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"DEAR DIARY: To-day is the thirteenth of October, 1893, and I have some pleasant news for you. My studies began to-day, and I am very, very glad. I study Arithmetic, Latin, History, Geography, and Literature. I am glad, because I want to learn more and more about everything in this beautiful, wonderful world. Every day I find how little I know; for I catch glimpses on all sides of treasures of history, language, and science, -- a beautiful world of knowledge, -- and I long to see everything, know everything, and learn everything. I do not feel discouraged when I think how much I have to learn, because I know the dear God has given me an eternity in which to learn it.

"I used to say I did not like Arithmetic very well, but now I have changed my mind; for I see what a good, useful study it is. It helps me to think clearly and logically and strengthens my mind in many ways. I try to be very calm and patient now when the examples seem very hard, but sometimes in spite of my great effort to keep my mind in the right place, it will flutter like a little bird in a cage and try to escape into the pleasant sunshine; for nice and useful as Arithmetic is, it is not as interesting as a beautiful poem or a lovely story.

"Latin is a very beautiful language, and I hope I shall be able to speak and read much of it when I go home next Spring. Already I begin to feel better acquainted with the grand old heroes of Rome, since I know a little of the language in which they thought and talked so long ago.

"I love Literature and History too, because they teach me about the great things that have been thought and dreamed and achieved in the world, and help me to understand 'how the law of good worketh incessantly, without halting, without rest; planting seeds of knowledge here, through earth to ripen, through Heaven to endure.' "

But it is Helen's loving and sympathetic heart rather than her bright intellect which endears her to everybody with whom she comes in contact. She impresses me every day as being the happiest child in the world, and so it is a special privilege to be with her. The spirit of love and joyousness seems never to leave her. May it ever be so. It is beautiful to think of a nature so gentle, pure, and loving as hers; it is pleasant also to think she will ever see only the best side of every human being. While near her, the roughest man is all gentleness, all pity; not for the world would he have her know that he is aught but good and kind to every one. So we see, pathetic as Helen's life must always seem to those who enjoy the blessings of sight and hearing, that it is yet full of brightness and cheer and courage and hope.

Annie M. Sullivan