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not only obvious to the sight but the touch, and is far from beingeasily effaced. On the upper side of the paper the letters appearin their proper position, and, by their sensible elevation abovethe common surface, render it practicable for the blind to readthem with their lingers. Their manner of w riting is analogousto this operation : the pupil, by repeated experiments, havingfamiliarised himself to the forms of the letters, both in their in-verted and proper positions, gradually' learns to delineate themupon paper, moistened as before, with the point of an iron pen,winch has ao split, and which is just sharp enough to impressw ithout piercing the paper: thus, on the side next to the writer'shand, the letters are formed, sunk, and inverted; but when thepaper is turned they appear right and in relievo. Thus the blindare enabled to form and decypher, not only the characters re-quired in common language, but also mathematical diagrams,arithmetical and geographical processes, and all the charactersused in writing music. All these wonders they have performedwith success, to the universal satisfaction of numberless spectatorswhom curiosity and compassion impelled to visit the academy,to behold a spectacle so interesting to humanity. r l he abovequoted work is printed and bound by the blind themselves. Theyexhibit at their own academy every Wednesday and Saturdaybetween one and two o’clock, P. At. to crowds of charitable ad-mirers, by whose liberal donations the institution is chiefly sup-ported. In the higher parts of mathematics, sucli as conic sec-tions, the same solid figures which are mediums of perception tothose who see, may perform the same useful office to the blind.But, for the structure of superficial figures, becs-wax, or souiesuch matter might be used, soft enough to be easily susceptibleot impressions, yet hard enough to retain them till effaced uy anequal pressure.—Suppose, for instance, a table were formed, fourfeet broad, and eight long ; for the figures, that they may bethe more sensible to the touch, ought to be larger than ordinary.Suppose this table had brims, or a moulding round it, rising aninch above the surfaces: let the whole expanse, then, be tilledwith bees-wax, and the surface above pressed extremely even witha polished board, formed exactly to fit the space within themouldings. This board will always be necessary to etl’ace thefigures employed in former propositions, and prepare the surfacefor new ones. This method of delineating geometrical truths,upon such a table, appears the best and least troublesome ap-paratus whicii a blind man can use ; and general ideas of geo-graphy or topography 'might he conveyed to him in the samemaimer, by' spheres composed of, or covered with the same im-pressible matter. The knowledge of astronomy might also heof infinite use, both by enlarging the blind person’s ideas of theuniverse, and by giving him higher and more confirmed impres-sions of that energy by which the stars are moved, and of thatdesign by which their motions are regulated. But these objectsare too vast; their distances, their magnitudes, their periods ofrevolution, are top complex to be comprehended in the mind, orimpressed on the memory, without sensible mediums. For thispurpose, an orrery, or some astronomical machine of a similarconstruction, will be indispensably requisite. The science ofcauses and effects might likewise yield him the most sublime andrational entertainment of w hich an intelligent being, in his presentstate, is susceptible. By this he might enter inio the laws, thevicissitudes, the (economy of nature.—Xor is it absolutely ne-cessary that he should be an actual witness of the experiments bywhich these laws are explained. lie may safely take them forgranted ; and if, at any time, a particular experiment shouldprove faithless, lie may from general principles, be able to dis-cover its fallacy, whether in the nature of the subject, the in-aptitude of the instruments, or the process of the execution.Tlie laws of motion, the various ratios or proportions of forces,whether simple or compound, he may calculate and ascertain,by the same method so happily used by Sanderson. Philologicallearning is also attainable by the blind in a high degree. Theacquisition of different languages adds to the treasure of ourideas, and renders those which we possess more clear and de-finite. '1 he technical terms of almost every science are exotic ;and without clearly understanding thtve, we cannot properly pos-sess the ideas of which they are the vehicles. r l he paths ofgrammar, however, are dry and rugged ; and it will be neces-sary for the teacher, whoever lie is, to lake all the* opportunitiesthat oiler of polishing the asperities of the road. When therefore

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the intellect of the pupil begins to exert its penetration, it willbe proper to shew him how the nature, the forms, and arrange-ments, of words, flow from our ideas and their relations. Kvcrysubstance must naturally be in some state ; it must either act, orbe acted upon. The actions w hich it performs or suffers must beperformed or suffered in some definite manner or degree. Itmust likewise have some qualities, ■whether temporary and acci-dental, or natural and permanent. These qualities must like-wise be susceptible of degrees. When different substances areconsidered in the same state, its common participation forms aconnection : when regarded in different states, that differenceforms an opposition. The constant repetition of the names ofsubstances and qualities produces a disagreeable monotony inlanguage.—They must therefore be implied in other words, whichlikewise in some cases serve to connect the parts of a sentence.There is a ditference between such words as imply the connectionof states and circumstances. Actions to be performed or suf-fered may be either positively affirmed of any substance, ormerely attributed to them. Living and percipient substanceshave immediate sensations of pain or pleasure, which likewiseare productive of desire and aversion. To these senUments par-ticular sounds are adapted, whether immediately inspired by-nature, or resulting from association. Thus wc have a founda-tion for all the different parts of speech ; and from their naturesand offices, their forms and arrangements may be deduced, ac-cording to the analogy of every language. The art of reasoning,flic knowledge of history, and a taste for the belles lettres, areeasily attainable by the blind; and as they are copious funds ofentertainment, they should be inculcated, though at the expenceof care and labour. Above all tilings he ought to be instructedin the principles of the Christian religion, to be made acquaintedwith the]general depravity of human nature, of the restorationby Jesus Christ, and of the necessity of being reconciled to God ,and that this be effected by the mediation of the Redeemer, andby that mediation alone ; and that, if he would come to the en-joyment of it, he must fully surrender himself to Jesus Christ inorder to perform his will, and acquiesce in the various dispen-sations of his providence. To this end he should be early initiatedto a knowledge of the sacred scriptures, and these should he un-folded, and expounded to him lrom time to time as his under-standing opens. The reason of this advice is exceedingly evident,for since no man can possible find happiness without knowing Irispeace is made with God , so tlie blind must seek in vain for com-fort under their affliction, if they do not make application to thisquarter. And since every man vyho truly renounces his sins andbelieves in the Lord Jesus Christ finds true felicity, so here theblind will obtain a portion, which will abundantly satisfy them,and fully remove that discontent and fretfulness too often observedin these objects of compassion. What Cicero says of the arts andsciences may with great propriety be applied to religion: “ Namca’tera lieqiie temporum sunt, - ’ &c. “ For other studies are not

suited to every time, to every age, and to every place: hut thesegive strength In youth, and joy in old age ; adorn prosperity, andare the support and consolation of adversity ; at home they aredelightful, and abroad they are easy ; at night they are companyto us ; when we travel they attend us; and in our rural retirement,they do not forsake us.” To this may be added, that the joysof religion are for ever adequate to the largest capacity of a finiteand progressive intelligence ; and as they are boundless in extent,so they are endless in duration.—Where can a blindman find amore copious, intimate, permanent, and efficacious source ofcomfort than in religion' Let this then he inculcated with theutmost care and assiduity. J.et the whole force of the soul lie ex-erted in shewing him that it is reasonable. J.et all the noblestaffections of the heart he employed in recommending it as amia-ble; for we will venture to assert, that the votary of religionalone is the man,—

“ Whom, though with nature’s wreck oppress'd,

Unmanly tears could ne’er infest.”

BLINDKS, or BLINDS , in the art of war, a sort of defenceeoinmoiilv made of osiers, or branches interwoven, and laidacross between two rows of slakes, about the height of a man,and four or five feet asunder, used particularly at the heads oftrendies, when they are extended in front towards the glacis ;serving to shelter the workmen, and prevent their being over-looked bv the eneinv.

BLINDING,