Volume 2

The lost senses / By John Kitto.

  • Kitto, John, 1804-1854.
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The lost senses / By John Kitto. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    resources, he would have passed with the greatest ease. Tliese tilings would be trifles did not thf class of misconceptions which they indicate, seri- * ously affect the blind man’s social position, and his * prospects in life. Suppose, for instance, the case ol ' a blind man, who, by the most persevering applica-. tion, has fully qualified himself for some im- ‘ portant office connected with his profession—say, ' of music. He hears of an advertisement, and he ' makes the requisite application; but is told that as he cannot see he cannot play. The next timet an opportunity offers, he determines to go in per- son—say a hundred miles, and in winter too—to show that he can play. He performs in public and' private, and shows himself competent to the dis-- charge of all the duties of the employment which i he seeks—but the feeling that one who can see is ■ of necessity more competent for it than one who i cannot, still stands between him and success. He returns, and endeavours to establish himself in his native town. He introduces himself to those who are most likely to advance his interests ; he ex- hibits himself, so to speak, he is approved, he excites some sensation. People cry, ‘ Wonder- ful ! ’ they tell him that he plays ‘ as if he had e}ms in his fingers’ ends:’ M'ith much more of the same sort. But then still comes the incredulous inquiry, ‘ How can you teach ? ’ He explains, he illustrates, he offers to prove his competency to impart instruction upon tlieir own persons, and on their own terms: and it is only when tlie fiict is thus demonstrated that they at lengtli believe. Thus he goes on, continually working ag-ainst the prejudice which his condition creates: and thus it ever must be till people generally take tlie trouble