Three gentlemen visitors to that place having completed their inspection, were about taking leave, when they were attracted by “little Joe,” a bright, intelligent boy pupil, and immediately asked him if he could distinguish colors in the above-mentioned way.  The quick-witted little fellow assumed the serene dignity of a sage and calmly answered, “Of course I can,” whereupon the gentlemen stood in a row and offered Joe the tempting bait of one dollar if he would tell each one the color of his pants.  Two of them were dressed in broad cloth, and the other in a coarse, grey suit.  The boy naturally inferred that the smooth, textured fabric was broad cloth, and would most probably be black, and being aware of the then prevailing style of grey business-suits, he, with great ease, hit the truth exactly.

They freely gave the promised dollar, and left fully satisfied that he did it by the sense of touch.  As soon as the door was closed, the mischievous urchin exclaimed, “Golly, boys, suppose I hadn’t guessed right?”

Upon this matter I can only say in conclusion, that I have met during my life many blind persons, and have made this question an especial study, while not one instance has come under my observation in which the blind could distinguish colors by touch.  By a systematic method of arrangement, association, etc, as well as through a remarkable recollection of certain distinguishing characteristics in objects around us, we attain to that which serves us much the same purpose as distinction of color.  Indeed, in this, as in all things, the blind must, of necessity, be very methodical in everything they undertake to do.

I sincerely hope that in my heterogeneous and apparently random remarks, I may have uttered some word of comfort to the blind, some hint which may truly aid them, some sentiment which may sustain, for my heart goes out to them in the sympathy of a common affliction.

“SIGHT OF THE BLIND.”

Since closing my preceding article I have received from the author, who is one of the most distinguished blind writers, an essay Which I take great pleasure in introducing below, not only because of its eminent source, but from its confirmation of some of the points I have attempted to illustrate, and which, together with many original and suggestive thoughts, are given with the plenitude and the power of eloquent rendition.

“HOW DO THE BLIND SEE?”

BY L.V.  HALL.

This may be regarded by some as a paradoxical question; and yet it is not, if we accept the word see, in its fullest and broadest sense.  Webster defines the verb see, as follows:  “To perceive by mental vision; to form an adequate conception of; to discern; to distinguish; to understand; to comprehend.”  True, we do not see through the same medium that you do, who have perfect organs of sight, but we certainly perceive and comprehend the relation and condition of things about us.  The Creator has so wisely