Page:The Polygraphic Apparatus.djvu/19

 14 1 become acquainted with the pains that are taken and the improve- ments that are achieved by foreign nations with regard to the printing for the use of the blind, I had an alphabet cut which does not differ materially from that of seeing parties, whilst it otfers advantages to the blind which are missed in the alphabets which the Americans, English, and French have adopted for the use of those unfortunate persons. The blind make use of two kinds of letters, namely the so called prickly letter, which he uses for his correspondence and for all sorts of writing, and the letter used for printing, with edged surface. This small box, the outer cover of which is provided with brass bars for making him write straight, forms the writing-apparatus for the blind. As often as he im- presses a letter in the row on the paper which rests on a half- soft support below, he takes a second letter, ranges it to the type that yet sticks in the paper, and continues in this manner, until the whole page is printed. I have had cut not only the signs of all the Western languages, but also the signs of all the principal Eastern languages, in order that, if ever institutions for the blind should be established in the East, there may be no further obstacle to the formation of their letters, In the same manner musical notes, geometrical signs, ornaments etc., are prepared to serve for the blind as well as for those that see, and it requires only a little encouragement so that the blind may be provided with all sorts of books and other aids, as this is the case in America, where the blind is daily provided even with a newspaper printed for his use. Having prepared the required types and other utensils that enable the blind to participate in all the advantages that are offered by art and science to those who enjoy the light of their eyes, all that remains for us to do is to replace that which those that sec perceive by means of the eye, but which the blind perceive by means of the feeling -—-— so much so that, with the exception per- haps of the difference of colours, they are equal to those that see, and as far as more acute perception is concerned, and retaining I