The Springdale news., 1915-06-18
BLIND TEACH BLIND
Victims of Battle Being Taught
 Useful Trades.
et. punstan's, Lent by Otto Kahn, is : Novel English Training School Blind instructors Are Do-
 ing the Work.

London.-Help for the blind by the institution opened by the Blinded Sol dters' and Sailors Care committee at St. Dunstan's, Regent Park. That prir- ciple in its application has made St mstans one of the most interesting places in London. It has frightened the sadness which, more actual than the imprint of pain, though much more elusive. fingers in the faces of the men who are learning here how to be- gin life once more at the beginning and to discount misfortune and de- feat memory by new achievements.
 The object of the work is to teach avery blinG soldier a trade by which he may expect to earn his living and to introduce him at the same time to the Braille system of reading and writing. Blind instructors have been engaged in every instance. These men are among the most capable workers In the country, and their energy and enthusiasm are an immediate incen- tive to effort. The knowledge that other men have made good" in spite of their blindness Is therefore the first lesson which the blind soldier re- ceives. There is generally in his char acter quality of determination which. thus aroused. may be counted upon to achieve success.
 St. Dunstan's, which was lent to the committee by Otto Kahn, is a very large house, standing in 15 acres of ground. Thanks to this latter cir constance 1t has been found possf- bIe to include poultry farming and market gardening among the subjects of instruction. This country life sec tion has been taken over by Captain Pierson-Webber, one of the best known blind experts in England. Captain Pierson-Webbers life is it self a romance of successful endeavor against heavy odds; he has proved that blind man may without previ- ous knowledge compete with experts on their own ground: his work in con- nection with poultry farming is known throughout the agricultural world.
 Small -egnnings.
 Inside the house, in a large con servatory, work tables have been arranged for the teaching of car. pentry, boot repairing, mat making and basket making. The scene of re- cent visit to this workshop was an in- tensely interesting one At the car. penter's bench a young fellow who lost his sight on the Aisne was just com pleting his first picture frame It did his instructor and himself credit.
 The bootmakers were very busy and their work defed faultfnding So, also, were the matmakers. The only pupils of the basketmaking instructor were two young Belgians who have been welcomed to the institution and who are very quickly picking up a trade.
 In another room a massage class was in progress Massage is one of those very useful occupations at which blind people are found to ex- eel. The large Braille room was full of pupils. some of them being instruct ed in the elements of the alphabet; other at work on the ingenious Braille typewriters. Everywhere one met the spirit of hope and cheerfulness, un- til the impression of pathos gave place to an enduring sense of ad- miration. Here surely Is nobler courage even than the fierce bravery of war