Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-07-09
A REMARKABLE BLIND MAN.
The Literary Accomplishments OF MI .
~. Miller, of Lynchburg.

~. Miller, of Lynchburg.
The following sketch appeared IN the
Baltimore Ne,cs recently: p.o,,
Pbelps in your paper of June Attn upon
Remarkable Blind Men " interested your
other readers as il did me they VIII DE en-
tertained by the instance 1 am ABOUT 10
give of intellectual and literary attain
ment hardly less phenomenal than those
described IN that communication
How truly wonderful how almost Inlrac-
ulous, are the achievements OF these proGi-
cies. who. with rayless orbs. discern the
occnlt paths of science and learning
which are with difficulty threaded oy
their fellows with the fayoring aid OF per-
feet vision If / may borrow from
Macaulay familiar illustration, tney
NAV be likened to the dervlSh IN the
Arabian tale who abandoned TO his com
rades the camels with their loads OF Jewels
while he retained the casket OF that mys,,
terious Juice which enabled him 10 oehoIu
the hidden treasures OF the universe IN
exchange for the blessing Oh exterhai
vision they seem TO have acquired that
nurifcation of the intellectual eye which
empowers them to contemplate the IN
finite wealth OF the mental world.
The case to which / refer Is that or Mr..
Samuel II. Miller, the editor OF the Lynch
burg Adrdnce. He Is one or the pest
writers in the State upon matters pollu-
cal, economic, aud scientific interest. MS
style is compact, clear, and clean;cnt, ln-
terfused with literary flavor tnat ih-
parts pleasing relish.
BLIND AT TWELVE.
His sight began to fail him when he was
6 years of age, gradually, growing worse
until at IL he was completely bind. In
the meantime. however, he had acquired
the elementary branches OF an English
education. His father was teacher In
Pittsylvania county, Va, man or
vigorous intellect AID an accom-
plished scholar. He taught his I'M
fortunate sou the advanced Eng
llsh branches, tho mathematics. through
geometry and trigonometry, full course
of Latin and French, and Greek through
Xenophon's Anabasis. The youth soon
came to cultivate and quicken his power
OF attention so that III the languages, he
could retain in memory the forms, ana IN
geometry could hold before his MINDS
eve the most complex diagrams, with the
positions of the letters. and could follow
understandingiy the demonstration TO the
end. His progress in French was such
that his father would read the text OF On
author for hours, the son following
without difficulty. The youth himself
taught negro lad. Aleck, whom his father
had given him. to read books and news
papers. IL Aleck miscalled word he
would receive gentle rap on the head
until he soon became proficient. He read
to his young master q large number OF
learned books. among them Cousin.
Sir William Hamilton" and Motley"
He came to be most excellent reader, liz
a Latin or French quotation occurred IN
the English author the dusky reader would
go straight along without break.
HIS FRESH KNOWLEDGE.
MIR. Miller is now about so years OF age,
but retains freshly the knowledge of
the French and Latin. About year
ago the writer happened to be in CON-
pany with him and another person,
when the latter asked where the ex-
preston "Hnc lilac LdchryDlae" was 10
be found. l replied that | believed 1t was
from Horace. whereupon Alr. Miller re-
marked that 1t did occur in Horace, but
that 1t was also TO be found IN the ldenti-
cal form in Terence, in the Andrla. Upon
examination found this TO be the fact.
This is but one of the numerous instances
| have mad occasion to note OF his accurate
knowledge of the Latin authors.
Mr.. Miller Is thoroughly conyersant
with the political history of this country
and of Europe; takes the deepest interest
in current politics, and Is. ss have stated,
one OF the most accomplished writers upon
the Nirglnian press.
Ihave not exaggerated the facts of this
truly astonishing case, ard think your
readers will agree with me that 1t deserves
n place i'll the category of Remarkable
Blind Men" l.. S. MARIE.
Lynchblirg, Va.