stitutions as the indigent blind, a sum being paid for each person of about £40 per annum. The institutions for the blind are also largely benefited by legacies and annual contributions from private individuals; but their chief reliance is upon governmental grants. It is not at all to the credit of England that, while the Americans consider that the misfortunes of the blind entitle them to greater aid from the State than is accorded to ordinary members of the community, the English Government seems to look on the privations of the sightless as a special reason why nothing should be done for them. We hope, however, that this reproach may soon be taken away from our country, and that the spirit of the Gospel on which it is professed that its laws are based, may really become the governing principle of its legislation. The education in the American schools consists in the study of English literature, the mathematics, natural philosophy, and music, and also instruction in various handicraft trades; and it is a noteworthy feature that blind teachers are often employed.

Books are printed in relief at Boston, Philadelphia; Richmond, Virginia; Louisville, Kentucky; and at St. Louis, Missouri. At the last-named place Braille's type is used, but in all the other institutions some modification of the English or Roman type is employed, and for a full description of these systems the reader is referred to the article in this volume on printing for the blind.

The methods of writing with pin-type and with the pencil are in general use, and the arithmetical board with square holes and two pegs is common. Howe's maps and diagrams, and the systems of embossed music known respectively as those of Braille and Mahony, have their partisans, and the common mode of musical notation is adopted at Philadelphia, and some other places.

For a full description of the educational appliances above named, the reader is referred to the articles in

this book specially devoted to writing, arithmetic, geography, music, etc. But we may here state that some years ago, Dr. Howe introduced for the benefit of the students of phrenology, models of heads, the various parts of which were represented by embossed letters and figures which corresponded with those given in the explanations which were printed in relief. Music is much cultivated as a means of livelihood in the United States; but blind organists do not seem to meet with much encouragement. String bands exist in several of the institutions, but their utility is very doubtful. Pianists without sight are not uncommon, but the tuning of the pianoforte seems to be the most lucrative branch of the profession.

The handicrafts usually carried on include the manufactures of baskets, mats, matting, cane-work, beadwork, and knitting. Mattresses are also made to some extent, and the making of brushes and whisk brooms is largely carried on, especially at Philadelphia. In the education of the juvenile blind the Americans may be said to have thoroughly succeeded, but in caring for adults they are lamentably deficient. The books in use cannot be read by adults; those who are able and willing to work are unable to obtain it, and there are scarcely any pensions for the aged and infirm. A Bible capable of being read by all classes of the blind, constant and remunerative employment to males and females at their own homes, and pensions to the helpless, are the most pressing wants of the citizens of the United States who are without sight; and considering the great liberality already shown in providing for the education of blind children, can we doubt that these requisites will long be wanting, especially as without them what has already been done is often productive of more evil than good? Mr. Chappin, the principal of the Pennsylvania Institution, Philadelphia, has for some time shown such an enlightened appreciation of this subject that we feel convinced his representations

will not be long unheeded, but that his countrymen will soon crown their noble efforts for the welfare of the blind by enabling him fully to carry out his benevolent designs.

BRITISH NORTH AMERICA.

Of the number of the blind inhabitants of the vast countries included in the above title no authentic returns exist, it is however known that in Newfoundland 1 in every 1426 of the people is without sight, in Nova Scotia one in every 1788, and in Prince Edward's Island one in every 1880. If we take the average of these three returns, viz. 1698, and accept the total population as 2,663,000, we shall find that the number of persons without sight in British North America amounts to 1568.

The extreme northern latitudes occupied by the greater part of these territories greatly increase the tendency to blindness, as long-continued snow and cold winds are most injurious to the eyes. This evil, however, has not yet strikingly shown itself in the dominion of Canada and the adjacent countries, on account of the constant influx of settlers from Europe, which prevents the tendencies of the native population from manifesting themselves in full force, but even as it is, the influence of the northern climate is shown by the circumstance that there are about three blind persons in British North America to every two in the adjoining United States.

In Canada there is a college or institution for the blind at Montreal, and another at Toronto, each of which receives a grant from the Colonial Government of 1000 dollars, or £208. 6s. 8d. per annum. It is believed that the instruction in these schools is similar to that of the institutions of the United States, and that

the total number of pupils does not amount to a hundred. In 1870, the erection of a building to be used as an asylum for the blind was commenced at Halifax, Nova Scotia, the expense being entirely borne by a benevolent gentleman of that city, and it is believed that the institution is now in full working order.

MEXICO.

To expect any authentic returns of the number of the blind in this unhappy country would almost appear as absurd as to indulge the hope that there would ever be anything else recorded of the history of the republic than a catalogue of robberies and murders; and we must therefore content ourselves by stating that the total population of the country is estimated at 7,200,000, and that it is probable that the ratio of the blind is about 1 in 1500, which makes it likely that there are about 4800 persons without sight in the various States forming the Mexican republic.

During the short and troubled reign of the Emperor Maximilian an inquiry was set on foot in the name of the unfortunate Empress Charlotte, into the working of various institutions in Europe, with a view of establishing schools for the benefit of the blind in Mexico. This enterprise, however, like many others of a more ambitious character, came to an end with the untimely death of Maximilian, and the distressing mental affliction of the Empress, and as far as we know, it is the only attempt ever made to do anything for the sightless inhabitants of the most Catholic and lawless country of modern times.

THE WEST INDIES.

There are no authentic returns of the number of

persons without sight in the numerous islands comprised in the above designation. But there are some data of considerable value, from which an approximate idea may be obtained.

It has been estimated by local authorities that the proportion of the blind to the general population is in the different islands as follows :—

Antigua and Bermuda, 1 in every 386; Tortola, 1 in 756; Barbadoes, 1 in 883; Tobago, 1 in 700; and Jamaica, 1 in 358.

If from these figures we extract the general average, viz. 1 blind person in every 616 of the inhabitants, and accept the total population of the West Indies as 3,855,000, we find that the total number of the blind amounts to 6258.

We believe that there is no provision of any kind made in the West Indies for those who have the misfortune to be without sight; but it is to be hoped that although England, France, Spain, Holland, Denmark, and Sweden have long neglected their duty in this respect, yet that when some of the islands pass into the hands of the United States (as doubtless they very soon will), the Americans will introduce the blessings of their school system, and that the example may be followed by the professed European champions of civilization, unless in the meantime Britain (in anxiety to repair the evils of duty long neglected) rouse herself to do something for her poor sightless West Indian subjects, and thus take the lead in the noble work.

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA.

Of the number of the blind in the vast territories included in the above title, the only means of arriving at a conclusion are the slender data presented by the geographical position, and the physical structure of