To the directors of the institutions for the blind, in Great Britain and Ireland / [John Alston].

  • Alston, John, 1778-1846.
Date:
[1837?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: To the directors of the institutions for the blind, in Great Britain and Ireland / [John Alston]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    lection of having ever seen, became a proficient in several depart- ments of natural philosophy, in which he gave lectures, and per- formed experiments, to the admiration of his pupils. An old author makes mention of a blind man who used to be employed in conducting merchants through the deserts of Arabia; and a still more remarkable instance of a similar kind was exhi- bited in the person of John Metcalf, whose original business was that of a waggoner, but who ultimately became a projector and surveyor of high-ways, in which capacity he was extensively and creditably occupied in several parts of the West of England. When we regard the attainments of those blind men in circumstances so discouraging, what may we not hope from pupils of our Institutions trained among books, maps, and globes, adapted to their peculiar condition, with any other aid that ingenuity can invent, and liberal benevolence supply? As reading by means of the touch is comparatively little known, it may be necessary to give a few directions how the pupils ought to proceed. The particular shape of each letter of the Alphabet should be thoroughly understood before the pupil be allowed to proceed farther. After he has attained this, words of two and three letters may be submitted to his touch. He should then be made to feel the words with two or three of his fingers, placing a finger on each of the letters. By this means he will be able to decipher two and three letters at once, which, by practice, will give a decided dexterity and fluency to his reading. On no ac- count must he be allowed to read with the left hand. His finger nails ought to be kept short, to prevent him from injuring the surface of the letters. That the Blind under your charge may soon attain to such a degree of proficiency in their education, as to encourage you to still farther exertions in their behalf, is the ardent wish of, Gentlemen, Your most obedient Servant, JOHN ALSTON. Glasgow, 4//i ,/;////, ]fi37. PRINTED IN THE SCOTTISH tiUAItDIAN OFFICE.