Cassell's Old and new Edinburgh: its history, its people, and its places . ction that it long formed the residence of the cele- 336 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Nicolson Street. brated chemist, Dr. Josepli Black, who, as we haveelsewhere stated, was found dead in his chair inNovember, 1799, and whose high reputation con-tiibuted so largely in his time to the growing fameot our University. The institution was first suggested by the cele-brated Dr. Thomas Blacklock, who lost his sightbefore he was six months old, and by Mr. DavidMiller, also a sufferer from blindness ; but it waschiefly through the e
Cassell's Old and new Edinburgh: its history, its people, and its places . ction that it long formed the residence of the cele- 336 OLD AND NEW EDINBURGH. [Nicolson Street. brated chemist, Dr. Josepli Black, who, as we haveelsewhere stated, was found dead in his chair inNovember, 1799, and whose high reputation con-tiibuted so largely in his time to the growing fameot our University. The institution was first suggested by the cele-brated Dr. Thomas Blacklock, who lost his sightbefore he was six months old, and by Mr. DavidMiller, also a sufferer from blindness ; but it waschiefly through the exertions of Dr. David John- sales of the above kinds of work have in some yearsamounted to ^io,ooo, and in 1880 to ^18,724 8s.,notwithstanding the general depression of trade ;but this was owing to the Government contract forbrushes. Hence the directors have been enabledto make extensive alterations and improvements toa large amount. The asylum has received a new and elegantfagade, surmounted by stone-faced dormer windows,a handsome cornice, and balustrade, with a large. I I in: MAI10t;.\.NV LAMi, r. i I , IS2I. .) Stone, the philanthropic minister of North Leith,aided by a subscription of only ^^20 from the greatWilberforce, that the asylum was founded in 1793,in one of the dingy old houses of ShakespeareSquare, into which nine blind persons were received;but the public patronage having greatly increased,in 1806 the present building, No. 58, was pur-chased, and in 1822 another house. No. 38, wasbought for the use of the female blind. The latter are employed in sewing the coversfor mattresses and feather beds, knitting stockings,&c. The males are employed in making mattresses,mats, brushes, baskets of every kind, in weavingsacking, matting, and rag-carpets. No less thaneighteen looms are employed in this work. The central doorway, in a niche above which is a bustof Dr. David Johnstone, the founder, from thestudio of the late Handyside Ritchie. The inmates seem to sp
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