She referred to this as one of the most painful adventures of her life,
and said she passed through an agony of apprehension and suspense until
the train arrived at the terminus.
This journey took from her all desire to travel alone, and she made no
further experiment in that direction.
The success of her efforts on behalf of the blind began now to be spread
abroad, and institutions in many parts of England were disposed to
consider the possibility of not only teaching but permanently employing
the blind. Many inquiries were made of her, and she gave cordial
encouragement to all who asked her advice. Levy was often sent to teach
a trade, and to give information as to the best manner of carrying it
on.
One letter from him may be given as a sample of many, and of the fresh
interests that were being opened out:
127 EUSTON ROAD, N.W., _26th October 1857_.
DEAR MADAM--On Monday the 19th inst. I left home for Bath, where I
continued till the following Thursday, when I went to Bristol,
which I left on Saturday and returned home. My presence being
required in London, I felt it prudent to defer my visit to
Hereford, which I think you will approve when I have the pleasure
of acquainting you with the details of the reasons which influenced
me. The results of these visits are of the most satisfactory kind,
being briefly the following: Commenced chair caning at the School
Home, Bath, and suggested improvements in basket-making which the
Committee approved, and the basket-makers showed every disposition
to carry out; taught two pupils to write, that they might teach
others to use the writing frame which they purchased; advised the
introduction of a laundry and tuning pianos, and arranged for the
sale of each other's manufactured goods. Before leaving Bath I
received orders for nearly thirty brushes and brooms, and had the
satisfaction of receiving from their Committee an offer to pay all
my expenses, which the vote of L5 enabled me to decline. The master
of the Bristol school promised to bring before his Committee the
subject of employing men who are not connected with their
institution. I have promised to send him some material, that he may
commence brush-making there. Miss Stevens advances money to a
workman which is regularly repaid; she complains much of the apathy
of the people in Bristol. Capelin is succeeding; business is
pressing and promising. Lady Byron's order will be forwarded this
week; there is not any difference made to Mr. Moon's subscribers,
but a grant might be obtained from the Bible Society, or the
Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; an arrangement with the
shopkeeper would be advantageous. Hoping that you will excuse
brevity, I am, dear madam, with gratitude and respect,
WM. HANKS LEVY.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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