DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70303#0416
$84
ADVENTURES OF JOllN METCALF.
rived safe in France,, though I am persuaded they would
not have made Buffon alter his opinion, but he would
have still maintained, that it was only an accidental va-
riety of the individual, not any difference of the race.”
I shall just observe, that if the accounts of the English
navigators are at all to be depended upon, the opinions of
his lordship must undoubtedly be adopted in preference
to that of the celebrated French philosopher.
\
Interesting Particulars, and zeonderful Adventures of that
extraordinary and eccentric character John Metcalf,
commonly called Plind Jack of Knaresborough, xvith a
striking likeness.
It has been justly remarked, that those who have the Misfortune to be
deprived of one sense, generally enjoy the others in greater perfection than
those who do not labour under such a deficiency. This we find strikingly
exemplified in the subject of the present article, who, notwithstanding his
eccentricities, has, during a great part of his longlife, been an active and
useful member of society.
JOHN METCALF was born at Knaresborough in York-
shire, on the 15th of August 1717. At the age of four
years, his parents, who were labouring people, put him
to school, where he continued two years, when he was
seized with the small-pox, which deprived him of his
sight in spite of all the'means that were employed for its
preservation.
About six months after his recovery, he was able to go
from his father’s house to the end of the street, and to
return without a guide; and in about three years he
could find his way to any part of Knaresborough. About
this period he began to associate with boys of his own
age, among whom he acted a distinguished part in the
juvenile pranks of taking birds nests, robbing orchards,
&c.
His
ADVENTURES OF JOllN METCALF.
rived safe in France,, though I am persuaded they would
not have made Buffon alter his opinion, but he would
have still maintained, that it was only an accidental va-
riety of the individual, not any difference of the race.”
I shall just observe, that if the accounts of the English
navigators are at all to be depended upon, the opinions of
his lordship must undoubtedly be adopted in preference
to that of the celebrated French philosopher.
\
Interesting Particulars, and zeonderful Adventures of that
extraordinary and eccentric character John Metcalf,
commonly called Plind Jack of Knaresborough, xvith a
striking likeness.
It has been justly remarked, that those who have the Misfortune to be
deprived of one sense, generally enjoy the others in greater perfection than
those who do not labour under such a deficiency. This we find strikingly
exemplified in the subject of the present article, who, notwithstanding his
eccentricities, has, during a great part of his longlife, been an active and
useful member of society.
JOHN METCALF was born at Knaresborough in York-
shire, on the 15th of August 1717. At the age of four
years, his parents, who were labouring people, put him
to school, where he continued two years, when he was
seized with the small-pox, which deprived him of his
sight in spite of all the'means that were employed for its
preservation.
About six months after his recovery, he was able to go
from his father’s house to the end of the street, and to
return without a guide; and in about three years he
could find his way to any part of Knaresborough. About
this period he began to associate with boys of his own
age, among whom he acted a distinguished part in the
juvenile pranks of taking birds nests, robbing orchards,
&c.
His