A MUSICAL LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THII " BPROTATOR.")
Scr,—I beg that you will kindly pardon my writing to ask if you would be so good as to assist me a little in an effort I have made to establish a Manuscript Braille Music Lending Library for the Blind. I have been enabled to initiate this enterprise through the generous sympathy of many patrons and patronesses. The library was opened in March, 1912, and since that time music has been forwa: de 1 to the blind in various parts of the United Kingdom. I have been greatly encouraged by expressions of cordial appreciation which have come to me from correspondents who refer in most grateful terms to the unique help which my work is proving to be to them, and to the great privilege which they consider it to have the manuscript placed in their hands ready for use. Ma ty- blind people obtain a livelihood in the musical profession, but the great expense of MS. music to supplement the scant supply of printed Braille musio is a great hindrance to their success. Copies of music which in the ordinary way cost a shilling, involve an outlay of 5s. or even 10s. for tho blind, while, for example, a copy of Sankey's Hymns in MS. without words would run up to £5 or £6. Yet such things are absolutely necessary if musicians -who are blind are to be successful in their pro- fession, and as they only need music to commit it to memory, an up-to- date library will be an unspeakable boon to them.
Many having written to me telling me how handicapped they are owing to the great expense of MS. music, it occurred to me that I might start a library, and having communicated with some of those for whom I have copied music, who urge that they are unable to pay me the one guinea per annum which I named as my fee, I am anxious to increase the amount already collected in order to carry out my scheme success- fully, thus enabling me to meet what I feel is a generally felt need among the blind, large numbers of whom could not afford more than 7s. 6d. per year, I have therefore initiated a scheme which I have every reason to believe will be most advantageous to my blind friends, and fit them the better to overcome the peculiar difficulties with which they have to contend, and to take better positions than otherwise would be possible to them. I have asked a few well-known people to act as a Committee, to whom I will hold myself responsible, giving full account of the work that is done and of whatever help I may receive.—! am,
Sir, &c., LAURA STRICKLAND.
109 Clova Road, Forest Gate, E.
Cheques to be drawn in favour of "The Laura Strickland Scheme for the Blind" and sent either to Dr. Houchin, Treasurer, Ilford, or Miss L. Strickland, Secretary, 109 Clove. Road, Forest Gate, E.
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