The San Francisco call., 1896-08-09
BLIND LETD. THE BLIND
Visionary Beings Satirized by
James R. Cocke---A Light
Jouch and Vein Of
Humor

BLIND LEADERS OF THE BLIND, the Ro-
nance of Blind Lawyer BY James r. Cooke.
Boston: Lee q shepard. publishers. Cloth, price
81 so.
The author of this book is deprived of sight,
and possibly the character OF the blind lawyer
may be. in part. drawn from some of his own
experiences. The book is at once satirical and
occult romance. The author deals humorously
with those visionary beings who would reform
the world by equally visionary schemes.
Modern methods of educating the blind are
treated of in connection with the boyhood
career of the hero, Robert Netherland. The
blind students college experiences are writ
ten with a light touch and a certain vein of
humor.
An interesting chapter is the one in which
the blind lawyer is made to see through his
sweetheart's eyes by means OF an instrument
supposed to have been discovered by French
man. We quote portion:
"Take this chair" Professor vandiere said,
wheeling into the center of the room, forget
ting that Robert could not
Robert arose and hestatingy took step for
ward De- Elite, instantly recognizing his embar-
rassment, tactfully took his hand and led him 10
the chair. Robert thought it the most beautiful
hand he had ever touched 1t felt soft and vel
vety, strong but slender; warm and gentle seemed
its touch. He had never held such hand before,
and was again conscious OF ardent wish to see
DeEtte's face
Professor Vandere held a strange looking object
in his hand. 1t was metallic rod, upon one end
of which was a small horseshoe magnet.
"You concentrate your mind upon one
thing" said the professor will give you num-
ber-sixteen. 1t does not matter what figures are
selected. but you mus. concentrate your mind in
tently upon whatever number is given. Think Of
sixteen" he commanded; ''sixteen, only sixteen"
He waved the magnet the air and made passes
with it. "Think of sixteen, you are sixteen; you
are figures one and six-sixteen, sixteen, six
teen."
De'Ette watched Roberts face. 1t grew paler,
his features became set and his face wore an
preston of terror.
"Sxteen. only sixteen; you are being merged
into two figures, one and six, sixteen" The pro-
fessor waved the magnet to and fro
tremor passed over Roberts face. "Close
your eyes" The lids fell.
'sYou cannot open them" Robert tried in vain.
"Your hands icy cold" Robert shivered.
Strange noises rang in his ears. He felt himself
expanding. terrible dread came over him; he
tried in to throw it OFF.
iSixteen, sixteen, sixteen, sixteen" rang
through his head. .Sixteen, sixteen" again he
heard and then the voice ceased to exist for him.
He felt himself whirlng, whirling whirling. He
imagined he felt the figures, one and six, upon
his fnger-tips. "One six: one. six; one, Six"
all that he felt, all that he knew. Then another
strange feeling followed. He was conscious OF
bright light, but did not have name for the
sation. Then bookcase, piano and some chairs
entered his consciousness. He knew them by their
FORM but why did they glow so? 'What IS this ?''
ne thought; and then he experienced a sensation
of pleasure 1t was a new pleasure, an unnam-
able delight. There facel He knew it
face, becausehe had touched many. Such face
and such form, wrapped in maze of shadowy,
delicate pink.
"Am in heaven?" he asked.
/ DeEtte stood by him. The professor had first
| placed the magnet upon him, then upon DeEtte.
Then at the professors suggestion she took Rob
| ert's hand. At this moment Robert received the
first.vision he had ever known; for the first time
he consciously perceived objects through a new
! avenue, by another sense
The action of the book is rather dramatic;
! the style natural, easy and readable. The
scene of the story is laid in Boston.