Page 316 - The Story of My Lif

hearing child of the fact that he is learning words,AND HE SHOULD BE

ALLOWED TO PRATTLE ON HIS FINGERS, OR WITH

HIS PENCIL, IN MONOSYLLABLES IF HE CHOOSES, UNTIL SUCH TIME
AS

HIS GROWING INTELLIGENCE DEMANDS THE SENTENCE. Language
should not be associated in his mind with endless hours in school, with puzzling
questions in grammar, or with anything that is an enemy to joy. But I must not

get into the habit of criticizing other people’s methods too severely. I may be as
far from the straight road as they.

Miss Sullivan’s second report brings the account down to October 1st, 1888.

During the past year Helen has enjoyed excellent health. Her eyes and ears have
been examined by specialists, and it is their opinion that she cannot have the
slightest perception of either light or sound.

It is impossible to tell exactly to what extent the senses of smell and taste aid her
in gaining information respecting physical qualities; but, according to eminent
authority, these senses do exert a great influence on the mental and moral
development. Dugald Stewart says, “Some of the most significant words relating
to the human mind are borrowed from the sense of smell; and the conspicuous
place which its sensations occupy in the poetical language of all nations shows
how easily and naturally they ally themselves with the refined operations of the
fancy and the moral emotions of the heart.” Helen certainly derives great

pleasure from the exercise of these senses. On entering a greenhouse her
countenance becomes radiant, and she will tell the names of the flowers with
which she is familiar, by the sense of smell alone. Her recollections of the
sensations of smell are very vivid. She enjoys in anticipation the scent of a rose
or a violet; and if she is promised a bouquet of these flowers, a peculiarly happy
expression lights her face, indicating that in imagination she perceives their
fragrance, and that it is pleasant to her. It frequently happens that the perfume of
a flower or the flavour of a fruit recalls to her mind some happy event in home