Part 27 (2/2)

On the 2d of May 1882 a concert in aid of the association was held, by the kindness of the Duke of Westminster, at Grosvenor House Bessie did what she could, but by far the greater part of the work connected with it fell upon her sisters The Duke wrote directly it was over to congratulate her upon a very successful result; and Bessie was greatly cheered to learn that when all incidental expenses were paid, there would remain the sum of 326: 17: 6

The Committee endeavoured as far as possible to save her the distress of knowing the difficulties in which they were involved Sir E Sotheby was untiring in his zealous endeavours to promote the interests of the association, and to shi+eld Bessie fro health, never lost sight of the object he had so long worked for But all efforts were unavailing Every fact and figure connected with the undertaking had been i now escaped her She detected every financial error, and every departure frorave difficulty lay in the fact that since the death of Levy no er had been appointed who had any special interest in the blind She feared that the work of her whole life would be ignored; and that there would be no higher aim than to keep open a shop and carry on a trade

Oppressed by this fear, she made one last appeal, one final effort, on behalf of those who

The address to the Co date Whit Monday 1882, may be looked upon as her last will and testaht she herself looked upon it, and that she endeavoured to sum up in one short statement, which recapitulates the most important points in the early rules of the association, the result of a lifetiht, experience, and devotion

THE assOCIATION FOR PROMOTING THE GENERAL WELFARE OF THE BLIND

WHITMONDAY, _29th May 1882_

This title should always be borne inthe association, as it clearly indicates the scope of the undertaking

Trade is a most necessary and essential part of the work; and the more sure the foundation upon which the trade is carried on the better will be the security for its prosperity; but trade is by no , and indeed it is my earnest desire that the association should never under any circu institution This would be a great falling off froinal scope and object hich this association was founded I wish those who ement of the association always to re they can, that is likely to promote the welfare of the blind The particular directions in which this may be done will often be clearly indicated by the circumstances of the association, and by opportunities which iven time Still, certain fixed principles should always be kept in view, as laid down in our rule No 2, ”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 Comht does not prevent their being efficient organists and scientific musicians To collect and disseminate inforious conditions of the blind; and to pro to ae of information calculated to advance the common cause”

Rule 16 also provides, ”That with a view to increase the funds and extend the utility of the association, the Committee shall have power to receive into connection with the association other kindred institutions, and shall seek to fordom”

The association will probably never be called upon to undertake anything with regard to music, as the field is noell and fully occupied by the Royal Nore; but the rule is quoted exactly as it stands in order to show the breadth of the original design, which design should be kept steadily in view It isthose who may direct the association there should always be some persons who should make it their special object to study the condition of the blind, and in this study the knowledge of the following facts will be found of service, viz--

_1st_ That h instructed in so or driven to the workhouse, not through their own fault, but siular employment in their trade

_2d_ That children constitute but a small proportion of the blind; as about nine-tenths of the 30,000 blind in the United Kingdoible for admission to htless population live in rural districts

The address ends here abruptly Probably the writer's strength was exhausted with the effort to think and to dictate

During 1882, 1883, 1884 Bessie carried on at long intervals a correspondence with Mr Wood, Superintendent of the School for the Blind, Sheffield She learns that his pupils are taught to read embossed type on Braille's system, which her own experience had shown to be unsuited to those who have hard manual labour to perform In every letter she requests information on this point: ”Can the workpeople still read Braille's type?” she asks The opening up of fresh trades, the establishment of workshops for the benefit of those who leave the school, are questions which she suggests for the serious consideration of the Sheffield Committee, and she asks Mr Wood for information, at any time he can send it, as to work in any way connected with the blind

About this tiht had spoken at the Nore, Norwood, and appealed to him on behalf of Berners Street He replied:

132 PICCADILLY, _26th July 1883_

DEAR MADAM--I thank you for your letter and for the volue that I cannot hope to do much for the cause you have at heart I hope, however, the cause is eneral inquiry into the condition of the blind will be ood may come from it My presence and speech at Norere accidental I must leave more practical work to others--I am, very truly yours, JOHN BRIGHT

Miss Gilbert, 5 Stanhope Place, Hyde Park, W

The volume sent was1883 Bessie received frequent letters from the Chairman of her Committee, Sir E Sotheby, and the Hon Secretary, Captain Hume Nicholl

They referred to her the different appeals from blind men, woated and reported upon During her illness, as throughout her whole life, the utive were always at the disposal of the blind

Farroho had worked twenty-eight years at the Institution, loses no opportunity of sending her cheering news He writes at this ti the last six months orders have poured in from all quarters, and I can say that all the years I have been connected with the Institution we have not done so much before in the same time

Brushes manufactured indoors in 1882 amounted to 3200 The present year, from the 1st January to the 1st of June, amounted to 1471: 6: 4 in twenty-teeks

There was an Industrial Exhibition in the Agricultural Hall, Islington, in 1883, and the blind stall from Berners Street was always crowded