Part 16 (1/2)

1 As long as those e any benefit whatsoever therefrom, shall be admitted by the decision of the Committee, or by some one deputed by themselves, and not by the votes of the subscribers

2 As long as blindness shall not disqualify any person fro the office of Superintendent, Traveller, or Porter

3 As long as it is a fundamental rule of the association that the immediate objects of this association shall be to afford employment to those blind persons who for want of work have been compelled to solicit alms, or who may be likely to be tempted to do so; to cause those unacquainted with a trade to be instructed in some industrial art; and to introduce trades hitherto unpractised by the blind; also to support a circulating library consisting of books in various systeent blind shall be ade, and others upon payment of the subscription required by the Committee; to collect and disseminate inforious condition of the blind; and to pro to ae of infor all classes of the blind

4 As long as the Coentle as at least six blind men or women shall be supplied ork at their homes by the association, each at a su as at least three blindinstruction at the cost of the association

These conditions deserve the careful consideration of every one interested in the blind, and should be religiously observed in the Institution founded by Bessie Gilbert

Her work had now greatly increased; a large nuularly employed, and the public had responded to every appeal for funds Awas held in May 1859, with the Bishop of London in the chair, and the time seemed to have come for that further inforht be sent to the Queen

In April 1859, therefore, a letter ritten to Her Most Gracious Majesty, by her very dutiful and hu reply was received:

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _7th May 1859_

MADAM--In reply to your letter of the 29th April, I have now the pleasure to inforraciously pleased to grant her patronage to the association for Pro the General Welfare of the Blind, for which you have shown so e and liberal a benevolence--I have the honour to be, madam, your obedient humble servant, C B PHIPPS

Miss Gilbert

Bessie returned very dutiful acknowledgrateful thanks to the Queen, who had for the second tinal service to her cause

Henceforward, on the first page of annual reports, and on all bills and notices, appear the ical words--

Patroness Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen

They were doubtless, as Bessie believed the confidence, securing friends, bringing custom and money

Proud and happy too were the blind work fibre into the boiling pitch They could reply to inquirers that orders had been received froham Palace, fro brooms for the Queen”

CHAPTER XIV

EVERYDAY LIFE

”Ce que peut la vertu d'un homme ne se doit pas mesurer par ses efforts, mais par son ordinaire”--PASCAL

In January 1859 Bessie, with a younger sister, paid a ten days' visit to Fir Grove, Eversley, the home of her friend Miss Erskine It was at this tisley She heard him preach in his own church, and the serratitude as having helped and strengthened her[7]

Miss Erskine remembers that Bessie walked and talked with Mr and Mrs

Kingsley, and that they learnt to love her dearly They quickly recognised the brave and faithful nature of the blind lady ”When you have sley[8]