them, as it were, a shape and a body, besides, I can never do what
I wish without this, as I should never have the necessary
materials. Saw Mary Haines. Wrote to Miss Repton.... Read a letter
in two systems.

This allusion to "what she wishes" refers to her desire to write a book
upon the condition of the blind. She had this object before her for many
years, and prepared for it by accumulating statistics and information
from every available source. She read the lives of blind men, books
written by blind men, took copious notes, or had them taken for her,
sometimes by her younger brother, sometimes by a sister. She "thought
out" every statement made, every suggestion offered, with regard to the
blind. Her book would have been singularly valuable. Her sound judgment,
her power of looking at all sides of a question, would have saved her
from the danger of forgetting that, although there are 30,000 blind in
the United Kingdom, there are some millions who have the gift of sight.
The book was never written, but her preparation for it made her a
storehouse of information and of wise and tender thought, not only for
the blind, but for all those who are afflicted and suffering.

17th May.... Saw Sir W. Reid, heard from him that a brush, with the
Repository stamp, is left in the Museum at Malta; was very glad of
this. Received from him L5. Heard he had seen Lord Cranbourne, and
that Lord C. thought I was wrong in using and teaching T. M. L.
system. I talked to Sir W. Reid of the different systems, also
asked him for the names of books upon the blind mentioned to him
by Lord C. Wrote to Lady Mayne to ask if she could get St.
Michael's, Pimlico, lent.

Afternoon.--Went to Miss ----. Very little done there for the
Association. Saw Dr. Jelf there; heard he would come to the meeting
next day.

The list of letters written and embossed and duly recorded in the
Journal will be omitted. They are the inevitable drudgery of such a work
as she was now engaged in. Explanations, petitions, acknowledgments,
inquiries, information, requests for the loan of pulpits from which the
claims of the Association may be urged, of schoolrooms in which meetings
can be held, all these things were part of her daily work. The sisters
tell that Bessie could at this time emboss a letter upon her Foucault
frame and dictate two others at the same time; always without mistake or