My dear B.—

I am going to beg a favour of you.– M^r Blair, principal of the Blind In. at Worcester, informs me that those persons born blind, very rarely frown: indeed he thought at one time that they never frowned; but having found 2 exceptions in the case of children did not write to me till my book was published.—² He may of course, be quite mistaken; but the point seems worth attending to.— Would you have the great kindness to observe any children born blind whom you may see;, & could you get any intelligent person, who has charge of an asylum to observe.? The points which seem worth attending to are (1) do infants born blind, contract all the muscles round their eyes whilst screaming violently like ordinary infants.? (2) whether or not—these muscles are contracted during screaming, do children born blind in after years rarely or never frown;—a frown being [recognising] by Vertical furrows between eyebrows.— (3) If there is any difference between children born blind & others in frowning or in contracting all the muscles round the eyes, do they weep as copiously as other children. (4) If of children born blind, some frown & contract the other muscles, & others do not act in this manner, would it not be worth while to consider the cause or nature of the congenital blindness?

Forgive me for begging this great favour & | believe me yrs very sincerely | C. D.

I have asked Donders if he has any opportunities to observe the same facts³