py of this blind man. His son, Robert Moon, brought the
type to Pennsylvania, and that state and ours lead in the number of Moon
books in circulation. Often when a borrower has read Moon for six months
or a year, he is able to learn the Braille, his fingers being trained by
the Moon to remain in a proscribed space, and his confidence in their
ability fully established. This is a potent factor in mastering a dotted
system, as the progress is generally slow and laborious, especially for
elderly people.

The fact that an adult can learn to read with the fingers seems very
wonderful to the uninitiated, and, indeed, it is a long step forward,
but the ability to substitute fingers for eyes is only one of the
marvels wrought. Helen Keller has truly said that "idleness is the
greatest burden of the blind," and this is why our work with them is so
acceptable, though the reading is, after all, only the means to an end.
While training the fingers to perform their new functions, I strive to
renew hope and courage in the hearts of the pupils, assuring them that
they may still do many things that were possible before their blindness.
Self-reliance and helpfulness--minus self-pity--this is the formula I
use when urging the pupils to make the most of life; for when a man is
sorry for himself, he is on the road to despair, and his condition is
well nigh hopeless. When the pupils are able to read and write once
more, after having given up all hope of ever doing so, their confidence
is restored, and a way is opened to new and hitherto undreamed-of
possibilities. Old aims and pursuits, relinquished when the eyesight
failed, are once more remembered and discussed, and, in many instances,
resumed, thus bringing back the light, not to the eyes, but to the mind,
through work. John Newton says: "You can not shove the darkness out of a
room, but you _can_ shine it out." I see this miracle performed every
day, yet to me it is ever new, ever wonderful, stimulating me to greater
efforts for my people--because the blind _are_ my people, and their joys
and sorrows, triumphs and defeats, find an echo in my heart.

When the raised alphabet is mastered, books are sent from the State
Library to the homes, through the mail, free of cost, and thus there is
no expense incurred, and as this service is tax-supported, there is no
element of charity connected with it. At present, the State Library
employs two home teachers, and the number will be increased as t