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Sainte-Beuve says, "some natures are born pure and have received quand même the gift of innocence." Unmistakably Helen's is one of these. She certainly belongs to the class of the choicest spirits.

"She is divinely kissed and sent
To fill the people with ideal worlds."

She seems to have a mission from above, which is to inspire faith in what is beautiful in humanity. Her soul is a reservoir bursting for an outlet. She is a messenger of helpfulness and joy. She preaches a gospel of hope and cheer, of mercy and generosity, of patience and universal goodness. Her love for her fellow-sufferers so thrills her that it goes out from her with inspiring and sympathetic touch for all. We stand by her, listening enraptured to the messages which she brings to us from higher spheres, and we cannot he thankful enough for the precious gift of her life.

Mr. William Wade of Hulton, Penn., whom Helen visited at his home in the summers of 1890 and 1891, was so deeply impressed by her moral and intellectual qualities that he wrote a brief account of them, which we take pleasure in printing in this connection.

The wonderful story of Helen Keller is known the world over. In London and Paris the case is noted as the most remarkable on record, and few are the hamlets in America where her achievements are not familiar. The development of this child has indeed been a miracle. In two years' time, she changed from a sightless creature, unable to articulate, whose condition was not far removed from that of a mere animal, into a human being full of the tenderest beauty of thought and gifted with a mental capacity far beyond her years. So marvellous has been this change that the accounts of Helen Keller consist wholly of a history of her wonderful progress; and it is well that the triumph of faithful, loving and intelligent teaching should be made widely known and emphatically dwelt upon. It shows that no cloud is so heavy and dark that loving devotion may not lift it, and let the sunshine through to a darkened mind; and it inspires hope and courage in those who seek to ameliorate the condition of afflicted humanity.

Nevertheless, the most wonderful part of Helen Keller's story has not yet been told; and what remains is more impressive and of more lasting value than the record of her remarkable accomplishments. The child herself is a greater wonder than her progress; her marvellous inner nature a greater glory to humanity than her learning. A mightier power than any ever known to schools of learning was needed to fill that little heart with the most overflowing sympathy, the most complete unselfishness, and the rarest delicacy and beauty of thought and expression. Her devoted teacher, Miss Sullivan, could not be human if devoid of pride in the astonishing success which has attended her efforts to rescue this darkened mind from its bondage; yet it must be that her love for the exquisite beauty of her charge's heart and mind far excels her pride in the accomplishment of such a wonderful work.

It has been doubted whether the loving, unselfish disposition portrayed in "Little Lord Fauntleroy" could be a real characteristic of any human being; it has been said that the story was a fancy sketch; yet any one who has seen Helen and watched her ways, and the display of her feelings, knows that she is superior even to the creation of Mrs. Burnett's pen, in those attributes which raise mortals to the sky.

Let me give a few of the many instances of her exquisite tenderness of heart and keenness of mind. She visited the country place of a friend last summer on her way home. There she was to see and ride a donkey that had been promised to her, and which was to be sent to her home; and she was delighted at the prospect of owning and riding the quadruped. As soon as she arrived she was mounted on her donkey, her eagerness being so great that Miss Sullivan deemed it better to indulge her, tired as she was with her long night journey. The saddle not fitting the donkey, her seat was not firm; but no thought of fear crossed her mind, and a glory of delight shone over her face as her Neddy trotted off, Helen swaying from side to side, never losing her balance. Tired as she must have been, she did not think of relinquishing her ride until Miss Sullivan said, "Teacher is tired!" but then Helen slipped off like a flash, merely delaying to get permission to take Neddy to the stable and feed him.

On another occasion, when she was having a ride on a pony, led by her entertainer's groom, all paused under the shade of a tree to cool off. On inquiring the cause of the delay, she was told it was to rest and get cool. After a short time site was asked if she was ready to go again, and she said: "Is Michael rested?" This groom, an ignorant Irish laborer, would have worn his shoes out before admitting that doing anything for Helen tired him.

At supper, the little boy of the house was absent, and she was asked, "Isn't Archer a naughty boy to be away from his supper?" But Helen shook her head emphatically as soon as the first three letters of naughty were spelled out, and she replied promptly: "No. Something has kept him. Perhaps he didn't hear the bell!" and when the boy did come in, -- with the explanation that he had been away after the donkeys, who had broken out of their pasture, -- she was in a state of triumphant delight, and would not be satisfied until Archer came to be kissed.