THE GREATER LONDON FUND FOR THE BLIND.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sia,—I was so deeply touched with the generous and sponta- neous way in which Londoners honoured my seventy-fifth birthday that I felt I should like to do something in grateful return to help some of the poorest and most afflicted of our fellow-citizens. Whom should I assist ?
Through my long and busy life I have been endowed with the invaluable gift of good sight, and my thoughts turned to the many men and women who, having lost that gift, have still made good. I sat in the same Parliament with Henry Fawcett, the blind Postmaster-General, and later, Sir Arthur Pearson, himself a journalist, became my personal friend. I have always marvelled at the splendid heroism with which Sir Arthur interpreted his loss in terms of service to others similarly stricken.
During the last year of his life Sir Arthur initiated a far- reaching appeal to help tire thousands of London's neglected
civilian blind. This was the beginning of the Greater London Fund for the Blind, and I feel I can do nothing better to express my gratitude than to help on the great work which Sir Arthur began and was compelled to leave unfinished Since his death other blind men are striving to carry on this work, but very much still remains to be done. The official appeal for the Fund has been signed by Mr. Lloyd George, the Lord Mayor of London and the heads of the four great Churches, and I now venture to add my personal request for your help in the coming season of good cheer and cheerful giving. Christmas is above all the season which brings enjoyment through the blessing of sight. Try to realize how much is missed by.the blind, and how, at this time when employment is scarce, distress rampant, and poverty acute and widespread, they need more than ever your Yuletide gifts of joy and thanksgiving. In gratitude for my own sight I make this appeal, and I ask your readers in gratitude for theirs to send me a special contribution for this work, which I shall be most happy to acknowledge.—I am, Sir, &c., 224 Great Portland Street, W. 1. T. P. O'CONNOR.
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