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The standard of bodily health and vigor, then, being lower among the blind, the inevitable inference is, that mental power and ability will be less also.

In answer to a series of questions put to a most intelligent blind man, who has had ample means of knowledge, and whose deep interest in the welfare of his fellows would prevent him from having any unfavorable bias, the following information has been obtained: --

"The number of males from which I make my estimate is one hundred. Of these, fifty are decidedly inferior in mental ability to the average of persons of their age and condition, and of these fifty, twenty-five are bordering on imbecility. Of the one hundred, three only could be considered superior, in point of bodily health and strength, to the average of seeing persons of their age and condition in life. Fifteen of the one hundred may be considered superior to the in mental ability to the average of seeing persons of their age. Of these fifteen, six were born blind."

Questions put to teachers have been answered in about the same way: -- "Of a class of thirty-four boys, nineteen were pronounced decidedly inferior in mental ability, seven to be almost imbecile or silly, and only three to be slightly above the average of intellectual powers: of the three, two were born blind. Not one of the thirty-four was above the average of seeing boys in physical health and strength."

A female teacher says, -- "Out of forty-seven blind persons under my care, sixteen were decidedly inferior in mental powers to the average of seeing persons of their age and condition in life; and of these sixteen, five were bordering upon imbecility."

The superintendent of one of our chief institutions writes to me as follows: -- "The number of our pupils is one hundred and thirty-five; of these there are seventeen in possession of 'superior talent,' thirteen of whom were born blind. Of 'inferior talent' there are thirty-five, of whom twenty-two were born blind. There are also TEN of a very low grade of intellect, hardly rising above imbecility; and of these, eight were 'born blind.' Of vigorous and well-developed forms there are thirty-one, nine of whom were born blind. Of weak and puny frames, there are FORTY-FOUR, of whom thirty-one were born blind."

He says, -- "I should think that a comparison of all others who have ever been connected with the Institution would not materially vary the above results."

This gentleman adds, very justly, -- "I send replies to your queries as well as I am able, but in this mental mensuration you must look only for approximate results. I cannot vouch, in all cases, for the accuracy of my calipers."

It is evident that this gentleman, with his usual kindness of heart, inclined the balance toward the side of his charge as much as he could with justice; for he says, -- "In enumerating those of ' superior talent,' I have included three noted for little else except musical talent." Now it is very common to find that persons who have what is called "musical talent," especially where it is confined to excellence of time, tune, and voice, have no other talent, and rank below mediocrity in point of intellect.

Taken, however, in its most favorable light, the comparison made by this gentleman furnishes a melancholy confirmation of the truth of the opinion I have expressed above, concerning the blind as a class. In what common school of one hundred and thirty- five scholars, will there be found FORTY-FOUR children of puny and weak frames, thirty-five of inferior talent, and ten ranking little above idiots?

In reply to questions addressed to a gentleman who has had much experience in teaching, and who was for some time at the head of one of our best institutions for the blind, the following opinions are obtained.

"My observation has resulted in the belief, that, where blindness comes on naturally, at an early age, though it may not be called hereditary, yet it is either the effect of some hereditary disease, as scrofula, for instance, or of some physical deficiency, which, though manifested chiefly in the visual organs, affects the whole system, and greatly reduces the amount of vital energy. Such children will be found equally deficient in intellectual power. All that the most judicious training can do will never so develop the physical powers they do possess, much less will it so supply a defective physical organization, as to make these children, aside from their blindness, sound in body and mind. They are generally short-lived, unless early placed under the judicious and fostering care of some well-managed institution, expressly adapted to their peculiar condition and wants. Even then, as they grow up, the vast difference between them and seeing children, in vital energy and intellectual power, becomes more and more apparent. The inference, then, is plain, that the naturally blind must be, as a class, far inferior physically and intellectually to the seeing; and experience confirms this view of the case.