"'I presume you have not heard "Blind Tom" play. If not, you never heard a better performer. Like most people, of course, I was inclined to regard this wonderful prodigy as a wonderful humbug; but I assure you, that so far from this being the case, or any thing like it, Tom is as genuine an artist, and possesses as much (and, for any thing I can tell, a great deal more) musical talent or power, either as regards the execution of the compositions of others or of his own, as either Thalberg, Halle, Madame Goddard, or anybody else you ever listened to. I write merely to disabuse your mind of the common impression which we are all apt to form of these singular geniuses; and very strongly recommend you not only to _hear_ him play, but privately test him (as I have done) in any way you like. Improvise to him as difficult or elaborate or out-of-the-way piece as you please, and he will instantly reproduce it. Now, this is no common gift; and therefore you and I, and all who know any thing of music, should use our best efforts to let the public know, that, so far from there being any thing in the nature of clap-trap about Tom, he is, in fact, a musical gem of the first water. Of course I have nothing to do with him; but I have been so highly pleased with his performances, that I thought it might be as well to let you know beforehand (in case you have not already heard him) what my own real impression is of him.' "He not only repeats every piece he hears from memory, but he improvises and composes; and he last night sang a song of his own composition,--'Mother, dear mother, I still think of thee,'--of great merit for its simple sweetness and pathos. As he cannot possibly remain longer in Dundee than to-night, we would earnestly urge upon all who can afford it the absolute duty of seeing and hearing this wonderful blind negro boy. He is only seventeen; but no man of any age could surpass him for executive ability, as his testimonials from such men as Moscheles, Halle, &c., prove. He performs two or three different melodies at the same time, and plays with his back to the piano with apparently as much ability as in the ordinary position. We would especially recommend all who are interested in anthropology, phrenology, and psychology, to see and hear him for themselves. His ability is a singular confutation of the theories of Hunt and Blake about the inferiority of the negro; for we may challenge any white man to compete with him, in perfect safety. His parallel is not to be found the world over, nor in any time of which the records are known."