In furtherance of a suggestion (which we noticed at the
time) made by Mr. Fawcett early in this year, a meeting was held on Wednesday, at Grosvenor House, to urge upon the Government the expediency of instituting an inquiry, by a Royal Commission or otherwise, into the best methods of instructing, training, and assisting the blind. The Duke of Westminster presided, and called attention to the feet that there were about 30,000 blind persons in the country, while of these only about 800 were completely support- ing themselves by work. The Postmaster-General, in moving the first resolution, to the effect that there was much in the con- dition of the blind which called for further improvement, pointed to the different character of treatment proper for those who were born blind and those who became blind in after-life ; and suggested that the various methods in which the life of the blind might be rendered brighter and happier, had not yet, from want of thought, not from want of kindliness, received full consideration. Amongst the questions upon which he thought a Royal Commission might throw light were,—the causes of blindness during childhood ; the age when it is best for the blind child to be separated from other children who can see, and educated with other blind children ; the best mode of reading, and generally the most desirable system of education, judging from the experience both of this and of other countries.
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