Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-15
THE LITERARY SOCIETY.
Helen keller's Wonderful Powers Dis
cussed at a Recent Meeting.


The recent meeting of the Literary Society
held at the residence of DIR. GoddIng was one
Of the most interesting of the season. The
principal speaker OF the evening Prof.
Graham Bell, whose statements were listened to
with the closest attention and were followed by
an animated symposium, participated in by
several of the members.
Prof. Bells remarks xere practically divided
into three divisions. In the first the interest
ing life story of a remarkable teacher. recently
deceased. who forced to fly from Germany
during the troublous revolutionary times of 1913.
and landed in Baltimore with only SC cents in his
pocket and no knowledge of English was told
After various trying experiences the indomita-
bic courage Of the man resulted in his opening
a successful private school in that city, which
was attended, during the forty years of Mr.
Knappes' active career. by some II 900 pupils
II was owing to the fact that in this school deaf
mutes were taught to speak and were in the
classes Of the speaking children that led to this
recital Of his life work by Prof. Bell Apart
from this special feature. however, the story of
the struggles and success of this brave man
was as tonic and celebrating as the salt breath
of the sea-
President Gallaudet and Prof. Fay followed
with interesting statements and with brief
questions and replies from Prof. Bell
Prof Bell then entered upon the second di-
vision Of his discourse, his theme the wonderful
child from Alabama who, five years ago, wholly
deprived Of sight, hearing and speech. seemed
absolutely barred out from intercourse with
her kind. or from any conception Of the world
about her, and who now, in her thirteenth year,
amazes all who meet her by the extent Of her
knowledge and the brilliancy of her intellect
Miss Sullivan. the teacher who. with unwearied
patience and seh-sacrificing devotion, has I'M
locked the prison doors which so shut In the
remarkable DOZSpsspd Helen
was present, and in the talk which followed
gave most interesting glimpses of her methods.
Prof. Bell. after stating the condition Of the
child when she was placed in Miss sullivan
care. read the first letter written by her to her
mother. after only three months of this en-
deavor. and then. after interesting account
Of her rapid development. read her latest letter
to her mother. which, in thought. language and
interest was far superior to that which would
be expected from any girl of her age.
This led to lively discussion. participated
In by Prof. Bell, DIR. Harris, President Gallsu-
Diet. Major Powell. Prof. FAY. Col. Nicolay and
Col Clark, the vice president of the society.
who has presided during the absence in Europe
sponses by Miss Sullivan to the questions and
suggestions of the several speakers added an
element of vital interest
subsequently. yielding to urgent request.
Prof. Bell read prose poem in which this
young girl expressed the impressions made upon
her by Niagara during a recent visit The lie tier
to her mother had been largely description of
that journey from the Boston school. where
she now lives, to Niagara and to two schools for
the deaf-one at Rochester, n. Y, and one at
Northampton. Mass.
That this poem. with its exalted thought and
noble expressions. could have been the pro-
duction Of a child not yet thirteen years of age
seemed almost incredible: but many of those
present have since had the pleasure Of meeting
this remarkable child at the residence Of Prof
70 M avid - ,.ta h.
may give will again by them be thought
Incredible.