. H. J. Wilson (London ).^ — I am sure you would not wish
our Chairman to go away without a hearty vote of thanks being
accorded to her for presiding over this meeting. Some of us in
London know what good work Mrs. Wilton Phipps has done in
connection with the London County Council schools, and I can
assure you that I was very much pleased when she consented to
take the chair. We could not have had a better chauman. I
hope you will accord her a hearty vote of thanks.

Mr. Illingworth. — I count it a privilege to second that
resolution. W^e have aheady had many pleasant meetings in
connection with this Conference, but I think you will all agree that
none have been more pleasant than this morning, and this has
been a good deal owing to the presence of such a delightful chair-
man. I am very pleased indeed to second the motion that a
hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mrs. Wilton Phipps.

Monday Afternoon.

VISIT TO INSTITUTIONS.

Between 2 and 3 p.m. five char-a-bancs started from the Church
House to enable visitors to inspect the undernoted institutions in
the Central London area, but owing to the distances involved
some were unable to cover the whole round. On anival at Swiss
Cottage the visitors were kindly provided with refreshments by
the committee of the institution : — ■

Association for Promoting the General Welfare of the Blind,
Tottenham Court Eoad, W.C.

Barclay W^orkshop for the Blind, Edgware Road, W.

The National Institute for the Blind, Great Portland Street, W.

National Lending Library for the Blind (Incorporated), Queen's
Road, Bayswater, W.

London County Council School for Myopes.

London Society for Teaching the Blind, Swiss Cottage.

There was no afternoon session of the Conference.

312

Some Suggestions on Massage by the Blind

Monday, June 22nd, 1914.
EVENING SESSION.

Chairman : Mr. Henry J. Wilson.

The Chairman. ^ — ^I am sorry and very much disappointed
in consequence of the arrangement with regard to the
chairman for this evening having fallen through. Let me
crave your indulgence and ask you to put up with me. Mr.
Marriott's paper will now be read.

Mr. Marriott* (Harrow).' — I am a very, very poor Braillist,
so Mr. Abseil will read the paper for me. We need plenty of
light on this subject of massage, and I hope the discussion
which follows will be red hot. As a rule students have plenty
of gas, but what we want is more light. I have not had very
much time to throw that broad flood of light on this work
which I think it needs, therefore I hope you will forgive the
brevity I have adopted. I hope points will come out in the
criticism that I have been obliged to omit for want of space.

313

SOME SUGGESTIONS ON MASSAGE
BY THE BLIND

F. R. MARRIOTT,
Harrow.

Massage is now recognised as one of the most vulii;il)k'
adjuncts to the remedial agencies at the service of the
medical world ; in fact, the general i)ractitioner and surgeon
can really find no better remedy for the remoA'al of adhesions,
dejiosits, and effusions. In the exercise of this profession
the blind can not only equal, but even surpass the sighted
masseur.

Afflicted Nature, in her compensations, endeavours to
sustain a law of balance. This law, as evidenced in the case
of the blind, imparts to the minds of the sighted public an
extraordinary appreciation of the qualities displayed by the
sightless ; it is imperative, therefore, that we blind people
should justify these conceptions by the successful results of
the exercise of our profession. It does not require a great
effort of the imagination to realise why the blind can really
equal the sighted masseur, for the dactylic faculties, the
developed perception, and the quickened hearing, all lead to
this result.

In this work noble deeds may be done, self-sacrifices are
to be made, and suffering is to be alleviated ; the masseur
has to be the pilot of health, the helmsman of hope — hence
only the good men and true are fitted to follow this high
calling.

I would like to claim your interest by describing a few
of the advantages, intermingled Avith a few ideas that might
be adopted and serve a useful purpose, and I will be as brief
as possible.

314

Some Suggestions on Massage by the Blind

Moral Effect of the Blind upon Patients.

Neurasthenia. — In their efforts to arouse patients from
the apathy and self-centring morbidity that usually accom-
panies the above nervous disorder, doctors are often at a
loss to know what course to pursue, in order to dissolve these
unhealthy characteristics, and this is Avhere the blind
operator can rise superior to the difficulty. A patient has
been informed that a sightless masseur has been engaged,
this invariably excites a burning curiosity in the mind of
the patient to see how such a person can perform such work.
The moment the masseur enters the bedroom, the patient's
eyes watch him with keenness, all his movements are
observed with concentrated attention, from the hand-
washing to the manipulations. The operator is introspected
as to his methods in travelling, his home life, his reading,
etc. ; the morbidity is broken, an outside interest has been
created, and the doctor in charge is amazed at the change
in his patient. The foregoing is not an exceptional, but a
general effecL I have often heard the following expression
used by patients after treatment : " Well, if you can com-
mand so much fortitude under your affliction, I must
attempt to do likewise."

The Eye and the Touch.

In comparing the differences in value of the touch and
the eye, no further proof is needed to establish the powers of
the blind. In the human organism, the duty of the eye is
to perceive colour, to reflect the symmetry and expression
of form, and to assist in directing the hand to a given point.
In the same field tiie touch analyses temperature and blood
pressure, locates deposits, adhesions, effusions, etc., tells
the condition of the pulse, the quality of the muscles, and
the value of any movement. Intensified through the loss
of the optic, the aural medium interprets changes in the
character of the breathing, and the voice, and notes any
nervous arti^ulsttiotlis -and refie::J£€s of the patient.

315

Some Suggestions on Massage by the Blind

Qualities that Constitute a Good Masseur.

Good massage can only be accomplished through the
agency of the hands, head, heart, and a strong physical
constitution. Keen perception, brightness of demeanour
and an optimistic temperament are of the utmost import-
ance ; furthermore, a fair level of education is a necessity.
The heart must be sympathetic, a strict sense of morality
must be cultivated, the hands must be mobile, free from
excessive moisture and from superfluous hair. The face
should be free from blemishes that are unsightly, or it would
surely offend a sensitive patient. The blind should never
work upon commiseration, but prove their strength of
character by ignoring their affliction. Finally, neatness of
attire and cleanliness of person are, of course, essential.

Work and Profit.

Two hundred a 3 ear should be well within the reach of a
good masseur, but this is only obtained by foraging and by
harrying the doctors ; therefore, individual effort must be
made in this direction ; too many of us rely upon others
to do everything. After passing his examinations, every
masseur must be prepared to face the first j^ear in the open
field with practically no returns ; it is hard to make a name
known, and work is difficult to obtain at first ; the beginner
will have to call upon a thousand and one doctors and not
be discomfited by rebuffs, for surely there will be these in
plenty, and they must be met with sangfroid. The masseur
who can get about unaccompanied is the one to get most
work, for patients often consider attendants a hindrance, or
find it extremely awkward to accommodate them.

No faith is ever placed in cheapness ; inferior work usually
accompanies cheap fees, so that I would urge masseurs to
charge the proper fees when patients can afford it. Not
a day's march from Marylebone there is an institution that
professes to aid masseurs to obtain work, but save me from
their methods. This institution arranges and cuts down
the fees to an alarming extent, and, furthermore, charges

316

Some Suggestions on Massage by the Blind

10 per cent. I emphatically assert that this demoralises
and weakens the independence of masseurs ; the whole
concern needs to be better organised and wants better
business concentration.

Training of Blind Masseurs.

Under normal conditions it is extremely difficult to retain
the complexities of anatomy, and grasp the intricacies of
physiology; therefore it is not easy to realise the intense
mental labour required by the sightless to obtain a true
conception of thevital forcesthat govern the human organism.
Sighted students have access to carefully prepared diagrams,
also to the dissecting room or the museum of the College of
Surgeons, thus enabling them to study under easier condi-
tions. The most important training school for massage in
the British Isles is that of Dr. Fletcher Little. He does his
best for blind students, and that is a great deal, but more is
necessary. What is really required is absolutely individual
attention. Over and over again I have found colleagues
sitting alone trying to wrestle with the apparent intangi-
bilities of anatomy without any help, except, perchance, the
casual assistance of senior students. It is expected that
these students will assist them, but they have to fret their
own minds to grasp knowledge, therefore it is not fair to
expect too much from them. Only those who have had years
of experience, or the blind themselves, can truly appreciate
what is adequate to their needs. For this reason I believe
that it would be far better to train blind masseurs in a
central part of London, giving them access to medical
colleges, also selected examinees from the medical world.
I should further advise that a skeleton should be arranged
with detachable muscles made of rubber ; these could be
made, by a sculptor ; the initial cost might be rather expen-
sive, but would be cheap in the long run. Models of various
organs could be made on a larger scale than the normal,
which would allow of analysis in detail. The main trunks of
the systemic circulation could also be arranged on a frame-
work corresponding with the natural position in the human

317

Some Suggestions on Massage by the Blind

body. Embossed diagrams of small organs, nerves and
lymphatic tubes should be made ; also diagrams of exercises,
Swedish, Danish and others, would be better comprehended
if sewn with macrame thread upon rag paper. I sincerely
trust that the foregoing will not displease instructors of
massage, for, as regards the welfare of blind masseurs, I have
a crystal conscience.

Masseurs in the open field have to treat patients whose walk
in life is upon a highly cultured plane, manifestly, therefore,
they must converse from an intellectual standpoint. Culture
could not be expected to place faith in Illiteracy. Yet blind
men are being trained who are totally unfitted for masseurs,
men who would do well, if given the opportunity, in work
better suited to their attainments. It brings a tear to the
eye to see these unfit becoming derelicts, for they never can
and never wdll succeed at massage. To train such persons
is an injustice to them, and a blockade to the fit, for once a
doctor has employed one of these unsuitables, it is with
difiiculty that he can be induced to try a better man.

If these few expressions should give umbrage, may I plead
forgiveness on the ground that in the matter of massage, we
blind excite more than ordinary attention, thus giving rise
to the expectation that that which we attempt we shall in
reality be fitted to perform.

Cure of Incurables by the Blind.

In placing the few following facts before you, and to
obviate any lurking scepticism you may entertain, I would
say that anyone desiring to do so can interview the patients
mentioned. Their addresses will be supplied by the author
of this paper.

Mrs. W. W., wife of a well-known composer, w^as stricken
with paralysis two years ago, and no hope of recovery was
entertained by three specialists. She htis now practically
full use of her limbs, and can raise a glass of Avater to her
lips without spilling a drop.

Mr. D. G., well-known in the motor world, had not been
able to use his limbs for seventeen and a half years ; can now

318

Some Suggestions on Massage by the Blind

get about anywhere, has travelled to South Afriea alone, and
is draughtsman to a large engineering company.

Miss W. had not walked for seven years, and was in the
Home for Ineurables at Ciapham ; can now walk two miles
with fair comfort.

Miss G., suffering from spinal curvature, was pronounced
hopeless after three years' treatment on a spinal carriage ;
can now walk ten miles, rides a bicycle and is working in a
drapery establishment.

Sir H. W., a well-lvnown musical conductor, suffered from
a severe nervous breakdown eight years ago ; was cured by
nine months' massage.

Mr. D., suffering from severe arthritis in every joint, is
now quite free.

Others there are, but I do not wish to tire your interest.

It must not be supposed that the foregoing cases are
examples of extreme skill. It would be folly for us to
presume to usurp the place of the doctor ; he really has not
the time at his disposal to devote what is necessary in such
cases. They are simply examples of perseverance.

In conclusion, may I express the hope that this great
Conference will be the means of bringing into existence better
conditions for study, of introducing better men into this
honourable field of labour, and of throwing light upon the
best means of obtaining work for those fitted to perform it.

319-

Some Suggestions on Massage by the Blind

DISCUSSION.

Tlie Chairman. — ^TL.is is the first time I have seen that paper,
or heard it read, and I wish to say emphatically that if I had seen
that last sentence on p. 316 before this evening I should certainly
have tried to persiiade Mr. Marriott to withdraw it. It is a great
pity to attack any institution or any individual on an occasion like
this. That might be done in some other way, and I regret that
that sentence is there.

Dr. Cantlie (London). — I believe I am only allowed about five
minutes, so I will try and say what I can in that time. The reason
I am here to open this discussion is because of the experience I
have had in the various departments of massage and its practice
by the blind. I spent ten years in the East, where massage was
first introduced. In Japan almost all who practise massage are
blind. Japan and China were the home of massage, from which
our European nations have gathered their knowledge. It was
known three thousand years ago in China. Were I to read a
Chinese translation of the movements, etc., in massage and get a
modern masseur to put them into practice, one would find the
exponent would be following the modern movements we are
acquainted with.

I had two Japanese masseurs in Hong Kong ; one had his sight
and the other was blind, and I preferred the blind one. Why
did the man who was not blind come to me ? Because he could
get no work there as they preferred the blind. Why was he
trained as a masseur i Because he was a soldier and they had
to have masseurs with the army who could see ; but all the work
in civil life and during time of peace is given to the blind because
the people prefer them. So my man came to Hong Kong because
he had left the army and could not get any work in Japan. My
other justification is that I work at the Seamen's Hospital, and
we have Mr. MacKechnie as masseur, and he is as good as we can
have for the work there. The injmies we meet with at the Docks
are anything but slight^ — a man tumbles down the hold of a ship
and breaks a number of bones. There you find that you require
real strength for the various injuries the sailors suffer from. We
appreciate Mr. MacKechnie's work very much. I often see him
going down, and sort of pity him because of the level crossings
he has to get over. I take hold of his arm sometimes, but he
rather resents it, I think. It is marvellous to see him going over
the crossings among the network of railway lines, and it is the
greatest test I ever knew for a man situated as he is to get about.

I have also met in private life a Mr. Mackenzie. He does
excellent work although blind. His hand and touch are very
gentle. I have known the same patient to have two masseurs.
The first one had his sight, and then I recommended Mr. Mackenzie,
and the patient told me afterwards that he much preferred
him to the other.

The next experience I have had is that I have for two years
been examining in anatomy and physiology in Dr. Fletcher
Little's school, where many of the students who have sent in their

320

Discussion '^'

papers were blind, and I can see no difference in their knowledge
of anatomy and the knowledge of those who are able to read.

I therefore think from my own observations (I am only
telling you of my own ex^^erience) that it matters not whether a
man can see or not in regard to his work as a masseur. It is not
a case of preference, but I do think that the blind man has his
energies concentrated in his fingers, and it is by concentration
that the work is done. I can easily imagine that the blind man
has more in his fingers than we have in our general senses diffused
over a large area, and I have no hesitation in saying that blind
masseurs are quite equal to, and in some instances better than,
those who are endowed with sight. I think a central organisation
for blind masseurs would be most iiseful, but I will not suggest to
the blind here present that they are not fit to get aboiit. That
is the last thing they would stand. It would be a great pity if
they did not go about, because it develops their intellect. To
bring the people to a house where the blind could do massage
upon them would, I think, be a very detrimental agency, for the
mental faculties of those afflicted with blindness are wonderful,
and I am not sure that they are not better when they are getting
about alone as I see them do.

Mr. John Tennant (London). — I very much regret that my
friend Mr. Marriott did not see me or the secretary of the National
Institution for Massage by the Blind before he made that rather
unkind reference. Unkind, because not only is it founded on a
misapj)rehension, but because it has reference to an institution
which in many ways has been the pioneer of massage by the blind.
And not only that, but it really indirectly misrepresents its object.
(A voice : " No.") Allow me to explain what I mean. In the
first place it is not true that we have any standard fee for our
masseurs, but it is true that what I may call the standard fee at the
institution itself, the scale of charges for massage at the institution,
or for masseurs sent directly thence, is a little lower than the highest
fees charged in London. Seeing that we are fighting our way into
a new sjihere, I think it is arguable whether that is not a right
thing to do. As to the commission, the charge used to be 10 per
cent. We do not charge anything of the kind at the present
moment, but for a short time it was suggested that, like the seeing
institutes, when we got work for a blind person a charge should
be made, but it was never enforced. It was suggested that they
might pay that sum as a little return for their training. The
young ladies at Smedley's Hydro never paid it. But I fail to see
how that undermines the independence of the blind ; as a matter
of fact one man insisted on paying something, as he wanted to be
on the same level as the seeing.

The great difficulty in the way of the blind is imperfect training.
There are, I am afraid, blind masseurs who have had an imperfect
training. Our object was to make sure that we got hold of the
right people and trained them in a good school. To do that we
have a paper to be filled up which you will see downstairs ; it
refers to good character, good health, refined appearance, the pro-
mise of local help from friends (which is very important), aud a
knowledge of Braille. Then Di. Metcher Little only charges

C.B. 321 Y

Some Suggestions on Massage by the Blind

half fees to the blind ; he gives a fortnight's training gratis to test
whether the candidates will become good masseurs. That is the
function of our institution, to try and turn out men and women
who are fully equal to their work.

Now I will leave that subject to make one or two observations.
Dr. Cantlie has said so much about the excellence of the blind
that I hardly like to add anything. But massage is the one
occupation which a man going blind between the ages of
twenty-five and forty can take up with any reasonable hope of
success.

I will now take up the question of disappointments. It is
quite true that there are several whom we have trained and who
are unfortunately not successful. I want you all to realise that in
this matter we are not like Japan. In England the blind masseurs
are pioneers of the blind in a new world, and the difficulties are
very great. We have to consider that the seeing people hold the
field. The doctors have many of them got their own operators,
and naturally do not care to give them up ; moreover, trained
nurses are largely taking up massage, and that produces great
difficulties, especially for our masseuses. Altogether it is a very
difficult job. Then the blind man has to have a guide, and his
poverty is often a severe handicap at starting. Yet men make
good even under the gi-eatest difficulties. I know two cases which
after their training have actually begged for alms on the London
bridges, but who are now absolutely successful. One was taken
by friends to a great watering place, and the other was not helped
at all, but by his own perseverance has pushed on till he got a good
suburban practice.

I want to say a word about the future. What can we do ?
In the first place I am very much obliged for the excellent
suggestions of Mr. Marriott as to a model. He seemed to think^
that that would hurt his trainer's feelings. On the contrary,
Dr. Fletcher Little agrees with me that the idea is admirable.
I think the friends of the blind ought to help to provide such a
model, and I myself am willing to contribute liberally towards the
cost if it is provided. I think the model ought to be in the
possession of the National Institution for Massage, and should be
lent to the trainers for the time being. I want starting scholar-
ships for the blind. Poor men have a fearful struggle at first.
If they had a little to fall back upon it would be a gieat help. If
the institutions which can pension the young would make use of
their funds to give a man a scholarship for three years instead of
a pension for life, it would be a very good thing.

Mrs. McNicoll is not very strong, and it would be a great thing
if I could get some one to help her. She took the poorest of
our girls tc Bouinemouth, introduced her to doctors, and placed
her with the Yoimg Women's Christian Association. She got
together a practice worth 30s. a week, and now is happily married.
Such a success could be repeated elsewhere if more volunteer help
was forthcoming. Now for one last word. I hope the Depart-
mental Committee will try and ensure that in the public institu-
tions of the country massage is the monopoly of the blind. They
are thoroughly efficient.

322

Discussion

Mr. Ben Purse.* — ^I am not going to attempt a sj)eecli. I know
too well my own limitations in i'esj»ect of this business.

I want to ask the reader of the paj)er if he has any reliable
statistics as to the number of people trained and the success they
have attained. My reason is that in another place a few days ago
a very eminent gentleman told us that he was afraid massage was
in such an experimental stage that it could not be recommended
with any degree of certainty. It would help some of us very
considerably, if we could have the information, to know that a
decent number of persons who have been trained have attained a
certain measure of success.

The Chairman. — Mr. John Tennant will probably be able to
give you the statistics required almost better than Mr. Marriott or
anyone else.

Mr. M. JoNKER* (London). — In the first j)lace I want to thank
Mr. Marriott very much for his valuable paper, with which I agree
in every point. I took up massage in October, 1913, and finished
my course in January, 1914. Since then I have frequently
visited the school and come in contact with many old blind
students. They have told me their experiences, and my own
experiences have taught me that at present massage is unsuitable
for the blind. Not because they cannot do it ; I agree that they
can do it equally as well and perhaps better than the seeing. But
they have to struggle with the prejudice that exists among the
doctors. I knew a blind gentleman who holds Dr. Fletcher Little's
certificate and the certificate of the Incorporated Society of
Trained Massems. He applied for a post at a hospital. He was
told he would have to work in two wards connected by a corridor
a quarter of a mile long, and they were afraid he would not be
able to do it, so he did not get the position. A little later a doctor
telej»honed to the place for a masseur. This same gentleman's
name was given. He was asked to call or telephone. Unfortu-
nately he called. The doctor said : " I did not know you were
blind ; I am not sure whether the patient will agree to have a
blind masseur, but I will let you know." He has never heard
again.

I think it is evident two things are necessary — -in the first place,
that all those connected with the blind, if they should meet any
blind person who is intending to take up massage, should advise
him not to do so, and, secondly, that a central bureau should be
established to try and get work for blind masseurs. This bureau
ought to be established, if possible, at the National Institute for
the Blind in Great Portland Street, because we know there are
men there like Mr. Pearson and Mr. Stainsby, and, though we
may not always agree with them, we know that if they take the
matter in hand they will give their whole heart to it. The work of
this birreau should be to try to persuade the committees of hospitals
hydros, etc., to take blind masseurs ; further, to send circulars
again and again to doctors, pointing out the advantages of a
blind masseur. They should also advertise constantly in medical
papers, and I trust that in that way the condition of blind masseurs
may be improved.

323 Y 2

Some Suggestions on Massage by the Blind

Dr. RocKLiPPE (Hull). — Mr. Marriott commenced by saying
that lie wished for criticism. As I have only a few minutes, I will
not waste time by making a lot of preliminary remarks, but will
say at once that I consider massage to be a most sxiitable occupa-
tion for the blind. I speak with a certain amount of experience.
Not only do I represent the Hull Blind Institution, but I have had
the privilege also of training three blind masseuses who were the
first three to obtain the certificate of the Incorporated Society of
Trained Masseuses. To succeed in the work the masseur must be
of good moral character ; he or she must be exceptionally
intellectual, free from all peculiarities which so many blind people
possess, such as twitchings of the face and body, etc. In fact,
they should be exactly as sighted persons in their manner. If
they have to wear coloured glasses and their eyes are absolutely
no use to them, I advise that they at once take steps to have them
removed and that artificial ones be worn. From experience I
know that this is an excellent suggestion. When a blind person
has been treated in this way, people come into the room and say,
" I did not know she was blind." But if there is anything repul-
sive in the appearance of the masseur or masseuse, people do not
like it. They say, " Of course it is very sad, but I cannot stand
her about me." These are facts, and this advice is the practical
result of experience. As to education, it is no good beginning at
the bottom of the tree and trying after a little instruction to come
to the top. She has to begin at the bottom and work gradually
upwards. In regard to dress and appearance, she should be
dressed exactly like a hospital nurse, with collar, cuffs, apron, etc.,
all scrupulously clean ; also the hands and nails : there must be
nothing objectionable about her. If there is anything offensive,
it should be attended to, or she would never do as a masseuse.

As to fees, the gentleman, I think, is rather under a misappre-
hension, for only a good worker can demand good fees.

I may say two of our masseuses are succeeding. One is not
doing so well because she ought to have had a pair of glass eyes.
The first two are intellectual girls of pleasing appearance, and are
earning from three to six guineas a week. The other has a pair
of glasses and twitching hands.

Then, again, as to the medical man and the fees to charge. I
think we have a very good arrangement. We fix a price at so
much — I think 5s. — and we say to the doctor : "If your patient
cannot afford it, what can she pay ? " I am a medical man
myself, and can assure you we all have the greatest interest in our
patients, especially our blind, and we assist them all we can. It
then depends upon the masseuse herself, and if she is competent
she will quickly go to the top of the tree.

The practical training should begin early. The students should
have all the bones and everything else possible before them, and
after each lecture someone (in our case the matron of the Home
for Blind Women in Hull) should read to them the anatomy and
physiology upon which they have been lectured, while they take it
down in Braille and study it afterwards. By this means also
they compile a valuable library for future reference.

Miss Ethel H. Smith (London).^ — -There are one or two subjects

324

Discussion

I should like to mention. The first is the question of fees. I do
feel that the fees of the competent blind masseuse and masseur
ought to be kept up. If they habitually charge reduced fees it is
bad for themselves and bad for the profession generally. They are
looked upon as incompetent if they ask low fees. Another matter
I may also touch upon is that it has been suggested to me that it
would be a good thing if a post-graduate course were started for
the blind, to be taken once or twice a year, to keep them acquainted
with the ordinary up-to-date ways of treating by massage, and if
possible exercises, which I think Mr. Marriott touched upon. It
might be arranged that a certain fee should be promised to a really
competent lecturer, and there should be a class of not less than
twenty so as to help pay it. I thought that at first the National
Institute might perhaps guarantee the lecturer's fee, and then
find out how many operators would avail themselves of the
opportunity. I do think it important to keeji up to date.

I may add that I have had a great deal of help from Mr. Stainsby
who has been most kind in having papers and letters Brailled for
a masseur I am interested in, and I am always glad myself to help
the blind. We have very good lectures, and I thought it possible
that some of these might be printed in Braille, so that they could
be sent about among the blind.

Mr. MacKechnie * (London). — I was very pleased to hear
Mr. Marriott's paper. It is a very able and a very interesting
one. There have been remarks about the low fee charged at the
institute, but you will find that the low fee is quite equal to, and is
larger to some extent than, the fee that Dr. Kockliffe mentioned.
Five shillings is the lowest fee we charge. I may tell you I have
worked for much less, and will do so again, not because I like
working for small money, but because it is not always advisable
or even reasonable to stick out for the full price.

Now I am limited to a very short time, but I woiild like to
mention that all the people who go in for massage at the institute
have, nowadays, no money to pay in the way of commission.
That was done away with four or five years ago. Also, after they
leave, they have a training in the Temperance Hospital for a fort-
night or three weeks, which helps to give them experience.

The other remark that has been made with regard to finding
money to keep the ojierators in respectable clothing, etc., till they
have a connection was quite true. I think that is a very sensible
suggestion. I would never recommend a man to go in for massage
unless he has some money behind him. He would probably do
better as a pianoforte tuner, which is a better occupation for tho
blind. Every blind man can be a piano tuner, and work is more
easily obtained ; then if he feels like it he can go in for massage
afterwards.

Mr. Ernest Greek * (London). — I must first of all take excep-
tion to Dr. Kocklifl'e's assertion that blind people should have
their eyes out if they cannot see. He says if a person is blind and
has to wear blue glasses he should have his eyes removed and
replaced by artificial ones. I am to all intents and purposes blind,
but I can see light, and should be very sorry to lose that light. It

325

Some Suggestions on Massage by the Blind

helps me a good deal. Apart from that it is rather cruel to think
of a man having his eyes taken out when science is making such
advances and he might have his sight in a few years. I went in for
massage two years ago, and fortunately have a piano tuning con-
nection which is able to keep me. I perhaps have not put as much
energy into massage as I might, but I feel that massage should be
more reserved for those who lose their sight after the age of twenty-
one. There are many blind men aiad women who are cultured
people and yet have to sit down to do basket-making ; now I
think that massage is an occupation suitable for these. I also think
that those who have other occupations in their hands might take
it up. Then, again, as we have no funds to back us, I think the
position of those who go in for massage should be a little more
carefully looked into when they leave the massage institute, to see
whether they have any means. Friends always help you before you
get your certificate, but afterwards they find it more difficult. It
should be ascertained whether the person has money or friends to
keep him in clothing and food till he can get work. I was trained
at Dr. Fletcher Little's place, and I must say that 1 had a very
fine training.

Mr. Marriott * (Harrow). — There are one or two things I
left out that I thought would be fired at me in the criticisms.
First, with regard to diseases. I will foreswear that diseases
are not given in the training as they ought to be. My advice
is to have models of slipped cartilages, malformations, etc. They
should be made of rubber and plaster. I could not get that into
my paper.

Captain F. Peirson-Webber * (Ettington).— I hope you
will excuse me if I do not follow the letterpress of my paper
word for word. It is simply because I never can write a
paper as I am going to speak it. I want to speak it freely,
to rub it home, but I hope you will find that I do not miss any
essential point. If I do, please ask questions and I will reply
to the best of my ability.

326

SCOUTING

As an Aid for the Blind to Healthy
Independence and Good Citizenship

Captain FRANCIS P. PEIRSON- WEBBER.*

I HAVE the honour to place before you this evening, for
your fair consideration and support, the practical importance
and far-reaching advantages of " Scouting " as an aid to
prosperous independence and good citizenship. Let it be
clearly understood that " Scouting " is not intended simply
to impart a soldierly aptitude, as so many suppose, but
essentially to develop a manly citizen, well skilled in some
useful craft, according to his liking and opportunities, and at
the same time so well versed in scoutcraft generally that he
is in a position to defend his home and country, and if
necessary protect his trade in a manner suited to the occasion.

Now, let us see how this training can be applied to the
blind. Why, in this way ! Do we not all know, who have
tasted it, how hopeless, how impossible, and how forlorn the
outlook of life is for a start, nor will such a frame of mind be
altered to any practical extent until a scheme of life is
introduced that carries with it helpful information of a daily-
Hfe nature, that leads us with interest to acquire resourceful
initiative, tactful consideration, and such an appreciation of
the need of the moment that we can take life to advantage
without fuss, and develop passing opportunities to such
success that we gain self-reliance without conceit.

In Scoutland, we look on all self-made men, whether
traders, service men or politicians, as true scouts ; but to
appreciate fully how scout-training makes its own success,
we must talk to the lads themselves, and see them at work,

327

Scouting

and test their efficiency by giving them work to do, suited to
their qualifications, and then judge the true vahie of such
training by results.

Someone might very naturally say, " That's all right for
sighted scouts, but what about the blind, what can they
do ? " To this I reply that, with but few exceptions, blind
scouts will be able to pass nearly all the tests for sighted
scouts, as a qualification for " badge " distinction to warrant
their efficiency. Just see how this will break down the
barrier that at present exists, and widen boundaries of work
for the blind, for assuredly as soon as blind scouts acquire
such distinction in craftsmanship brother scouts of the
sighted brigade will at once give suitable opportunity for
work, and in the success and prosperity of such work shall
every man find his greatest happiness, so that in time he will
forget all past trouble in the busy pleasure of working out his
own salvation.

Scouting for the blind is at present in its infancy, never-
theless a capital start has been made by Worcester College
for the Blind, Avith two patrols under the Principal, Mr.
Brown, as scoutmaster. At the Wavertrce Institute for the
Blind, Liverpool, we find besides four strong patrols of Boy
Scouts, two most efficient patrols of Girl Guides, under the
captaincy of Miss Allen, Lady-Superintendent of the Institute.
Newcastle is starting a patrol of scouts, and the Institute at
Birmingham is also considering the question, and we hope
in a very short time to find scouting for boys, and guide-work
for girls, taken up by all institutes for the blind, not as a
taught subject, but as a bond of union and good fellowship,
worked up by the lads themselves, on principles of scout-law,
introduced to them by their leaders. I hope to see the day
when it will be looked on by all as a signal honour to be
invited to become a scout, so that the brigade of blind scouts
may work up to the highest efficiency and to the honour of
the institutes they represent.

If it is wished to form a troop of scouts, all one has to do
is to obtain a copy of that most interesting and compre-
hensive book, " Scouting for Boys," from any bookseller, and

328

Scouting

follow up the simple regulations. They are expressed so
clearly as to be readily understood. It is then recommended
that suitable portions of the book should be read aloud to
classes of an age likely to appreciate such interests, and then
by subscribing to The Scout, and having reading seances with
fitting regularity, it will be found that the lads will soon take
to the pleasures and realities of scouting, and in working
their gardens, or poultry, or joinery, or other pursuit by
" patrols " they gain a practical appreciation of the value of
co-operation which will stand them in good stead, maybe, in
later years.

I am pleased to say that the National Institute for the
Blind will shortly issue a Braille edition of " Scouting for
Boys."

It seems to me that it is everything to teach a youngster
to be a successful independent worker with tact and ready
resource in any phase of life best suited to his opportunities
and natural ability, and, I believe, if only scouting can be
introduced, we shall find many a lad show proficiency in
ways at present obscure owing to lack of opportunity.

Such surely is the very essence of scoutcraft, and in
bringing such suggestion forward, it is hoped not -merely to
rub home a truth of economic importance, but also to further
a movement that may well be expected to help the blind to
help themselves to a greater extent than is at present possible,
by opening up wider fields of work for scouts worthy of the
name.

329

Scouting

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Brown (Worcester). — I liave to thank Captain Peirson-
Webber very sincerely for being tlie first to perceive what scouting
will provide. I can realise what valuable work he has done after
fourteen months with my boys. Now, scouting itself is too well
known to need any comment, but I will just mention one or two
points. The most valuable point, I take it, is that it makes them
members of a great brotherhood of sighted boys. They mingle with
them, and work with them, and contest against them, and they learn
more thoroughly what are the capabilities and limitations of those
boys as well as of themselves. I will give you some idea of what
our boys have done in fourteen months. We started with three
and now have got twelve. They have passed all the tests to make
them what we call " tenderfeet." Of these twelve one-half are
second-class scouts. We have not any first-class scouts, but we
have four boys who are only waiting to be able to do fifty yards in
the swimming baths, and then they will be ready for the test.

Then Captain Peirson-Webber has mentioned proficiency tests
which are wanted. I make it a point for every boy on becoming
a " tenderfoot " to start at once to train for the second-class test
and the ambulance badge. It is the easiest for him to work for,
as well as being very valuable. And you must remember that
so far the tests have not been modified in the least for the blind
boys — they are exactly the same as for the sighted, and they have
actually got tlie ambulance badge and the fireman's badge, and
we are now saving up money to buy a hydrant so that we can help
the village fire brigade if necessary. Some of our men have passed
the musician, others the dairyman, and others the pioneer test.
We are prepai-ing for many others. The last time we took the
tests in Worcester there were some six hundred Scouts in the city.
In the fireman's test there is a certain complicated knot — it is
called the " chairman's knot." It is not absolutely essential, I
believe for the badge, because several who cannot tie the knot
have the fireman's badge. All our boys tied it correctly the first
time, and the fireman said that was the first time it had been done
in Worcester. With regard to other tests we have in view, I
may say that I have the authority of the Chief Scout to assist
others who are trying to adapt several tests for the blind — to
see that certain modifications are made for blind boys to take
other tests, such as signalling. The Chief Scout suggested that
we should leave out the semaphore, but I put it to the boys and
they did not want to get the badge on easy terms. The test will
be very severe in order that they cannot get badges on easy
terms. I had a very interesting experience at ^Miitsuntide. I
took my boys into camp for the first time. We went with 1,400
scouts, and it was invaluable for my boys to rub shoulders with
them. At first all the other scouts came up to see the blind boys
and assist them, but it only required a very few hours — certainly
only a day — for them to find out what our boys were made of.
They took sentry duty and patrol duty. We gave a display on
WTiit-Monday of gymnastic work, and I am glad to say we are
supposed to have given the best show of the afternoon. The

330

Discussion

few instanoe.s I have given you will show that the blind, with their
exceptional keenness, profit much by joining the scouts. It is very
easy to work with blind scouts, and I have not the least doubt that
when we come to take the first-class test we shall have as much
success as in the other tests — at least I hope so.

Mr. Tate (Bradford). — Will Mr. Brown please explain whether
his boy scouts are totally blind or only partially 1

Mr. Brown (Worcester). — In answer to Mr. Tate, exactly one-
half of our scouts are totally blind. Three can distinguish between
light and darkness and the other three have fair sight. There are
twelve altogether.

Mr. Guy Campbell (Norwood). — I only want to congratulate
Captain Peirson-Webber upon having brought this scout move-
ment so much to the front. I do not think this scouting prepara-
tion includes first aid, does it *?

Captain Peirson-Webber.* — Yes, Sir.

Mr. Guy Campbell.— It is only a partial test, I think, not the
whole of the St. John's Ambulance test. We have passed a great
many pupils through the St. John's Ambulance work, and we have
found nothing that has been so interesting to either young or old
pupils as the triangular bandage, the roller bandage, and the
carrying work, and it seems to me it would be well to carry out
those two things side by side, not only the scouting work, but a
thorough course of the ambulance work. At the Crystal Palace
once we used the roller bandage, and bandaged a boy from the
top of his head down to his toes, and the doctor said he had never
seen it better done. The one who did the bandaging is here to-day
— it is Mr. Snow, and he is the finest blind bandager I have ever
known.

Mr. Barker (Gorleston-on-Sea). — Since Captain Peirson-Webber
has asked to know what other schools are doing, I would like to
say that in March we started with twenty boys, including three
blind. I raised the point just now of totally blind as compared
with the sighted. I take it that in speaking of the blind you speak
of the whole of your children, some of whom may be sighted. We
have ninety-two children in the movement (blind and deaf together)
to be enrolled before the end of the term, inchiding thirty blind.
So we are touching again the point of mixing the blind and deaf.
This scouting and other out-of-door activities are most beneficial
to both classes. We have a totally blind boy now applying for
his swimming badge ; he plunges from a boat into the open sea,
and swims more than six hundred yards.

Mr. G. H. Gadsby (Swiss Cottage). — I have risen to say that at
Swiss Cottage we have formed two patrols of boy scouts. One of
these patrols h-as passed the tests for second-class scouts, with the
exception of cooking. They hope to go in for that shortly. They
have taken a great deal of interest in bandaging, and it is one of
the things they do best. Of the sixteen scouts we have in the two
sections seven are totally blind. Three who are totally blind
attended the Queen Alexandra Parade at the Horse Guards
Parade on Saturday week, and took part in the ambulance section.

331

Scouting

Captain F. Peirson-Webber* — I would like to say, Mr. Chair-
man, how gratifying it is to find that ti'oops of scouts exist that we
have not had reported to us before. I do so hope that those
interested in this movement and those who may have become a
little interested this evening will make themselves known to me
so that we may put it on a business footing. I will do all in my
power to make it good and secure some practical result. These
Conferences are grand for talk, but let us have a practical result

afterwards.

* * *

The Chairman,' — The Assistant Secretary will now read
the paper on Uruguay. Seiiora T. Santos de Bosch has come
from Uruguay and cannot speak Enghsh.

332

WORK FOR THE BLIND IN
URUGUAY

Senora TERESA SANTOS De BOSCH,
Delegate of the Government of Uruguay.

Were I, in this comraunicatron, to make a psychological
or pedagogical study of the blind, I would certainly con-
tribute no new light to their cause, nor obtain any benefit
on their behalf, for wiser voices than mine have already been
heard, and will still be heard ; and other observations of a
more scientific kind will be made than those inspired by my
humble knowledge.

I shall, therefore, limit myself to giving a brief outline
of the history of the protection accorded to the blind in my
country, the Oriental Republic of the Uruguay.

Eighteen years ago the late Dr. Luis Piileyro del Campo,
an extremely philanthropic gentleman, added to the
Foundlings' Home a class for the blind.

This class had a short existence, and ceased for want of
funds.

Later on, six or seven years ago, the illustrious oculist,
Dr. Joaquin de Salterain, suggested to Congress a scheme
for the formation of a Normal school for the blind, which
scheme was indefinitely postponed at the time for want of
funds.

In the month of October of the following year I had the
opportunity of making a journey to the Argentine RepubHc,
and, amongst several visits to the different charitable
institutions in Buenos Aires, I made one to the National
Institute for the Blind, Avhich is eiitirely under the manage-
ment of an Uruguayan lady, Miss Eva San Roman.

The sight of such a place was entirely new to me, and I
must admit my astonishment at the intelligent perspicuity
of those whom I had considered relatively inept.

333

Work for the Blind in Uruguay

Touched to the innermost part of my being I thought with
I^ain of those of my compatriots, the Uruguayans, who,
deprived of the sight of the sun, were still in lack of a similar
institution in which they might find the privileges of an
instruction administered with love and kindness. And
there arose in me the firm determination of founding in my
own country a home for the blind.

I started at once an active propaganda by means of the
Press, Avhich kindly accorded me wide and generous assist-
ance. With the co-operation of the Directress of the
Argentine Institute, I arranged a visit of the whole school
to Montevideo, to Avhich the Government of the sister
Republic readily consented. A touching and never-to-be-
forgotten festival was held in one of our principal theatres.

The programme was entirely carried out by the blind, and,
as the prices of admission were low, both the people and the
better classes had the opportunity of seeing and being con-
vinced of the justice of my fervent wish. A spirit of
enthusiasm sj)read itself amongst them in a noble and sincere
way.

I visited His Excellency the President of the Rej^ublic,
who showed himself favourably interested in my scheme,
and I found in his worthy consort, Madame Battle y
Ordonez, the most noble ally to my cause.

I held several interviews with the Minister of Public
Works, an intelligent and progressive gentleman, who
accorded me his most determined and efficacious co-
operation.

Society, which in my country is exceedingly beneficent
and altruistic, received my proposal warmly, and three
months later I was able to account for 300 members, with
a monthly subscription of 5 francs each. My work was
generously subsidised by the Government with 1,000 francs
per month, and thus came into existence the " General
Artigas Institute for the Blind," named after the Chief of
the Uruguayans, who said : " Let the Uruguayans be as
intellectual as they are brave."

The institute founded through my initiative, and with the

334

Work for the Blind in Uruguay

generous co-operation of society and the Government,
possesses to-day a capable staff, who are sincerely fond of the
work entrusted to them. It occupies an extensive and
hygienic site, with beautiful and pleasant gardens. It
shelters, free of all charge, seventeen blind members of both
sexes, all of them Uruguayans and less than twenty-five
years of age, who are under the supervision of the lawyer
Professor Clemente Colling, himself blind from birth.

For those who care to know something about the internal
management of the establishment and its methods of
teaching, the copy of regulations, which I have the pleasure
to send, will provide sufficient information.

Intelligent, fond of study, gifted generally with an excep-
tional memory, eager to see with the light of the spirit, the
blind deserve special protection on the part of competent
authorities, and this great work of love and piety should be
included amongst the greatest works of human philanthropy.

The erection of homes for the blind where life may be made
to them more noble, where they can be initiated into the joys
of the spirit by means of the cultivation of their intellect,
and where they could be provided with occupations which
would enable them later to take part in the fight for life, is a
duty that cannot be overlooked.

As the blind, therefore, are beings capable of appreciating
the highest manifestations of intellect and of sentiment,
their education and instruction ought to be obligatory, as it
is for those who are not blind.

In the name of the Government of the Oriental Republic
of Uruguay I have the honour of giving my most enthusiastic
support to the International Congress for the Blind- — an
event which speaks forcibly to my heart of the charity and
altruism of the great English nation.

335

Work for the Blind in Uruguay

The Chairman.' — ^Senora T. Santos de Bosch has told me
what they do in Uruguay. She thinks it a good idea, and
would like to throw it out as a suggestion. She says that on
Christmas Eve the wives of all the doctors go round asking
for money for the blind, and on December 24th last year
they collected no less than 4,000 francs. She also says that
nobody is asked to give more than a penny, so you can
imagine what great efforts must have been made to get
together so large an amount as 4,000 francs. I should like
to thank her in your name for the paper she has prepared.
I am sorry to say that Mr. Best will be a little late. He had
unfortunately booked the appointment for Friday instead of
for to-night, but he is on his way here. I will therefore ask
Mr. Walker to read his paper on " Work for the Blind in
Syria."

386

WORK FOR THE BLIND IN SYRIA

CHARLES WALKER,

Secretary of the British Syrian Mission,
Grosvenor House, The Ridgway, Wimbledon, S.W.

The lot of the blind in a Christian land, with its many
ameliorations, with the many aids which a scientific and
sympathetic study of their needs has produced, is still one
which draws forth our utmost compassion, and, as we realise
the deprivation which they suffer, our hearts go out in
intense pity to those bereft of the blessings of sight. But if
this is true of the blind in a land where Christianity reigns,
how immensely magnified are the disabilities under which
they labour in the non-Christian countries of the East.
Surely their lot is pitiable, and its contemplation should draw
forth our warmest sympathies and help.

A review of the question shows how little is being done for
the sightless in Mohammedan and heathen lands, and what
little has been effected is almost entirely due to the missionary
agencies of the Christian Church. Here and there the call
to minister to the helpless ones has come with compelling
force to the servants of Christ, to the followers of Him who
caused the blind to see. It was such a call that led to the
foundation, forty-six years ago, of the Industrial School for
Blind Men and Boys at Beyrout.

Those who have visited Oriental lands do not need to be
told of the frightful ravages of ophthalmia, of the widespread
prevalence of blindness. The hundreds of sightless beggars
and outcasts to be seen in any of the cities of the Near
East is one of the saddest memories brought back from
journeys, otherwise full of colour and interest.

Oppressed by the hopeless condition of the blind in Syria,
Mr. Mentor Mott (one of the founders of the British Syrian
Mission to Women and Girls), in 1868, started a small

C.B. 337 z

Work for the Blind in Syria

industrial school for blind men and boys in Beyront. It was
then, and still remains, the only effort of its kind in the whole
of Syria. The school, Avhich is "situated in a corner of the
compound of the Mission Training College for native girls,
affords accommodation for about twenty inmates. The
men are taught various manual trades, such as mat-making,
chair- caning, the manufacture of whisk brooms, baskets,
etc., to which has lately been added the weaving of the rush
mats in such general use throughout the country.

In addition to the industrial training, some instruction in
general elementary education is given by means of raised
maps, etc. ; an effort is made to widen the men's knowledge
and interest — Ottoman and Arabic history has proved full
of fascination. But, above all, they are taught to read God's
Word in their own tongue- — Arabic. In the case of the older
men Moon type is used, Avhilst within the last few years the
Braille system has been introduced with the most satisfactory
results, the younger men and boys being able to write as
well as read, affording much encouragement to their teacher,
Miss Thompson, who, upon her retirement from the principal-
ship of the Girls' Training College, learned Braille during
a stay in England, and, returning to Syria, has devoted
herself to passing on to others the knowledge she acquired.

The majority of the men belong to the poorer classes,
and, but for the agency of the school, would be beggars and
outcasts, regarded by their families as an intolerable burden
and turned out to make their own living, or, it may be,
perish in the attempt. After being trained in the school,
however, many of the inmates are able to return to their
villages and families quite capable of supporting themselves,
whilst, in other cases, although they may not have advanced
so far towards self-support, yet possessed of such a measure
of industrial efficiency as to render their lives much more
tolerable.

But of much greater moment than mere attainment of
manual dexterity, is the effect on the minds and lives of
those brought Avithin the influence of the school ; they are
a cheerful little company, and a busy one. Brightness takes

338

Work for the Blind in Syria

the place of lethargy, whilst depression and sorrow are dis-
placed by hope and joy. An oculist who knows the country
well and has had long experience among the blind in the
land, speaking of the hopelessness of their outlook and the
listlessness characteristic of their condition, marvelled at the
change so apparent in our men. One of the most delightful
experiences is to watch the faces of the poor fellows as they
light up at the story of Divine Love, as they grasp the great
truth of the existence of a God full of compassion.

Many of the men return to their villages true missionaries
to their own people, carrying with them the Word of Life,
from which they read (with, as the Syrians say, " Eyes in
their fingers "), to interested groups, the Message of Salva-
tion. One of our ])ast inmates is now engaged as an
evangelist and Scripture reader in connection with the
work of the mission at Tyre, and has proved himself a most
valuable and acceptable worker, cordially received into the
native houses, cafes, and other places in the city and sur-
rounding villages, and not alone received, but gladly listened
to as he reads and speaks about the things of Christ.

Perhaps one of the most striking features of the school
is the variety of nationalities and sects gathered within its
walls. It is nothing unusual to see Moslems, Jews, Druses
from the Lebanon, Bedouin Arabs and Oriental Christians —
Greeks, Maronites, etc.- — men between whom, under ordinary
circumstances, there exists a continuous race enmity, a
perpetual blood-feud, here joined together in the greatest
friendliness, their voices raised in song, or sitting quietly
listening to the Gospel story, or amicably discussing amongst
themselves the message which they have just heard. How
thoroughly they have grasped- — in part at least' — the Gospel
spirit is shown by the existence of a little box in which small
coins (metaliks and nahassies) are saved up, with great self-
denial, from their food money, that they may have the joy
of helping others even worse off than themselves.

With a view to helping the largest number, no attempt is
made to retain expert workmen in the school ; after attaining
efficiency the men return to their own villages and homes,

339 z 2

Work for the Blind in Syria

making room for others. This, of Course, lowers the earning
capacity of the school, as it reduces both the quality and
quantity of the work available for sale, but, on the other
hand, it greatly increases its usefulness by rendering it
possible to extend the benefits of training to a larger number.

It may be of interest to mention that the school is an
adjunct of the British Syrian Mission, which provides the
house in which its work is carried on. The administration
is in the hands of the ladies on the Beyrout staff of the
mission, and, in addition, the committee of the mission are
responsible for the finding of about £150 a year, the cost of
the school over and above the amount realised by the sale
of the articles made by the men. Towards this sum some
friends in England contribute, but the committee would
gladly welcome further help to enable them to extend the
benefits of the school beyond the present limited number of
its inmates, a limit solely set up by financial considerations.

The effort is an unpretentious one ; it makes no claim to
originality in conception or subsequent development, but it
is a very real effort to meet a very real need, and one which
might be repeated in hundreds — even thousands — of places
throughout the non-Christian world, bringing to those " in
the dark " not onl}'^ physical and social improvement, but
a blessed message of joy and hope.

840

Discussion

'DISCUSSION.

Mr. Walter Dixson* (Oxford). — I do hope that I am not
intruding between you and a delightful paper, but it seems to me
that it calls for some remarks, partly of thanks to one of the workers
in the field and partly to arouse the public conscience on this
subject. It seems to me that we who are interested in the work
for the blind in progressive countries oiight to take far more
interest than we do in the condition of the bhnd in backward
countries. (Hear, hear.) Now, Mr. Yoshimoto, of Japan, de-
serves very great credit for the attitude he has taken up on this
subject. Here you have a country like Japan as soon as it has
learnt something- from the West passing it on to other Eastern
countries. He said to me years ago : " My object is to benefit
first the blind of Japan, and then those of China and Corea."
Well, some months ago he found that he had to return to Japan.
He was living in Oxford at the time, and he called together the
educated blind in Oxford and said to them : " Now what are you
going to do for the blind of the East ? " I said : " What do you
want us to do ? " He said : " We want to do some work in China,
and we want you to back us up ; we want to know that we have
your support." I said : " Well, of course our duty is to that
great country in the East whose population forms at least two-
thirds of our Empire — India ; but if there is any help in the way of
information and of support in any of your schemes we will give it."
I solemnly promised him that I would not rest until this Conference
had considered the question of the blind of the East. Now there
is another thing I wish to mention. AVliile we admire the
missionaries for the work they have done and are doing, I think
they ought to tap foreigners — Orientals and others — and try to
rouse their consciences on this subject. It seems to me that this
would greatly strengthen the hands of the missionaries, because
they would not then feel that the work they are doing is a droi> in
the ocean. With regard to the East, I understand that a work is
being done not merely in Syi'ia but somewhere in Palestine. We
know from what we heard the other day that something is being
done in China. We shall presently discuss India. I have referred
to Japan, and I suppose when the Cape to Cairo railway is con-
structed we shall have to consider a great part of Africa. I do
hope that the Governments of the British possessions in Africa will
some day be roused to do something for the blind natives as well
as the blind white people of those countries.

Miss Isabel Heywood (Manchester). — I have been most
terribly anxious to bring this subject before the Conference, and
at last there are just a few minutes to give to this enormous
subject. I think it is one which ought to be put before all the
workers for the blind in England, so that they may not selfishly
think only of those at home, but also of the millions in heathen
countries to whom we ought to stretch out a hand to save them
from the awful, cruel, and terrible conditions in which they live.
I have spent about two years in writing to the different missionary
societies to get information as to what has akeady been done. It
is only like a drop in the ocean. You little know the letters I

341

Work for the Blind in Syria

receive describing the awful state in which these people live. I
have had this short paper printed, and it will be distributed at the
door. If you will kindly take it and read it you will see what
needs to be done. I told my own blind people at home about it,
and said I wanted them to be the first to start the enormous fund
which we require to invest so as to have a permanent income with
which to assist the schools and institutions already begun under
Christian supervision. I said to them, " I want you to be the
first to start this enormous fimd." Every one of them said,
" You want us to give now ? " and I said " Yes." Most of them
are poor, but they rained their pennies and even sixpences into
my hand. I took them and said, " It is the foundation of a fund,
and we will carry it on." To this foundation have been added
sums given without being asked, and we now have about £233 in
the bank. It is a nucleus. I have been trying to get a large sum
from some rich person who could quite as easily give a quarter of
a million as we could give sixpence. (Laughter.) I have written
to sixty-three millionaires, and have asked them of their charity
to give a large sum because our missionary and blind societies do
not wish subscriptions to be asked for in the ordinary way ; but
these sixty-three wealthy people made no response, except one
who sent two guineas and one who sent five. However, I am still
hoping that God will raise up some millionaire who will give the
money. The scheme is on foot, and we shall keep working at it
imtil we build up a fund from which grants can be made (like
those from the Gardner Trust) for the heathen blind. In the
Indian Empire there are about 600, UOO blind people of the lowest
classes living in destitution and misery. In China there are more
than 500,000, in Japan the blind number at least 100,000, in Egypt
150,000, in Syria a terrible amount, and in all places most inade-
quate little beginnings have been made. If the Government were
to realise it, they might do much to improve matters. In many
parts of the East 90 jjer cent, need not have been blind. It is to
the missions we must look for improvement. Protection and
education will do a great deal, but Christianity alone will trans-
form this enormous mass. If you will take this paper and
consider and pray over it, I hope we may without delay get the
state of the blind in the East remedied.

Mr. SiiAir (Calcutta). — -The subject of the paper is the blind in
heathen lands. From the paper itself I understood that Syria
was the only country referred to as a " heathen land," but after
listening to my predecessors I find that China, Japan, India, and
others are included. I come from one of them — India.

I have a paper to-morrow on India, when you will hear what
I have to say about it. At present my only object is to urge you
to let lis have a bit more of Christian large-heartedness, and not
to use, please, the word "heathen." (Hear, hear.) It is most
offensive to the people for whom it is intended. Your intentions
are very good and we are thankful to you. I am a Christian, but
I know the minds of my brothers in India. The word " heathen "
is most offensive. It is like the " Gentiles " as used by the Jews,
or " barbarians " as used by the Romans. So please do not use it.
We prefer the word " non-Christian " or " backward." We are

342

Discussion

willing- to be called backward, but please do not use . tlie word
" heathen."

Mrs. Albrecht (India). — -I am astonished that the great country
of India has sent no delegates to this Convention. We have
delegates from foreign and colonial Governments, but not from
that great country which should have had a delegate in London
to-day. After spending twenty years in other work in India I
felt constrained to commence among the Tellagoos in India, and
if I had known that the Government would not send a delegate
from India I should have spoken personally before leaving to the
heads of the departments there and asked them to send a special
representative here for the whole country. I have only one thing
to say this evening, and that is that I have been overwhelmed by
the great amount of work done for the blind in this land, and
especially here in London. And I would like to refer to an old,
old story written in an old, old Book. There was at one time,
many years ago, a place in the desert where many people had
nothing to eat. And there was somebody there who had a little
bit of bread and a few fishes, and so they were sent round. Twelve
men were appointed to feed these people, who were sitting on the
grass in rows. And having read this old story I was just thinking
how it would have been when these twelve men were going round
distributing the food if the peojile in the front rows had taken it
all, or if these twelve men had gone again and again to see that
the front rows had all they could possibly eat, and never went to
the back rows at all. If all these people sitting in the back rows
were crying " Come and give us some too," and those who were
distributing the food had said " No, we must give it all here,"
what would have been the comment of Him they had followed
into the desert ?

One thing called this to my mind to-day, on the 'bus. A young
blind girl said, " I have learned to work in London, but have very
little hope of getting a position." Now there are many positions
open in India.

Rev. W. E. Lloyd* (Brighton). ^ — ^I want to say just one
practical word. We all feel very, very keenly the things we have
heard about the misery of our blind fellow -creatures in other lands,
and we all feel that it is the special duty of the blind to do some-
thing for them. I have often thought that if we had lived in this
land of ours a hundred years ago we should have been extremely
miserable. Most of us would have been beggars. And we should
not even have been able to read in the streets. But even so we
should have been far better off under such circumstances than are
the blind people to-day in those non-Christian countries. I want
to make a practical suggestion, because we do want to have some
practical outcome to show. The blind want to help, but do not
know how. I heard of a scheme the other day which I think
ought to commend itself very forcibly to us. It was the idea of
forming a Birthday League. It was in connection with a very,
very irecessary and useful society. I will not mention the name,
as I do not think it would be wise for the idea to be spread about
too much. But I think it would be very acceptable now if some

343

Work for the Blind in Syria

one would undertake to form a Birthday League for the Blind and
ask all the blind they can get hold of to join. They would give
their names and addresses- and the date of their birth to some
responsible person, and every year that person would send them a
letter wishing them many returns of the day and reminding them
that they owed some sort of a thank-offering to Almighty God for
their preservation for another year, and ask them to send a little
present to their fellow-sufferers. I am certain there would not be
one out of a hundred who would refuse to join such a league.
Even if they only sent sixpence or a shilling it would be something,
and some would give more. But above all, the best thing to do,
and one of the most necessary things, is to get the blind clergy
into touch with the movement. As we know, there are thirty or
forty blind clergy, and surely it is om- duty, if it is anybody's, to
see that something is done, and I hope this scheme may commend
itself to all.

Miss H. E. BooRD (London). — After what the last speaker has
said I just want to say that there is a Light in Darkness League
in connection with Miss Askwith's blind school in India, and I am
the hon. secretary of it. I have thirty members, all blind, and
should be very thankful to get more. 1 got my first sixpence from
a poor blind woman in the workhouse. I am very anxious to get
this league better known. It has been a very great sorrow to me
to have lost one member this year. Of course, we are very anxious
not to lose members, and we are always very glad to hear of people
wanting to help. If anyone would care to join I should be very
glad to hear of them. I will leave my address with the Chairman.
It is^ — -Miss H. E. Boord, 8, Stanley Gardens, Notting Hill,
London, W.

The Chairman. — I will now ask Mr. Best, who is the
Managing Director of Messrs. Selfridge & Co., Limited, to give
us his address on " Salesmanship."

344

SALESMANSHIP

p. A. BEST,

Managing Director, Messrs. Selfriclge & Co., Limited.

I AM sorry that through a misunderstanding I had
booked this engagement for Friday instead of this evening,
and I must apologise for my late arrival.

I am asked b\ the organisers of this meeting to have a few
words with you on the prineiples of selling.

Well, I hap]ien to make my living by selling goods — in
rather a broad sense, possibly ; but all my life I have been a
salesman. I started selling goods in a draper's shop ; I have
sold goods through the medium of the Press, I have sold
goods as a specialised salesman, and because of this
experience your organisers thought I might be able to give
you some hints that would be useful to them in their work.

I take it the great idea is to inculcate the science of selling
in the minds of your organisers, or that part of them who
are occupied in selling goods made in your institutions.

First of all, the science of selling — and selling is a science
— is to create a demand. The second point in selling is to
fill a want. Let us assume that you are trying to create a
demand for your particular line of merchandise. If you
have merchandise which is not on the general lines offered
for sale^ — that is, merchandise in competition with other
merchandise- — you have to convince your prospective
customer that your goods are desirable by virtue of one of
two things or both, by virtue of novelty or value.

The second line of resistance, if you can call it such, is, if
you are filling a want it is no earthly use trying to sell
merchandise that pleases only yourself. If you are making
goods that look very nice and you are very proud of them
but nobody wants them, then you are building up a stock
and investing dead capital.

345

Salesmanship

I do not know whether you sell by advertising or by
personal contact. Let us assume you do it in both directions.
If you sell by description — that is, by pamphlet or by list
or by advertising in the Press or in magazines' — then you
must illustrate your special lines.

You know, ladies and gentlemen, that ladies are, after all,
90 per cent, of the prospective purchasers of general com-
modities, and they like to see what they are expected to buy,
so if you are going to advertise pick out your best lines —
those which your common sense and the criticism of your
customer tells you are the best lines- — and illustrate them.
Carefully describe the article as well, and then put in those
other items which in your opinion come second, third, and
fourth. But because the illustrated line strikes the observer
(the lady immediately looks at the illustration), if you have
wisely picked the sprat to catch the mackerel she judges all
your other items by the illustration.

Now if you arc going to sell j'^our goods by personal
contact, then you open up a tremendous field. In my opinion
there is nothing more delightful than selling goods by
personal contact.

Having decided to sell your goods by personal contact by
opening stores, or by obtaining selling space in some general
organisation, you have to remember this, that your sales-
people are your pioneers for that particular proposition.
You must select your sales-people from amongst the most
pleasant of your co-workers. They must be people who,
even if they are afflicted, are brave and keep their chins up,
for nothing damps the ardour of an intending purchaser
more than an unpleasant sales-person.

I will give you a little experience that I had of what I call
the negative side of selling. I went into a store to purchase
a collar or dress-bow in a hurry — we have to do these things
in a hurry sometimes- — and I said tb the salesman, " I want
a collar," or a dress-bow or whatever it was. He handed it
to me and said, " You don't want a dress-shirt, do you ? "
(Laughter.) It was utterly absurd ; the man told me I did
not want it. (More laughter.) I have frequently had men

846

Salesmanship

say to me in stores and in shops, " You don't want this, that or
the other, do you ? " Of course you do not ; the man has put
the word into your mouth. Therefore tell your sales-people
not to make what we may call the " negative approach."

If the man I was telling you about had said to me, " Do
you want a dress-shirt ?■ — new style here ; it is most
accommodating ; you don't have to put it over your head
after you have done your hair (laughter) ; you put it on like
a coat," I should have been interested at once, because it
was a novelty. By the way there is such a shirt, and you
do not need to pull it over your head after you have brushed
your hair, and if he had said that it would have appealed to
me immediately.

Now you see my point. Your sales-people must be so well
versed in the needs of the public as to be themselves an
advertisement for the particular line of merchandise you are
offering for sale.

Suppose it is a soiled-linen basket, then they should explain
that the hinge is such that the lid does not fall over sideways
when you open it. There is such a basket in my dressing-
room ; it has only one clip, and when you open it the
lid falls over lop-sided ; if it had two, the lid would fall
over backwards. Those are all selling points, and you
can apply them to evciy line of merchandise you make.
First of all make sure that you have good goods to offer, that
the value is the best. I do not say cut your prices, but when
I say best I mean that there is no value to beat it. Then see
that your merchandise has all those little novelties that
appeal to the public, and instruct your sales-people in those
little selling points that go right home to the appreciation of
the purchaser.

Now the personal touch. You know I am connected with,
in fact I am the responsible manager of, 3,500 people, and I
think 1,600 of them are sales-people, and they give me more
anxiety than I care to tell you, because very few realise that
" selling " means the cultivation of the best attributes God
has put into anybody.

Selling by personal contact means pleasing the person who

347

Salesmanship

has come to buy. If it is only a packet of needles it does not
matter. First of all you have to create a pleasant atmo-
sphere round the transaction so as to get the mind of the
purchaser into a pleasant groove.

Now there is a difference between " selling " and " ser-
vice " ; I guarantee that very few ladies and gentlemen
present, unless they are, like myself, in the selling profession
• — and I call it a profession — appreciate the difference
between " selling " and " service." Let me illustrate my
meaning. I go into a shop and say " I want a dress-bow for
Is., and I want that one." The salesman takes that dress-
bow, wraps it up, and takes my shilling. That is not " sell-
ing " ; that is " service." That is simply giving me some-
thing I asked for. It is very necessary work. I am not
depreciating it, but it is not selling. Now you want to take
your future sales-people and teach them to discriminate
between " selling " and simple " service." You cannot sell
without giving service. But if you create a demand and then
exchange your merchandise for the customer's money, you are
"selling" as well as rendering a service. You wrap the
goods up, take the name of the customer and the address to
which the goods are to be sent ; that is all service, but you
have sold the goods by creating a demand, whereas in the
case of the dress-bow the man simply handed me something
I asked for.

When once you get into the minds of your sales-people the
important difference between service and selling you whet
their appetite. In my early days with my present organisa-
tion I used to have " selling talks " and speak to the various
people as I walked round. I Avould ask, " What have you
sold to-day ? " And they would reply, " I have sold this,
and that." I have then asked, " Did you create a demand ? "
And they have looked at me as though I were a genial idiot.
(Laughter.) I said, "What happened? Did the lady ask
for this pair of boots or this blouse? " or whatever it was.
They said, " Yes." I said, " I'm very glad, but that is
not my point ; that is service ; it is not selling." Selling is a
different thing entirely ; you create the demand first of all

348

Salesmanship

by the novelty or value of the article you offer, and by the
pleasant atmosphere you introduce around the transaction.
If a customer comes to you and says " I want that for 4s."
and gives you the money, you can then with a pleasant
personality and voice inquire if there is anything else she
would like to purchase. There is more joersonality in a voice
than in anything else. A raucous voice is unpleasant, and
there is nothing worse than a raucous voice for putting off a
purchaser ; but if your salesman is pleasant and always
reaidy for service he attracts attention.

My attention was once attracted in that way, and I spent
a penny on a box of matches I did not want. (Laughter.)
I was Avalking along, when I heard a pleasant voice say,
" Will you please look at this box . . . ? " I turned and
saw a blind man holding out a box, and as I turned he com-
l^leted his sentence with the words "... of matches." I
gave him the penny. That was a selling voice. If he had
said in the usual whining voice, " Buy a box of matches,"
I should have taken no notice. That illustrates that a
pleasant voice and a careful method of approach make
all the difference. He was original, and used an original
method of attracting passers-by. He caught my attention
and won a penny.

Now I think I have said enough. Instil into your future
sales-people the points I have raised. Make them enthusias-
tic— enthusiasm is the finest thing in the world ; make them
enthusiastic, believing in their merchandise and in them-
selves, and help them to cultivate those splendid attributes
that God has given them. A pleasing voice is one of the
most valuable, and with that you can endeavour to create a
pleasant atmosphere. Do that, and I am confident you will
be successful in the sales department of your organisation.
(Loud cheers.)

Miss Douglas-Hamilton. — Will the gentleman tell us
how best to approach the buyers of large establishments ?

Mr. Best. — You mean when you want to sell goods to a
store for them to jretail again ?

349

Salesmanship

Miss DouGLAS-HAivnLTON. — Yes.

Mr. Best. — Well, first of all don't go into the store Avith
your arms loaded with merchandise ; you will frighten
them. I used to make that mistake myself. In the end I
used to select just one little tit-bit of the best possible value
and keep it behind me. You go into the place with a
pleasant smile and make the buyer interested, tell him what
fine work you are doing, what splendid merchandise you are
turning out, and (producing the article), " Here is a sample."
(Laughter and cheers.)

The Chairman.- — I am sure we ought to thank Mr. Best
very much indeed for that very excellent address,

Mr. Best.- — It has been a great pleasure to me. I feel that
I have done very little, and that I ought to have done a lot
more.

350

WORK FOR THE BLIND IN
BRAZIL

J. Da S. MELLO,

Hon. Director of the " Instituto Benjamin Constant,"
Rio de Janeiro.

In the name of Brazil, which has been, officially invited to
be represented at this International Conference, and of the
National Institution for the Blind of Rio de Janeiro, of which
I am the director, I thank you, Mr. President, for the invita-
tion which has been sent to us, and for the opportunity given
to us to make known in Europe the procedure and efficacy
with which Brazil has treated this branch of special educa-
tion.

More than sixty years ago. Gentlemen, Dom Pedro II.,
Emperor of Brazil, granted his high patronage for the
foundation of a school for the education of the young blind
of Rio de Janeiro. That took place on September 12th,
1853. In attaining this object, as in all that relates to
literary instruction, our model has been France — that
intellectual mother of the Latin world. It is France that
has given us the Braille system, the first reading books, the
pedagogical implements and the first Director of the
Institution, which is called " The Benjamin Constant
Institution."

This Institution, immediately after its establishment, was
legalised by a decree of the National Legislature. Since then,
the Government of Brazil has regarded the " School for the
Instruction of the Blind " as also the " School for the Deaf
Mutes " as public establishments of the State,

The administrative staff, the professors, the masters, the
doctors, food and clothing, arc paid for monthly at the
National Treasury. The buildings and the gardens of the
Institution were built and are maintained by the State, on a

351

Work for the Blind in Brazil

large site beside the sea, which was the gift of His Majesty
the Emperor of Brazil.

Immediately after the foundation of the Institution for the
Blind, an Imperial decree instituted an endowment fund on
which the interest at 6 per cent, payable half-yearly is
immediately converted into stock of the Public Debt. This
fund, which amounts to nearly £100,000, was formed by
personal donations, and is augmented each year by the
profit on the objects manufactured by the working scholars
of the Institution. When three-fourths of the interest in the
fund are sufficient for the expenses of the Institution it will
be freed from the tutelage of the State, and become an
autonomous institution.*

The Institution admits pupils gratis, of Avhatcver
nationality they may be, subject to a simple proof of poverty
before a magistrate of the place of residence of the applicant
for enrolment.

Pupils who complete the literary course of eight years
without any bad report in the examinations, acquire the
right of " Aspirants to the Professorate " of the Institution,
with permission to remain in the Institution as pupil
teachers, and receive a salary of 60 fes. a month, with food,
clothing and medical attendance.

Aspirants showing a decided vocation for teaching may
under certain conditions attain to the employment of
" Repetiteur " and even to that of Professor with salary of
£560 per annmii.

In the event of competition between sighted and the
blind under equal conditions of ability and character, the
latter are given the preference for the post of Professor.
The post of " Repetiteur " can only be filled by the blind.

The education of the blind in our Institution consists of a
literary course, a musical ccan-se, and of several handicrafts,
according to the aptitude of each pupil.

The literary course comprises elementary instruction

* This fund is managed, by an administrative council nominated by the
Government of the Republic.

352

Work for the Blind in Brazil

(Braille system), arithmetic, algebra, elementary geometry,
geography, history and the French language.

The musical course comprises elementary music, instru-
mental and vocal, piano, organ, harmonium, harmony, and
counterpoint.

The professional course, comprising various trades, is given
to all students simultaneously with the literary and musical
course.

Piano repairing and tuning is taught. Recognising that
the latter trade is one of the most advantageous for the
blind, the Institution has devoted a special section to it,
managed by a master tuner, and supplied with the proper
assistants. Boys and girls meet three times weekly in the
gardens, and practise Swedish gymnastic exercises. Solo
and choral singing is practised thi-ee times weekly by all the
students together under two professors.

In order to provide practice for the students in public
gatherings and exhibitions, in which they will one day take
part as musicians, frequent concerts are organised either in
the large hall of the Institution or in the theatres of the
city.

With the exception of Aspirants and " Repetiteurs," who
are all blind, nearly half of our professors are also blind, and
old students of the Institution.

There, Gentlemen, you have a summary of what our
Institution has been for the blind, what it is, and what it
hopes to attain in the future.

On the initiative of blind professors a " Protecting Society
for the Blind " was founded, of which I am the honorary
president; this association has by means of a public sub-
scription obtained the necessary money for the foundation of
" The Professional School for the Adult Blind," that is to
say, for those who on account of their age or on account of
some other defect could not be admitted to the " Instituto
Benjamin Constant." A year after the foundation of this
new school the Federal Government, recognising the use-
fulness of this establishment, which among other uses had
that of taking in various blind persons who were wardering

C.B. 353 A A

Work for the Blind in Brazil

about the streets as beggars, allocated 40,000 fes. a year in
the Federal Budget for the assistance of the new school.
There are in this house not only old students of Benjamin
Constant, from all parts of Brazil, but several blind people who
had been reduced to poverty through old age and illness. I
must add, Gentlemen, that the directors of this working home
(husband and wife) are really two old students of our
Institution, where, to our credit, they are regarded as being
among the cleverest of our professors. To terminate this
little digression let us add that Providence has blessed this
union of devotion and work with a large family of fine boys
and girls, who, together with their parents, form an admirable
example of the value of education of the blind. This is not
the only example of the excellent results of our Institution.
There are others not less eloquent.

At Pernambueo one of our young students has established
a small school, which on account of its success has earned a
grant from the State. Our Institution gave it the fu"st
machines and all the books which this new centre of instruc-
tion for the blind required. A young blind man of St. Paul,
after finishing his education at our Institution, was admitted
to the Academy of Law upon his return to his native town.
Accompanied by his secretary (he is a rich young man), who
recorded the lessons for him, this plucky j^oung fellow has
just obtained the degree of " Bachelor of Law and Econo-
mics"; his brother, who was also blind, and a pupil in our
Institution, has distinguished himself in music, and coming
to Europe to continue his studies at Brussels, won the violin
prize there.

A German child, barely ten years old, coming from Rio
Grande with his father, a poor drunkard who made him
play in the streets of Rio, taken in by our Institution, has
become such a good pianist that we are very often unable to
-satisfy the requests of friends who want him to play at their
parties.

We could give you more examples like these of the
magnificent results obtained by our Institution in this
campaign for the victory of the blind in Brazil.

354

'Work for the Blind in Brazil

My presence here, and the visits I am to make to the
bhnd schools of France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden,
Austria and North America are a fvirther proof of the
attention given by the Brazihan Government to the educa-
tion of the bhnd.

It is a pity that the resolution of the Brazilian Government
• — to appoint me delegate of Brazil to this Conference — was
made at the last moment before my departure from Rio de
Janeiro. Otherwise I should have had the pleasure of
bringing you a few things made by our blind folk.

Besides, the principal object of my trip is to visit the
European schools, of which this Conference should be a
summary both of the results obtained and of new ideas.

Europe has been and will always be the inexhaustible
source of civilisation and well-being for the rest of humanity
all over the world. From all parts we are marching towards
this refreshing spring, which we left a long time ago. From
this perpetual movement and renovation progress results.

It is the progress and advancement of the education of
the blind of Brazil that I seek. It is that which I seek from
you who are united here — For the Interest, for the
Education, the Instruction, the Employment and
General Well-being of the Blind.

^55 A A 2

Work for the Blind in Brazil

The Ch: AIRMAN.' — I am sui-e we are all very grateful indeed to
Colonel Mello and are very glad that he read his paper in English.
It was wonderfully well read.

That concludes the business for this evening.

Mr. Guy Campbell (Norwood). — -Nothing now remains except,
according to ancient custom, to ask that Mr. Wilson will accept
a hearty vote of thanks at our hands, and to add to that the
hope that he will enjoy a good night's rest.

The Chairman. — I thank you very much indeed.

Tuesday, July 23rd, 1914.

MORNING SESSION.

Chairman : Sir Melvill Beachcroft.

The Chairman. — I have to declare this eighth session of
our Conference now open. As I have already presided on
two occasions, I do not think it necessary to trouble you with
any remarks this morning, and I will therefore call upon
Mr. Miles Priestley to read his paper. We have dealt with
child life among the blind, and now we are to deal with the
adults.

356

BLINDNESS IN ADULT LIFE

M. PRIESTLEY,

Manager and Secretary, Royal Institution for the Blind,
Bradford.

The importance of this subject will be better understood
when it is fully realised that 90 per cent, of the blind popula-
tion are over twenty years of age. In England and Wales
that percentage represents 23,582 persons, in Scotland 2,937,
and 4,143 in Ireland, making a total of 30,662 adult blind
persons in the United Kingdom. During the past twenty
years, but more especially since 1902, the education and
technical training provided, largely at the public expense,
has increased the demand for subsequent employment far
beyond the total accommodation of existing institutions
for the blind. There has, however, been an increase of
478 blind persons employed at institutions in England and
Wales since 1902, viz., from 1,243 to 1,721, and the number
of institutions has increased from forty-three to fifty-two
in the same period. Unfortunately, though well trained
and qualified, blind persons cannot obtain employment in
sighted workshops.

Whilst it is gratifying to note that the proportion of the
blind to the whole population has steadily decreased during
the past fifty years, it must not be forgotten that the total
number of blind persons has been steadily increasing during
the whole of that time. In England and Wales the pro-
portionate decrease has been from one in 979 in 1851 to one
in 1370 in 1911. The increase in the total number, however,
is from 18,306 in 1851 to 26,336 in 1911, or 8,030 more blind
persons than fifty years ago.

Notwithstanding all the preventive means that have been

357

Blindness in Adult Life

taken, the increase during the last decade was 1,019. That
fact alone is a strong reason for a better provision both
in regard to employment and maintenance. The adult
blind of working age, say from the age of twenty to fifty-
five years, number 12,088 in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Henry J. Wilson published returns in 1911 which showed
that the following numbers were employed in institutions,
viz., England and Wales, 1,721 ; Scotland, 514 ; Ireland,
202 ; total, 2,437, or 20 per cent, of the 12,088 blind persons
who are estimated to be of working age.

When making inquiries upon this subject, I sent out a
list of nineteen questions to sixty-three institutions or
societies for the blind. In reply I received a mass of informa-
tion which is briefly summarised as follows, and to all niy
correspondents, both at home and abroad, I desire to tender
a grateful acknowledgment.

Partially Blind.

Approximately, 30 per cent, of the persons in institutions
for the blind possess some degree of sight. In many of
these cases the amount of vision is sufficient to enable the
persons to travel without the assistance of a guide, but not
sufficient to obtain employment in a sighted workshop.
Some of these men and women are usefully employed in
doing the more skilled work in trades generally practised
by the blind. There has been a large increase in the number
of partially blind persons admitted to institutions for the
blind since the Employers' Liability Act was passed in 1897.
Employers of labour will not now take the rcsjionsibility
of employing persons with defective vision, because of their
supposed liability to accidents. ,

No satisfactory definition of blindness for the admission
of applicants to institutions and societies has yet been
accepted. There is urgent need for such a definition, so
that for registration, training, employment and pensions,
uniform action may obtain. In some cases persons who are
able to read a newspaper without the aid of glasses are
employed, and paid at the same rates of wages as those who

358

Blindness In Adult Life

are totally blind. On the other hand, a short time ago,
a clergyman refused to sign an application form for a pension
because the applicant had a glimmer of sight. Unless some
recognised standard of vision be adopted for the partially
blind, such persons may be admitted to the benefits of
institutions and societies to the exclusion of those who are
totally destitute of sight. Now that " myopes " arc in
many cases admitted to schools for the blind, there is urgent
need for special consideration of this important question.

Wages.

The wages of those employed in institutions vary from
Qs. to 305. per week for men, and 4s. to 12s. for women,
according to the skill of the workers. A statement of the
average wages of blind persons is not of much value, because
they are employed under such varying circumstances, and
possess different degrees of ability. Moreover, some have
other employments, and only work at institutions to occupy
their spare time, whilst others are weakly persons and
attend at irregular intervals.

Minimum Wage.

The opinion as to the merits of a fixed minimum wage is
evenly divided, but there is a unanimous opinion in favour
of piecework rates being sufficiently high to enable the
workers to earn a living wage. My own experience has led
me to believe that the system of piecework loses much of its
value when supplements are given, yet the fact must be
recognised that the blind, as a class, cannot ever become self-
supporting by their own unaided efforts. Therefore I
strongly recommend that, for every blind or partially blind
person admitted to an institution for employment, the rate
of remuneration should be sufficient for full maintenance,
and, in connection with it, some further form of supplement
that will act as an incentive to industry and will encourage
the workers to put forth their utmost effort and skill.
Notable instances could be mentioned of blind persons who
have, by indomitable pluck and determination, swept

359

Blindness in Adult Life

difficulties out of their way, and have made remarkable
progress both as business and professional men. These
ought to be a constant inspiration to high and noble aims,
to treat the minimum as something to be left behind, and to
be more anxious about the maximum of their mental and
physical powers.

Augmentation.

In some trades practised by the blind the actual value of
their labour is considerably less than it was fifteen or twenty
years ago. The introduction of machinery into sighted
workshops where similar articles are produced, the system
of employing female and boy labour at, say, one-third of
the rates of wages formerly paid to men, have made it
essential for supplement in some form to be added to the
actual wages now earned by the blind. In different parts
of the country there is great variation in the amount of
supplement and the method of administration. The
financial position of the institution is generally the
determining factor in deciding this matter. Wages are
augmented from 12 J per cent, to 50 per cent, above the
standard rates paid to sighted persons for similar work. In
many eases money grants, insurance premiums, payments
for holidays, free dinners and other benefits are given in
addition to the supplement added to wages. To give a
few instances by way of illustration, I may say that in
Birmingham the augmentation is a fixed sum irrespective
of the weekly earnings. The amount varies from Qd. to
6s. per week for men and 1*. Sd. to 4s. per week for women,
and is based on the actual trade earnings for six months
prior to a given date.

In Manchester (Henshaw's) they have a system as
follows : — Men : the augmentation is fixed at 4s. per week,
irrespective of W'ages earned, in addition to one suit of clothes
and boots, and 30*. for holidays each year. Women :
25 per cent, on earnings at trade rates and free dinners five
days per week ; minimum payment, including augmentation,
12*. per week.

360

Blindness in Adult Life

There is much to be said in favour of the Stockport
system, where the totally blind, both men and women,
receive a supplement of lid. per hour, and the partially
blind 1^/. per hour, which is equal to 6*. per week for the
totally blind, and 45. per week for those who have some degree
of sight, for a week of forty-eight hours. That system
encourages punctuality and regular attendance.

The scale of payment at Glasgow, as printed in the Annual
Report, is somewhat as follows :■ — Fixed wages : men
commence at 11,9. per week ; wages are increased by yearly
increments to 21s. per week in the tenth year ; women
commence at 95. per week and increase to IO5. 6d. in the
seventh year.

Payment for holidays is made at standard graded set
wage rates. In cases of sickness, allowances are made at
the rate of two-thirds of the wages received from the institu-
tion up to the maximum of 14.s'. per week for men, and the
payment for women is 85. per week. Workers retire on
attaining sixty years of age, when an allowance may be
granted at a rate not exceeding 145. weekly.

The scale of payment in Edinburgh is similar to the
above-mentioned at Glasgow. These systems are excellent.
If the maximum payments could be reached in, say, seven
years they would be ideal, and worthy of the emulation of
every other institution for the blind.

New Trades.

Amongst trades recommended for the employment of
the blind other than those usually practised are bass
dressing, boot repairing, cabinet making, clog making,
carpet beating, farming, hair teasing, hassock making,
netting, poultry keeping, polishing, rope making, telephony,
umbrella mending, upholstery and willow peeling.

Capacity.

There is a general opinion that the poor circumstances of
many blind persons lead to the loss of physical strength and
unfit them for doing satisfactory work.

361

Blindness in Adult Life

Extension.

In connection with the suggestion of providing more
accommodation for employment, there is a consensus of
opinion in favour of the extension of existing institutions
wherever possible, and the erection of new ones where such
extensions cannot be made. Home industries can only
be recommended in cases where it is impossible to gain
admission to an institution. The wages earned in home
employment arc less than half the amount earned in
institutions Avhere assistance and supervision are provided.

Training Fees.

The amount paid on behalf of blind persons resident in
institutions for training, or for providing a home, varies from
about £13 to £39 per annmn. In this matter there is great
need of a more uniform system. When full board, lodgings
and clothing are provided, the payment should not be less
than 15.S-. per week or £39 per annum for each person.

Foreign Institutions.

Judging from replies received from foreign institutions,
the provision for " after care " and employment is very
limited. Materials and necessary tools are sometimes
provided to commence work at home. In some cases the
institutions assist in the sale of articles made in this way,
but generally they have to be sold by the blind themselves.
Where workshops are provided the wages paid are small. In
connection with the Commission for the Blind, Columbus,
Ohio, industrial work was commenced about two years ago.
A few men are now employed in making whisk brooms and
baskets. Average wages are |7 per week. Wages less than
$6 are augmented by one-half the difference between the
actual wages earned and $6. Minimum payment, $2 per
week. Six hundred men and women are assisted by the
Commission. Samples of work done, including home
industries, are on view in the exhibition. There are about
5,000 blind persons in Ohio. The Commission receives a

362

Blindness in Adult Life

State grant of £7,000 a year to prevent blindness and give
industrial aid.

Mr. Edward B. Allen, Director, Perkins Institution for the
Blind, Massachusetts, strongly recommends day workshops
in preference to residential institutions.

Recommendations.

The adult blind naturally fall into the three following
divisions, viz. : (1) learners ; (2) workers ; (3) incapacitated.

It is a matter for deep regret that such large numbers of
blind persons have been trained in some handicraft or
profession and then left Avithout any further provision. It
appears to have been assumed that, by a course of training,
a sightless man could take his place in the world of industry
alongside other men who have no impediment. An assump-
tion of that kind is very wide of the actual facts, and can
only lead to confusion and disappointment.

In providing for adults, it is not so much a question of
developing character as of trying to fit habits of long standing
into new and sometimes very different moulds. Men and
women who have commenced the second half of life's journey
find it difficult to start again to learn new occupations,
details of which must be mastered in total darkness. The
first trade was difficult to learn with eyes to see, but, alas !
what progress now ?

Learners.

Thanks to the local education authorities for their liberal
interpretation of the Secondary Education Act, 1902,
Part II., grants-in-aid for classes in technical instruction
and maintenance scholarships for blind students, where
necessary, are given at many institutions. There is, there-
fore, considerable opportunity of obtaining good technical
training or higher education for young blind persons when
leaving school, and also for those who become blind in later
years. The Board of Education recognise existing institu-
tions for the blind for this purpose under their Regulations
for Technical Schools, chapter 3, and under article 42

363

Blindness in Adult Life

of the same chapter. Government grants up to £3 may be
paid on account of each student. Occupations usually
practised by the blind are recognised by the Board of
Education as approved subjects for such classes. Where
it is not practicable to organise such classes students may
be sent to residential institutions where such training is
carried on, and the Avhole cost defrayed by the education
authority. In the event of any difficulty arising in
connection with payment by the education authority the
Board of Guardians have ample provision for that purpose.

Workers.

It is well known that for many years education and
training for blind persons have been much easier to obtain
than to provide for their subsequent employment.

The difficulty is generally a fuiancial one, and here, again,
I suggest that, when private philanthropy is proved to be
insufficient, an appeal should be made to the proper local
authority.

The guardians have large j^owcrs under the present Poor
Law in this direction, as per particulars printed in the
Appendix at the end of this i>aper.

On the completion of technical or higher education tbe
earning capacity of each student should be carefully ascer-
tained. In the event of the student's circumstances being
such as to require financial assistance beyond the value of
his labour, an application should be made to the guardians
for relief, such relief to be paid through the institution to
the person concerned, so that it would not be necessary for
him to attend personally at the Poor Law union office. If
a number of blind persons at one institution should require
such relief, an annual grant might be paid by the guardians
according to the requirements of the case. For assistance
of this kind a comparatively new and small institution at
Wakefield provides a notable example. At that institution,
established in 1901, ten blind men are employed at basket-
making and four women in knitting hosiery, etc. During
the period of training the guardians pay the full cost of

364

Blindness in Adult Life

board and lodgings provided by the institution. They also
pay to the institution a subscription of £20 a year for the
training of each pupil, out of which the institution grants Ss.
or 4s. per week to the pupil for personal expenses After
training the first batch of pujiils, it was ascertained that
they were unable to earn sufTicient wages for their proper
maintenance. Application was made to the guardians for
financial assistance, because, by reason of their affliction,
the blind were incapacitated to such an extent that the
highest monetary value of their labour was not sufficient
to make them self-supporting. After carefully considering
all the circumstances connected with the case, the guardians
agreed to pay a subscription of £30, which was subsequently
increased to £100, per annum on condition that the institu-
tion raised a similar amount in voluntary subscriptions.
Surely there is no reason why such assistance should not
be obtained throughout the whole country. Financial
responsibility need not be very great, and the joy of wage-
earning employment would be a great boon to the blind
people so helped.

For linking up the different classes of blind persons the
method adopted at Bradford has been highly recommended
by H.M. inspectors, and was also specially referred to by
the Parliamentary Secretary to the Local Government
Board (Mr. Herbert Lewis), when speaking on behalf of the
Government in the House of Commons on March 9th, 1914.
The system has worked remarkably well for a number of
years as follows : — From five to sixteen years of age the
elementary education is provided by the city council at
the Carlton Street day school. A residential school is now
in course of erection. At sixteen years of age the boys and
girls are transferred to the Royal Institution for the Blind,
where a five years' course of technical training is given.
During that time each pupil receives a maintenance scholar-
ship of £10 first year, £12 second, and £15 third, fourth and
fifth years. The cost of training and scholarships is borne
by the city council. After the period of training, the pupils
are regularly employed as ordinary workers at the institution.

365

Blindness in Adult Life

By this arrangement the expenditure for augmentation,
supervision and other charitable purposes has grown far
beyond the ordinary income. On that account the
committee of the institution apphed to the guardians for
financial aid, and, after careful consideration, the guardians
granted a sum of £500 to meet the deficiency caused by this
extraordinary expenditure to December, 1912. If necessary,
the application will be renewed yearly on behalf of blind
persons who are unable to earn sufficient for their support,
and the guardians have promised that relief will be granted
according to requirements, after taking into account the
income to the institution from every source. It will be
realised that this assistance prevents the blind persons
referred to from becoming directly chargeable to the
guardians for relief. For those who have not suitable homes,
or for other reasons require such assistance, the guardians
co-operate with the institution in making adequate provision.
Separate residential homes for men and women are provided.
The whole cost of maintenance and administration is
defrayed by the guardians. When necessary, " out-relief "
is given according to the needs of each case. It may be
repeated that without financial assistance the blind as a
class, including those with very limited capacity, cannot
ever become self-supporting under the ordinary competitive
system. And why a person without sight should be con-
sidered self-supporting on less than one-half the amount
paid to another person at the same trade, who has sight, is
beyond the Avit of man to explain.

A man may be said to be self-supporting when, in return
for certain services rendered, he receives at least sufficient
remuneration for proper maintenance. May the day
speedily come when the bhnd will be self-supporting in that
sense. Adult blind people who have been trained in some
handicraft or profession rightly crave for suitable employ-
ment and some system of payment which is not a charitable
dole. If they be employed at " piecework " rates of pay,
the rates should be special and sufficiently high to justly
meet the needs of the case. Institutions provided for their

366

Blindness in Adult Life

reception should be institutions for making the best provision
for the bhnd, and not necessarily commercial establishments.
To devise a really satisfactory system of payment is a difheult
task, but, in any case, the minimum should be at least
sufficient for the proper provision of food, clothing and
shelter.

I suggest that the minimum payment should not be less
than fourpence per hour for men, threepence per hour
for women, and, in cases of married persons with depen-
dent children, an extra payment of 2s. per week for the first
child and Is. each for others. If such payments could be
guaranteed from public funds, there would remain a great
work to be done by voluntary associations. Every sightless
person needs at least one friend who can see, and who is
willing to be a helper and a moral inspiration in giving
consolation and hope in all that concerns the development
of a good life.

Much has been done in past days by men and women of
devotion, affection and enterprise, and, in S23eaking of the
future, it is safe to say that the blind will not rise beyond
the ideals of the friends who are responsible for their instruc-
tion and oversight. Voluntary agencies have raised the
blind from being looked upon as a helpless people to their
present status, and have proved to all the world that they
can be usefully employed in many walks of life,

A careful inspection of the articles displayed in the
exhibition at this Conference will be sufficient proof of the
great variety and excellent quality of articles produced by
blind labour. When it is realised that about 3,000 blind
persons are employed in institutions and in their own homes
in the production of these goods, there is no reason to doubt
the great work done and the progress made by voluntary
effort.

The Incapacitated.

The problem of the infirm and incapable blind is entirely
different to the learners and workers previously mentioned
Their number represents approximately 50 per cent, of the.

367

Blindness in Adult Life

blind population. Many of them became blind too late in
life to learn a new trade and engage in some industrial
occupation. Some are men who have served an apprentice-
ship as sighted artizans, supported a Avife and family by
the proceeds of their labour, and were looked upon as being
in comfortable circumstances. The new condition of things
for such men is very hard to bear. It is not only a personal
deprivation, but the thought of wife and children being
thrown into abject poverty is a bitter sting which affects
every relationship in life. A large percentage of the adult
blind suffer other afflictions in addition to loss of sight, and
therefore, in addition to a weekly grant of money, good
nursing and medical aid are often necessary. There are
numerous cases where loss of sight has come to single persons
at an age when the question of learning a new occupation
could not be entertained. Many of them have drifted to the
workhouse to be dependent on such crumbs of comfort as
may occasionally fall to their lot.

In Poor Law unions there is a growing desire on the
part of the guardians to abolish the pld workhouse system,
and, in place of it, adopt a method of classification that Avill
permit a larger measure of comfort for the deserving poor.

It is more than likely that the guardians would appreciate
and approve a well-considered scheme for making suitable
provision for the blind in workhouses, and others who have
no satisfactory home accommodation.

A system of " boarding-out " might be adopted as in
Nottingham, where technical pupils are provided with
board and lodgings in several houses, because there is not
room for them to reside in the institution.

Separate homes for men and for women might be estab-
lished, where the blind could have the joy of association
and companionship, and also be employed at some useful
occupations that would help to make the time go smoothly
and produce some income towards the expenses of the homes.
Considering that, out of 1,210 blind persons in the metro-
politan workhouses in 1911, only 143 were under forty-five
years of age, it is very evident that the provision required for

368

Blindness in Adult Life

them is not one for employment, but one of suitable homes.
I am well aware that the assistance here mentioned would
not meet the requirements of all cases. For some a pension is
the very best form of relief, and such assistance might be
granted by the local society or by one of the London pension
societies. Now that State pensions are granted, under
certain conditions, to persons who have reached the age of
seventy years, it is much easier to obtain pensions for
younger blind persons.

No scheme will cover all cases. While a general scheme
should be designed to meet the requirements of the greatest
number, separate or individual treatment is often required,
because of the varying degrees of incompetence, partial
blindness, physical debility, previous training, etc.

In connection with literature for the blind, I would
recommend the system in operation at Bradford as being
worthy of extension. In that city the Free Libraries
Committee have established a branch library at the Royal
Institution for the Blind. The books are in Braille and in
Moon's types. The library is open from 5 ]).m. to 6.30 p.m.,
Monday to Friday, in each Aveek. The librarian, who is
blind, receives a small salary from the Free Libraries
Committee. He is also employed as Braille teacher to the
adult blind, in their own homes and at the institution.
This work is recognised b}^ the local education authority,
and they give a grant to defray the expenses. There is not
any difficulty in obtaining a good supply of literature
for all the blind readers in Bradford. The Free Libraries
Committee purchase nine monthly magazines and other
books as required. They also pay the necessary sub-
scriptions for forty books every two months from the
National Lending Library, London, and for twenty-four
books per quarter from the Manchester and Salford Blind
Aid Society. The scheme works remarkably well and gives
great satisfaction.

C.B. 369 B B

Blindness in Adult Life

Prevention of Blindness.

The circular issued by the Secretary of the Local Govern-
ment Board covering a General Order, making ophthalmia
neonatorum compulsorily notifiable in every sanitary
district in England and Wales from April 1st, 1914, was a
very beneficent act. As a result of this step a large propor-
tion of the blindness contracted in childhood will certainly
be prevented, and, therefore, many who would otherwise
swell the ranks of the adult blind Avill have the priceless boon
of sight preserved.

National Health Insurance.

Adult ])lind persons have received great benefits from the
National Health Insurance, and probably some will take
adA'antage of the disablement benefits after they have made
104 weekly contributions. Many institutions pay the whole
of the insurance premiums for blind workers.

Mental Deficiency Act.

The Mental Deficiency Act will doubtless do something
towards making provision and solving a difficult problem in
regard to a certain number of the blind.

The Departmental Committee recently appointed by the
President of the Local Government Board to consider the
present condition of the blind in the United Kingdom, and
the means available for their industrial or professional
training and their assistance, and to make recommendations,
have assigned to them a very important task. Every
member of this Conference Avill wish them God-speed in their
beneficent work. The Bill now before Parliament for the
education, training, employment and maintenance of the
blind is approved by a very large majority of societies and
individuals who are earnestly working for the general welfare
of the blind. I suggest that this Conference should
recommend the Departmental Committee to consider this
Bill as a basis for legislation, in the hope that great success
will attend their efforts to evolve a national scheme for the
whole care of the dependent blind. If the work done by the

i;70

Blindness in Adult Life

National Committee for the Better and more General Employ-
ment of the Blind, and by other special committees who have
worked in various ways, have resulted in the appointment
of the Departmental Committee, and if the outcome should
be a satisfactory solution of this difficult problem, it will
be an abundant reward to all friends of the blind for their
valuable and continued services in this great cause.

In conclusion I recommend the following chief points as
worthy of consideration in the discussion which my friend
Mr. Colin Macdonald will open.

1. Of the 12,088 blind persons estimated to be of working
age in the United Kingdom, only 20 per cent, are at present
employed in institutions.

2. Assuming that one-half of the remaining 80 per cent,
are employable, what steps should be taken to provide em-
ployment for them ?

3. The necessity of reserving work required by Govern-
ment Departments, and Public Authorities, in which the
blind may be usefully employed.

4. A uniform definition of blindness.

5. Rates of pay. Piecework or fixed wages. Minimum
wage, augmentation.

6. Assistance for the incapacitated :

(«) Relief in their homes or in lodgings, say up to 105. per

week.
(&) Residential Labour Homes with provision for full

maintenance.

I trust the discussion will be helpful, and that out of it
may develop a better and more complete provision for the
training, employment, and maintenance of the adult blind.

371 B B 2

Blindness in Adult Life

APPENDIX,

The following tables, which have been extracted from the
Census returns for 1911, will form a useful reference for
particulars relatiiig to the blind.

Number and Proportion of the Blind at each Census

FROM 1851 TO 1911.

Number of Blind.

Persons living to
One Blind Per.son.

England

and

Scotland

Ireland.

and

Scotland.

Ireland.

Wales.

1851

18,306

3,010

979

959

1861

19,352

2.820

6,879

1,037

1,086

843

1871

21,590

3.019

6,347

1,052

1,118

852

1881

22,832

3.158

6,111

1,138

1,182

847

1891

23,467

2,797

5,341

1,236

1.439

881

1901

25,317

3,253

4,253

1,285

1,375

1,048

1911

26,336

3,317

4,312

1,370

1,435

1,018

Table showing the Number of Blind Persons at various
Ages from Infancy to Old Age.

England

and

Scotland.

Ireland.

Total.

Wales.

Under 5 years of age

465

525

From 5 to 10

609

722

, 10 „ 15

775

115

937

, 15 „ 20

905

135

1,119

, 20 „ 25

1,013

143

1,241

, 25 „ 35

2,272

310

235

2,817

, 35 „ 45

2,930

368

340

3,638

, 45 „ 55

3,469

494

429

4,392

, 55 ,, 65

4,058

479

518

5,055

, 65 „ 75

5,047

579

1,344

6,970

, 75 „ 85

3,688

449

937

5,074

85 and upwards

1,105

115

255

1,475

Totals

26,336

3,317

4,312

33,965

373

Blindness in Adult Life

Table showing by Sexes the State of Marriage and
Ratio of Blind to the Population.

England

and

Scotland.

Ireland.

Total.

Wales.

Number of per-

sons returned

as totally blind

26,336

3,317

4,312

33,965

Males

13,257

1,638

2,133

17,028

Females

13,079

1,679

2,179

16,937

Ratio to the popu-

lation

1 in 1,370

1 in 1,435

1 in 1,018

Males :

Unmarried

5,434

Particu-

981

Married .

5,537

lars of

725

Widowed

2,286

marriage

427

Females :

not stated

Unmarried

5,731

in re-

1,112

Married .

2,899

turns for

302

Widowed

4,449

Scotland.

765

Occupations of the Blind, aged Ten Years and

UPWARDS.

Figures for England and Wales relate to present occu-
pations, and those for Scotland and Ireland relate to present
or former occupations.

Present

Present or Former

Occupa-
tion—

Occupation.

England
and

Wales.

Scotland.

Ireland.

Total employed males .

4,388

725

2,133

1. WilloAv, cane, rush work-

ers ; basketmakers

875

172

2. Musicians, music masters,

smgers

438

3. 3Iusical instrument

makers (including

tuners)

269

373

Blindness in Adult Life

Occupations of the BhiNn—continued.

Present
Occupa-
tion—
England

and
Wales.

4. Brokers, agents, factors

5. Matmakers .

6. Grocers ; tea, coffee,

chocolate dealers

7. Brush, broomniakers ;

hair, bristle workers

8. Farmers, graziers .

9. General labourers .

10. Clergymen, priests, minis-

ters, missionaries, scri])-
ture readers, itinerant
preachers .

11. Boot, shoe makers.

12. General or unclassified

shopkeepers, dealers .

13. Agricultviral labourers

14. Schoolmasters, teachers,

professors, lecturers

15. Coal, coke merchants,

dealers

16. Costermongers, hawkers,

street sellers, including
newsboys, vendors

(street or undefined).

17. Rope, wire, and cord

makers

18. All other occupations

Total employed females

1. Willow, cane, rush work-

ers ; basketmakcrs

2. Hosiery manufacture,

knitters

3. Domestic indoor servants

4. Brush, broomniakers ;

hair, bristle workers .

5. Musicians, music mis-

tresses, singers .

374

209
186

160

156
126

59
59

50
45

287

1,284

1,138

224

138

67
63

Present or Former
Occupation.

Scotland. Ireland

19
20
17

24
4

10
381

230

66
4

5
431
367

7
17

1,009

2,179

253
172

Blindness in Adult Life

Occupations of the Blind — continued.

Present
Occupa-
tion—

Present or Formej
Occupation.

England

and
Wales.

Scotland.

Ireland.

6. Schoolmistresses, teach-

ers, professors, lecturers

7. Fancy goods (textile),
smallware, etc., manu-

facture

8. Brokers, agents, factors .

9. Costermongers, hawkers.

street sellers

10. Lodging-house, boarding-
house keepers

11. Upholsterers

12. Shirt makers and seam-

—

stresses

—

13. Canvas, sailcloth and net

makers

—

li. All other occupations

318

1,644

In the returns for Ireland it is more apparent than in the returns for
Scotland that the former occupations were given.

375

Blindness in Adult Life

The Unemployed Blind.

England

and
Wales.

Scotland.

Total unemployed

/M.

IF.

8,279
11,457

885 ^
1,409

2,294

19,736

These

1. Retired .

(M.
IF.

2,945
700

233
33

particu-
lars are

2. Pensioners

fM.

If.

339
75

20
5

not
stated

3. 01d-a,£fc pensioners

sepa-

(()ccu])ation or

210

rately

former oceui^ation

347

for

not stated) .

Ireland,

4. Private means

/M.

314

(F.

771

5. Others unemi^loyed ]

. (ineludinfT scholars

4,471

586

and students) . .

9,5C4

1,206

Institutions for the blind in Ireland have accommodation
for 767, and contained on last Census night 599; 416 of these
were supported by Poor Law unions.

In addition to the number of totally blind in Ireland,
1,309 — 618 males and 691 females — were returned as partially
blind.

Blind persons in workhouses : 274 males, 369 females;
total, 643.

Three thousand three hundred, or "JC'S percent, of the
total, were aged fifty years and upwards.

Six hundred and forty-one, or 14*9 percent, of the entire
numbers, were eighty years old and upwards.

In Scotland 181, or 5' 5 per cent., were returned as being
blind from infancy, and 3,136, or 94*5 per cent., as afflicted
with acquired blindness.

Two hundred and thirty-eight, or 7*2 per cent., were
enumerated in institutions for the blind.

376

Blindness in Adult Life

PROVISIONS OF THE POOR LAWS FOR THE
ASSISTANCE OF THE BLIND.

By 14 & 15 Vict. c. 105, s. 4, the guardians of any union
or parish may, with the consent of the Poor Law Board, pay
out of the common fund of such union, or, in the case of a
parish, out of the funds in hand of such guardians, any sum
of money as an annual subscription towards the support
and maintenance of any pubHc hospital or infirmary for the
reception of the sick, diseased, disabled, or wounded persons,
or persons suffering from any permanent or natural infirmity.

By 42 & 43 Vict. c. 54, s. 10, this section is extended to
authorise the guardians with such consent as is therein
mentioned, to subscribe towards any asylum or institution
for blind persons, or deaf or dumb, or for persons suffering
from any permanent or natural infirmity, or towards any
other asylum or institution which ajjpears to the guardians,
with such consent as aforesaid, to be calculated to render
useful aid in the administration of the relief of the poor.

Provided always, that nothing herein contained shall
authorise any subscription to any asylum or institution
unless the Local Government Board be satisfied that the
paupers under the guardians have, or could have, assistance
therein in case of necessity.

It is held that this section allows guardians, with the
consent of the Local Government Board, to subscribe any
reasonable weekly sum for a case so long as it is maintained
in an institution.

30 & 31 Vict. c. 106, s. 21, provides that :—

The guardians may provide for the recej^tion, main-
tenance, and instruction of any adult pauper, being blind,
or deaf and dumb, in any hospital or institution established
for the reception of jiersons suffering fr(nn such infirmities,
and may pay those charges incurred in the conveyance of
such person to and from the same as well as those incurred
in his maintenance, support, and instruction therein. (As
to bUnd children, see 56 & 57 Vict. c. 42, s. 15.)

377

Blindness in Adult Life

The Chairman.' — Mr. Priestley has given us a most
interesting and instructive paper, and you will not be sur-
prised that I have received the names of a great number Avho
wish to join in the discussion. I rarely have heard a paper
read that commanded such universal approval.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. Colin Macdonald (Dundee). — -One appreciates the diffi-
culty the writer has liad in treating the subject. The problem has
for long engaged the attention of experts and has been approached
from all aspects, but so far no definite and permanent solution has
been reached. As the result of much research and with an inti-
mate practical knowledge, Mr. Priestley has furnished us with a
mass of interesting facts and opinions, and his paper, with the
appendix of statistics, forms a valuable contribution to the
subject. He has discussed the subject under all the old familiar
heads. If no new aspects of the problem are suggested, he has
focussed all available information and expert opinion — gathered
from the most reliable sources — into concrete propositions, and
made important deductions worthy of the consideration of this
Conference.

Mr. Priestley asks for a luiiform definition of blindness, but does
not venture to suggest one. The scientific definition, it has been
said, is the absence of light perception, and the practic(d definition
a state in which no occupation can be followed for which vision is
required. Of course the ordinary conception of the term is total
blindness. A working definition is desirable as doctors differ as
to when a person with defective sight is a subject for our workshops
and institutions.

We have known cases admitted to institutions on an oculist's
certificate to be subsequently dismissed on the score of too
much sight.

There is no question as to the totally blind ; the fact establishes
a prior claim, but the parVudly blind are often rejected by sighted
workshops because of insufficient vision, and as often excluded
from workshops for the blind because of having too much. That
30 per cent, of the so-called partially blind are in our institutions
to-day, and that their number is increasing, demands the adoption
of a guiding working definition.

The question might well be raised here : Would it not be
advisable to have separate workshops in which this rapidly
increasing class could be dealt with % They could be adjunct
to existing institutions and under one governing body. New
departments of industry might be found and classes of work
attempted in which the jtartial vision of the worker could be
profitably utilised.

I might here remark, as an illustration of how some of the totally
blind view the matter, that there have been cases where the latter
resented a partially blind person being admitted on the same terms
as himself. Someone has said that a blind person prefers that his

378

Discussion

companion on the " plank " or " bench " be similarly handicapped.
When so related and with equal capacity there is a healthy rivalry
engendered. In the other case the totally blind, when ont-distanced
by the visually more fortunate workman, is inclined to be dej)ressed
by the fact rather than stimulated to increased exertion. It is
a fact, however, that the blind are ever ready to help one another,
and the successful achievement of one gives satisfaction to the
whole workshop. Every encouragement should be given to the
blind to develoj} their gifts.

There are cases where a trained blind workman makes an
efficient instructor to blind ai)prentices, his personal knowledge
of the difficulties to be encountered making him often more suc-
cessful than a sighted instructor.

We are told that only about 20 per cent, of the 12,088 employ-
able blind in the kingdom are being now provided for in institu-,
tions and workshops. That such a large number should be
standing in the market-place waiting to be hired and made useful
is surely not creditable to British ingenuity and enterprise.

It is gratifying, however, that in the last decade there has been
a considerable increase in the number employed and that addi-
tional workshops have been established, but the proportion is
infinitesimal compared with the large number mentioned. But
assuming that the vast army of unemployed were trained and
made producers, the question wovild arise : Wliere is a market
for their accumulated produce ?

As matters stand in most of our workshops, this problem is at
present operative and is the despair of the managements. Mr.
Priestley suggested that Government departments and public
authorities, by reserving a sliai-e of their orders for the blin^i,,
would employ a great many. If this were effected — ^and it is
not outside the sphere of practicability — and there was a more
general bestowal of the patronage of the jjublic, the problem
would be largely solved. The welfare of the blind is best secured
by giving them work and, I would say, wages. Work is the
" modern majesty," as Carlyle described it, and there is no mental
or physical satisfaction where it is not enjoyed. " Absence of
occupation is not rest." It spells in every case real discontent,
whilst employment, more than almost anything else, makes
supportable the heavy handicap of blindness. In this connection
one reads with interest the Report of the Metropolitan Poor Law
Inspector's Advisory Committee, that a remarkable decline has
taken place in the number of persons found homeless and in
shelters in London (and I believe this is the case in every other
large centre of population), due, it has been suggested, to the
operation of the Old Age Pension Act, the National Health Insur-
ance Act, and labour exchanges. To our adult capable blind and
partially blind the provision of employment with adequate
remuneration to furnish the means of decent existence is the
certain panacea for the misery, ennui, and discontent so prevalent
amongst the idle and uncared-for blind. Even for the incompetent
blind the provision of some kind of work is desirable. To sit with
"folded hands " doing nothing, even apart from the calamity of
blindness, is surely a most jiitiable condition. The Royal Com-

379

Blindness in Adult Life

mission on the Blind in 1886, referring to the difficulty of providing
work for the adult blind, said " it may be more just to the blinii
quite independent of economic grounds to be kept out of work-
houses " ; and we indorse their dictum. Dr. Samuel Johnson
said : " A decent provision for the poor is the true test of civilisa-
tion." And shall we not say that to ameliorate the lot of the
blind poor is a test of our humanity ?

Mr. Priestley submits for discussion a number of interesting
points on which he invites the decisions of the Conference. They
are : — -Rate of Wages ; Minimum Wage ; Augmentation ; Pen-
sions ; Labour Homes.

He gives valuable information and makes suggestive comments
on these topics. In anticipation of the recommendations with
regard to impending legislation on the subject a deliverance by
this Conference is desirable.

The blind in this country and all workers in the cause hail with
lively satisfaction the appointment by Parliament of a Depart-
mental Committee to inquire into and make recommendations
with a view to the solution of this perplexing problem. We
commend to that committee the study of Mr. Priestley's paper.
The wealth of information brought together, the ascertained
expert opinion, and the comprehensive treatment of the whole
question at issue should be of great value in their deliberations.

We are all agreed that the claims of the blind to an opportunity
of raising their status by honest laboui' to the platform of inde-
pendent subsistence- are paramount, and I think there are indica-
tions that we are on the way to their realisation.

Mr. Bell (Baltimore). — I have come 3,000 miles to this Con-
ference, and I feel at least for my part that those who have sat in
darkness have seen and are seeing a great light. From childhood,
of course, I have been familiar with the fact that a stone thrown
into a mill-pool will send its ripiiling waves to the farthest shore,
and I am confident that this C^onference will not be like a single
stone in a mill-pool, but rather like an avalanche of stones thrown
out by the gi-eat Vesuvius or Pelee ; and that it will be found
exerting its influence not only in Australia, oin- Antipodes, but
in every part of the civilised world. More than that, I may say,
in view of the message our sister brought from the Chinese, it will
be carried to what we have so long considered as the heathen
world. I am here largely as a learner. I am not prepared to
add anything to the splendid thoughts our speaker this morning
has suggested. All the papers have been most excellent. There
can be found no fault with any of them in regard to its true value
to the cause of the blind. But I want to say a word or two on
behalf of Maryland, and its workshoi) in particular. We have
but recently got into the work for the adult blind. We were five
years old last November. Our workshop was the result of a
recognised need. The directors of our school for the blind (in
existence for sixty years or more) found that they must deal with
this question, and so the matter was taken to the Governor of the
State, who admitted that he found, as you have found, that the
adult blind were greatly in the majority. There was no provision
made for them in any way, and therefore something must be done.

380

Discussion

The Commission for the Blind suggested a workshop. Our work-
shop has done a great deal of good considering the limited time
we have had at our disjjosal. I am not going to give figures.
I did think I would, but after that cyclonic message from Sydney
I feel we should be so overshadowed that I will leave it to you to
read our reports and find out something about the statistical side.
Our plan has been to take in men and women and teach theni to be
independent up to the capabilities of a blind person. We have
been enabled to teach some trades that they have been able to
take home with them to their different sections, but of course our
conditions in the United States are different from those in England.
We have a wider area to go over. As far as possible our men
have been encouraged to learn trades at which they can work in
their own home in city or country, so that many have been able to
establish themselves successfully in a profitable business. My
friend Profesor Latimer is qualified to speak on the educational
side of the question ; he is also conversant with some facts
regarding men who have gone home and done well in business,
one of his classmates having made a great success of the business
he undertook. We have striven to give our people the oppor-
tunity of being among their friends, among those who know them,
among those uijon whom they have some claim, and who are
ready to help them and therefore patronise them. We feel that
only by associating with the seeing, and not by segregating them-
selves, can the blind reach their highest development. We have
been able to give them the means of eai-ning something, of being-
independent, and in some cases, especially among our tuners and
telephone operators, we have been most successful. I thank
you for giving me this opportunity of speaking and for your
attention.

Dr. RocKLiFFE (Hull). — I should like to congratulate Mr.
Priestley and Mr. Macdonald on the most excellent paper we
have had this morning. Very much has been said that 1 should
have liked to speak about, but as the time is so remarkably short
I will confine myself to statements in pal'agraph 6 with reference
to the " definition of blindness."

My definition of a blind person is, " One who is unable to
differentiate, that is, to distinguish and count fingers, at a greater
distance than three feet." 1 divide the defective-sighted into
three — first, those with no perception of light ; secondly, those
who cannot differentiate, that is, those who can see an object like
the hand moving, but cannot distinguish the upheld fingers at
any distance, these I consider blind ; thirdly, those who can
differentiate, that is, count fingers at a distance, and it is with
this class that we draw the line, according to their inability or
ability to count fingers at a greater distance than three feet.
The former I classify as " blind " and the latter as " partially
blind." I base the suggestion on the grounds that, assuming
an augmentation or bonus is given in proportion to wages earned
to two men of equal powers, the least deserving will receive the
larger share, owing to his having earned the more because he
could see the rods or other material witli which he is working.
I thi k this, should not be so. Again, no census of the blind is of

381

• Blindness in Adult Life

any value without some such definition. Further, many societies
disti'ibute funds to those who are totally blind, and in justice to
themselves they demand a definition, but I Avill say no more on
this latter subject. I, however, quite endorse what Mr. Priestley
states in paragraphs 7 and 8.

Now, with regard to those able to count fingers beyond three
feet, whom I caU ijartially blind. I limit this class to those who
can read " six sixties " (g%), that is, who with or without lenses or
spectacles can only see at twenty feet what a normally sighted
person can distinguish at two hiindred feet. In Hull we treat
the partially blind in this way : Everybody is examined by myself,
and if I classify him as partially bUnd he is admitted into the
workshops and works and is paid as a sighted journeyman. In
addition, at times we grant him general relief from our funds, and
he participates in the Christmas festivities and summer outing
and benefits in other ways, but he does not participate in the
bonus given entirely for tlie blind. Of course, the imrtially
blind vary in amount of defect of vision, and if they are nearly
blind we make allowances, and we do not draw a hard and fast
line at exactly three feet.

To sum up, my definition of blindness includes — (1) those with
no perception of light ; (2) those who see objects moving, but
cannot differentiate ; (3) those who can differentiate, but at no
greater distance than three feet. The remainder of the so-called
blind I term partially blind, and divide them from the blind
because they can differentiate beyond three feet but are unable
to see at twenty feet what the sighted can see at two hundred feet.
Those with more vision I think have no claim to the benefits
intended for the bUnd. I feel that if when the next census is
taken a notice to this effect were printed on the form, the value of
the statistics would be much enhanced, and I commend this
suggestion to the institutions and Union of Unions.

Definition of Blindness.

1. No perception of light . . . . ';

2. Cannot differentiate . . . . • f jjij^jj

3. Can differentiate, but are — I

(«) unable to count fingers beyond three feet /

(b) able to count fingers beyond three feet, ) partially

but not more than 5*^, . . . ) blind.

{c) Defect of vision less than jfh ■ • ■ ^o* blind.

From Avhat I said yesterday, some people seem to think that
I advised the removal of the eyes of a masseuse, even if she can
see a little. I should be the very last to suggest excision to any-
one who possessed the least possible amount of sight. What I
wished to convey was, that only those whose eyes were admitted
to be of no value should have them removed and replaced by
artificial ones.

Miss CocKBAiN (Bradford). — I want to plead for the women of
our institutions. I have more to do with them, and I think,
though they do theii- very best, if you wUl look at the statistics

382

Discussion

of the wages you will see tliat tlie men as a rule get from 6s. to 30s.
and tlie women from 4s. to 12s. We know that even among
sighted women it is extremely difficult to subsist on 12s. per week.
For those living in institutions it is easier, but those living in
their own homes and in lodgings are very much worse off. Think
of the number of things that a sighted woman can do for herself,
such as washing and mending and making her clothes, but that is
of course out of the question for a blind woman, and unless she is
living with someone who will do it for her those extra expenses
must be added. I do hope that, if the institutions can supplement
the earnings a little further, special consideration will be given
to the supplementing of women's wages. Their work is splendid.
It is no less capable than the men's work, but it goes on different
lines ; for instance, the very best knitting cannot be paid at the
rate paid to the men, because we have to keep to market prices
in selling the goods.

Mr. C. Arthur Pearson * (London). — I should like first to
congratulate Mr. Priestley upon his able and sympathetic paper.
If I were a blind workman I should like to work under his guidance,
and I think that Mr. Priestley's knowledge and judgment will be
of the utmost value to the Departmental Committee.

Now I want to say a few words on the important question of the
augmentation of the inadequate wages of blind workers. Blindness
is a national defect and should be made up for nationally as far as
possible. How can this bsst be done *? The one great difficulty is
that just discussed by Dr. Rockliffe, namely, the degree of blind-
ness. But that is not, I think, insuperable. My view is this.
You are John Smith, an inmate of a blind workshop. Because
you are blind you are only, so far as your handiwork is concerned,
50 per cent, or 60 per cent, of a man. I will take 50 per cent,
because it gives easier figures. You, John Smith, if you were a
sighted workman at the same trade, could earn 30.<f. a wee-k. As
you are blind, you can only earn 15s. if you work hard and well.
Very well, if you earn that, the State gives you another 15s. If
you earn only 10s. the State gives you 10s. If you earn 2s. 6d.
the State gives you 2s. 6d. It simply doubles your wages, and
obviously the superintendent of the workshop will see that you do
your work fairly and honestly. And I think that same system
might be pursued with advantage in the case of the home worker.
Such cases are difficult from the point of view of skilled super-
vision and advice, but they should be extended to those who work
at home, and there should be no difficulty in securing the services
of an appraiser whose word would be accepted as to the value of
work.

On the question of marketing the goods made by the blind,
why cannot those who have the disposal of these goods band
together and arrange some common trade mark, as I believe is
done in the case of Irish industries — something that means
quality 1 The public must have good quality. They will not
buy things because they are made by the blind, but I am qixite
certain that they will buy things made by the blind if they are just
as good as those made by other people. The thing wants putting
before them. I am sure that in very many towns tradesmen

383

Blindness in Adult Life

miglit be induced to give shop window space in good thorough-
fares. If this could be arranged — and I do not think there are
insuperable difficulties — and if the goods could have a distinctive
trade mark meaning quality, and no goods go out of a blind institu-
tion without it, I think a good deal of the difficulty in the way of
disposing of the goods would disappear.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, I have made these remarks with
gi'eat diffidence. As I was reminded yesterday, I am only a new
comer, and I do not pretend to be an authority. I am trying to
throw out a suggestion that has occurred to me as an ordinary,
plain, and I hope fairly sensible, business man.

The Chairman. — I am sure we are all most grateful to Mr.
Pearson for giving us such straight advice.

Mr. W. H. TiiURMAN (Birmingham). — Mr. Pearson has told us
that he is a new-comer into the blind world, and of coixrse we
welcome him most heartily. We should, I am sure, welcome him
more heartily if he could influence the adoption of the suggestion
he has just put forward. (A voice : " He will.") I hope he will.
I will emphasise this: "A man earning 15s. a week would get
that amount jilus another los. a week because he was a 30s. a week
man before he became blind." Again : "A man getting £300 a
year when taken with blindness would have his earnings of £150
made up to £300." Truly a Utopian idea ! Now we have during
the last four years gone into the question of the augmentation
of blind workers' wages, and the scheme now in force at Birming-
ham has given the workers the greatest satisfaction. I wish that
all institutions for the blind would adopt the same principle. I
can strongly recommend it. What we do is to collect money in
factories or workshops, and, assisted by voluntary subscriptions,
a fund has been established to augment the wages of the blind.
Every penny that is contributed to this fund is given to the blind
workers by way of augmentation. In that way we collected
nearly £1,400 last year. It was during Mr. Stainsby's time that
this fund was first established, and I believe it was nearly £1,000
the first year.

Miss Cockbain will be glad to hear, as will all of you, that we
have made a special point in regard to the women workers. We
have recently increased their rate of augmentation. They now
get a maximum of 5s. per week. Now I consider that this subject
is quite equal in importance to that of educating the blind, even
if it is not more important. What is the good of educating the
blind if, when their training is completed, they are turned adrift.
I say it is wrong, decidedly wrong, and never ought to have been
possible. Mr. Macdonald has said that he would like the Depart-
mental Committee to have a copy of Mr. Priestley's paper ; I
agree, and hope the authorities wiU take care that the paper is
sent to them.

This important subject of the adult blind is extremely interest-
ing, and if any of you doubt it, go to a large town and visit their
homes as I have done. In October last I started to visit all the
adult blind on our list, not only those in their homes, but also
those in the workhouses, and it took me to the end of February to

384

Discussion

to do so, although I bicycled. I visited 373 (124 in workhouses
and 249 in their own homes or lodgings). You will be surprised,
as I was, to hear that the blind in the workhouses in the Birming-
ham district are extremely well looked after, and so far as Birming-
ham is concerned I refute the statement that the blind are not
well cared for in the workhouses. I have been to see, and I know.
Of totally blind there were 118 out of 223 living in their own
homes, of blind and deaf twenty, of blind and mentally defective,
seven. In the workhouses there were twelve blind and deaf and
twelve blind and mentally defective.

It is not a sine qua non that a man of fifty-five and upwards is
untrainable. I have had a man thirty-one years of age whom we
taught brush-making in eight weeks. He was earning 1 5s. in
his ninth week, and now he is earning over £1. It is only
a few months since he started. I will finish by telling you that
my committee think this subject of such great imi)ortance that
they have established a permanent committee to deal with it.

Mr. SiDDALL * (Rochdale). — I cannot commence my remarks
without thanking Mr. Priestley for his excellent paper, and I
should like to say that we who are blind thank the heads of the
different institutions for the work they are doing. It is useless
to say they are paid for it. Anyone who works among the blind
for his wages alone is no good, and therefore I think from the
results we know that they are doing more than the mere
moneysworth.

Now the only point that I want to speak about is that in Mr.
Priestley's paper there is nothing about home industries. I am
not going to run riot and say that we all want home industries.
We know that it is impossible in the great majority of cases. I
quite agree, but there are blind people who by some freak of
nature have a certain amount of brain power of their own.
(Laughter.) Now on behalf of those I think it is only just that
they should have a little bit of their own independence. (Hear,
hear.) I should like to see that independence encouraged in
every way, but with judgment. I quite agree that that is
necessary. It should be remembered that those people are not
receiving any subsidy, and I hope that when these subsidies do
come along the home-workers will be considered and greatly
encouraged.

Another point I thought worth mentioning. If the Govern-
ment are going to make a grant of money, why not also a grant of
situations "? I say, ladies and gentlemen, with such an illustration
as our friend Mr. Myers in taking down all these remarks, surely
the Government could find room for a blind typist. Then, again,
in the next room there is a blind telephone operator. Miss Nichol-
son, who by the way is employed at the present time as a typist
and not as a telephone operator, and is here through the kindness
of her employers, Messrs. Kay and Co., Worcester. Possibly the
Government might be induced to give a situation to a blind
person as a telephonist.

I do hope now that higher occupations are taught to the blind,
it will be remembered that we do not only seek for work that
brings in the lowest wages, but we also seek, or at least sopie of us

c.B. 385 . c C

Blindness in Adult Life

— I have referred to tliem before as the freakish ones — for other
and better situations.

I will not occupy further time, but would like to mention one
industry which I think suitable for blind women, and which I do
not think is on Mr. Priestley's list. It is one that goes to the
credit, I believe, of Mrs. Greg and Mr. Hilton, of Bolton — I refer
to the knotting of fringes round table-cloths, quilts, etc., which,
I think, they are finding a very pleasant and remunerative
employment for blind women. You will find that it is a very
suitable industry for them and one they can do and thoroughly
enjoy doing. I do not want to take more time, but I could not
resist the opportunity of mentioning these few things.

Mr. Ernest Littlewood * (London). — I do not claim to be an
authority on the industrial question, but I do think that, as our
last speaker has said, the higher employments of the blind should
be taken into consideration, and also the interests of those not
necessarily employed in any special occupation but receiving
help from their supporters and guardians. I have been privileged
to take part in Mr. Pearson's campaign, and have come into
contact with those connected with people who have become
blind in adult life. A workman whom I met was speaking of his
blind wife. He said she had been blind fourteen years, and that
she really now only wanted to die. That is a very shocking
condition of things. He said : " She imagines I am selfish
because I cannot do more for her." My reflection was : " What
are we to do with such a case as that ? " He is a workman, and
she does not want to earn money really ; he as her husband is
her supporter, and she is living with her daughter. They have
lived with one another so long that at last it has become unbear-
able. Think of the influence not only on the daughter, but upon
the whole family, of that blind woman who is unable to occupy
her time. The attitude of the children as they grow up will be to
avoid as far as possible any association with the blind. I felt
at once that the need of literature to help, comfort, and console
her was most necessary here — that she ought to be trained to read
if possible. We know, of course, that it is not given to every man
to read with his fingers with rapidity. Those engaged in trades
find it difficult. But at the same time much must be done, and I
have recently been working with a blind young fellow of about
twenty-five. He is not totally blind, and will, I think, interest
himself in poultry farming. I have taught him Braille, and he is
very interested in it, but he must have something outside his work
to take from him the consciousness that his sight is defective.
In dealing with defective sight we have to know whether by reading
one will injure the sight one has. In this particular instance this
young fellow can read print, but if he does it means that he will
lose his sight altogether, so that is a big point to take into
consideration. '

And then I want to come to the question of institutions. May
I say that I have been for twenty years brought up outside
institutions, and I know the benefit of being educated among
sighted people, but I quite realise that there are conditions under
which a man must enter an institution. "What has struck me in

386

Discussion

this Conference, in the speeches made and in the course of
conversation, is the wish of the blind to associate more with the
seeing, and I think, as Carlyle says, " We can hold fast by the old
and admit the minimum of new."

I think our institutions might take a lesson from the accumu-
lated experience of the blind, and give chances to those who can
to associate with the seeing by having times when they can meet
them and know the world as it really exists.

Mr. Isaac Dickson (Queensland). — The question before us, to
my mind, is the most important that has yet been discussed, in
so far as it is simply a matter of bread and butter. The children
will be all right, but the question of finding employment for adults
is very important, and I think we should come this morning to
some definite resolution in order to press home to the avithorities
the fact that something must be done soon with regard to the adult
blind. Mr. Priestley has done very great service to the cause
in Britain by gathering together all the information contained in
his paper this morning, and I feel deeply grateful, for it will be
useful to every one of us.

Now I would like to correct one impression that has gone
abroad with regard -to Australia being a Utopia for the blind.
I represent Queensland and South Australia, and can assure you
that it is not. Numbers of the blind there are very dissatisfied,
just as they are here. (Laughter.) I think that one great defect
in the management of most institutions is that the management
is not entirely sympathetic ; then we get dissatisfaction. I can
say this for Queensland, that we have perhaps one of the most
kindly institutions in the way of management in all Australia.
With regard to treatment and wages, I find that the Glasgow
institution stands perhaps ahead of any institution I know in the
world. We find, however, that it takes too long to get up to the
maximum, and if they could make that five years they would
stand ahead of all other institutions. The reason that Australia
is so good with the blind is that the Government is so very good
for all charitable purposes. Take the invalid pension. Every
person from the age of sixteen and upwards may receive 10s. as an
invalid. The institution may pay 15s. and the Government 5s.,
so that no person need receive less than £1. Some people say
that the cost of living in Australia is very high. I refute that.
I say that necessaries are quite as cheap as in England, but not
luxuries.

Well, Mr. Chairman, the question raised by Mr. Priestley is a
very important one, and I do not know that you are pressing-
forward in this country as fast as you ought. I know in Queens-
land we cannot make goods fast enough. We cannot get blind
people in sufficient number to carry out the orders. We have
only a very small population — only about half a million — yet
our turnover was something like £11,000 last year. Out of 300
blind in the last census in Queensland we can account for about
250. That is a very good average.

With regard to libraries, Australia stands very well. At the
dinner the other night a Britisher said to me : " Look here^ yoxi
Australians are the greatest (I will not say it) — the greatest

387 C C 2

Blindness in Adult Life

braggers that I know." Now I do not like to be called a braggart.
(Laughter.) The other day 1 simply gave facts ; 1 tliink that the
blind in Australia, taking the institutions and the liberal Govern-
ment assistance into, consideration, are most prosperous; but all
the same, in the streets of Melbourne and Sydney you will find
hiindreds of blind beggars. If 1 had my way 1 woxild sweep every
blind man off the streets, because they have a means of living
provided by the institutions and the Government. In Queensland
the Government say : " You must take in every blind man and
woman who applies to you ; we treat you liberally, and we expect
you to do the same."

Mr. C. W. Harris * (Newport). — As a worker among the adult
blind in Monmouthshire I woxild like to say a word or two in
defence of the home-worker and on behalf of the system by which
the home-worker might still be retained in his home. The
excellent paper we have heard this morning deals chiefly with
institution life, but there is a class of people throughout the
country who do not wish to enter institutions. (Hear, hear.)
They do not wish to leave their comfortable homes and their home
surroundings. Many of them perhaps are living in healthy
country places, and they do not wish to be concentrated into
busy cities. It means either they must go in as residents or must
go into lodgings as near the institution as they can get, or perhaps
it means that their families must remove from the district where
they have been living and go and live in the noisy streets of the
city. I think it is a great mistake for us to advocate wholly and
entirely what I may call an institution system. 1 think that no
system of helping the blind will be adequate or satisfactory unless
it does assist these home workers to work in their own homes.
I would remind you that many of them perhaps have lost their
sight late in life ; they know the district where they live, and are
able to get about there and get their exercise and fresh air
with freedom and ease ; but if they have to go and live in busy
cities, all that is taken from them and they have to be led about
by guides. 1 am speaking now, of course, of those who lose their
sight late in life and who cannot adapt themselves to the con-
ditions of blind life.

There is another point which has perhaps been lost sight of to
some extent, and that is with regard to the Insurance Act. Under
the new Insurance Act when a man loses his sight he becomes what
we call " totally disabled," and he is allowed the 5s. per week
disablement money. What are we going to do with such indi-
viduals if they start to work and earn money ? Will not that 5s.
per week to which they are entitled under the Insurance Act be
taken away from them as soon as they begin to earn and prove
themselves not to be entirely disabled t Then, again, there is the
question of the man who is in receipt of compensation for accident.
Many men, perhaps, at the present time are receiving a small
amount of compensation. As soon as they begin to work and earn
something the question arises whether they are still entitled to
that compensation. I do hope that the authorities in any scheme
which they may be putting forward will take the home-worker

388

Discussion

into consideration, so that we may not be compelled to drive all
the blind into the institutions.

Mr. W. H. iLLiNGWORTir. — I want to say just one word in reply
to the last speaker. I do not think it is the wish of any of those
who are in positions of responsibility in the blind world to drive
blind workers from their homes into institutions or workshops.
If they are content to receive the wages they can earn in their own
homes they are at liberty to remain there, but if they want to
earn such good wages as are to be had in workshops they must go
to them. They must take just the same responsibility as sighted
people. If a labourer in his own village can earn 1 5s. or 18s. a
week and his brother prefers to go to a town where he can earn
30s. a week, the one who remains at home cannot expect to make
as much money.

With regard to the partially sighted (the myopes), I think we
must begin at the beginning, and if blind schools and institutions
accept the responsibility of educating the myopic children—
which I hold they ought not to do — then we must be prepared in
om- workshops to accept the responsibility of employing myopes
or short-sighted workmen, often to the exclusion of the really
blind for whom the institutions were provided, which is not right.
My view is that the education of the myopes should be considered
apart from our blind schools. Let it be a separate thing, and, if
necessary, let separate workshops be established for myopic men
and women.

Mr. W. H. DixsoN * (Oxford). — Mr. Isaac Dickson's remarks
reminded me of some lines by an Australian poet as follows : — ■

'' Although with patriotic pride my soul was all aglow,
" I remembered Trollop's parting words, " Victorians do not
blow.' "

(Laughter.)

One of the objects we ought to have in view in dealing
with those who have lost their sight in later life is to bring them
into touch with life. We want everybody to earn a living if they
cannot do so at present. We want everybody to support himself,
but there are some who perhaps cannot now and never will be able
to do so. We are tempted to concentrate our attention on those
who can be taught and rather neglect as hopeless those who
cannot. I am not accusing anybody, although I am really
accusing myself and everybody else. Take the case of a man I
know who lias lost his sight. He is paralysed also, and is therefore
unable to do anything. Ilis wife goes out all day to work and he
sits in the house with his hands in front of him doing nothing. I
wish that luore people would come and help to bring that man
and others who are similarly situated into touch with life. After
all, if you can make these people feel that they have not altogether
ceased to be as other men, and that the time has tiot come for them
to seek the grave, as Mr. Harris put it, you will have done a very
great deal.

Mr. John Keir * (Aberdeen). — I am very glad to have the
opportunity of saying a word on what has been described as the

389

Blindness in Adult Life

most important subject that has been discussed. We all recognise
that however important education may be, whether in residential
schools or day classes, after all these systems must be regarded
as a means to an end, the end being the earning of a living. I
quite agree with Mr. Macdonald that work is really what is wanted.
And there is a gieat deal more truth in the dignity of labour
than is always realised. I am quite satisfied that nothing will
give more satisfaction to any kind of man than employment,
either working by head or by hands. I know exactly what
employment means. I used to work very hard as a basket-
maker and enjoyed it, although I have not made a basket for
some little time now. I daresay there are some here who have
never worked ; they have no idea of the pleasure to be had from
employment, and I would recommend that they should try, for it
is absolutely good to do it.

I want to say a word with regard to Mr. Pearson's suggestion
about a fixed wage — doubling the earnings. That is all right so
long as you do not come too far down. I am quite willing for 15s.
to be increased to 30s., but I am wanting a minimum of 15s. Mr.
Pearson came down to 5s. No man can live on that ; you must
be prepared to find a reasonable minimum, and I think that
minimum should be at least 15s. We cannot justly ask any man
to come down below a subsisting Avage. Now, with regard to the
Bill before Parliament. I wish here to express my feeling of
gladness that the two competing Committees have agreed and
have presented a joint Bill. I am not one who complains as to
who does the job, so long as it is well done. I think that the
Employment Committee and the Committee of the National
League have shown great sense, because when a house is divided
against itself it cannot stand. The first time that I attended a
conference on this subject was twenty-four years ago at Norwood.
The advice and guidance of Sir Francis Campbell, whose illness
and absence we all regi-et, were then most valuable. At that
time things were in rather a lackadaisical state. I was a good
deal younger then, and it appeared to me at that time that the
blind must always be maintained in residential institutions—
" the poor are always with us " sort of spirit. The feeling to-day
is absolutely different, and the atmosphere of this Conference is
most inspiring. I am quite sure that the mere fact that this
question has been brought to the attention of the House of
Commons and received such a sympathetic hearing in the debate
on March 11th has given an impetus to this movement which
affects the whole country. I am satisfied that we shall go forward
and overcome all the difficulties before us. And I do hope that
the march of progress will continue " o'er moor and fen, o'er crag
and torrent," and not be hindered or stopped till the class to
which we belong have their lives made much brighter and better.

Mr. Frew Brtden (Glasgow). — ^May I recall the Conference
to one or two figures '? There are 34,000 blind persons in the
coimtry — 12,000 employable blind, of whom 2,437 are employed.
That is a fact on which I wish the attention of the Conference to
be fixed. It means that outside 2,437 blind people who are
employed you have a kind of terra incognita of blind people you

390

Discussion

know little about, how they live and move and have their being.
I wish the Conference to get into their minds that the problem of
the blind from now onward is the problem of dealing with that
large niimber of the blind in the community. Again, as one
connected with a society dealing with the blind outside of institu-
tions, I wish to point out that it is well for us to keep in mind that
there are possible openings for the blind outside the institutions.
I also wish it to be kept in mind, not only to-day and now, but
always when the question of the blind is dealt with in this country,
that the blind who can really be trained in institutions are only
those up to a certain age — suppose we say forty. Something like
50 per cent, lose their sight over that age. Now my point is,
what are we doing for that 50 per cent. ! When this bill is passed,
how is this 50 per cent, to be dealt with ! And this brings out
another point. A clause in the Bill provides that to those who
cannot be employed a pension of 10s. a week is to be given. I am
very glad that this clause has been introduced into the Bill. I am
glad that in this respect the influence of the National League has
told, and that a section of the blind will now receive attention
from the State in this way.

In connection with employment, the Bill does provide for
certain training, but it is to be recognised that there is a certain
number who cannot be trained but can yet be employed. There
is a large number of blind people engaged in trading in various
ways, some selling tea — ^a humble employment not to be despised — •
in which respectable and self-respecting lives have been lived with
a freedom that cannot always be had in connection with institution
life. Now I wish to ask those who are considering the Bill that
they should keep this side of the question before them. Even
when they have to face the question of whether one should enter
into an institution, they might also consider whether they cannot
open up even a better sphere of independence. Provision is
made in this Bill for the augmentation of those being trained and
employed in institutions. What of the man wishing to live a
self-respecting life outside an institution ? I trust the Committee
appointed will keep in view that any man or woman making an
honest effort to trade on his own account shall also be fairly
dealt with when augmentation is required.

Mr. C. W. Stevens (Bristol).^ — I would like to draw your atten-
tion to the methods we employ at Bristol, which is one of the two
oldest institutions in the coimtry. We take children from the
age of five into the elementary school, they pass on through the
technical school, and then, provided we cannot see an opportunity
for them to earn a reasonable living in their own homes at the
trade they have learnt at school, we take them into the workshop
and employ them. Our workshops are intended chiefly and
mainly for ex-puj)ils, and for those ex-pupils not able or who have
not the opportunity of doing well in their own homes. Bristol,
as you know, has a fairly large population, but it is also the centre
of a large rural district. Many of our pupils go back to their
homes after they are trained, and we help them from time to time,
first by starting them in business and then from time to time by
such grants as we are able to make. We recommend that system

39i

Blindness in Adult Life

of treatment for yoimg people, and should they fail in their own
homes our workshops, I hope, are always open for them to come
back. When in the workshops they find constant employment,
and there is no dismissal except for very bad conduct.

A Voice : May I rise to a point of order ! ' I believe the question
we are now dealing with is that of people in adult life.

The Chairman. — I think the speaker is rather wandering from
the subject. He has only a few minutes.

A Voice : I have questions to ask and the time is being mono-
polised in advertising an institution.

Mr. Stevens. — Many of our people are not receiving large
wages, but we have various means of augmenting them. The
guardians of the poor give us relief in individual cases, and it is
paid through me at the institution.

A Voice : You take that out of the wages.

Mr. Stevens. — The efforts of the Committee and the manage-
ment are on behalf of the betterment of the blind, and we are
trying to do as much as we can for as many as we can. We do not
set up any standard of proficiency for admission, and prefer to
employ those least able to help themselves in otlier ways. We
pay them as much as we can and get such outside assistance as is
possible.

Mr. Hedger (New South Wales). — I have to thank Mr. Priestley
very much for his paper, with all the various interesting facts and
plain statements of the case in England. It will save me a deal of
trouble in getting information that I wanted. In reference to
my paper Air. Dickson very kindly gave you some side-lights on
our modern Utopia. Well, I said in my paper it was sad to know
that with all those benefits there were many blind people who
were not availing themselves of the privileges, and in explanation
of that I might say that unfortunately some blind people prefer
to beg rather than to work. (A Voice : " We do not." ) In addition
to that I might say that the parents of the young blind are in a
great majority of cases at fault. We get them in the institutions
and teach them music and singing and give them all the recreation
we can, and then the parents take them around the streets and
hotels begging. This is a great shame. As to the adult blind,
something has been said about the guardians of the poor helping.
I would like to suggest that you wait till the Government comes
forward with legislation. If you have to tell the Government
that you get assistance from the guardians, the Government
perhaps will not help to such a great extent as it otherwise might.
In benefiting the blind om- institution loses £1,500 a year on its
manufacturing account, and we make that up from a Government
subsidy and public subscriptions. Maniial training and intellec-
tual activity, thus enabling them to contribute to their own
support, is their best help. The Government should do for the
blind the same as for the seeing — teach them to read and write,
train them in industries, and help them to live by those industries.
Sympathy with the blind is universal, but I hope at the same
time that the Government will make it practical. They will thus

392

Discussion

transfer tlie blind from the loss side of the balance-sheet to the
gain side and make them an asset to this great country instead
of a liability. That, I am sure, would prove to be sound political
economy and sound Christianity.

Miss Edith Bainbrigge (London). — A good deal of what I
wanted to say has already been said by Mr. Frew Bryden, Mr.
Siddall, and Mr. Harris, but I want very much to emphasise the
fact of how much help is wanted for the blind in country districts,
and I do hope that the Departmental Committee will be urged
very strongly to take up their case. There is a very large number
who cannot be moved to institutions even if they were young
enough. Take, for instance, a man of thirty -five with a wife and
children. It would be cruel to take him away, and it would be
very bad when he came back home after learning his trade.
People living in his neighbourhood are interested in him at the
time, but afterwards he has lost touch with them and perhaps
even with his wife. Then I also want to refer to what Mr. Dixson
says. It is not only the blind who c(m be employed that we
should think of, or at least we who belong to the home teaching
societies. When we talk of the adult blind we mean also those
who lose their sight at the age of sixty or even later, and unless
they are dealt with satisfactorily and thoroughly by home teachers
they become utterly miserable. I am going to tell you one story ;
it is out of the Torquay and South Devon report. I could not
get the writer to come and tell you himself. There was a very
old man in an out-of-the-way place who lost his sight. He was
utterly miserable and did not know what to do or how to move
about. His wife was as ignorant as himself, as she had had
nothing to do with blind people. One night, she heard him
praying, and this is what he said : " O God, if you have no time
to help me yourself send an angel to me." And the next day the
home teacher went to him.

Mr. Kelly * (London). — I should like to say a word in favour
of the admirable paper Mr. Priestley has read and the excellent
speeches that have followed. I only want to emphasise one point
which has not been touched upon by any speaker within my
hearing. That point is this, and I will come to it at once. (Ap-
plause and laughter.) Really, Sir, this is my first ai^pearance in
the capacity of a public entertainer, but I am not wanting to
waste time or excite hilarity. What I want to say is this.
(Laughter, and cries of '' Hurry up.") I would urge u^jon all
those who are connected with Institutions that come in contact
with the adult blind, to find those adult blind at the time they
are leaving the hospitals, and impress ujion them the fact that
although they may be coming away sightless from the hospital
where they entered with sight, there is a prospect for them, even
in the blind world.

My own experience is this : When I was leaving the hospital
and knew I was blind I asked the matron in charge : " What on
earth am I to do f " She shook her head and said : " I do not
know ; if you were a child you could go to an institution, and if
you were a basket maker or a mat-maker you could go to a

393

Blindness in Adult Life

worksliop, but I do not know what you are to do." I did not
know myself, but if that good lady had been told by somebody
that there was Braille to be learnt and so on I should have come
away with very different feelings. As a matter of fact there was
an interval of ten years between the time I left the hospital and
the time I took up Braille. (Shame.) I mentioned this to Miss
Austin, and she took certain steps tliat all the hospitals within
her ken should be informed on the point. (Cries of " Hear, hear." )
Now I take this opportunity of asking those connected with
institutions all over the country to give an eye or an ear to those
who go into hospitals and are likely to come out without their
sight.

The Chairman. — -We are very grateful to Mr. Kelly for sticking
to the point.

Miss Gilbert (Wickham Bishops). — -Mr. Priestley in his most
interesting paper advocates the extension of free libraries of
embossed books. I quite agree. Every free library in the
British Isles should have Braille and Moon books. But as
secretary of the Home Teaching Society for the Blind which has
taken books to the blind pooi- for more than fifty-eight or fifty-
nine years, I am of opinion that the best way to provide these
people with books is to take them to them and not rest content
with placing the books in libraries. In and around London,
where so many libraries do cater for the blind, of the 1,428 persons
visited by the blind men employed by the Home Teaching Society
only 235 could send to the libraries. Therefore I say take the
books to them in their own homes, and I would add that thereby
you can give employment to blind people.

Miss Wright (Midland Counties' Union). — Mr. Priestley put
several questions, one of which is that as only 20 per cent, of the
blind are at present employed in institutions, what steps should be
taken with regard to the rest ? My work has been very much in
some of the wide country counties, where the blind are scattered
about at great distances and are unable to reach the large City
institutions. Many large institutions there are that educate
them, but when they come out they are often isolated up and
down the country. It is a most difficult thing to know how to
get employment for them and how to help the " scattered blind "
in these wide districts. I will tell you of one case. I was asked
to go and see one girl who had been taught and was a clever,
capable teacher, and I had to travel ten miles by motor bus and
then walk three miles. I saw her, and to get back again, I had to
be driven five miles to a railway station in another direction.
She said to me : "I have had eleven years training ; but what is
the good of all the money spent, and all the training, when I can
do nothing in this isolated spot '? " May I make a suggestion "?
Working up and down the counties as I have been doing during
the last eight years in the work for the two unions of the Northern
and Midland counties, the fact is forced home to me more and
more that what is needed is a half-way house between theinstitu-.
tions they cannot reach and the work in their homes which they
cannot do without supervision. AMiat I think is needed is a centre

394

Discussion

for work in every county — call them workshops if you like — so that
the blind can live in their own homes with all the independence
that they and we love, where they can have a sympathetic,
competent professional teacher to help them with Braille and
emiiloyment, and with fresh industries by which they can earn
something. Even if they earn only a little there is always a
feeling of ijidependence in knowing that they can earn something.

Mr. John Tennant (London). — I want to say one thing in
connection with the adult blind that is not mentioned in the paper.
I think it is sometimes possible for them to continue the occupa-
tion that they carried on when they were sighted. I may say
that for some time I have been connected with a society in London
which holds classes and visits the blind poor. There was one case
known to Mr. Stainsby of a carpenter who went blind in adult
life and did not know the possibilities of blindness. The blind
instructor from our society soon convinced him. He told him
that it was possible for him to stick to his own business, and I
believe that carpenter was a most efficient one. I knew another
man who was a chaff cutter but was crushed by the Workmen's
Compensation Act. Now that Act is of vital importance to the
blind and is a real difficulty in their way, and I would like to make
a suggestion to the DejDartmental Committee. It does not only
affect such rare cases as I have mentioned ; it affects tuners,
masseurs working on their own account, and others. I suggest
that the blind in that respect should be put on an equal footing
with the seeing, and I think it can be done this way. If the
Government said to the insurance companies, " You insure the
blind on the same terms as you do the seeing, and at the end of
five years we will see what extra compensation you have paid and
will bear your loss, allotting money in proportion, so that you
may not be a loser," that would get rid of this serious difficulty.

Miss Lyall (Aberdeen). — We have heard this morning about the
difficulties of home-workers, and particularly women home-
workers. The most difficult problem is that of work. I have in
my parish, if I may so call it, sixty-three workers in their own
homes, and fifty -nine of these have fairly constant work. I will
just instance one who last year earned £20 in her own home for
work sold by our association. This does not include all her work,
as she secures orders for sales of work, bazaars, etc. I mention
this to show the ability of the women workers when given con-
stant employment, and hope it may stimulate and encourage
others. The work in which she is engaged is light basket work.
Then I have the suj^ervision of the blind in Orkney and Shetland.
Last year we were able to sell for four blind women in Shetland
work to the value of £80. (Hear, hear.) This I also mention,
not to show that they are self-supporting, but merely what they
are able to earn with a little help if they still have the comforts
which are necessary for them to live in.

Mr. Ben Purse * (London). — I am sure we were all very
interested in the definition which Dr. Eockliffe endeavoured to
give of blindness. I hope he will be able to reduce that definition
into more concise terms and to submit the same in another place.

395

Blindness in Adult Life

May I, however, call attention to some of the points raised in
the admirable paper submitted to us by Mr. Priestley ? I join
issue with him when he suggests that 4tL per hour should be
regarded as the minimum amount to be obtained. Su^jpose we
begin with the superintendents of institutions for the blind. It
w6uld be an admirable start. I quite realise, and I think most
of my friends here realise, that our requirements are very much
the same as theirs. If it is a" good thing that they should have
decent remunerations for their labour, it is equally good for us,
and no reasonable person will suggest that 4f2. per hoiu' can be
legitimately regarded as a reasonable sum for decent services
rendered. Of course, I recognise that Mr. Priestley suggests
that this amount should be added to by some form of subvention,
but even if Mr. Pearson's theory of 50 per cent, be considered the
maximum obtainable, even then I say that, having regard to the
value of money, Gd. per hour is not a reasonable amount for a
minimum.

Now I want to say a word also with regard to the statement
made by Mr. Thurman. I think it is most regrettable that so far
as we are concerned advertisement should be given to the jioor
law union as a home for the blind. (Hear, hear.) It is suggested
that these people are well cared for within the union workhouse.
I am not concerned with that, but I am concerned that provision
shall be made by which it will be lu) longer necessary for our
people to enter the union workhouse. Why, Sir, the other day in
the House of Commons Mr. Herbert Lewis, in speaking of the
number of the blind in London, told us it was true that 1,210 were
in the metropolitan unions and said that this had to be remedied.
Eight hundred and sixty of these were persons over sixty ; that
is the very reason why they should not be incarcerated in work-
houses. With reference to the admirable speech we heard from
Mr. Bryden, I am quite convinced that the point he raised is
provided for by the Education, Employment and Maintenance
of the Blind Bill. I feel sure that if he will read it carefully he
will agree with me. But I quite realise that even when we have
got this Bill — ^if we get it at all — we shall still have an enormous
amount of work to do, and some of us, although we have accepted
the compromise, are rather anxious that, having registered this
Bill, like Oliver we shall ask for more.

Mr. Gribben * (Paisley). — I am not a delegate ; I am here as a
private member. I have come from Paisley — you know where
that is — and I have come as a private member entirely at my own
cost and trouble. Three times I have sent up my card to the
Chairman, but this is the first recognition I have received, and
now I am told that I have only two minutes. I have not a word
to say to the Chairman, but I think there is somebody at fault
that such should be. Mr. Priestley's paper is most admirable, but
I disagree entirely on the point that the average earnings of the
blind are not of any particular conseqiience. Since I left home I
visited one institution and inquired of a worker what wages he
could earn, and I was told that he could earn 6s. or 7s. a week.
Now, ladies and gentlemen, the institution system has been in
existence for more than a century. Some of the institutions are

396

Discussion

more than a century old. And is this the result of a century of
labour by those who are making the work of the blind and the
condition of the blind the study of their lives ? I trust that I
shall more and more see this a Conference, not on the Blind, but
a Conference of the Blind. Mr. ('hairman I appreciate, and I will
not stand aside for anyone in my appreciation of what the blind
owe to sighted experts, and to sighted paid officials, if you like me
to put it in that way ; I appreciate what they have done, but the
time has come when the blind are able to administer for the blind,
and I think it would be well for them if the opportunity were given.
Before you ask the Government to give us situations as well as
grants, ask the institutions and societies, ask agencies for the
blind, to trust educated blind men in responsible positions. Are
you going to send a man like me to make baskets at 10s. or 15s.
a week "? If Mr. Pearson wants a job, are you going to send him
into an institution ? You know better. You know he is worth
a great deal more in other lines ; and why should you not give us
the opportunity of proving that we are worth being trusted in
responsible positions. Mr. Chairman, I thank you. I am only
Sony I have not half an hour to talk.

The Chairman. — I am sure you will all regret quite as much as
the last speaker that he has not another half -hour, and I am very
sorry to have to bustle on the speakers, but you will readily
appreciate that it is quite impossible to do otherwise when the
time is so short.

Mr. Miles Priestley. — ^Nothing would please me better than
to continue this interesting discussion during the whole of the
afternoon. (" Hear, hear.") And it would give me great joy if I
had as much time to talk about the discussion as I had for the
paper itself. I do not mind telling you a secret now that I was
going to mention tg Mr. Bryden yesterday, but I thought it better
not to do so — that my plan on this occasion has answered admir-
ably. I found that if 1 wrote what I wanted to say about all the
subjects it would take a whole day instead of half an hour to read
the paper, and it was a question of what to leave out. I thought
of Mr. Bryden, and knew he would speak about helping the blind
in their homes much better than I could. I tried to hurry through
the paper as much as I could, and am afraid even then I exceeded
the time limit. The short time limit often prevents full discussion.

A question of this kind is not in any sense a question of Work-
shoj)s versus Home-Teaching. It is not a question of those inside
and those outside institutions. It is a question of helping those
who become blind late in life ; and I think at most institutions,
whether they are cajiable of work or whether they are too old to
learn any kind of occupation, the committee would never for a
moment favour one class to the detriment of another. It is a
question of need, and I believe the need is supplied as far as
possible. I wish more institutions would follow our example in
Bradford. I have noticed that at this Conference we all praise our
own little shop. (Laughter.) I will say this candidly and con-
scientiously— that at the Bradford institution we take into con-
sideration the needs and requirements of every person, and the

397

Election of Conference Committee

question of inside or outside is not the first point at all. We
endeavour to help them all according to the requirements of each
case. I do not want to say one word against home employment,
but what I do wish to say is that work is always much better
done in a shop than at home, and I am sorry that we cannot have
further discussion upon this important subject. One thing I am
glad of is that the correspondence which passed through my hands
has been able to draw out such an interesting discussion as we
have had this morning. It has been one of the best that I have
listened to for a long time.

The Chairman. — I am sure we all express our thanks to Mr.
Priestley for his valuable paper which has led to such a useful
discussion. All we have to do is to join forces to see that the Bill
becomes law. I was present some twenty years ago at a great
conference on this subject, and I retnember the entliusiasm with
which we went to the Minister of the day and were successful
in getting legislation in the matter of extending education to
blind and deaf and dumb children. I believe if we went to-day
as a deputation we should get what we want. I have no doubt
that those gentlemen who form the Conference Committee will
see that some kind of a deputation goes up.

The Hon. Secretary announced that voting papers would be
distributed on leaving the room and that only delegates were
entitled to vote. The papers must be in by 5 o'clock that evening
and the results would be announced next day ; also that the names
of Mr. Alfred Carr, Mr. Passmore, the Rev. St. Clare Hill, and
Mr. W. M. Stone should be deleted as they had decided not to
stand for election.

The Chairman. — -Are all delegates, including those who are
foreigners, allowed to vote ?

Mr. H. J. Wilson. — -Yes, all delegates.

A Voice : Wlio are the scrutineers ?

Mr. H. J. Wilson.— Mr. Stone, the Rev. St. Clare Hill, and Mr.
Illingworth, none of whom are standing for re-election.

Mr. C. W. Harris. — -May we have the attendances of the
Committee during last year ? It would be important.

Mr. Stainsbt. — I have not the report by me now.

Mr. W. H. Tate. — -I rise to a point of order. At one of our
sessions a resolution was submitted by Mr. Stone which would
have borne very strikingly upon the constitution of the Conference
Committee.

Mr. Stainsby. — ^It is coming forward if you will please be
patient.

Mr. W. H. Tate. — -I should like to ask whether the votmg
should not be deferred till we know the result °?

398

Election of Conference Committee

Mr. Stainsby. — The resolution remitted to the Conference
Committee was as follows : " That this Conference considers
that the time has now come when some organisation of a perma-
nent nature should be called into being and that the newly elected
Conference Committee should be empowered to organise such a
body and that the control of future Conferences should be in its
hands."

The Conference Committee gave careful consideration to the
matter yesterday, and this is the resolution that they passed :
" That this Committee has very carefully considered the resolution
referred to them, but it could arrive at no decision in the matter,
and suggests that it be remitted to the new Conference Committee
and further considered." (" Hear, hear.")

A Voice. : May I ask, is this a Conference of Great Britain, or
are you trying to make it international 1

Mr. Stainsby. — ^We have not contemplated the change of title.
The new Committee will deal with that. A resolution has been
handed up as follows : " That not less than one-third of any
committee appointed by Conference be blind or partially blind."
Mr. Passmore sent me that and has given notice that he will move
it.

Rev. St. Clare Hill. — I rise to a point of order. In reference
to the Conference Committee, that resolution has already been
passed.

The Chairman. ^ — -If there is any doubt about it there is no
reason why it should not be passed again.

Mr. Passmore.* — The resolution was handed in by me, and is
to the effect that not iess^/ww one-third of the Committee should be
blind or partially blind. That is different from the arrangement
now existing ; on the voting paper it states that ten are to be
sighted and five blind. That is one-third, but I say not less than
one-third. I shall not occupy your time long, because this matter
ought to have been discussed on Thursday but was not. I think
in a Conference where there are so many blind delegates it is
positively ridiculous to say that not more than one-third of the
Committee to rule that Conference shall be blind.

Rev. Cocks. — Is if possible to ask the Rev. St. Clare Hill to
allow his name to remain °?

Mr. P. T. Keily * (Lincoln). — I have been asked to second the
resolution moved by Mr. Passmore, and it gives me very great
pleasure to do so. We are not asking for a much greater con-
cession than that already had. It is only one which will lay the
course open for a little more blind representation should the
members of the Conference consider that we deserve it. We do
not insist that we have seven out of fourteen. We only ask for
the possibility of more than five out of fifteen. We ask for the
possibility of a little more representation, which I think we are
entitled to.

Mr. H. J. Wilson. ^ — Let me make quite clear my position
I do not object to the resolution. Personally I am quite willin

399

Election of Conference Committee

that there should be more blind members on the Committee.
What I do object to is that this resolution should be brought
forward at the eleventh hour, upsetting all the arrangements
made by the Conference Committee of 1914, after the voting
papers have been printed and distributed and some people have
even voted. The resolution could have been submitted to the
Conference Committee at any time during the last three years,
but it was not. It would then have been carefully considered,
and any amendment of the resolution passed at Edinburgh would
have been considered in the usual way. If you pass this resolu-
tion I hope you fully understand that the Committee could be
wholly composed of blind people. (Cheers.) That, you see, is
evidently the object of the resolution. (Cries of " No, no.")
And also it may be interpreted as a vote of censure on the Con-
ference Committee and on me as chairman. (Cries of " No, no.")
I would suggest humbly that the resolution be submitted to the
new Conference Committee for their consideration, and that if
they deem it desirable to have more blind men and women they
should have authority to co-opt.

The Chairman. — Let me say I am governed by the regulations
of the Conference. I was under the impression when this was
moved that it would only be dotting the i's and emphasising what
had already been agreed upon, but I find that the addition of the
words " not less than " opens the door to the election of none but
blind members. Now the regulations that bind me as chairman
contain the following : " No resolution shall be moved at any
meeting of the Conference except by consent of and by arrange-
ment with the General Committee."

I may not be ruling according to the wish of some present, but
I am bound by that as chairman, and I think the resolution is
out of order.

A Voice : A point of order. If we select all the blind delegates
on the paper and they are elected by this Conference, then six are
to be ruled out "? Is that so, even though the majority of the
Conference elect them "?

Mr. Wilson. — May I point out that the voting papers are now
being distributed at the door. On these papers it says there are
to be five blind and ten sighted members elected, and that only
one vote may be given to any one candidate. Therefore, if there
are sixteen or seventeen votes given for sighted candidates, the
paper will be disqualified, and if votes are given for more than
five blind members the paper will also be disqualified.

A Voice : If there are more than five votes for the blind candi-
dates, which of them will be knocked out ?

Mr. Wilson. — None at all. The paper would be disqualified.

Mr. Tate. — May I appeal at the last moment "? I desire to
point out, what will be quite apparent to many, that the whole
subject is hedged roimd with difficulty, and there are present in
the minds of some at least two ideas or schemes. Instead of this
discussion being brought abruptly to a close, would it not be
better that the Executive Committee should give an opportunity

400

Election of Conference Committee

for a full discussion in order that the whole matter may be
definitely settled ?

A Voice : Would it be possible for us to have an evening
session to discuss this matter instead of going to the play 'l
(Cries of " No, no.")

The Chairman. — ^I miist declare the business at an end. I am
only chairman of this particular session.

c.B. 401 Dn

Work for the Blind in Russia

Tuesday, June 23rd, 1914.

AFTERNOON SESSION.

Mr. H. J. Wilson (London). — As you have heard this
morning, Lord Parmoor has written to say that he will be
detained on some judicial business this afternoon, but he
hopes if possible to be able to come a little later.

I will call upon Mr. Stainsby to make a few remarks.

A Voice.- — May I ask if it is not a fact that you received
a resolution from Mr. Passmore on Thursday last ?

Mr. Wilson. — That is quite true. I have had a talk with
Mr. Passmore, and it is all amicably settled.

Mr. Stainsby.^ — I am sorry that a mistake has been made
in the nominations. Mr. C. W. Stevens, of Bristol, tells me
that he has been nominated, and we have got the name of
Mr. S. E. Stevens, of Livcr^jool, down. Will you please
note this correction ?

Mr. Wilson.- — The first paper to be taken this afternoon
is that on " Work for the Blind in Russia," by Mons. Kolou-
bovski.

Mr. KoLOUBOVSKi. — I Avill ask Mr. Wilson to read my
paper.

4U2

WORK FOR THE BLIND IN RUSSIA

M. JACOB KOLOUBOVSKY,

Director of the Empress Maria Alexandrovna Institution for the Welfare of
the Blind, St. Petersburg.

Among other States where the bhnd are enumerated,
Russia has the sorrowful distinction of occupying the first
place by the number of her blind. The universal census of
1897 gave 247,900 bhnd (116,204 males and 131,696 females).
These figures do not include, however, the blind in Finland.*

In comparison with the total population and taking 10,000
as a basis, we find 19'7 blind in every 10,000 men. Only
Portugal and Roumania surpass Russia, the number of their
blind being twenty-two and forty per 10,000 of population
respectively. It will be a long time before every blind
person in such a vast country as Russia can be medically
examined ; one must therefore look for other ways to fix all
the causes of blindness. In the number of more than three
and a half millions of patients, examined by the oculists of the
Society Empress Maria Alexandrovna for the Welfare of the
Blind, were included nearly 60,000 totally blind, and only in a
few cases the cause of blindness could not be definitely traced.
As might be expected, trachoma is responsible for the greatest
number of cases of blindness (21 '4 per cent, of all examined
blind) ; the second place is unexpectedly occupied by a
disease, the origin of which oculists can with difficulty exjilain.
namely, glaucoma (19-2 per cent.). Then comes cornea (13-5
per cent.), small-pox (12-1 per cent.), ophthalmia neonatorum
(4-9 per cent.), and traumatism (3-7 per cent.). The greatest
misfortune is, that in 60 per cent, of cases the blindness could
have been prevented by timely medical help.

The prevalence of blindness in different parts of Russia
greatly varies according to the country and the popula-
tion.

* In Finland there are nearly 4,000 bhnd, and the index of blindnes?
is 14 per 10,000.

403 D D 2

Work for the Blind in Russia

The northern and eastern provinces present more bhnd
than do the western and southern ones ; the foreign popula-
tion suffers from bhndness more than the Russian. With the
Tchouvashs the number of the bhnd is extraordinarily high — -
viz., 114 per 10,000, which means, that of every 100 men, at
least one is blind. The Yakuts present likeAvise a high
average, 111 ; the Votiaks, 90*5 ; the Tcheremees, 74*9 ;
the Morduates, 37*8 ; the Tartars, 34*5. But the Russian
cannot be considered as quite immune ; Great Russia has
20'5 (more than in whole Russia), White Russia 20'3, and
Little Russia 16*3. Of all parts of Russia, Poland has the
least number of blind.

The blind always attracted the sjanpathy of the Russian
people ; they often found refuge in the numerous Russian
cloisters and asylums for poor and infirm, and charity
remained through many centuries the favourite way of
aiding the blind. No special establishments for the blind
were founded, and no one considered them necessary.

The light for the blind arose in Russia in the beginning
of the nineteenth century with the arrival of the famous
Valentin Haiiy, and Russia is justly proud that the ground
for wise aid for the blind was prepared by this remarkable
friend of the blind. In the days when the Emperor Alexan-
der I. had a particular philanthropic impulse, his attention
was attracted by everything that was done for the relief of
suffering, and in 1807 he decided to invite Valentin Haiiy
to Petersburg, and to establish there a school for blind
children.

But the philanthropic intentions of the Emperor found no
favourable ground. To instruct the blind was considered
impossible, and some fanatics even held it to be a great sin
to attempt it, as they saw in every blind person the trace
of God's hand. Ten years Valentin Haiiy spent in Russia
endeavouring to instruct blind children, in spite of the com-
plete indifference and even opposition of the Government and
society. Even blind children were not to be found, as one
tried to persuade Valentin Haiiy that there were none. At
last, in spite of all difficulties and hindrances, Valentin Haiiy

404

Work for the Blind in Russia

established a small institution, which passed, afterwards
under the government of an organisation called the Imperial
Philanthropic Society, representing a special department with
a highly placed council at its head. The tasks and the
activity of this society were so broad and various, that it
was impossible to pay sufficient attention to such a special
branch of philanthropy as the giving of wise aid to the blind.
Therefore the institution established by Valentin Haiiy
received no further development, and must be considered as
an establishment of an ancient type, where the blind, having
finished their studies, are kept for the remainder of their
lives. All that proceeded from the difficulty with which
the right ideas of the normal blind aid were spread in Russia.
In Warsaw only were there persons interested in the fate
of the blind, and in 1817 they opened a small section for the
blind in the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. For a long
time it was in a pitiful state, and it was not till 1850 that it
became transformed into a duly organised school, remaining
still under the management of the Deaf and Dumb Institu-
tion, which preserved its independence. The director
Paplonsky brought this small school to the highest efficiency
that could be reasonably expected from such a modern
establishment. At present the school has thirty-five pupils,
studying especially music.

The next chronological place belongs to the schools for
blind children in Finland (at Hclsingfors since 18G5, and at
Kouopio since 1870). They are of the German type,
instruct nearly 100 children and are managed by the local
government.

In 1871 the Philanthropic Society founded a second
institution — for blind girls. Both institutions of this
society include nearly sixty pupils, who are taught especially
instrumental music.

The private undertakings for ameliorating the condition
of the blind began in 1872, when a fervent worker for the
blind. Miss Ida Valentinovitch, established at Riga, with the
help of the oculists of the Reimer Eye Hospital, a school for
blind children, with teaching in German. At present this

405

Work for the Blind in Russia

school is at Strasdenhof, near Riga, is conducted in the
German way and has twenty pupils. Another private
beginning appeared in 1880 in Petersburg. A circle of
friends and admirers of the dead oculist, Robert Blessig,
established an industrial home for the adult blind. This home
contains at present thirty blind of both sexes, and is managed
by the late Dr. Blessig's widow, who is greatly experienced
in the business of blind aid. AVe do not mention asylums
for unemployable blind, equally founded by private charity
at the same period ; their number till 1881 was only two.
These establishments were rare oases, for whose appear-
ance thanks are due to the noble perseverance of some
enthusiasts, who were constantly hindered by the indiffer-
ence and ignorance of society. There was need for a broader
organisation, which could not only unite all these efforts,
but awaken in society interest in the fate of the blind. Such
an organisation was founded in 1881 by the Secretary of
State, Constantin Grot (1815 — 1897). Instigator of the great
reforms of the Emperor Alexander II., Mr. Grot was a man
of great administrative exi)erience. One of the considerable
reforms of Alexander II., the foundation of the Excise
Department, was brilliantly carried out by INIr. Grot, as well
as the reform of prisons. His interest in the blind awoke
occasionally. During the war between Russia and Turkey,
in a moment of patriotic enthusiasm, there was founded for
the help of infirm soldiers and their families a society under
the high protection of the Empress Maria Alexandro\aia,
with many members. At the head of this association, the
Empress placed Mr. C. Grot. Among the infirm soldiers, who
suffered not only from their wounds, but also from various
privations, were many blind, strong and employable men.
The association could open asylums for them or place them
in those already existing, but Mr. C. Grot thought otherwise.
He could not agree with the idea that a strong healthy man
should be destined to involuntary idleness. He visited the
special establishments for the blind in Germany and France,
entered into personal relations ^vnth the best typhloj^eda-
gogues, especially with the Director of the Dresden Institution,

40()

Work for the Blind In Russia

Bvittner (died, 1898), and obtained a right view of the
business of Wind aid.

" To take from bhndness what is possible while it is not
too late "■ — ^that is the principle which was the basis of his
future activity. Pecuniary help and lodging are secondary
tasks, requiring for their a,cconi])lishnient neither considerable
efforts nor knowledge. The attention of the workers for
the blind must be first of all fixed on the blind children and
on the emi^loyablc adult. Two industrial homes for blind
soldiers were founded at Petersburg and at Kiew. Among
those who learned basket-making were many highly respect-
able and well-conducted men ; they returned to their native
countries and led a laborious family life. These first
successful experiments persuaded Mr. C. Grot that his way
was the right one, and he attracted the attention of other
philanthropists. The ground was ready and, when in 1880
the society for helping infirm soldiers was about to finish
its activity, its task being fulfilled, the question arose what
to do with the homes for the blind. Not only soldiers but
blind of other classes required help, and the workers for the
blind conceived the idea of founding a special patronage for
the blind instead of the former society for helping infirm
soldiers and their families. The soul of this new association
was Mr. Grot, and he solicited, in 1880, the Emperor Alexan-
der II. to confirm the scheme. A new epoch began for the
blind, and Mr. C. Grot was for Russia a real second Valentin
Haiiy.

This association received the name " Maria," in honour of
the dead Empress Maria Alexandrovna, wife of the Emperor
Alexander II.

In 1888 the Emperor Alexander III. gave to the association
one million roubles (£100,000), assigned in 1880 by his august
father to an act of charity in memory of the Empress Maria
Alexandrovna. The association then changed its title. As the
name " Maria " belonged to several Empresses, it was decided
to call this new society the " Society Empress Maria Alexan-
drovna for the Welfare of the Blind." This independent
private society is under the high protection of the Empress-

407

Work for the Blind in Russia

widow Maria Feodorovna, and always finds support from the
ruling powers.

In order to spread the association's activity in the whole
of Russia, Mr. Grot created sections in the provinces and
attracted as managing members his former colleagues of the
Excise Department. Every manager of the excise incomes
Avas, in his province, the delegate of the association, and they
rendered to it services of great value by attracting new
members and donations and by founding new sections and
establishments. The organisation of the society is very
simple. Every one who gives five roubles yearly, or works
for the association, can be a member. The general meetings
of members elect a council of fourteen j^ersons and a revision
committee, and the council elects among its members a
president and two vice-presidents. No confirmation of these
elections is necessary. The president is the chief of the
whole association, and the central council has the right to
open sections in the whole of Russia, wherever it likes,
when there are members enough. The sections receive the
same organisation and tasks as the central society. They have
their own councils and revision committees, they live their
own life and manage their own local establishments. An obli-
gatory constant member of these councils is the delegate, who
represents the association in the section. "Wherever persons
become interested in one of the tasks of the association, and
are ready to carry out its work, a committee with nine to
fifteen members is formed from the number of local workers,
and with the co-operation of the delegate, such committees
manage one establishment, a school, a hospital, etc.

With time appeared a new type of unions for blind aid.
Persons who promised to work for the blind without the
least reward for their activity formed societies called
fraternities, and the members took the name of fraternals.

At the present time, the Society Empress Maria Alexan-
drovna for the Welfare of the Blind possesses thirty sections,
eleven committees, and two fraternities ; the number of mem-
bers is more than 8,000. The chief managers after Mr. Grot
were such highly placed workers as the Secretary of State,

408

Work for the Blind in Russia

Mr. Perctz (died, 1899), the Count Vorontzoff-Dashkoff, who
is now the Lord Lieutenant of the Caucasus, and the present
President is the ex-Minister of Agriculture, Alexis Yermoloff .

The tasks of the association are broad and various : it
tries to help every need of the blind as it arises. Teaching
children and adults, finding work for employable blind,
organisation of boarding-houses, homes and cheap lodgings
for them, homes for old and infirm blind, defence of their
interests, creating healthy and cheap conditions of life for
blind workmen, the obtaining of pensions and pecuniary
help for them, printing of books in Braille, the establishment
of libraries, issuing editions of special magazines, and generally
helping individual cases of need where the influence and the
help of an established institution are necessary. The
association constantly tries to exert its influence for good
throughout the Avhole of Russia ; it distributes books and
booklets on the subject of the blind ; it edits a special
magazine, the Sliepetz (the Blind), which has entered into
the twenty-fifth year of existence and represents one of the
oldest magazines of this type. Before the yearly church
collections during one of the spring weeks (the week of the
blind), the association publishes more than one million and a
half advertisements, which are distributed in the churches
in order to bring the subject of the blind before the church-
going population, and to attract donations. It also issues
yearly reports of the association, its sections, fraternities
and committees which form many heavy volumes.

The various activities of Mr. Grot could only awake the
interest and sympathy of society. But he went further ; he
considered it not enough to help the blind, he decided to
diminish the number of blind by preventing bhndness.
After some weak and indecisive endeavours, Mr. C. Grot pro-
jected a definite scheme of fighting eye diseases. At this time
the activity of the ophthalmic staffs, which aroused the in-
terest of intellectual classes, began, and the number of oculists
largely increased. Besides the annual expedition of staffs,
the association established ophthalmic hospitals and stations.
Mr. Grot aspired to create for this branch of activity a special

409

Work for the Blind in Russia

society, but circumstances changed, and the work remained
in the hands of the association. Every year the ocuhsts of
the staffs, ophthahiiic hospitals and stations receive nearly
300,000 patients, who pay more than 1,200,000 visits, and
the number of operations performed is nearly 70,000. At
present the association sends out thirty-five staffs and
possesses twenty-four ophthalmic hospitals and 140 stations.
To speak more in detail respecting this important branch
of activity is not the object of this paper.

The association gained its knowledge about the instruction
of the blind from the German conventions of workers for the
blind. It adopted the Braille system, having added several
new combinations corresponding to special letters of the
Russian alphabet. All schools founded are residential
schools, and have two preparatory classes (kindergarten),
three general instruction classes and an industrial class with
training in some trade during three years. Music is before
all a subject of general instruction. The best organised
school of the association is the Alexander Maria Institution
in St. Petersburg, for 120 children. It is the favourite of
the founder, and was the subject of his special attention and
care. This institution has its own beautiful building, and
can be regarded as one of the best in the world. It has special
courses for preparing teachers for the blind. Likewise very
nicely organised are the schools in Charkow for 130 children,
in Perm for 100, in Voronez for GO, in Kazan for GO, in Kiew
for 60, and in Vladimir for 50 children. The origin of the
school and other establishments (a home for blind work-
men and an asylum for unemployable blind) in Vladimir
is interesting. An important manufacturer, Mr. A. Losseff,
generously made it his custom to give donations of tens and
sometimes hundreds of thousands of roubles from an unknown
donor, and hundreds from himself personally. These dona-
tions rose to an amount of more than 400,000 roubles
(£40,000).

In all the schools of the association 1,050 children are
receiving instruction, and there are almost the same number
of graduates.

410

Work for the Blind in Russia

With equal interest, Mr. C. Grot cared for the training of
such Wind persons who could not enter the schools. In 1893
he foinided vast workshops for the outdoor blind, and spent
on this building 45,000 roubles (£4,500) of his own money. In
the workshops, which bear the name of their founder, are
thirty places for adult pupils, and nearly ninety places for
blind men already acquainted with brush and basket-
making. Payment is given for all work done.

These workshops give work likewise to men working at
home and to blind girls and women who live in private
lodgings or in homes. The earnings of a basketmaker with
mean capacities is 20 roubles (40 shillings) a month, of a
brushmaker 30 roubles (60 shillings), and of a brushmaker
Avoman 15 roubles (30 shillings). If there are sufficient
orders, the earnings of brushmakers rise to the amount of
50 roubles (£5), and sometimes exceed the wages of sighted
people. The number of blind receiving work from the
workshops is 120 (pupils not included).

Another great establishment of this kind, for women only,
is the industrial home of the Countess M. D. Apraksine, near
Petersburg. This generous benefactress gave to the
association 244,000 roubles (£24,400) for the building and
support of an industrial home called by her name, and a
vast piece of ground, the value of which is not less than
50,000 roubles (£5,000). This home, which was opened in
1911, is organised for fifty girls. Recently the founder added
a further 165,000 roubles (£16,500), in order to secure for ever
the boarding and training of fifty girls studying weaving
and shoe-making. Homes of the same kind, but much
smaller, exist in Viatka for women, and in Ekaterinoslav for
men. In all the establishments for adult blind, the associa-
tion has ninety-five pupils and 800 graduates, who founded
two societies for mutual help. For blind workers the
association has twelve homes, boarding 165 blind persons.
All independent blind workers make articles of the value
of 140,000 roubles (£14,000), which produce a profit of
nearly 20,000 roubles (£2,000). We do not mention here the
earnings from church singing (in total 10,000 roubles (£1,000)),

411

Work for the Blind in Russia

from tuning (more than 4,000 roubles (£400) ), from massage
and from private orders, Avhieh the bhnd receive without
the help of the association.

For printing books in Braille, the association possesses its
own printing house, where blind workmen are likewise
employed. Altogether they have printed : in the line
embossed letters, 3 works in 8 volumes ; in Braille, 93 works
in 179 volumes ; music, 49 works in 57 books, and 192
volumes of the monthly magazine. The Blind Mail's
Leisure, founded in 1898.

In order to discuss important questions concerning the
blind, the association organises conventions. The last con-
vention, with 149 members, took place in 1899.

The simple caring for the blind was the subject, which
interested the association but little. Still it was the means
of some establishments for the blind being founded. Thus,
in 1899 the Princess M. Volkonsky gave a considerable sum,
and soon after left all her fortune for the establishment of
a home for unemployable blind women. This donation,
with the house destined for the asylum, totalled one million.

Three years later, the association received a fresh donation
—nearly 700,000 roubles (£70,000)— by the testament of
Pauline Coudurat, who wished to establish in St. Petersburg
a home in memory of her mother, Elizabeth Coudurat. In
other towns likewise, similar donations were given, though
not of such great value. In total, the association possesses
ten homes, caring for 289 blind persons.

The yearly budget of the association embraces more than
a million, and consists of the following items : — Income :
interest on iiu^ebted funds, 235,000 roubles ; church collec-
tions (during this week of the blind), 100,000 roubles ; boxes
in Crown wineshops, 80,000 roubles ; members' fees, 20,000
roubles ; donations, 175,000 roubles ; Crown support for
ophthalmic staffs and hospitals, 40,000 roubles ; Crown
support of the chancery of the association, 12,300 roubles ;
from provinces and municipal councils, 105,000 roubles ;
payment for teaching, caring and curing, 65,000 roubles ;
from salerooms and workshops, 140,000 roubles ; various

412

Work for the Blind in Russia

rents, 60,000 roubles. The expenditure is : for sehools,
350,000 roubles ; for staffs, hosi)itals and stations, 210,000
roubles ; for industrial homes and workshops (including
materials, salary and wages for the blind workers), 155,000
roubles ; for asylums for old and unemployable blind, 60,000
roubles ; building expenses, 150,000 roubles ; pecuniary
help (grants), 27,000 roubles ; management of the business,
40,000 roubles ; different expenses, 50,000 roubles. We see
that the Exchequer contributes to the expenses of the asso-
ciation in the sum of 52,300 roubles (£5,230) only, but the
Government consented to pay pensions to the teachers, and
not long ago agreed to contribute to the expenses of the
association by paying the salaries of the teachers. We hope
that the State's Duma will greet these grants with sympathy.

In its various activities the association utilised the zeal of
private persons, wherever interest arose in the blind, and it
is natural that, since the founding of the association, the
history of blind aid in Russia is closely bound up with the
history of the association.

Almost contemporaneously with the founding of the
association, a society for teaching and educating blind
children appeared in Moscow. Under the name of an
asylum, this society has founded a large school for 120
pupils. In 1913 this school moved to a beautiful new
building, which cost, with the ground, more than 320,000
roubles. It is to be regretted that the constructors did not
pay sufficient attention to special needs required for buildings
of this nature.

A considerable school for sixty children has existed since
1909 in Tambow, managed by the Cross Exaltation Frater-
nity. In addition there have appeared at different times
small schools for blind children in Moscow, near Voronez, in
Simbirsk and Nijni-Novgorod. Homes have been opened
in Viatka and Moscow, asylums for unemployable blind in
Moskow (five asylums, for 270 blind), in Nijni-Novgorod,
Kostroma, Zvenigorod, Ivanovo-Vosnesensk, Pavlovsk, in
the district of Bouzoulouk, government of Samara and in
Samarkand.

413

Work for the Blind in Russia

In total, the number of institutions for the bhnd in Russia
are : — 36 schools with 1,600 pupils, 1 school for feeble-minded
girls with 20 pupils, 5 industrial homes and workshops for
120 adult pupils and for 100 outside workmen, 14- homes for
200 blind workmen and 19 asylums for 590 unemployable
blind ; 2,600 blind are placed in general asylums for those
that can see. At Petersburg there is a small school for
twelve blind deaf and dumb children, which is conducted by
a special independent society.

In Russia, the number of blind capable of being taught is
19,000, but only 8 per cent, of them receive instruction.
Since the introduction of general education, the number of
blind scholars increases. Provinces and toAvns, being
obliged to carry out general instruction, now often appeal
for help in educating the blind. The Government has also
expressed its readiness to contribute towards the expenses
in carrying out that work, therefore we may hope that the
number of blind scholars will soon considerably increase. A
more pitiful state is the case of the adult blind ; their
number is no fewer than 40,000, and only 1,200 are trained
or are receiving instruction. No assistance can be expected
from the Government or the Provinces, because their
attention is directed only to schools for blind children.
Private charity only remains. The remaining blind arc
either too young for school, or at an age when industrial
instruction is useless.

In any case, real friends of the blind will for a long time
find in Russia a favourable and fertile ground for the appli-
cation of their strength and knowledge.

414

Discussion

Mr. Wilson.' — I am sure we arc all very grateful to Mons.
Koloubovski for the paper, and I should certainly not have
got through it without his assistance. It is now open for
discussion.

DISCUSSION.

Dr. RocKLiFPE (Hull). —Some four years ago when working
out the matter of the blind I also went into the subject of the
cause of blindness.

In Hull the percentage was 1-122 per 1,000. That is pretty
well what the writer of this paper states. But when he comes
to speak of 60,000 who are totally blind, I take it he is including
those whom I classify as " partially blind." He tells us that
trachoma causes the greatest amount of blindness, that glaucoma
is second, and other inflammatory conditions third. It is on this
point I wish to speak. In England the primary cause of blind-
ness to-day is not any of these, but one that is absolutely omitted
from his paper, viz., atrophy of the optic nerve ; and 1 found that
during twenty-eight years we had 590 blind persons on our institu-
tion books, none of whom could count fingers beyond three feet.
Of these 590, 160 were blind through atrophy of the optic nerve ;
ophthalmia neonatorum accounted for 91, glaucoma for 82.
Atrophy was on the increase up to 1904, and since then it has been
decreasing. This is accounted for by the advance in cerebral
siirgery. Of the ophthalmia neonatorum cases we had on our
books in 1884, 53 ; enrolled between 1884 and 1894, 20 ; enrolled
between 1894 and 1904, 16; enrolled between 1904 and 1914, 4.
I think that speaks volumes for the decline in this disease, due
to recent legislation.

As to sympathetic ophthalmia, we had enrolled from 1884 to
1894, 23 ; enrolled from 1894 to 1904, 10 ; enrolled from 1904 to
1914, 4 ; while the figures for glaucoma were 44 in the first decade,
20 in the second, and 18 in the last.

There is no doubt that atrophy of the optic nerve is the principal
cause of blindness — ^about 1 in 3^, and occurs principally in middle
life ; further, when accompanied with spinal symptoms, death
usually takes place in four or five years.

Mr. J. Weller (St. Jude's Society for the Blind). — Personally
I want to thank the writer of the paper for preparing it, and the
Chairman for the wonderful way in which he has read it. It is a
most interesting paper, but I want to ask the writer about the
recreation of the people in Russia. They are doing some wonder-
ful things in the way of work, but I wonder if they have a club
open daily which blind men and women can use freely. I learn
in East London that there is a great need for one where there
shall not be too many restrictions, and I should like to know if
something of the kind is done in Russia, becaiise I want to start
something like it if we can get the funds.

I am specially interested in the statement that they have fifty
girls training in weaving and shoemaking. About eighteen
months ago I started a small institution for teaching boot repairing,

415

Work for the Blind in Russia

and I woiild like to ask the writer of the paper whether they receive
enough work from other institutions for the blind to keep those
shoemakers going *? I do feel that blind institutions should help
one another and that blind people should helj) one another.
And I do not hesitate to tell you that I have been very much
handicapped because I have met with so very little response both
from blind institutions and from the blind themselves in the way
of work. I sent a circular letter to about two dozen institutions
for the blind in reference to boot repairing, and only one society
out of the whole number had the courtesy even to acknowledge
the letter. I feel, and I expect others feel the same, that we
want to get sighted people to believe that blind men and women
can do something, but if the blind themselves have no confidence
in other blind men and women, we cannot expect the sighted to
have any. I do thank this gentleman very much for his paper,
and I hope he will be able to throw some light on those two simple
questions.

Mr. Barker (Manchester). — I notice on p. 9 of the paper (p. 411)
that independent blind workers make articles of the value of £14,000
in English money, which produces a profit of nearly £2,000. I
should welcome any information as to how they are able to make
this handsome profit on a turnover of £14,000. Speaking of
Henshaw's, we find there is a loss of something like £1,500 a year.
And another question I wish to ask is this : Can the writer of the
paper tell us whether the Government support is given in the
form of orders, or do the goods go to municipalities, or do they go
to traders ? I must congratulate the writer of the paper, but I
would just like those points cleared up in his reply.

Mr. SiDDALL * (Rochdale). — -I did not intend to speak on this
subject, but the question of shoemaking is rather vital to me.
The reference to shoemaking for the women probably relates to
the making of the uppers or tops of shoes, and if it does I should
like here to recommend it to some institutions as a very likely
and very probable success for blind girls. The work can easily
be done with a sewing-machine, and I think it could be done at a
very large profit. No small institution could start it, because it
requires a considerable amount of capital to do it even in a small
way. I am sorry to hear that our friend has had trouble with the
shoemaking, because it has been my fortune to press the point.
I do not know that I was the first, but I have started eight
institutions in this country, and left each of them doing their own
repairing and filling in their time making boots. We have even
sent out pupils to Canada and other parts of America, so that we
may congratulate ourselves, and we have to thank the Gardner
Trust for their help. I just thought I would mention the matter,
and thank oiu" friend for writing such an able paper.

Mr. Tate (Bradford).^ — I would like to say a word about the
paragraph at the foot of the first page : " The greatest misfortune
is, that in 60 per cent, of cases the blindness could have been
prevented by timely medical help."

I would like to suggest to the new Committee that prior to the
next Conference it would be desirable to have a very exhaustive

416

Discussion

investigation into tlie causes of blindness other than ophthahnia
neonatorum. This investigation miglit be brought to sucli
perfection as to increase materially the number of cases prevented
from becoming blind in future. The authorities of the Bradford
Royal Eye and Ear Hospital asked me to come upon their com-
mittee as representing the Blind Institution, and it has been my
duty to assist in the preparation of statistics for the annual report.
In doing so I have been surprised to find that although ophthalmia
neonatorum is a notifiable disease in Bradford, and there is a very
active health committee, to whom all births are promptly notified,
and whose nurses visit maternity cases very early, in spite of all
these precautions cases of ophthalmia neonatorum still occur.
I therefore beg this Conference to realise that, though great pro-
gress has been made, there must be a constant fight for the
prevention of blindness, and for the furtherance of every means
to that end.

Mr. Wilson.' — I have been speaking to Mr. Koloubovsky.
He did not quite follow all the questions, but he has given
me son\e information on two points. First of all, that
£2,000 is not profit— it is £2,000 paid to the blind in wages.
It was a mistranslation. Then in regard to the Government
contracts, the blind get no privilege at all.

I now call upon Mr. Wiberg to read his j^aper on Denmark.

CB. 417 E E

WORK FOR THE BLIND IN
DENMARK

A. WIBERG, Copenhagen.

THE ROYAL INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND IN
COPENHAGEN

1. Education and Training of Blind Children.

The care of the blind in Denmark was commenced in
1811 by a private association, named " The Chain," which
founded the first institution for the bhnd. In ^^58 this
institution was taken over by the Government. " The
Chain " defrayed the expense of a new building, but reserved
the right to ai>point two members of the committee and to
admit eighteen pupils to the institution. In 1880 a new
wing was added, so that the institution now is able to
accommodate a hundred pupils. All children whose sight
is so weak that they arc unable to attend the lessons in the
general schools have a right to be admitted to the blind
school, supposing they are sound in body and mind. Sending
the blind children to the institution is not compulsory,
but the parents or trustees, with very few exceptions, are
doing it voluntarily. In case of impecuniosity the fee for
the pupils is to be reduced or dispensed with. Most of
them are admitted gratuitously. The Government, there-
fore, contributes about 98 per cent, of the total expenditure
of the institution, which amounts to £10,000.

In 1898 a joreparatory school for the blind was instituted
at Rcfsnoes, in North Zealand. One of the reasons for
founding this school was the desirability of an early counter-
acting of the frequent scrofulous and tuberculous illnesses
among the blind children. The school, therefore, is situated
on the coast, and the jDupils take sea-baths all the year

418

Work for the Blind in Denmark

round, the sea-water in the winter being pumped into the
house. The chief physician of the neighbouring hospital
for tuberculous and scrofulous children is also the physician
of the preparatory school, and the pupils have, on the whole,
a similar treatment to that in the sanatoria for tubercu-
lous illnesses. This institution is also a convalescent home
for the weakly and ailing pupils of the main institution.

The preparatory school, which is able to accommodate
fifty pupils, provides for the education of the blind children
up to their tenth year. It has four classes and a special
class for blind defectives and backward children. The
lowest class is a kindergarten where blind children are
admissible at six years old. At the age of eleven they are
sent to the main institution for further education.

Without one class for blind defectives and backward
children, the institution in Copenhagen has five classes and
one senior class. The school course is on a level with that
of the best Government schools.

Even while they arc in the lowest school classes the pupils
have training in music and in handicrafts. Music lessons
arc given on piano, organ and violin. For pupils possessing
special musical powers music is taught as a profession.
During the last years of their stay in the institution
stress is laid upon pianoforte tuning. All the pupils who
are specially trained to be musicians also receive some
technical instruction in brush-making or bamboo-work,
chiefly for distraction. Music is also taught only as a means
of recreation.

The technical training comprehends weaving of cocoa-mats,
cane-seating, bamboo-work, brush-making, basket-making
and shoe-making. The blind brushmakers are also taught
to veneer and to French-polish the brushes. Shoe-making
has been taught since 1860. Special tools have been
invented by the teachers. Rope-making is no longer taught,
even sighted rope-makers not being able to compete with
factory work as to cheap prices.

The technical instruction given to blind girls comprehends
hand-knitting, crocheting, hand- and machine-sewing,

419 Ee2

Work for the Blind in Denmark

manufacture of cloth rugs and mats, cane-seating, brush-
making and Swedish hand-loom weaving. IMusic is taught
to the girls as a recreation, exceptionally as a profession.
The older girls are trained in house-work under direction of
the instructresses. With the housekeeper they have practice
in laundry work, and, if domestically disposed, they have
some opportunity of learning the art of cooking.

2. Higher Musical Instruction out of the Institution.

>Vhen musical pupils at the age of twenty years, who
arc expected to become self-supporting as organists or
teachers of music, have finished the course and leave the
institution, they have an additional instruction, as a rule,
during three years. They take a room in the neighbourhood
of the institution and have full or partial allowance for it.
They take their food in the institution and choose themselves
teachers, who have to be sanctioned by the director of the
institution. If they cannot afford instruments, they are
provided Avith pianos and violins. The organ of the
institution is at their disposal for practice. Under the
supervision of a teacher the cleverest of these young
musicians arc allowed to prepare vocal music with a choir
of blind pupils ; in this way they have an opportunity of
qualifying themselves for the profession of teachers of
singing. At the end of the three years they generally pass
the examination for organists. The annual contribution
of the State to that purpose. amounts to £94. A deal of the
expense is paid for by the parishes and counties, or by the
funds of the institution. In the budget of the institution is
also made an appropriation of £83 towards transcription of
music in point musical notation ; this amount is granted in
favour of all the blind musicians in the country.

3. Additional Technical Training out of the Institution.

Since 1908 an additional training is also undertaken as to
the young blind artisans. When blind basket-makers,
brush-makers or shoe-makers who are expected to become
self-supporting as master-workmen have finished the

420

Work for the Blind in Denmark

technical traiumg course and leave the institution, between
the ages of eighteen and twenty years, they arc apprenticed
to a sighted or blind master, for preference in a country town.
If possible the young man boards with the master, who receives
£16 10s. for him per year. The master workman has to pay to
the apprentice some wage in proportion to his work. He is
obliged to instruct him and to put him on all sorts of work
in the trade. He has to acquaint him with the purchase
of raw materials and let him deal with the customers.
Moreover, he is bound to look after the conduct of the young
man, and, on demand, he has to make his report about him
to the principal of the institution. Once a year the appren-
tices are visited by the superintendent or one of the
instructors of the institution. In this manner a bridge is
thrown between the life in the boarding-school for the blind
and the business life outside the walls of the institution.
It is too early to state the working of this system, but it is
to be hoped that the greater experience will fit the young
men better for the struggle of life. The annual contribution
of the State to that purpose amounts to £148. The rest of
the expenses are paid by the parishes and counties, or out of
the funds of the institution, which, too, provides the young
men with tools and materials when, at the end of three
years, they have served their apprenticeship.

4. Course of Massage for Blind.

After leaving school, massage is taught to those pupils
who care to learn it and are thought likely to succeed in
that employment. In the budget of the institution an
appropriation of £27 10s. is made towards this instruction.

STATE AND MUNICIPAL AID FOR BLIND ADULTS.

Individuals who have lost their sight as adults are appren-
ticed to former pupils of the institution at the charge of the
municipality or the funds. The Government subsidises
the societies for the blind with a yearly amount of £990,
and, according to a resolution of the Department for Justice,
one twenty-seventh of the revenue of a permanent lottery

421

Work for the Blind in Denmark

falls to the share of the co-operating societies for the blind,
i.e., "The Chain," The Society for Promoting the Indepen-
dence of the Blind, " The Blind of Denmark," and The Home
for Abie-bodied Blind Women.

When the blind travel on trade or business they may
have a free jJfiss for a comjinnion on tJie jmhlic raihvay Hues.
For that pvn-pose series of coupons, with due credentials,
are distributed by the secretarj^ of the Society for Promoting
the Independence of the Blind, who controls and regulates
this matter. In 1913 free tickets were allowed to the amount
of £205 (for 128 blind people).

The Parliament has even voted an amendment of the Poor
Law in favour of the blind. According to the former statutes
public assistance in training, supporting and nursing the blind
is not regarded as relief, if the person concerned is admitted
to establishments sustained or sanctioned by the State, or
if he is cared for by a family under surveillance of such an
institution. This provision has also reference to deaf and
dumb, idiots, diseased in mind, epileptics, etc. By the law
of February 25th, 1914, an exceptional position is given to
the blind, the same indulgence being, too, extended to blind
persons who are not placed in the aforementioned manner,
if only they are able to verify the conditions as to deserving-
ness fixed in the law of March 13th, 1908, concerning super-
annuation to indigent deserving old persons not coming
within the pauper administration. These conditions arc :
(1) that the persons concerned have not been adjudged guilty
of a dishonouring offence, for which they have not been
rchabihtated ; (2) that the indigence is not self-inflicted ;
and (3) that they have not been guilty of vagabondism or
begging in the course of the last ten years, and have not
notoriously given offence by their life (by provable insobriety,
prostitution, or some such thing).

According to the Poor Law a person is entitled to parish
relief if he, from eighteen years completed spontaneously,
has lived in a parish during the five last years without
receiving relief. This statute is also amended by the law
of February 25th, 1914. As long as a blind person receives

422

Work for the Blind in Denmark

assistance according to this law his right of being entitled
to relief in the place of his residence is in abeyance ; he
remains entitled to relief in the parish where he has before
obtained this right and is allowed to live anywhere. The
Local Board is empowered to remit relief received by the
blind before this law came into effect. After such a
remission the blind over sixty years are admitted to super-
annuation to indigent deserving old persons, while this assist-
ance is otherwise only given on condition that the persons
concerned have not received relief during the last five years.
In a circular from the Home Ministry to the county sheriffs
it is said : "In judging of the state of indigence, the blind
having some capacity for work arc not to be excluded. In
every case the Administration has to take into consideration
to what extent the l)lind person is forced to be contented with
a smaller result of his capacity. The object must be that
the blind person, by public assistance, can have such a supple-
ment to his own earnings that a proper support is secured."

CHARITIES FOR THE BLIND.

Of course, the public assistance does not make private
charity superfluous. The association named "The Chain,"
which probably has its origin from the middle-age guilds,
is the oldest society for promoting the welfare of the blind
in Denmark. In 1811 " The Chain " decided to include work
for the blind among its objects. As has been mentioned,
" The Chain " founded the first Danish blind institution,
and thus it is the merit of this society to have been the
originator of work for the blind in Demnark. Since the
Government has taken over the institution, " The Chain "
maintains a home for blind women and an asylum for blind
children. The home is able to accommodate thirty-six
women. The inmates have board and clothing, and are
employed in spinning, weaving, knitting, crocheting and
sewing. To encourage their diligence they have a quota
of the value of their work. A moderate sum must be
paid for maintenance, the amount of which is fixed
according to the circumstances, and exceptionally may be

423

Work for the Blind In Denmark

dispensed with. The asylum admits bhnd children at six
years old, and prepares them for entrance into the Royal
Institution. For these purposes the State contributes
£440. Besides, " The Chain " gives pecuniary assistance
to the indigent blind and contributes money to poor blind and
dim-sighted, who need operations for the eyes. The funds
of " The Chain " amount to £20,600.

In 1862, by the time that the first pupils had finished the
course and were going to leave the institution. The Society
for Promoting the Independence of the Blind was founded
on the initiative of the late director, the councillor of
conferences, Mr. Moldenhazoer. The objects of this society
are as follows :

1. Care for the former pupils of the Roj^al Blind Institu-
tion, with a view of assisting them in their endeavour to
support themselves by independent industry.

2. Assistance to blind men and women who have lost
their sight at an age too advanced for reception into blind
schools, with the object of procuring for these a livelihood
by teaching them a handicraft or by assisting them in
another occupation.

3. To give hcl]) in time of sickness and to aid the old
and infirm blind who have worked while they were able
to do so.

4. The sale of goods made by the blind, which are
received and paid for at the society's sale-room, where, also,
the workmen are supplied with material at wholesale prices.

5. The employment of blind men in the workshop,
provided in connection with the sale-room, in either
basket-making or brush-making.

In this Avorkshop thirty-one blind persons are engaged.
The oldest of them have a fixed weekly wage ; the others
are paid after the piecework system, and have some augmen-
tation of the Wr,^ e generally paid to a sighted journeyman.
In 1913 the wages paid to the blind workpeople in the
workshop amounted to £1,224, and goods made by them in
the country were purchased to an amount of £211. The
blind in the country who order material at wholesale prices

424

Work for the Blind in Denmark

have the freight paid. The Government subsidises the
society with £550, and its funds amount to £15,000.

In 1883 a rehef and reading society was founded by
former pupils of the institution. Since 1892 this society
is named " The Bhnd of Denmark." Its object is to assist
indigent deserving bhnd in every way and to provide them
with rehgious, instructive or entertaining reading. Every
bhnd person is admitted without paying any subscription.
The committee numbers eleven members; three, at least, have
to be blind. The number of sighted subscribers amounts
to 4,800 persons. A weekly review, published by the
society, is supplied free to every Danish blind person
wishing it. The books issued from the printing press are
dealt out free, and every blind person is gratuitously admitted
into the circles of readers where the hand-copied books
circulate. Fifty-seven ladies and gentlemen assist in
copying books for the society. New and second-hand
clothes, given by the friends of the blind, are dealt out at
Christmas. In many parts of the country " The Blind of
Denmark " has representatives, who procure subscribers
and provide the committee with facts about the blind in
their neighbourhood. The society not only gives pro-
visional assistance : it, too, grants triennial pensions to
indigent blind. The funds amount to £5,500.

In 1913 " The Blind of Denmark Society " started the
" Lucky Penny.'' The idea of this is due to a Danish post-
master, Mr. Holld'll, who is, too, the inventor of the Christ-
mas stamp. On the suggestion of Mr. Holboll, the society
has caused a gilt penny to be stamped. Her Majesty the
Queen Alexandrine has most graciously allowed the obverse of
the penny to bear her image. On the reverse side the word
" Lucky " is printed, and room is left for engraving a name.
With permission of the Treasury Office, the " Lucky Penny "
has been stamped by the Royal Mint. Seven hundred
midwives have kindly undertaken to offer the penny when
they are assisting at child-birth. The " Lucky Penny "
can be obtained on condition that the parents, on behalf of
the child, present " The Blind of Denmark " with a pecuniary

425

Work for the Blind in Denmark

gift, large or small, just as they please. In this way the
idea is reahsed that the child, the first time it sees the light,
makes a present to the one who shall never see it. In 1913
" The Blind of Denmark " has given out 27,255 " Lucky
Pennies," and the result has been a return of 27,831 kr.
(£1,533).

About 550 blind persons have pecuniary assistance from
the blind charities to a yearly amount of about £2,000.

Members of the committees of the three societies
mentioned co-operate in managing The Home for Able-
bodied Blind Women. This home was founded in 1901,
and is able to accommodate thirty-two women. The
inmates have board and washing, and every one has her
own room ; £18 10*. must be paid for maintenance. This
amoinit is granted by the parishes and counties. The home
provides the women with work, and sells the produce. They
have full payment for their work, but they have to clothe
themselves. The home has no contribution from the State,
but it shares in the revenue of the aforementioned lottery.

THE ORGANISATION OF THE BLIND.

Besides a sick and burial club the Danish blind have their
own organisation, named The Danish Blind Association. This
association was founded in 1911, at a meeting on the occasion
of the centenary of the care of the blind. in Denmark. It
has for its aim the uniting of all the Danish blind into an
organisation for the purpose of attending to their mutual
interests. One of the ends which the association pursues
is the adoption of a fixed Government help for the blind.
The amendment of the Poor Law in favour of the blind is
the first result. Moreover, it is the business of this associa-
tion to spread knowledge of the position of the blind and
their capacity for work, and to apply to hospitals or like
institutions to use articles made by them. The intention
is, too, to find out and to test new employment for the blind.
A home for weak, lonely or aged blind is to be erected on
the account of the association. For this purpose a public
collection in all parts of the country was allowed by an

426 '

Work for the Blind in Denmark

Order in Council. Finally, it is the object of the association
to relieve the poor blind by paying expenses caused by sick-
ness or by necessary assistance. The Danish Blind Association
is managed by blind members ; seeing people are admitted as
subscribers without a right of voting. Circles, managed by
local committees, are formed in different parts of the country.
Once a year delegates come together, and a general blind
meeting will be held once in every five years.

From this report it may appear that the care of the blind
in Denmark has made some progress during recent years ;
the friends of the blind, therefore, entertain a bright hope
for the future as to the work that remains to be done.

427

Work for the Blind in Denmark

The Chairman.— I am sure we have all listened with very
great interest to that paper. It is now open for discussion,
and I hope somebody will speak on some of the points
mentioned.

I understand there are postcards here ^^ith the lucky
penny on them. They are being distributed noAV.

DISCUSSION.

Dr. RocKLiFFE (Hull). — I must apologise for beiug ou my legs
again. Referring to the Home for Blind Women, that is another
subject of interest to me. In 1899 we started such a home in
Hull and it has proved a very great success. We have nine
inmates, who contribute £18 4s. a year, much the same as in
Denmark. Each has her own separate bedroom, etc. In the
sitting-room we have a typewriter, knitting-machine, library, and
piano, and everything they can wish for to make them comfortable.
The whole of the housework is done by the blind. Everything
is spotlessly clean, and the inmates occupy their spare time caning
chairs, knitting, etc. There are a few such homes in England,
but not so many as there ought to be, and I am sure it is one
of the finest adjuncts any institution can have.

Mr. SiDDALL * ( Rochdale). ^ — I am tempted to speak a little on
this subject, because I had the pleasure of staying at the Copen-
hagen Home for the Blind, and it is to that visit that England
owes its shoemaking. I cannot speak too highly of the kind way
in which I was received by our late friend Herr Moldenhawer.
It is rather hard to find fault with a man when he has already
pointed it out himself ; the author says he wishes they had more
of our English sports. That was the very fault I noticed while in
their institution. They had no organised games of any descrip-
tion, and I think the pupils suffered considerably. I should advise
them to do something in this matter as soon as possible. I do not
know whether they have removed yet ; it was in the wind at
that time. WTiere they were they had no room for any organised
games, and I hope that if they have not yet made room they will
soon do so, for their own sakes and for the prosperity of the pupils,
because I do believe that to turn out good blind men they must
be made energetic in their sjjorts ; without that you will never
get all-round clever men. To get good brains you must have good
bodies. I also noticed another thing. I thought that the musical
side was rather overdone. I hope they will pardon my criticism,
but it is for such things that we come together. The other trades
appeared to be allowed to slide. Then again, speaking about the
attitude of the Government there, I remember asking about their
guardians' laws, and found that throughout the country the work
of the guardians is divided into three grades — good, bad, and
indifferent. The blind people, in the majority of cases, were
placed under the " good " heading and received the best treat-
ment, and they were not chained up in workhouses as our blind

428

Discussion

people are. I do not want to be understood to say that the
guardians in this country are unkind to the blind in the work-
houses^ — that is not their intention — I do believe they are rather
too kind. They allow the old folks to do nothing, and instead
of giving them an occui^ation they are really giving them the
hardest kind of work. They intend to be kind, and say :
" Mrs. Jones has her cup of tea, Mr. Jones has his tobacco, they
are made warm and comfortable, and that is all they need,"
which is the greatest mistake. They would rather have the
occupation than the tea or tobacco.. But I remember while I was
in Copenhagen I was much struck by one thing ; when I asked,
How is this or that done ? the answer always seemed to be, " The
Government makes a grant." And when I asked about music
after leaving the institution, I was told " Yes, the Government
makes a grant for that." It apjieared that the Government made
grants for everything, and I hope it will not be long before we can
say the same here.

Mr. Peter Miller * (Hull). — I am so thankful to this gentle-
man who has come from Russia, and the gentleman from Denmark.
I thank them both. Now my grandfather faced Copenhagen,
and the rear-admiral put up a glass to his eye when they ordered
him to retire, but he could not see because he happened to have put
it to his blind eye. I am pleased that the gentleman has come
to us to-day, because at least Copenhagen and Denmark are doing
something for the blind. But what I want to say to these ladies
and gentlemen is not about to-day, but about to-morrow. Now
to-morrow is the day of the greatest of all the ladies we have
ever had from that country. We gave her £30,000 when she
came, but to-morrow is rose day, and if I do not get a rose to
wear in the morning you will know about it. Now I will get to
the subject. (Applause and laughter.) I am from Hull, and I
would not be here at all but for my dear friend Mr. Wilson. It
has taken me six weeks to get here. It is twelve years since my
friend Dr. Rockliffe came here last. He would not come to
Manchester, and he would not come to Exeter. I wanted to
go there, but I did not have a chance. The institution did not
consider there was any necessity for this sort of thing. However,
now we have struck our match, I am glad to say, and the institu-
tion has turned up as well as me. I am glad, because we can face
one another before a public audience. I am pleased that Dr.
Eockliffe has mentioned the Women's Home, because we started
that before him. It was the blind themselves — we had no sighted
people on that job ; we got the first £25 towards it, and we worked
hard for it. Then the blind decided we did not want the Women's
Home, we wanted the money, and we shared it up. Then Dr.
Rockliffe came on the scene, and he did the right sort of thing.
He put us all down. (A Voice : " It serves you right.") He
said " Have you all done ! " I said " No, I have not done," and
I got no more teas after that. The Women's Home in Hull is a
splendid organisation. No one can say a word against it except
this, that £20 a year is given out of the rates for every woman in it,
and if we want anything for a blind woman in a terrace or any-
where else, we have hard work to get half-a-crown a week for her.

429

Work for the Blind in Denmark

Now, then, tlie guardians have offered 10s. a week to tlie institu-
tions if they will employ the blind.

The Chairman. — We are getting a little off the track.

Mr. Peter Miller. — My contention is we have no branch of
the National League in Hull. We have no Ben Purse to come
and help us as we ought to have. I have very much pleasure in
thanking these gentlemen who have come to-day to tell us about
their place. AVhat I want is that you will help the Government
to make proper conditions for us all and say to the guardians :
" It is not parish relief but pensions that are wanted."

Mr. Barker (Manchester). — There is one question I would
like to ask the writer of the paper. When he speaks of parish
relief I take it that he means outdoor relief. Does he mean
relief in the way of paying a man a certain amount of money for
his work, or paying for his keep in an institution ? I was not
quite clear.

Mr. Wiberg. — We have a special statute to help people over
sixty years of age in the form of a pension.

Mr. Barker. — It is not money paid to support them in an
institution ?

Mr. Wiberg. — No, no.

Mr. Barker. — I was going to say, Mr. Chairman, where a man
is chargeable and paid for by a board of guardians, if that man
could say "Well, now, I am leaving this place and going to another "
it would be very nice, but he has to remain there so many years
before he is chargeable to that particular union. We had a case
in Henshaw's, and the board of guardians said : " We will take
him, but he must be classed as a pauper, we cannot pay the
money — we refuse to do that — but he has the alternative of
coming in and being a pauper." Henshaw's do not believe in
fostering a spirit of that kind. They said : " No, rather than he
should become a pauper we will pay for him in the institution
and keep him with us."

Mr. HoLEHOUSE *. — May I ask a question ! On p. 17 in the
Braille copy it says the Danish Blind Association is managed by
blind members. Seeing people are admitted as subscribers
without the right of voting, I want to ask whether that means
that the sighted persons do not take the same interest in the
association because they have not the right to vote as they do in
other associations and societies ! I imagine that if the persons
with sight were only allowed to subscribe and not allowed to vote,
they would take very little interest in the management, and that
they would not contribute as they do in other countries. I wonder
whether the writer of the paper finds that because the sighted
people cannot vote that they do not subscribe to the same extent
as they otherwise would ! It is a very important matter, and
I think it would be a great pity if our sighted friends felt that we
did not want them. We should all try to work together. Take
this Conference, for instance, ^^^lat a lot of inspiration we should
have lost but for the experience of many of our sighted speakers.

430

Discussion

If yoii look back twenty years or twenty-five years at tlie workers
among the blind, I think you will find that they had not the same
experience, and on the whole the same interest, that managers
of institutions and home teaching societies have to-day, and the
consequence is that we find that if we had been debarred from tlie
privilege of meeting our sighted friends — if we had not been
allowed to take such a prominent part in the proceedings — we
should not have gone home with such a bright experience. No
one can say that the blind have not been allowed to take an active
part in the Conference. I do hope that the system Will never
come in Great Britain when we blind people will have absolute
control of our societies, but I do earnestly hope that the time wiU
come when in all our societies and institutions blind people will
have adequate representation.

Eev. H. Sheaker (Brighton). — I have been deeply interested
in the paper that has been read on Denmark. It is indeed a very
valuable report, but there was one thing I looked for and was
disappointed not to find. For over a quarter of a century I have
been very much interested in good literature for the blind. I
should like Mr. Wiberg to tell us something about that and
about libraries for the blind in Denmark. It is very interesting
to hear about these industrial movements, about the blind being
taught to earn their living, but they need something more. They
need, as Mr. Dixson says, to be brought into contact with life and
thought, and it would be interesting to hear from Mr. Wiberg
what they are doing in Denmark towards providing good litera-
ture for the blind.

Mr. Weller. — The reason I speak is because reference has
been made very largely to the poor law in Denmark, and one or
two have spoken about the i)oor law with regard to boards of
guardians in our own country. I do think it very important that
the blind should have their rei)resentatives on public bodies.
As a member of the largest union in the kingdom, the West Ham
Board of Guardians, I can assure our friends that that Board
would not have said that the individual raentionerl by a previous
speaker must become a pauper. Biit you have the matter in
your own hands to a large extent. If when the elections are on
you see that someone is put forward as a representative of the
blind, I think you will not have very much difficulty. If they can
return a poor duffer like myself, I do not see why they should not
return one of you. West Ham lately, has done a good deal for
the blind. Only a week or two ago the guardians decided that
all their pianos in future should be tuned by blind men. That
was not brought about by myself, but I was very glad it was done.
I was able to get them a few months ago to pass a resolution
supporting the Bill now before Parliament. I hope that when
the time comes you will put forward a representative for the blind.

Mr. Lattet * (Bournemouth). — I would like to tell you that
I went to the school at Copenhagen forty-two years ago to be
educated. A gentleman has asked a question with reference to
libraries and literature. At that time there was a good library
containing books in Braille and roman types, and when a pupil

431

Work for the Blind in Denmark

left he was allowed to select six or seven volumes for liis own use.
Tlie Institution liad a Braille printing-press the type for which
was set up to a large extent by blind people. It was the duty of
the music master to transcribe music into Braille notation, and I
used to help him in my spare time by reading over the type set up.
I was taught book-binding, including the making of labels with
coloured raised letters. Instruction was given in all the things
taught in our schools nowadays, including geometry, natural
science, and various other subjects. Pupils were never lost sight
of. ^^^len they returned to their various homes the mayor or
some other important person was asked to take an interest in
them and get work for them. I could not follow all the details
in the paper, so I may be repeating something already mentioned.
There was a workshop in Copenhagen for those who wished to
work there. Work was found for all and the articles paid for as
soon as finished.

Mr. WiBERG. — Mr. SiddaU asked whether the institution has
been removed from the old place. I am sorry to say that we
have not had a new buikling yet. I should like to have a new
one and a larger place for the pupils, but we have hot. The old
building, however, has been altered, so that pupils are now better
accommodated.

Then I have to say that the assistance given according to the
new law is not parish relief. The blind who receive assistance
according to the new law may live anywhere, which is a very
important thing for them. In most cases the blind prefer to live
in another place. If they do not like to live where they get the
money from — the parish — the law allows them to live anywhere.

Mr. Shearer, of Brighton, has asked whether we have any
library for the blind in Denmark. The Association "The Blind
of Denmark " is both a relief and a reading society, and we have
books printed there for the blind in Braille. Some of them are
printed in uncontracted Braille. Then we have hand-copied
books. Fifty-seven ladies and gentlemen assist in copying for
the blind. The books from the printing press are all free. Also
we publish a weekly review in Braille for the blind.
* * *

The Chairman, — That concludes that paper. Now Ave

will take " Work for the Blind in India." by Mr. A. K. Shah,

of Calcutta.

432

THE WORK FOR THE BLIND IN

INDIA

A. K. SHAH,

Headmaster, Calcutta Blind School.

At the very eleventh hour I have been invited to read a
paper on the AvOrk for the bhnd in India. I am fully aware
of my own limitations, and these limitations have been made
the greater by the shortness of time for preparation. But I
gladly accept the invitation of the Committee, because in
the past India found no place in the deliberations of these
Conferences, and because I thought that any information,
however meagre, might create an interest in the subject and
lead fellow-workers in the cause in other parts of the world
to seek for fuller information in the years to come.

India is a vague term. Geographically it is limited to the
peninsula only ; the Indian Empire, however, includes
territories beyond the natural boundaries, such as Balu-
chistan and Burma, and even Aden and Perim ; wh<^reas
British India excludes the independent States of India, as
Nepal and Bhutan. In this paper figures have been taken
from the Census of the Indian Empire, and, whenever
possible, those of the independent States added to them.
Most of the facts are from my personal knowledge of Bengal
in particular, as I had no time to get information from other
parts of the country.

In the latest (1911) Census returns the blind population
of the Indian Empire is given as 443,653 in a total population
of 315 millions, or 1,408 to a million inhabitants. Including-
the figures of the independent States we can roughly ]iut
down the number at 000,000. Considering the fact that
people do not like to be returned as blind, I am of o])inion
that the number is greater than this. The definition of a

c.B. 433 F F

The Work for the Blind in India

blind child in vogue in the United Kingdom for educational
pur})oses is not yet applied to India, and so a great number
of partially blind children, and young men and women, who
ought to come under the operations of the blind institutions,
are also not included. It is, however, surjjrising to note
that the figure, as it stands, is the highest in any country of
the world, as, according to Miss Heywood's circular, the
number of the blind in China, with its larger population, is
only 500,000. It is more astounding to find that India,
though equal in size to the whole of Europe except Russia,
in the case of its blind population surpasses the number in
Europe, including Russia, by more than 100,000. The
proportion of the blind to the pojuilation in India is not the
highest. Egypt stands first in this respect with 14,000 to a
million ; India's is only one-tenth of that ratio.

In the 2)rovince of Bengal, after its recent adjustment, in
a total population of 45,483,000, we have 32,000 blind
people, of whom Calcutta alone has nearly 1,000 amongst
1,222,000 inhabitants.

I need hardly make any comment on these figures to bring
home to you the immense importance of the Avork among the
blind in India ; it speaks for itself.

The causes of blindness are chiefly small-pox and oj)h-
thalmia neonatorum. The people arc afraid to be treated for
eye-diseases and dread opei-ations. Sight had often been lost
because no. timely action was taken or because of treatment
by quack " eye-doctors," of whom there is a great number,
or for neglect in infancy. Small-pox is being sloAvly stamjjed
out by the system of compulsory vaccination. In most
Western lands laws have been passed making it compuisorj-
for the parents to procure medical aid for the treatment of
infants suffering from ophthalmia. In India we have not yet
reached this point where such medical aid is within the
reach of everyone. His Excellency Lord Carmichacl, the
present Governor of Bengal, presiding at an anniversary of
the Calcutta Blind School, rightly suggested that "something
might be done to spread a knowledge amongst the people of
how the eyes of infants should be treated . , . and a method

434

The Work for the Blind in India

of disscininating a knowledge of the treatment of the eyes of
infants might do some good." It is expected that some
steps in this direction will be taken at no distant date,
though as yet we have not the law for compulsory treatment.

By far the greater number of the blind in India belong to
the lower classes and are very poor. They rely mostly on
begging for a hvelihood. Amongst the Mohammedans the
blind sometimes become " Hafcjs," who commit the Koran
to memory and recite it at religious ceremonies, and thus get
a good and respectable living. But the vast majority live in
utter misery and degradation. The common belief amongst
the Hindoos, that a person is blind because of his sins in a
former birth, need not now be discussed, but that belief
sometimes comes as a hindrance in the pathway of educating
the blind, and is a real didiculty. My father, who founded
the school at Calcutta, met this difficulty at least in one case.
In his last (1913) report, the Hon. Mr. Mookerjce, Secretary
to the Calcutta Blind School, says : " The opinion still
prevails in the Indian community that a blind person is
struck by the hand of Providence and that in the very
nature of things it is impossible to help him. A great deal will
have to be done before these misconceptions are removed."

I should mention that, unless you can provide the Indian
blind with the necessaries of life, you cannot get them to
come to an institution to learn. Again, the parents often
object to a child going to a school as he or she is perhaps the
only bread-winner of the whole family, bringing in fresh
money daily by begging. You will perhaps be surprised to
hear that the begging in which the bhnd are engaged is in
India organised on a commercial basis. Blind, as well as
crippled, children, men and women are employed by agents,
and the proceeds are divided according to the terms of their
contract. In fact, cases have come to my personal know-
ledge in which blind children were hired from their parents
in the Punjab and up-countries and brought down to
Calcutta to beg ! What sufferings these children have to
endure ! I have noticed these agents travelling with a
number of the bhnd from place to place in the same way as

435 F F 2

The Work for the Blind in India

the manager of a theatrical party does with his troupe !
Now you can in some measure understand why parents
object to sending their bhnd child to a school to be educated
when there is the prospect of a good income by begging. In
Calcutta, however, we have a law recently passed prohibiting
begging in certain parts of the city, which has affected this
cruel practice, though only, I regret to say, to a very small
extent at present.

The rich class, on the other hand, consider it simply un-
necessary and troublesome to the blind child to be educated.
For, as he has not to earn a living for himself, why burden
him with work Avhen he is already stricken by the hand of
Providence ?

Pioneers of the education of the blind in India had to cojie
with the usual difficulty, luimely, the unbelief that the blind
could be taught to read and write or work at trade and
become useful members of society. But this prejudice
often took a peculiar form. Teachers who sought out blind
children Avere sometimes ridiculed ; sometimes even suj^posed
to be recruiting little victims for sacrifice to appease some
local diA'inity ! But by degrees, and with the results of Avork
already done, things are noAV changing.

Then, again, aa'c haA^e no compulsory education for CA'en
the seeing in India. Tangible proofs of the benefit of
training the blind must be forthcoming before they could be
attracted to an institution.

I can enumerate many more difficulties, but it AVoidd make
the paper too lengthy and gloomy. I cannot, hoAA'CA'cr, pass
on without referring to the difficulty Avhich the workers are
themseh'es creating in the adaptation of Braille to the
different Indian languages. Amongst 2,378 tribes and
castes, there are nearly 160 languages spoken all over India.
Hindustani comes first considering the number of people
that speak that tongue ; then come Bengali, Maharathi,
Tamil, Telegu, and so on. Fortunately, the number of
characters in the Indian languages does not exceed the
number of simple combinations obtained from the Braille
dots. NoAV, some of our Avorkers among the blind in India

436

The Work for the Blind in India

proposed to have Romanised Braille — a system in which
Indian words are spelt phonetically in English letters ;
others a uniform code for all the different languages, and
these have formulated what they call the " Oriental Braille."
In Upper India they have a Urdoo code by Sheriff, Sheriff's
Braille ; while in some schools they have their own code in
that language. In Bengal we already have one arrange-
ment, for Bengali, which my father made ; the British
and Foreign Bible Society is, however, trying to introduce a
new system of their own in which they propose to print the
Scriptures in Braille. Different codes for the same language
are surely not desirable. I cannot discuss the merits or
demerits of the different arrangements in this short compass,
as such a subject should be given much time and thought
and dealt with in a separate paper. But I only hope that
those interested in the subject will confer and agree to have
one code for one language. Before anyone tries to adopt
Braille for a language, one should make it a point to find out if
that language has already been codified into Braille. Other-
wise in no time there will be such a babel of codes for the
blind in India as, I am afraid, will surpass the original Babel !
It might interest you to know that most Indian languages
take up more space than English does, even in ordinary
print, and more so in Braille. The crying need of the
schools to-day is books. Without them progress is every-
where slow. Where English is taught we can procure books
from England and elsewhere, but then even here is a diffi-
culty, and that is this : the English school books available
are not suitable for Indian children or arc not according to
the requirements of the Education Department in India.
We, in India, are at present content with books transcribed
by hand, and now some schools are getting books printed at
the National Institute for the Blind, London. But this,
of course, is very expensive. Braille books, as avc all know,
are costly, and they will cost more in the Indian languages.
The Bible, for instance, in Hindi or Bengali runs into close
upon a hundred volumes or so, while in English Braille it
takes only thirty-nine volumes.

437

The Work for the Blind in India

The history of the education of the bhnd in India does not
date back more than thirty years. It began with the
missionaries, to whose efforts so many good projects are due.
The hands of the missionaries are visible in the founding of
the majority of the existing schools, which now number
sixteen. The movement originally began with the establish-
ment of asylums or homes for the helpless blind, and the only
attempt at education was to teach them to read the Bible in
Moon. Later on work was introduced in these places, and
only within the last twenty years has India seen the estab-
lishment of regular schools for the blind on modern lines,
such as the Victoria Memorial Blind School at Bombay, and
the Industrial Home and School for Blind Children (Calcutta
Blind School) at Calcutta, Avith which the honoured names of
Dr. Nilkantrai and Mr. L. B. Shah must be respectively
coupled. I would much like to mention something about
each of the institutions we have in India, but information is
lacking. In this connection, I may again quote from the
speech of H.E. Lord Carmichael. He said : " I have found
it difficult to get information regarding institutions or
societies for the education of the blind in India, and I would
suggest that we should found in Calcutta a society on the
lines of the British and Foreign Bhnd Association." It is
worth while for workers in India to consider this excellent
suggestion of His Excellency and to form themselves into a
society, so that all the different institutions may be in touch
with one another and much benefit result therefrom.

The C.M.S. Schools for the Blind in Palamcottah, South
India, founded by Miss A. J. Askwith, are the largest. The
other schools are at Madras, Mysore, managed by the State ;
Rajpur — the North India Industrial Home for Christian
Bhnd — in affiUation to the Church of England Z.M.S.,
founded by the late Miss Sharp in 1887 ; a home at Alla-
habad ; a school at Lahore, which, I understand, is the only
Government one in India ; a second school at Bombay under
an American mission ; at Ranchi, also managed by mis-
sionaries. My own school at Calcutta was established in
1897, and the Bombay school in 1907. Most of these institu-

438

The Work for the Blind in India

tions arc for both sexes, and some kind of trade and Indian
music are taught in addition to general education comprising
the three R's.

In all these places we have accommodation only, I think,
for about 1,000, whereas the blind children of school-going
age and young men and women capable of learning are
numbered by hundreds of thousands.

It is, therefore, evident from what I have said that the
work in India is only in its infancy, and only the fringe of
the problems has been touched. A vast amount yet remains
to be done. We earnestly hope — with His Majesty's most
gracious watch-word of " Hope," and a large grant for
educational purposes — now that the years of experiment
are over, rapid strides in the path of progress will be made.

439

The Work for the Blind in India

The Chairman. ~I am sure we are all very grateful indeed
to Mr. Shah for the paper he has read, and we must all agree
that he delivered it admirably. If he can prepare a paper
like this at su-ch short notice, what would it have been with
longer prejjaration. It is a most valuable paper. I will
ask anybody wishing to speak to kindly send up their card.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. W. H. DixsON * (Oxford). — I am beginning to be a little
bit afraid that some of the members when they leave this Con-
ference will say to tliemselves in reference to me : " Thy voice is
near me in my dreams — in accents not particularly sweet or low."
Still, I have spoken in this case because it was I who originated
tlie idea of having a paper on India. It seemed to me that we
ought not to let this Conference go by without having something
to say about the blind of a country whose population constitutes
something like two-thirds of the British Emjiiie. Well, here we
are. I cannot comment on the paper. You have heard it.
^\^lat are you going to do about it ! I think we ought not to be
satisfied until through the people of India themselves we have
brought some kind of representation to the Government of India
on the subject of the blind, and I believe, in spite of the magnificent
work the missions have done, that if we are going to do any good
we must approach all sections of thouglit in India. As a result
of this paper I hoi)e we shall be able perhaps to approach some
responsible Indian society in this country and see if somebody
cannot be sent out who will go tlirough the larger towns in India
and arouse some kind of interest in the blind of tJiose parts of
the country where nothing is now done. AVe talk about the
unions of this country. Tbey exist primarily, I think, to work in
parts where nothing is being done at present. You want some
kind of unions in India which will work in those parts where
nothing is being done. I thank Mr. Sbali for his paper.

Mrs. Albrecht (Lutheran Mission, India). — It is nearly
twenty-five years since I first went to India, and I must say I
have found that what my brother says is quite true. He has
exaggerated nothing, and in fact he has not told you nearly all ;
as he has said, it would make the paper too gloomy. One of the
saddest things, I think, with regard to the blind in India is that
so many of the little blind babies are put to death. I think very
likely it Avould not be an exaggeration to say that there are very
few of the girl blind babies, or those who are bhnd in very early
infancy, who are allowed to live. The blind boys may be aUowed
to live. It is a very easy thing to get rid of these babies by feeding
them with buffalo's milk. That is the method used in our countiy;
it does not agree with the baby, and it dies a natural death.

In our part of the counti-y — I know more about the Kalagoos
in the Madras Presidency — begging is carried out to an almost
incomprehensible extent by the blind along the lines of which

440

Discussion

my brother has spoken. Sometimes there have come into our
compound four or five blind people with a large party of otliers
prowling after them, all of whom are living, with their families,
on the money which these blind people beg. We have tried to get
them into our blind school, but it is impossible, for their profession
is too lucrative. The children themselves would be only too
glad to come, but they are not allowed. I wish very much indeed
that the attention of the Indian Government could be called to
the matter in an official way. Perhaps this may in some way be
effected through this Conference, so that something may be done.
The voice of one poor individual might j)erhaps not reach to the
heads of the Government so well as something coming from
England. The Madras Government is doing all we have asked
it to do. It has recognised our little school, which is only two
years old. It has given us liberal grants without having been
asked for them. I wish something could be done for the blind of
India, and am very glad of the suggestion that the people of India
themselves should unite and do something to call the attention
of the higher authorities to this matter, so that we might get
something more like what you have here in England.

Miss Hilda E. Boord. — This is not a missionary meeting, but I
should like to say a few words about the subject of the Light in
Darkness Birthday League started by Miss Askwith many years
ago. It occurred to me about ten years ago that it would be a
very good thing if the blind of this country would care to give any
small item as a thank-offering for the benefits they receive from
education, etc., and that they might give such small offerings on
their birtlidays to help the education of the blind in India. I liave
at present about thirty blind members who have contributed to
the support of one child whom we have entirely kept for nine
years. She is now ten years old. If it had not bee« for the
money which has been spent on her by my blind friends I think
that child would probably never have been educated at all. She
was taken from a hospital in Ceylon, having been deserted by her
mother. She is quite blind. If anyone would care to join this
society I shall be only too pleased to hear from them. I only-
take money from blind persons myself, but I shall be only too
pleased to hear at any time from any who care to collect them-
selves from the sighted.

The Chaikman. — The last speaker's address is 8, Stanley
Gardens.

Miss Fry, C.M.S. — I am afraid it is a presumption on my part to
speak, but having been selected by the Church Missionary Society
to go and assist Miss Askwith in Calcutta, I should like to ask a
few questions. I suppose they chose me because I have been
connected for a good many years with mentally defective and
crijipled children in Liverpool, both in day schools and in resi-
dential homes. I was asked if I would go and work among the
blind in India. I feel extremely unable and deficient, but I am
learning and hope to be able to do something to uplift and help
the womanhood of India. I should Uke to know from Mr. Shah
how it would be possible to join or help in forming any union

441

The Work for the Blind in India

when the distances are so far apart and the languages so many.
It seems very distressing that so little is done for the blind there.
It has occurred to me whether Mr. Pearson would be ready to
help even in India, as he has helped in Liverpool with the mentally
defective and cripples. Year after year we have been able to take
them into the country through a fund raised by Mr. Pearson.

Mrs. George Wilkinson (Foochow). — I only want to say that
I was delighted yesterday to hear that Miss Askwith, who has such
a splendid school in Calcutta, is asking for blind teachers. I
think it is "a splendid opportunity for your trained blind teachers
to go and do some work. I wish I could take one back with me
to ('hina. When I have a house I am going to send for one. I
think men and women who have a longing to do something for
those in non-Christian lands could do splendid work. I hope that
Miss Askwith is only the first of hundreds. I do not know how
we are going to work this, but I shall write to Miss Askwith and
ask her if she cannot communicate with our workers and arrange
that some shall be sent out there, because there is a splendid
work for the blind to be done in those lands.

Mr. James Townson (Accrington). — I was dehghted when I
found that the question of the blind in India was to be discussed,
knowing that their number is so large. Mr. Shah makes two or
three remarks with which I was much struck. He says the
people do not like to be returned as blind. That is equally true
in England. He also suggests that something might be done to
spread a knowledge of how to treat the eyes of infants. That is
also a question here. I am also glad to hear that he considers
the work already done is now beginning to change things. After
the hints given by Mr. Dixson and others I do think that some-
thing should be done. Could not some resolution be got up by
this Conference Committee that could be sent to our own
Government asking them to send out information to the Indian
Government in some way and to point out the need of something
being done for the blind there ? The question is a very large
one, and I do not think this Conference could deal with it at the
moment. I suggest to the meeting that we remit this question
to the Conference Committee, requesting them to formulate some
circular or request that can be sent to the Indian Government
here or in the dependency, and I do not mean only the English
dependencies, because this is an International Conference. This
might possibly stir up some of the Government representatives
in that part to help on the work of the blind.

A Voice : Do you propose that °?

Mr. Townson. — I propose it, sir.

Mr. Tate. — I would like to have the privilege of seconding that
if Mr. Townson will put it in proper form. I do think that, if for
no other reason than that this is an International Conference,
we should make representations to the Government and show
that we are not unsympathetic towards other nations, and would
like all the blind in those countries to be treated effectually. I
would like to assure Mr. Shah how much we have enjoyed his
j)ai)er, and how very strongly our hearts go out to the Indian

442

Discussion

Empire and desire that all the benefits we receive here may be
very speedily shared by India.

Mr. SiiAii. — It is a delight to me to find how courteously and
kindly you have received my paper, and I am glad to see that
after all here in London and in England the attention and interest
of the people have been aroused for the blind in India. India is
said to be a British possession. I do not like the word " posses-
sion." We depend on Britain for many things, and I would
rather call it a " dependency." What you do here for the blind
will be followed to a great extent by the Indian Government.
Any lighthouse put up here will shed its light nine thousand
miles away in India. So build with that knowledge.

Miss Fry has asked me to state how we can form a union or
some society to get all the institutions in touch with one another.
W^e have in India a congress of the difi'erent races. We speak
150 languages, but in that Indian National Congress our lingua
franca is English. The people interested in education generally,
or for the blind, are fairly well educated in English. I think
there is a great possibility of such a union being established, and
if the work in India is going to be a success we must have some-
thing of a union.

Mr. Moon (Gardner's Trust). — I only wish to say that I would
like to encourage Mr. Shah. First I will mention that having
been ten years in the House of Commons I am firmly persuaded
that " dependency " is the word by which India is known, and
therefore he may put "possession" out of his head. I know that
in the minds and the hearts of others as well as ourselves India is
regarded as a dependency rather than a possession.

The Hon. Secretary. — The resolution proposed by Mr.
Townson and seconded by Mr. Tate is as follows : — " That this
Conference requests the ('ommittee to call the attention of the
Government to the large number of the blind in India, and to
ask that something may be done to ameliorate their condition."
Carried unanimously.

The Chairman. — That concludes our business to-day.

443

The Play: '* A Wise Eccentricity"

Tuesday Evening.

At 8 p.m. in the Central Hall, Westminster, a play entitled
" A Wise Eccentricity," Avritten by Mr. A. Siddall,*
Rochdale, was produced by Miss M. M. Harker and the
pupils and staff of the Royal Normal College.

The play was written at the request of the Conference
Committee in the hope that it might be a novel and pleasing
way of placing before the public some of the avenues by
which a man, losing his sight, may gain employment and a
renewed interest in life. The writer, therefore, wished it to
be clearly understood that "A Wise Eccentricity" was
neither a literary effort nor a desire to appeal to the emotions,
but was solely intended to place before them facts of daily
occurrence in the blind world.

Synopsis : — The hero, a young and energetic mining
engineer, loses his sight. Through an eccentric clause in
his father's will he is thereby in danger of losing his private
income, and is still further plunged into despair by the fear
that his blindness will prevent his marriage. His hopes are
revived by visits from the district visitor to the blind.
Finally, the mining engineer becomes a blind typist, and
his private income is thereby saved. There is also an
account of a fully trained blind organist, whose services are
refused for those of a sighted but untrained man. Games
of cards and chess, together with music, etc., are intro-
duced to demonstrate that recreation and employment are
as necessary to the blind as to the sighted.

The hall was well filled with an appreciative audience, and
the author was called before the curtain at the conclusion of
the play.

A short lantern address was then given by Mrs. George
Wilkinson, of Foochow, China, and a number of interesting
slides illustrating her work among the Chinese blind were
exhibited.

SCHOOL FOR BLIND BOYS,
FOOCHOW, CHINA

LANTERN ADDRESS

By Mrs. GEORGE WILKINSON,

C.M.S. Missionary. Founder and Manager of the School.

" He is my only sou. I am a widow, and he is blind. Knniong,
do good deeds, oj)en liis eyes and give liim to see."

Fifteen years ago was this appeal made to me in the little
mission church of Lieng Kong. Two others and I had been sent
to this district as missionaries, and a few days' sojourn in the city
had surrounded us with sick and suiiering, and of those who asked
for heahng was this widow woman for her only son who was bhnd.
Alas ! his sight was beyond restoring, and the fact left a lasting
impression on my mind. To be bhnd is a terrible thing. To be
bhnd and of poor Chinese parentage is stiU more terrible.

The following year I visited a school for blind boys in the Amoy
district, and with the aid of Mr. Cook, a bhnd missionary, set about
the work of adapting the Braille system to the Foochow dialect.

Keturning to Lieng Kong I rented a tiny native house containing
one front room about ten feet square, two very small bedrooms,
and a httle kitchen. The school for the blind had become an
accomplished fact.

The reception of the idea by the natives was a mixed one,
sometimes friendly, sometimes hostile ; those early days were not
without their trials.

Anxious to train the boys in some useful trade or occupation,
I invested in a matting frame, and then tried to engage a teacher,
but all scouted the notion of teaching the blind to make matting —
it was not possible. But now the Chinese would be the first to
acknowledge that the best matting in the province is that pro-
duced by the bhnd boys, and, to support this opinion, it may be
mentioned that at the Nanking Industrial Exhibition in 1910,
gold medals and certificates were awarded by the authorities to
bhnd boys employed in this industry.

By the end of 1899 there were seventeen boys in residence, and

445

School for Blind Boys, Foochow, China

a move was made to more roomy premises. Then followed the
Boxer troubles of 1900, and the school had to be temporarily
closed.

As the result of a furlough spent in Australia, manj^ kind friends
gave or collected money, and in 1901 I returned to Foochow with
the idea of building suitable premises on the island of Nantai
among the other schools and hospitals. But my plans had to be
changed, and eventually a native house was purchased in Foochow
city, and to-day there are no less than seventy-eight sightless
boys in residence. Two only can see a httle.

Let us make a short tour of the premises.

A small gate in the thick mud wall admits us to the large, much-
used playground. In front of us is a lovely banyan tree, beneath
the shady branches of which the boys can sit and rest. We turn
to the left and, walking through a covered verandah, come to the
teachers' room, next to which is an airy schoolroom with one side
completely open. Here we are greeted by a bhnd teacher, a lad
whose intelhgent face would single him out wherever you might
meet him.

He is engaged in teaching a class of eight httle boys, and one of
these justifies the remark I made, that terrible indeed, sometimes,
is the lot of the Chinese bhnd. This little fellow comes from
Singapore, and, to avoid the cost of his rice, his own father tied
him up in the jungle in the hope that some wild animal would
relieve him of his parental responsibiUties. On the same form
sits another boy whose home was in the North-West Province.
Being bhnd, and therefore useless, his father buried him ahve,
but the neighbours saved his life by digging him up again. The
pale-faced boy near him was brought to the school a hteral
skeleton — an open sore on his head and a bruise on his face. He
was unable to speak or to sit up, but just lay moaning on the
ground.

In the adjoining room, an airy apartment with one side open to
the heavens, boys are learning to make bamboo bhnds, baskets,
etc. Five more frames for matting stand in an open verandah
across the compound, and here the boys are of more advanced
age. They stand up as we come in, and one man with a happy,
inteUigent face rephes to our greeting of " Peace."

This man was brought to the school by his mother one cold,
raw Christmas morning twelve years ago. " I have no room for
him," I had to tell her, for my two tiny rooms were fuU. " Oh,
do take pity on him," the woman urged, " rice is so dear that his
father says he wiU kiU him if he stays at home eating it any
longer." Well, one does not look twelve years ahead in the face
of such misery and^ — we managed somehow.

446

School for Blind Boys, Foochow, China

To return to tlie main building. Happy voices are singing as
the busy fingers move quickly in making string. These are the
little boys, and it is well to keep their hands occupied ; they are
employed in roUing straw and flax into string to be used later in
the year for the straw mattresses on which they lie in winter.
Others are making door mats from palm-tree fibre. Matting of
some twenty different patterns, some with five colours woven into
the design, is made here, and four matting frames are in constant
use. The building is in native style, and the work carried on in
the roomy verandahs that enclose a quadrangle.

Then we enter the dormitories — simple enough as regards
bedding ; the sohtary coverings enclosed iii patchwork quilts
made by kind friends in Austraha make the rooms look bright and
cheery. These quilts measure 6 feet 6 inches by 5 feet, and our
gratitude to anyone sending us such is very great. To replace
these in spring we have a few red blankets, as the native cotton-
wool covering is too hot, and the boys are apt to throw them off
in the night and catch cold in the chilly hours of the Eastern early
morning. We need more of these blankets very badly.

Friends in England can always help us by sending out works in
Braille — old magazines or books weeded out from the libraries
will bring delight to the boys. One friend not only wrote out
St. Matthew's Gospel in Chinese in Braille, but at her own cost
had it printed and sent to the boys. This gift encouraged us more
than we can say, but I would just add this, that though we are
missionaries we are not so narrow-minded as to think our boys
should be fed on rehgious books alone. We want healthy work of
all kinds that will widen their ideas and teach them something of
what is going on in the world outside. Further, we find it difficult
to get paper suitable for Braille writing, the carriage from England
costing more than the paper itself, so that we often have to use up
old newspapers for this purpose.

Now, leaving the schoolroom, we cross an open space at the
sides of which are my study and the matron's room. And here a
door leads us to the drill ground ; the small boys do dumb-bell
exercise every day, and the older boys are instructed in soldier
drill.

In the large school we have a very good organ, and a very useful
" baby " organ. The boys are uncommonly musical for Chinese
and play and sing in parts quite correctly. One plays the organ,
another the violin, another the cornet, and so on ; but we are very
hard up for musical instruments, and if anyone has such a posses-
sion that is unwanted we should indeed appreciate the gift.

The boys assemble in the large school at 6 a.m., when prayers
are said. At 7.30 an address is given by one of the pupil teachers,

447

School for Blind Boys, Foochow, China

followed by lessons, work, meals and play till 9 p.m., then the
" Last Post " is sounded, lights are put out and silence reigns.

The dining-room is next to the schoolroom, and is sparsely
furnished with the typical Chinese wooden tables and benches,
chopsticks and bowls forming the simple table equipment. The
boys have three meals a day, consisting of rice, with fish, vegetables,
etc.

Domestic work occupies a little of the boys' energies. On one
side of the school buildings is a drying ground, and here, spread
out on bamboo poles, some 250 garments may be seen every
week — ^we occasionally receive a present of soap, and it is always
most acceptable. Another veiy useful gift to the school is plain,
dark blue, galatea, good hard-wearing material which will stand
the somewhat harsh treatment it receives at the hands of these
amateur laundrymen.

At the far corner of the drying ground is a small isolation ward
for the reception of cases of infectious disease, especially sniall-pox
and the like.

On the other side of the school is a level piece of ground, where
from end to end seven telegraph wires are stretched on posts some
three feet high, the wires being a couple of feet apart. This is a
device to exercise the little boys. Grasping a shding swivel in
one hand, seven boys at a time can run from one end to the other
of the playground as fast as they like in the comfortable know-
ledge that the way is clear and that there is nothing to stumble
against. When boys first come to the school they usually creep
and fumble around, but they quickly develop, and I think this
running exercise gives them confidence quicker than anything else
would. Playthings we sadly need for the younger ones — play is
so good for them in every way — but we have little money to spend
in this direction.

Beyond the playgroimd is a garden. The poor little lads quite
appreciate the flower's sweet scent, even if they have to rely upon
the eyes of others for a description of their beauty.

What is to become of these quickly -growing boys when they
arrive at manhood worries them as well as us. We are earnestly
seeking the wherewithal to pay for the building of an industrial
home on a piece of land, which is already walled in and in our
possession. The idea is that a boy who lias passed at least eight
years of his life in the school and has obtained the certificate
should be drafted into the industrial home, earn his own living,
and at the same time continue to study in the evenings. For
some of the more promising boys there are other prospects — as
teachers, preachers and organists, but the majority must gain a
hvelihood in mat making or in working bamboo.

448

Tendencies in Work for the Blind in America

The school is filled to its limits, and We are longing to be able to
begin building the industrial home. No one who has not ex-
perienced it can realise the sorrow of having to refuse and reject
some pitiful little blind lad because " there is no room for you —
you must go back to your misery, your beatings, your unwanted
condition ; to your struggle for the very life with which the great
God has endowed you, and which. He knows, may be an almost
intolerable burden."

A house for this purpose to accommodate twenty-five boys
would cost £300. A really strong building would cost more, but
we are not asking for palatial buildings, and the sum named would
provide a suitable building in the native style with mud walls.

For the support of the teachers £10 a year is needed.

The cost of keeping a boy in the school is but £4 a year, and this
modest sum feeds, clothes, educates and trains him to a trade.

Charity rightly begins at home, but it does not end there, and
surely in this happy land, where everything the wit of man can
devise is done to help your blind, a few of the crumbs that faU
from your richly-furnished table might be spared for these poor
sufferers for whom nothing or next to nothing is done. I cannot
help thinking there are many people here who would Uke to help
in this work of mercy in other ways than by their financial help
if they knew precisely what is needed, and that must be my excuse
for troubhug you with my remarks to-night.
Address : Mrs. George Wilkinson,

The Bhnd Boys' School,

Foochow City, South China.
* * *

Mr. O. H. BuRRiTT then read the following valuable paper
on " Tendencies in Work for the Blind in America in the
Twentieth Century." Owing to the lateness of the hour it
was not possible to carry out the whole of the advertised
programme, and the exhibition of the interesting collection
of slides brought to this country by Mr. C. F. F. Campbell
had to be postponed to a later date.

•c.B. 449 G a

''TENDENCIES IN WORK FOR

THE BLIND IN AMERICA IN THE

TWENTIETH CENTURY."

0. H. BURRITT,

Superintendent, Pennsylvania Institution for the Blind, Overbrook,
Philadelphia.

To estimate fairly and record acciu-ately movements among
which one lites and of which he is a part is a difficult, if not
impossible, task ; I therefore crave your indulgence while I
attempt to sketch what seem to me to be some of the " Tendencies
in Work for the Blind in America in the Twentieth Century."
I have endeavoured to represent fairly the opinions of the recog-
nised leaders in work for the blind in America, as 1 have gathered
those ideas from studying reports, visiting schools, homes and
workshops, from close association with the executive officers and
workers of commissions and associations for the blind, as secretary
of two New York State Commissions on the Blind, and from
thirteen years' experience as superintendent of two schools for the
blind, and of close association with educators of the blind and
workers for them in every field.

Prevention of Blindness. — The importance of efforts to prevent
blindness has not been overlooked in America. For at least a
quarter of a century we have had laws on the statute books of
nearly half the States of the Union. The medical profession has
emphasised the matter in their professional journals, in the
meetings of their local societies and of their State and National
Associations. Instruction has been given in our medical schools
and emphasised in clinics and dispensaries, but more recently the
effort has been to put the facts into more popular form and to
give them the widest possible publicity. State commissions and
public and private associations have made it a part of their work
to give the facts, however unpleasant or revolting, in such form
that the lay reader can easily understand them. Old laws have
been improved, new and better laws have been placed upon the
statute books, midwives and even physicians have been prosecuted
for failure to comply with the provisions of these laws, and the
schools for the blind are recognising their obligation to contribute
to the sum total of knowledge the facts that can and are being
very generally secured, recorded, and published concerning the
causes of blindness of their pupils. In order to make their data
more uniform, and therefore more generally serviceable, the
American Association of Instructors of the Blind voted in 1910
to recommend to its members the keeping of uniform records, and
in 1912 it adopted a uniform record card. The older points of
view among educators of the blind, that blindness is a calamity

450 ,•

Tendencies in Work for the Blind in America

which it is the duty of charitable organisations and the State to
do everything in their power to prevent, but with which educators
of the blind have nothing to do, has given way to the more modern
and more humane view that blindness is so fearful a calamity
that everything possible to prevent it must be done by everyone
individually, and by any and every organisation working for the
blind ; and that our schools for the blind have an exceptional
opportimity to aid in this campaign to prevent unnecessary
blindness.

Number of Blind in Schools. — -But with this increased emphasis
placed upon the prevention of blindness there is no decrease in the
number of blind children in our schools for the blind ; for in the
school year 1912-1913 4,677 pupils were enrolled in residential
schools and 367 in schools that have j)rovision for educating the
blind with the seeing — ^a total of over 5,000, the largest number
enrolled in any year. This nimiber does not include adults ; for
we have in nearly all our States separated the blind of school
age — 4.e., speaking broadly, those between five and twenty years
of age — from the adult blind, for whom we have other provisions
in many of om* States. It is, however, impossible to say whether
blindness is relatively on the increase or decrease. The recent
rapid increase in organisations working for the blind has multi-
plied the channels for the diffusion of knowledge of the provisions
for the education of the blind. The truth doubtless is that, as a
result of greater publicity, a larger percentage of those of school
age are in school. It is a significant fact that the stream of blind-
ness resulting from ophthalmia neonatorum alone continues to
flow to our schools with volume unabated, fifty-six (56) of one
hundred and seventy-five (175), or 32 per cent., of the pupils who
entered the school in Philadelphia between September, 1906, and
June, 1 91 2, being blind from this one cause.

Kindergartens and Nurseries. — That there is entire unanimity
of oi)inion among educators of the blind that a blind child should
enter school at an early age — ^tliere is substantial agreement that,
under normal home conditions, this should be at about six years
of age — is evidenced by the increased emphasis placed upon
adequate provisions for pupils of kindergarten age. At least two
schools have built separate buildings for kindergarten and primary
pupils within the period under review. In 1910 the Western
Pennsylvania Institiition for the Blind at Pittsburg opened a
beautiful new building having a capacity for thirty pupils at a cost
for building and equipment of £13,000 ; and ten years of agitation
and education of State authorities resulted in the opening in
March, 1914, of a new kindergarten building at the New York
State School for the Blind at Batavia, which cost Tipwards of
£12,000 for building and equipment. This leaves out of account
the kindergarten building at Overbrook, with a capacity for thirty-
six pupils, erected in 1898, as a part of a larger contract, at an
estimated cost of £7,000 ; and the recently completed kinder-
garten and primary department, known as " the lower school,"
of the reconstructed Perkins Institution at Watertown, a suburb
of Boston. I have mentioned only those schools that have
erected special buildings for children of kindergarten age, omitting

451 G G 2

Tendencies in Work for the Blind in America

several others that maintain kindergartens housed under the
same roof as the older pupils. Some of these schools have too
few pupils to warrant a separate building for their kindergarten ;
others are engaged in the task of educating bodies of law-makers
to the point where they apjjreciate the necessity for such an
addition to their equipment. Four nurseries for blind babies have
been erected in as many States where children below school age,
who are orphans, half-orphans, or from wretched homes, are cared
for and trained until they are old enough to be transferred to the
local school for the blind.

Course of Study in Schools. — Within the past decade there has
been considerable enrichment of the course of study by the addition
of instruction in such commercial branches as commercial arith-
metic, book-keeping, commercial law, typewriting, salesmanship,
by the provision of school gardens and instruction in gardening ;
at least seven schools are giving instruction in a simple way in
poultry-keeping, the pupils of the Pittsburg school, under the
supervision of their teacher, erecting a first-class hen-house. At
least four schools have recently added to their tuning depart-
ments instruction in the tuning and simple repairing of piano
players. Domestic science, or " home making," in some form has
been included for some time in the curricula of many of our
schools ; but an effort has been made recently to extend this
instruction to include a greater variety of subjects. One institu-
tion has provided instruction in plain laimdry work and has pro-
vided an old-fashioned wash-tub with pails to bring water from
a not too distant tap, knowing that few of our girls come from
homes provided with stationary laundry-tubs having hot and cold
water taps directly over them, but that most of them come from
homes where the movable wash-tub is a familiar sight and where
water is carried from a near-by cistern or a more distant well,
nstruction in simple cooking is being provided in several schools
with practically daily experience in laying the table and preparing
the dining-room for the next meal.

Higher Education of the Blind. — The idea that there should be a
special college for the blind has never gained very general accept-
ance in America. One of our most experienced and successful
superintendents has recently advocated such a college, but he has
himself told me that he did so only because he has waited so long
in vain for the national Government to make provision in some
other way for the higher education of the blind that in sheer
despair he is advocating the establishment of the special college.
But the consensus of opinion with reference to the higher education
of the blind in America is that the comparatively small number
of blind people who will profit by higher education in some form
can be very well provided for at existing institutions for the
higher education of those who see. There are advantages in
some instances for our pupils if the school for the blind is located
in a city having a diversity of institutions for advanced instruction
which the pupils can attend as day pupils. They unconsciously
learn much that is valuable to them as they travel to the university
in the morning and return to the school at night, chief among the
benefits being the ability to get about alone ; they can secure a

452

Tendencies in Work for the Blind in America

reasonable amount of necessary assistance from the teachers at
the school which they might otherwise find exceedingly difficult,
if not impossible, to secure. On the other hand, a young man or
woman has certain advantages who is attending a college, univer-
sity, school of music, or other institution for advanced learning
which is so situated as to require him to live away from the school
which he has attended and from his home ; there is no better way
for him to learn how to get on alone and how to live agreeably and
acceptably among those who see. Instead of the special college,
at least four States have provided a fund of £60 a year to be
expended in paying for a reader for the blind student pursuing
a course of study at any institution for higher learning, and I look
for the rapid extension of this method of aiding the higher educa-
tion of the blind, because it is probably the most easily and
immediately attainable in all the States, and fortunately likewise
the most logical and the most economical plan.

Schools and Politics. — The three oldest schools for the blind in
America — New York, Boston, and Philadelphia — which were all
begun about 1833, were started by private philanthropy, and all
three have substantial endowments with aid by their respective
State Governments. Beginning with Ohio in 1837, other States
began providing, entirely at public expense, for the education of
blind youth, until to-day every State in the Union either has its
own State-supported school for the blind or defrays the expense
of sending its blind pupils to a neighbouring State. By a very
natural process in the evolution of our State Governments, nearly
all State founded and maintained institutions for the several
classes of defectives and delinquents became the victims of that
curse of American politics the spoils system, and to this general
rule the schools for the blind were unfortunately no exception.
I well remember when in 1901 I first considered entering the work
for the blind how surprised I was to learn that superintendents
of schools for the blind were too often politicians or worn-out
clergymen with the saving grace of a few educators. But with
the growth of public sentiment against appointments and removals
for political purposes in public schools and in the various State-
supported institutions has come a revulsion against the appoint-
ment of the superintendents, officers, and teachers in our schools
for the blind for any reason except that of unquestioned fitness
for the work of educating blind children. We cannot yet say
that no superintendents are appointed or removed for political
reasons, but I am gratified to tell you that since 1900 there have
been more educators — capable and progressive schoolmen in the
prime of life — appointed as superintendents of our schools than
within any similar jjeriod in the history of the education of the
blind in America.

Co-education of the Blind and Seeing. — The first systematic
experiment in the United States of educating blind pupils in
public schools in conjunction with the seeing was begun in Chicago
in 1900. The movement has spread rapidly, and last year 367
blind pupils were enrolled in ten cities in six States. To show
how rapidly this idea has spread in some populous centres, it may
be said that in New York City, where the work was inaugurated

453

Tendencies in Work for the Blind in America

in 1900, tliere were enrolled in February, 1914, 155 pupils. Briefly
the method with us is as follows : — A room in a public school
building conveniently located is placed in charge of a special
teacher, whose first business it is to teach her pupils to read and
write a dot type as soon as possible. When the pupil can read and
write with facility, the teacher, having meanwhile ascertained
his attainments in the other siibjects of the curriculum, informs
the principal to which school grade the pupil belongs, lie enters
at once those classes in which he can do the work — reading,
spelling, arithmetic, language ; in short, all classes except those
that teachers of the blind admit require sight, as for example in
penmanship and drawing. The special teacher keeps in close
daily touch with the grade teacher, copying from blackboard and
book and either writing the matter for the pupil on the Braille
writer or dictating it to him. In a word, the special teacher
supplements the w^ork of the grade teacher wherever necessary
to enable the blind pupil to have somewhere near an equal chance
with his seeing class-mate. As the special teacher may have
pupils from nearly every grade in school, ten has been found a
convenient unit for one of these special classes.

This work is still in its experimental stage ; it presents numerous
problems — the provision of text -books in embossed form and of
guides to and from school, supplying instruction in music, in
certain handicrafts and trades, and adequate instruction in
physical education. These needs are, however, being met by
each community as rapidly as can reasonably be expected, each
in its own way. In some centres, as in Cleveland (Ohio), the
Board of Education is meeting the expense ; in others, as in New
York City, it is being met by a private association, the New York
Association for the Blind. Present methods will be modified in
the light of experience, but only those educators hopelessly bound
by tradition fail to see that some plan of providing a part^ of the
training of some of our blind with seeing j^upils is too sane and
sensible to fail. A few of our schools fortunately located send
selected pupils, who have mastered special apparatus for their
education, to a near-by high school, school of music, school of
expression, college, or univei'sity for continiiation studies.
Occasionally, after a pupil has had several years at a residential
school for the blind, and has thoroughly mastered the special
apparatus necessary to facilitate his work among pupils who see,
he is advised to attend the high school in his home town. No
general rule can be laid down ; each case must be determined
after a careful study of the capabilities of the individual and the
opportunities for him at his home or elsewhere among those who
see. I would, however, urge a careful consideration of the j)ossi-
bilities for him at his home that his parents may assume a part of
the responsibility for his education and that he may retain some
home ties and acquaintances of his childhood days.

"Field Work" and the "Field Officer."— Within the period
under review a somewhat distinctive work in connection with
schools and associations for the blind known as " field work," done
by a worker who has come to be known as a " field officer,"
had been originated where it had not before existed and greatly

454

Tendencies in Work for the Blind in America

extended where it had previously existed. So far as I am aware,
this " field work " originated with oui- schools. The original
purpose of the " field officer" was to travel through the territory
from which a school drew its pupils, seek out those not in schools,
set forth to parents the advantages to be had for their sightless
child, and urge them to see that he was enrolled in a school for
the blind without further delay, for our compulsory education,
laws are not generally applicable to the blind and deaf. And I
must admit that where the school employs the right person as a
" field officer " (a gTaduate of the school who possesses the other
necessary qualifications, among which faith in the school which
has educated him and absolute loyalty to it are the first requisites,
makes the ideal '' field officer"), and follows the work up syste
matically and thoroughly, such work is even more eiSective with
us than a compulsory education law.

After-care of Students. — The distinctive development of " field
work " within recent years is the effort to aid former pupils and
graduates wherever necessary to get started promptly after
leaving school, and in most instances such aid is extremely
desirable if not necessary. I regard this as vital to the most
complete success of our work. The graduates of our schools go
out with faith in themselves and in their ability to do their part
of the world's work. But by reason of their inexperience and
their limited opportunities, wliile within the sheltering walls of a
residential school, of learning how seeing people do things, they
meet with rebuft' after rebuff until they come to have less faith in
themselves and almost none at all in those who see. At last
thoroughly discouraged and disheartened they give up, and, as
" facilis descensus Averno," only those who have comfortable
homes and friends and strong characters resist the temjjtation
to beg upon the streets of^ our more populous cities. If sym-
pathetic guidance and wherever possible the actual securing of a
position are afforded while the pupil is full of confidence in
himself, there is far less danger that this period of discourage-
ment will ensue.

The Work of the " Field Officer."— At the risk of being a little
tedious may I describe this work a little more in detail in connection,
with one school which has employed a " field officer " continuously
since 1903. When the piipil is about three-fourths through
school, the superintendent and teachers meet for a kind of educa-
tional clinic in order to obtain accurate information concerning
each pupil's capabilities, so that during the remainder of his
course he may be developed to the highest possible point of
efficiency along the lines of his individual capabilities. From
this point on he has, using the language of the university, one major
and several minor studies. During his last year at school reports
are made in writing by the teachers of the several dej^artments in
which he has been receiving instruction. These reports are made
in duplicate, one copy being filed in the superintendent's office,
the other with the " field officer." Thus two or three years before
the pupil graduates the superintendent, teachers and " field
officer " have been considering his jjroblem with him ; the " field
officer's " business is to do his utmost to aid in carrying out the

455

Tendencies in Work for the Blind in America

plan that has been formulated for the pupil, and when he leaves
school he knows what he will endeavour to do. He knows, too,
that the officers and teachers of his school expect him to succeed,
and this has a wonderful influence upon his attitude towards
success.

But the work of the field " officer " is not confined to the pupil
leaving school. His knowledge, gained through several years of
experience, is brought to bear upon the problem of the recently
blinded adult in an effort to aid him in readjusting himself to his
changed conditions.

The " field officer " spends much of his time in securing orders
to be filled by blind workers, his effort being to secure remunera-
tive employment for them in their own homes and communities
wherever possible, reserving the institution for those for whom
no other solution is possible.

I trust I have made it clear that the '" field officer " is employed
for the specific purposes above enumerated, thus relieving the
superintendent of the detail which such work necessarily entails.
The recent trend in American education towards vocational
education and vocational guidance only strengthens our position
in similar work for the blind. Please understand we do not
guarantee positions : we do everything in our power to secure
them, and it is then the problem of the individual to make good
in them. Similar work is done in America by schools, colleges, and
technical schools for those who see. If such assistance is con-
sidered desirable for those who see, how much more necessary is
it for those who have the additional handicap of blindness !

The Adult Blind. — Friends of the blind in two States, Massa-
chusetts and New York, succeeded in securing in 1903 action by
their respective Legislatures providing for the appointment by the
Governors of State commissions to investigate the condition
of the blind citizens with particular reference to the needs of the
adult blind. The work of these two commissions, including the
publication of their reports, has given a remarkable impetus to
work for the adult blind. Other States, notably New Jersey and
Ohio, have permanent commissions, and the temporary com-
missions in Massachusetts and New York have been made per-
manent. The Massachusetts Association, a voluntary organisa-
tion of those interested in the blind, was one of the first private
organisations formed to aid the adult blind, and it was this organ-
isation that brought about the appointment of the first Massa-
chusetts Commission. Since then private associations, of which
the New York Association is a conspicuous example, have been
organised, whose purposes almost universally include the preven-
tion of blindness and aiding the blind in every possible way, the
principal aim being " to help the blind to help themselves " by
aiding them in securing work. Earlier efforts for the adult blind
of working age were almost universally along the line of establishing
working or industrial homes, and the adult blind owe much to
these older institutions ; but the almost universal feeling with us
to-day is that workshops are far better than homes, and the
present trend is in the direction of establishing workshops at
convenient populous centres wherever the number of able-bodied

456

Tendencies in Work for the Blind in America

blind people is sufficiently large to warrant it. Here we frankly
admit we liave much to learn from you ; but we are in entire accord
with those of you who pay your workers by piece-work, that here
as elsewhere the blind may be accorded the same treatment as
the seeing and that we may have every advantage of the incentive
to work.

Uniform Type. — ^I believe that I represent fairly the opinions
of a large majority of our educators and workers for the blind
when I say that we have progressed further toward the goal of a
uniform type for the blind of America during the nine years that
have elapsed since the Saginaw (Michigan) Convention of 1905
than during any previous quarter of a century. So acrimonious
had the discussions concerning the type question become at the
biennial conventions of the American Association of Instructors
of the Blind — our national association of the educators of the
blind — that by coiumou consent all type questions were omitted
from the programmes of the conventions of this organisation, a
situation similar to that which, I am informed, has obtained in
Eui'ope. Your differences are, however, problems within a single
type, while with us it has been a question of the comparative
meiits of two types, the New York Point and the American
Braille. For more than twenty years the war for supremacy
has been waged between these two types, and the type problem
in America is still unsettled. But there was a small group of
capable blind people who felt so keenly the injustice to the blind
of a diversity of types that their organisation, known as the
American Blind People's Higher Education and General Improve-
ment Association, had appointed as early as 1900 the Tactile
Print Investigating Commission to study the problem which had
been, temporarily at least, tabled by the National Association of
Instructors. Because of the feeling that had been aroused among
the educators of the blind on account of their differences on the
type question, membership in the Association of Instructors had
been greatly restricted, not more than three members with the
power to vote being permitted from any one institution, and these
the president of the Board of Trustees, the superintendent of the
school, and one teacher delegate. The result was that while
others might attend the conventions and take part in the dis-
cussions, yet, as they could not vote, they felt that they were
excluded from free and full participation in the proceedings of the
convention. The American Blind People's Higher Education
and General Improvement Association, feeling that its members
were not fully welcome in the Convention of the Instructors of the
Blind, quite naturally restricted its membership to blind people.
But the judgment of the saner blind people prevailed, and at
Saginaw (Michigan) in 1905 the constitution of this organisation
was so amended as to admit to membership seeing as well as blind
people and the American Association of Workers for the Blind
was organised ; the Tactile Print Investigating Commission
became the Uniform Type Committee, and with this new national
organisation admitting to its membership blind and seeing
educators of the young blind and workers for the adult blind there
was ushered in the dawn of a better day for those who must read

457

Tendencies in Work for the Blind in America

with their fingers. The Uniform Type Committee, composed of
some of our most capable blind people, began its work of investi-
gation to secure facts upon which to base conclusions. From
1905 to 1909 the committee had only indifferent support from the
great majority of the educators of the blind who felt that this
matter of types belonged peculiarly to them. But the committee
proceeding slowly and cautiously, firm in the belief of the correct-
ness of their position and the justice of their cause, took at each
succeeding convention of the workers for the blind a position in
advance of that taken at the preceding convention. Wliile the
data presented at Boston in 1907, at Coliimbus in 1909, and at
Overbrook (Philadelphia) in 1911 was limited in amoxmt (for
during these six years the committee had at its disposal less than
£40 with which to meet all expenses, including the publication of
three reports), the work had been done so carefully and so
thoroughly that subsequent investigations only strengthened the
findings reported at these conventions. Impelled by a remarkable
faith in the justice of their cause and in the belief of its ultimate
triumph, the committee came forward at Overbrook with a
detailed statement of their financial needs and a pledge that the
committee of ten, all of whom were blind, would raise £360 if the
convention would pledge £240. Under the inspiring leadership
of the secretary of the association, Mr. Charles F. F. Campbell,
£300 was raised on the floor of the convention in twenty-five
minutes ; and with £600 placed at its disposal for necessary
expenses connected with its work of investigation another forward,
step was taken. When the Committee made its splendid report
at the Jacksonville (Illinois) Convention last summer, it carried
with it a large majority of the delegates present ; but when they
asked the convention for £2,000 additional with which to complete
the work, the magnitude of the request staggered the delegates.
But the cause is jiist, and, thanks to the determination of the
committee and to the inspiring leadership of the chairman, Mr.
Charles W. Holmes, a blind man, the task of raising the necessary
funds was begun in February, and, with the direction and assist-
ance of the able chairman of the Finance Committee, we now have
in hand nearly £1,500.

But great as was the need for funds with which to meet
necessary expenses, the greatest achievement of the Type Com-
mittee is the winning of the confidence and support of a
large majority of the superintendents and educators of the
blind. When we consider the bitterness that had been engen-
dered in America over this question of types, this is a remarkable
achievement. May I be pardoned if I again remind this audience
how difficult is our task ; for we must harmonise the ardent
advocates of two systems quite distinct from each other, and not
the advocates of certain combinations within the same system.
We have not yet accomplished all we expect and hope for, but
by the next convention, which meets at San Francisco in 1915,
we expect to have reached the goal of the basic elements of a
uniform dot type for our American readers. All the investigations
of the committee point to the conclusion that the three-level line
of the Braille system can be more accurately and more rapidly

458

Tendencies in Work for the Blind in America

read than a two-level line, but that the princijiles of frequency of
recurrence and of variable spacing which originated with the New
York Point possess such advantages that the uniform tyjie of the
future must avail itself of them. I believe that I am not too
optimistic in believing that the year 1915 will see us very near the
goal of uniformity for America. I am sure that I express the wish
and the hope of a great majority of our profession in America
who have at heart the problems of 100,000 blind people when I
ask you to take steps to meet us half-way in this matter, that we
may do our utmost toward realising the ideal of a uniform type
for the blind of the English-speaking world — yea, for all blind
people throughout the world. Is this too much to ask "? Will
not this International Convention, or some representative organi-
sation, do the least that can be asked by appointing a committee
to confer with our Uniform Type Committee to see whether we
cannot reach some common ground of agreement *?

Magazines for the Blind. — It is an interesting coincidence that
the same year (1907) saw the founding of two magazines published
in the interests of the blind, the Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the
Blind (an embossed monthly magazine issued in two types in an
edition of 8,000 copies, of which Mr. Walter CI. Holmes is the
editor) and the Oidlooh for the Blind (a quarterly magazine in
ordinary type for workers for the blind with a circulation of 2,000
copies, which was established by Mr. Charles F. F. Campbell).
The founding of both these magazines has been of great advantage
to the blind. The blind readers look forward eagerly to the
monthly visits of the embossed magazine ; and educators and
workers welcome the arrival each quarter of the Outlool- for the
Blind. As distances in America are so great, visits among the
superintendents and teachers of the various institixtions are rare.
The need is therefore all the greater for a medium through which
ideas can be disseminated among those who are working in behalf
of the blind. And this need the Outlook is meeting most
acceptably. Mr. Camjibell and his former wife, the late Mrs.
Wilhelmina Campbell, and her sister, the present Mrs. Campbell,
have rendered a distinct service to our work in America by the pub-
lication for some years of the only magazine of its kind in America.
By the publication of what has been done in one school it has
stimulated other schools to efforts along similar lines. We have
come to feel that the (Jnilook is a necessity, and we regard it as a
very definite contribution to work for the blind in America by
Mr. Campbell and his two capable and devoted helpers.

School Finances.^ — With reference to source of income, our
schools belong to one of two classes. A few of these — usually
our oldest schools, and not more than five or six in number — are
supported by private endowment suj^plemented by State aid ;
the great majority are, however, supported entirely by funds
appropriated by their respective State Legislatures. These
appropriations vary from less than £40 to over £80 per pupil.
The more usual method is to appropriate a specified amount based
upon, but iisiially smaller than, the detailed estimates of the
school's need made by the board of members and superintendents.
Some of our State-supported schools are greatly restricted in their

459

Tendencies in Work for the Blind in America

activities because of insufficient funds ; others are more gener-
ously treated. The entire matter depends wholly upon the
attitude of the particular State towards education.

Three recent Schools. — ^As an indication of the trend in the
education of the young blind, I cannot do better than describe
three of our most recently reconstructed school plants, viz., the
schools at Overbrook, which is within the limits of the city of
Philadelphia ; the Maryland School at Overlea, a suburb of
Baltimore ; and the Perkins Institution at Watertown. These
three schools happen to belong to the first group mentioned, i.e.,
they are privately endowed, and their income is supplemented by
public funds. As they are governed by boards of managers that
are self-perpetuating bodies who are entirely free to manage
their schools as they will, their reconstructed plants are the
embodiment of the most advanced thought in the education of
the blind in America. All three are located in rural or qnasi-
rural communities in close proximity to populous centres. All
recognise the beneficial effects of abundance of light and fresh air.
All have low and somewhat extended buildings for reasons of
safety, and to avoid unnecessary climbing of stairs and resultant
noise and confusion. The Philadelphia and Boston schools are
built for the entire separation of the sexes, boys and girls coming
together only for daily prayers and for choir practice ; the
Baltimore (Maryland) school teaches boys and girls together in
the same class rooms.

The Philadelphia School. — The Philadelphia school, rebuilt in
1897-8, houses its pupils in a kindergarten building (where live
36 children, their teachers, two house-mothers, and the necessary
help) and six cottages — four with 24, two with 30 pupils each — in
which pupils are classified according to age and physical and
mental development. Pupils eat in a common dining-room, one
for each sex, where they sit by families. The Philadelphia school,
the first of the three to be reconstructed, is a combination of the
cottage and congregate plans with a capacity for 192 pupils :
site, plant, and furnishings cost in 1898 slightly in excess of
£80,000 ; it could not be reproduced to-day for less than £160,000.
We recently purchased an additional three and half acres of land
at a cost of £10,000.

The Maryland School. — The Maryland school was reconstructed
in 1911-12 with a capacity for about 120 white and 30 coloured
pupils at an approximate cost of £20,000. There are at present four
cottages for white, two for coloured students entirely detached, an
administration building, and a superintendent's house. Here
the cottages are complete units with kitchen and dining-room,
where teachers and pupils eat together. Pupils are classified
for living purposes as at the Philadelphia school, according to
age and physical and mental development ; but the plan speci-
fically provides for the pupils to do more of the daily routine
than was planned for at the Philadelphia (Overbrook) school.

The Perkins Institution. — A study of the latest plant to be
reconstructed — that of the Perkins Institution, for many years
located at South Boston (Massachusetts), now at Watertown, a
suburb of Boston — is interesting, not only because as the latest

460

Tendencies in Work for the Blind in America

it attempts to embody all the best features of five or six of oixr
newest plants, but because the director, Mr. Edward E. Allen,
after long experience in schools for the blind, availed himself not
only of all the best thought in America, but visited sixty-six (66)
institutions, societies, and associations for the blind in Europe
before beginning plans for the new plant. Besides, he had only
a few years before directed the rebuilding of the school at Phila-
delphia, and so pleased was he with this beautiful plant that he
went to Boston in 1907 fully intending to reproduce there the
Overbrook plant. The Spanish mission style of architecture in
the Philadelphia school, however, has been replaced at Boston
by English architecture of the Tudor jieriod. The plant has seven
buildings, an administration building, four cottages for the boys,
and four for the girls of the upper school, each group built around
a close, each cottage having a capacity for about 20 pupils, four
teachers, and a matron — ^a total capacity of 160 pupils ; the lower
school, where there is separate provision for both housing and
schooling 120 pupils of kindergarten and primary age ; a power-
house, printing j^lant, and quarters for the male employees, a
small hospital, and the director's house. The special feature of
this newest residential school for the blind is the provision for
what Director Allen has aptly called " contributory effort " by the
pupils, both boys and girls. For each cottage family in the upper
school, numbering about 25, only one domestic, the cook, spends
all her time in the cottage, the half-time of a second domestic
being all that is required to keep the cottage in order. Boys and
girls alike lay the table, wash and dry the dishes, brush the crumbs
from the floor, make their beds, dust the floors of their bed-rooms
and of the halls and living-rooms, the work being assigned accord-
ing as a pupil is totally blind or is possessed of a little sight. The
totally blind wash and dry the dishes and make the beds ; the
partially blind brush the floors and dust the furniture, sight not
being absolutely necessary, but highly desirable for such work.
These household duties are so assigned that pupils can perform the
necessary work and prepare their lessons as well.

The purjiose of all this " contributory effort " is to give the
pupils the opportunity to realise in some small degree that educa-
tion costs something ; that nothing in this world worth the having
is to be had without effort ; and that, as the opportunities for
blind people are somewhat limited and restricted, they may
welcome every opportunity to do the small things so that they may
later be capable of greater achievements ; for what is more true
than this : " He that is faithful in little, is faithful also in much " ?

Director Allen does not claim originality for the scheme ; it was
begun in the girls' school in Dr. Howe's time, and it has been in
successful operation there for many years. Mr. Allen's contribu-
tion is the extension of the plan to the boys' school as well. I
visited the school for three days late in May, and I am enthusiastic
about the plan, for in it I believe there are great possibilities.
Boys and girls that go through school with such opportunities
make men and women who can bring things to pass.

The Aim in Education. — The twentieth century has brought a
more general acceptance by the educators of the blind of the

461

Tendencies in Work for the Blind in America i

thouglit that the aim in the education of the blind is after all the
development of the power to achieve self-support, an aim that
experience has proven is entirely jjossible for the young man and
woman without sight who is in other respects normal. The
efficiency of all our schools must therefore be judged not by the
amount of money expended, or by the beauty of the plant, but
by the capabilities of our graduates, judged by the above standard
— ^the ability of the blind person to take his place in the world
side by side with his brother man who sees.

462

Sight-Saving and " Light through Work "

Wednesday, June 24, 1914.

MORNING SESSION.

Chairman : The Right Hon. The Viscount Valentia,
C.B., M.V.O., M.P. for the City of Oxford.

The Chairman.' — It has been my duty, as it has been the
duty of every member of Parhament, and also my pleasure,
to attend many meetings, but this is the first of its kind
connected with blind institutions and blind people at which
I have presided. I dare say I should not have been selected
were it not that I have taken some small interest in the last
few years in several institutions, and seen what could be
done to lighten the lot of people deprived of sight. I think
it first dawned upon me that I could do some good as the
result of a curious incident. When I was canvassing at
Oxford, the constituency I have the honour to represent,
one of my wire-pulling friends said : " There is a blind man
in Holywell whom I think you might be able to persuade to
vote for you ; so far he has declined both sides." I went
to him, and said : " I hear you take no interest in politics
and are not likely to vote." He said : " Why shoidd I vote
for you ? What will you do for me ? " I replied : " I am
endeavouring to make myself useful. What do you want
particularly ? " He said : " You will never do anything to
assist blind people in Parliament." I could not think of
anything that had been done in twenty years. I said :
" What can be done for them ? " Then he said that owing
to the weight of embossed literature the postage was so
heavy as to make it prohibitive for blind people not well-to-
do to send it through the post. I said : " If I get in I will
inquii-e into it." I left him without his promising to vote
for me, but I was returned by good luck to Parliament, and
when I got there I immediately endeavoured to be as good
as my word. I at once attacked the Postmaster-General,
first by questions in Parliament, to which I received the
usual oflfieial answers — sympathetic, but going no further.

463

Sight-Saving and " Light through Work

Then I Avent to see Sir Sidney Buxton. He received me
very kindly, and said if anything could be done he should
be delighted. The present Solicitor-General (Sir Stanley
Buckmaster) very kindly assisted me, and we both attacked
the Postmaster-General again, with the result that avc did
succeed, as you know, in doing something to lighten the
postal rates of Braille and other blind literature. When
this came off, my friend in Oxford told me he had been to
see the voter I had canvassed, and said : " You have got
a little something done for you " ; and the man said : " Yes,
we have, but I never thought we should. Lord Valentia
said he would do something, but I thought electioneering
promises went in at one ear and out at the other, and I
never thought he meant it." He was excessively grateful
for the very small service which I was delighted to do. At
all events, he said it was the solitary instance of a parlia-
mentary candidate keeping his word after he had been
returned to the House.

I have had very little instruction either from the Chairman
of the Conference Committee or from anybody else as to
what I am to say, but I think they agree that I am to say
as little as possible. This is particularly necessary, because
time is of value not only to myself, as I have to be at another
appointment in about three-quarters of an hour, but also
it is of value to you because you have some very interesting
papers to be read. I will therefore not detain you, except
to say that, as far as my small services are concerned, if I
can be of any use to the blind it will give me the greatest
possible pleasure, so far as I can, to use my influence in
the House. I may tell you that, bad as we are supposed to
be in the House of Commons, and wanting in sympathy, yet
there is a considerable amount of sympathy shown there
for blind people, as evidenced during the past month or six
weeks. If anything we rather overdid our sympathy, and
led the Ministry we were addressing to believe that the blind
ought to have everything done for theni' — fed, clothed,
housed, etc. I think we rather overdid it. At any rate,
the sympathy was shown, and I think a great many people

464

Chairman's Speech

will awake to the possibility of doing a great deal that may
be done, and ought to be done, to mitigate the lot of our
fellow-countrymen who are not so blessed as we are, and who
are deprived of one of the most valuable senses we can have.
I will not detain you any longer, but will ask Miss
Winifred Holt, who hails from New York, to read her paper
on "Sight Saving and ' Light through Work ' for the Blind."

C. p. 465 H B

SIGHT-SAVING AND '^ LIGHT

THROUGH WORK" FOR THE

BLIND

Miss WINIFRED HOLT,
Hon. Sec. of the New York Association for the Bhnd, New York.

1 HAVE the great honour to bring to this Conference
in our mother-country the best wishes of the President
of the United States and of his people. Whatsoever has
at heart the spirit of hclpfuhiess and betterment commends
itself to Mr. Wilson and to Americans. So, of course, both
he and they wish this Conference and the efforts of its un-
selfish organisers the reward of complete success.

The King of England has been graciously pleased to interest
himself in your great work for the blind. The ex-President
of the United States, Mr. Taft, leaving his official duties, came
three times to New York to help the New York Association
for the Blind in its work of creating a Light-House for the
blind to give to them light through work.

As the Light-House Keeper of this first Light-House
it is my privilege to sj^eak to you to-day.

In our work we claim the monopoly of nothing, we confess
gladly that we borrow our brains wherever we can find what
we want. We have a few Avorking ideas Avhich now helj)
our motive force- — to-morrow all may be changed, because
we knoAv that nothing is settled until it is well settled, and that
rigidity and stagnation amount to about the same thing.
Our task must progress onward and uj^ward.

After my talk I shall be glad to answer questions. The log
of the Light-House may be had on request at the Exhibitic»n
of the New York Association for the Blind. Our exhibit
here includes one given to us by the Board of Education.

466

Sight-Saving and " Light through Work "

To our great regret the exhibit of the Brooklyn Bureau of
Charities has strayed in crossing the Atlantic — as part of
our own work has done. There is nothing too good to say
for the work of these two other organisations, which we
should have had under our wing, but I cannot now dwell on
their activities.

We all appreciate fully that much that is notable has been
achieved in England for the prevention of blindness and to
help the blind.

The agencies in America cover the ground somewhat
as they do in England. We have schools, institutions,
organisations, commissions, libraries, etc. When all co-
operate for the greatest good, the machinery to help the blind
to help themselves in some of our States should be adequate.
A modern Light-House for the blind seeks to profit by all the
existing organisations and to supplement their usefulness.

Our plant consists of three buildings- — a workshop, a
recreation and convalescent home in the country, and the
Light-House. We have eight committees of the association
in the State and helped to found Light-House No. 2.

Nothing concerning the blind, or blindness, is without
interest to the Light-House folk. Hence, we have listed
over ten thousand names in our registry and have been
personally in contact with over seven thousand blind people.
We act as a clinic, an educational centre, an information,
employment, and relief station, a clearing house and a store.
We are glad to sell anything which we can for the blind from
anywhere, provided that it is well made; even if it is not, we
sometimes surreptitiously buy it ourselves and give it to the
poor. We will sell anything for the blind or the seeing from
old clothes sterilised and mended to a printing press. We
will give all the information which ovu" friends seek, and if a
question is asked for which there has been no answer we try
by investigation to solve the problem. We are a laboratory
for discovering new ideas.

I will now consider our work under five heads :

I. Sight-Saving.- — No applicant at the Light-House should
be considered hopelessly blind until we have ourselves

467 H H 2

Sight-Saving and " Light through Work "

proved that he is. The chnic of our sight-saving service
tests all possibilities for recovering any particle of vision.

For example; an old man, blind and penniless, applied to
us for help. We tided him over a long profitless period,
teaching him to work in his blindness until he was ready to
have his cataracts operated on. To-daj'' he is again entirely
self-sujjporting as a seeing man.

A girl, for twelve years in an institution for the blind,
where she was regarded as hopelessly blind, came to us. As
a result of an operation by the Light-House oculist, now she
is able to go about with nearly the independence of a seeing
woman, and through our teaching she is also self-supporting.

At the Light-House two boys from the public school
classes for the bhnd were cured of their blindness. The
first boy to see said to the doctor : " Oh, say, doctor, may
I quit the l^lindies, and go with the seeing chaps ? " They
both did.

In one week we finally cured five cases of blindness at
the Light-House. Under the old method these nine cases,
adjudged hopelessly blind by reputable doctors and organisa-
tions, would have remained so.

We have one family of six now blind from congenital
cataracts which, we hope, will soon see.

Anyone who wants it can have free advice, care and
observation at the Light-House. All of our Avorkers must
have their eyes inspected regularly, as well as submit to
a general medical overhauling.

We furnish lecturers with exhibits on the prevention
of blindness and on work for the blind.

II. What we do for Children.- — Next to prevention we must
glance at our work for children. It is the greatest satis-
faction that we were permitted to be the means of placing
them in the public schools in New York side-by-side with the
seeing children. About 175 blind children have had this
privilege. The Light-House supplements the work of the
public school. We have classes in music, cooking, dress-
making and other teaching for boys and girls, and a Dramatic
Club.

468

Sight-Saving and '' Light through Work "

At the opening of the Light-House, when Miss Helen
Keller and the President spoke, the City Superintendent
of Schools said :■ — -

"It so happens that I am able to bear some definite
complete testimony to the good work, the grand work
that has been accomplished by the Light-House. We
commenced, I think, with some seven or eight blind children,
the very first sent to the public schools by the Light-House,
and it is from the Light-House that we have ever since
derived our inspiration and our example for the work of
training the blind children. The influence of the Light-House
did not end with starting this work in the public schools.
Ever since the work of the Light-House has been progressing
it has been a constant object lesson to those of us who are
trying to make perfect the work of training blind children
in classes with sighted children. We find that the blind
child may learn to do all that the sighted child may do, and
through work and independence the child gains practically
all the natural satisfaction of life. It is for this great work,
I think one of the most beautiful pieces of work that has been
done in the public school, and for the reception and inspira-
tion and the example of this work, we have to thank the
Light-House."

The City Superintendent further told of this case : —

" A boy living in Bayside, some ten miles out, had
been in an institution for the blind. He was fifteen years of
age and had learned scarcely anything though he had been
for several years in the institution. Hearing of the estab-
lishment of our first class for the blind, he managed to make
his way into that class every day from ten miles out in Queens
by means of the railroad, the ferry and the street car. He
knew so little that we could only put him in the fourth-year
class, but such was the stimulus that came to that boy
from working Avith sighted pupils, pupils that had all their
faculties, that he did the remaining four and one half years'
work in a year and one half. He entered to high school,
taking a classical and mathematical course. He proposes
to do four years' work in three years. He is still ahead

469

Sight-Saving and '' Light through Work "

of his programme, and he has led every class he has
been in."

This boy came to the Light-House, worked and played
there, taking the summer course in manual training, music,
I think, and joining our excursions and parties. Helped by
the Light-Househe is now going through Columbia University.
He came to the Light-House the day before he went to college
to thank us for having made his carriere possible. I quote
this case as a good one for showing the effect of having the
blind with the seeing. This boy was listless and dull in
the institution. It was the spur of competing with the seeing
which roused him and sped him on his course.

I believe that this is a real message which I have to bring
to London. The blind children have for years been in your
public schools, but why not put them there side by side
with the seeing, and give them a chance to win their way
in healthy competition, as blind children with seeing children
in the schoolroom and playground, as later they must win
their way as blind men and women competing with seeing
men and women in the struggles and victories of the big world.

III. Employynent. — We believe that something can be done
for everyone, and everything for some. We seek the work
best fitted for the individual even if, as in many cases, it seems
at first to entail great loss of time and money during training.
It is inevitable, as in the seeing world, that the majority
of the blind are suited for simple, not very gainful, occupation.
We try to have these practised under the best possible
conditions. The men who make brooms and cane chairs
at our shops have shower baths, a roof garden and a
restaurant, which is regarded by the neighbouring saloons
as an objectionable counter-attraction. The women's weav-
ing and basket classes held at the Light-House have their
roof-garden, lunch-room, playrooms, dancing classes, etc.

The home teachers who look after our house-bound workers
and pupils have the co-operation of the doctor, the nurse
and the social service committee to help home industries
to be done in as healthy surroundings as possible.

The individual suited for an independent carriere is taught,

470

Sight-Saving and " Light through Work "

cheered and helped to have it. Some large corporations
have employed our pupils. They are in the Telephone
Company, the Electric Light Company, and in their own
parishes directing their own businesses, or making their
way through college. Some have taken positions as teachers
and workers. One is now directing the work which we started
for the blind in another State. The success of her efforts
is the best proof of the wisdom of employing blind teachers.
Perhaps our greatest pride is that twenty-seven blind people
have this year been on our staff. They fill various rdles — ■
from a partially blind messenger to telephone operators,
stenographers and our field agent, who is totally blind,
but " keeps an eye " on everything. Our blind co-workers
are only selected by us if they are really suited and efficient
for their work.

IV. Recreation.- -\Ne find this quite as important as work.
Our men's clubs and women's clubs (one of these is for
coloured women) are very interesting. Oui' dancing classes
and our social evenings, where dancing and music are vital
parts of the programme, are great successes. The men and
women have their separate organisations. The girls ask
their sighted friends to their dances, the young men ask their
sighted friends to their entertainments. We have bowling
teams which have made good scores. We are proud of our
champion runner, who was trained on the running track on
the roof garden of the Light-House. For his speed he won
the silver medal in competition with his seeing class mates
in the public schools. 1 must not forget our camp-fire girls,
the feminine version of " scoutism," and our boy scouts,
who were Sir Robert Baden Powclfs honour-guard in the
scout rally in New York. Our physical instructor, a graduate
of a blind school, is our scout-master. He is an inspiration
to the boys, who follow eagerly his enthusiastic lead on
bikes up hill and down dale. They are zealous in daily
good deeds, and make no exceptions in following all the rules
which are agreed to by seeing scouts, even including fire-
building. They do an immense good to the community,
but as an example to the blind of fearless, happy usefulness

471

Sight-Saving and " Light through Work "

they are invaluable. But our parties and our plays, Avi'itten
and acted by the blind themselves, are glad events, helping
the main business of their lives by the working force which
joy and brightness inevitably generate.

Under recreation comes our museum, which shows, as far
as we can, the history of the emancipation of the blind from
its start until to-day. We have tools and appliances for their
use and beautiful machinery and even statues, which they
have made. We also publish a magazine— T/te Search-Light —
for the children, who much enjoyed an illustrated number,
the pictures for which may be seen in our exhibition here.

V. 7?^Z;>/.— Under this head come the aged, the infirm
in mind and body, the bed-ridden and the prisoner. For
these unfortunate people we must often find homes, perhaps
in hospitals or institutions, bread and butter, and probably
a little work, so called by courtesy, to keep the poor mind
interested. We must send the nurse, the doctor, the social
service worker, the teacher, to change an horizon of blind
despair into a contented and interested ovitlook.

I should like to emphasise four points which we find essen-
tial in doing our best for the blind : First, to stop blindness,
rescue any sight we can, eventhe perception of lightis valuable.
Second, treat the blind of all ages as you would the seeing —
don't wall them up ; consult their individual tastes, talents
and abilities, and teach them hovv' to profit by them. Never
forget that the blind are only seeing people in the dark.
They have all their individuality, tastes and desires.
Blindness does not do away with personality, it should
emphasise it. Third, demand that the market for the work
of the blind and for their output be held on account of its
excellence, not because it appeals to the eye of pity. Fourth,
fresh air, fun and freedom in competition are an essential
combination for the well-being of the blind. Last year
■£5,400 was paid out to the blind for wages, relief, etc. Of
course in this estimate no notice is taken of overhead costs
and many other exj^enses.

We note also that a great deal of false economy has crept
into most charity. I believe that the only economy that we

472

Sight-Saving and " Light through Work "

have a right to practise in our work for the blind is that which
is entailed by efficient business management and dexterity
in using every legitimate means to make a penny save a
penny. But no economy should be considered legitimate
which prevents making the most of each individual who needs
our care.

While the ideal work for the blind should try to secure
those best suited to carry it out, and, realising that the
labourer is worthy of his hire, not hesitate to give a good
salary for a good man or woman, we must not forget that
the person who does not regard extra work as a part of his
privilege, and who will not forget the question of money
in his delight in service, is incapable of giving the best
service.

In no way have we limited our field of labour — neither
geographically, nor on account of age or condition. Our
latest pupil, I believe, was in the Bahama Islands. Wherever
the blind are to be found, if we are wanted or not, if we can
bring the light and contentment and others cannot or do
not we insinuate ourselves into their lives. Sometimes this
has to be done with great dexterity. I remember one of
our workers came in contact with a young man. He hated
his blindness and the blind. His life was listless, useless,
hopeless. Through her music, anecdotes and poetry, and
a great amount of ingenuity, the worker trapped the sad
one. In her own home she taught him to read and hope
again. She stimulated his ambition and interest. For some
years after he had again taken up his life and business he
did not know that his new friend came from the Light-
House to bring him light. His life had been transformed
by a benevolent conspiracy. If he had suspected this,
he would have refused to desert his slough of despond.

We have been privileged to bring light to a sordid, hopeless
criminal, blind and in gaol, where, alas, he belongs. A blind
member of our staff taught him to read and sent him a
checker board. Recently we had a letter from him saying
that he was spending tranquil hours reading and studying
with his gaoler, who was deeply interested in his progress,

473

Sight-Saving and " Light through Work "

and enjoyed playing checkers with him in his free time.
There is something ahnost apostolic in th^s entering of light
through the prison bars, the felloAvship and sympathy of
the free blind worker who brought the first peace and interest
to the sightless renegade.

Shortly before leaving America I received a typed letter
from a blind man in a distant town. He asked for a
phonograph. I replied that I would send him one, if I had
to make it with my own hands. I know of nothing that has
touched my imagination more than that request for this
phonograph. The writer had come to us hopeless in recent
blindness. At the height of his ambition he had been
stricken when he was preaching the gospel and doing the
work for Avhich his life had been a preparation. lie rebelled
against his blindness, revolted against God. The Light-
House folk understood. Brave blind men who had overcome
taught him gently to find himself in blindness. Little
by little he had learned how to be blind. His listless hands
again became useful, he took up his correspondence and again
began to read, he returned to his old parish, and blind he
did better work than seeing. He organised clubs to keep
the young girls and men from the evil influences which were
strong in the neighbourhood. The phonograph was wanted
as a rival to the saloon which was undermining the young
men in whom the blind missionary hoped. He has the
phonograph now : it blares out martial tunes to which these
young men drill. As an enthusiastic, competent troup,
led by the blind parson, we hope that these boys, instead of
being drunken menaces to the community, will fall to and
clean up the town, so that the girls can come fearlessly to the
parish house and dance to the music of the poetic phonograph.

I wish to repeat that the work of reconstructing this man
was largely done by other blind people. When he left the
Light-House to take up his former work he said : " I had my
eyes, but I was blind ; now that I am blind, thank God,
I begin to see."

There are countless Light-House tales like these, of how
we have been able to lead the hopeless, unAvilling blind back

474

Sight-Saving and " Light through Work "

to the light. A friend asked us to put over the Light-House
entrance, in Braille, N.Y., point and ink print — "Ye who
enter here abandon hoj^elessness."

In all good work an element of art is essential. Stereotyped
philanthropy is a species of organised blindness of spirit.
It moves on systematically, overlooking countless oppor-
tunities which an eager imagination would seize and develop.
It was truly said by Napoleon that imagination is the
greatest thing in the world. Imagination has linked England
to America, has enabled the mother-country to speak by
wireless to her children across the sea, it has made our deserts
bloom. Imagination gives an ever broader horizon of work,
joy and light to the blind. The things which are seen are
temporal, but the things which are unseen are eternal.
In our high quest to find broader, brighter fields of work for
the blind we must make it true that the only hopeless blind-
ness is the blindness of spirit. It is our privilege, our duty,
to find for all light through work.

47 5

Sight-Saving and " Light through Work "

The Chairman.' — I am sure we must congratulate Miss
Holt on the excellent paper she has read and the institution,
so happily named, to which she belongs. The discussion
will now take place, if that is your pleasure, and I will call
upon Mr. Arthur Pearson to open it.

DISCUSSION.

Mr. C. A. Pearson * (London). — ^I feel that there is no need for
me to ask you to let me act as your mouthpiece in thanking Miss
Winifred Holt for her paper, in welcoming her here, and telling
her how much we appreciate the proof she has given of her interest
in the welfare of the blind by travelling three thousand miles to
attend this Conference. Miss Winifred Holt is one of the great
personalities of the blind world. Her work has been iniique,
and in the annals of helpers of the blind the name of Winifred Holt
will for ever hold a high and honoured position. We know some-
thing of lighthouses in this country. Our island coasts are ringed
with them, and daily as darkness falls, like stars sent by heaven,
they send out their rays of guidance and protection. But there
is across the wide Atlantic another lighthouse, one that sends
athwart that mighty continent rays of comfort which save bodies
from self-destruction, souls from self-effacement, minds from
despair, and it is to Miss Holt that the world owes this.

Miss Holt said in her paper that she was never afraid to borrow
ideas, to avail herself of the experience and the knowledge of
others. I think it exceedingly likely that there will be a good
deal of borrowing, not by Miss Holt and the Light- House, but from
the Light -House, in the near future. I am glad to be able to tell
you that to-morrow Miss Holt will give evidence before the Inter-
Departmental Committee, and I believe it will be of the greatest
value and importance.

You have, all of you, I expect, seen the wonderful exhibits of
blind work which Miss Holt has brought with her. Yesterday
I made myself acquainted with the exhibit, and heard the com-
ments upon it by those able to judge of it quite adequately. _ It
seemed to me that Miss Holt's exhibit is far in advance of anything
we do in this country, and it crossed my mind that we should try
to bring ovu- standard of work up to it ; but I am afraid that that
work is really owing to the geniiis, the personality, and the
guidance of Miss Holt, and that it would be very difficult to secure
such truly remarkable results from blind fingers without that
guidance.

I gather from Miss Holt that they have an oculist who gives
free advice to those suffering from their sight. Is that so ?

Miss Holt. — -We have four.

Mr. Pearson. — ^I am glad I asked. I think that is a most
valuable adjunct to a blind institution, and hope it will be an ex-

476

Discussion

ample. Anotlier featiue of the Liglithouse seems to be the
admirable care taken of its inmates. I am glad to say that, so
far as borrowing in this respect is concerned, the new building of
the National Institute will contain a restaurant and roof-garden
as described by Miss Holt. From what she says of the way in
which the inmates of the Light- House are looked after, I think it
is clear that a high standard is maintained in that respect, and
that high standard, I gather, is to some extent due to well-paid
expert assistance and advice. This is a point which very often
receives adverse criticism. I am always ready to maintain not
merely the advisability of a high salary, but the necessity of it.
Charities, like other businesses, require the best intelligence,
brains, and powers that can be bought, and I have yet to learn a
way in which they can be obtained, except in the case of a few
who are fortunately able to give it for nothing — -how in the ordinary
way they can be obtained without paying good salaries. I quite
agree with Miss Holt in saying that one wants spirit, work, enthu-
siasm, and self-devotion. But I do not think anyone would wish
to belong to such an organisation unless they possessed those
qualities. I believe in salaries which compare with salaries in
similar positions in other walks of life. Miss Holt gave us a little
description of the phonograph used at the Light- House — gramo-
phone, I think, is a more usual term here. I think that is a very
important suggestion, and I have got marked off for future con-
sideration the supply of gramophones to blind institutions and
individuals, and a regular service of records, but not merely songs,
recitations, etc., but of news items, speeches by prominent people,
which the inmates of those institutions may listen to, perhaps
while working or perhaps during their hours of leisure.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, I will conclude by asking you, in
welcoming the finish of my remarks, please to understand that it
is not a welcome to be accorded to me as having been your mouth-
piece in expressing appreciation to Miss Winifred Holt for her
work, but a renewed expression of your renewed appreciation of
that work.

The Chairman. — -There is one point on which Miss Holt differs
and I think she would like to express her views.

Miss Winifred Holt.- — ^I do not mean to be polemic, but Mr.
Pearson says that the excellency of our work is owing to certain
faculties possessed by the lighthouse-keeper. I do not believe
that this is entirely so. The reason we do work which com-
pares favourably with the best work is because we have done
what Mr. Pearson has just suggested — ^not hesitated to give the
very highest salaries to those sulftciently sympathetic and expert
to teach the blind how to produce the best articles. As I am many
thousands of miles away from my staff, I do not mind being con-
fidential. Our weaving teacher was stolen from a sighted organ-
isation, and the way we decoyed her was by offering her more
money than the sighted organisation was willing to pay. One
of the people who is doing the very best work at the Light-House
was oft'ered a large salary to direct the work, and refused it. Her
reason for refusing it was that she felt herself inadequate — that

477

Sight-Saving and " Light through Work "

is the kind of person whom we are after. I think I have
answered Mr. Pearson's mistaken praise.

Miss Moon (Brigliton) (read by the Rev. Hugh Shearer,
Brighton). — By kind permission of Mrs. Kennedy, the secretary
of the Pennsylvanian Home Teaching Society, we wish to read
a short extract from her paper given at the Conference of Workers
for the Blind, Washington, on April 16th and two following days.
She says : — •

" It gives me the greatest pleasure to convey to you the hearty
greetings of the Pennsylvanian Home Teaching Society and Free
Circulating Library for the Blind. This pleasure is, however,
tempered by the thought that I am filling the place of one
whom we all sadly miss, the late honoured secretary of this
society, Dr. Robert C. Moon, who passed away on February 13th
last.

" His loss is keenly felt by all who knew him, but especially by
the numberless sightless people who have lived to bless his name,
because of the comfort and inspiration they have received from
reading by means of the type invented by his father. The Moon
type is happily outside the line of controversy in America, as it
fills a need which no dotted type can supply.

" The chief aim of the Pennsylvanian Home Teaching Society is
to search out the blind in their own homes and there teach them,
entirely free of charge, to read aiiy embossed system which they
are capable of learning. Our teachers do even more than this,
they give part of themselves — they carry with them enthusiasm
and inspiration, they climb mountains and walk over almost
impossible roads with willing feet, knowing how good it is to be
engaged in bringing cheer to the lives of others. Often they are
able to encourage their pupils to resume the occupations followed
when their sight was good, and to advise them in household
matters and how to find employment. The parents of blind
children are put into communication with either the Pittsburg
or the Overbrook .school, and the children are taught to read by
our teachers whilst awaiting admission to one or other of these
schools. In the Working Men's Home, the Working Women's
Home, and the Chapin Memorial Home in Philadelphia are inmates
who were first taught by our teachers to read, and then, entirely
through their efforts, admission to these homes has been secured
for them.

" It has sometimes been suggested that with the aid of the census
of the blind we might send our lesson sheets and instructions
to the blind by mail. This has been tried, but without success.
The adult blind person is often super-sensitive, worn out by
numerous fruitless operations and deferred hopes ; his or her
relatives are too busy to teach something entirely new to them,
and many of them are quite sceptical as to the possibility of
reading with the fingers at all.

" The visit of a sympathetic teacher to such a one often works
wonders. After an encouraging chat the man or woman sitting
in pei-petual darkness is willing at least to try to learn, if only to
please the visitor and prolong the visit ; and doubtless many

478

Discussion

have seen, as I have, the beautiful light of hope illuminate the
sightless face when the truth dawns on the pupil that there is a
type simple enough for him to read. Later, through the inspiring
medium of books, this man may reawaken to many of the joys
of life, and with renewed courage and determination once more
resume his place in the world from which he formerly feared he
was shut out for ever.

" Books are the dividing line between civilisation and barbarism,
intelligence and ignorance, and this society is a literary society,
and the sightless world is growing more and more to realise the
great boon conferred upon it by the work of the sightless William
Moon when he perfected his system, by which the blind of any
age can learn to read with ease, even when over eighty years
old.

" I am no special pleader for Moon type, but in adult life we read
for enjoyment quite as much as for the acquiring of more know-
ledge, and I believe that the requirements of the adult blind
should be a chief object of consideration. In advocating the Moon
type I have no end to attain beyond the fulfilling of the purpose
for which this society obtained its charter — the teaching of
the blind to read in their own houses and supplying them with
embossed books. Of course, I am not discussing the education
of blind children, a subject requiring its own consideration.
Their sensitive little fingers can distinguish anything and every-
thing. They could be taught Arabic and Sanskrit characters,
if embossed ; but the adult who is ageing or who has become
blind from accident, shock, or who has passed through nerve-
racking operations, needs an embossed type resembling the type
his eyes have been accustomed to seeing, but with all unnecessary
lines eliminated, and the only type of which this can be said is
the Moon type, which has been steadily growing in favour among
the adult blind since it first appeared in 1847, sixty-seven years
ago.

" In my nine years' experience as a teacher I travelled over a
great part of Pennsylvania, visiting the chief cities and suburbs,
and the great necessity of teachers searching out the blind in
their own homes was forcibly brought home to me on many
occasions. To mention one. Wlien I went to Erie some three
and a half years ago the leading oculists, clergymen, and social
workers all told me that there were not more than three or four
blind people in the whole of Erie, which has a j)opulation of over
66,000. When in two weeks I sent to the office of the Organised
Charities a confidential list of fifty-two blind persons living in
and around their city, great astonishment was expressed.

" Whilst our work of teaching is confined to the State of Penn-
sylvania, we send our embossed books to all pai'ts of the United
States. To quote from our last annual report : ' The number
of embossed books circulated during 1913, amongst the 900
readers enrolled, has exceeded that of any previous year, and
147 new blind readers were added to the number drawing books.
From the Free Library of Philadelphia, where the society's
library is deposited, 18,505 volumes were circulated, as shown by
the following table : — •

479

Sight-Saving and " Light through Work "

VOLUMES.

American Braille
English Braille
Line letter
Moon tyj^e
New York Point

18,505

From the Carnegie Library at Pittsburg 4,145 embossed books
were circulated in 1913, making a total distribution from the
two libraries of 22,650 volumes ; of these embossed books no
less than 16,541 were in the Moon type.

" The London Home Teaching Society for the Blind, which was
founded by Dr. William Moon and Miss Graham in 1885, was the
first society of its kind in the world. The Pennsylvanian Home
Teaching Society and Free Circulating Library for the Blind,
founded by Dr. William Moon and Miss Moon in Philadelphia in
1882, was the pioneer home teaching in America.

" Dr. William Moon and his son, our late honoui-ed secretary,
have passed on. There is only one of the name left to carry on
the work. Miss Adelaide E. C. Moon, of Brighton, England, who
is bravely facing the fact that she is the last of the line. It is
hoped that she will long be spared to continue the splendidly
unselfish work to which her whole life has been devoted, but even
when she is called the embossed type which bears her name will
continue to be the means of bringing light and life to many
succeeding generations of the blind of every race and clime."

The Chairman. — I regret to say that I shall now be obhgcd
to leave, owmg to another appointment.

Mr. H. J. Wilson.- — I am sure before Lord Valentia goes
you will wish to give him your hearty thanks, not only for
taking the chair this morning, but also for the active part
he took in reducing the rates of postage on literature for the
blind.

Carried by acclamation.

Mr. H. J. Wilson then took the chair.

Mr. O. H. BuRRiTT (Overbrook, Pennsylvania). — -I want to
speak a moment regarding the work of the Light-House, the work
in New York City, as I have known it under Miss Holt. I have
been in it from the start. I was in New York State when the
association was organised, and have been on the advisory board
of the association. An adviser on the board with us does his
part well. If he does not do or say anything, the leader marshals
the forces and comes to the rescue. When the time seemed ripe
for the introduction of the work of teaching blind children in the

480

Discussion

public schools, the work was mapped out, forces were marshalled,
and the question of type came in very largely under the guidance
and inspiration of the New York Association. Now I want to
represent as fairly as I can what seems to us to be wisest and
best in regard to educating blind children in public schools. I
think the New York Association is quite with me in this. We
do not feel that all blind children in the United States can be
educated in the public schools in classes with seeing children.
We feel that institution education for some blind children,
perhaps for all of them, is best. We feel that for some blind
children — -and it is an individual matter — ^some institutional
education and ' some education in schools for the seeing is best.
We think that the residential schools should co-operate to the
fullest extent in this work of educating blind children with the
seeing, looking to the advantage of the blind pupil, and this I
take it is the attitude of the association. This is our feeling in
Philadelphia. We want some of our children to have the advan-
tages of public school life and education, particularly after they
have mastered the elements with which they must work.

Now with regard to employment. Anybody who goes into the
work for the blind is soon brought face to face with the fact,
which I think we shall all admit, that education is necessary,
that teaching of reading is necessary, but that what blind people
want first — ^because they are like seeing people, because they are
part of the community, because there is no difference between
them and those who can see in the matter of individuality — •
is the opportunity to do something. That is the primary
thought in the mind of the capable blind man and woman, and it
is this that has interested iis in America, the effort to find employ-
ment for those who need it and can work, not confined to one
line, but to seek out new lines — ^always to be experimenting with
new openings. We learn by trying. We throw over what fails
and hold fast to what is good, and as an experimental station
in seeking employment for the blind the New York Association
is doing splendid work, and I want, too, to commend the plan
of employing so large a number of blind workers. I know that
Miss Holt brings the message that the greatest part of the corps
doing the work and drawing the salaries are blind peojile. We
feel in America — -and apparently I did not make myself quite
clear the other morning — that we would not be without blind
teachers when carefully selected, and no school in the United
States that knows what it is doing fails to seek out capable blind
men and women and have a good percentage of them on the
teaching corps.

We have in connection with our school one blind man who does
a work that I am satisfied no seeing man could do — ^the field
work I set forth to you last night, meeting blind people, lifting
them up, encouraging them, getting the blind child into school.
We feel that we must select blind teachers and workers even more
carefully than seeing. It is not an easy matter to discharge a
blind teacher, so we go to the very bottom of matters in selecting
our corps, and particularly so in the case of blind teachers, to be
sure we have the right man or the right woman for the place.

c.B. 481 I I

Sight-Saving and " Light through Work "

Mr. Wade * (Dublin). — ^I will not keep you long. I would just
like to say tliat I listened with the deepest interest to the splendid
paper we have heard from Miss Holt, but in regard to teaching
the children I think it might be a little more emphasised that
blind children should be more and more taught in the same way as
sighted children.

I am sorry that Lord Valentia has gone, but I would ask Mr.
Wilson, our present Chairman, to convey to him one point with
regard to postage for the blind. Most of the blind people in
the United Kingdom at all events are poor, and I think it very
hard that wlien they send for manilla paper to -write to their
friends they should have to pay not only for the paper but, if
they ask for 2 lbs. at 4d., they have to pay Is. Id. to get it at a
distance. The paper is exactly the same as when embossed.
Why should not the postage be so also ? I have personally ap-
proached the Postmaster-General through the Dublin postal
authorities, but only got the stereotyped reply. Then I think
in future Conferences, Mr. Chairman, it would be very suitable
if the blind delegates were supplied with a programme in Braille.

Miss Petty (London). — -After the very delightful paper from
Miss Holt it seems a little ungracious to criticise, but I feel that
I must set her right on one point, and that is when she says that
she has a message to the peojde of London to teach the blind in
the ordinary public schools. I would like to tell her that this
was done for years, with such poor results that the school board
had to establish special centres. For a considerable time after-
wards the children spent some time every day in an ordinary
school ; but this was confined to the older children. The practice
has fallen into disuse now, because it was found that very
few children had that sort of intelligence that will profit by the
teaching given in an ordinary school. The children are apt to
sit apart and dream, because the work is not suitable to them.
So I hojie Miss Holt will understand that this has been tried here
and that it has not been a success.

On the point about the salaries I think we all agree. I myself
have been '" supported by voluntary contributions " — ^that is,
I have worked for societies that receive them — -and I think it
is a very unfair thing to ask the employees of any charitable
institution to contribute compulsorily to the funds of that institu-
tion by taking a smaller salary than they would get from other
places.

Mr. Gribben * (Paisley).^ — I would welcome just as thoroughly
as the previous speaker a discussion on high salaries to officials
of organised charities. I am prepared to admit that intelligence
and brains and experience ought to be well paid for. But I
would also like to emphasise that after the experience of this
Conference the directors and committees of institutions will be
able to find that there are brains, intellect, and experience
among the blind. I say that with all respect to everybody who
at present holds an official position, but when we want new or
additional men try some blind ones. I think you will find brains
sufl&cient there. I might just say that if anybody wants an

482

Discussion

£800 man they can apply to me. (Laughter.) Mr. Chairman,
I woiild jn.st like to say a word in appreciation of what Miss Holt
has said in reference to training blind pupils in a public school.
I decline to accept as an orthodox creed that blind children can
•only be educated in a residential school, and that a blind man
can only make his living in a basket shop, where he twists the
sensitiveness out of his fingers, or that a blind man can only get to
heaven by the aid of an agent from a mission to the outdoor
blind or a home teaching society. We in Paisley, the place I
represent — ^you remember Paisley ; Lord Beaconsfleld knew it —
we in Paisley have a workshop for the blind, which is not the
best equipped in the world, but we brought forward a system of
educating the blind in public schools. Our special teacher for
this school is a blind man, and I suppose I may mention his
name, Mr. John H. Wright, and I can assure you of the efficiency
of our education. The best way of recommending that system
to you, or of justifying it, would be to tell you of some of our
results. We have two blind lads who were taught according to
that system, and who in competition with sighted pujjils were
awarded bursaries which carried them through the grammar
school. One of them is a student at the university in his third
year. The school in which these fellows have been trained deals
with them up to the fifth standard ; then they go to the higher
grade school, and through that school, where the teachers are
not required to read Braille, but the teachers can tell if they are
doing their work properly when they read the results to them.
We have also two pupils being trained for tuners, and I think
it is a mistake to imagine that there is only one place in the world
where you can make tuners. We are trying that in Scotland,
and we expect to turn oiit practical timers.

Now as to where the money comes from. I would like to tell
you where we get the money. We approach, or rather Mr.
Wright approached, the Secretary of Education, and after a little
trouble, we squeezed an allowance of £20 a year out of him. Now
their parents were decent working folks, and he said " We will
have £5 from you " ; and then we went to the local mission for
the outdoor blind and said " We want something from you," and
we got the grant renewed year by year for training these children.
I feel that I must not trespass on your time any longer, but
remember, when you want a good man send down for me.

Miss L. Douglas Hamilton (London). — -I did not mean to have
addressed the Conference this time at all, but there is one thing
to my mind so important for the blind which has been so little
talked of that I thought I might say a few words. A blind woman
came to me the other day and said : " Do you remember meetino-
me a few years ago f And do you remember praying with
me ? " I said : " No." She said : " When I saw you I was in
the depths of despair, but since I have seen things differently,
and now I am quite independent, and I am earning my own
living ; sometimes I get as much as .30s. a week." Another
said : " Since you prayed with me work has been quite different.
I now try to do my very best, and everybody tells me how much
I have improved." You will see that if I had given the woman

483 1 1 2

Sight-Saving and "Light through Work'

a sliilliug, or teu shillings, it would have been of no good to her.
I may say that " Eyes for the Blind " is carried on mainly through
the medium of prayer, and to prove we are doing something
with it we supply the Army and Navy Stores with all their lawn
tennis bags. They have had 300 this year. We have supplied
Marshall and Snelgrove with some coats. They told us they did
not really want them, but they were good value. We have
supplied D. H. Evans & Co. in private sales this year with 422
well-made coats. Now you do not get so many orders unless
your things are good. This was all the result of prayer. I had
no money when I began. Miss Armitage gave me £600. Miss
Scott recommended her brother when executor to give me some,
and he offered £200, but I answered '' I only need £100 more,"
and Gardner's Trust gave me £300. All this was in answer to
prayer. My three best women who make these coats earn on an
average over 12s. a week, without any augmentation. We give
them a fair price for their work, and they need no augmentation.
We give 2s. for an ordinary coat, and for a silk one 2s. 6d. to 3s. Gd.
That is all the result of prayer.

Mr. Preece* (London). — ^In the brief time at my disposal I
want to emphasise still further the point of the co-education of
the blind and sighted. I am certain that blind men and women
should be brought more in contact with the sighted, both in
occupation and social life.

During the two months I have been working in the North, on
a campaign which shall be nameless, I had with me eight blind
men, six of whom lost their sight in adult life and two had passed
through institutions. When I took these two last to the JSforth I
am bound to say that they struck me as unsuitable for the very
difficult and complicated work of interviewing firms. The one
from an industrial institution was very pedantic and leisurely in
speech, and the other had not had the proper amount of inter-
course with the sighted world. In two months they became the
best of the eight, and have tackled men like Lord Douglas Vickers
and Mr. Hobson, of Sheffield, and come out successfully. When
you remember that contact with the other men sharpened their
faculties you will realise how important it is that they should mix
with the world.

I do hope Miss Holt will accept my suggestion — I know it has
been accepted in this country — that both in the production of
embossed literature and developing blind men to enjoy life some-
thing is necessary in the way of humour. Our literature strikes
me as being too stodgy and disciplinarian. Mr. T. P. O'Connor
was right when he said in the House of Commons we want more
light literature. Let me say that humour to a blind man is a
great source of pleasure. I am a blind humorous lecturer myself,
and I am bound to say that in the gathei-ing of that humour and
the recital of it to audiences I find an enormous pleasure, and I
do hope that humour will be looked upon as a principle to be
inculcated into our blind men and women generally. I am
certain that a great deal more humour is received through the ear
than through the eye^ and therefore we should train those facul-
ties which bring this great gift to our imagination.

481

Discussion

Last week at Leeds a lift boy turned to me and said : "What
is your floor ? " I said : " The third." He turned to another
and said : " What is yours 1 " And he replied : " The fifth."
" Oh," said the boy, " so you are a commercial, not a gentleman."
(Laughter.)

Only last October we gave a concert at Bexhill for the British
and Foreign Blind Association. As I was on the programme
and my wile was singing, I thought I would put her down under
her maiden name. In the audience was a lady who knew us very
well, and she had a friend with her who did not know us. My
wife put me on the platform and brought me off again three times.
After my second turn the lady in the audience who knew us
turned to her friend and said : " What do you think of them f "
She replied, " Between ourselves, I think Miss Alice Southwell
and Mr. Preece are just a trifle too familiar." (Laughter.)
Humour is the tiue philosopher's stone that turns all the worries
of life into gold, and I hope all the authorities will do something
to put the usable jiossession of laughter within the reach of the
blind.

Miss Bell* (Norwood). — I should like to say how very much
I enjoyed Miss Holt's paper, and esiiecially how excellent I thought
the four points were that she raised in connection with securing
the best work for the blind. I think it would be well to have
those points written up in every institution for the blind. But
I do not quite agree with the entire co-education of the blind and
the sighted. I have had considerable experience. I went as a
sighted child to an ordinary school, and then lost my sight and
was sent to a blind school. I was trained as a teacher at Norwood.
I then went to a college for sighted people, and found I gained a
great deal of experience. But I do not think it would be well for
all blind children to be trained with the sighted. Miss Petty
said that they were inclined to dream and be inattentive. I
think it is rather that they are at a great disadvantage, and it
requires a lot of courage to obtain the results that they ought to
obtain. For instance, suppose a teacher is dictating some-
thing and a pupil asks how to spell a word. The teacher goes
to the blackboard and writes it down, and then you have to put
up your hand and say, "Will you kindly spell the word aloud ? "
Supposing a girl is called to the blackboard to demonstrate a
proposition in Euclid, the blind scholar says: "Will you kindly
allow Miss So-and-so to describe what she is doing "? " It is much
easier to sit still and think " I will get it afterwards," rather than
call the attention of the class to yourself and delay the class so
that you may have the benefit of the information then. But if
you do not do this you lose a great deal of the lesson. I will
indorse what Mr. Burritt said. Let there be training schools for
blind children, but let some of the children go on and be trained
with sighted children.

Mr. C. F. F. Campbell (Ohio). — ^I want to back up Miss Bell
and Miss Petty in regard to the co-education in some degree of
blind children with sighted. It will not be settled until the
graduates now at public schools have gone out into the world.

485

Sight-Saving and " Light through Work "

We do not believe in America that all the blind boys and girls
should go into the public schools, but the most modern men
believe in some time being spent in both. There should be co-
operation with the public schools, and they should work together.
It is not competition, it is co-operation.

Mr. Frew Bryden (Glasgow). — -In Glasgow the blind and
sighted have been taught together for thirty years, and in regard
to results I would like to ask the Royal Normal College to give
us their experience with pupils who have gone there after being
taught only in board schools, and I think you will find they were
among the smartest of the pupils sent there.

The Chairman.- — I will now ask Miss Winifred Holt to
reply.

Miss Winifred Holt. — I cannot say how deeply I sympathise
with the need of humour and good-will in working for the blind,
and as brevity is the soul of wit I will try to grasp at once all
the objections and questions, not giving too much time to any.

Miss Petty says the placing of blind and seeing children together
in London has been tried, and that it has failed. I know, if you
will forgive me for being i^ersonal, that my own schooling inter-
fered with my education : I was bored ; I played hookey in
every possible way. It was my teacher's fault ; and if your
experiment here has failed it prol>ably means that the teachers
have bored and not interested the pupils.

■Now, as to what Mr. Charles Campbell says about it not \iaving
been proved yet that the blind child will be a success at a jmblic
school. For many years the plan has been a sticcess in Chicago.
We received this spring three children who had graduated at a
New York public school. They have come with a capacity for
doing their work that none of the children from institutions have
shown. I think you will find in history records of blind men
educated as seeing men who have made their way better than any
blind who have been institution children.

I wish to say with Mr. Gribben that it is quite time that in
all cases the preference should be given to the blind man, but never
in any case should he be employed unless ho is equal or superior
to the sighted candidate as a teacher.

It is a curious coincidence that in the public schools of New
York I know of no blind teacher. That is because they did not
find the man exactly suited and able for the task in New York.

Miss Douglas Hamilton spoke of coats. We have coats, and
supply any kind of garments from shoes to top hats to the blind
at a nominal cost.

Miss Bell again speaks of co-education, and does not think it
will be a success. All I can say is that by their fruits ye shall
know them. In New York blind boys and girls have done well
in comjDetition with seeing, and for several years in many instances
have wrested the honours from the seeing children.

I wish also to say with Mr. Preece that humour is not only an
exhilarant and an appetiser, but in our experience we have had

486

Argentine Government Invitation

more than one man whose life was saved by his funny-bone. We
had a policeman who had been shot and tried to do away with
himself. I asked him to play draughts with me, which he did,
and beat me easily. He said : " You have touched my funny-
bone." I said : " You do not know what I have done ; if your
funny-bone is touched the rest is simple." (Laughter.)

The Chairman then read the following invitation received
from the Argentine Government :■ — •

" Hotel Cecil, London,

"June 2ith, 1914.

" H. J. Wilson, Esq., Chairman of the International Congress for the Blind.

" Sir, — Will you permit me the opportunity of inviting the members of
the International Conference on the Bliiid, in the name of the Argentine
Government, to hold their next Conference in the city of Buenos Ayres
in 1916.

" In that year the Argentine people will celebrate the first centenary of
their Declaration of National Independence, which dates from July, 1816.
In connection with the national celebrations, arrangements are being made
for holding various scientific conferences in Buenos Ayres, and my Govern-
ment considers it would be a fitting opportimity to hold a reunion in favour
of that suffering section of humanity which has been deprived of the
inestimable boon of sight.

" A great International Exhibition is to be held on the same occasion, and
if the International Conference on the Blind could make it convenient to
assemble in the month of July of that year in Buenos Ayres, my fellow-
citizens will be delighted to co-operate in their charitable labours.

" I have the honour to be. Sir, your obedient Servant,

" Dr. Eduardo Amoretti

" (Delegate of the Argentine Government to the
Conference at Westminster)."

The Chairman. — I know you will like me to thank the
Argentine Government very much indeed for this cordial
invitation (applause) and wish me to remit this letter to the
newly-elected Conference Committee. I may say that Dr.
Amoretti does not speak English, and I have not spoken
Spanish for over thirty years, but I have talked to him a
little and mentioned that the distance is rather great, and
he says : " Yes, but I have come a long way also." Is it
your pleasure, then, that a vote of thanks be sent through
Dr. Amoretti to the Argentine Government for this invita-
tion ?

Carried by acclamation.

487

The New Conference Committee

The Chairman. — Mr. Hanbury has asked me to say that
he will be glad to meet any readers of Lucas type between
one and two o'clock, in the Secretary's office, and to give
them some volumes if they wish to have them.

* * *

With regard to the new Conference Committee I wish to
submit the following resolutions :■ —

(1) " That the Conference Committee be and is hereby
empowered to fill up any vacancies which may occur in their
number."

(2) " That the Conference Committee be and is hereby
empowered to co-opt additional members at their discretion,
up to the number of five."

(3) " That the settling of the time and place of the next
Conference be left to the Conference Committee."

(4) " That the Conference Committee be and is hereby
authorised to appoint any sub-committees which it may
think desirable, the members of such committees not neces-
sarily being members of the Conference Committee."

These were agreed to.

I have the return of yesterday's polling. Before I read
it I should like to say that we appointed three scrutineers
(Mr. Illingworth, Mr. Stone, and the Rev. St. Clare Hill),
and I think you ought to know that it took three hours and
a half to go through the papers. On your behalf there is
due, and I have pleasure in according, a v'ery hearty vote
of thanks to them.

The names of the elected, arranged alphabetically, are as
jollows : —

List of Members of Conference Committee.

Blind.

Rev. C. E. Bolam, Mr. A. Siddall,

Mr. W. H. Dixson, Mr. H. C. Warrilow.

Mr. C. Arthur Pearson.

488

The New Conference Committee

Sighted.

Miss E. W. Austin. Mr. H. W. P. Pine.

Mr. Guy Campbell. Mr. Miles Priestley.

Miss M. R. Garaway. Mr. H. Stainsby.

Mr. Stuart Johnson. Miss Beatrice Taylor.

Mr. A. B. Norwood. Mr. H. J. Wilson.

The Chairman.' — Does the Conference wish to know the
numbers opposite each name ? (Cries of " Yes " and " No,"
and " Waste of time.")

Mr, W\ H. DixsoN* (Oxford).- — May I express the hope
that the records of the number of votes given for each
candidate may be preserved, so that when we come to fill
vacancies we may be able to select the persons Avho come
next after those elected ?

The Chairman. ^ — Not necessarily, sir. The numbers will
be kept of course. Is it your wish that the numbers be not
given ?

Mr. Preece * (London).^ — Will you kindly give us the top
vote in each case ?

The Chairman. — The top vote for sighted members was
155 ; the top vote for blind members was 132 ; 160 voted.

Mr. Barker (Manchester).- — I move that the numbers for
each individual be given to this meeting ?

The Chairman. ^ — I will put it to the vote. Those who
wish the numbers given out, kindly signify the same.

On a show of hands it was decided that the numbers be
not given.

The Chairman.- — I ought to say that Dr. Amoretti has
written to mc as follows :■ —

" In view of my lack of fluency in the English language, I would esteem it
a great favour if on my behalf you would be good enough to move the two
following resolutions at to-day's session : —

(1) " That this Conference favours the establishment of a general inter-
change of the Braille reviews published by institutions for the blind in all
countries represented at this Conference, and that the various delegates
assembled agree to put this resolution into force forthwith "

489

Dr. Amoretti's Suggestions

(2) " That the members of the International Conference for the Blind,
here assembled, agree to carry on propaganda work in all the cities and
towns of the countries represented at this Conference with the view to
entering into arrangements with the prmcipal hotel and restaurant keepers
that they shall have their restaurant bills printed by the blind, and shall
have a permanent item prmted on such bills, somewhat as follows : ' For
the Blind Institutions of this Town . . . ^d.,' or its equivalent in the
currency of other countries."

The Chairman.' — I will now ask Mr. Bishop Harman to
read his paper.

490

THE PROBLEMS OF THE EDUCA-
TION OF THE HIGH MYOPES AND
OF THE PARTIALLY SIGHTED

N. BISHOP HARMAN, M.A., M.B. (Cantab.), F.R.C.S. Eng.,
Ophthalmic Surgeon to the West London Hospital.

I COUNT it an honour that I should have been chosen to
address you on these new problems that are confronting
educational authorities, and I wish to tender my thanks to
your executive for honouring me with this task.

The title of the paper states that there are problems to be
settled. There is no doubt about the problems, they are
being felt by every educational authority, and very especially
by those departments of education which have to deal with
the children who are not up to the average standard of health
and capabilities. The problems are being felt acutely by
the authorities of the schools for the blind, for there is
frequently thrust upon them the responsibility of arranging
a suitable curriculum for these defective children, either in
the schools already existing under their care, or in special
schools or classes. In this paper I shall set out the experi-
ences of one of the great educational authorities of this
country in dealing with this problem. I have said one of the
great authorities, perhaps I should have said the greatest
educational authority, for the scope and immensity of the
work under the control of the London Education Committee
is unmatched by any similar authority in this country,
perhaps in the world.

In one sense the greatness of the work of the London
committee has . made the dealing Avith these particular
problems of the myopes and the partially-sighted easy of

491

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

solution in London. When there is much material to be
dealt with constructive powers rise to the occasion ; but
more than that the amplitude of the material allows of
processes of selection that are impossible where the material
is small in quantity and the difference in the quality of the
material proportionately greater. If, therefore, in speaking
of the experiences we have had in London, I should seem to
deal with the problem in a manner that smaller authorities
would deem impossible with their narrower fields, I must be
forgiven ; yet I will try to indicate, so far as possible,
essential principles in treatment, and essentials that will be
found to be as ajiplicable to small areas as to the huge
metropolitan fields.

At the outset let me make clear what is meant by the
terms " myopes " and " partially-sighted." The two terms
are in no sense identical, nor arc they intended to convey
alternative views of one and the same problem. There are
two distinct conditions before us, and each demands con-
sideration on its own merit. Maybe we may find that there
are likenesses in the answers to the questions as to how these
two classes of cases are to be dealt with. But at the outset
I would like each of you to distinguish sharply between
them.

The Myope.

The myope is the true short-sighted person. He is short-
sighted because the shape of the eyeball has become altered.
Instead of a globe of the eye being of a very fairly true
spherical shape, it has become elongated, inclining to a
sausage shape. Instead of a globular balloon-sha]ied
structure, we have the sausage-shaped dirigible. An altera-
tion in shape such as this has a profound influence on the
conditions of vision. The round eye is adapted to see well
in the distance, the normal eye sees distant objects perfectly
without any necessary adjustment either by the focussing
apparatus of the eye, or by au}^ adjuvant lens held before
the eye. The elongated eye cannot see distant objects, for
it is permanently out of focus for any object farther away

492

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

than a few inches in front of the nose ; and it can only see
when there is an adjusting glass held before the eye, then
may be it will see as well as any eye, and have a sharpness
of vision that may be enviable to others.

The alteration of the focus is not the only disability that
arises from this elongation of the globe. The elongation is
not a natural condition, it is not in any way akin to the
converse condition of a short or flattened eye. This latter
is common, in a minimal degree it is almost universal, and
it is a state that is born not made. The elongated eyeball is
quite otherwise, it is the result of a gradual yielding of the
coats of the eyeball. Now this yielding is the bad thing
about the whole process. Most yielding is bad, it indicates
weakness or inability to resist. And in the case of the
myopic eye it indicates an inability to resist the ordinary
internal pressure of the eye, a pressure that is necessary to
keep the globe taut, or else it means an inability to resist
ordinary or slightly excessive strains exerted on the eye in
the ordinary process of vision.

The yielding is a disease process. The coats of the eye
that yield are in a state of low grade inflammation, and being
inflamed they are soft and plastic, so that they yield to the
strain of the tension of the eye, exerted either from within
or from without. This is a point I want to make, that
myopia is no mere " state," it is a process, and one that is
changing in nearly every short-sighted eye during school
years from day to day. That is the reason for the demand
for regular medical supervision over these cases. The blind
are blind. A child blinded by ophthalmia neonatorum is
in a state of blindness due to a disease that is long past and
done with. The effects are there, the more completely
destructive the effects of the inflammation the less need is
there for any further medical supervision of that child so far
as the eyes or their shrunken remnants are concerned. But
with the myope the process is in action during the whole of
school life, and for that reason, if for that alone, medical
supervision of the whole of the work of the myopic child is
necessary. I make this point here and at the outset, for I

493

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

have no doubt that there is in the mind of some teachers a
very natural inchnation to resist the claims of the medical
man to dominate the work of their schools in the fashion that
is becoming increasingly common nowadays, I sjmipathise
with that attitude of resistance. The school is the field of
the teacher, therein they should be supreme, and they are
supreme when they are dealing with normal, healthy, riotous
youngsters. But the school that has to deal with these
short-sighted children is more than a school, it is in a very
real sense a hospital, and for that reason the doctor must be
supreme in the general management of the work done in
that hospital-school. I am putting this point pretty bluntly,
and I think that it is better so. For when two sides to a
bargain understand their respective premises, the bargain is
apt to be satisfactory to both parties, and the peaceful
enjoyment of the bargain is likely to be permanent and
satisfactory.

The next point I want to make with regard to these
myopes is that, although the eye condition is really a low
form of inflammation, yet the subjects of this eye defect are
rarely if ever marked by any general disorder. They are
not marked by disorders so common amongst the children
who make up the pupils in our blind schools, and those of
whom I shall speak of as " partially sighted." Except for
their eyes they are normal children. Their bodily health
may be good, even excellent, at any rate in comparison with
others I have named. And what is more to the point in
this educational connection, their mental intelligence is of
the best, it is unsullied by any hereditary taint of disease,
and by the very nature of the limitation of their work and
amusements caused by their short sight they are often of a
thoughtful turn of mind ; the limitation of external action
has produced an introspective mental attitude that fosters a
mental maturity uncommon at their age. If their eyes are
weak their minds are strong ; if they are to be dealt with
tenderly so far as instruction through eye-gate is concerned,
they may have strong meat conveyed to them by way of
ear- gate.

494

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

This is scarcely the occasion to discuss the causes of myopia.
Yet it may be of interest if I quote to you the report of the
ocuhsts who served on the British Association Committee
appointed to consider the " Influence of School Books upon
Eyesight " : " Myopia, or short sight, commonly depends on
undue elongation of the eyeball. It is never, or hardly ever,
present at birth. It is rare at five years of age. It usually
begins during school life, and increases more or less from
year to year during the period of growth. It sometimes
continues to increase after growth is completed. It is not
necessarily or always associated with over-use of the eyes,
either in school or elsewhere, for we see it arise after illness,
we meet with it in illiterates, and we know that the pre-
disposition is strongly hereditary. But it is everywhere
most frequent amongst the most studious, and there is a
mass of evidence to show that it depends very largely, both
in its origin and in its progress, on over-use of the eyes in
near work."

That was a very carefully considered statement. We
who were responsible for the statement were anxious not to
overstate the case, every possible exception was allowed full
weight, but it will be evident to every one of you that the
main thing in our minds, after considering the general causes
of the mass of myopia, was that too much and badly arranged
near work was the principal cause of myopia. It tended to
start the condition in susceptible children and it aggravated
it when once the process had started.

In the past few years much attention has been given to
the anatomical condition involved in near work, and various
theories have been formulated, and some experimental work
done in support of these. Stress is to be laid not only on
near work in general, but near work that involves the
stooping posture. One German oculist has gone so far as to
assert that the elongation of the eye is caused by the drag
of the optic nerve on the back of the eyeball, for in the
stooping posture, he asserts, the eye falls forward by virtue
of its own weight. Personally I do not credit the theory. I
rather favour the theory that it is the active constriction of

495

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

the eyeball by the muscles surrounding it and that come into
play for the purpose of turning the eyes inwards and down-
wards during near vision. Be the actual process what it
may, the fact that attention is concentrated upon the near
vision and the stooping posture is the thing I wish to fix
your minds on. It will come into consideration again when
we have to consider the manual work that may be done by
children in myope classes.

There are two sorts of myopia, and it is of use to recognise
the distinction between them for school purposes. But it
must be understood that the distinction is more or less
arbitrary, seeing that there is no sharp cleavage between the
two groups of cases. There is first a large group of cases of
low or moderate myopia. These may be called the school
myopes. They are probably the astigmatic children who,
by reason of excessive work, or work under bad conditions,
have become myopic ; the coats of their eyes have stretched
so that they have attained a permanent focus for near
vision, and lost the capability of seeing well in the distance
unless glasses be provided. These cases are many, but the
degree of myopia marking them is low, 5 D. is probably the
maximum they attain to. The myopia usually ceases to
progress when they arrive at the age of puberty, and vision
may remain satisfactory and be free from complication to
the end of their days. This class of cases are a reflection on
the methods of education in vogue, and also on the current
print of school books. The high incidence of myopia noted
in German schools is probably in large part accounted for
by this class of case. The children, either by nature or by
rule, are excessively studious, and they are set to read a
script and print that would fatigue the eyes of an eagle !
Gothic type may be picturesque, but it is sorrowful reading.

The other class of case is numerically small, but the
degree of myopia the individual cases attain to may be high,
or very high. In this group are most of the hereditary cases,
children of myopic families ; and those cases where there
has been injury or damage to the eye by inflammation with
the subsequent onset of myopia. These are the dangerous

496

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

cases. ' For amongst them we are likely to find sooner or
later some tendency to complications which may endanger
sight. Opacities of the vitreous, " muscce volitanies,'" or
floating spots of irregular shape, are very common occurrences.
Small floaters may be present in even low degrees of myopia
and in quite young children ; but spots so large that they
may be seen by the surgeon with the ophthalmoscope are
ominous. The stretched eyes are more delicate than
ordinary, so that relatively slight injuries may produce
haemorrhage into the vitreous, or detachment of the retina,
with further secondary changes. The subjects of myopia
of any degree are more liable to asthenopia than ordinary
children ; and they are also liable to " weak ' eyes, that is,
slight blepharitis and conjunctivitis, these are the outward
signs of the asthenopia.

The Treatment of Myopia.

Bearing in mind that excessive convergence is particularly
bad for these children, we must prevent this first by prescrib-
ing suitable glasses; secondly, by adjusting their work to.
fit their condition. Glasses should accurately correct any
astigmatism that may be present, and these children are more
frequently astigmatic than their fellows. Next the myopia
must be corrected. To-day most surgeons agree in prescrib-
ing glasses that provide a " full correction " of the myopia.
This is a good rule with certain limitations. It may be.
taken as the rule for all degrees of myopia under 6 or 7, D.-,
beyond that degree it will be found that the wearing. of fully,
correcting glasses so diminishes the size of the image of
objects seen, that most myopes prefer a glass that is a little
weaker, so that they get a larger, albeit a less distinct image.
These are matters which can only be determined by . the
nature of each individual case, and of that the experience qi
the surgeon will be the best judge.

The Education of High Myopes.

Recently there has been a very satisfactory endeavo.vu' t,o
grapple with the problem presented by the myopes. S'ormerly
c.B. 497 K K

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

if a case was too bad to be safely allowed in the ordinary
schools, or a cautious surgeon inhibited reading and writing,
it was customary to enter them at the schools for the blind
and partially blind. This was not in the interest of the
children, for the myopes are mostly of good or even superior
intelligence, and they are not blind. In London there have
been established several special classes for the myopes, and
although the reader must turn to the original papers for a
detailed account of them and of their work, the outlines of
the scheme may be given here.

Myopes should be classified according to their degree of
defect and their work arranged accordingly. In London the
experience of three years' classification has led to the
following arrangements. Some are returned to the ordi-
nary school as capable of receiving the regular education.
Others are graded for various degrees of exemption, or
for special treatment up to the admission to the blind
schools :—

(1) Elementary school for easy treatment as regards eye
work.

(2) Elementary school for oral teaching only.

(3) Myope class.

(4) School for the blind and partially blind.

(5) Invalided temporarily or permanently.

Up to the end of 1912, 313 children had been entered on
the roll of the myopes, but as there was only room for 100 in
the new classes, the remainder had to be accommodated in
the ordinary schools but under special conditions ; they Avere
admitted for oral teaching only.

To make clear the nature of the defect of the eyes of these
children and the limitation of the education they will receive,
the matter is explained personally to the parent of the child,
and an explanatory notice is issued. It is equally necessary
that the teachers to whose care these children are committed
should be clear as to the necessity for closely watching and
limiting their work, and to this end a circular letter is sent to
the head teacher of the school to which any such child is
admitted.

498

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

The 313 children examined up to the end of 1912 were
suffering from the following defects : —

Cause of Defective Vision.

Boys.

Girls.

Total.

Myopia .....
Superficial keratitis .

93
16

103
34

196
50

Interstitial keratitis .

Disseminated choroiditis

Cerebral defect ....

Albinism .....

Purulent conjunctivitis after exan-
themata ....

Ophthalmia neonatorum
Cataract .....

6
2

9
6

Coloboma uveae

Aniridia .....

■ — -

Buphthalmia ....
Dislocated lenses

1
1

—

1
1

Extreme hypermetropia

Muscle defect ....

2
1

Totals .

138

175

313

The Necessary Standard of Visual Acuity. — For the
successful working of myope classes it is obviously necessary
that children for whom this mode of education is proposed
must have a reasonable degree of visual acuity. In practice
it has been found that it is desirable that the standard should
be T8. When the vision is less than this it is very difhcult
to prevent the children from peering and groping at their
work, and the bad habits of a few will be copied by the
many. Children when first admitted almost invariably
have the bad habit of getting very close to their ^svork, and
the first lesson that has to be learned, and one that has to be
the subject of constant reminders, is the necessity of doing
all their writing and manual work at full arm's length. It
follows from such a standard of visual acuity that all mj^ope

499 K K 2

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

must have satisfactory correcting glasses. Children for
whom it is deemed undesirable to prescribe glasses have no
place in these classes, but are fit subjects for the schools for
the blind and partially blind. At the present time a number
of children Avho have only tt vision with their glasses are
being tried, and it is possible that a fair proportion will be
found suitable pupils when their mental intelligence is well
up to the average.

So far as any indication can be given by dioptres of myopia
it would seem that children M'ith from 5 to 15 D. of myopia
are suitable subjects for these classes. Those with less than
5 D. are fit for the ordinary school with special precautions,
such as those indicated under the heading of " easy treatment
as regards eye work " ; those with more than 15 D. are
suitable for education in the schools for the bUnd and partially
blind (with the possible exemption from Braille teaching),
unless the fimdus conditions are fair and the vision, with a
suitable correction, is so good that they can safely take
advantage of the myope class. The children who are in
these classes are regularly examined by an ophthalmic
surgeon at intervals of six months.

The Myope Class.' — The first necessity for the successful
establishment and working of such a class or school is that
it shall be associated Avith an ordinar}^ school for normal
children. The myope class should, as far as possible, be
connected with this school. The reasons for this are two :
(1) a better scheme of work can be provided by this associa-
tion ; (2) to establish the class as a separate unit is to run
the risk of the children leaving school with a special mark
upon them. Parents naturally object to any suggestion of
their children being marked out as belonging to a particular
class of defective child, even though it may be for their good,
and for this reason the attempts which have been made to
copy the London experiment in the i:)rovinces by establishing
myope classes within the existing blind schools are to be
deprecated. It cannot be too definitely insisted upon that
the only possible means of making these classes a success is
by associating them, both in their practical working and in

500

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

their classification, with the ordinary schools ; for that
reason in London they are always spoken of as " classes "
rather than as " schools." The scheme of work laid down
for these classes is as follows : —

(1) Oral teaching with the normal children for such sub-

jects as can be taught orally.

(2) Literarj^ Avork such as is necessary for the knowledge

of the ordinary means of communication to be
learned without books, pens, or paper, but by the
use of blackboards and chalk, the writing to be done
free-arm fashion.

(3) A full use of every sort of handicraft that will develop

attention, method, and skill, with the minimum use
of the eyes.

The Class-room. — The one necessity of a class-room for
myopes is perfect natural illumination. Artificial lighting
for these rooms is a negligible consideration. All work other
than physical exercises, oral lessons, or games is suspended
immediately artificial light is required.

The ordinary school desk is unsuitable and the special
desks in use provide for each child a full-sized blackboard
suitably sloped and at a convenient height for sitting, and
also a full-sized horizontal table for handiwork. It is con-
vertible from one use to the other by merely lifting the
board. Each room has fitted all round the walls a
band of blackboai'd. The boards are fixed so that
they are available for both teachers and pupils without
adjustment.

When one group of children is taking oral lessons with the
normal-sighted in the ordinary school, the teacher will be
employed in giving lessons requiring writing, arithmetic, or
manual work to another group. The number of children
that any one teacher can deal with at the same time must of
necessity be less than the same teacher could cope with in an
ordinary school. Individual teaching is much more neces-
sary. Further, the desk fitting^ — ^the combination black-
board and table^ — takes up the room of an ordinary dual
desk. Experience shows that the greatest number any

501

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

teacher can deal with successfully in any class working at
the same subject and at the same time is twenty.

The Curriculum.- — ^Thc oral teaching is taken with the
normal children in the ordinary school with which the
myope class is associated. By this means the myopic
children are kept up to the standard of knowledge of their
normal colleagues, and have the benefit of mixing with them
in class under the oversight of the regular teachers.

The literary work of the children is done in the myope
class upon the blackboards provided for each child, and ujion
the wall-boards. Letters must be large, and the chalk lines
broad and strong, and to secure this the chalk supplied should
be square-edged and of double the measure of the stock size.
The small desk blackboards are marked with white lines
two inches apart, and the wall-boards four inches apart.

In the higher standards the need of some permanent
record of the work of the children is felt ; and in the higher
standards exercise-books are being tried of a novel pattern.
They are made up of large black paper sheets, and the
writing is done with white crayon, which gives a record of
fair durability, but it can be washed off if desired. The
exercise-books are clipped on to the desk blackboards, and
the writing is done free-arm fashion as though on the black-
board, so that none of the dangers of ordinary writing, such
as stooping over the work, arc involved. The eldest of the
pupils are allowed to make a permanent record of their work
by printing. Two sets of printing types are provided for the
use of each class. They are rubber-faced black-letter types,
one of one inch height, the other of two inch height. These
ire mounted on wooden blocks fitted with lateral pegs and
holes, so that they can be joined together to form words.
The words are set up and printed upon large sheets of white
paper, the record is permanent, and goes to form a class
library of scrolls which are useful for subsequent teaching.

Physical exercises enter largely into the time-table, and
attempts are made to associate some of the games with the
instructional work, e.g., large sheets of scenic canvas are now
supplied to two schools that have sufficient lloor space, on

502

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

these the teachers paint oiithnc maps of different countries,
marking out the position of the principal cities, rivers,
mountains, etc. ; the children walk about on the floor-maps,
learning their geogra])hy by travelling it in miniature.
With a teacher of resource such methods of instruction possess
endless possibilities of interest.

The most difficult section of the work to arrange is the
manual training. Whatever the work done it must be such
that the fixed attention of the eyes is not demanded. For
that reason all sewing- work is prohibited ; it has been tried
with a few of the elder girls but was quickly stopped. Knit-
ting, on the other hand, fulfils the necessary conditions ; a
child that has any aptitude for it soon learns to do it auto-
matically and with little use of the eyes ; such children are
allowed to practise it. The junior children (both boys and
girls) are taught paper folding, stick laying, felt weaving in
colours, and knitting. The seniors and some juniors are
taught modelling maps, rough woodwork where measur-
ing can be done with rulers marked Avith quarter inch
maiks. Advanced basket work is taught according to the
advanced scheme on workshop principles (but not including
raffia work, which is too fine). Bent iron-work is satisfactory,
particularly for boys ; possibly also the netting of hammocks,
tennis nets, etc. For the girls cookery and laundry of a
simple kind, just suflicient to give an intelligent insight into
the arts of housewifery.

These crafts are taught as a training in attention and care ;
it is not intended that any of the children should enter into
competition with the blind in doing this work ; for that
reason any particular work of this kind is not continued to
the point where rapidity and skill is reached. The scheme
of education in view for the myopes is not merely technical
but general. Many of these children are of high intelligence,
and a good general training with special attention to the
development of thought, initiative, a good bearing, and clear
speech free from objectionable accent and idiom, will fit
them for positions of usefulness and responsibility of the
in- and out-door type, such as small traders, collectors,

503

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

agents, visitors, etc. This kind of occupation presents no
risk to the eyesight.

There is great need for the discovery of more varieties of
suitable manual work, especially for the use of the older
boys. What is wanted in particular is work that can be
done in the standing position. Whoever has under con-
sideration the suitability or otherwise of manual tasks for
these children has need to consider it from a totally different
point of view from that necessary with ordinary children.
With the ordinary child there has only to be considered the
educational and disciplinary value of the work, and possibly
the ultimate direct utility to the child, although I maintain
that this is of no consideration in comparison with the
disciplinary value. But witii the myopes there is another
matter to be considered. We must ask^ — ^can the child do
this particular sort of work without undue or too prolonged
stooping ? Judged by this test there is a great difference
between such tasks as carpentry and bent-iron work. In
carpentrj'' the head is almost always bent downwards towards
the bench, it is quite useless to attempt to raise the bench
to a near level of the eyes to prevent stooping, for then the
muscles of the arms and shoulders lose all power over the
tools, and the Avork is unduly fatiguing. Bent-iron work, on
the other hand, can be done sitting or standing, the table may
be at a comparatively high level, and best of all the work is
done for the most part with the eye looking straight forwards.
' I have now under consideration the possibility of teaching
weaving on frames of mats, carpets, and tapestry, work
that could be done standing to frames hung on the walls. If
such work as this should prove practical it will be a valuable
addition to our list of suitable handicrafts.

I should like once more to emphasise the idea that handi-
work as taught in these classes for the myopes is in no sense
a utilitarian affair, it is not done as an apprenticeship to a life-
long work, such as is the case with the blind. It is taught as
Latin is taught by the public school master. The Latin
school master has long since given up the plea of the "utility"
of Latin as a "leading to vistas of classical literature," for

504

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

the logic of circumstances has driven him to admit, albeit
with becoming reluctance, that his pupils never gain more
than a nodding acquaintance with the language, but he is
strongly entrenched behind the statement that the learning
of Latin is the best of all mental disciplines. Handiwork is
to the myope school what Latin is to the public school, it is
the one great training in care, precision, and control.

There is no intention of teaching a form of livelihood, but
of training in methods that will subsequently be valuable in
some suitable form of livelihood. This will be made plain
when the various forms of work for which myopes are
suitable are considered. After examining a long list of the
available occupations for London boys and girls, I have
drawn up the following as those for which the myopes are
fit. There are two grades of work ; those most suitable for
them, and those of secondary suitability.

Boys.
First selection :

Nursery gardening.

Poultry farming.

Messengers.

Assurance agents.

Travellers and canvassers.

Rent collectors.

Hawkers and street traders.

Shop work under good conditions.

Piano -tuning.
Second selection :

Stick and pipe mounting.

Basket-making.

Some branches of brush making.

Girls.
First selection :

Florists' work.
Waitresses in tea shops.
Dairy shops.

505

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

Under nursemaids (no sewing).
Creche attendants.
Helpers at mothers' schools.
Helpers at special schools and dining centres.
Showroom work.
Light warehouse w^ork (packing).
Second selection :

Box-making.

Cork sorting.

Envelope folding, cementing and black-bordering.

Show-card mounting.

Some branches of brush making.

Stockroom work.

These lists show at a glance that the kinds of work jilaccd
in the first and most suitable selection are of the outdoor
type, or those that enalDle the worker to be out and about,
standing and moving, and with a minimum of close eye
work. These kinds of work are doubly suitable, for the
general health is likely to be the l^ettcr for the freedom of
movement enjoyed, and with tlie improvement in the
general health the state of the eyes is likely to be benefited.
Next after these comes the second selections, all these are of
light tasks, that do not unduly involve the use of the eyes ;
but they involve sitting and stoojiing throughout the whole
period of work, conditions that are neither good for the body
nor for the eyes. When, therefore, we look at the teaching
and practice of manual work in the myope class in the light
of the possible future occupations of the children, it is
evident that we want no more of it than is necessary to teach
them methods and habits of precision. And just so much
as W'ill engage their minds with the possibilities of creating
things as will withdraw them from the fatal snare of living in
a world of reading and book-thinking. The manual work is
both a discipline and a distraction.

The "Partially Sighted" and the " Partially Blind."

The two terms properly indicate one and the same sort of
condition. The Act of Parliament th^.t go-s'crns the educa-

506

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

tion of the defective of sight describes these defective ones
as " bhnd and partially blind," and the one and only defini-
tion vouchsafed of these conditions is that the child shall be
so considered who .is unable to read the ordinary school
books.

The use of the term " partly-sighted," as distinct from
" partly-blind," has come into vogue for the purpose of
distinguishing between those whose sight is bad enough to
make them fit candidates for the blind school, and those
whose sight is so good that they ought to be out of these
schools if other suitable places can be found for them. The
" partly-sighted " are border-like cases. They do not differ
in character from the blind, they are the subjects of the same
conditions and diseases of the eyes that make other children
blind, but the effects of these diseases in them have not been
so severe as to nearly or completely destroy the sight. It
will, therefore, be manifest that these children are in an
entirely different category from the myopes. The myopes
have stretched eyes, but the state of their eyes is in most
cases entirely unrelated to any general state of the body,
whereas the " partly-sighted " are affected by conditions
that equally affect the whole body. Earlier in this paper 1
have given a list of the cases of partly-sighted children whom
I certified as suitable for myope classes, and it will be noted
that the causes of the defect of their eyes bear a very fair
relation to the general causes of blindness in children. It is,
therefore, pertinent to consider these general causes and the
effects they have upon body and mind in determining any
particular course of education.

The conditions that are responsible for blindness in children
may be classed under certain broad heads.

1. Blindness due to causes which are in their nature
accidental.

2. Blindness due to general disease in which the child is
born and shapen.

3. Blindness due to congenital deformities.

The first group, blindness due to causes that are in their
nature accidental, covers a very large proportion of the cases

507

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

of blindness amongst children. Forty-four per cent, of
those in the London County Council Schools are therein
included. In most of these blindness has followed destruc-
tion of the eyes by reason of the accidental inoculation of
the surface membranes with some virulent micro-organism.
; In a few the eyes were injured by blows, foreign bodies
-entering the eyes, and so forth, which set up inflammation
of such a serious kind that the eyes were destroyed. Of
this group of eases Si per cent, (or 36 per cent, of the total
blind) were blinded by the purulent ophthalmia of the new
born. Of the remainder, purulent conjunctivitis in later
years accounted for 7 per cent., accidental injuries and
s)''mpathetic inflammation arising therefrom for another
^7 per cent., and small-pox for 'J per cent.

This group of children form the pick of the blind. They
are, indeed, normal children except in point of sight. Phy-
sique, hearing, and intelligence are not bound up in a general
depression by reason of a constitutional disease. Most have
never known what sight is, the few who have when once they
have recovered from the shock of the disaster are as capable
of education as normal children.

The second group, blindness due to general disease in
which the child is born and shapen, is also a large group,
perhaps a good deal larger than our present figures lead us
to suspect. Certainly fully 30 per cent, of the total of the
child blind fall into this group. Through disease in the
parents the children are born and bred in disease. These
unfortunate children cannot be more accurately described
than by the words of that most ancient of laments, " born
in sin and shapen in iniquity." The eyes do not suffer
alone, ears, teeth, limbs, physiognomy, and brain suffer in
more or less degree.

These are the poor material of the blind schools. Maybe,
they are mentally inferior, or even deficient from their
earliest years, and there is always the liability that with any
attack of ill-health the primary diathesis will reassert itself,
aggravating the physical and mental disability. In going
over my records of these cases, I am amazed to find how

508

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

large a proportion ultimately find their way into schools or
asylums for the insane.

The third group, blindness due to congenital deformities,
includes about 20 per cent, of the children. It forms a
collection of physical oddities or misfits. For some reason
the nourishment of the infant developing within the mother
has been arrested at certain points, and one or more parts of
the body remain unfinished at the time of birth. A few of ,
these defects can be dealt with by the eye surgeon, but for
the most part they are irremediable. The defect may be
confined to the eye, or it may be associated with defects in
other organs. These children may be described as being of'
nearly ordinary intelligence. Some have seemed to me to
be quick-witted and of average capacity, but generally they,
are better described as of nearly ordinary intelligence.
Some, on the other hand, are of distinctly poor mentality,
even to amentia. The reason for the mental deficiency is
not difficult to understand. Brain and eyes are most closely
associated in origin and growth ; what is capable of affecting
one is very likely to affect the other. The subjects of
congenital cataract, even though the defect be lenticular and
purely epiblastic, arc very frequently just below average
capacity.

The educa,tion of blind children considered in view of such
facts as. these takes on quite a different aspect from that-
generally held. It is no mere formation of a suitable,
asylum, and the provision of teachers of Braille and handi-.
crafts. It is evident that we require a very careful grading
of the schools for the blind. The same consideration comes,
into effect when we are considering the education of those,
children whom we have agreed to call " partly-sighted."
The state of their vision cannot be the sole determining,
factors of their place of education ; the likelihood of their
educability in view of the nature of the disease that made
their eyes defective must be considered, and also the possi-
bility of this same disease reasserting its maleficent infiuence
and destroying still further both sight and wits. The case
of a child with damaged eyes the result of ophthalmia neona-

509

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

torvim is simple of determination, if it sees y% it is a fit
subject for a myope class, its wits are as likely to be good as
any ordinary child, and there is no likelihood of the recurrence
of the inflammation of the eyes that damaged the sight in
the beginning. It is otherwise with the child whose eyes
have been damaged by some inflammation springing from a
syphilitic inheritance. That disease affects the whole body,
and tiicre is too often a recurrence of the disease that will
still further reduce sight or even destroy the remnant, and
at the same time so benumb the mental faculties as to lay
waste all past educational gain, and effectually })revent any
future effort. With such a child the admission to a myope
class, even though justified by the character of the vision
existing at the time of examination, must be the subject of
special note, that the child be not pressed or allowed to enter
into competition with its short-sighted and smart-witted
colleagues, lest the strain of the work reduce its bodily
resistance and induce a relapse of the disease that originally
brought it there.

These are some of the considerations in the education of
the short-sighted and partly-sighted that I would suggest to
your mature consideration. The principles underlying them
are simple, and they depend solely upon a reasonably exact
classification of the material placed under ^'^our care, a
classification in accordance with the nature of the. case of
each child. The teaching of all children should be a retail,
an individual proceeding; not the wholesale stock-pattern
sort of thing that the immensity of our elementary school
system makes almost inevitable. At any rate, there is no
excuse for failing to secure individual methods in the
special schools of the country, for the material is fortunately
of no great quantity, and there is, or soon will be, an ample
sulficiency of provision for the care of that material.

»10

Discussion

DISCUSSION.

Rev. St. Clare Hill (Leatlierliead). — -Mr. Wilson lias been
obliged to go away, and has asked me to take the chair, which I
am very pleased to do on this occasion.

I shonld like to say that in every particular I am absolutely
in sympathy with what Mr. Harman says, and I should like to
accentuate the last thing he said, viz., that it is an exceedingly
cruel thing to label an individual as blind when it is not necessary
for him to be so labelled. It handicai^s him in his future life,
and if anything can be done in order to reduce the necessary
amount of blindness he is obliged to bear, or the remarks made in
connection with his lack of sight, so much the better for him and
for the community in general.

In the course of my work throughout the country I have very
many times met children who are in every respect equal to those
we meet with in sighted schools, except perhaps that they have
difhculty with their vision, but who could, by reasonable and
charitable consideration, be described as sighted children, and I
am sure it increases their opportunities of work and of taking
their places in the world after leaving school if we could only get
them educated in a place where blindness is never referred to.

Dr. A. NiMMO Walker. — There are many points of interest
in Mr. Bishop Harman's paper which deserve not so much criti-
cism as emphasis by reiteration. I have time to indicate a few
only. In the iirst place I welcome the paper at this institutional
Congress, as a sign that public interest is being aroused in the
weak-sighted as well as in the blind. It seems absurd to have to
say that every child does not belong to one of two sealed patterns,
the fully-sighted or the blind. Oculists have pointed this out
for many years, but officially the fact is only just beginning to
be realised. If some children are partially blind, some authorities
have been wholly deaf. Now, however, London has led the way,
and the provinces are beginning to follow.

In regard to the desirability of the myope class being attached
to the ordinary school, I am in general agreement with Mr. Bishop
Harman. Many of the weak-sighted children are strong in other
ways ; the myopes are often above the average in intelligence.
They are unsuited for blind schools, and the fact of being educated
there will prove an obstacle to getting employment afterwards.
Moreover, the blind schools have their own work to do. I hope,
however, to show that there is room for small myope classes
in the blind schools, in addition to the classes in the ordinary
schools.

The selection of cases for the myoi^e class is a difficult problem,
and hard-and-fast rules cannot be laid down. I accept Mr.
Harman's standard of 6/18 as a rough guide, but each case niust
be judged of its merits. The predominant factor in making a
decision should be the probable future of the child. For example,
recently I certified as fit only for the blind school a child with
vision of 6/12 in one eye, but he had optic atrophy, and the sight
of the other eye was already lost. On the other hand, there are

511

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

cases in which the coudition of the eyes is stationary, such as
those of old injiuy from acute inflammation, ophthahnia neona-
torum, measles, small-pox, scarlet fever, cases of congenital
cataract after operation, in which improvement in sight by
training may be expected — improvement due not so much to
the training of the eye as to the training of the brain in sight.

We must remember that we do not see with our eyes but with
our brains, and that we are not born with full sight but have to
learn to see, and that this process is going on all our lives, but
most particularly in childhood. An Indian with poor eyes will
see the snake in the grass which the Englishman with good eyes
fails to see ; or, to come nearer home, those of you who have
taken out a novice to play golf and have found his ball for him
whenever he has hit it far enough will readily .understand my
point.

I think that a hard-and-fast standard of 6/18 would rule out many
cases which would do well in a myope class. There remains,
however, a borderland class, which may or may not stand the
strain of sighted education, even in a myope class. Here I think
is a gap in the London scheme which can be filled by the class
which Mr. Harman condemns, the myoj»e class at the blind school.

This should be regarded as a probation class, and the sighted
work should be very easy.

A monthly record of the children's sight should be kept by
the teacher, and the class, of course, will be under the close
observation of the surgeon attached to the school. In this class
should be put the partially blind, those cases which are now taught
blindfolded or with their work under the desk. They are not
blind, and will not have to try to earn their living in the futm-e as
blind.

The boys can become outdoor workers, the girls domestic
servants. But the iJower to read Braille with the eyes shut is
not much good to the messenger boy who cannot read the number
of a house, or to a girl in service who wants to write home to her
people. I believe that there is room for this class. Last week
I examined a dozen cases belonging to this class in the Liverpool
Blind School. Only one was at all fit for a myope class in an
ordinary school, yet all had too much sight for purely blind
teaching.

I have purposely left the discussion of methods of teaching of
the myope class to others, teachers themselves, who are better
qualified than I to discuss them. I would only emphasise the
point already made by Mr. Harman — ^to work only in daylight
and the avoidance of close work of any kind, especially that which
causes stooping, to which I would add the necessity of frequent
rest for the eyes, to be taken, if possible, in the open.

In conclusion I desire to take this opportunity of expressing
my admiration of Mr. Bishop Harman's work for the myope
class ; of his enthusiasm for the cause, and of his originality and
ingenuity in the methods and appliances which he has devised ;
V)ut after all w^e pay him the greatest compliment when, having
decided to form these classes, we send our teachers to his class
to learn how best the wo'k shall be done.

512

Discussion

Dr. RocKLiFFE (Hull). — -I am sorry Mr. Harman lias gone out
of the room, because I should have liked to thank him for his
paper, but I thought we were he- e to consider subjects connected
with those who are blind rather than those with defective vision,
and I venture to think that the paper was somewhat out of place.
But as it has been admitted to the programme I should like to
make a few remarks,

Mr. Harman and Dr. Walker advocate medical supervision ;
but I will go further and say that this supervision should only
be entrusted to an ophthalmic specialist, for many and obvious
reasons. With regard to the cauSe of myopia in the young, myopia
with a complete absence of any hereditary disposition is not
common, for, as stated on p. 495, myopia is frequently met within
illiterates, and the predisposition is strongly hereditary. In this
I concur. Everybody with experience in ophthalmic work knows
■ — -and I have no doubt our friends here and Mr. Bishop Harman
will corroborate it — that it is most common when investigating
the family history to find that not the slightest hereditary taint
is acknowledged. They say, " My grandfather had splendid
sight and never used spectacles." This is given as a proof that
he was not short-sighted. But anybody who knows anything
about the subject is aware that some of their forefathers of neces-
sity had short sight, and for this reason old sight is a form of long
sight ; and this balances the previous short sight, whereby normal
vision is effected. As to the cause being due to the elongation
of the eyeball, I agree with Mr. Bishop Harman. As to treat-
ment, I do not quite agree that a full correction should be given
in ordering spectacles for the myopes. My experience is — -and I
see many here with glasses who will be able to corroborate my
statement — ^that very few short-sighted people can use a glass
for reading and close work, that fully corrects the short sight,
without its causing aching and inconvenience. I think that is the
general opinion.

Mr. Harman divides his so-called myopes into two divisions,
those who can and those who cannot read 6/18, which means that
at twenty feet they can read what they ought to be able to read
at fifty feet, and he relegates the first to a myope school and the
latter to a blind or partially blind school.

It is pleasing to note that out of 313 children examined (see
p. 499) only 3 per cent, were suffering from ophthalmia neonatorum,
thereby corroborating to some extent my figures of yesterday,
which Mr. Tate somewhat doubted. I was then only referring
to those who were blind from the disease according to my defini-
tion, which I gave yoti, and not to the number of cases who were
attacked by it, who, if properly treated during the first week,
should never become blind. It is unfair to those who have had
this disease, and to the parents, to assume that they suffered from
specific or venereal disease. It may be so, but the principal cause
is a primary septic discharge from the mother, and I think this
stigma on parent and child ought to be removed. If the infant's
eyes are cleaned at birth with a piece of cotton wool soaked in
warm water, ophthalmia may be averted, but if, in spite of this,
a discharge of the lids should occur in twenty-four hours, the

C.B. 513 L L

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

danger can be obviated by an opbtbalmic specialist or others.
Personally I can conscientiously say tliat I never lost any case
if seen diuing the first week, after which the shine of the eye
usuallj' becomes damaged to a greater or less extent, resulting
in blindness or partial blindness.

As to the partially blind, I do not quite follow Mr. Harman
in what he says on p. 508. He states that " 44 per cent, in the
London County Council schools are therein included" — •that is his
first group. But then he follows on by saying that of this group 34
or 36 per cent, of totally blind were blinded by purulent ophthal-
mia. Does he infer that of the blind in the United Kingdom, or
only of the children in the London County Council schools '? Then
in his second class, due to general diseases, he includes 30 per
cent. I dare say he is right, but I do think this is the saddest
class we have to deal with, as they are neither fit for the blind
or myopic nor any other school. In oiir part of the world we
leave them to the Mental Deficiency Bill, and I think that is the
best way out of the difficulty.

I know Mr. Bishop Harman agrees with me as to the definition
of blindness, excej>t that he uses the metre instead of three feet
as the limit. T do not know whether the figures are Dr. AValker's
experience too, but he is one of the greatest authorities on ophthal-
mia neonatorum in the profession.

Mr. W. Percy Merrick* (Shepperton). — ^As I know nothing
about medicine or teaching, you may think me very presuni])tuous
to say anything. But I wish to ask all those who have the
care of persons with defective sight to such a degree that they
cannot read their newspaper in a bad light to consider very care-
fully the advisability of giving them instruction in Braille when
they are young. We have, as the speaker has just informed
us, to educate our brains to see. We have therefore to educate
our brains to understand the meaning of the signs which we feel
with our fingers, and although we may learn to read Braille in
adult life, yet we can never obtain that continuity of telegraphic
translation of the sense in Braille that can be attained by young
learners. I would therefore ask that all doctors in charge of
schools for persons with imperfect sight, of whatever nature,
should do their utmost to teach the young learners to read. Let
them learn Braille. It will be useful to them throughout their
lives. It will not mark them as blind men. They need not go
about with a name card, they need only use it for noting their
orders or whatever they have to do in business, or the time of
a train. And they can also instruct their parents by our simple
system of British alphabet in five minutes. I have taught ladies
in the train to read Braille, and they have written books for us
since. They can teach all their people to write in Braille to them,
and can receive letters which do not need the intervention of a
third person. They can study when by reason of their short
sight they might have to sit with their hands in their laps or in a
public-house drinking. We are told that the myopes are inclined
to be thoughtful. If they learned Braille they would be able
to arrange their thoughts and make the best use of them, instead
of feeling morbid and dissatisfied with life.

514

Discussion

Mrs. Everett (Loudon). — ^One would like, iu the first place, to
exi>ress regret at the cause which prevents our Superintendent
of the Blind Schools in London (Mr. B. P. Jones) being present.
On account of the long experience he has had with our work,
he is much more capable of speaking than we are on the educa-
tional side of the question, and it is with this side that we as
teachers are most closely concerned. The medical aspect of the
case we are content to leave to the medical profession. We
have heard a good deal this morning on the subject of co-educa-
tion between tlie blind school and the ordinary elementary school.
As far as the myope cases are concerned, we carry that principle
into effect and find it very valuable. Our children attend or linaiy
school for all oral work. This consists of history, geography,
scripture, nature study, elementary science, singing, and physical
exercises. The time occupied with these averages seven and three -
quaiter hours jjer child per week. Thinking it would be inter-
esting to you, I have jotted down one day's oral lessons done this
week by our children in the school which they attend.

Standard 1 had a nature lesson on bees ; standard 2, a geo-
graphy lesson on mountains and rivers ; standard 3, nature study
on worms ; standard 4, history ; standard 5, elementary science
and heat ; standard 6, history ; standard 7, science and " elec-
tricity." I think as practical teachers you will agree that in a
school of forty children, with two teachers, we could not expect
to do this if we had not the help of the elementary school. We
make the fullest possible use we can of the lessons given in the
school on the return of the child. Sometimes this takes the
form of a comjiosition, and at others forms the basis of a con-
versational lesson. And, again, with the youngest pupils we get
them to reproduce what they have heard, write it on the black-
board, and use it for the reading matter.

We have not found the question of supremacy mentioned by
Dr. Rockliffe a very great difficulty. We have avoided it in
this way. As teachers we considered that it was our duty to
suggest, and the right of the medical man to advise from a medical
point of view. On these lines things have gone along very
smoothly, and to Mr. Harman's help and criticism we owe very
much. As he has said, with regard to manual occupations we
do not attempt, as the children leave us at the age of fourteen,
to put them in possession of a trade. All we can give them is
a form of hand and eye training. For this purpose we have
tried for the last two years bent-iron work, cardboard work,
and basket work. Strip -wood work comes somewhat under the
ban of Mr. Harman's medical displeasure, and we therefore take
only a modified form of that.

Mr. W. Mathie (Glasgow). — ^I should not have had the temerity
to interfere in a subject so strictly medical, and one which requires
expei't skill, but for the sake of making a suggestion to visiting
tea-hers. Fortunately in Scotland — and I suppose it applies all
over — the school authorities now have medical examiners, in-
cluding oculists, who attend to the eyes of pupils in the ordinary
day schools and in the special schools as well, and it is their
business to see that the eyes of all the scholars are properly looked

515 L L 2

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

after. Our business as visiting teachers — -I speak to those con-
nected with visiting societies especially — is this : when we come
across either a child or a grown person whom we think is being
neglected and ought to have this special treatment we have it
in our power to advise and direct as to what ought to be done.
Our method in the part I come from is, when we come across
anybody who is defective, whether old or young, unless already
under medical supervision, to advise that they go to an oculist,
not to one of those many quacks who claim to do wonderful
things, but to a qualified oculist — -preferably to an eye hospital
or ophthalmic institution — -and have their eyes thoroughly ex-
amined, get an order for lenses if they are necessary, and bring
the prescription to us, when we see that it is taken to an
optician, and supply the lenses to the person free of charge. We
think that prevention in this matter, as in many others, is better
than cure, and to arrest the progress of the deterioration of sight
is conferring an inestimable blessing upon people who might other-
wise become totally blind.

One of the societies in Scotland — -I think it is the Dundee
Mission — has a department which they call the Spectacle Depart-
ment. They have a fund specially for providing these lenses,
and I believe the practice is pretty general of making it a part of
the duty of a visiting teacher to be on the alert to find out people
to be helped in this way. It may be objected that that is not
the work of a society dealing with the blind, but it is a humane
Avork, germane to our duties. It is the proper thing to do, and I
am glad that I have had a hand personally in saving quite a
number of people from blindness by taking or directing them to
the oculist and supplying them with glasses free of charge.

Mr. Herbert Royston (London). — ^I was very interested in
the paper, because I suppose that I must class myself as one of
the myopes, and that I must be one of the short-sighted but
keen-witted. Mr. Merrick has mentioned one thought I wanted
to bring forward, viz., teaching young myopes Braille, because
I struggled on till I was twenty-two before coming across Braille,
and I sincerely wish that I had learned it eleven years before.
There is this disadvantage in being educated in sighted schools,
that we do get tired of saying " Please, sir, I cannot see." In
London w^e have tried for the last five or six years some open-
air schools, and I really think we might imitate those cave-
dwellers Mr. Harman referred to by having as much education
as possible in the open air. Fi'om my experience I know that I
am very much better when most in the open air.

Mr. Tate (Bradford). — -As one who suggested that this subject
should come before the Conference for consideration and dis-
cussion, I am particularly grateful to Mr. Harman for the able
paper he has prepared, which will form a part of our records.
I apjjroach the subject from the point of view of a workshoj}
manager. In Bradford, as you know, we have the open door
so that every blind person on arriving at the age of sixteen comes
to the Royal Institution and applies for admission. As the result
of the medical inspection to which all elementary school children

516

Discussion

are now subjected, a large number have been discovered who
suffer from defective vision. A short way of dealing with such
children has been for the education authority to send them to
the blind school, with the result that at this moment — -I speak
subject to correction — -we have a much larger proi)ortion of
children with defective vision than of those totally blind attending
the school. I hold with Mr. Harman that what has been advanced
this morning is the right course, that we should not have such
children, or at least the myopes, from amongst them in a blind
school, and that they should not have to look forward to coming
to the blind institution for emjiloyment when they arrive at the
age of sixteen years. Many of them have considerable vision
and could be drafted into other avenues of employment, where
they might not only derive greater advantages for themselves,
but also relieve the congestion in the simjiler occupations followed
by the totally blind. I wish, therefore, to emphasise that the
education authorities of the country should be urged to treat
this as a new development arising out of the progress of medical
inspection, and that they should undertake the responsibility
of dealing with this section of the children in an entirely new
way, so that when these children arrive at the age of sixteen
they may hot have, I will not say the stigma, but the drawback,
of having been trained in a blind school. May I give a short
illustration of what I mean ? Everyone connected with the edu-
cation of blind children knows the splendid work of Miss Taylor
and the Sunbeam Mission. Some time ago either in connection
with Miss Taylor's work or from another source, it was desired
to make to each of the ex -pupils of the blind school some little
token of recognition, and I think I am right in saying that they
were to be invited to be present at a little function for the purpose.
One of the ex-pupils is a young woman who had sufficient sight
on leaving school to be employed in an ordinary factory and is
at this moment fulfilling the duties of a sighted young woman.
If we had sent to the factory an invitation from the Royal Institu-
tion for the Blind inviting her as an old pupil to a special function
connected with the school, it might have been the subject of an
inquiry and her continuance as an employee imperilled. I
therefore plead that education authorities should not place in
blind schools children who are myopic, but should follow Mr.
Harman's and Dr. Walker's suggestion and send only those who
specially need such a course.

Mr. Illingworth (Manchester). — -I simply w^ish to support
what Mr. Merrick said in regard to teaching all young myopes
to read Braille. I know that Mr. Harman does not approve of
the children being taught to read Braille, because if taught they
would try to read it with their eyes. At the same time you have
his argument here, that the high myopes should not read any
printed literature, but only large blackboard work. It is quite
right theorising in that way, but quite impossible to carry it
into practice unless these myopes, even of a low degree, are
resident in schools and under supervision the whole time. Child
curiosity will prompt them to use their eyes, and when not under
strict supervision they will examine every little scrap of news-

517

Problems of Education of the High Myopes

I)ai>er aud otlier things tliey come across whetlier we wisli it or
not. Thus I think it is foolish to say that they would damage
their eyes by trying to read Braille. I have had experience with
myopic children who have been able to see a good deal, and some
of them have become very good readers, and they do not attempt
to read with their eyes. I strongly recommend the teaching
of Braille even to low myopes, and then they have an asset on
which they can depend for pleasure in later life should the sight
get worse.

Another jioint is this. That a myopic child who learns to
read Braille, even though he does not require it for use except
for recreation, remembers it when he leaves school and may
perhaps find an opening as a Braille copyist. We all know the
difficiilty blind musicians have in getting writers to copy their
Braille into manuscript music, and I have in mind the case of a
man of this type. He is able to copy ordinary manuscript music
into Braille, and Braille music into sighted manuscript, simply
because he has a thorough knowledge of Biaille, and sufficient
sight to read ordinary type with spectacles. On every ground
of common sense and justice I recommend that every myoj^ic
child should have the opportunity of learning Braille.

The Chairman. — -The session is now closed.

518

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

Wednesday, June 24th, 1914.
AFTERNOON SESSION.

Chairman : The Right Hon. and Right Rev. the Lord
Bishop of London.

His Lordship was unable to be present during the first
part of the session, and pending his arrival the Ven. the
Archdeacon of Middlesex very kindly presided.

The Archdeacon of Middlesex;— I am not the Bishop
of London, but the Archdeacon of Middlesex. I am here
this afternoon to apologise for the absence of the Bishop of
London and for my own jiresence. The fact is, the one
explains the other. But I am glad to say that the Bishop of
London ho2:)es to be here by 4 o'clock, and that all I have to
do is to keep his scat aired for him until that hour. I daresay
many of you are aware that there is a classical definition
of an archdeacon as " oculus cpiseopi " (the eye of the
bishop), which means that when the bishop cannot send all
his members he sends his eye, and I am sure you will agree
that the eye is a very suitable member to be sent to a Con-
ference which has to deal with the blind. (Applause and
laughter.) There is one other definition apposite to the pre-
sent occasion, and it is this : I was preaching at one of our
great public schools many weeks ago and one of the under-
masters told me he had taken the opportunity of asking
some of the boys what an archdeacon was, and one promptly
replied that he was a connecting link between the Old and
New Testaments. (Laughter.) It seems that that boy was
of opinion that I as an archdeacon was an apocryphal
personage. Now we all hope that this great Conference
will add very considerably to the progress that is being made
in the education of the blind, and so I may perhaps be
allowed to express the hope that I may be a similar link- —
an apocryphal link if you like — between a great past in its

519

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

efforts in that direction and a greater future. I have now
to call upon the reader of the paper, Mr. W. M. Stone, of
Edinburgh, the head-master of the Royal Blind Asylum and
School.

Mr. W. M. Stone (Edinburgh).— I was very glad when
the Conference Committee decided to have a paper on this
subject, because at all the conferences we have held nothing
has yet been said about those who are blind and deaf, and
I was very grateful to the Committee when they asked me
to take up the subject, because I am indebted to blind and
deaf people for a very great deal, I do not know how I
should have got on with my work at Edinburgh when I first
began there had it not been for the counsel and lielp of a man
who is totally deaf and almost totally blind. The paper, I
do not think, will prove a controversial one — I sincerely
hope not ; I did not write it in that spirit. If I had to Avrite
it again it would be even less controversial.

520

THE EDUCATION AND AFTER-
CARE OF THE BLIND-DEAF.

W. M. STONE,
Edinburgh.

Part I. — Education.

One hundred years ago it was declared that the education
of a child born blind and deaf was an impossibility, and all
that could be done in such a melancholy case Avould be to
support corporeal existence.

Since that time the apparently impossible has been
accomplished ; the blind and deaf from birth have been
educated, so have also many who have been bereft of sight
and hearing after but a few months of priceless possession,
and very many upon whom , this affliction has fallen in the
early ye;;rs of childhood.

Three names stand out most prominently in this remark-
able ach evement, the names of Laura Bridgeman, Marie
Heurtin and Helen Keller ; and impcrishably linked with
theirs are the names of Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe, Sister
St. Marguerite, and Miss Annie Sullivan.

Dr. Howe proved that a blind-deaf child could be educated.
Sister St. Marguerite that a child born blind-deaf could be
educated ; Miss Sullivan showed the extent to which such
education can be carried.

But though these names must ever be the most conspicuous
in the history of the blind-deaf, there are many others who
have been or are being educated in the same way. So
familiar have the achievements of Helen Keller become that
if the blind-deaf arc spoken about her case is at once cited
as if there were no others ; but France has produced Martha
Obrecht, Marie Poyet, Martha Heurtin— in addition to
Marie Heurtin ; Germany, Hertha Schluz, Johanna Schlott-

521

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

manii, and Rudolf Steiuborii ; the United Kingdom, Robert
Edgar, Mary Nicol, David McLean, Sarah Scott, Bridget
Campbell, Marion Duffin ; the United States of America,
Eva Halliday, Linnie Ilaguewood, Ella Hopkins, Katie
McGirr, Elizabeth Robins, Stanley Robinson, Thomas
Stringer, Leslie Oren, and scores of others. There is scarcely
a country in Europe which cannot show an instance of some
blind-deaf child successfully educated.

There are two ways of viewing the education of the blind-
deaf — the credulous and the sceptical. There are those
who are willing to accept any statement they see in print,
and to add to it and exaggerate it, and even gloat over it.
Such people look upon the work not only as wonderful, but
almost as miraculous, and they ascribe ail kinds of wonderful
powers to the teachers. Then there are those who err on the
other side, and are franklj^ imbelieving. Among the latter
are some who are intimately connected with the education
of the blind, but have had no experience of the blind-deaf.
Now both attitudes are cpiite wrong. There is nothing at
all wonderful in the process of teaching a blind-deaf child
to read and write, or even to sjieak and make out from the
lips spoken language, and the powers possessed b}'' the
teachers are quite ordinary, unless it i)c they have an extra
endowment of patience, insight and sympathy. As for
those who are sceptical, I can only say that the question
is no longer one of argument- — the facts are there and cannot
be gainsaid. Of course preposterous statements have been
made, but these have never been circulated by the teachers,
who have generally been most modest about the fruits of
their work.

It is one of my objects in this paper to correct both
views — to remove the doubts of unbelievers and to moderate
the astonishment so often expressed at the achievement.

By what methods, then, is the education of the blind-deaf
accomplished ? In every case I know of, practically the
same methods have been adopted, and they have been
adopted, not because they are the recognised and authorised
methods, but because they are the only methods possible.

.522

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

Those who have had the work to do have been trained,
experienced teachers, famihar with principles, and each for
herself has evolved the method without reference to what has
been done in previous instances. This has been absolutely
necessary, for, until recently, there has been little literature
on the subject. The methods naturally have varied in
slight details according to the particular circumstances, but
fundamentally they have been the same. Ideas have been
the starting point- — the gaining admittance to the child's
mind of ideas of the outside world. Then names, first by
use of signs, and then by means of the manual alphabet, have
followed, and then has come the written word in the form of
the Braille characters. Dr. Howe certainly did not quite
follow out this order — he began with written language, and,
of course, did not use Braille. When Laura first came to
him he had labels made on which names of common objects
were embossed in Roman type. These were tied on to the
objects, and soon Laura was able to recognise the words,
and to associate them with the objects. When she had
reached this stage single letters were given to her, and she
was made to understand that she was expected to form
them into words, e.g., a key was placed in her hand and she
then felt among the letters and picked out those that made
the name. In three months she became very expert at
doing this, and had a considerable vocabulary. She was
then taught the manual alphabet of the deaf and dumb, to
read the Roman type used at Perkins' Institution, and to
write with the pencil. Before Dr. Howe knew her she used
a sign language of her own devising.

Sister St. Marguerite awoke the intelligence of Marie
Hcurtin by means of signs. Marie had a pen-knife which
she valued greatly ; her teacher took it from her and then
returned it, directly afterwards placing the child's hands
one over the other. The knife was again taken away,
greatly to the anger of her pupil, and was not restored to
her until she made the sign for it. She was next taught
to indicate other objects by various signs, and in time pos-
sessed a considerable sign language. The finger alphabet was

523

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

next taught her, and, fuially, she learned to read and write
Braille. Marie, it must be remembered, was born blind and
deaf — ^the eldest of a family of nine children, three of whom
had the double affliction from birth, a fourth being without
hearing.

Miss Sullivan commenced immediately with the manual
alphabet. The first word, you will remember, was " doll,"
and the first lesson was given the morning after her arrival
at Tuscumbia ; but Helen had a language of her own—
a sign language — long before Miss Sullivan's coming. ^liss
Sullivan is sometimes credited wath having invented entirely
new methods, and there is nothing more common than to
hear the statement : " Helen Keller is very Avonderful, but
I think her teacher is more wonderful," Of Miss Sullivan's
great poAvers as a teacher there can be no question, any
more than there can be of her patience and devotion, but
she made no new • discovery in education, and she had a
genius as a pupil. Very wisely, INIiss Sullivan decided not
to give word lessons to Helen, but simply to talk to her,
irrespective of whether every w^ord was clearly understood
or not. Every mother teaches her child in the same way.
Helen's education began in March, 1887, and by July of the
same year she could WTite words with the pencil and was
learning Braille.

Miss Walker, of Glasgow, than whom there is no more
experienced teacher of the blind-deaf in the United Kingdom,
sends me the following account of Mary Nicol's education,
Mary was admitted to the Glasgow School for the Blind when
she was seven and a half years of age, having been totally
deaf, and practically blind from the age of five. Miss
Walker says : —

" She had no sense of the sound of letters, so I taught her
on the word-building sj^stem— ' a-ir,' ' st-air ' — and so on,
hoping that some day she Avould grasp the idea. On referring
to her language book I find she Avorked for eight months
and acquired nearly six hundred isolated Avords before this
happy result Avas achicA^ed ; AA'hen one day, haA^ng learned
to say ' Den ' (in Miss Denholm's name), it dawned upon

524

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

her that ' B-en ' was pronounced, ' Ben ' ! After that her
progress was rapid, and, oh ! so full of interest."

Herr Rieman, Principal of the School for the Blind and
Deaf at Nowawes, Prussia, says of Hedwig Schnitzer, who
became deaf and blind between her fifth and sixth year ; —

" At first she learned to spell out some words on the
fingers, and after the first two days in the institution she
could spell three words, without knowing the signs for the
separate letters."

And of Fritz Klarwitter : —

" After he had been taught by means of the manual
alphabet for a time he received instruction in articulation."

May I be allowed to tell the story of Marion Duffin's
education ? Before doing so I should like to say that, since
the time of Robert Edgar — one of the first, if not actually the
first blind-deaf child to be successfully educated in the United
Kingdom^ — -West Craigmillar has had a succession of such
cases, and I suppose that is why the impression has got
abroad that we specialise in this work. Some years ago it
so happened that we had five children very much of the same
age and the same standard of attainments, and it was
possible to make a special class of them. Two only were
totally blind ; the others had a measure of sight which I
am thankful to say has not decreased as they have grown
older.

An account of this class was published in various papers
and books, not by me or with my authority, and the result
is that we are credited with being a special school for the
blind and deaf. I find our school so mentioned in a paper
read by an eminent German teacher, along with five others — ■
three of which are no more special schools than we are.

Marion Duffin was admitted in her eighth year. All sight
and hearing had left her when she was six and a half. She
had never regularly attended school before that age, and all
of formal instruction that she had when she came to us was
a knowledge that children went to school to learn their
'* A B C's," She could repeat the alphabet as far as "D,"
and she knew the shape and sound of the letter " O." She

525

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

had retained her speech, Avhich was that of West Lothian.
Her parents — intelhgent working-class people, her father is
a miner — had communicated with her by the use of a few
signs. After she had been at school for a day or two I took
her to my room, accompanied by the teacher who was to
have special charge of her. This was Miss Mabel King, and
Miss King deserves to occupy a worthy place in the roll of
devoted women who have given so much of themselves to
this cause. I had placed a number of ol)jects on my table,
and when Marion came and perched herself on my knee her
hand went out to discover what was round about her and
came in contact with a hat. This she picked up, tried on
her own head, then on mine, and then on Miss King's.
As her attention was fixed on this object I took her hand and
spelled into it the letters H A T. She was very much
amused, and thought I was playing with her ; but when I
repeated the letters, and each time placed her hand on the
hat, the amused expression left her face and one of surprised
intelligence took its place. Presently she said : " Does
that mean hat ? " I nodded, then she took my hand and
spelled the word upon it. She then took Miss King's, and
the word was again spelled. As there were no others
present she slipped off my knee and went off to her class-
room, where we found her spelling the word to every child
she came across. Here I may mention that there is not a
single person in West Craigmillar, from oldest to youngest,
who does not readily use the manual alphabet for the deaf
and dumb. The next word we taught her was " mat," then
" cat," and alwaj^s when a new word was taught she was
given the object to feel. Her disposition is a very merry and
playful one, and for a considerable time she would not
recognise the word " cat " unless she was allowed to hold
the cat in her arms. " It's no use," she Avould say, " I don't
know that word ; you'll have to get me the pussy before I
can say it."

Gradually the sounds of our imperfect alphabet were
taught her, and many ingenious expedients were tried, and
often approximations had to be accepted. Slowly, but very

526

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

surely, the letters were learned, and as they were learned
she was taught the Braille equivalents.

At the end of a year she could read and write Braille with
simple eontractions. She is now thirteen, and is as far
advanced as most children of thirteen are. Like most blind
and deaf people, she has the gift of literary expression, and
is fond of writing little stories, and sometimes plays, for she
takes the keenest interest in anything dramatic. In
arithmetic she works vulgar and decimal fractions. She
is particularly fond of geography, and her typewriting is
very accurate. She will learn everything that others are
learning, and has insisted on being taught a number of
French words. The older girls have taught her to play
several tunes on the piano, and this accomplishment gives
her great satisfaction.

I have described Marion Duffin's case so fully because I
know it best, and because I think it is very typical. We
used no extraordinary methods, and no extraordinary
methods are necessary. What we did is what any teacher
would have done, and what teachers are, indeed, doing every
day all the world over with children who have sight and
hearing. The blind-deaf child must learn exactly as all
other children learn — and they must know words before
they can define them. And here I should like to mention
that, directly Marion had any vocabulary at all, the hearing
children became her best teachers, and we insisted from
the first that they should talk in complete grammatical
sentences to her.

In many schools much time is spent on spoken language
and lip reading. Educationally, spoken language is but
little gain to a blind-deaf child. If speech has once been
possessed it would be a thousand pities if it were lost, but
where speech has to be taught as something quite new I am
not much in favour of it. A great deal depends upon the
aptitude of the child, but it must be remembered that, even
under the best conditions, the social environment of the
blind-deaf must be very limited. It is scarcely conceivable
that they will ever be in a position in which speech would

527

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

be an essential. As for lip reading, I am altogether against
spending time over it, and, on hygienic grounds, it is doubtful
if it should be practised.

It has been estimated that there are fifty blind-deaf
children in Great Britain. I am inclined to think this is
an exaggeration ; at any rate, the answers to my questions
do not show anything like that number at school. Many
schools do not admit such cases, and I am afraid some blind-
deaf children do not receive any education at all. If this is
so, it is nothing less than a scandal, after it has been made
manifest how possible, and, indeed, how comparatively
simple it is to educate them. Cases of total blindness along
with total deafness in childhood arc infrequent, and very
rarely indeed does such date from birth. None of those
who have replied to my questions can positively say that
they have ever known such a case. In Mr. Wade's well-
known monograph on the subject it is stated, on the authority
of Mrs. E. M. Barrett, that only seven have been known.
She omits from the list she gives the names of Marie and
Martha Heurtin, about whom she apparently knew
nothing.

To the question " Are you in favour of a special school ? "
the great majority of the replies are in the affirmative, but
many diminish the value of their opinions by their previous
statements that they have had no experience in teaching
blind-deaf children. One gentleman was candid enough to
say : " I know nothing about the subject, but I am in
favour of a special school if there are sufficient children to
make such necessary." A few think that special centres
in blind schools — two for England and one for Scotland —
would meet the case, and the head of one institution is in
favour of special departments in special schools for defective
blind children, such departments to be under the charge of
teachers of the deaf.

As I asked for reasons for the opinions also to be given,
it may be interesting, as well as useful, if I give some of the
answers in full. One answers : " Yes, because they cannot,
as a rule, progress in an ordinary blind school. It is unfair

528

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

to normally blind pupils and also to their teachers, for them
to remain in a class for ordinary blind children. Still, it is
better for them to be admitted into institutions such as ours,
as there is no other provision for them."

Another says : " Yes — emphatically. The reasons, I
think, are obvious. They are a class to themselves, and all
the arguments for segregating the blind and sighted are
present in double force."

From another I get : " Yes. (1) Specially qualified
teachers in the methods of teaching both blind and deaf are
required to meet the needs of individual children. (2) In an
ordinary blind or deaf school it is not possible to give the
individual attention. (3) Special attention is required out-
side purely school training to ensure them having suitable
occupation and amusement for spare time. (4) Children
under present conditions must live more or less isolated lives,
and such provision would minimise this. (5) Better provision
would be afforded for after-care."

A very eminent teacher writes : " Unless a school can
supply a special teacher for such children they would take a
great deal of time from the other members of the class, and 1
am in favour of some plan of separation. As the blind-deaf
mutes would benefit by association with other blind children,
and would require the same apparatus and appliances for
their instruction, I would suggest that classes for them be
formed at such institutions as are willing to undertake the
work. If no existing institutions are willing to form centres,
then a separate school becomes a necessity."

This is the answer of the teacher of a school where fifteen
have been admitted during the past twenty-two years, and
where, at the present time, four are under instruction :
" No; association with hearing children is a great factor in
the mental and physical development of the blind -deaf
child."

And this is what I get froin one who can speak from the
point of view of the blind-deaf themselves : "In my opinion
such a school as is proposed would be a great mistake for
several reasons. Leaving out of consideration for the present

C.B. 529 M M

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

the question of cost, Avhich it seems to me would be un-
justified and out of all proportion to requirements of the case,
my principal objection is that it would be bad for the children,
both during their school life and afterwards, to confine them
to an institvition exclusively set apart for themselves. I
may say here that, having been totally deaf myself from
boyhood and semi-blind all my life, I have in consequence
been associated with the deaf and blind intimately, and
during the past twenty years I have been actively interested
in social and religious work among the deaf all over the
kingdom. Without disparagement to other institutions, it
has been frequently noticed and commented on that the
pupils of a certain school which includes deaf and hearing
pupils are, taken ail over, more intelligent and have a much
greater command of language than the average pupils of
institutions for the deaf exclusively, and it has been sugges'ted
that this is due to the fact that out of school hours the deaf
and hearing children mingle together freely with advantages
to both. If this is true of deaf children who can see, it is
surely reasonable to argue that it would be tenfold more
applicable to children who cannot see. Briefly, my argu-
ment is that the more deaf and hearing children associate
together (and for that matter blind and seeing children also),
the better it is for all in every way, and on the same principle
it is infinitely better for the blind-deaf to associate as much
as possible with the hearing and the seeing. To shut them
up for the term of their school life in an institution exclu-
sively devoted to themselves would, it seems to me, be much
more than a mistake ; it would be an act of cruelty- — a
crime."

I have submitted this special school idea to others who
suffer from the double deprivation, and I have invariably
found it to be repudiated ; while as for the suggestion that
the blind-deaf should be educated along with mental defec-
tives, it rouses at first righteous indignation and then
merriment.

For my own part I am altogether opposed to the idea of a
special school, and for these reasons :■ — •

530

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

1. It is unnecessary. That the bhnd-dcaf can be educated'
either in schools for the bhnd or schools for the deaf, has
been proved beyond question. 1 quite agree that they take
up a great deal of one teacher's time, and that, therefore, it
is a costly matter ; but so will a special school be. In the
scheme which was outlined by the joint committee of the
College of Teachers of the Blind and College of Teachers of
the Deaf it was stated that for the cost of annual maintenance
and education per child a sum of £60 was to be asked. Well,
obtain that sum for children being educated in ordinary
schools for the blind, and the argument of cost disappears,
and if you can obtain it in one case, you can in the other.

It is said special teachers are required ; this I deny, if by
special you mean those with special knowledge and experi-
ence. If special teachers are essential then no blind-deaf
child has yet been educated, for up to the present there have
been no special teachers. Dr. Howe was not a specialist in
the education of the blind-deaf, and neither was Miss
Sullivan, and yet somehow they managed to educate their
charges. I do not say that every teacher can do the work,
but I do say that any well-trained and thoughtful teacher
ought to be able to do it. Mr. W. Wade, who had a wider
acquaintance with blind-deaf people than most people,
approached this subject from the point of view of common-
sense, and he said : " There is a delusion in the public mind
that the task of restoring the blind-deaf to the famih?" of
humanity is one of stupendous difficulty, requiring great
knowledge and experience, almost amounting to an occult
science. The error of this is demonstrated by the fact that
none of the many successful teachers of the blind-deaf ever
had any experience in the work. It may be said positively
that any good teacher in our common schools, particularly in
kindergarten work, is fully qualified to teach the blind-deaf
pupil, after she learns the manual alphabet."

Then it is said the presence of such children upsets organi-
sation, and is inimical to the interests of the other children.
Well, all I can say is that I have not found it so, and I have
had about as much to do with such children as most people.

531 M M 2

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

The common idea seems to be that a teacher ought to devote
every minute of her time to her bhnd-deaf pupil, but such
individual care is not required during the whole of the school
day. In the manual instruction classes the child can take
her place with the other children, and there are times during
the day when this pupil should be engaged in Braille writing,
typewriting and private reading, when the attention of the
teacher is not required. It is not true, at least, I have not
found it so, that they need more care out of school, nor that
they lead isolated lives. The very opposite is the case.
The other morning I stood and watched a number of our
girls at play, and among them was Marion Duffin. No one
would have thought she was blind or deaf, much less blind
and deaf, to see how free her actions were, how readily she
took her part, and enjoyed the fun that was going on.

Then I have heard it said^ — but I almost hesitate to repeat
it, it is such a libel on childhood — that the children in an
ordinary school for the blind would ill-treat a child doubly
deprived.

Miss Walker says in her reply that she found the help of
the hearing pupils invaluable. I have never read that
Laura Bridgeman was much put upon by the other pupils
at Perkins' Institvition, nor that the yoimg savages of
another generation lay in wait to maltreat Helen Keller
during her visits to that school.

1, therefore, consider the special school unnecessary. The
work can be done, and is being done, thoroughly well in
ordinary schools for the blind, or schools for the deaf.

Higher grants should certainly be asked for, and, when
obtained, the question of organisation will be solved.

2. I consider the scheme unnatural, unhealthy and un-
reasonable. " They are a class to themselves," says one
gentleman, " and all the arguments for segregating the blind
and sighted for educational purposes are present in double
force." Well, I ain afraid I profoundly disagree. The only
class that they belong to is that of human beings. They
have the same functions, the same desires, the same hopes
and aspirations, the same interests that you have. And we

532

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

do not segregate the blind — we segregate the weak-minded
and the criminal. It is becoming more and more the policy,
in the best schools, for the blind to mix with the seeing —
we send them to concerts, to theatres, to lectures, to
museums. We send them to the universities ; we do ail we
can to broaden their minds by intercourse with seeing
people. What segregation there is is an evil — it may be a
necessary one- — -and in the case of the blind-deaf arguments
against segregation are present in double force. It has been
frequently said at these Conferences that a blind man is
merely a man without sight ; let it be remembered that a
blind-deaf child is simply a child without sight and hearing.
Children gain immensely by the exchange of ideas. How
limited will this exchange be, how poor will be the stock of
general knowledge of the natural world and of what is
taking place in the world, how j^ctty and how narrow will
be the outlook on life and how erroneous and distorted, if
children with two senses lacking are deprived of the com-
munion, the constant intimate communion, of those more
favourably circumstanced. In a special school it is possible
you may have more scientific methods, more system and
more routine, but I venture to think that the mental con-
dition of the children will be one of undevelopment, or, at
any rate, development only along such lines as the mere
teaching is able to bring about. Let me give you some
instances of how children blind and deaf are influenced by
what is taking place around them, and how they can take
their parts in the general life of the community in which
they are placed. The children at West Craigmillar are
particularly fond of acting. They are constantly getting up
plays and operettas — •sometimes on a small scale for private
performance, and sometimes of much larger dimensions.
In these our blind-deaf children take the keenest interest,
and I have seen no less than five on a platform of one of
our largest halls in Edinburgh, going through the parts
assigned to them, and doing all they had to do with as much
spirit and interest as any of the other children. I do not
tell you this to provoke your astonishment — I see nothing

533

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

at all wonderful in it under the circumstances ; there would
have been cause for wonder had these children not been
associated with hearing children. Some years ago I took
a blind-deaf boy to Perth, where he was to spend a holiday.
I had my newspaper with me, and, soon after starting, he
asked me to tell him the news of the day. I found he was
well informed about political matters, and knew a little of
foreign affairs, had some idea of sport, and was interested in
aviation. He was not a reader of any Braille newspaper ;
how, then, did he get his information ? Undoubtedly by
means of conversation with his hearing companions. Lena
Young had sight until between seven and eight years of age,
and some hearing until she was thirteen. She was in our
school till sixteen years of age, and was one of the special
class already mentioned. I shall always regard her as one
of the most lovable pupils I have ever had. She is still
resident at West Craigmillar, and is employed in our Women's
Department. Some time ago one of my teachers, out of the
goodness of a verj^ good heart, in her own time, formed
classes for the teaching of French and Esperanto. Lena
became a student, and a very enthusiastic one, and she now
corresponds with people abroad in both languages. Now,
what I want to point out and to emjihasise is that the blind-
deaf can, and do, take an interest and their full share in all
that goes on in an ordinary school for the blind, and that
they benefit tremendously by leading this com^Daratively
full life.

In the third place, I object to the special school plan
because, unless you are going to follow it up by an establish-
ment for adults, you are going to make employment, or
rather, the finding of employment, a very difficult matter.
At present a blind-deaf child has a certain claim, if nothing
more than the claim which comes of knowledge and
sympathy, on the institution where she has been educated,
and, as most institution schools are connected with depart-
ments for adult workers, that claim is not altogether
difficult to satisfy. It will be otherwise if you have a
special school. No institution Avill feel that it has

534

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

any particular responsibility for the after-care of such
a child.

My fourth objection to the scheme is that I see no prospect
of its ever being carried out, and, until the scheme is aban-
doned, I do not think much will be done to secure additional
aid in the way of Government grants, and until more money
is secured for the purpose, many schools will continue to
decline to admit. I do not think the scheme is now practical
politics. When originally outlined by a joint committee
of the College of Teachers of the Blind and the College of
Teachers of the Deaf, it was estimated that a sum of £15,000
would be required for building alone. Where is this money
to come from ? The country will not be ready for many a
year for another general appeal such as we have seen recently.

These are my main objections to the idea of a special
school. I almost feel as if I had been flogging a dead horse,
for it is now some years since the joint committee issued their
report, and apparently they had not sufficient confidence
in it themselves to press the matter further. The question
has often been discussed in American magazines, and I find
the opinion almost universally against it. I believe that two
special schools exist on the Continent. I am doubtful of
the necessity, and doubtful if their success justifies their
existence.

I earnestly believe that a school for the blind or a school
for the deaf is the proper place for the education of the
blind-deaf. Of these I consider that the more natural is
the school for the blind. All the special apparatus which they
need will be found there, and it seems to me a much simpler
thing for a teacher who knows Braille to acquire the manual
alphabet than for a teacher of the deaf to acquire a know-
ledge of Braille. I am fully aware of the splendid and self-
denying work of so many teachers of the deaf, and particu-
larly the teachers in American schools for the deaf, and also
of the admirable manner in which Mrs. Everett in this
country trained Florrie Collier, yet, from the point of view
both of education and of after-care, I feel that these children
ought in nearly every case to be associated with the interests

535

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

of the blind. May I quote here a passage from Dr. Kitto's
book, "The Lost Senses"? Dr. Kitto, you will remember,
was deaf from early youth, and, discussing the case of
Julia Brace, says : " Now that we know what can be done,
and has been done, in the worse case of Laura Bridgeman,
we may the more earnestly lament the inferior condition in
which Julia was left ; and we may perhaps be justified in
asking whether this may be ascribed to her being placed in
an asylum for the deaf and dumb rather than, like Laura,
in one for the blind. Not only is the mode of educating
the blind better suited to such a case, and more likely to
suggest means of meeting its peculiar conditions, but from
their higher intellectual condition and more cheerful tempera-
ment, the society of the blind is far better calculated than
that of the deaf mutes to call forth the resources and exercise
the remaining powers of a person thus afflicted."

Part II.— After-Care.

But, if the problem of the education of the blind-deaf is
a simple one, as I think it is, the problem of after-care is
remarkably complex. The term " after-care " is an un-
fortunate one, as it implies some previous care, and in a
great majority of cases the double deprivation is not suffered
until adult life is reached. I am afraid that many, if not
most, of those so unfortunate are allowed to drift into the
workhouse, or receive a pittance in the form of parish relief
on which to keep body and soul together. It is estimated
that there are 450 totally blind and totally deaf adults in
Great Britain. Of this number it is a liberal allowance to
say that 30 per cent, are in employment. Why is this
proportion so small ? I suppose in the first place it is due
to the fact that there is not sufficient work to go round the
normal blind, and our workshops are almost bound to take
the fittest. I suppose it is also due to many of these
people having had no training in the employments specially
suitable for the blind. I daresay that there are some cases
of depravity of character. Generally speaking, however,

536

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

blind-deaf people are distinctly employable ; in fact, clever
fingers seem to be associated with the infirmity.

A difficulty presents itself to those who have had such
cases to deal with in the shape of providing lodgings, attend-
ance, and the most ordinary of creature comforts. In very
few cases arc they fortunate enough to possess either private
resources or to have relatives who can secure comfortable
homes for them. Wherever they go they must have their
guides, and guides are not always easy to secure, and are
somewhat costly. The greatest problem that I have had
myself in dealing with the blind-deaf is knowing how to
provide a home for a young man totally blind and deaf,
to arrange for him during holiday periods, and to sec that
he was suitably engaged during his hours of leisure. We
had at that time no residential department for young men,
his parents were dead, his brothers and sisters too young,
and his other relations either indifferent or too poor to be of
any assistance. I believe strongly that boarding-houses,
sympathetically and sensibly conducted, are the best homes
for most blind young men, and certainly for those who are
blind and deaf. Still more important is it that women in
this position should be cared for in homes for blind women.
There are cases, but they are few, where a woman has a
suitable home of her own near to the scene of her employ-
ment, and no one would wish to interfere with such a happy
arrangement. Where the good home does not exist they
ought to be living along with others who have the same
interests, where they can have ready access to books, and
opportunities of forming valuable friendships. The com-
munal life means a great deal, and I have found they can
take their share in that life, as the children can in the general
life of the school.

It is remarkable what struggles, what heroic struggles,
many blind-deaf men and blind-deaf women have made to
provide themselves with a livelihood. I wonder if the story
of Benjamin Dickson is known to you. It ought to be,
as an instance of indomitable courage. As told in the
Messenger for July, 1906, by Mr. John Brodie, himself

537

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

somewhat of a battler against adverse circumstances, it is
as follows : —

Benjamin Dickson became deaf at the age of ten, and at
fifteen he almost lost the power of walking. He, nevertheless,
by peddling, shoe-blacking, organ-grinding, made enough to
sustain life. He then became a street artist, and was so
successful that he was able to contribute to the maintenance
of his parents. He even saved a little, and as he thought he
saw an opportunity of adding to his savings, he ventured his
all in a marine store, but an assistant, whom he had engaged
to assist him, ran him into debt and he became bankrupt.
He began life over again, once more as a street artist, and,
remarkable as it may seem, he was able to pay every farthing
of debt he owed. But the effort and the exposure to all
kinds of weather w^as fatal to his sight, which had never been
good, and he became totally blind. Even under this crush-
ing blow he did not lose heart, and, having heard of the
Braille system, he was not content until he was able to both
read and write it. His case became known to some of those
working among the outdoor deaf in Edinburgh, and by their
efforts a sufficient sum was raised to keep him in comparative
comfort for the few years of life that yet remained to him.

Now such suffering and privation ought not to be possible
in a civilised country. This man contributed nothing to his
own misfortune, he was sober, upright and eminently
religious. This is not an isolated case by any means, and
where the afflicted persons have been the victims of evil
social conditions due to the faults of society, society should
at least bear its share of the penalty.

I want to see the State become conscious of its duty in
this matter. It is absurd to suppose that such people, how-
ever well educated and hoAvever well disposed, can do equal
work with others more fortunately placed, or that they ever
can become, economically, of much service to the community,
and, therefore, something in the nature of compensation
should be made to them to make up for their deficiencies. I
do not think it is too much to ask that a sum of £30 a year
should be given by the State to every blind-deaf person on

538

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

the termination of school hfe, and, if the deprivation comes
at a later stage, that the pension — -if pension it can be called—
should commence when they are so medically certified.
This sum would provide at least the backbone of a living for
them which could be supplemented by earnings at suitable
employments.

These employments are quite varied. I find from the
answers given to my questions that twelve are engaged in
basket-making, four at mat-making, two at chair-seating,
one at making rush and wicker chairs, two at French polish-
ing, one at the sewing machine, one at mattress-making, two
at brush-making, one at wire work, one at boot-mending,
one at joiner work, one at cork fender-making, one at hair
mixing, one at upholstery, eight at knitting, one at Braille
stereotyping, and two at book-binding. This is by no means
a complete list, but it will suffice to show that employment
and what employment is possible.

It is sometimes said that the blind-deaf lead colourless,
dull and isolated lives. I am afraid that this is too true in
some cases, but it is quite unnecessary and quite wrong that
it should be so. It can only be, at least one would hope so,
that those who ought to assist such people are not aware of
their existence. There are so many agencies both for the
blind and for the deaf that no case ought to escape notice.
I believe that most blind-deaf people lead a very full life.
Mr. Norris finds his interest, and finds it well, in 'editing a
magazine- with a world-wide circulation. Miss Brookfield
assists him, and has done much journalistic work. Many
have a gift for acquiring foreign languages. Miss Brookfield
who was turned out of a school for the blind when she lost
her hearing, because the authorities said it was not a school
for the deaf, has learned Greek so as to be able to read the
New Testament in the original. One of my own men is a
sound Latin scholar, and reads and speaks French and
German fluently.

Of course the real solution of the problem is prevention.
Two-thirds should never have been so afflicted had they
received proper medical treatment in time. We are living

539

Education and i\fter-Care of the Blind-Deaf

in an enlightened age, and we have a right to expect, without
any unusual display of optimism, that with more knowledge,
greater skill and better living the time is not far distant when
such a condition will be one of great rarity.

But until that day comes the blind-deaf have a claim
which cannot be ignored — the claim that they may iive^ — not
merely that corporeal existence may be supported, but that
all their powers of mind, of soul and of body may be so
nourished and developed that they may fulfil, as far as may
be possible, that for which they were intended.

540

Discussion

DISCUSSION.

Mr. J. M. Ritchie (Maiicliester). — -I hope the Conference will
not think me guilty of self-advertisement if I state that I have
had mention already in Mr. Stone's paper— I will not say honour-
able mention, for I am the individual who knew nothing at all
about the subject and yet who advocated special schools. Now
I disagree altogether with these remarks, it is hardly necessary
to say, and in fact I would not have recognised myself if the writer
liad not taken occasion to point out the identity of the reference.
But now that I have read and heard the paper I should like to
ask Mr. Stone to allow me to thank him for his most informative
— ^and I know that is a word he will like — paper. It may be
rather audacious in me, but I want to go even further, and disagree
with the main theses of the first part of the paper, and say that
I feel strongly that the present state of affairs in the country
with regard to the education of the blind and deaf is easily
susceptible of improvement.

Now let us turn to the paper itself, and when a controversialist
says he feels he is belabouring a dead horse, you may be sure there
are signs of life in it, and I think there are one or two points
where Bucephalus might get in a kick. First Mr. Stone generalises
from the particular, and there is more than a suspicion of the
undistributed middle term. He says blind-deaf children can be
educated satisfactorily at West Craigmillar, therefore they can
be educated satisfactorily in the average school for the blind.
But Mr. Stone does both himself and Craigmillar an injustice.
It is an exceptional school. He is an exceptional head-master.
You see how I return good for evil. (Laughter.) I will not
use any private source of information, but only what has been
given here already, when I say that the average boy at West
Craigmillar, especially if from Aberdeen, takes a first-class honours
in philosophy in Edinburgh University, and that the blind-deaf
in their spare time study French and Esperanto. We cannot
live up to that in England, and I hojie Mr. Stone will not insist
upon it. Then on p. 533 I think we might find a fallacy which,
I suppose, until now, has never reared its head in Church House,
but which is common enough over the way at St. Stephen's — ■
namely, that of stating only one side of the truth. Mr. Stone
speaks there about the evils of segregation, and with everything
he says we naturally agree. But the fact remains, in spite of
what has been said this morning, that for the education of the
ordinary blind child special schools are necessary. (Hear, hear.)
They are necessary both for the sake of educational economy and
educational efficiency. I claim that the principle of specialisation
holds good in the case of the blind-deaf also. At the present
time single children are admitted to our schools up and down the
country, and the blind-deaf child is exceedingly difficult to grade
in the ordinary schools. For instance, we have in Manchester
at the present time two classes of which the grading is to a large
extent spoiled by the presence in each of one blind-deaf child.
The class thus handicapped must be run at a lower rate of educa-
tional efficiency. Now Mr. Stone siieaks of the different methods

541

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

by which a class of two grades can be taught at one time, but we
knew all that before. Have not these tilings been in the school
management text-books from the beginning f Now I think that
a compromise — ^or, to give it a more polite title, a via media —
might be found in the suggestion of the " eminent teacher " of
p. 529. That sxiggestion would, in other words, be this : that
children would be sent to a selected number of our schools, that
certain of our blind schools up and down the country would
undertake this work in addition to the education of the oidinary
blind children. Sufficient numbers would thus be sent to these
chosen schools to ensure adequate grading, and all the other
schools would be relieved entirely of this task. I think that is
well worthy of the consideration of the Conference. The present
system is inefficient and wasteful. It is indefensible and wasteful
on account of the drag which the jiresence of these children means
to the ordinary children, and even more, it is indefensible and
wasteful because of the unjustifiable exclusion of many of these
from school altogether. That state of things has lasted too long.
Why could not there be a conference, say, between some of the
chief school authorities and the Board of Education, and some
solution, perhaps on lines like these, be worked out with our
present machinery "?

Lord Algernon Percy (Warwick). — With regard to the educa-
tion of the deaf-blind 1 wish to call attention to the many advan-
tages which the Moise code possesses as a means of communication
with them. It is easily learned by anyone knowing the manual
system. Braille, or roman type. One girl in five lessons learned
sufficient to know that it was time to go home when the words
were tapped on her back. And of the four girls who are exhibiting
the electrical Morse method of communication at the Midland
Institution stall (by the kindness of Mr. Pine) one was taught by
correspondence ; she taught another by correspondence, and the
latter girl is the most proficient of the four. It is wonderful
how they take to it and the interest they take in it. It is expressed
by a slight tap for a dot, and a tap with pressure for a dash. Once
learned it can be used very quickly and it is quite possible to
communicate at the rate of thirty words a minute without any
great difficulty. It is not necessary to touch the fingers or flesh,
and this is a mdst important point in the case of infectious com-
plaints, or where pain would be caused by touch. Then another
advantage is that, supposing a boy or girl were employed in
weaving or any other industry, they can be spoken to without
taking their hands and thus interfering with what they are doing.
It is a universal code, is widely known, and I hope will become
more so still. It is known by all connected with the military
and naval services, the mercantile marine, the Post Office, the
boy scouts, and probably the girl guides, so that there will be
hardly any family of which some one member will not know
something about it. You can use the code with expression by
lightly and cheerfully tapping, or by tapping slowly and sadly.
An allusion has been made to lip reading. One girl who could
see slightly was taught lip reading. It occurred to me that if
she were ill and in a darkened room, not having been taught

542

Discussion

anything but lip reading, slie would be shut xip in silence and
darkness, whereas the Morse code could be used quite easily.

By the use of electricity one teacher can deliver a lecture to any
number of pupils. Upstairs, owing to the kindness of Mr. Pine,
one telegraphist is communicating with four deaf-blind girls
whom she has never seen before, but for any number to be com-
municated with is merely a matter of arrangement. The deaf-
blind can only receive the Morse code by touch, but they could
communicate it by sound, flash-light, or gesture. Of course
there are other forms of illness where the Morse code might be
of use, but it would be out of order if I referred to them here.
Mr. Stone strongly I'easons against special schools for the deaf-
blind, but I venture to suggest that there is another side to the
question. I think it very important that deaf-blind children
should be educated in the open air and in the country as much
as possible ; I think they would then acquire more knowledge,
as a little child acquires knowledge through the senses, without
the fatigue of being taught. They would be brought into touch
with Nature, and Nature teaches a great deal. There is a great
deal of difficulty in teaching them in towns, as you cannot show
them a picture. I had an example of the value of open-air teach-
ing last year. Two deaf-blind girls spent a considerable amount
of time in my garden, and I was struck — profoundly struck —
with the improvement in their general health and bearing, and
also in their mental imi)rovement. It seemed to me quite possible
that a long-continued course in the open air might really have
imjjroved their sight and hearing.

Mr. H. G. Oke * (Margate). — I am afraid I cannot add anything
to the discussion on the educational side, but I wish that every
blind person — I will go as far as that, every blind person, and at
any rate every blind or sighted person who is mixed up with or
works among the blind — ^would learn the finger alphabet, and
the Morse code too, if it is likely to become general. 1 fully intend
to study it. These deaf-blind are necessarily very isolated, and
I know a good deal about them through seeing the correspondence
they have had with a friend of mine, and they all complain that
so few people can talk to them. I think it is very hard that they
should not be able to enter into the pleasures of conversation. I
have known a deaf and an ordinary blind person meet. They
would have enjoyed each other's conversation, but they could
not do so because they could not talk each other's language.
I think it is especially necessary for home teachers and clergy
of all denominations to learn to speak to the blind-deaf. They
must often come in contact with deaf people, and why should
they not add to their equipment by learning a language that
will enable them to speak to them °?

Colonel Da Silva Mello (Brazil). — Permit me to take my leave.
Returning to my country, I have my heart full of gratitude and
my mind profoundly marvelled ! The spectacle of this meeting
is an edifying lesson for all the world. And you, my friends,
the blind of England, go on in your triumphant way, and I am
sure that the glorious " Union of Unions for the Blind " will be

543

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

victorious. Marcii forward under tlie" seven colours of your
flag, which shine in future like the rainbow of your hope !

Mr. F. Ct. Barnes (London). — I should like first of all to convey
to this Conference, on behalf of our National Association of
Teachers of the Deaf, the cordial greetings of that body. We
have not had an opportunity of appearing before you officially
this week because our chairman and president have been otherwise
engaged, and I have my school duties. The two problems of
blindness and deafness, although often confused in the public
mind, do not touch except in the subject we are discussing this
afternoon, and there, I think, we may all recognise that the en-
forced dependence, and to some extent'idleness, which blindness
entails and the enforced isolation lesulting from deafness are
combined in the same individual.

I have been intensely interested in the paper, because we have
had Jit the Homerton school in the past ten years something like
fifty cjiildren who would have gone to a special school for the
blind-deaf had one been in existence. I fully appreciate, Mr.
Chairman, everything Mr. Stone has said, and I know by ex-
perience the magnificent work that is being done at West Craig-
millar, but I have no hesitation in saying that if the West Craig-
millar institution had set up a separate department, if their
experience had been gathered together year by year and dis-
seminated, the result would have been even better. One teacher
takes it up, gains a certain amount of experience, and then
drops it for lack of pupils, and consequently all that accumulated
experience goes for nothing and is wasted.

Then another point. Mr. Stone's idea is that special teachers
are not required. I do not think he can justify that by any
means of logical argument. If special teachers are necessary for
the blind, then surely they are necessary for the blind-deaf,
perhaps not at the beginning, but when they have to specialise.
Now in the census for this year, or rather for 1911, the Commis-
sioners report about twenty-one blind-deaf between the ages of
five and sixteen in the country. Some are feeble-minded. We
cannot place any sort of reliance upon the figiires of the Com-
missioners except with regard to the fact that the child is totally
blind and deaf ; with regard to its mentality, I think we must
take that on trust, and I think when a layman says a blind -deaf
child is imbecile he is most likely to be wrong. I believe the
number given is about half the real number. But if there are
only twenty-one, surely there is room for a special department.
But there is also a tremendous number partly blind and deaf
and whose partial blindness or deafness unfits them for blind or
deaf schools. Some remarks have been made about Mrs. Everett's
work with Florrie Collier. That girl took up nearly one-third
of her time for a very long period. There was rather a severe
tax on my school at that particular time. It is bound to be a
.severe tax when one or two blind children have to be attended
to. At the present time we have eight children, one totally and
seven partially blind, and they require two people to attend to
them. At the i^resent time one teacher's time is devoted entirely
to it, and she and I find great difficulty in battling with the

544

Discussion

problem. I am coaifident that if the London County Council
knew there was a good special school these blind -deaf children
would be sent there, and so would children from other places.

The little joint committee which represents the College of
Teachers of the Blind and the National Association of Teachers
of the Deaf some years ago said about £15,000 would be required
to establish such a school, and the cost would be about £50 or £60
a head. I think more important things have occupied Mr.
Stainsby's time and have prevented the committee meeting, but
I hope it will be revived The special school would be well worth
its cost from the point of view of the child, and 1 have no hesita-
tion in saying from the point of view of pedagogical research.
Both in this country and abroad the education of Helen Keller
has aroused extraordinary interest.

There is one other thing in which I wish to oppose Mr. Stone
most strongly. It is in the paragraph where he makes an apj)ei.l
for a grant of £30 a head for every blind-deaf person. I do not
know whether you have heard Mr. Charles Campbell say so, but
he assured me in Boston about five years ago that one of the worst
things the Massachusetts Clovernment did was to establish a
system of pensions for the blind. The reason given was this,
that instead of a blind man or woman being urged to industry,
he or she was very often kept as a recipient of bounty, and the
great deprivation of blindness was not removed by being given
a chance of earning a living.

With regard to Florence Collier, I believe we have solved the
difficulty to some extent. We established a scholarship fund by
the kindness of the chairman of the special Schools Committee
in London and one or two others, and her education is being carried
on in the evenings by one of my teachers. She recently sat for
two subjects for the L.L.A. preliminary examination, and I hope
she got through. We decided that industry would be as useful
as mental development, and so we put the matter of her educa-
tion on this basis — that we would pay her for her studying for half
the day, but the other half she should work at the knitting industry
for the London County Council After-care Committee, and
whatever she earned in the morning we would double, so that she
might be able to spend the rest of the day in study, and the con-
sequence is that the girl is encouraged to work well. I believe
there are some stockings made by her on exhibition here. In
that way she is not only happier and brighter, but is taken from
that curse of introspection and meditation which idleness is likely
to induce.

Monsieur Eugen Bally (Switzerland). — I am very thankful
that you are going to give me a few minutes more to speak in
favour of the deaf-blind. In the paper of Mr. Stone I miss one
country which has done a good deal in favour of the blind and
the deaf-blind, and that is Sweden. Mrs. Anrep-Nordin at
Venersborg is the founder of the institution for blind, feeble-
minded, deaf, and dumb children. Before she began her work
she went to the States and saw Helen Keller, and took lessons
from her and did all she could to get up to the mark in this veiy
difficult matter. After her return she began with a few children.

C.B. 545 NN

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

She succeeded and went on, and to-day lier institiition has over a
hundred blind and deaf and feeble-minded children. The insti-
tution has become so important that the Government of Sweden is
now on the point of making it a si^ecial jniblic school. It will be
transformed at a high cost. I am going to tell you something
more. Perhaps many of you think that these feeble-minded and
deaf-blind children cannot do much good work. If you go to the
exhibition here you will find a very fine collection of more than
a hundred patterns of webs which have been made by them, and
I may add that there are over fifty looms worked by these feeble-
minded and blind and deaf children.

With regard to Switzerland, I have had to do with a normal
school for the blind in the vicinity of Berne containing about
forty or forty-five children. Often we were asked to take blind,
feeble-minded, and deaf-blind children too. Very soon we came
to the conclusion that this would not do. We had a small private
institution for normal blind in French Switzerland, but this was
not in a position to accept our childien chiefly on account of the
difference in language, so we fomided a general Swiss institution
for feeble-minded and deaf-blind children, as I had the honour
to tell you a few days ago. This school has been created by gifts
collected all over Switzerland ; and I made a mistake in telling
you the other day that it cost something like £10,000 for the
building ; it was in fact about £8,000. It is not an extraordinary
financial undertaking to establish such an institution. You can
do it easily. Give up your idea of mixing up normal blind chil-
dren with children having other defects as well. This will not
do, so far at least as our experience goes. I hope you will begin
as soon as possible to establish an institution for the poorest
of the blind children — the deaf-blind and the feeble-minded blind.

I conclude by joining oiir Brazilian delegate in tendering the
sincere thanks of my country for the hearty reception we have
received in your great and charitable city of London, and per-
sonally desire to express to you my respectful and deep-felt
gratitude.

Mr. Stainsbt (London). — ^It has not been my practice, as you
know, during Conference, to say much. A secretary, as I said,
ought to take a somewhat neutral position. But the subject
under discussion is so dear to my heart that I cannot refrain
from saying a few words. I think the condition of the blind-deaf
is the most pathetic in the wide world. To live, as these have to
do, in darkness and silence is a grievous affliction, and that has
been brought home to me very forcibly lately in my capacity as
editor of a magazine. I have received letters from several blind-
deaf persons which really rend my heart. I could not have
believed that these people could have lived in the condition they
do. It is this which has emboldened me to speak.

With regard to Mr. Stone's paper, I congratulate him on what
he has said. I thank him very warmly for the very ijiformative
character of his paper, and it will be a great joy to me to see that
paper on permanent record ; but here I must part company with
him,, Much is excellent in a high degree, but I join with Mr.
Barnes on three points of dissention. The first is that Mr. Stone

546

Discussion

says we do not require special teacliers ; or, secondly, a special
school ; and, thirdly, that the number of blind-deaf is less than
we have hitherto been led to believe. It was my happy lot to
be a member of the committee which Mr. Barnes mentioned, and
during the sittings of that committee I was firmly convinced that
it Avas desirable that teachers of the blind -deaf should have the
dual qualifications of teachers of the blind and teachers of the
deaf, and the College of Teachers of the Blind, which appointed
the committee, adopted that conclusion. They also came to the
conclusion that a special school was desirable. Now I think all
of us who have had to do with the blind-deaf maintain that while
a good deal is done for them in schools for the blind — for I believe
that for the most part many of them are there dealt with — yet
that kind of school is not an ideal place for them. I had experi-
ence with two such pupils at Birmingham. Neither of these
boys was happy. Their double affliction isolated them from the
other blind boys, and this isolation they felt very keenly indeed.
One became extremely distrustful and violent, and the other, to
relieve the monotony of his life, frequently visited the office to
try to have a chat with the lady clerks there.

My final word is a plea that we should have a special school
and specially qualified teachers for the deaf-blind. I oilght to
say that the numbers Mr. Stone mentioned are numbers I fur-
nished as lion, registrar of the College of Teachers of the Blind.
They were supplied by experts, and I, like Mr. Barnes, think
they are substantially correct. There are probably forty or fifty
blind-deaf children who ought to be properly educated and
trained.

Mr. Charles F. F. Campbell (Columbus, Ohio). — ^I was not in
the room when our friend Mr. Barnes spoke, but I am quite sure
there is a misapprehension with regard to the pension situation
in America ; therefore, on account of the permanent record, I
would like to correct it. Workers for the blind in the United
States are absolutely miited in not wanting a pension, which is
simply going to foster idleness. None of us want it, and I have
no doubt that he heard me blaze away just as emphatically as he
can himself. But let me tell you, further, there is one thing we
do in America — ^we are not afraid to turn round and back up
where we have to. When we learned in America that there is a
very large proportion who have lost their sight in after life, we
knew there was an awful need of pensions. But in the laws that
have gone on the statute-book there is the word " needy " ; in
case of need, NEED, that is the point. We do believe that
there is an absolute necessity of making up for loss of sight which
has crippled a man's earning capacity. I do not know the best
way of doing it, but I know there is the need, whether you call
it a pension "or relief. We from America, one and all, would like
to say to you that we have had a very happy, a very profitable
and delightful, time with you in London, and we do hope that
you will not sit on a bump and expect a long placard in the form
of an invitation to oiu- Conference in 1915, becaiise you will not
get it. Just put on your hat and come ; you will be very welcome.
We want to say to you God-speed to your next Conference, and

547 N N 2

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

we will, a lot of us, come over, and. hope to have as good a time as
you have given us in 1914.

Mr. Guy Campbell (Norwood). — I little thought that my name
was going to follow my brother's, or I would not have attempted
to be a connecting link. I thought, as a matter of reminiscence,
if I refened to Laura Bridgeman, and directed your attention
to the fact that her picture is on the stand in the hall, it might be
appropriate. A bust of her is there also and samples of her
writing. I remember sitting on Laura's knee as a tiny boy, and
being rew^arded by Dr. Howe with apples, for going about with her.
I think the specimens of writing there exhibited are well woithy
of your attention.

Sefior I. Guti:^riiez-Ponce (Colombia). — I do not wish to throw
a s'^one on Mr. Stone. (Laughter.) Besides, I have not sufficient
knowledge on certain of his proposals, but in regard to this matter
of special schools for the deaf-blind I think we may remember that
when we put bad fruit into a basket with sound fruit in the vast
majority of cases the rotten fruit does not improve, but on the
contrary the sound fruit is spoiled. Then I suppose we may bear in
mind that it is quite right to join in the opinion of this gentleman
who thinks it is well to have special schools for the deaf -blind ;
but this is not the principal object for which I have taken the
liberty to rise. My chief object is this : at the opening of our
Conference I had the privilege of offering to the Chairman and
to the Committee of this Conference the hearty congratulations
of the Colombian Government on the happy event of the meeting
of this Conference. Now it is my personal duty, as my honoured
colleagues the delegates from foreign countries have done, to
tender my most sincere and heartfelt thanks to all the members of
the Committee, more especially to Mr AVilson, Mr. Stainsby and
the others, and, to show them how very grateful I feel for all the
kindness they have bestowed upon us, 1 shall consider it my duty
to report the same to my Government, who will join in my feelings
of gratitude.

The Archdeacon of Middlesex. — After the next speaker,
Mr. Stone will say a few words in reply.

Miss Ethel Grimvtood (Hove). — I have been very much
interested in Mr. Stone's paper, and more especially in his mention
of the blind and deaf people he has known in England^ and as one
is a personal friend of mine I thought you might like to hear my
opinion. I refer to Miss Ida Brookfield, part editor of Channels
of Blessing. Mr. Stone told you of her wonderful power of
acquiring languages. She learned Greek by correspondence.
When I was first introduced to her she asked me to teach her
German. Like Helen Keller, she can neither see, nor hear, nor
speak distinctly. She has had none of Helen's advantages,
because her circumstances were quite humble, and she has had
no education except from Braille books. She could hear till she
was nine, but is practically self-educated. The only way I could
communicate with her was through the finger language, and the
lessons in German took place when walking in Brighton. Now,
Brighton, as you know, is not exactly a nice place for giving lessons

548

Discussion

iu tlie open air, as your liat may blow off at any moment. But
nevertheless I managed to teacli lier German while walking about
the streets of Brighton. I asked how I should begin, and she
suggested that I should first teach her a few of the declensions.
I did the definite article first : I told her a few nouns, the first
tense of the verbs " to have " and " to be," and to my utter
surprise she at once began to weave this scanty vocabulary into
sentences. Some have talked this afternoon as though blind-
deaf people were defective. They have intellects as good as
those of lis who can see and hear. In their case the avenues of
the senses are closed, but they possess some advantages we do
not, and we ought to do all in our power to cultivate the intelli-
gence they have and give them sj>ecial and individual instruction.
My experience of schools for the blind in which the blind-deaf
are educated is that the blind-deaf are neglected, and I think,
though my experience cannot bear any comparison with that of
those present this afternoon, it would be much the best to teach
the blind-deaf specially and separately, studying their aptitudes
and trying to develop them.

Mr. W. M. Stone (Edinburgh),— I think that yon will all
agree with ine that my lot is a rather hard one. (Langhtcr.)
Being a man of joeace, I prepared a paper that I considered
was not controversial. (Laughter.) And then I drew Mr.
Barnes down on me and occasioned the only speech we have
had from Mr. Stainsby during the Conference. Unfortu-
nately time will not allow me to meet all the objections
which have been raised, or w^e should go on till to-morrow,
and I suppose that the Conference must come to an end some
time. I was delighted to hear Mr. Ritchie. I love to dis-
agree with him. That is why we are such good friends. I
did not quite like what he said about Craigmillar. I was
very sorry that I was bound to mention my own school, I
think this is the first time at this Conference I have done so.
It has been mentioned frequently, but not by me. But one
must occasionally mention what one has come across in the
particular bit of work that one is doing. I do not want it
to be supposed for a minute that I claim we have ever done
or are doing anything exceptional. If I conveyed that
impression I am destroying my whole argument. What I
wanted to say was that it is simplicity itself, and that any-
thing we have done has been done quite as well at Glasgow
and other places.

549

Education and After-Care of the Blind-Deaf

Then I was very glad to hear about the Morse code. I
think it may be of service to us, and if it can be put to use
we should all do so.

Now Mr. Barnes spoke of the £30 pension. When people
are at a disadvantage you must give them something to
start life to make up for the disadvantage to some extent.
Mr. Stainsby spoke about deaf-blind children in his own
school at Birmingham' — two children who were not happy
there. I say it was a reflection on the school. I do not
know that I have anything more to say now, but I am con-
vinced the right system is that these children should not be
educated away from other children, but should have a fuller
f.eedom and a fuller life living among normal blind children.

Mr. H. J. Wilson (London).' — I wish to read a letter to
the Conference to which Mr. Charles Campbell referred just
now. It is as follows :—

" American Association of Workers for the Blind."

" Henry J. Wilson, Esq., London, England.

" Dear Mr. Wilson, — Will you be good enough to extend to all those
who are interested in work for the blind, whether official delegates to this
Conference or not, a most cordial invitation to be present at the Convention
of the American Association of Workers for the Blind and American Asso-
ciation of Instructors of the Blind which meet in 8an Francisco the week
beginnmg June 28th, 1915.

"I am, dear Mr. Wilson, yours faithfully,
" Chas. F. F. Campbell
(Secretary of the Anaerican Association
of Workers for the Blind).

"0. H. BURRITT,

per C. C.
(for the American Association of
Instructors of the Blind)."

I am sure we are very grateful for that invitation and I
hope some of us will be able to go.

The Bishop of London here entered the Meeting and took the
chair.

550

ESPERANTO AND THE BLIND

W. PERCY MERRICK.
Retrospective.

Some fifteen years ago, when I deserted ordinary print for
Braille, I found that, although this alphabet was common to
all Europe, French was the only foreign language of which a
Braille text-book could be had, and even here there was no
dictionary. However, by the kindness of the editor of
Le Louis Braille, I obtained some French correspondents,
and we mutually helped one another with our respective
tongues and became friends.

A year later, through the good offices of the British and
Foreign Blind Association and the Braille Correspondence
Club, just foiuided by Mrs. Phelips, there came to me a
Braille letter from Herr Harald Thilander, of Stockholm.
Blind, partially deaf, and somewhat of a cripple, he was then
living in a home for cripples, where, by the aid of a devoted
fellow-inmate, he had copied into Braille grammars and
dictionaries of several languages, and was now anxious to
apply his knowledge by corresponding with foreigners. It
was delightful work correcting his English, for his progress
was rapid, and his letters were always interesting and
suggestive.

One day he described to me a new language, Esperanto,
which he had just learnt. It was so beautiful, and yet so
simple that anybody with a little application could learn
it in a week ; so ingeniously arranged that its vocabulary
can be printed in a small pamphlet, yet it is capable of
expressing every shade of thought ; its grammar is so
regular that you can compose in it at once. I was frankly
sceptical, but my friend speedily converted me. He cojiied
into Braille the English Esperanto key, and sent with it some
Swedish folk-tales which he had translated into Esperanto

551

Esperanto and the Blind

for me. Now folk-lore is my hobby, and, not having access
to these stories in any other form, I had perforce to learn
Esperanto to read them. I very soon saw that, although
Herr Thilander had studied our language for some years, he
would not have been capable of making such satisfactory
English renderings. Not only was the general meaning
clear, but the translator had evidently imitated closely the
original phraseology. What more could the student desire ?

Shortly afterwards Professor Th. Cart, of Paris, taught
Esperanto to some blind pupils at Lausanne and elsewhere.
He then had printed in Braille his short Esperanto Grammar
in French, English, and German, followed by a complete
list of the root-words with their meanings, in either of these
three languages, to be interleaved. In May, 1904, he started
the Braille monthly, Esperanta Ligilo, to give us some good
reading matter, and, by publishing every two years a
supplement containing the addresses of all blind Esperantists
known to him, greatly encouraged international correspond-
ence. In 1913 the care of the magazine was transferred to
Herr Thilander, who has now become the chief Braille
publisher in Sweden. It now contains, besides literature,
contributions from its readers on many subjects of inter-
national interest to the blind, and a chess column conducted
by Mr. W. M. Brown, of Liverpool, which is beginning to
attract the attention of readers in many countries.

Meanwhile some Esperanto literature, manuals, readers,
etc., have been printed in Braille by M. Cart, Paris ; Herr
Thilander, Stockholm ; Brother Isidore, Brussels ; M. Paul
Ketterer, Lausanne, and the National Institute for the
Blind, London. The Blindenanstalt at Paderborn has
issued in monthly parts Herr Borel's excellent " Lehrbuch,"
and Miss Fryer's " Esperanto Teacher " has been printed in
American Braille by, I think, the Perkins Institute.

The appearance of many blind Esperantists at the
Esperanto Congresses, from that at Cambridge in 1907
onwards, has attracted the notice of those who can see, many
of whom have learnt Braille and copied the large collections
of books now available at the National Lending Library,

352

Esperanto and the Blind

London, the Ccntralbibliothck, Hamburg, and others in
Sweden, Finland, America, and elsewhere. These books
are mostly translations of literary masterpieces, and, I am
told, are in constant request.

Thus the blind, with the co-operation of many seeing
Esperantists who have taken interest in their cause, have
placed Esperanto in the position, unique among languages,
of being available to readers of Braille throughout the world.
All other tongues would have required bulky and expensive
dictionaries.

So popular has Esperanto become with the blind that the
list of addresses issued in connection with the Ligilo in 1913
contains 811 names, distributed over twenty-seven countries.

Uses of Esperanto to the Blind.

To enumerate the various ways in which the blind are
daily making use of Esperanto would take hours. I will only
cite a few typical instances.

Educational.

On visiting the Royal Institution for the Blind at Wolluwe,
Brussels, four years ago, I found that nearly the whole
school of IGO blind boys could speak Esperanto, while many
of the older pupils could converse fluently in English or
German besides their native French or Flemish. They
seemed exceptionally bright, and their teacher, Brother
Isidore, waxed eloquent in praise of Esperanto as a means
of teaching logical thought and expression. It excited
interest in other subjects, too, such as geography and
history, from the knowledge of other countries gained
through correspondence.

Miss Alma Block, a blind governess in Germany, writing
in Esperanto, says : " My last pupils were two blind sisters,
and we began to learn Esperanto when they were respectively
eight and nine years old. Up to that time they had shown
little capacity for languages, the younger having much
trouble with difficult German words. After a few weeks

553

Esperanto and the Blind

psperanto began to exercise over them that bewitching
inliuence of which we are all conscious without being able
to define the cause. In five months they were eagerly
corresponding with foreign children, and very seldom needed
any help from me. Then I began to give them lessons in
French, and I saw at once what an excellent preparation
Esperanto had been for this much more difficult study.
When, from financial reasons, the children had to be sent
to a blind school, the director was astonished at their
knowledge of German grammar, although we had only gi^•en
half an hour a week to that subject. It was the wonderful
clearness and precision of Esperanto that had enabled them
to understand so thoroughly the grammar of their mother-
tongue."

Esperanto translations of scientific books, such as those
arranged with so much care by Mr. H. M. Taylor, would be
very valuable to many blind sjDccialists in other lands.

Correspondence.

The enlivening effect of a free interchange of thought
between individuals living in different, but more or less
circumscribed, environments can hardly be imagined by
those who can see. Besides the mere interchange of knitting
patterns, information on Braille or other special apparatus
for the blind, and what not, they help one another in a
thousand ways. A blind French musician, who has now
become deaf, recently succeeded in interesting an important
personage in eastern Europe in the appeal for the inter-
national reduction of Braille postage, and, by return of post,
received a printed manual alphabet, a thing of which he had
never heard in France. He finds that life is quite fresh for
him now that his dear wife can talk upon his hand instead
of wi-iting everything in Braille as she formerly had to do.
Miss Agnes Adams, of the Royal Asylum and School for the
Blind, Edinburgh, says : —

" One of the keenest Esperantists in my adult class is
Miss Lena Young, who is deaf and blind. Shut out in so

554

Esperanto and the Blind

many ways as she is, Esperanto is a Godsend to her ; she
has a French and an Esperanto correspondent, and both her
health and spirits have improved since she took it up."
I have come across much evidence to a similar effect.

Life, Society, and Business.

Miss Adams, whom I have just cited, says : " The blind
are apt to become isolated ; Esperanto is the antidote."

I myself have come into touch, through Esperanto, with
sightless men and w^omen who were morally starving for
want of the society of persons of their own intellectual level,
but whose whole existence has been brightened through
some kindly Esperantist neighbour, who, calling upon them
and finding them presentable, has introduced them to the
local group, where they have been accepted, not as objects
of pity, but as companions with one great interest in common.
" When we left school," says one young Austrian of himself
and two friends, " we were on the brink of sinking into
spiritual inertia when we were discovered by some seeing
' samideanoj,' and provided with interests in life outside
our daily labour." Here is a suggestive letter from
M. Gilbert, of Amiens : — -

" A year ago I removed from Beauvais to Amiens, where
my wife and da,ughters were to have the management of a
shop. I knew no one at Amiens, but the president of our
Esperanto group advised me to write to the president of
the group there, who at once gave me some most useful
information. On my arrival he very kindly introduced me
to the Esperantists, some of whom became customers at
our shop, and what is much more, friends to myself. One
day at the group I saw some articles which I thought would
attract customers to our shop. The possessor thought they
were made in Scotland, so I wrote to a blind gentleman in
Edinburgh, whose name I found in the Ligilo, and he very
kindly sought out and sent me the particulars I desired.
Esperanto would be very useful to blind tradesmen if they
were to tell one another of saleable articles not yet well
known in the other country."

555

Esperanto and the Blind

Mr. James Alexander, who supplied the information just
alluded to, obtained it at the Esperanto Club. He himself
finds much delight in the social side of Esperanto, which has
procured for him many friends and much healthy enjoyment.

Travel.

The delegates of the Univcrsala Esperanta Asocio, who
are to be found in all important towns, have given
much help to blind travellers. Many of us know how
M. Eroshenko, a blind Russian musician, was enabled to
journey to England, learn our language (of which he kncAV
not a word), and return. Mr. John Bergh, the eminent
Finnish novelist and poet, has done likcAvise. Many blind
Esperantists, myself included, have had the time of their
lives at Esperanto Congresses in various lands, surrounded
and guided by a willing army of cosmopolitan friends.

The Future.

As Esperanto has clearly shown, blind people can learn
modern languages when they have the chance, and can make
great use of them in life. May I, then, beg most earnestly
that all concerned with the education of the blind will use
every effort to train them as linguists. Let Esperanto be
made an integral part of the elementary instruction in all
good blind schools, and let the more apt scholars be
exchanged for a given period with those from foreign institu-
tions, where, welcomed and aided by Esjierantist friends,
they would continue their other studies unchecked, and
would acquire a sound knowledge of the language of the
country. On their return, musicians could also teach
languages, typists could undertake the foreign correspond-
ence, and all would find entry into desirable society made
easier, and would be able to do little services for friends
with reciprocal advantage. The cause of the blind through-
out the whole world would be immensely forwarded by the
co-ordination of ideas and methods and the co-operation in
practice that would result from the general adojotion of this
plan.

556

Esperanto and the Blind

During the Esperanto Congress to be held at Paris in
August, many bhnd Esperantists from divers lands will
meet to discuss subjects of common interest. I would
respectfully ask the ncAvly elected Committee of the Con-
ference to accept and carefully consider a report of these
deliberations.

I cannot close without a word of heartfelt gratitude to
Dr. Zamenhof, who has given to the world this ready means
of common understanding, and to all those of his zealous
adherents, who, by practising the tenets of Esperantism,
have laboured so devotedly and so effectually to dispel the
dark cloud of miscomprehension and isolation from which
the blind of all times have suffered so acutely.

557

Esperanto and the Blind

The Chairman, — Now I will call upon Mr. Mudie, the
president of the British Esperanto Association, to open the
discussion.

Mr. Mudie (London). — ■" Let Esperanto be taught in all blind
schools, and let the more apt scholars be exchanged with foreign
institutions."

My Lord Bishop, ladies and gentlemen, — I have taken as a
text the above suggestion from the admirable paper of my friend
Mr. Merrick. What a vista it opens up, and yet no very vivid
imagination is needed to follow up the fascinating developments
consequent to such a departure. For here Ave have a language
thoroughly suitable to convey our every thought and wish, the
complete grammar of which can be shown ,on a single lantern
slide. I have never heard it suggested that English, French, or
any other grammar could be so treated, and this peculiarity of the
structure of Esperanto no doubt inspired the humorist who
alluded to Esperanto as " potted tongue."

Zamenhof is a great philologist, for he has succeeded in retain-
ing all the essential elements which go to make up a living tongue,
at the same time discarding redundancies, irregularities and all
that contribute to make the study of existing national languages
so difficult. Esperanto may indeed be described as simplified
European, containing a survival of the fittest of rules, logically
arranged with no exceptions. Students of the science of language
Avax enthusiastic about the manner in which Esperanto has been
built uj}, and really the more one studies it and icalises its possi-
bilities the more one marvels at the simi^licity to which both
grammar and syntax have been reduced.

The irregularities which beset all national tongues have grown
just as the narrow winding streets which congest our traffic :
the well-planned spacious thoroughfares of the new world may
correspondingly be compared to Esperanto.

Such compactness is of inestimable vahie for the sighted ;
how much greater it must be for the blind !

As Mr. Merrick has just told us, the compilation of Braille
grammars of various languages is a task not to be undertaken
lightly, and the studying of such tomes requires great patience and
application.

Diu-ing the past few years I have beei? accumulating consider-
able experience concerning the speed with which the Esperanto
grammar can be learned. I have no hesitation in saying that any
blind person acquainted with the general principles of grammar
can acquire a working knowledge of the structure of Esperanto
in a few hours.

Tolstoy appreciated the phenomenal value which Esperanto
has for all classes of the community and summed uj} the situation
as follows : " The accruing advantages are so enormous, and the
effort required is so relatively slight, that it behoves every civilised
man to make the attempt to learn Esperanto."

The thinking world of to-day may be considered as a series

558

Discussion

of small communities widely scattered over the earth, and often
unable to develop satisfactorily owing to the linguistic barriers
which hinder free intercourse. The situation of the blind in this
respect is in no way unique, although it serves in a remarkable way
to illustrate the principle. The world of science is similarly com-
posed of small groups of isolated specialists, split wp into as many
sections as there are languages. The existence of a common
help-language for them is quite as important as it is for the blind.
The same may be said of any other section of the community.
I therefore feel justified in claiming that the solution of this pro-
blem is of fundamental importance to humanity, and calls for
our immediate and whole-hearted co-operation ; for the value of
the language chosen depends absolutely upon the number and
intelligence of those who use it. That is just why Esperanto is
so much more valuable to the community to-day than it was,
say, in 1902, when I had the good fortune first to take it uj).

Many people delight in saying that they j)ersonally have no
need for the international help -language, as they already speak
several tongues. In order to dispel this fallacy, perhaps I may
be excused in making a i)ersonal reference. I am able to read and
speak several languages, and delight in travelling in the countries
where they are spoken. Yet I cannot exaggerate the advantages
and privileges which the knowledge of Esjieranto has conferred on
me.

Among the many hundreds, nay thousands, of friends and
acquaintances I have been enabled to make through Esperanto
must be numbered many of the blind, who by their persistent
endeavour and high achievement have won full measure of esteem
and admiration. Some present here to-day may remember the
late Dr. Emil Javal of Paris, the author of a standard woi'k
translated into Esperanto under the title of " Iiiter Blmduhj.'"
I well remember his cheery smile as he told me of one of the
privileges enjoyed by the blind, which are denied to those more
fortunate. " When I read in bed," said he, " my book is under
the clothes ! "

But the urgency of my appeal must deter me from wandering
off into the charming by-paths of anecdote, which abound in
the cumulative experience of thirteen years of strenuous pro-
paganda work.

Esperanto was given to the world in 1887. Much has happened
since then. And yet what are twenty-seven years in the history
of a language f It is true that such a span has more than sufficed
to reduce to oblivion all previous attempts — which have been
many — ^to solve this pressing problem.

Twenty-seven years ago one man, a young medical student of
Warsaw, Dr. Zamenliof, without financial backing, and labouring
under numerous disabilities of race, reUgion, and circumstances —
one man alone was able to speak or write in Esperanto. He
has told us in touching language of the conflict of soul which
preceded the modest publication of the " Grammar of Esperanto."
We well know the mockery which is alwaj^s poured on pioneer
effort, but happily the reward is all the greater when a world
that comes to mock remains to pray. And so it has proved with

559

Esperanto and the Blind

Esperanto. Our budding literature already contains some 2,000
books dealing with all manner of themes ; and wliile tlie beginner
is studying tbis accumulation, steadily increasing numbers of new
publications are seeing the ligbt and are being transcribed into
Braille by devoted workers for tbe welfare of the bUnd,
these works circulate internationally.

Last Pentecost — verily a most appropriate season for exer-
cising this latest gift of tongues — national Esperanto congresses
were held in several European countries. That at Franzensbad,
Austria, was marked by an unique feature, inasmuch as a statue
to Esperanto was unveded by the mayor and corporation. Sm-ely
no statue has ever before been raised to a language ! I remember
that, on the occasion of our first International Congress held at
Boulogne in 1905, I said to Dr. Zamenhof : " Se vi ser6as monu-
menton cirkatoegardu ! " (" Si monumentum quaeris, ciicum-
spice"). That truly was a moment of enthusiasm and appre-
ciation vouchsafed to but few. Yet to-day it has taken a more
concrete form.

At the French Congress a public sqiaare was named after
Zamenhof, a delicate compliment which unfortunately is but
rarely paid in our country. Similar christenings of streets
have occurred in Spain. Zamenliof has also been honoured
by various foreign Governments. I have never forgotten the
reproach to our national credit when, in 1907, he was allowed
to visit our shores unhonoured — except of course by the then
very limited but vastly enthusiastic army of the Esperantists
themselves, and also by London's deputy lord mayor, who has
been a convinced Esperantist ever since. Nine world congiesses
of Esperanto have been held in Boulogne, Geneva, Cambridge,
Dresden, Barcelona, Washington, Antwerp, Cracow, and Berne.

The tenth Esperanto World Congress will be held this August
in Paris ; 3,400 tickets have aheady been sold. AU proceedings
— concerts, theatricals, church services, etc.— will be exclusively
in Esperanto. The French Government has established an admir-
able precedent by extending to the numerous bhnd eongressists
free hospitality in the Institute for the Young Blind. Next year
Edinburgh wiU become the Esperantists' Mecca, and we hope
again to welcome Zamenhof to our shores. Special facihties
will be offered to blind eongressists there also.

I will devote my concluding remarks to a few practical con-
siderations called forth by the present occasion. This Conference
has proved highly interesting and instructive to me personally.
It is not only a congress for the bUnd but also a congress of the
blind, a truly gratifying combination. During our delightful
visit to the Koyal Normal CoUege a voluntary class of young
giiis sang Esperanto songs and showed how really keen the
students of the new language become. Subsequent blind speakers
will, I believe, testify to the fact that the study of Esperanto has
opened up to them a new world of international good fellowship.

The time seems ripe, therefore, to set about the official intro-
duction of Esperanto into aU important blind institutions, and
the offering of special prizes will undoubtedly prove a further
inducement to the scholars.

560

Discussion

The British Esperanto Associatiou has eutriisted me with a
small sum which was collected at our Esperanto service at Sheffield
last Whit Sunday. I shall be hai)i)y to hand this sum to Mr.
'..■'ampbell for prizes as soon as Esperanto is included in the regular
curriculum at the Koyal Normal College. I will use my influeu^ce
among the Esperantists to secure that an annual contribution
be made of, I hope, steadily increasing amounts. In this way a
email beginning can be made.

I will also bring this jiroposition before my international
colleagues, and am certain that Britain's lead will be followed
wherever the welfare of the blind receives consideration. We
shall thus in twelve months or so reach the time when, other
things being equal, blind delegates for international conferences
will be selected exclusively from those who speak Esperanto.
The blind community will thus show the way to their more
favoured brethren.

During this assembly much has been heard of the relative
urgency of book education and manual training. I beheve
Esperanto provides one of the links connecting the two depart-
ments. For the commercial world is waking up to the value of
Esperanto, and typists, translators, and secretaries knowing the
new language will be in increasing demand.

I have found it rather difficult to say what ought to be said
in the time at my disposal, but 1 trust I have carried the meeting
with me, and that you will unanimously support the proposals
Mr. Merrick has put before you.

Konkludante, mi deziras danki vin tre sincere por via afabla
atento, kaj gratuli la Konferencon ke Esperanto estas unu el la
temoj por konsidero.

Mr. A. J. Adams (Hastings). — First of all I think we ought
to tender a hearty vote of thanks to our good friends Sir.
Merrick and Mr. Mudie for the very interesting paper on Esperanto.
We were told this morning that we ought to try to find something
new to help the education of the blind. Esperaiato is a most
important and a very interesting subject, which might be intro-
duced into all blind schools to enable the blind to correspond
with blind people of other countries. The blind are a very
distributed people all over the world in many different countries,
and it would be a great advantage to bring them into touch
with each other. The only means of doing this would be by
an international tongue, and EsiJeranto is that international
tongue. It has already been taught in many blind schools, but
we want it taught in many more. I have taught it in the Royal
Normal College at Norwood. We have had it in Brussels. We
were in Bucharest just before the Balkan war, and we went
through the Balkan States visiting the blind institutions belonging
to Carmen Sylva, the Queen of Roumania, who has done so much
for the blind. There we found many speaking Esperanto. I
went there early one morning to call upon one of the professors
of Esperanto. Pie was not in the college because it happened to
be a holiday, but I was told he lived about two miles away, and
that it was a very difficult road over hedges and ditches and
fields and through small villages. So I said " I shall never find

c.B, 561 o o

Esperanto and the Blind

it." " No," tliey answered ; " we will send a guide with you."
So they sent one, and we talked Esperanto all the way along.
But that guide was blind. And there was 1, led by a blind man
over all those difficult places. We met together during the day
in the garden and the j^ark, and had quite a little assembly of
Esperantists in Bucharest. We went on to Plevna, the famous
battlefield, and in the centre of the battlefield as soon as we hung
out our Esperanto flag one Esperantist came vip, then another
and another, till we had quite a little group of Esperantists on
the platform of the railway station, and we photographed that
group and it is now among the archives. The Esperanto language
is fairly easy to learn. There are no irregularities in it. No
exceptions. Only sixteen short rules, easily learned, which are
written on a post-card and can be learned in half an hour. Now
we all know if we want to learn French how very many irregu-
larities there are in the language. The verbs, for instance, are
exceedingly irregular, but the Esperanto verbs are so simple
that they can be learned in a few minutes. There are only
twenty-seven terminations. In the French language there are
3,728 terminations to be learned. I heard a story a short time
ago of a German who wanted to learn English, and he was learning
it from an American. (Laughter.) The American began to
explain to him that the verbs in English were very irregular.
" Now," he said, " we take for example the verb ' I go.' It
goes on like this : ' Thou slopest,' ' He slithers,' ' We make
tracks,' ' You cut sticks,' and ' They skiddaddle.' " (Laughter.)-
After that the German would not learn any more English. There
is a book here, and if anybody would like to teach Esperanto to
a blind person I will present him with a copy. It is printed in
Braille and in letterpress.

Miss GiFFEN (Washington). — I grieve to say there are two kinds
of Americans — -Americans and Amurricans. That must have
been one of the " Amurricans." But I beg leave to say that
there are Americans who speak correctly. (Applause and
laughter.)

Mr. Phillimoke (Wandsworth). — The proof of the pudding,
it is said, is in the eating, and so the best proof of the impor-
tance of Esperanto for the blind is the testimony of such as have
tested it. As a reader and writer of Braille I have been brought
in touch with many blind Esperantists, and I propose now to
tell you what some of them have said about Esperanto. Mr.
Merrick has mentioned the blind young Russian Erosenko, who
some two years ago came from Moscow to London unaccompanied.
He was met and entertained by Esperantists in Berlin, Cologne,
Calais, Dover and London, where he was introduced to me.
He wanted to gain entrance into some institution to study English,
but as I found that this was not practicable I found him a lodging
near me and undertook the teaching myself. At the end of
three months through the kind instrumentality of Lady Camp-
bell he was enabled to receive two months' board and tuition
at the Royal Normal College. After that he spent two weeks at
Southwick, near Brighton, four weeks at St. Leonards-on-Sea,

562

Discussion

and one week more with me, until in September I saw him off
from Millwall Docks for St. Petersburg.

On his return to Eussia he dictated an account of his journey
which appeared in the Russian Journal La Ondo de EHperanto
together with a portrait of him and myself. This is how he
finishes his narration : —

" Yes, I can now say that Aladdin's lamp could not have helped
me more than the little green Esperanto star ; I am certain that
no genie of Arab fables could do for me more than the genius of
actual life, Dr. Zamenhof, the author of Esperanto."

Last week I received a letter from a Russian lady, Miss Sarapov,
telling me that Mr. Erosenko had gone to Japan for a year to
learn massage, and that he was met in Tokio by an Esperantist
professor.

During Erosenko's visit I was corresponding with a blind
Finnish author whom I met in Antwerp at the Congress of 1911,
and who had previously corresponded with Mr. Erosenko. My
Finland friend, Mr. Bergli, journeyed to St. Petersburg to meet
Erosenko on his return, but unfortunately missed him. Writing
to me after the event he said : — •

'' We were all the time accompanied by our Esperantist friends,
who explained to us all the wonderful sights, and we formed,
as it were, a little international congress, for neither the Bulgarian
nor myself understood the Russian language ; and though I did
not attain the object of my visit I shall always look back with
pleasure to the few days I spent in St. Petersburg."

During the last seven months^ — that is, since December 1st,
when I met him at King's Cross — this same Mr. Bergh has been
living near to me for the purpose of learning to read English
Braille and of acquiring a knowledge of English generally ; in
which he has made good and rapid progress. In our walks together
a friend once asked him if he had found Esperanto very iiseful.
" Wliy yes," he said ; " without Esperanto I could not have come
here." Again, only last week another friend said to him : " Wliieli
do you find yourself most at home in, English or Esperanto % "
His reply was : " Esperanto, kompreneble, car gi estas por mi
kvazau dua patra lingvo." That is " Esperanto, of course, for
that is for me as it were a second mother tongue."

On another occasion we were visiting at the home of two blind
English ladies with whom Mr. Bergh had previously corresponded,
and the question was asked by someone : " AVliat was the motive
that induced you to learn Esperanto ? " One of the ladies
answered : " Well, I began it merely out of curiosity, and to
pass away the time, but I then soon found that it opened up to me
quite a new world and I began the study in earnest."

A few months ago a French blind man writing to me said :
" I rejoice to state how kindly and devotedly my British Espe-
rantist friends have put themselves to great trouble to fulfil my
desires. This is an undoubted proof that the gazette of Messrs.
Cart and Thilander is a true " hgilo " — • that is, " bond of
union."

A poor man in Bethnal Green wrote to me a short time ago a
mixture of English and Esperanto, saying : " I am starving to

563 O O 2

Esperanto and the Blind

kuow how to put Esperanto words together and shall be very-
thankful to anyone who wiU help me." I need not teU you that
he is receiving that help. WeU, now, I am afraid my time has
expu'ed. In conclusion I will only say I hope I have not said
anything to deter you from taking up the study of Esperanto.

Miss Maud Stacy.* — We have had some excellent speeches
this afternoon, and some very interesting reasons why Esperanto
should be taken up in the Braille world, but I am happy to say
that there are a few left for me to mention. One of the chief,
in my opinion, is that in our Braille literatuie it is very difficult
to print books that are rarely used in one tongue only. If, in
English, they are only useful to the English-speaking nations,
and the demand is necessarily so small that the expense is very
great. By publishing books in Esperanto our publishers have a
world-wide public, and therefore the demand would increase and
the price be lessened.

There is one little way in which Esperanto has been put to a
very interesting use amongst a small section of international
Braillists — that is, an international reading circle. The one to
which I belong has now been in existence for five or six years,
having a membership of from twelve to sixteen, comprising about
eight nationalities. We send our books from member to member
in half the principal countries of Europe. Each member keeps
the volume one month, then sends it on to the next member. Of
course each reader has previously inserted some contribution.
The volume goes round, taking twelve to sixteen months, and then
comes back to the first on the list and so goes round and round,
every member taking out each time the book reappears his old
contribution and putting in something new. In this way the
volume is always new to every one, and we find it very interesting.
As it takes so long to go round we find it necessary to keep four
or five volumes in cuculation at once, so that we receive it every
three months. The articles consist of a variety of original stories,
original articles on some national subject or event, and frequent
translations of famous works of the country of the translator.
There are many advantages to such a circle as this, more than I
can mention. Some are that it brings us into touch with one another
far more completely than is possible by the reading of any ordinary
Braille journal. We find the interchange of thoughts and ideas
very convenient. We have plenty of room for discussion, which
would be impossible in any international journal. The practice
of translation and the incentive for trying original articles and
stories and the comparison of styles are no small advantage to
this circle. As there are no expenses, no subscription is necessary ;
the postage is the only cost that falls to each member. I would
urge that other circles such as this would be very advantageous
amono- those following certain trades or professions. They would
find it very beneficial to pass on their ideas and experiences.
Others would gain by the result of their experiences, and it would
form an excellent nucleus for a trade journal.

I should also like to point out that this sort of international
circle is only possible tiirough an international language like Espe-
ranto. It would not be workable but for the fact that a mutually

564

Discussion

understood language makes it possible for us all to read and enjoy
tlie same articles.

Esperanto for tlie Braille world means very much. In our
limited sphere of the Braille press it is certainly impossible for us
to have any adequate knowledge of international affairs, and an
international magazine such as can be published in Esperanto is
the only possible means by which to get the information.

I may say personally that Esperanto has done more to bring
me into touch with other BraiUists than anything else. Until
I started to learn Esperanto I only knew one other Braillist besides
my sister, but since then the number of friends I have made who
are Esperantists it is impossible for me to count. Then I have to
thank Esperanto for an enjoyable holiday in France. Our friend
Mr. Bergh, from Finland, has referred to the Braille world in his
writings as a scattered people. We are scattered. There are
not more than a few thousand in any one nation, and we find the
language barrier has kept us, until now, securely barred from
intercourse ; with the adoption of Esperanto this is no longer
the case, and it seems to me that Dr. Zamenhof, in putting his
practical language within the reach of us all, has, so to speak,
laid on the telephone between our peoples. With a few months'
study of how to use this wonderful new instrument we have only
to ring up our friends to be in full communication with them.
Esperanto or any international language, but Esperanto in par-
ticular, is a boon which brings infinite possibilities to all humanity,
but we BraiUists recognise with the deepest gratitude that to us
it is even a greater benefit than to others. It means that we
may become one great fraternity instead of scattered peoples.

I would like to conclude with a phrase in Esperanto, as I am
sure there are Esperantists here who do not speak English ; and
I would say : '' Vivu Esperanto, la liugvo kiu ligas la tutan
homaron en uuu familianrondon ; vivu la lingvo per kiuni farinas
tute-monda Brajlfrataro."

Mr. H. C. Preece * (London). — I have no time for a speech,
but would just like to make a practical suggestion. I ana sure
we are very glad to have the Bishop of London in the chair.
And I say that in order to make this point — that we all know,
and the world knows, his wide and far-reaching sympathies with
every great and progressive cause that wiU heli> to bring peace
among the nations and ameliorate in any way the condition of
the people. Now my Lord Bishop, as a constant speaker and
preacher, must agree that many of our phrases and ordinary
expressions are completely worn out, and he wiU welcome a
language that will afford him new scope. He has learned this
afternoon that Esperanto can be learned in a very few hours,
and I am certain he will rejoice next Sunday in the opportunity
of preaching two sermons in Esperanto.

Mr. C. Yen (Chinese Legation, London). — In spite of my lack
of fluency I must say a few words before the closing of the meeting.
As a delegate from our Government I have the great honour
on behalf of our President, our Government, and our people of
the Republic of China to express my hearty thanks to-day to the

565

Esperanto and the Blind

Cliairman and Committee of this important Conference for their
hospitality and for the help so kindly shown to me (hear, hear),
and also for the valuable papers and speeches, and the exhibition,
which have all been so interesting to us.

I do not want to say much, but, as you know, the unfortunate
brothers and sisters who are blind have been neglected in our
country in the past era, but I am very glad to say that they shaU
be no longer neglected. As a matter of fact China, as you all
know, is a very old country, but from my point of view China
is not old, but is the youngest country in the world, because
China has just been born. We have many works to start, many
works which are good for the people. We cannot do everything
at the same time, but we are doing our best, and are trying our
best to do everything. And so I will report to my country after
the Conference about the meetings and about what I have heard
J nd rbout what I have learned ; I shall report all this to the
Government in order to encourage our people to take every neces-
sary step to do something for the blind. And I am sure all who
are interested in this work will not hesitate to give a hand to our
people. I thank you very much.

Miss GiFFEN (Washington). — I come to bring a greeting from
the Capitola Esperanto Club at Washington, which is composed
of blind and sighted people, and I must confess that we have —
the sighted people have — been out-distanced by the blind in the
matter of learning, so we have elected a blind young lady. Miss
Stone, as president. They are carrying on the club very nicely,
and wished me to present a greeting from the club to this Con-
ference.

Miss Emma Moore (Belfast). — In the name of the Belfast
Society for Home Mission Work among the Blind in Ireland we
thank the Conference Committee for inviting my fellow delegate,
Miss Dawson, and myself to attend the Conference, and for the
privilege of having much valuable instruction in the work for the
blind. Coming as we do from a very distressful part of a distress-
ful country, we feel rather like poor little cousins visiting rich
relations : for with such political crises threatening us and the
many necessary channels into which the streams of money are
diverted it may be guessed that funds, never very abundant,
are even more difficult to obtain than ever. But as these poor
relations we have heard many plans discussed and statements
made which almost take our breath away. I must confess that
in Belfast we have not recognised that education is the frst need
of the blind ; we have been, I fear, too much occupied in trying
to feed them, so that they may live to be educated, and the scratch-
ing of the wolf at the door is a more familiar but less welcome
sound than the rustling of the pages of Braille literature. I must
say that in our present condition I was reminded of an incident
which happened to a friend who was asked by his wife to engage
a good, honest, capable general servant for her during a few days'
absence from home. Every man in this painful position has the
sincere sympathy of his fellow-men, but these things will happen.
However, on arriving at the registry he found among the ranks

566

Discussion

of the unemployed a strong distaste to enter on the duties of the
situation, on account of the size of the family. At length the
man's patience grew thin, and as the fourth person interviewed
declared she could never undertake a place with six children,
he exclaimed somewhat testily : " My good woman, that need
be no drawback ; I can easily choke two or three of them ! "
Now we cannot choke any of our large family of 500 blind in
Belfast ; we must do the best we can for them.

Our society is another proof of the debt owed by the blind to
the late Dr. Moon, for at his instance Mrs. Caroline Pim, of Belfast,
founded it, beginning with a house at 4s. Qd. a week, in which
were lodged four blind women. From this it has grown into its
present dimensions, and now consists of three houses with gardens
and grounds and accommodating about thirty women and eighteen
men.

We have thus a home for the blind, a mission for visiting the
blind in their own homes, a spectacle mission for the supply of
doctors' tickets for eye testing and treatment (spectacles being
given free or for partial payment according to necessity), a Braille
library, and a clothing guild.

In connection with the library I may mention that the man
of whom Mr. Wade, of Dublin, spoke as being rescued by a Belfast
society from the workhouse is in our home, and is one of our best
tianscribers of Braille ; he is quite blind and deaf.

We are indebted to the British and Foreign Blind Association
for the gift of fifty volumes for our library.

The object of our society being to benefit the blind in whatever
way may appear most suitable to the managing committee gives,
you see, a free scope to its operations. I do not know if every
society has a motto, but we hope that grace and strength may
be given to us to fulfil the high purpose of ours : " For the glory
of God and the good of the blind."

Mr. Percy Merrick * (Shepperton). — There has been so little
objection to my paper that it may seem presumptuous on my
part to rei^ly. I only do so to ask if it be within the rules of this
Conference that we may move that the education authorities be
approached by the newly-elected Conference Committee with a
view to making arrangements for the instruction of Esperanto
in blind schools, to give facilities and encouragement and (should
the result iirove a success) to make it compulsory.

Mr. B. MuDiE. — I beg leave to second that.

The Bishop of London. — The best way, I am told, is to
refer the matter to the new Committee.

I beheve that now the speeches have come to an end, and
I must say that I have been extremely interested during the
last hour in listening to them, and not least to the young
lady (Miss Stacy) who addressed us. Her remarks were far
more to the point than those of anybody else.

567

Closing" Address by the Bishop of London

It is quite clear that the Archdeacon of Middlesex and
I must learn Esperanto when the diocese will allow us
time.

Speaking seriously, it would be grand if the Tower of
Babel could be done away with, but I think really that the
case presented for the blind is one that is almost impossible
to answer as put before us to-day, and I hope very much
that the new Committee will take into consideration all that
has been said.

Now I would like to say one or two words. The first is
this, that I appreciate so much what this Conference of the
Blind has sho^vn to us, and I feel that the blind should not
be looked upon as objects of pity, but as fellow- workers
and comrades. Of course I do not say that we should not
sympathise with them ; that we cannot help. We who are
gifted with the glory of sight cannot help feelings of pity
for those who cannot see. But that is not quite the spirit
in which we mean to carry on work with you. We want
to do everything that will make you equal with us in carry-
ing on your physical life. That is one reason I have so
much admiration for Captain Towse. I am fond of salmon
fishing myself, but to know that he can land a fifty-pound
salmon makes me very happy. I am also fond of golf, and
he has taken to it. I think if a blind man takes to golf we
cannot say that he is not keeping on a level with us.

As you know, we ha\'e been working in London to make
Braille books cheaper. We are anxious to open the doors
to you for all we have in our literary life. I did my little
part in this new campaign for making Braille cheaper. It
was very interesting to attend the King and Queen at the
opening of the new National Institute, and nobody was more
interested than they. I was close by the Queen Avhen she
dictated a message to a blind typist, Avho took it down in
shorthand and in a few minutes handed the message to Her
Majesty. When you get such rapidity as was shown you
see what progress has been made in training the blind. I
preached myself in St. Paul's on the subject of this great
fund, and I gave orders, which I hope were obeyed, to every

568

Closing Address by the Bishop of London

clergyman in London to preach on the same lines. I tried
to give a lead to the whole of the London Church to stand
by the blind on that Sunday a few weeks ago. The Non-
conformists also joined in this great effort. We all united
in one great brotherhood. What has stimulated me very
much is a guild we call the Guild of the Brave Poor Things.
In that guild we never mention the affliction at all. What
we stimulate them to do is to take for a motto " Happy is
my lot." When I tell you that they can earn their own
living, and one boy absolutely crippled makes £2 10,9. a
week instead of being in the workhouse, you will see how
anxious I am to stand by you and see the same thing done
by the blind throughout the world. Well, now I am told
that perhaps in that great effort of Mr. Pearson's we have
concentrated ourselves a little too much- — -and I have
followed his lead- — simply on books ; that there are other
things to be considered, and those other things have been
considered by your Conference all through this last week,
and the subjects seem so interesting. I only wish I could
have come to all the meetings. All I can say is we shall
get all the information we can, use all the intelligence we
can, and try and help you in every way we possibly can,
and I earnestly pray that the Conference may have enligh-
tened many in their efforts and that side by side we may
spread together the Kingdom of God upon earth.

I am asked to express, and I do so very earnestly, our
thanks to the foreign representatives here. We hope they
have had a very enjoyable and instructive time in London.
Also I should like from the chair to thank the Chairmen of
the Conference Committee and of the various sub-committees.
I know the toil that a conference entails, and I think they
ought to be thanked from the chair by some one for all they
have done in making the Conference such a success.

Mr. W. H. DixsoN * (Oxford).- — I am sure the Lord Bishop
wished to include in his vote of thanks all who have helped
to make the Conference go- — the musicians, the Secretary,
and all Ave can think of, including the actors in the play. I

569

Telegram to the King

cannot remember all. I would have proposed a vote of
thanks to the musicians if I had had an opportunity.

Director A. Lundberg* (Stockholm).— Although, indeed,
the important work of this Conference has been of right
earnest and heavy cross, yet do forgive me if I differ for one
moment from your ordinary habits in trying to ])ut wings
under the vote of thanks. I am now speaking on behalf
of the foueign delegates of this Conference.

" Fellow-workers, let in thankful terms me praise
Happy, sunny London clays,
Blest by friendship, rendered bright
By united forces will
To do good and to instil
In the gloom of blindness, light.

" Recollections gathered here
Will extend an atmosphere
Of goodwill from land to land.
Filling us with hopes and dreams.
And inspiring better schemes.
To go forward hand in hand.

" Fellow- workers from abroad,
Before starting on our road
Towards unknowTi fates and years.
Let us give old England glory
By repeatmg now the story
Of three strong and grateful cheers."

Mr. Henry J. Wilson (London).- — It has been suggested
that a telegram should be sent to the King from this Con-
ference stating how grateful we are for the interest he has
taken and is taking in the blind. If that is your wish, we
will send a telegram.

Agreed unanimously, and the following telegram was sent
to His Majesty : —

" Lord Stamfordham, Buckingham Palace.

" This International Conference on the Blind at its con-
cluding session under the chairmanship of the Lord Bishop
t)f London sends grateful thanks to their gracious Majesties

570

Benediction

the King and Queen for their constant and practical interest
in aiding and promoting the welfare of the blind.

(Signed) " Henry J. Wilson

"(Chairman of the Conference Committee,
53, Victoria Street, S.W.)."

The following reply was received later: —

" I am commanded to express the thanks of the King
and Queen for the message which has been sent to them by
the International Conference on the Blind, which they have
received with much satisfaction.

" Stamfordham."

Before I sit down again I should like to say that all here
present thank the Bishop of London most heartily for finding
time in his busy life to come here this afternoon.

The Lord Bishop of London then pronounced the Bene-
diction, and the proceedings terminated.

571

Presentation and River Excursion

PRESENTATION TO MISS BEATRICE TAYLOR.

On Wednesday, June 24th, at tlie Westminster Palace Hotel,
Miss Winifred Holt entertained a few guests at lunclieon, in the
course of which Lord Kinnaird, speaking on behalf of the foreign
delegates and members, presented Miss Beatrice Taylor with a
gold medal, in token of their deep appreciation of her efforts
to secure their comfort while in London, and also of her long-
devotion to the cause of the blind. The design of the medal was
the work of Miss Winifred Holt, and included the following
inscription : "To Beatrice Taylor, from her blind and seeing
friends from thirty countries in recognition of her efficient and
unselfish service as Chairman of the Hospitality Committee of the
International Conference on the Blind, June 24th, 1914."

Those present were : Miss AVinifred Holt, Miss Beatrice Taylor,
Mrs. Henry Fawcett, Lord Kinnaird, Sir P^llis and Lady Cuiiliffe,
Sir Melvill and Lady Beachcroft, Mrs. Fisher, Miss de Grasse
Evans, Miss Everett, Ca'jtain Towse, V.C., H. J. Wilson,
Director and Mrs. Lundberg, Mr. and Mrs. O. IT. Burritt, Hy.
Stainsby, J. M. Strachy, Stuart Johnson, Eugene Bally, J. Kolou-
bovsky. Colonel da Silva Mello, A. Abseil.

RIVER EXCURSION.

On Thursday, June 25th, an excm-sion was arranged by Messrs.
Thos. Cook & Son, in which about twenty-seven of the visitors
took part. Char-a-bancs left the Church House soon after
10 a.m. and drove to Kew Gardens, through which the party
walked, rejoining the char-a-bancs at the Richmond Gate.
Thence the drive continued to Hampton Court, where luncheon
was served. After visiting the palace the party returned by
river steamer, arriving in town about 7 p.m., having spent a
most enjoyable day.

572

List of Donations, Subscriptions, etc.

RECEIPTS.

DONATIONS, SUBSCRIPTIONS, ETC.

Aberdeen Asylum for the Blind .....
Aberdeen, School Board of .....

Aberdeen, Town and County Association for Teaching the

Blind at their Homes .....

Accrington, Institution for the Blind ....

American Uniform Type Committee . .

Armitage, F. R. ...... .

Armitage, Miss Alice S. ..... .

Association for Promoting the General Welfare of the Blind

(Tottenham Court Road) .....
Association of the Self-Supporting Blind (Southend-on-Sca)
Association of Teachers of the Blind (Brighton) .

Barclay Home for Blind Girls, Brighton
Barclay Workshops for Blind Women, Edgware Road .
Barnsley Association for Visiting and Teaching the Blind
Bath Home Teaching Society for the Blind . .

Beavan, The Misses .......

Belfast Association for Employment of Industrious Blind
Belfast Society for Home Mission Work among the Blind in
Ireland ........

Birmingham Royal Institution for the Blind

Blind Social Aid Society ......

Blind Tea Agency, Ltd. . .

Blindenanstalt Koniz, Bern .....

Bolton Schools and Workshops for the Blind

Boord, Miss ........

Bournemouth and District Blind Aid Society

Bradford Royal Institution for the Blind

Brickwood, Sir John. ......

Bristol Royal Blind Asylum .....

British Esperanto Association .....

Browne, The Misses Harris .....

Buckingham Association for the Blind
Budapest — National Blind Aid Society
Budapest — Royal School for the Blind
Burnett, Miss Mary Gordon .....

Burnley Home Teaching and General Help Society for th
Blind

Cardiff Institute for the Blind .....

Carlisle Home and Workshop for the Blind

Casa Provincial de Caridad, Barcelona

Cheltenham and Gloucestershii-e Society for the Blind .

Chester Society for the Home Teaching of the Blind

Chippendale, Miss .......

Church Benefit Society ......

College for the Blind, Worcester ....

Carried forward
573

■s.

• 1

J
]

I
i

£123

List of Donations, Subscriptions, etc.

Brought forward
College of Teachers of the Blind
Constan9on, Mens. .....

Coode, Miss H. G

Copenhagen — Royal Institution for the Blind
Coventry and District Home Teaching Society
Crewe, The Marquis of, K.G.

De Blindas Forening, The President of (Stockholm)
Derbyshire Association for the Care of the Blind .
Devonport Blind Institution ....
Dublin — Richmond National Institution for the Industrious

Blind

Dundee Institution for the Blind

Durham County Royal Institute for the Blind

East London Home and School for Blind Children

East London Workshops for the Blind

Eastern Counties Union of Societies for the Blind

Edinburgh Royal Blind Asylum and School

" Eyes to the Blind " (per Miss Douglas Hamilton)

Fellowship of the Blind and Seeing (Leamington)

Fife and Kinross Society for Teaching the Blind at their own

Homes ....
Forfarshire Mission to the Blind

Gardner's Trust for the Blind
Glasgow Royal Asylum for the Blind
Goodbody, Mrs.
Grafton, The Duke of, K.G.

Home for the Blind
for Mentally Deficient

Hallam, John ....

Hamilton, Miss J. G.

Hants and Isle of AVight School and

Southsea ....
Hastings and St. Leonards School

Children ....
Heberden, Miss A. B.
Heberden, Miss E. B.

Heberden, W. B., C.B

Henderson, Miss M. E

Henshaw's Blind Asylum (Manchester)

Home for the Blind of N. and N.E. Lancashire, Preston

Home Teaching Society for the Blind

HuU Blind Institution ......

Hungarian Society .......

Incorporated National Lending Library for the Blind .
Incorporated Society of Musicians ....
Indigent Blind Visiting Society .....
Inglis, Miss K. S., and others (Colchester) .
Institution for the Relief of the Indigent Blind of the Jewish
Persuasion .....

Carried forward
574

123

100

1 1

£31G 4

List of Donations, Subscriptions, etc.

Brought forward
Institution Nationals des Jeunes Aveugles, Paris
Isle of Wight Society for the Benefit of the Indigent Blind

Johnson, Stuart .......

Keighley Institution for the Blind ....
Konig, Mrs. F. A

Lamington, Lord, G.C.M.G. .....

Leeds United Institution for the Blind and Deaf and Dumb

Leicester Association for Promoting the General Welfare of the
Blind

Lempriere, William .....

Liverpool Catholic Blind Asylum

Liverpool Home Teaching Society for the Bhnd

Liverpool School for the Indigent Blind

Livery Companies of the City of London —

Worshipful Company of £ s. d.

Carpenters . . . . .550

Clothworkers 250 0 0

Drapers 50 0 0

Goldsmiths 50 0 0

Ironmongers . . . . .550

Saddlers 10 10 0

Salters 10 10 0

Skinners 10 10 0

London Association for the BUnd
London County Council .....
London Society for Teaching and Training the Blind
Lovell, Miss (Jerusalem) .....

Manchester and SaKord Blind Aid Society .

Marshall, Rev. G. K. S

Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
Metropolitan Union of Societies for the Blind
Midland Counties Union .....

Mines, J. H

Mission to the Outdoor Blind for Dundee and Lockee
Mission to the Outdoor Blind of Glasgow and the West of

Scotland . . ...
Montreal Association for the Blind
" Moon " Society, The (Brighton)
Mortimer, Colonel H. B. .
Moss, Miss F. M

National Blind Relief Society

National Institution for Massage by the Blind

National Institute for the Blind .

National League for the Blind .

National Library for the Blind (Washiijgton)

Ness, Charles W. (Edinburgh) .

Newcastle — Royal Victoria School for the Blind

Carried forward
575

£ s. d.

316 4 8

1 1 0

50 0 0

1 1 0

1 1 0
5 0 0

2 2 0

0 10 6
5 5 0

1 1 0

1 1
1 1

£830

5 0 0

392 (i 0

2 2 0

1 1 0
5 5 0
0 7 11

2 2 0
0 10 0

0 10 0
2 2 0

1 1 0

2 2 0

3 3 0

2 2 0

3 3 0
1 1 0
0 15 0

10 0 0

3 3
1 1

List of Donations, Subscriptions, etc.

Brought forward
Newport and Monmouthshire Blind Aid Society .
New York Association for the Bhnd .
North of Enghxnd Union of all Agencies for the Blind
Northern Counties Institute for the Blind (Inverness)
North Wales Home Teaching Society .
North- West Union of Institutions, &.C., for the Blind
Norwich Institution for the Indigent Blind .

Old Boys' Union of the College for the Blind, Worcester
Oldham Blind Women's Industries ....
Oldham Workshojis for the Blind ....
Oxford Society for the Blind .....

Percy, Lord Algernon ......

Pontefract and District Blind Visiting Society

Pope, Rev. G. C. (Collection at St. Mark's Church, Deptford)

Reading Blind Aid Society, Committee of .

Roberts, Miss A. E. .

Rochdale and District Society for the Blind

Rothschild, Lord, G.C.V.O.

Royal Midland Institution for the Blind (Nottingham)

Royal Normal College and Academy of Music for the Blind

Royal School for the Bhnd (Leatherhead) .

Russell, S. M

Sheffield Institution for the Blind
Simpson, Mrs. Parry. ....

Singer, A. Mortimer . . . . •

Smith, Miss E

Snow, Miss ....••

Snow, Mrs. ......

Society for Granting Annuities to the Poor Adult
Solomon, J. H. .....

Somers Town Blind Aid Society.

South London Association for Assisting the Blind

Starey, Mrs. Hepburn ....

Streatlield, Miss M. C

Swansea and South Wales Institution for the B
Sydney (N.S.W.) Industrial Blind Institution

Tanner, Howard .....

Taylor, H., M.A., F.R.S

Taylor, Mrs. Kepple ....

Tennant, John . . . . •

Thomas, Mrs. Oldfield ....

Thomson, H. W

Tihiey, Miss

Toth, Dr. Etienne

Trotter, Sir Henry, K.C.M.G., C.B. .

Union of Bhnd Ladies . . . •

Union of Institution Societies and Agencies for the Bhnd

Blind

Wagner, Henry

Carried forward
576

83U
J

1
0

£985

List of Donations, Subscriptions, etc.

Brought forward
Wakefield and District Institution and Workshops for the
BUnd . . . ■ .

Walford, Hugh E

Washington — Library of Congress
" Weekly Summary for the BHnd "
West London Workshops for the Blind
West of England Institution for the BUnd
Western Counties Union .
Whitelaw, Miss ....

WilHamson, Miss Annie F.
Wolverhampton Society for the Blind
Workshops for the Blind of Kent
Worthing Blind Society

Yorkshire School for the Blind .

985

5 5 0

Membership Fees at 5s. each

Special Donations :

For Secretarial Expenses (Conference)
For Expenses re Exhibition
Towards Printing Report .

Special Donation . . .

Advertisements in Handbook
Sundries re Exhibition, etc. : —

Anonymous (per Mrs. Townsend Boscawen)

Auerbach, Mrs. (and Mrs. Joshua)

Dictaphone Company

Exhibition Door TaJiings

Fellows, Mrs. Desmond

Goodhart, Mrs. .

Gye, Hon. Mrs. .

Harrison Patent Knitting Machine Co

Krautheimer & Co.

Marshall, Mrs. .

Sjonon, Mrs.

Trotter, Lady .

Paid to date for Copies of Report
Cook & Son, Unused Tickets
Balance f com previous Conference

£1,008 0 1
64 16 2

£1,072 16 3

£ s.

. 100 0

. 274 8

. 60 0

434 8
4 4

51 10

£* s.

iwen) . 0 10

1 5

. 2 2

. 63 0

. 0 10

. 0 5

J , Ltd. 2 2

2 2

. 0 10

3 3

. 2 2

78 1
19 6

.' 3* 9

8 0

119 3

£1.671 16 3

At a meeting of the Conference Committee held on the 12th December,
1914, the following resolution was unanimously adopted : —

" That this Committee desires to place on record its indebtedness
to Mr. Stuart Johnson, the various Livery Companies of the City
of London, Gardner's Trust for the Blind, and other donors whose
generosity has enabled the Committee to carry the Conference to a
successful issue."

C.B.

577

P P

BRADBURY, AQNBW & CO. LD., PRIxVTERS,
I4ONDON AND TQNBRICGE.

FOURTH TRIENNIAL INTERNATIONAL C(

STAXEIMENX

RECEIPTS.

Balance from previous Conference . .
Sundries — Sale of old Reports, &c. . .

Donations and Members' Subscriptions — as per
printed list

Receipts in respect of Advertisements in Handbook

Do. for Copies of Report, 1914, Papers, &c. . .

Special Donation towards Secretarial Expenses
(any balance to be appropriated in aid of
General Expenditure) ..

Special Donations in aid of Exhibition Expenses

Sundry Receipts in respect of Exhibition . .

Special Donation

Do. (towards printing Report) . .

Cook & Son— Unused Tickets . . . . •

s. d.
3 4

1 16 9

274

4
60

4 0
0 0

100

352 10

64
3

£1,671 16 3

We have examined the above Statement with the books and voucl
accordance therewith.

Austin Fbiaks House,

London, E.C,

\Mh Jaiuiarif. 1915.

JFERENCE ON THE BLIND, London, June, 1914

>F ACCOUNTS.

EXPENDITURE.

General Expenditure — ■

Hire of Rooms at Church House . £235 12 7
„ „ re, Concert and
Play 23 8 6

Advertising, Printing, &c.

Printing Report . .

Stationery, Postages, Out-of-Pocket Expenses

and Sundries
Secretarial Expenses
Dinner to Foreign Delegates

Exhibition Committee Expenditure^
Advertising, Printing, &c.
Stationery, Postages, &c.
Secretarial

Travelling Expenses of Lecturer
Contractors

* As Special Donations, &c., amounting to
£352 10s. wide i:itr cmitra) have been received in
respect of the Exliibition the net expenditure
is only £.22b 15s. id.

^LDVERTISING COMMITTEE —

Advertising, Printing Handbook, &c. . .
Stationery, Postages, &c.

* The sum of £51 10.?. Sd. received per
eontra in respect of Advertisements in Hand-
book, makes the net expenditure only
£56 6s. &d.

lusic AND Entertainment Committee —
Advertising, Printing, &c.
Stationery, Postages, &c.

Travelling, &c. (Expenses of Clergy, Organists,
&c.)

Icspitality Committee — •

Stationery, Postages, Out-of-Pocket Expenses
and Sundries

'inance Committee —
Printing, &c.
Stationery, Postages, &c.
Audit (no fee chxrged)

Jalance in hand

£ s. d.

259 1 1
169 1 5
194 4 0

66 U 3
75 6 0
33 3 10

210 12 5

43 9 5

148 18 0

5 0 0

170 5 6

97 8 9
10 8 7

15 15 10
15 3 9

54 5 1

12 17 10
12 19 10

£ s. d.

19)1 1 7

*578 5 4

*107 17 4

85 4 8

56 17 6

25 17 8
20 6 2

£1,671 16 3

i of the International Conference on the Blind, and certify the same to be in

WILLIAM S. OGLE & CO.,

Chartered Accountants.

liiiili

fiBiiiKlilliiiiS^^^

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Full text of "Report of the International Conference on the Blind and Exhibition of the Arts and Industries of the Blind Held at The Church House, Westminster June 18th to 24th 1914"

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