A blind man's offering

Front matter

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Preface

A few words will be sufficient to convey to the reader the object of our humble “ Offering.” For whatever it contains, we, of course, hold ourselves responsible. We cannot but hope that it will exert a beneficent influence, and contribute something to deepen the interest already manifested in the condition and claims of the blind. It was our intention to have published a book in raised characters, but the great expense of such an undertaking hgs prevented us. We have, however, endeavored to give a variety of interesting facts in relation to the blind, their education, &c., which, we trust, will make this book as useful and acceptable as the one we had previously contemplated. Those who are acquainted with the extent to which the blind are now educated, will have no difficulty in conceiving, that one without the aid of sight could write a much better work than this claims to be ; but as this volume may fall into the hands of many who may never have given their attention to this subject, we deem it proper to state, that the following pages contain the thoughts of the author as they were delivered to his amanuensis, without even the slightest verbal alteration. We might have rendered them more acceptable to the reading public, by summoning to our aid one better skilled in the art of bookmaking; but, in such a case, the present volume would have been deprived of its distinctive original character, which we were desirous it should possess. Wherever we have made quotations, they are duly credited. We have thought that short articles would answer our purpose better than elaborate essays. We have endeavored to give the reader some idea

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VI

PREFACE.

of the effect which blindness exerts upon the mind in influ™ encing the reasonings and modifying the opinions of one who has been its subject from early infancy. Some may, perhaps, think they have discovered a want of consistency in our views. In reply to this, we will only say, that we regard man as a progressive being, and that, for ourselves, we change our opinions whenever we find that those we have previously entertained were wrong. We have always prized higher an earnest and inquiring spirit, than one who remains forever in an immovable state, who can boast of nothing but the pertinacity with which he maintains the ideas inherited from his fathers.

The author wishes to be distinctly understood, that part of the design of the present publication is to enable him to obtain for himself, and for those whose happiness is dearer than life, the means of an independent subsistence ; and whatever may be realized from its sale, will be appropriated to this object.

If energy and enterprise that have never yet yielded to circumstances, can do it, our humble “ Offering” shall find at least a temporary lodgment in every nook and corner of our widely extended land. Of one thing we are sure, that whoever may honor it with a perusal will do so without injuring themselves in mind or morals.

THE AUTHOR.

New York, Jan . 1st, 1850.