Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-11-15
SOME BLIND WONDERS.
MEN WITHOUT SIGHT WHO HAVE
ACCOMPLISHED GREAT THINGS.

Ono Who Surveyed. Built Bridges and
Rode to Hounds-A Sightless Cricket
Player Blind Poets. Scientists and
Theologians.
Today it is proposed to discuss the remark
able things which have been accomplished
by persons deprived of sight.
Where the list properly begins the writer
viii not attempt to say. The genesis OF this
list will appropriately commence, if not
with, then near, the beginning of the Chris
tan era with Eusebius. the blind theologian.
Accounts vary as to the time he lived One
says that he was born near the close of the
third century, about A. D.. 296, and that he
died at the age of Il in the year $40. The bulk
of evidence, however, forces US to the conclu-
sion that he was born about SIS and died in
$40 at the age Of 25 years, twenty of which
were spent in total blindness. 1t is greatly to
the credit of this man, whose light went out
forever just as he was merging from infancy.
that in the few short years he lived, en-
shrouded in perpetual darkness, he should
become one of the best known of the early
Christian writers. and be known even to this
day as one of the fathers Of ecclesiastical
history.
SOME BLIND POETS.
Henry, the author of the Poetic Life Of
Wallace" was born blind He early exhibit
ed wonderful imaginative faculties, which
were turned to good account in the pro-
duction of the book mentioned The
unique character of the work caused it to
have wide circulation, making the name of
Henry, the minstrel, more familiar to the
rhyme loving common people of the British
Isles than that of the most standard prose
writer.
Hermann Torrentins. blind Swiss, born
in 1920, became one of the principals of the
University of Berne, the author of poetical
dictionary of rare merit, besides works on
history and botany
John Milton, the great English writer Of
prose and verse, best known as the author Of
Paradise Lost" was totally blind during
the last years OF his life. Properly he may
not belong to this list, having had forty-six
years of daylight in which to complete his
studies before iinpenetrable and perpetual
night shrouded him in its inky gloom. Ihav
only mentioned him in this connection in
order to open the way for broad assertion,
viz: That two of the greatest poets known
to history, Milton and Homer, were both
blind
Thomas Blackjack, D. D., one of the most
learned men of the Eighteenth century, was
born in 1921 and died in 1871 He was blind
at the age of 3 months Notwithstanding the
discouraging circumstances under which he
labored. Dr. Blackjack became one Of the
most eminent men Of the times. He was the
trusted friend of Hume, the free thinker, and
of Burns, the Scottish lyrist. A contempt
raneous writer, speaking Of the polished doc
tor, said: "He was a child of humble parent
age, but>has now won for himself, before he
has reached what men call the middle age,
the designation of an accomplished scholar,
cultivated thinker and poet of high order
His accomplishments, won under the most
oppressive disadvantages, give us wonder
full exhibition of the powers Of mind to over
come seemingly insurmountable obstacles. 5"
DR.. Blackjack was an ordained minister, but
his friendship for Hume, as mentioned above,
caused the flock to rebel against their shep-
herd, which finally resulted in the doctors
expulsion. Had Blackjack never lived the
name of Robert Burns would, perhaps, never
have been known in the world of letters
The embryo poet was on the point Of ship
ping for the West Indies, when letter from
Blackjack caused him to change his mind,
and saved to the world one of its greatest
writers of verse.
A GREAT NATURALIST.
Francois Huber, the Swiss naturalist, lost
his sight at an early age, became an eminent
entomologist, and wrote on bees, ants and
other insects. His son, Pierre, and servant
named Rurnens aided him in making many
valuable original observations on the habits
of these creatures Although the servant and
son rendered invaluable aid. it WAS admitted
by both that the elder Huber was the master
mind in the preparation of their many books
and papers on entomology, zoology and me-
teorology Many believe that Huber would
have become as eminent in his special branches
as either Humboldt or Culver could he have
had the use of his eyes.
HUNTER DRIVER AND SURVEYOR
John Metcalf a most wonderful produc-
ton of the last century, was born at kuares-
borough, Yorkshire, England, in 1717. At
the age Of years a hard attack Of the mea-
sles struck him totally blind-so blind that
the brightest rays OF the sun gave him no
perception of light. Yet he did not give up
in despair A calamity had overtaken him
a less courageous man forever Not so with
John Metcalf. 1t seemed only to brighten
his remaining senses. At first be learned
music, and, at the age of II, was the most
expert violinist in all England When he
arrived at mans estate he was owner of a
house, a small farm and horse and car
rage At the age Of % he was a well
known carrier, engaged in the occupation
Of carrying persons through the crowd
ed streets to and from places of amuse~
ment. Besides his street work he fire.
quently engaged TO carry travellers TO
York, a distance of sixteen miles In all
this hazardous work he was as trusty
as any man with two eyes, and got into but
few difficulties from which he could not
easily extricate himself He became a great
hunter and followed the hounds with as much
pleasure and as surely as the most keen eyed
hunter He had his own horse and could tell
the baying Of his own hounds among hum
dreds. At the age of 20 he began the study Of
surveying and bridge building This not for
Idle pastime, but for profit. At one time be
was the official surveyor Of Yorkshire. Even
70 this day there are dozens of monuments to
John Metcah in his native shire in the shape
Of elegant road beds and splendid bridges
At Huddersfeld one of the finest and most
substantial bridges is known to have been
constructed by him What he could have ac-
complished with organs Of sight unimpaired
we can only conjecture.-John ". Wright
in ST. Louis Republic,
The Worlds Cheapest Restaurant
Not far from the Rue St Denis is a res
taurant that has few counterpartS Il is
ths rhear4st rllaca in Paris and -hs. r11sans