The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-02-15


sense, assembled themselves Oh this occasion,
bu' were desired to observe profound silence
~ case sight was restored, IN order 10 let the
patient make his own observations, without
lbe advantage OF discovering his friends by
heir voices. Among many others, the moth
er, brethren, sisters and young lady for
whom he had formed particular attachment,
were present. The operation was performed
viii great skill 80 that sight was instantly pro-
duced.
When the patient first received the dawn
Of light there appeared such an extacy IN his
action, that he seemed ready to swoon away
IN The surPG->e of Joy and wonder, The sur
geon stood beNore him with his instruments in
hi5 hands. The patient Observed him from
head TO foot, and then surveyed himself as
carefully, and comparing the Doctor 10 Inn
self, he observed, both their hands we're ex
exactly alike, except, the instruments, which
he took for part OF the DOCTORS hands. When
he bad continued in this amaZement for sew
eral minutes his mother could no longer bear
| the agitation OF 50 many passions as thronged
| upon her, but 4 upon, us neck, crying out
i my son, my n" me young gentleman
knew her voice, and could say no more than,
9 Oh meg are you my 9sGr mother p and faint
ed On ms recovery, he heard the voice Of
his dear female friend, which bad a surprising
effect upon him. Having called her TO him,
he appeared to vieu her with admiration and
delight and then asked her what had been
done to him Whittier, said be, am carried
| Is all this about me, the thing which have
heard 50 often Of? Is THIS SEEING 2 Were
yoH always thus happy, when you sand you
were glad TO see each other Where IS Tom
who used to lead me But, methrks could
now 60 any where without INN He attempt
ed to walk alone, but seemed terrified. When
they saw his difficulty, they told him that
until he became better acquainted with his
new being he must let the servants still lead
him. The boy being presented to him be
was asked what sort Of creature he took
Tom TO be before he had seen him He an
swered. & he believed he was moi 50 large as
himself, but that be was the same sort Of
creature"
The rumor Of this sudden change made all
the nelghbors throng to see him. As be saw
Inc crowd gathering, he asked his physician
: how many there were 10 all 10 be seen ~
HIS physician replied, that it would be very
proper tor hun 10 return TO his late condition,
and suffer his eyes to be covered for few
days until they should receive strength, for
he might well remember that by degrees
he had, by little and little, come to the
strength he had at present, in bis ability OF
walking, moving, DC. anu that ii was the same
thing with his eyes, which, he said, would
lose the power OF continuing to him that
wonderful transport be was now in except he
would be cOntented TO lay aside the use of
them, until they became strong enough 10 bear
the light without so much feeling as he IN
derwent al present. With much reluctance
he was prevailed upon 10 have bis eyes cover
ed, 10 which condition they kept him in
dark room, until il was proper TO let the or
gan receive It's objects without further precau
ton. Alter several days, It was thought
proper 10 unblnd his head, and the young Ia
dy TO whom he was attached was instructed to
perform this kind Office, ia order to eDdear
her still more 10 him, by SO interesting cir
cunstance and that she might moderate his
eXtaCles by the persuasion Of a voice, which
had 50 much power over him as hers had,
when she began 10 take the bandage from his
eyes, she addressed him as follows =
William, am now taking The binding off
in order to give you sight, but when consider
what am doing, Uemble with the appre-
henspoH, That though | have from my childhood
loved you, dark as you were, and though you
had conceived a strong attachment for me, yet
you will find there IS such thing as beauty,
which may ensnareyou into thousand passions
OF which YOU are now innocent, and take YOU
from me forever. But before put myself to
that heard, tell me in what manner that love
you always prolessed to me entered into your
heart, for IFS usual admission IS a; the eyes,
The young gentleman answered, " Dear
IL dIa, if, BY seeing, ! am to lose the soft
paintings which | have always felt when
heard your voice # | am no more to distn-
gui,h the step OF her love y hen she approach
es me, but 10 change that sweet and frequent
pleasure for such an amaZement as ! expert
enced the little time lately saw; or if am
To have any thing besides, which may take
from ne the sense | have Of what appeared
most pleasant at that time, (Which apPariiion
it seems a. YOU pull out these eyes before
| they lead me to be ungraletul TO you, or undo
myself. | wish them but tc see you, pluck
| them from their sockets, If hey are 70 make
me forget you
Lydia was extremely satisfied anG delighted
with these assurances, and pleased herself
with playing with his perpleXities for ten
moments, when she withdrew the bandage,