the best judges of what the blind really
require, but, if in an independent position,
being above all people the most fitted to
assist their fellow-sufferers. For the blind
to lead the blind has hitherto been
considered unwise policy, but it is likely to
prove the reverse in these material points;
for, a council has been formed, the
members of which are either totally blind, or
so nearly so as to make it necessary for
them to use the finger and not the eye for
the purpose of reading; and around this
nucleus a society is in course of establishment,
which is taking into consideration
all matters connected with the education
and general welfare of the sightless.

First and foremost, it is dealing with
the conflicting systems of reading, with
the intention, if possible, of sweeping
away the confusion they create, and
establishing one universal embossed alphabet.
This is to be done when, after mature
deliberation, founded upon the evidence of
the most intelligent blind persons within
their reach, and upon their own experience,
the members of the council shall have
decided what alphabet is the most fitted to
meet the requirements of those for whom
they legislate. They hope, also, in this society
to found a central court of appeal, as it
were, before which all matters relative to
the object they have in view may be laid;
and when the existing state of things is
borne in mind, the advantage of such an
association must become apparent. All
sorts of inventions, schemes, and ideas,
may thus be tested, and if, as often
happens, any of these are already well
known, and have been superseded by
something better, much time and trouble
may be saved; while anything which is
really new, and which promises well, may
be worked at with vigour by a number of
skilled men acting in concert. In addition
to this, the profitable employment of the
blind— a subject hitherto only partially
understood, despite the many admirable
schemes for its development—will come
largely into the consideration of the association;
but its chief and foremost object will
be to deal with matters educational. Each
member of the executive council must be
unable to read with his eyes, and must be
acquainted with at least three of the existing
embossed systems, but must have no
pecuniary interest in any; thus perfectly
unbiased, the association hopes to carry
out its work. One of the body, not its least
able and philanthropic member, writing on
the subject, thus concludes:

"Whether the present association is
destined to produce harmonious action among
those interested in the blind throughout
the civilised world, time alone will show.
We have already met with an amount of
success which, when we began our labours,
we were told it would be Utopian to
expect; and I believe that, with sufficient
time and cordial co-operation among the
blind themselves, our most sanguine
hopes will be realised; in the mean time,
the work upon which we are engaged is
one which brings its own reward; for I
cannot conceive any occupation so congenial
to a blind man of cultivation and
leisure, as the attempt to advance the education
and improve the condition of his
fellow-sufferers. For which work the very
calamity which has unfitted him for most
other occupations, has made him
peculiarly well suited."

The FOURTH VOLUME will be commenced on Saturday,
           June 4, with a New Serial Story, entitled,
                    THE DOCTOR'S MIXTURE,
Which will be continued from week to week until
                              completed.

A Short Serial Story will also be commenced in the First
              Number of the New Volume, entitled,
                    IN THAT STATE OF LIFE.
And will be continued from week to week until
                             completed.

                   MR. DICKENS'S NEW WORK.
              Just Published, PRICE ONE SHILLING,
                               PART TWO OF
               THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD
                        BY CHARLES DICKENS.
            WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY S. L. FILDES.
    To be Completed in TWELVE MONTHLY Numbers,
      uniform with the Original Editions of "PICKWICK"
       and "COPPERFIELD."
London: CHAPMAN AND HALL, 193, Piccadilly.

Now Ready, price 5s. 6d., bound in green cloth,
                   THE SECOND VOLUME
                  OF THE NEW SERIES OF
                    ALL THE YEAR ROUND.
                To be had of all Booksellers.