can get with regard to his character and principles,
etc. I thought perhaps you would be able to get this for me through
Mr. A.'s family, or direct from himself if you would kindly write
to him on the subject. I send you some of the present price lists.
Brushes, hassocks, and servants' kneelers are now made, besides
mats and baskets.

By far the greater number of the blind become so after the age at
which they can be admitted into institutions, so that in most cases
these have not even the opportunity of learning anything by which
they can earn a living. I am anxious to have this want supplied,
and six are now being taught trades who would not be admitted into
other institutions, and this branch will, I hope, be gradually very
much extended. Then there is a circulating library in raised books
to which the poor can belong free of charge, and others by paying
the subscription required by the Committee. If you think it would
be well, and will tell me so, I will write to Mr. A., but as I
thought you knew him, or, at all events, his family, I thought
perhaps you would be able, and would kindly undertake the matter,
which is only one of inquiry. We are a large family party now. M.
with her husband and three children, and E. with her two children,
are all here. Robert is gone back to London and law. Papa and mamma
are really very well, and would send kind messages did they know I
was writing. I hope you can give a good account of Mr. B. With very
kind New-Year greetings from us all to him and yourself--I am most
sincerely yours,
BESSIE GILBERT.

During the whole of 1856 the possibility of giving employment to women
as well as men had been occupying Bessie's close attention, and it was
one of the things she wished to arrange whilst the management was in her
own hands. She found that the ordinary work of blind women, knitting,
crochet, etc., could not be relied upon as a means of livelihood.

Experiments had to be made in brush making, chair caning, basket work,
wood chopping, and the trades that were being opened up for blind men.
These unremunerative experiments might not be sanctioned by a Committee;
and in fact the greater number of those made and the decision with
regard to them date back to the time when Bessie was the supreme and
ultimate authority; and they were made at her own