BeforeOctober,1893,Ihadstudiedvarioussubjectsbymyselfinamoreorlessdesultorymanner.IreadthehistoriesofGreeeaedStates.IhadaFrenchgrammarinraisedprint,andasIalreadyknewsomeFrench,Ioftenamusedmyselfbyposinginmyheadshortexercises,usingthenewwordsasIcameacrossthem,andignrulesandotherteicalitiesasmuchaspossible.Ieventried,withoutaid,tomastertheFrenchpronunciation,asIfoundallthelettersandsoundsdescribedinthebook.Ofcoursethiswastaskingslenderpowersfreatends;butitgavemesomethingtodoonarainyday,andIacquiredasuffitknowledgeofFrenchtoreadwithpleasureLaFontaines"Fables,""LeMedeMalgreLui"andpassagesfrom"Athalie.”

    Ialsogavesiderabletimetotheimprovementofmyspeech.IreadaloudtoMissSullivanaedpassagesfrommyfavouritepoets,whichIhadittedtomemory;shecorrectedmypronunciationandhelpedmetophraseandi.Itwasnot,however,untilOctober,1893,afterIhadrecoveredfromthefatigueaementofmyvisittotheWorldsFair,thatIbegantohavelessonsinspecialsubjectsatfixedhours.

    MissSullivanathattimeinHulton,Pennsylvania,visitingthefamilyofMr.WilliamWade.Mr.

    Irons,aneighbouroftheirs,wasagoodLatinscholar;itwasarrahatIshouldstudyunderhim.Irememberhimasamanofrare,sweetnatureandofwideexperieaughtmeLatingrammarprincipally;butheoftenhelpedmeinarithmetic,whichIfoundastroublesomeasitwasuing.Mr.

    IronsalsoreadwithmeTennysons"InMemoriam."Ihadreadmanybooksbefore,butneverfromacriticalpointofview.Ilearnedforthefirsttimetoknowanauthor,tnizehisstyleasIreizetheclaspofafriendshand.