BLIND CHILDREN OF THE POOR
"Toutes les bonnes maximes sont dans le monde, on ne manque qu'a
les appliquer."--PASCAL, 391.
The education of blind children had occupied Bessie's thoughts for many
years. So far back as 1863 she had been in communication with Mr.
Lonsdale of the National Society, inquiring as to the State aid given to
industrial schools, and the conditions under which schools for the blind
could be certified so as to secure the benefit of the Acts. She had
begun in her usual careful and systematic way by obtaining all the
available statistics of existing schools; and now in view of a new and
enlarged scheme for the general education of the poor, the time seemed
to have arrived for action. She resolved to lay before those in
authority the needs of the blind, their number, the possibility of
minimising their affliction, and by means of adequate education opening
to them avenues of employment and independence. This work engrossed her
time and thoughts in 1869 and the early months of 1870.
The co-operation of all societies working on behalf of the blind was
necessary. It was essential to submit to the ministers of the Crown such
reliable evidence as to the number of blind children, and the urgency of
their claims, as to make it impossible that they should be overlooked in
any adequate system of education for the people.
Bessie sent out in the first place a Memorandum to all institutions for
the blind in Great Britain, and to several influential and friendly
members of Parliament. In this she set forth the step she proposed to
take, asked for suggestions, conditions, additions, alterations, or
proposed omissions in the petition, of which a copy was enclosed; for
information as to presenting it, for support and assistance in the
labour involved. She also asked the opinion of those to whom she wrote
as to the best method of procedure, whether by petition to Parliament or
by a memorial to the Lords of the Privy Council.
The replies which she received were very encouraging, and she found that
general opinion was in favour of a Memorial. The document was prepared,
and copies of it were submitted for approval, together with a circular
letter. A private letter written by Bessie herself to the authorities,
and to all influential friends, accompanied the printed documents. She
sent these papers to the Oxford Street shop to be folded and addressed,
and as an example of her minute care, the following episode is of
interest.
Amongst her papers there is the copy of instructions sent to Oxford
Street, after she had inspected the circulars. She writes that the
titles of institutions must be copied from the list she had previously
furnished, that full titles must be used in the Memorials to
institutions and to private individuals, and that abbreviations are only
admissible on the envelopes. She gives instructions for writing out
afresh all those memorials in which she had found the titles to be
abbreviated.
These preliminaries occupied the early months of 1869. The Memorial was
completed and sent up in July, and Lord de Grey promised to receive a
Deputation in support of it. Bessie drew up a list of the names of those
members of Parliament and influential members of her own and of kindred
institutions who should be invited to form the Deputation. All
arrangements being made, the Deputation met at the Westminster Palace
Hotel, on the 10th of February 1870, and proceeded thence to the
Education Office. Bessie, with other ladies, remained at the hotel, and
subsequently received a report of the proceedings.
Earl de Grey and Ripon, Lord President of the Privy Council, with whom
was Mr. Forster, received the Deputation. The representatives of
twenty-nine institutions for the blind were present, and also Lord
Houghton, Lord Manvers, Dean Hook, Sir James Hamilton, Admiral Ryder,
Admiral Sotheby, General J. Graham, and the following members of
Parliament: Messrs. D. M'Laren', Beresford Hope, H. Woods, W. J.
Mitford, W. D. Murphy, F. Wheelhouse, Sir J. Anson, and Lt.-Colonel
Gray.
Lord Houghton introduced the Deputation, and said they desired to
impress on Lord de Grey the advisability of giving all possible
consideration to the Memorial presented by Miss Gilbert in the previous
July, praying that a large number of Her Majesty's subjects who, at
birth or afterwards, were deprived of sight, should have a fair share of
protection and interest in any measure of general education which might
be designed by the Government. It was most desirable that a class which
was so helpless should receive the best consideration which could be
given to their condition.
Dean Hook spoke in support of the object of the Deputation, and many of
the members of Parliament and others who were present gave information
as to the condition of the blind in different parts of the country.
Lord de Grey asked several questions as to the instruction which the
blind received, and said he would carefully consider the representations
made to him by so important and influential a Deputation. He said there
were many points connected with institutions for the blind which placed
them in a different category from the elementary schools which it was
the object of the parliamentary grant to aid. Other questions were
involved, and other institutions might put forth claims, as, for
example, those for the deaf and dumb. It would be the duty of the
Council to weigh most seriously the practicability of the Memorial, and
he assured the Deputation that they had the utmost sympathy of Mr.
Forster and himself.
Upon this Lord Houghton thanked Lord de Grey for his courtesy, and the
Deputation withdrew.
There was no immediate action as the result of the labour of a whole
year, and probably no special action on behalf of a class, however
afflicted, can be expected from the Government of a country. But
Bessie's work was not unproductive. She tried to show, and succeeded in
showing, that the blind need not be separated and isolated. Her own
example and her own life demonstrated this, and pleaded more powerfully
than words could do. If the time ever comes when blind children are duly
provided for in our schools, and blind men and women in our workshops,
it will be chiefly owing to the lifelong endeavours of Bessie Gilbert,
and to her unfaltering and earnest devotion to a cause that she thought
worthy of living for and, if need be, of dying for.
The condition of her own health had now become very serious. After the
Memorial had been sent in and before the Deputation was received Bessie
was so exhausted, and movement had become so difficult and painful, that
Dr. Little was consulted on her behalf.
He pronounced the spine to be in fault, ordered a mechanical support,
tonics, regular exercise, much rest in a recumbent position, and
recommended Folkstone and sea air for some months. Bessie followed his
directions most obediently. She was very brave in bearing the discomfort
and oftentimes the pain of the cumbersome "support." She persevered in
walking for an hour daily according to his orders, dragging herself
along with great difficulty, and getting so heated and overtired that
the sister who accompanied her thought the walk did more harm than good.
But she had been told to do it, and with the old submission to authority
she did it. Her faithful attendant, Charlotte Gadney, was also with her
at Folkstone from the end of July to October. She spent much time out of
doors, on the Lees, in a bath chair. By the autumn she and those with
her were convinced that, in spite of rest and care, she could not walk
so well as she had done in the spring. There was much reading aloud, for
she was compelled to allow herself more time than usual for relaxation.
The sisters especially remember her enjoyment of George MacDonald's
_Robert Falconer_. In later times, if any one spoke of violins or
violinists, she would say "Ah, do you remember _My Beautiful Lady_?" She
heard parts of _Sir Gibbie_ also; and said of _Janet_, "She realises
most fully the truth that we are indeed all members one of another."
There were several pleasant days to stand out in after years as
associated with the months spent at Folkstone. One of these was a day at
Saltwood with Canon and Mrs. Erskine Knollys. Bessie drove there, and
then the Canon himself wheeled her in an arm-chair to the American
Garden. Even in late autumn this was very beautiful, and she enjoyed the
description of it. An afternoon at Cheriton with Mr. and Mrs.
Knatchbull-Hugessen was also a great pleasure to her. At this time
riding in a carriage was not only no fatigue, but she was able to enjoy
long drives and all that they brought within her reach.
She returned to Chichester and London in somewhat better health, and
resumed work on behalf of the Deputation.
Whilst she was at Folkstone her time was chiefly occupied in writing
letters, and in reply to one of her petitions she heard from General
Knollys that "it would afford the Prince of Wales much satisfaction to
be placed on the list of Vice-Patrons of the Society in aid of the
Blind;" and also "that H. R. H. had been pleased to direct him to
enclose a cheque for twenty-five guineas in aid of the funds of the
Society."
The following letter, which she received at this time from Pennsylvania,
interested her:
TO MISS GILBERT.
NO. 1040 PENN STREET,
READING, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A.,
_13th September 1869_.
I take the liberty of addressing you as one who has taken so
philanthropic an interest in the blind. About the mid-winter of
'62-3 I was travelling in Idaho Territory, and, owing to the severe
effects of the "glare" produced by the sun's rays upon the snow, my
sight received so severe a shock that I became temporarily blind.
Afterwards I partially recovered my sight; but through the want of
skill in my medical attendant and general improper treatment, the
optic nerve became entirely and, as I fear, hopelessly paralysed.
I am now completely deprived of sight. Being thus, unfortunately,
among those with whom you so greatly sympathise, I too, losing in
my full-grown manhood, this perhaps most benign of the Great
Father's gifts to poor humanity, feel a strong personal interest in
my fellow-sufferers.
Understanding then that you have successfully established an
"Association for the General Welfare of the Blind," in which each
occupant is finally paid for his labour, in contradistinction to
the usual plan of blind asylums, where there is no remuneration,
except what education may afford, I purpose attempting a similar
enterprise.
Will I therefore be taxing your kindness too much in asking you to
forward to me to this place (as headed) the last report of your
noble institution, and, if not contained therein, such instructions
as will enable me to establish such institution in this country?
And praying that the Good God may prosper you in your benevolent
designs, I remain, with the greatest respect, your obt. servt.,
THEODORE B. VACHE.
A bright letter to the present writer shows Bessie in a playful mood. It
was written after her return from Folkstone, and when health and spirits
were much better than they had been in July. But locomotion had become
very difficult; and it was painful to witness her laboured efforts to
move and walk, and the difficulty she experienced in getting into or out
of a cab or carriage.
THE PALACE, CHICHESTER, _October 1869_.
MY DEAR F.--I hope you will soon receive another polling paper. I
suppose you did not pay your subscription last year, and so paid
for two years in one. If I were as clever as Mr. Lowe perhaps I
should contrive to squeeze a little more out of our subscribers,
and make them all the while feel that it was the most natural thing
in the world that they should make double payments. This is the way
to do business, is it not? Double payments, bringing about double
receipts; very nice thing, you know, for the receivers; and as to
the other side of the question, why, you know, we needn't look too
closely into that. You see many persons are quite unable to look at
more than one side of a question, so that limited views have their
advantages. Does Mr. Lowe think so?
Well, I should hope very much to see you and Miss B. on Thursday,
and if you can't have me, please just write to 210 Oxford Street
and say so, and then I will tell you where to come. I don't know
yet where I shall be, but very probably at Miss R.'s at 117 Gloster
Terrace. Love to Miss B. From yours affectionately,
E. GILBERT.
At this time Bessie was warmly interested in, and very hopeful as to the
results of, Mr. Gladstone's efforts on behalf of Ireland, and referred
frequently to the subject. In the following letter to her sister, Mrs.
Elliot, there is a mention of orders for work. She was unable on account
of the state of her health to write as much as usual, and therefore gave
more time to knitting vests and muffetees, and making watch chains. The
money received for them went to her "work-bag," and helped to relieve
the necessities of deserving blind people:
THE PALACE, CHICHESTER, _23d December 1869_.
MY DEAR KATE--I send you my loving Christmas greetings with some of
the home violets to sweeten them withal. It was very tantalising
seeing you, or rather not seeing you, like that in London. I was so
glad you thought I moved better. I do, and it is such a comfort I
can't tell you. Still I find a difference directly if I get too
much tired. I had hoped to have had some muffetees ready for you,
but must do them afterwards, as I have had to knit two under-vests
as an order, and have not yet finished the second. You cannot think
how wonderfully well papa got through the ordination. Dr. Heurtley,
who presided, was quite astonished. Only think of it, H. is coming
on Monday for a week. I am so very glad of it. No time for more,
your loving sister,
BESSIE GILBERT.
Bishop Gilbert's health had slowly but very steadily declined after the
death of his wife in 1863. He was surrounded by the loving care of
daughters devoted to him. But the loss of the friend and partner of his
whole life was one from which he never recovered.
Bessie was the only member of the family not keenly alive to the failure
of her father's health. Partly, no doubt, owing to her blindness, and
partly to the effort that the Bishop always made to be bright and
cheerful in the society of his "dear child Bessie," she did not perceive
how seriously the burden of work and responsibility told upon him. The
sisters at home were glad to spare her the anxiety which they felt, and
she passed the Christmas time of 1869-70 without alarm and without that
sense of impending loss which was weighing heavily upon others. When at
last the blow came it fell suddenly, and fell heavily upon her, and was
not softened by any sense of relief that the burden of his life was
removed.
She had gone to London for the Deputation to Lord de Grey on the 10th
of February 1870, and was still there when she was summoned to
Chichester by telegram on Sunday the 20th.
The sisters at home had been conscious for some days of a greater sense
of uneasiness than usual, but there was nothing definite to take hold
of. The Bishop came down as usual to the dining-room on Friday the 18th.
On Saturday the 19th he kept his room for the early part of the day, and
dined in the morning-room, that room adjoining his own in which Bessie
used to spend so much time with her mother when first they went to
Chichester. The absent sons and daughters were informed of this failure
of strength on Saturday morning, but there were no alarming symptoms
until the evening. Then and on the following morning, Sunday the 20th,
telegrams summoned them to Chichester without delay. Bessie reached the
palace about 10 P.M. on Sunday. Her father recognised her, but he was by
that time too weak to speak. There were no last words, and he sank
peacefully to his rest, dying at 5 A.M. on Monday, 21st February 1870.
Bessie had left home without even a suspicion that she might be recalled
by a sudden summons, and now it seemed to her impossible that her
father's death should precede her own, and that a loss that she had not
dared even to think of, should have fallen upon her. She was stunned by
the blow, but she bore it with characteristic and Christian courage,
patience, and submission.