The Newtown bee., 1880-10-13
. Blind Man Climbs Mount Blanc.

F.J. Campbell, blind man, gives in the London Times the following de- scription of his ascent of Mount Blanc: My ascent of Mount B Blanc was not a sud- den, reckless undertaking. It was the result of a fixed purpose, and only under taken after 8 long and careful prepara- tion. In order to carry on my work on keep up my pluck, energy and deter imitation. Skating. swimming. rowing, riding, have all contributed their share to this end, but last year l went to Switzerland to try mountain climbing. The experiment was highly successful. This year l went again, accompanied by my wife, son, and his highness Prince Alexander George of Hesse. Alter four weeks continuous work on the glaciers and in the various mountain ascents, went to Chamounix, and with out difficulty achieved the object of my summers excursion.
 In company wi5h my son, with Benoit as my leading guide, I attacked Mount Blanc At first the guides expected to drag me up, but I gave them their choice 70 leave me to climb in my own way or give up the undertaking. l was re- solved to make an honest climb or give up the ascent. l took my place on the rope in the ordinary way, except that the distance between my son and myself was only few feet. This enabled me to follow his footsteps closely, and in such places as the very dangerous crevasse near the grand plateau we moved in immediate succession. For 1 instance, before he would take the fingers of his right hand out of the hole
 which had been cat in the ice wall for the purpose, my left hand would touch
 his right hand and be ready to occupy
 the hole as soon as he relinquished it. With the exception of cutting very ex-
 cellent steps for me, the guides during
 the ascent did not assist me in any way.
 I was glad to find that the ascent of such
 steep places as the Bosse was much
 easier than I had anticipated. The cut
 ting of steps required considerable time
 and allowed me at my leisure to prepare
 for each difficult and dangerous step
 Besides carrying a strong alpenstock,
 always take with me in difficult ciim bs Z
 short walking stick, which often use II
 my right hand as an indicator, and tt
 show the skill which it is possible to at
 tain in this way, may mention that
 did not miss single step in the entir
 ascent. When 1 reached the sum
 init, Benoit exclaimed: "Welcome t'
 the summit of Mount Blanc. You ar the first and last blind gentleman wh will ever stand upon this the highes !. point in Europe" But my mind wa
 busy. Passing from peak to peak, went round the entire circle, dwellin , on many favorite summits. They ha all been carefully studied; and each i , it's turn brought some new winged hop { for the future It was very cold, an 1, the guides soon reminded us that W must begin the descent. Before doin so, however, I consecrated my lii
 anew to the blind, and have now re turned to England to prosecute this on { purpose of my life. In difficult climt ' I rely entirely upon my own carefr steps and the strength of my own arn ' but il making deseents 1t is otherwfs especially over snow slopes. Here take the guides arm and the alpenstoe . in the other hand and bound dow with great rapidity. We made the d :, scent from the summit to the Gran' V Mulets in three hours and thirty mi | ,Itn