New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-20
Iron The Tribune BursanI

Iron The Tribune Burssn1
washington, Jan 1e.-Afuch more than ordi-
nary interest attaches 20 the return 70 this
country ot Mrs. Frances Fearn who sailed from
liverpool the Arabic. on Wednesday, and
arrives the last OF the month Usually her re-
turn IS significant only in social way. but now
abe comes charged with the new and interesting
philanthropio work OF the Queen OF Rumania
for her blind people
Mrs. FeaTn has spent several months with
Queen Elizabeth at her summer palace, Castle
Peles, az slnaia. IN the Carpathian Mountains,
not far from the Hungarian frontier. and ninety
miles from Bucharest, ard has been often with
her at Vatra Luminosa 1.-THE lighted hearth'D.
where is established the wonderful community
FOR the Rumanisn blind. The Queen has had
numerous beautiful colored pictures OF the place
made for Mrs. Fearn. and. to bring the subject
yet more torcefully 20 the minds OF the people.
has given her one Of her beautiful coronation
costumes. royal attire. in which 20 appear SIS
her ambassadress TO the American blind
Il IS Mrs. Fearn's intention. as soon as she
reaches this country TO make a tour through
the parts where most Of the organizations for
the help OF blind people to be found. and
20 study thoroughly their conditions. There IS
much IN Vatra Luminosa which probably could
not be adapted 10 q community IN this country
but Il is the great general plan which Mrs
Eearn has studied and VIII discuss
From the first announcement made OF Mrs
Fearn's intended return and her interesting
mission interest has been shown In all OF the
great cities OF the country. A meeting was held
in New York several weeks ago which brought
together many OF the most noted blind women
and men OF the city. The home OF Miss wini-
fred Hoyt secretary Of the New York Associa-
ton for the Blind. In West 18th street. was given
over for the meeting, and former Lieutenant
Governor Edward 2. Jones. who Is blind; DR..
Carl who was professor In Columbia Univer-
sity before ne became blind c. II. Burritt
superintendel OF the State School for the Blind.
st Batavia. n. z; DR.. z. E Allen. OF Phfla-
delphia; DR.. z Park Lewis. Of Buffalo. and WAL
Ter @. Holmes. were all present
The chief topic OF discussion was Queen Eliza
beth's city for the blind, and General Jonas ad-
vAnoed the theory that such city, made up e1-
ciustvsly OF blind people. would tePd 20 inter-
rnxrrtage among them. and this would spread
De blight Of blindness upon their offspring, thus
truaEy Increasing the number OF the sightIass
ed accordingly the expense suffered by the
bDuntry for them
Tns Grnsrafs theory. soundly founded.
Eytsny uisuncerstood the Queens Dian mon
kntch abe Ia now working. In fact the estab-
kBtoAnt Of ouch communities eeems the only
~ Of stopping the very evil OF which Gensrsl
= Carmen eyfrs's IDEA Ia not % separate blind
wocple SrOl1 tbelr fafuliee, - necessarily the
base n single institutions and schools but
oAther 70 permit their dwelling together, not only
u the same community. but IN the same home.
WHARF, minEling and learning constantly from
ths cehted. their lives are not only made hap
pier but their general welfare is more carefully
Watched over.
svstrS Luminosas s. as it now stands tns
magic work Of only about eighteen months. and
things Go not move 80 rapidly In the East as In
houses built IN the Queens city, and these DO
not stand where The permanent city Is 70 be
chase OF large tract OF land outside OF Buch-
arrest, ana VIII begin 20 build two hundred small
dwelling houses at once. so that each separate
really 20 be in a sense a socialistic CITY, COM
posed OF ell classes OF people. differing IN tastes,
religion. conditions and even nationality. and
yet bound together by the one tie OF blindness.
Always. the Queen insists, must be preserved
the home life OF the blind. OF which they are
denied when placed In sepa ate institutions.
There VIII be schools, rlurches. music halls
snd rare chances for the cultivation OF especial
talents gifts The Queens city 10 not % be
dominated by any particular religious sect. In
fact, the most active citizen so far Is jew.
he IS q great scholar. and Is Going some wonder
ful translation for Carmen sylvia, and II Is one
OF her dearest wishes that "Vatra Luminosa"
shall shelter many Jews
The Queens emissary shares the same broad
views her royal friend. and when arranging
her visits IN this country, will be just willing
10 work for a Jewish or Catholic charity as for
q Protestant. In writing TO friend IN this coun-
try recently Mrs. Fearn says: 1T would seem
II IN the mature years OF the Queens life the
come through her innumerable accomplishments,
with pen or brush. or a gifted musician. nor
yet through her bOundless charity, but rather as
q helper OF the blind. This Is the work which IS
90 be her LIES greatest monument" She has
thought for many years that 81 is a mistake 20
make the blind work much with their hands
when their brains might be cultivated TO make
life happier. brighter and more prosperous.
MR.. Fearn's most recent photograph secured
from abroad shows her in the beautiful COS
tune presented 20 her by the Queen and to be
worn wherever she appears. IL is woven and
embroidered by hand IN silver and gold, and
is magnificent. II was one OF the gowns made
Cor Carmen sylvia when she was crowned
Queen
Mrs. Fearn is socially so well known all over
this country that 70 appear IN the role of a
YhilanthrOpist viii give her double welcome.
and drawing rooms and associations for the I'm
provement OF the blind viii welcome her.
Washington has been particularly fortunate in
having as q place OF interest the Pavilion for
the Blind connected with the Congressional
library, where the costly publications printed
In raised characters. IS well many standard
works 20 be enjoyed The great expense OF
these magazines and books places them beyond
The reach OF all but the rich blind. and, know
ng this Queen Elizabeth has invented I'm COLI
alteration with her blind secretary and q blind
Rumanlan printer. system OF raised charac-
ers much cheaper and more quickly read than
my yet known. When the first printing estab-