The Savannah morning news., 1900-09-17
A BLIND MAN ~ EUROPE.
Prefers the Hudson to the Rhine.
Fascinated by WestmInstcr Abbey.
rs-ar. 49,. 49,, efan

From the London Mail
One Of the most unique. certainly one
OF the most strangely striking. tours ever
made Is that OF Mr. Martin. blind teach
er in the School for the Blind at Louis
vile. Ky. VINO mas just finished a sight
seeing Grip 50 England and Germany.
For eyes he had u guide companion.
but the blind tourists vivid narration of
his experiences showed that the guide
was little more than living index OF the
sights: the blind man really saw them.
In che way au Intelligent sightsecr should
view things. for himself
Yes travelled an the way from LOUIS
VILE. KY to see Europe. think I've
done Il pretty well. and I'm going back
tomorrow morning" he added with
beaming countenance; Just delighted
with the "trip"
II gave one pause TO think Of that long
dark voyage across the rolling Atlantic
on q slow old boat. as Il happened econ
omy being an obiect-to make the ac-
aualntance always IN the blackness OF
night. OF a new continent its life, its
monuments and it's landmarks
lie had been out shopping. for It was
mis- last afternoon In London Laden
with small parcels. he was led into the
room by the guide. through whose eyes
with what success I was curious 10 earn
he had been endeavoring 20 realize the
sights OF the metropolis.
I'm addition 90 seeing London. ! ran
over 10 Germany" the blind tourist ex-
planned had pleasant ht,le stay ~
| Frankfort sailed down the Rhine and
stoned AT Cologne TO have a look at the
| cathedral
..The Rhine is very beautiful" re-
marked. wondering what he would say
yes but IL d0eens come Up 10 our
| Hudson You see the Hudson IL on
more magnificent scale altogether. IL
broadens Out into great sheets OF water.
with che mountains rising sheer from N"
shore And then the Catskill,' For ten
minutes he descanted eloquenuy on the
superiority OF tine Hudson scenery = shs.
OF tho Rhine.
Bu. I wanted his impressions OF Lon
Aon. and turned the conversation with
query as to where he had been since he
came 70 town.
.'Fverywhere. except on the roofs" was
the laughing reply
gazed with admirlng interest NJ tho
auiet clean-shaveu. robust man % forty
win his chin sandy hair and hie sad pale
slghtleSs eyes. who sat before me slipping
his tea. and calmly talking OF having
done" hls London far more thoroughly
perhaps than one In a thousand English
men.
He was full OF his subject. What had
he not seen" durinE those busy memo
rable weeks Museums. parks. picture
galleries churches. the river from Green
wich TO Hampton Court Epping Forest,
the slums OF Whltechapel the squares
and Iordiy mansions Of Mayfair the Law
Courts the Houses Of Parliament, the
Tower. Hampstead Heath and Kew Gar
dens the city and tho suburbs Not
place OF interest that could suggest
had been omitted from his itinerary save
the Twopenny Tube and then. as he ex-
planned. they had that in America
Most Impressed with the Abbey.
what" I asked. Impressed you most
OF all7"
He threw his head back and reflected
for fully minute before he replied. as II
che question had rather taken him by
surprise Then he said II think West
minister Abbey. II IL not so imposing as
Cologne Cathedral but the historical as
soclatlons fascinated me. ! went three
times 60 the Abbey Yes Westminster
Abbey alone was worth the trip."
And after that"
After that. think Hyde Park and
Kenaington Gardens"
/ was so taken aback by this reply that
could only ask. namely enough. Was
the band playing"
mo. but chose lovely open. almost ru-
raj. spaces right in the heart Of the big
gest city in the world with their care
fillv tended flower beds. the trees and fne
birds the sparkling serpentlne. the riders
IN the Row she crush OF carriages and
the promenaders. rich and poor. fashion
sble society folk and dead beats make
wonderful picture"
you spoke OF the Sums. How DID they
strike you. as compared with your Bow
erv. FOR example,
eyes. / have done the Bowery, and