Q f -rue s>r\*. UC-NRLF ■ : iliie services or | D %±A D F8H6 E ^ B 3 ll1 4EN BLINDED IN BATTLE have to the United States Government ^EER AMERICAN WORK OF THE COMMITTEE FOR MEN BLINDED IN BATTLE The HON. JOHN H. FINLEY, Acting President 111 East 59th Street, New York r- CO o >- Report of MISS WINIFRED HOLT President of the Committee in France Along with accounts of THE OPENING of THE PHARE at SEVRES and of CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR'S at THE PHARE at PARIS. The Committee for Men Blinded in Battle has now three Lighthouses (Phares) in France. It was the first American organization that we know of to be formed to aid the war blind of the Allies. Our name was chosen so that we could, without changing it, be in a position to aid any men blinded because of hostilities, whether soldiers, doctors, ambulanciers, or those unfortunate vic- tims of explosions in munition factories, or those of any nation whom we wished to help. Among the nationalities whose soldiers we have aided are French, Italian, Belgian, Scotch, Canadian, Polish, Russian, Arabian, Swedish, etc., etc. Our three French Lighthouses have assisted about 3,500 men— blind, temporarily blind, or suffering from head wounds, which prevented their using their eyes. They are daily assisting about 150 men and giving about 2,800 lessons monthly. We have given away about 10,000 gifts to the War Blind. A list of our activities may be found in this report. We have done permanent as well as temporary work. "Ex Tenebris Lux" From Darkness Light Our Phare (Lighthouse) Motto 1 71 V A Report to The Committee for Men Blinded in Battle Hon. John H. Finley, Acting President ALONG WITH ACCOUNTS OF THE OPENING OF THE PHARE AT SEVRES CHRISTMAS AT THE PHARE IN PARIS NEW YEAR'S AT THE PHARE IN PARIS By Miss Winifred Holt Presidente du Comite Franco-Americain pour les Aveugles de la Guerre Vice-President of The Committee for Men Blinded in Battle Le Phare de France 14 rue Daru Paris May, 1918 Copyright, 1918 The Committee for Men Blinded in Battle The entire expense of printing this Report has been defrayed by a generous friend, who has always been actively interested in the work of the Committee. 3& FOREWORD BY THE HON. CHARLES E. HUGHES, Vice-President of the Committee for Men Blinded in Battle. Some years ago Lighthouse Xo. 1 for the blind was established in New York. It was an enterprise opening avenues of usefulness to those who had been ren- dered seemingly helpless by one of the greatest misfortunes. While the under- taking was rooted in a common sense appreciation of the immediate needs of the blind, and was eminently practical in its methods of individual adaption, it was inspired and controlled by the most tender sympathy and personal interest, thus ensuring the lasting success which mere charity mechanism can never achieve. It was natural that those engaged in this work should have early appre- ciated the need of similar relief for soldiers blinded in battle. The Committee for Men Blinded in Battle was the pioneer American Organization. Its Presi- dent, from the time of the formation of the Committee until his death, was the late foseph H. Choate, and I venture to say that no philanthropic endeavour in the wide range of his notable service was closer to his heart. This beautiful ministry in the re-direction of the effort of those deprived of sight was to him an irresistible attraction. Miss Winifred Holt, the successful organizer and director of the work in New York, went to Bordeaux as delegate of the Com- mittee in June, 1915, and the Phare de Bordeaux was established. Soon after, the Phare de France was started in Paris, and recently, still another Phare has been opened at Sevres. It is difficult to conceive the tragic sense of helplessness which comes to the soldier suddenly stricken with blindness. To him, the Phare opens a new world of happiness and endeavour. There is no rigid curriculum, no inflexible scheme of training, but an intelligent effort suited to the individual case. Opportunity is given for study and recreation, for the learning of handicrafts and trades, and life begins anew when it seemed hopelessly darkened and crushed. The econ- omic importance of the work is obvious, but this humane beneficence is its most striking feature. When we read in the Committee's report that those who leave the Phare may at once obtain lucrative employment, that students have con- tinued their studies and taken their degrees, that teachers have resumed their classes, that in a score or more of vocations men are finding opportunities ac- cording to their aptitudes, we realize, at least in part, what has been accomplished bv those who with rare skill and devotion are carrying out the Committee's plans. The blinded soldier has been fighting for our liberty and it is our privilege through this agency to bring to him the light of training and re-education, thus enabling him to reconstruct a life of usefulness and contentment. Charles E. Hughes. 11 THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC Monsieur Poincare opened the French Lighthouse for the Blind, on August 8th, 1916. 111 381232 LETTER FROM .AIRS. PETER COOPER HEWITT, Secretary of The Committee for Men Blinded in Battle. I hope most earnestly that you will be interested enough to read this report. I do wish you could see the men at the Phare de France ! In the winter of 1914, when I was living in the house I had in Paris, which I turned into a hospital, a friend came to ask me to go and see conditions at the "Quinze-Yingts," where the War Blind were housed in a small house, that had just been completed for contagious eye diseases. There were eighty-four blind men being looked after by four Sisters of Charity. I have never forgotten that first visit and the impression of those men, sitting beside their beds in their uniforms ; those immobile, helpless figures ; eyes gone and sitting with nothing being done to help their hopelessness ; no attempt at work for their hands or distraction of any kind. The head sister said it was heart touching. These men were so cast down; if something could only be done for their morale ; also they needed many things ; blankets, wrappers, pillows, but above all, some distraction. I tried to interest friends to go and make some effort to amuse them. One woman took her victrola and left it there, returning two afternoons a week to play and read to them. Through the American Red Cross, I gave them pillows, wrappers and blankets, and I often took cakes and sandwiches in the afternoon, and tried to help them a little, but, oh, the pathos of those hopeless men with their bandaged eyes, who had given so much for their country ! I came home in January, 1915, and far and away the saddest impression I brought back with me was those blind soldiers. After a bit. Miss Holt came to ask me about the War Blind, and I told her about them — everyone was so busy and there was so much to do in those early days of the war in France — so we formed The Committee for Men Blinded in Battle, and Mr. Choate became the President. It was a very real love he had for this work and what we accomplished was a great satisfaction to him, up to his death last May. Since then we have added the workshop, or rather studio, at Sevres and also Bordeaux, to our usefulness. Miss Holt went to France in June, 1915, to take up the work of the Com- mittee and I joined her in December to help get into our home in the Rue Daru. We were the first American Committee to do work for the War Blind, and at the time we were so in advance of what was being done for blind soldiers, that the Government called our work the Re-education of the Intellectual Blind, for the French Government was then only teaching chair-caning, brush-making, and basketry, and other simple things more for peasants, and the work of our Com- mittee opened a new field for men who were of a different intelligence and class. Again I say, I only wish you could see them at work. They are so appreciative of what their American friends have done for them, in their home (The Light- house), where they receive their re-education. I hope that you will not forget them now and will keep this work going on in its present useful and efficient way. Now that I am here and cannot see the men — when they write letters like the one I am adding to this, I remember what the re-education seemed to be to them, and I do feel that the Light of the Phare (Lighthouse) has not been lighted in vain. Won't you help to keep it burning for the BLIND SOLDIERS? Very sincerely, L. Hewitt. iv A LETTER FROM THE EX-ADJUTANT LAGARDE, A SOLDIER BLINDED IN BATTLE To Mrs. Peter Cooper Hewitt. Madame: Brive. May 21, 1917. After thirteen months of re-education at the Phare de France, 14 rue Daru, Paris, I returned to my home, where my wife and daughter were waiting for me. I could not leave this splendid institution without writing to you, our Vice- President. Your stay at the Phare was far too brief, and my comrades and I deeply regret that we do not see you any more. I often recall that farewell luncheon, when Commandant Sallerin tried to tell you briefly all that we felt for you. My re-education at the Phare was accomplished under the most favourable conditions. I have learned to use the knitting machine, and find it most satis- factory for the blind. I have also learned to read and to write Braille. When I decided to return to my home, I was joyfully surprised to receive the gift of a knitting machine, which would enable me to work and to add to my pension, which was not sufficient to provide the necessities of life. But my generous American friends had yet another surprise for me. I was to have five thousand francs to buy a house, which had been my life-long dream. I could never adequately express my gratitude, but from the depths of my heart, I say "Thank you." I beg you to tell my American friends, far more elo- quently that I could, all that I feel for them. My life will not be long enough to tell what America has done for those who have fought in the Cause of Right and Liberty, and now, with the Stars and Stripes beside the Tricolor, Justice will surely triumph. I envy my comrades who — more fortunate than I — will be privileged to fight side by side with the Americans. I have been home about two weeks, and am settling down to steady work. I shall have plenty to do, but getting sufficient wool will be the great difficulty, as it is extremely dear and there is not much of it. However, I hope that can be arranged. When I first arrived, I looked for a house within the price so generously offered by the Committee, but at this time I can find nothing sufficiently moder- ate. I shall wait patiently and when an opportunity occurs I shall seize it im- mediately. I beg you to accept the heartfelt thanks of my family and myself for having made it possible for me to take up life again. To you and to all our generous friends I say "Thank you." O. Lagarde. TRANSLATION OF THE ADDRESS OF GENERAL FEVRIER ON BESTOWING THE GOLD MEDAL IN THE NAME OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC ON MISS WINIFRED HOLT AT THE FRENCH LIGHTHOUSE IN PARIS, APRIL 10, 1918. Today, side by side with our soldiers on the soil of France, the American soldiers are battling bravely for justice and for liberty. But even in advance of their army from the start of the war America has sent us an admirable pha- lanx to battle against the evils of war, and to ease its sufferings. I cannot, without emotion, recall the so precious aid which the American Ambulance gave during the glorious days of the Marne to the Directors of the Sanitary Corps of the Military Government of Paris for the relief and treatment of our wounded. And you yourself, Miss Holt, in the year 1915, with your high intelligence and great heart brought to our battle-blinded your devotion with- out stint. As you yourself have so eloquently said, you collected the munitions and organized tactics and strategy to wage war against darkness ; you have lit Le Phare de France. For the magnificent spirit of kindness and responsibility which has been dedicated to the most sorely-tested of our wounded men, for the splendid work you have created, you have won the right to onr unchanging gratitude. Therefore I am proud and happy on behalf of the President of the Repub- lic and the under-Secretary of State for the Service du Sante, to confer upon you the gold Medal of Foreign Affairs. MISS WINIFRED HOLT Presidente du Comite Franco-Americain pour les Aveugles de la Guerre. Vice-President of the Committee for Men Blinded in Battle (from a photograph by Rochlitz, New York). Miss Holt on April 10th, 1918, received a gold medal from the French Government in recognition of her splendid achieve- ments in the re-education of the French soldiers blinded in battle. vn WORKING TOGETHER FOR MEN BLINDED IN BATTLE In France LE COMITE FRANCO- AM ERICAIN POUR LES AVEUGLES DE LA GUERRE Headquarters : 14 rue Daru, Paris Telephone, Passy 49.39 Under the Patronage of : The President of the French Republic The Ambassador of the United States to France The Minister of War The Minister of Marine The Minister of the Interior The Minister of Public Instruction The Minister of Works and Conseil Miss Winifred Holt, Prcsidente Mrs. Peter Cooper Flewitt, Vice-Preside nte Monsieur Ernest Mallet, Regent of the Bank of France, Tresorier The Hon. J. Ridgely Carter, Secretaire Monsieur le Comte Louis de Vogue Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss In America THE COMMITTEE FOR MEX BLINDED IX CATTLE Headquarters: 111 East 59th Street. New York Telephone, Plaza 3370 Under the Patronage of : The President of the United States and the Governor of New York Executive Committee The Hon. John H. Finley, Acting President Miss Winifred Holt \ The Hon. William Howard Taft >- Vice-Presidents The Hon. Charles E. Hughes ) The Rt. Rev. David H. Greer, D.D., Honorary CJiairman Mrs. Peter Cooper Hewitt, Secretary Mr. William Forbes Morgan, Jr., Treasurer Mrs. Charles B. Alexander Mr. Joseph Howland Hunt Miss Emily H. Bourne Mrs. John Magee The Hon. Thomas P. Gore, U. S. S. The Hon. Herbert L. Satterlee Mr. A. Barton Hepburn Mr. Arthur Williams viii GENERAL O >MMITTEE FOR MEN BLINDED IN BATTLE. Mr. Edward E. Allen Mrs. William B. Anderton Mr. Joseph S. Auerbach Mrs. Francis S. Barlow Mrs. Edmund L. Baylies Hon. Livingston Beeckman Mrs. Livingston Beeckman Mrs. August Belmont Mrs. Frederic H. Betts Mrs. Ernest Bigelow Hon. Charles J. Bonaparte Mr. Edson Bradley Mrs. Nicholas F. Brady Mrs. Arthur Scott Burden Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler Mrs. Nicholas Murray Butler Mrs. Chester W. Chapin Mrs. John Cadwalader Mrs. Joseph H. Choate Mrs. Henry Clews Mr. Frederic R. Coudert Mrs. Ralph Adams Cram Mrs. William Crozier Mrs. Paul D. Cravath Mrs. R. Fulton Cutting The Rev. Cameron Davis Mrs. Henry P. Davison Miss Louise Dawson Mrs. William K. Draper Mrs. Margaret Deland Mrs. Frederick Edey Mrs. Newhold LeRov Edgar Dr. Charles W. Eliot Mrs. Stephen B. Elkins Mrs. George V. Forman Mrs. Amos T. French Mrs. Richard Gambrill Mrs. T. Harrison Garrett Mr. J. Pennington Gardiner Mrs. Elbert H. Gary His Eminence James Cardinal Gibbons Mrs. Charles Dana Gibson Mrs. Douglas Huntley Gordon General Gorgas Mrs. F. Gray Griswold Mrs. E. H. Harriman Mrs. Henry Burton Jacobs Mrs. Julian James Mrs. Francis M. Jencks Miss Annie Burr Jennings Mrs. Frederick P. Keppel Mr. Willard V. King Mrs. Alfred Partridge Klots Mrs. Lewis Cass Ledvard Mrs. C. Grant LaFarge Mr. Adolph Lewisohn Senator Lodge Mrs. Seth Low Mrs. Philip M. Lvdig Rev. J. L. Magnes, D.D. Rev. Wm. T. Manning, D.D. The Honorable Pierre Mali Mr. Howard Mansfield Hon. Theodore Marburg Mrs. James W. Markoe Miss Fannv Mason Mr. Russell W. Moore Mrs. William Fellowes Morgan Mrs. Levi P. Morton The Right Rev. John Gardner Murray, D.D. Mrs. Waldo Newcomer Miss Sara Norton Mrs. Henry Fairfield Osborn Mrs. William Church Osborn Mrs. Stephen Henry Olin Mrs. Henry Parkman Mrs. Henry Phipps Mrs. Thomas Jex Preston, Jr. Mrs. Dyneley Prince Mrs. Joseph Pulitzer Mrs. Roche Mrs. H. H. Rogers Mrs. Thomas F. Ryan Mrs. Herbert L. Satterlee Mr. Georee P. Sawyer Mr. Jacob H. Schiff Mrs. William Jay Schieffelin Mr. J. G. Schmidlapp Miss Louisa Lee Schuyler Mrs. Henry Dwight Sedgwick Mr. Finley J. Shepard Mrs. R. Manson Smith Mr. Francis Lynde Stetson Mrs. Henry C. Sturges Mrs. Rutherford Stuyvesant Mrs. Frederick F. Thompson Mrs. Richard Trimble Dr. Charles Van Bergen Mrs. Samuel C. Van Dusen Mrs. French Vanderbilt Miss Edith Wetmore Mrs. Wharton Dr. Schuyler Skaats Wheeler Mr. Louis Wiley Mrs. Helen S. Woodruff Mrs. Clinton Wyckoff Dr. Charles Wood IX A FEW OF THE VOLUNTEER WORKERS OF "LE PHARE DE FRANCE" (The Lighthouse of France) Comtesse d'Audiffret Pasquier Mrs. N. Allison Comtesse de Liedekerque Mr. Leslie Cauldwell Comtesse de la Redorte Miss Cauldwell Baronne de Fleury Miss Cleveland* Madame Bouwens Van der Boijen Miss Dickerson Madame de Janasz Mrs. Dunlop Madame de Monti de Reze Mrs. W. W. Fahnestock Madame Fischbacher Mrs. Canfield Fisher Madame Gallay Miss Jackson Madame Puerari Miss Kane Mile. Fourquez Miss Virginia McKee Mile. M. L. Hellier Mrs. H. M. Nichols Mile. Tallon Miss Sharp Mile, van der Henst Miss Thorndyke Mrs. M. C. Allen Mrs. S. C. Wolcott *Mrs. William S. B. Bosanquet We regret that the above list is neither complete nor up to date. War con- ditions have made vain our efforts to get a full and revised one from France. A FEW OF THE MEN WHO HAVE AIDED THE WORK OF THE PHARE. Owing to these conditions it has been impossible to get even an approx- imate list of our volunteer men workers. We have, however, appended the names of a few who have rendered us valuable service, actively or in an advis- ory capacity. The late Monsieur le Marquis de Vogue — President de la Croix Rouge Fran- caise et de la Societe des Secours aux blesses militaires. Monsieur le Comte de Gabriac. Monsieur le Comte de Polignac. Monsieur Brisac — Directeur de l'Assistance et de l'Hygiene Publique au Min- istere de lTnterieur. Monsieur de Piessac — du Ministere de la Guerre. Monsieur le Medecin-Major de Lapersonne — Professor a l'hotel Dieu, Membre de l'lnstitut. Monsieur le Docteur Valude — Medecin Chef de l'Hopital des Quinze-Vingts. Monsieur Joseph Reinach. Monsieur Emile Berr. Mr. Leslie Cauldwell. x EDITOR'S XOTES. The American work of bringing light to men blinded in battle was inaugu- rated in March, 1915, when Miss Winifred Holt arrived in Bordeaux, at the request of a committee organized in this country, to give the War Blind in France the skill and knowledge she had attained by her life-work in America. Miss Holt founded in New York the "Lighthouse," that meant a new epoch for those who sit in darkness. She and her friends who stand back of her believe that the future happiness of those who have lost their vision is not in separating them from their families and their homes and their ambition, but rather in putting eyes in their finger-tips, giving them a new means of self- support, if the old manner of earning a livelihood does not lend itself to their present conditions, and starting them again on the paths of contentment in their former environment. With the great experience that was hers in the accomplishment of her work, Miss Holt began in France the re-education of men who suddenly, in the midst of youth and strength and filled with enthusiasm for the cause of civ- ilization, found themselves overtaken by perpetual darkness. How far the work that has been undertaken is now going on and what has been accomplished is shown to some extent in this report. The real record of despair swallowed up in hope or of the renewal of ambitions and the taking up again of the threads of happiness can, however, only be hinted at. New Lighthouses (or Phares) at Sevres and Bordeaux, now make three Lighthouses in France, in addition to the original two in America. The brief accounts of the work of the Committee for Men Blinded in Battle and of the Comite Franco-Americain pour les Aveugles de la Guerre, of Christ- mas and New Year's at Le Phare, and of the lately founded Phare de Sevres, have been received from Miss Winifred Holt, who is at present in Paris, which is being bombarded at long range. In these papers she is referred to either as the "Gardienne" or the Presidente of the Comite. The Editor has had to sup- ply most of the paragraph headings. Miss Holt is not responsible for the choice of illustrations or for the ar- rangement of this Report, which had to be left to others, during her absence in France. The fearful destruction in the present mad German drives has caused the loss of sight to many heroes, and money is imperatively and instantly needed for their relief. XI w Pi < X m W P< > m M H H < en 3 o CO Q W Q i — t eq W Q < W H H O P-, Xll Lighthouse No. 1 Lighthouse Xo. 2 Lighthouse No. 4 Lighthouse Xo. 5 new york buffalo sevres bordeaux THE CHOATE WAR MEMORIAL (Lighthouse Xo. 3) PARIS WEDDING OF ONE OF THE PUPILS OF THE PHARE DE FRANCE Formerly mentally unbalanced and blind, this man is today entirely self-supporting and happy. He has recovered partial sight, and entire mental poise. The Guardienne stands immediately back of him to his left. WORK IN BRIEF OF THE COMMITTEE FOR MEX BLIXDED IN BATTLE AXD LE COMITE FRANCO-AMERICAIN POUR LES AVEUGLES DE LA GUERRE HISTORY OF THE PHARE DE FRANCE — - LIGHTHOUSE XO. 3. Lighthouse Xo. 1. for the Blind, was established in New York several years ago, and its cornerstone was laid by the President of the United States, and the building opened by him. Lighthouse Xo. 2 was next founded in Buffalo. Lighthouse Xo. 3, "Le Phare de France," opened its doors to pupils, at 14 rue Darn, in March, 1916. It was officially opened by the President of the French Republic and the American Am- bassador, in August of that year, and founded by the Committee for Men Blinded in Battle, the pioneer American organization working for the blind, un- der the patronage of the President of A Report to the Committee for Men Blinded in Battle the French Republic, and of the Presi- dent of the United States. It had for its President, until his death, the late Hon- orable Joseph H. Choate. Lighthouse No. 4. blind potters at sevres. The modelling class has produced ex- cellent results. Exquisite, artistic pot- tery is turned out. Eight pupils have now left the Phare, and are employed in the Government Potteries at Sevres. There they receive the same salaries as the seeing men, and are said to do quite as good work, which, it is estimated, they do in one-third less time. These work- men live at the Phare de Sevres. That house, which is Lighthouse No. 4, accom- modates 20 men, but an adjoining large Chateau with beautiful grounds has also been placed at the Committee's disposal there. The French Government has apportioned land to the Committee in the grounds of the Sevres Potteries, on which it is about to build a Training School for blind potters who will gradu- ate from there to other factories. Lighthouse No. 5. LE PHARE DE BORDEAUX. In June, 1915, Miss Winifred Holt landed in Bordeaux, as Delegate of the Committee for Men Blinded in Battle. There she began the work of relief and instruction for blind soldiers still in the hospitals. The devoted Abbe Moureau had years before founded in Bordeaux an organization for the civilian blind, called "Les Travailleurs de Sud-Ouest." He and his organization were persuaded to reconstruct their work, to name it ''Le Phare de Bordeaux" and to assume the re-education of the war blind. The President of the Committee for Men Blinded in Battle and Miss Wini- fred Holt, its Vice-President, became members of this new Bordeaux Commit- tee, which purchased the beautiful grounds and buildings of the Chateau de Lescure. There are now more than fifty blind pupils there, and excellent work for the simpler soldiers has been accomplished in teaching brushmaking. chair-caning, basketry, willow-work, etc., as well as Braille reading and writing, typewriting, music, games, etc. The teaching and relief of the blind in the hospitals, carried on by the Committee of Bordeaux, is of the utmost importance. Le Phare de Bordeaux is Lighthouse No. 5, and "Filiale" of the Phare de France. BEGINNING OF THE WORK IN PARIS. In July, 1915, the French branch of the Committee for Men Blinded in Bat- tle, "Le Comite Franco-Americain pour les Aveugles de la Guerre," was founded in Paris. The management of the Hotel de Crillon in Paris enabled it to begin work immediately, by placing the neces- sary rooms, free of cost, at the Comite's disposal. Classes for the re-education of the war-blinded were established there. HELPING IN THE HOSPITALS. Visits of help and instruction were made to the blinded soldiers in the hos- pitals and in their own homes. Permis- sion was given by the Government to the Committee's representatives to visit such soldiers, not only in the hospitals in the Paris region, but also in Toulon, on the He de St. Mandre, in Lyons, Mar- seilles, etc., etc. Much relief work was thus made possible. More than three thousand men suffering from head wounds — some not permanently blinded — were variously aided in less than two years of the Committee's work. WE GIVE AN X-RAY OUTFIT. An X-ray outfit and installation was presented by the Committee to the Hopital des Quinze-Vingts, thus making it possible to locate immediately foreign bodies which menaced the sight of the wounded gathered there. MRS. HEWITT COMES. In December, 1915, Mrs. Peter Cooper Hewitt, Vice-President of the Comite Franco-Americain pour les Aveugles de A Report to the Committee for Men Blinded in Battle A BLIND SOLDIER BASKET MAKING (A pupil of the Phare de France in Paris) 4 A Report to the Committee for Men Blinded in Battle la Guerre, came to Paris. There she as- sisted in establishing Lighthouse Xo. 3, known as Le Phare de France, at 14 rue Daru. STUDIES, GAMES AXD SPORTS. The Phare teaches whatever will best help its blind pupils to become useful, happy citizens again in the seeing world. They may study anything from higher mathematics to the most practical and lucrative trades open to them. Thus, the curriculum of general re-education for all includes Braille (reading and writing) and typewriting. In addition, the fol- lowing subjects have also been taught: Basketwork, weaving, knitting by machine, massage, modelling, pottery, stenography (by a system specially in- vented by Miss Frances Evans for the pupils of the Phare), book-keeping, com- mercial studies (including training for commercial travellers), English, French. Spanish, or other languages, music, sing- ing, gymnastics, fencing, riding, skating, etc. Some of the more intellectual pupils attend lectures and study at the Univer- sities, the Conservatories, etc. In addi- tion to gymnastics and outdoor games, recreation is offered by concerts given at the Phare, outings, and visits to the musicales, concerts, theatres and operas. The Phare regularly teaches the blind in the Government's Hospital, the Quinze-Vingts, as well as elsewhere, when its services are needed. At Christmas time the blind men usu- ally get up some festivity. This year, besides erecting their own stage and decorating it and the auditorium, they had their programmes printed in Braille, and gave an excellent concert, exclusive- ly by blind artists ; a dialogue between two blind soldiers gave much satisfaction to the audience, and the performance ended with the spirited rendering of "Les deux Aveugles," an operetta by Offen- bach. THE PRINTING PRESS, BOOKS, ETC. The Phare de France has a Braille Library and a Braille Printing Plant. The first number of the Braille magazine, "La Lumiere," partially edited by the blind soldiers themselves, and sent out to their comrades in arms and in blind- ness, was issued in December, 1916. At first published once a month, it now ap- pears every fortnight, and over two hun- dred copies of each issue are being print- ed. The press of the Phare has also printed many books which appear now for the first time in Braille — for exam- ple, at the special request of the men, a handbook on massage, and a French and English Grammar have been printed. The press has been in operation a little over a year, and already over 2,000 vol- umes have been issued. Interesting books of adventure, novels, biography, history and manuals of instruction have been turned out by it. Its publications range from Rudyard Kipling's "Jungle Book" to a manual of anatomy. Our press also prints programmes, notices, etc. As the press is run by electricity, metal plates can be used, which permit, for the first time in France, the publication of volumes in large editions in the clear- est point type. Heretofore, such work has been done in France by hand presses, the type being movable or the Braille being prinked out with a little instrument for that purpose. Four blind men work in the Printing Department of the Phare. WE ALSO PRIXT MUSIC. The printing of music was first be- gun at the Phare, by issuing, at the re- quest of the soldiers there, a Braille copy of the anthem "America,'' together with the words, translated into French by the Lighthouse Crew. The next order was the printing of Gregorian chants, at the request of the "Passengers," as the men call themselves at the Phare de Bordeaux Lighthouse. While much music already exists in Braille, the efforts of the Phare will be to print war songs and up-to-date music, for which the soldiers clamor, as well as some classic compositions, not al- ready obtainable in type for the blind. r> A Report to the Committee for A [en Blinded in Battle M. 3h rt u c £ rt < £ *> o Q c a, — uh oj Oh o.C E c£ <; j2 J "2 rt " rt 'ob O