hours to increase their earnings. This is great drudgery. It seems
as if brush drawing was more a matter of touch than of sight. If we
can only discover them, it may be that several trades will answer
for the blind on this very account. I think at present that this
will apply even more to women than to men. The male pupils work
well and make great progress, but their earnings, I think, would
not bear the same proportion to those of sighted workmen as do
those of the women. Still, as their work includes more than one
branch, this may be a mistake, and at all events it must take them
longer to become thoroughly good workmen, as they have more to
acquire.

On 6th May 1858 she writes in the diary:

Joined for the first time in the daily prayer and reading at the
Repository [the Association was known by this name]. This was what
I had often wished to do. Saw Mr. Dale, asked for his schoolroom
for a lecture for the benefit of the Association; he gave leave.
Told him what F. B. was doing about the _Times_. Took four [blind
persons] for reading, and think they are getting on. Saw Mr. Bourke
for the first time; had a long talk with him; think he will be more
active than he has been in seeking out the blind and looking into
their condition. Saw Levy Esqre. [not the manager], who showed me
specimens of turning done by Mestre at Lausanne, who is blind,
deaf, and dumb. Got Mr. Levy to promise to attend the meeting, on
the 18th. Talked with Levy [manager] about the meeting. Corkcutting
to be introduced before Walker's life-belt is made. Talked about
furnishing carpenter as the next trade taught, also about embossed
printing; think much might be done towards improving it....

_8th May._--Looked over, corrected, and altered proof of report.
Dictated a note to Levy about it. Wrote to Mr. Cureton, asking if
he could lend his church for Dr. Thompson to preach in, in July, if
not earlier. Wrote to Mrs. Jones asking about Dr. Thorpe's chapel,
also to Mr. Eyre, asking him to preach at Marylebone Church. Sent
papers to both clergymen. Received from Mrs. Sithborp her guinea
subscription. Entered letters of yesterday and to-day. Dictated
some notes and thoughts for the Common Place Book. It is a great
pleasure to get some of these thoughts actually expressed. It gives