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BLIND-BLINDNESS

light only for five months. Besides having made himself master of Greek, Latin, Itatian, and French, he was also a great poet.

IT is somewhat remarkable, that, where there is a deficiency in the organs of the human frame, we often find it amply compensated by a supeA French lady, who lost her riority of mental excellence, and par-sight at two years old, was possessed ticularly in the case of blindness. of many talents which alleviated her Though one would imagine that of misfortune. "In writing to her," it all others, the blind would be most is said, "no ink is used, but the letpeevish and fretful, yet their beha-ters are pricked down on the paper; viour is often highly expressive, not and, by the delicacy of her touch, feeonly of resignation, but of cheerful-ling each letter, she follows them suc ness. Indeed, "the common Parent cessively, and reads every word with of nature, whose benignity is perma- her fingers' ends. She herself in nent as his existence, and boundless writing makes use of a pencil, as she as his empire, has neither left his af- could not know when her pen was flicted creatures without consolation dry: her guide on the paper is a small or resource. Even from their loss, thin ruler, and of the breadth of her however oppressive and irretrievable, writing. On finishing a letter, she they derive advantages; not indeed wets it, so as to fix the traces of her adequate to recompense, but in some pencil, that they are not obscured or degree sufficient to alleviate their mis- effaced; then proceeds to fold and ery. The attention of the soul is seal it, and write the direction, all by not dissipated by the immense multi- her own address, and without the asplicity of surrounding objects. Her sistance of any other person. Her contemplations are more uniformly writing is very straight, well cut, and fixed upon herself, and the revolu- the spelling no less correct. To reach tions of her own internal frame. this singular mechanism, the indefatHence her perceptions of such exter-igable cares of her affectionate mothnal things as are contiguous and ob-er were long employed, who, accusvious to her observation become more toming her daughter to feel letters cut lively and exquisite. Hence, even in cards of pasteboard, brought her to her instruments of corporal sensation distinguish an A from a B, and thus are more assiduously cultivated and the whole alphabet, and afterwards improved, so that from them she de- to spell words; then, by the rememrives such notices and presages of ap- brance of the shape of the letters, to proaching pleasure or impending dan-delineate them on paper; and, lastly, ger, as entirely escape the attention to arrange them so as to form words of those who depend for security on the reports of their eyes."

and sentences. She sews and hems perfectly well, and in all her works she threads the needle for herself, however small."

Mr. Henry Moyes, though blind from his infancy, by the ardour and assiduity of his application, and by Dr. Nicholas Saunderson, born in the force of a genius to which noth- 1682, may be considered as a prodigy ing is impenetrable has not only made for his application and success in incredible advances in Mechanical mathematical literature, though he Operations, in Music, and in the lost his sight by the small-pox before Languages, but is likewise profound- he was a year old. When young, ly skilled in Geometry, in Optics, in he could make long and difficult calAlgebra, in Astronomy, in Chemis-culations. without having any sentry, and in all the other branches of Natural Philosophy, as taught by Newton, and received by an admiring world.

Blacklock is said to have seen the

sible marks to assist his memory. Ateighteen he was taught the principles of Algebra and Geometry. He went to Christ College Cambridge, at twenty-five. His reputation was

died at a period of life when she was still the object of universal admiration. By way of making atonement for her own vanity, she bequeathed herself as a monument to curb the vanity of others. Recollecting on her death-bed the great adulation that had been paid to her charms, and the fatal change they were soon to undergo, she ordered that her body should be dissected, and her bones hung up for the inspection of all young maidens who are inclined to be vain of their beauty."

soon spread through the University, and numbers attended to hear his Mathematical Lectures. He made such proficiency, that he was afterwards elected Lucasion Professor of Mathematics in 1771, and in 1736 he was admitted member of the Royal Society. He invented, for his own use, a palpable Arithmetic; that is, a method of performing operations in Arithmetic solely by the sense of touch. His sense of touch was so perfect, that he could discover, with the greatest exactness, the slightest inequalities of surface, and could dis- "Our late visit to the famous Continguish, in the most finished works, vent of Capuchins about a mile withthe smallest oversight in the polish. out the city of Palermo, brought the We have a remarkable instance of above anecdote to my remembrance. a blind guide in John Metcalf, of This Convent contains nothing very Manchester, who very lately followed remarkable but the burying-place, the occupation of conducting stran- which, indeed, is a great curiosity. gers through intricate roads during This is a vast subterraneous apartthe night, or when the tracks were ment, divided into large commodious covered with snow. And, strange as galleries, the walls on each side of this may appear to those who can see, which are hollowed into a variety of the employment of this man was af- niches, as if intended for a great colterwards that of a projector and sur-lection of statues. These niches, inveyor of highways in difficult and stead of statues, are all filled with mountainous parts! With the as-dead bodies, set upright on their legs, sistance only of a long staff, he has and fixed by the back to the inside of been several times seen traversing the the nich. Their number is about roads, ascending precipices, exploring valleys, and investigating their several extents, forms, and situation, so as to answer his designs in the best manner. Most of the roads over the Peak in Derbyshire have been alaltered by his directions, particularly those in the vicinity of Buxton; and he has since constructed a new one betwixt Winslow and Congleton, with a view to open a communication to the great London road, without being obliged to pass over the mountains. See the account by Dr. Bew, published in the Transactions of the Manchester Society.

BURYING-PLACE OF CAPUCHINS.

[Related by Mr. Brydone.] "AT Bologna they shewed us the skeleton of a celebrated beauty, who

three hundred. They are all dressed in the clothes they usually wore, and form a most respectable and venerable assembly. The skin and muscles, by a certain preparation, become as dry and hard as a piece of stockfish; and although many of them have been here upwards of 250 years, yet none are reduced to Skeletons. The muscles, indeed, in some, appear to be a good deal more shrunk than in others; probably because these persons had been more attennuated at the time of their death. Here the people of Palermo pay daily visits to their deceased friends, and recal with pleasure and regret the various scenes of their past life. Here they familiarize themselves with their future state, and choose the company they would wish to keep in another world. It is a common thing to make choice of their nich and to try if their body fits it,

CARDS.

CARDS were first invented under the reign of Charles VI. King of France, to amuse him during the intervals of the disorder which carried him to the grave. The world would have sustained no loss had his Majesty been suffered to die in peace without this invention. They seem, however, to be the delight of vast numbers of mankind; and even men who profess to have a superiority of taste and a greater extent of knowledge than the generality, pass away too much of their time in this useless and often injurious pursuit. The following is a very pointed and suitable reproof to such:

that no alternations may be necessa- every night, and pretend to have mary after they are dead; and some-ny wonderful visions and revelations; times, by way of a voluntary penance, but the truth is, that very few people they accustom themselves to stand believe them. for hours in these niches. The bodies of the princes and first nobility are lodged in handsome chests or trunks, some of them richly adorned These are not in the shape of coffins, but all of one width, and about a foot and a half or two feet deep. The keys are kept by the nearest relations of the family, who sometimes come and drop a tear over their departed friends. I am not sure if this be not a better method of disposing of the dead than our's. These visits must prove admirable lessons of humility; and I assure you they are not such objects of terror as you would imagine. They are said, even for ages after death, to retain a strong likeness to what they were when alive; so that, as soon as you have conquer- Mr. Locke having been introdued the first feelings excited by these ced by Lord Shaftesbury to the Duke venerable figures, you only consider of Buckingham and Lord Halifax, this as a vast gallery of original por- these three noblemen, instead of contraits, drawn after the life by the jus- versing with the philosopher, as test and most unprejudiced hand. It might naturally have been expected, must be owned that the colours are on literary subjects, in a very short rather faded; and the pencil does not time sat down to cards. Mr. Locke, appear to have been the most flatter-after looking on for some time, pulling in the world. But no matter: it ed out his pocket-book, and began to is the pencil of truth, and not of a write with great attention. One of mercenary who only wants to please. the company observing this, took the We were alleging, too, that it might liberty of asking him what he was be made of very considerable utility writing. "My Lord," said Locke, to society, and that these dumb ora- "I am endeavouring, as far as possitors could give the most pathetic lec-ble, to profit by my present situation; tures upon pride and vanity. When- for, having waited with impatience ever a fellow began to strut, or affect for the honour of being in company the haughty or supercilious air, he with the greatest geniuses of the age, should be sent to converse with his I thought I could do nothing better friends in the gallery; and if their than to write down your conversaarguments did not bring him to a pro- tion: and, indeed, I have set down per way of thinking, I would give the substance of what you have said him up as incorrigible. If the lady for this hour or two." This wellabove mentioned had been preserved timed ridicule had its desired effect, in this moral gallery, the lesson and these noblemen, fully sensible of would have been stronger: for those its force, immediately quitted their very features that had raised her vani-play, and entered into a conversation ty would still have remained, only di- more rational, and better suited to vested of all their powers, and dis-the dignity of their characters. armed of every charm. Some of the "I think it very wonderful," says Capuchins sleep in these galleries Addison, "to see persons of the best

sense passing away a dozen hours together in shuffling and dividing a pack of cards, with no other conversation but what is made up of a few game phrases, and no other ideas but those of black or red spots ranged together in different figures. Would not a man laugh to hear any one of this species complaining that life is short?"

Mr. Dodd, an eminent minister, being solicited to play at cards, arose from his seat, and uncovered his head. The company asked him what he was going to do. He replied, "To crave God's blessing." They immediately exclaimed, "We never ask a blessing on such an occasion." "Then," said he, " I never engage in any thing, but what I beg of God to give his blessing."

the children before the congregation. "Repeat me the fourth commandment."-" Now, little man, do you understand the meaning of this commandment?" "Yes, Sir."-"Then if you do, you will be able to answer me these questions: Do those keep holy the Sabbath-day who lay in bed till eight or nine o'clock in the morning, instead of rising to say their prayers and read the Bible?" "No Sir."-"Do those keep the sabbath who fodder their cattle when other people are going to church?" "No, Sir."-" Does God Almighty bless such people as go to ale-houses, and don't mind the instruction of their minister?" "No, Sir."-" Don't those who love God read the Bible to their families, particularly on Sunday evenings, and have prayers every A lady who once heard Mr. Ro-morning and night in their houses." maine, expressed herself mightily Yes, Sir." A great variety of such pleased with his discourse, and told pertinent, and familiar questions he him afterwards, that she thought she would frequently ask, in the most could comply with his doctrine, and engaging manner, on every part of give up every thing but one. "And the Catechism, as he thought most what is that, madam?" "Cards, conducive to the improvement and Sir."-"You think you could not be edification of his parish.. happy without them?" "No, Sir; I know I could not."-"Then, Madam, they are your god, and they must save you." This pointed and just reply is said to have issued in her

conversion.

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CHRISTIANITY..

NOTWITHSTANDING all the objections which infidels and sceptics have brought against Christianity, yet it has nothing to fear from impartial examination. It will bear the closest inspection of the most wise, and out stand all the virulent attempts of the most wicked. It will afford instruction to the philosopher, however exalt.. ed, and render consolation to the ignorant, however wretched. Its doc-. trines are sublime, just, and pure.. Its precepts are founded on the most consummate wisdom, truth, and love, every way calculated to promote the holiness, peace, and interest of man

CATECHISING. CATECHISING is an excellent mean of informing the mind and impressing the heart, and should be attended to by all who wish well to their children. No Minister of the Gospel, who has opportunity, should neglect this part of his work. The late Mr. Hervey's method of instructing young people was such, that while it afforded profit to them, it was a mean of reproof to others. kind. Its privileges are great and Some of his parishioners having extensive, allowing its votaries the laid in bed on a Sunday morning most noble and refined pleasures in longer than he approved, and others the present state, and opening before having been busy in foddering their them a boundless prospect of immor cattle when he was coming to church, tality and glory in the future. and several having frequented the ale-house, he thus catechised one of

As to the effects of Christianity, they have been and still are consid

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erable, and afford at least a collateral | clergyman in the bishopric of Durproof of the superiority and excellen- ham, that he had never read the New cy of the system. "Destitute of all Testament with attention."

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human advantages," says one, pro- The late Lord Be, the celebratected by no authority, assisted by no ted infidel, was one day reading in art; not recommended by the reputa-Calvin's Institutions.-A clergyman tion of its authors, not enforced by of his Lordship's acquaintance comeloquence in its advocates, the word ing on a visit, Lord B. said to him, of God grew mightily, and prevailed. "You have caught me reading John Twelve men, poor, artless, and illite- Calvin. He was indeed a man of rate, we behold triumphing over the great parts, profound sense, and vast fiercest and most determined opposi- learning. He handles the doctrines. tion; over the tyranny of the magis- of grace in a very masterly manner." trate and the subtleties of the philoso-"Doctrines of grace!" replied the clerpher; over the prejudice of the Gen-gyman. "The doctrines of grace tile and the bigotry of the Jew." have set all mankind together by the "The religion of Jesus," says Bish- ears." "I am surprised to hear you op Taylor, "trampled over the philo- say so," answered Lord B." you prosophy of the world, the arguments of fess to believe and to preach Christithe subtle, the discourses of the elo-anity. Those doctrines are certainly quent, the power of princes, the in- the doctrines of the Bible, and if I beterest of states, the inclination of na-lieve the Bible, I must believe them; ture, the blindness of zeal, the force of custom, the solicitation of passions, the pleasure of sin, and the busy arts of the devil."

and let me seriously tell you, that the greatest miracle in the world is, the subsistence of Christianity, and its continued preservation as a religion, Sir Isaac Newton set out in life a when the preaching of it is commitclamorous infidel, but, on a nice ex-ted to the care of such unchristian amination of the evidences for Chris- wretches as you."

lead a man back again to a first cause, and that the first principle of right reason is religion: and seriously professes, that, after all his studies and inquisitions, he durst not die with any other thoughts than those of religion, taught, as it is professed, among the Christians. To the above we may add the names of Mr. Charles Gildon, Lord Lyttleton, Gilbert West, Esq. Soame Jenyns, Esq. and the late Sir John Pringle, who, though they had imbibed Deistical principles, were afterwards converted to the Christian faith, and four out of the five wrote in defence of it.

tianity, he found reason to change Lord Bacon, towards the latter end his opinion. When the celebrated of his life, said, that a smattering of Dr. Edmund Halley was talking in- philosophy would lead a man to Athefidelity before him, Sir Isaac address-ism, but a thorough insight of it will ed him in these or the like words "Dr.Halley, I am always glad to hear you when you speak about astronomy, or other parts of the mathematics, because that is a subject you have studied, and well understand; but you should not talk of Christianity, for you have not studied it. I have, and am certain that you know nothing of the matter." This was a just reproof, and one that would be very suitable to be given to half the infidels of the present day, for they often speak of what they have never studied, and what, in fact, they are entirely ignorant of. Dr. Johnson, therefore, well observed, that no honest man could Infidels should never talk of our be a Deist, for no man could be so af-giving up Christianity, till they can ter a fair examination of the proofs propose something superior to it. of Christianity. On the name of Lord Chesterfield's answer, thereHume being mentioned to him, "No, fore, to an infidel lady was very just. Sir," said he: "Hume owned to a When at Brussels, he was invited by

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