ntion them here, was this, That the
Doctor having been inform'd at _Utrecht_, that there Lived one at some
Miles distance from _Maestricht_, who could distinguish Colours by the
Touch, when he came to the last nam'd Town, he sent a Messenger for him,
and having Examin'd him, was told upon Enquiry these Particulars:

[4] Since for his eminent Qualities and Loyalty Grac'd, by his Majesty,
with the Honour of Knighthood.

That the Man's name was _John Vermaasen_, at that time about 33 Years of
Age; that when he was but two years Old, he had the Small Pox, which
rendred him absolutely Blind: That at this present he is an _Organist_, and
serves that Office in a publick Quire.

That the Doctor discoursing with him over Night, the Blind man affirm'd,
that he could distinguish Colours by the Touch, but that he could not do
it, unless he were Fasting; Any quantity of Drink taking from him that
Exquisitness of Touch, which is requisite to so Nice a Sensation.

That hereupon the Doctor provided against the next Morning seven pieces of
Ribbon, of these seven Colours, Black, White, Red, Blew, Green, Yellow, and
Gray, but as for _mingled_ Colours, this _Vermaasen_ would not undertake to
discern them, though if offer'd, he would tell that they were _Mix'd_.

That to discern the Colour of the Ribbon, he places it betwixt the Thumb
and the Fore-finger, but his most exquisite perception was in his Thumb,
and much better in the right Thumb than in the left.

That after the Blind man had four or five times told the Doctor the several
Colours, (though Blinded with a Napkin for fear he might have some Sight)
the Doctor found he was twice mistaken, for he call'd the White Black, and
the Red Blew, but still, he, before his Errour, would lay them by in Pairs,
saying, that though he could easily distinguish them from all others, yet
those two Pairs were not easily distinguish'd amongst themselves, whereupon
the Doctor desir'd to be told by him what kind of Discrimination he had of
Colours by his Touch, to which he gave a reply, for whose sake chiefly I
insert all this Narrative in this place, namely, That all the difference
was more or less Asperity, for says he, (I give you the Doctor's own words)
Black feels as if you were feeling Needles points, or some harsh Sand, and
Red feels very Smooth.

That the Doctor having desir'd him to tell in Order the difference of
Colours to his Touch, he did as follows;

Black and White are the most a