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diff --git a/6702.txt b/6702.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c167a57 --- /dev/null +++ b/6702.txt @@ -0,0 +1,18936 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Life of Harriet Beecher Stowe Compiled from +Her Letters and Journals, by Charles Edward Stowe + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Life of Harriet Beecher Stowe Compiled from Her Letters and Journals + +Author: Charles Edward Stowe + +Posting Date: May 3, 2014 [EBook #6702] +Release Date: October, 2004 (original version's release date) +First Posted: January 17, 2003 (original version's posting date) + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF HARRIET BEECHER STOWE *** + + + + +Produced by David Edwards, Emmy, Steve Schulze, Charles +Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive) + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Richmond, Del. J. & J. Wilson, So. + +H.B. Stowe] + + + + +LIFE OF + +HARRIET BEECHER STOWE + + COMPILED FROM + + Her Letters and Journals + + BY HER SON + + CHARLES EDWARD STOWE + + +[Illustration] + + BOSTON AND NEW YORK + HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY + The Riverside Press, Cambridge + 1890 + + + + + Copyright, 1889, + BY CHARLES E. STOWE, + + _All rights reserved._ + + + _The Riverside Press, Cambridge, Mass., U. S.A._ + Electrotyped and Printed by H. O. Houghton & Co. + + +[Illustration: Handwritten letter] + +It seems but fitting, that I should preface this story of my life with +a few notes of instruction. + +The desire to leave behind me some recollections of my life, has +been cherished by me, for many years past; but failing strength or +increasing infirmities have prevented its accomplishment. + +At my suggestion and with what assistance I have been able to render, +my son, Ross Charles Edward Stowe, has compiled from my letters and +journals, this biography. It is this true story of my life, told for +the most part, in my own words and has therefore all the force of an +autobiography. + +It is perhaps much more accurate as to detail & impression than is +possible with any autobiography, written later in life. + +If these pages, shall help those who read them to a firmer trust in God +& a deeper sense of His fatherly goodness throughout the days of our +earthly pilgrimage I can say with Valiant for Truth in the Pilgrim's +Progress! + +I am going to my Father's & tho with great difficulty, I am got +thither, get now, I do not repent me of all the troubles I have been +at, to arrive where I am. + +My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage & my +courage & skill to him that can get it. + + Hartford Sept 30 + 1889 + + Harriet Beecher Stowe + + + + +INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT + + +I DESIRE to express my thanks here to Harper & Brothers, of New York, +for permission to use letters already published in the "Autobiography +and Correspondence of Lyman Beecher." I have availed myself freely +of this permission in chapters i. and iii. In chapter xx. I have +given letters already published in the "Life of George Eliot," by Mr. +Cross; but in every instance I have copied from the original MSS. and +not from the published work. In conclusion, I desire to express my +indebtedness to Mr. Kirk Munroe, who has been my co-laborer in the work +of compilation. + + CHARLES E. STOWE. + HARTFORD, _September 30, 1889_. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER I. + + CHILDHOOD 1811-1824. + + DEATH OF HER MOTHER.--FIRST JOURNEY FROM HOME.--LIFE AT NUT + PLAINS.--SCHOOL DAYS AND HOURS WITH FAVORITE AUTHORS.--THE + NEW MOTHER.--LITCHFIELD ACADEMY AND ITS INFLUENCE.--FIRST + LITERARY EFFORTS.--A REMARKABLE COMPOSITION.--GOES TO HARTFORD 1 + + + CHAPTER II. + + SCHOOL DAYS IN HARTFORD, 1824-1832. + + MISS CATHERINE BEECHER.--PROFESSOR FISHER.--THE WRECK OF THE + ALBION AND DEATH OF PROFESSOR FISHER.--"THE MINISTER'S + WOOING."--MISS CATHERINE BEECHER'S SPIRITUAL HISTORY.--MRS. + STOWE'S RECOLLECTIONS OF HER SCHOOL DAYS IN HARTFORD.--HER + CONVERSION.--UNITES WITH THE FIRST CHURCH IN HARTFORD.--HER + DOUBTS AND SUBSEQUENT RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT.--HER FINAL PEACE 22 + + + CHAPTER III. + + CINCINNATI, 1832-1836. + + DR. BEECHER CALLED TO CINCINNATI.--THE WESTWARD JOURNEY.--FIRST + LETTER FROM HOME.--DESCRIPTION OF WALNUT HILLS.--STARTING A NEW + SCHOOL.--INWARD GLIMPSES.--THE SEMI-COLON CLUB.--EARLY + IMPRESSIONS OF SLAVERY.--A JOURNEY TO THE EAST.--THOUGHTS + AROUSED BY FIRST VISIT TO NIAGARA.--MARRIAGE TO PROFESSOR STOWE 53 + + + CHAPTER IV. + + EARLY MARRIED LIFE, 1836-1840. + + PROFESSOR STOWE'S INTEREST IN POPULAR EDUCATION.--HIS DEPARTURE + FOR EUROPE.--SLAVERY RIOTS IN CINCINNATI.--BIRTH OF TWIN + DAUGHTERS.--PROFESSOR STOWE'S RETURN AND VISIT TO + COLUMBUS.--DOMESTIC TRIALS.--AIDING A FUGITIVE + SLAVE.--AUTHORSHIP UNDER DIFFICULTIES.--A BEECHER ROUND ROBIN 78 + + + CHAPTER V. + + POVERTY AND SICKNESS, 1840-1850. + + FAMINE IN CINCINNATI.--SUMMER AT THE EAST.--PLANS FOR LITERARY + WORK.--EXPERIENCE ON A RAILROAD.--DEATH OF HER BROTHER + GEORGE.--SICKNESS AND DESPAIR.--A JOURNEY IN SEARCH OF + HEALTH.--GOES TO BRATTLEBORO' WATER-CURE.--TROUBLES AT LANE + SEMINARY.--CHOLERA IN CINCINNATI.--DEATH OF YOUNGEST + CHILD.--DETERMINED TO LEAVE THE WEST 100 + + + CHAPTER VI. + + REMOVAL TO BRUNSWICK, 1850-1852. + + MRS. STOWE'S REMARKS ON WRITING AND UNDERSTANDING + BIOGRAPHY.--THEIR APPROPRIATENESS TO HER OWN BIOGRAPHY.--REASONS + FOR PROFESSOR STOWE'S LEAVING CINCINNATI.--MRS. STOWE'S JOURNEY + TO BROOKLYN.--HER BROTHER'S SUCCESS AS A MINISTER.--LETTERS + FROM HARTFORD AND BOSTON.--ARRIVES IN BRUNSWICK.--HISTORY OF THE + SLAVERY AGITATION.--PRACTICAL WORKING OF THE FUGITIVE SLAVE + LAW.--MRS. EDWARD BEECHER'S LETTER TO MRS. STOWE AND ITS + EFFECT.--DOMESTIC TRIALS.--BEGINS TO WRITE "UNCLE TOM'S CABIN" + AS A SERIAL FOR THE "NATIONAL ERA."--LETTER TO FREDERICK + DOUGLASS.--"UNCLE TOM'S CABIN" A WORK OF RELIGIOUS EMOTION 126 + + + CHAPTER VII. + + UNCLE TOM'S CABIN, 1852. + + "UNCLE TOM'S CABIN" AS A SERIAL IN THE "NATIONAL ERA."--AN + OFFER FOR ITS PUBLICATION IN BOOK FORM.--WILL IT BE A + SUCCESS?--AN UNPRECEDENTED CIRCULATION.--CONGRATULATORY + MESSAGES.--KIND WORDS FROM ABROAD.--MRS. STOWE TO THE EARL OF + CARLISLE.--LETTERS FROM AND TO LORD SHAFTESBURY.--CORRESPONDENCE + WITH ARTHUR HELPS 156 + + + CHAPTER VIII. + + FIRST TRIP TO EUROPE, 1853. + + THE EDMONDSONS.--BUYING SLAVES TO SET THEM FREE.--JENNY + LIND.--PROFESSOR STOWE IS CALLED TO ANDOVER.--FITTING UP THE NEW + HOME.--THE "KEY TO UNCLE TOM'S CABIN."--"UNCLE TOM" ABROAD.--HOW + IT WAS PUBLISHED IN ENGLAND.--PREFACE TO THE EUROPEAN + EDITION.--THE BOOK IN FRANCE.--IN GERMANY.--A GREETING FROM + CHARLES KINGSLEY.--PREPARING TO VISIT SCOTLAND.--LETTER TO MRS. + FOLLEN 178 + + + CHAPTER IX. + + SUNNY MEMORIES, 1853. + + CROSSING THE ATLANTIC.--ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND.--RECEPTION IN + LIVERPOOL.--WELCOME TO SCOTLAND.--A GLASGOW TEA-PARTY.--EDINBURGH + HOSPITALITY.--ABERDEEN.--DUNDEE AND BIRMINGHAM.--JOSEPH + STURGE.--ELIHU BURRITT.--LONDON.--THE LORD MAYOR'S + DINNER.--CHARLES DICKENS AND HIS WIFE 205 + + + CHAPTER X. + + FROM OVER THE SEA, 1853. + + THE EARL OF CARLISLE.--ARTHUR HELPS.--THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF + ARGYLL.--MARTIN FARQUHAR TUPPER.--A MEMORABLE MEETING AT + STAFFORD HOUSE.--MACAULAY AND DEAN MILMAN.--WINDSOR + CASTLE.--PROFESSOR STOWE RETURNS TO AMERICA.--MRS. STOWE ON THE + CONTINENT.--IMPRESSIONS OF PARIS.--EN ROUTE TO SWITZERLAND AND + GERMANY.--BACK TO ENGLAND.--HOMEWARD BOUND 228 + + + CHAPTER XI. + + HOME AGAIN, 1853-1856. + + ANTI-SLAVERY WORK.--STIRRING TIMES IN THE UNITED + STATES.--ADDRESS TO THE LADIES OF GLASGOW.--APPEAL TO THE WOMEN + OF AMERICA.--CORRESPONDENCE WITH WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON.--THE + WRITING OF "DRED."--FAREWELL LETTER FROM GEORGIANA MAY.--SECOND + VOYAGE TO ENGLAND 250 + + CHAPTER XII. + + DRED, 1856. + + SECOND VISIT TO ENGLAND.--A GLIMPSE AT THE QUEEN.--THE DUKE OF + ARGYLL AND INVERARY.--EARLY CORRESPONDENCE WITH LADY + BYRON.--DUNROBIN CASTLE AND ITS INMATES.--A VISIT TO STOKE + PARK.--LORD DUFFERIN.--CHARLES KINGSLEY AT HOME.--PARIS + REVISITED.--MADAME MOHL'S RECEPTIONS 270 + + CHAPTER XIII. + + OLD SCENES REVISITED, 1856. + + EN ROUTE TO ROME.--TRIALS OF TRAVEL.--A MIDNIGHT ARRIVAL AND + AN INHOSPITABLE RECEPTION.--GLORIES OF THE ETERNAL CITY.--NAPLES + AND VESUVIUS.--VENICE.--HOLY WEEK IN ROME.--RETURN TO + ENGLAND.--LETTER FROM HARRIET MARTINEAU ON "DRED."--A WORD FROM + MR. PRESCOTT ON "DRED."--FAREWELL TO LADY BYRON 294 + + + CHAPTER XIV. + + THE MINISTER'S WOOING, 1857-1859. + + DEATH OF MRS. STOWE'S OLDEST SON.--LETTER TO THE DUCHESS OF + SUTHERLAND.--LETTER TO HER DAUGHTERS IN PARIS.--LETTER TO HER + SISTER CATHERINE.--VISIT TO BRUNSWICK AND ORR'S ISLAND.--WRITES + "THE MINISTER'S WOOING" AND "THE PEARL OF ORR'S ISLAND."--MR. + WHITTIER'S COMMENTS.--MR. LOWELL ON "THE MINISTER'S + WOOING."--LETTER TO MRS. STOWE FROM MR. LOWELL.--JOHN RUSKIN + ON "THE MINISTER'S WOOING."--A YEAR OF SADNESS.--LETTER TO LADY + BYRON.--LETTER TO HER DAUGHTER.--DEPARTURE FOR EUROPE 315 + + + CHAPTER XV. + + THE THIRD TRIP TO EUROPE, 1859. + + THIRD VISIT TO EUROPE.--LADY BYRON ON "THE MINISTER'S + WOOING."--SOME FOREIGN PEOPLE AND THINGS AS THEY APPEARED TO + PROFESSOR STOWE.--A WINTER IN ITALY.--THINGS UNSEEN AND + UNREVEALED.--SPECULATIONS CONCERNING SPIRITUALISM.--JOHN + RUSKIN.--MRS. BROWNING.--THE RETURN TO AMERICA.--LETTERS TO DR. + HOLMES 343 + + + CHAPTER XVI. + + THE CIVIL WAR, 1860-1865. + + THE OUTBREAK OF CIVIL WAR.--MRS. STOWE'S SON + ENLISTS.--THANKSGIVING DAY IN WASHINGTON.--THE PROCLAMATION OF + EMANCIPATION.--REJOICINGS IN BOSTON.--FRED STOWE AT + GETTYSBURG.--LEAVING ANDOVER AND SETTLING IN HARTFORD.--A REPLY + TO THE WOMEN OF ENGLAND.--LETTERS FROM JOHN BRIGHT, ARCHBISHOP + WHATELY, AND NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE 363 + + + CHAPTER XVII. + + FLORIDA, 1865-1869. + + LETTER TO DUCHESS OF ARGYLL.--MRS. STOWE DESIRES TO HAVE A HOME + AT THE SOUTH.--FLORIDA THE BEST FIELD FOR DOING GOOD.--SHE BUYS + A PLACE AT MANDARIN.--A CHARMING WINTER RESIDENCE.--"PALMETTO + LEAVES."--EASTER SUNDAY AT MANDARIN.--CORRESPONDENCE WITH DR. + HOLMES.--"POGANUC PEOPLE."--RECEPTIONS IN NEW ORLEANS AND + TALLAHASSEE.--LAST WINTER AT MANDARIN 395 + + + CHAPTER XVIII. + + OLDTOWN FOLKS, 1869. + + PROFESSOR STOWE THE ORIGINAL OF "HARRY" IN "OLDTOWN + FOLKS."--PROFESSOR STOWE'S LETTER TO GEORGE ELIOT.--HER REMARKS + ON THE SAME.--PROFESSOR STOWE'S NARRATIVE OF HIS YOUTHFUL + ADVENTURES IN THE WORLD OF SPIRITS.--PROFESSOR STOWE'S INFLUENCE + ON MRS. STOWE'S LITERARY LIFE.--GEORGE ELIOT ON "OLDTOWN FOLKS" 419 + + + CHAPTER XIX. + + THE BYRON CONTROVERSY, 1869-1870. + + MRS. STOWE'S STATEMENT OF HER OWN CASE.--THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER + WHICH SHE FIRST MET LADY BYRON.--LETTERS TO LADY BYRON.--LETTER + TO DR. HOLMES WHEN ABOUT TO PUBLISH "THE TRUE STORY OF LADY + BYRON'S LIFE" IN THE "ATLANTIC."--DR. HOLMES'S REPLY.--THE + CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER 445 + + + CHAPTER XX. + + GEORGE ELIOT. + + CORRESPONDENCE WITH GEORGE ELIOT.--GEORGE ELIOT'S FIRST + IMPRESSIONS OF MRS. STOWE.--MRS. STOWE'S LETTER TO MRS. + FOLLEN.--GEORGE ELIOT'S LETTER TO MRS. STOWE.--MRS. STOWE'S + REPLY.--LIFE IN FLORIDA.--ROBERT DALE OWEN AND MODERN + SPIRITUALISM.--GEORGE ELIOT'S LETTER ON THE PHENOMENA OF + SPIRITUALISM.--MRS. STOWE'S DESCRIPTION OF SCENERY IN + FLORIDA.--MRS. STOWE CONCERNING "MIDDLEMARCH."--GEORGE ELIOT + TO MRS. STOWE DURING REV. H. W. BEECHER'S TRIAL.--MRS. STOWE + CONCERNING HER LIFE EXPERIENCE WITH HER BROTHER, H. W. BEECHER, + AND HIS TRIAL.--MRS. LEWES' LAST LETTER TO MRS. STOWE.--DIVERSE + MENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THESE TWO WOMEN.--MRS. STOWE'S FINAL + ESTIMATE OF MODERN SPIRITUALISM 459 + + + CHAPTER XXI. + + CLOSING SCENES, 1870-1889. + + LITERARY LABORS.--COMPLETE LIST OF PUBLISHED BOOKS.--FIRST + READING TOUR.--PEEPS BEHIND THE CURTAIN.--SOME NEW ENGLAND + CITIES.--A LETTER FROM MAINE.--PLEASANT AND UNPLEASANT + READINGS.--SECOND TOUR.--A WESTERN JOURNEY.--VISIT TO OLD + SCENES.--CELEBRATION OF SEVENTIETH BIRTHDAY.--CONGRATULATORY + POEMS FROM MR. WHITTIER AND DR. HOLMES.--LAST WORDS 489 + + + + +[Illustration] + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. + + + PAGE + PORTRAIT OF MRS. STOWE. From a crayon by Richmond, made in + England in 1853 _Frontispiece_ + + SILVER INKSTAND PRESENTED TO MRS. STOWE BY HER ENGLISH + ADMIRERS IN 1853 xi + + PORTRAIT OF MRS. STOWE'S GRANDMOTHER, ROXANNA FOOTE. From + a miniature painted on ivory by her daughter, Mrs. + Lyman Beecher 6 + + BIRTHPLACE AT LITCHFIELD, CONN.[A] 10 + + PORTRAIT OF CATHERINE E. BEECHER. From a photograph taken in + 1875 30 + + THE HOME AT WALNUT HILLS, CINCINNATI[A] 56 + + PORTRAIT OF HENRY WARD BEECHER. From a photograph by Rockwood, + in 1884 130 + + MANUSCRIPT PAGE OF "UNCLE TOM'S CABIN" (fac-simile) 160 + + THE ANDOVER HOME. From a painting by F. Rondel, in 1860, owned + by Mrs. H. F. Allen 186 + + PORTRAIT OF LYMAN BEECHER, AT THE AGE OF EIGHTY-SEVEN. From a + painting owned by the Boston Congregational Club 264 + + PORTRAIT OF THE DUCHESS OF SUTHERLAND. From an engraving + presented to Mrs. Stowe 318 + + THE OLD HOME AT HARTFORD 374 + + THE HOME AT MANDARIN, FLORIDA 402 + + PORTRAIT OF CALVIN ELLIS STOWE. From a photograph taken in 1882 422 + + PORTRAIT OF MRS. STOWE. From a photograph by Ritz and Hastings, + in 1884 470 + + THE LATER HARTFORD HOME 508 + +FOOTNOTE: + +[A] From recent photographs and from views in the Autobiography of +Lyman Beecher, published by Messrs. Harper & Brothers. + + + + +LIFE AND LETTERS OF HARRIET BEECHER STOWE. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +CHILDHOOD, 1811-1824. + + DEATH OF HER MOTHER.--FIRST JOURNEY FROM HOME.--LIFE + AT NUT PLAINS.--SCHOOL DAYS AND HOURS WITH FAVORITE + AUTHORS.--THE NEW MOTHER.--LITCHFIELD ACADEMY AND ITS + INFLUENCE.--FIRST LITERARY EFFORTS.--A REMARKABLE + COMPOSITION.--GOES TO HARTFORD. + + +HARRIET BEECHER (STOWE) was born June 14, 1811, in the characteristic +New England town of Litchfield, Conn. Her father was the Rev. Dr. Lyman +Beecher, a distinguished Calvinistic divine, her mother Roxanna Foote, +his first wife. The little new-comer was ushered into a household of +happy, healthy children, and found five brothers and sisters awaiting +her. The eldest was Catherine, born September 6, 1800. Following her +were two sturdy boys, William and Edward; then came Mary, then George, +and at last Harriet. Another little Harriet born three years before had +died when only one month old, and the fourth daughter was named, in +memory of this sister, Harriet Elizabeth Beecher. Just two years after +Harriet was born, in the same month, another brother, Henry Ward, was +welcomed to the family circle, and after him came Charles, the last of +Roxanna Beecher's children. + +The first memorable incident of Harriet's life was the death of her +mother, which occurred when she was four years old, and which ever +afterwards remained with her as the tenderest, saddest, and most sacred +memory of her childhood. Mrs. Stowe's recollections of her mother are +found in a letter to her brother Charles, afterwards published in the +"Autobiography and Correspondence of Lyman Beecher." She says:-- + +"I was between three and four years of age when our mother died, and +my personal recollections of her are therefore but few. But the deep +interest and veneration that she inspired in all who knew her were such +that during all my childhood I was constantly hearing her spoken of, +and from one friend or another some incident or anecdote of her life +was constantly being impressed upon me. + +"Mother was one of those strong, restful, yet widely sympathetic +natures in whom all around seemed to find comfort and repose. The +communion between her and my father was a peculiar one. It was an +intimacy throughout the whole range of their being. There was no human +mind in whose decisions he had greater confidence. Both intellectually +and morally he regarded her as the better and stronger portion of +himself, and I remember hearing him say that after her death his first +sensation was a sort of terror, like that of a child suddenly shut out +alone in the dark. + +"In my own childhood only two incidents of my mother twinkle like rays +through the darkness. One was of our all running and dancing out before +her from the nursery to the sitting-room one Sabbath morning, and her +pleasant voice saying after us, 'Remember the Sabbath day to keep it +holy, children.' + +"Another remembrance is this: mother was an enthusiastic horticulturist +in all the small ways that limited means allowed. Her brother John +in New York had just sent her a small parcel of fine tulip-bulbs. I +remember rummaging these out of an obscure corner of the nursery one +day when she was gone out, and being strongly seized with the idea that +they were good to eat, using all the little English I then possessed +to persuade my brothers that these were onions such as grown people +ate and would be very nice for us. So we fell to and devoured the +whole, and I recollect being somewhat disappointed in the odd sweetish +taste, and thinking that onions were not so nice as I had supposed. +Then mother's serene face appeared at the nursery door and we all ran +towards her, telling with one voice of our discovery and achievement. +We had found a bag of onions and had eaten them all up. + +"Also I remember that there was not even a momentary expression of +impatience, but that she sat down and said, 'My dear children, what you +have done makes mamma very sorry. Those were not onions but roots of +beautiful flowers, and if you had let them alone we should have next +summer in the garden great beautiful red and yellow flowers such as you +never saw.' I remember how drooping and dispirited we all grew at this +picture, and how sadly we regarded the empty paper bag. + +"Then I have a recollection of her reading aloud to the children Miss +Edgeworth's 'Frank,' which had just come out, I believe, and was +exciting a good deal of attention among the educational circles of +Litchfield. After that came a time when every one said she was sick, +and I used to be permitted to go once a day into her room, where she +sat bolstered up in bed. I have a vision of a very fair face with a +bright red spot on each cheek and her quiet smile. I remember dreaming +one night that mamma had got well, and of waking with loud transports +of joy that were hushed down by some one who came into the room. My +dream was indeed a true one. She was forever well. + +"Then came the funeral. Henry was too little to go. I can see his +golden curls and little black frock as he frolicked in the sun like a +kitten, full of ignorant joy. + +"I recollect the mourning dresses, the tears of the older children, the +walking to the burial-ground, and somebody's speaking at the grave. +Then all was closed, and we little ones, to whom it was so confused, +asked where she was gone and would she never come back. + +"They told us at one time that she had been laid in the ground, and at +another that she had gone to heaven. Thereupon Henry, putting the two +things together, resolved to dig through the ground and go to heaven +to find her; for being discovered under sister Catherine's window one +morning digging with great zeal and earnestness, she called to him to +know what he was doing. Lifting his curly head, he answered with great +simplicity, 'Why, I'm going to heaven to find mamma.' + +"Although our mother's bodily presence thus disappeared from our +circle, I think her memory and example had more influence in moulding +her family, in deterring from evil and exciting to good, than +the living presence of many mothers. It was a memory that met us +everywhere, for every person in the town, from the highest to the +lowest, seemed to have been so impressed by her character and life that +they constantly reflected some portion of it back upon us. + +"The passage in 'Uncle Tom' where Augustine St. Clare describes +his mother's influence is a simple reproduction of my own mother's +influence as it has always been felt in her family." + +Of his deceased wife Dr. Beecher said: "Few women have attained to +more remarkable piety. Her faith was strong and her prayer prevailing. +It was her wish that all her sons should devote themselves to the +ministry, and to it she consecrated them with fervent prayer. Her +prayers have been heard. All her sons have been converted and are now, +according to her wish, ministers of Christ." + +Such was Roxanna Beecher, whose influence upon her four-year-old +daughter was strong enough to mould the whole after-life of the author +of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." After the mother's death the Litchfield home +was such a sad, lonely place for the child that her aunt, Harriet +Foote, took her away for a long visit at her grandmother's at Nut +Plains, near Guilford, Conn., the first journey from home the little +one had ever made. Of this visit Mrs. Stowe herself says:-- + +"Among my earliest recollections are those of a visit to Nut Plains +immediately after my mother's death. Aunt Harriet Foote, who was with +mother during all her last sickness, took me home to stay with her. +At the close of what seemed to me a long day's ride we arrived after +dark at a lonely little white farmhouse, and were ushered into a large +parlor where a cheerful wood fire was crackling. I was placed in the +arms of an old lady, who held me close and wept silently, a thing at +which I marveled, for my great loss was already faded from my childish +mind. + +[Illustration: _Roxanna Foote_] + +"I remember being put to bed by my aunt in a large room, on one side +of which stood the bed appropriated to her and me, and on the other +that of my grandmother. My aunt Harriet was no common character. A more +energetic human being never undertook the education of a child. Her +ideas of education were those of a vigorous English woman of the old +school. She believed in the Church, and had she been born under that +_regime_ would have believed in the king stoutly, although being of the +generation following the Revolution she was a not less stanch supporter +of the Declaration of Independence. + +"According to her views little girls were to be taught to move very +gently, to speak softly and prettily, to say 'yes ma'am,' and 'no +ma'am,' never to tear their clothes, to sew, to knit at regular hours, +to go to church on Sunday and make all the responses, and to come home +and be catechised. + +"During these catechisings she used to place my little cousin Mary +and myself bolt upright at her knee, while black Dinah and Harry, the +bound boy, were ranged at a respectful distance behind us; for Aunt +Harriet always impressed it upon her servants 'to order themselves +lowly and reverently to all their betters,' a portion of the Church +catechism that always pleased me, particularly when applied to them, as +it insured their calling me 'Miss Harriet,' and treating me with a +degree of consideration such as I never enjoyed in the more democratic +circle at home. I became proficient in the Church catechism, and gave +my aunt great satisfaction by the old-fashioned gravity and steadiness +with which I learned to repeat it. + +"As my father was a Congregational minister, I believe Aunt Harriet, +though the highest of High Church women, felt some scruples as +to whether it was desirable that my religious education should +be entirely out of the sphere of my birth. Therefore when this +catechetical exercise was finished she would say, 'Now, niece, you +have to learn another catechism, because your father is a Presbyterian +minister,'--and then she would endeavor to make me commit to memory the +Assembly catechism. + +"At this lengthening of exercise I secretly murmured. I was rather +pleased at the first question in the Church catechism, which is +certainly quite on the level of any child's understanding,--'What is +your name?' It was such an easy good start, I could say it so loud and +clear, and I was accustomed to compare it with the first question in +the Primer, 'What is the chief end of man?' as vastly more difficult +for me to answer. In fact, between my aunt's secret unbelief and my own +childish impatience of too much catechism, the matter was indefinitely +postponed after a few ineffectual attempts, and I was overjoyed to hear +her announce privately to grandmother that she thought it would be time +enough for Harriet to learn the Presbyterian catechism when she went +home." + +Mingled with this superabundance of catechism and plentiful needlework +the child was treated to copious extracts from Lowth's Isaiah, +Buchanan's Researches in Asia, Bishop Heber's Life, and Dr. Johnson's +Works, which, after her Bible and Prayer Book, were her grandmother's +favorite reading. Harriet does not seem to have fully appreciated +these; but she did enjoy her grandmother's comments upon their biblical +readings. Among the Evangelists especially was the old lady perfectly +at home, and her idea of each of the apostles was so distinct and +dramatic that she spoke of them as of familiar acquaintances. She +would, for instance, always smile indulgently at Peter's remarks and +say, "There he is again, now; that's just like Peter. He's always so +ready to put in." + +It must have been during this winter spent at Nut Plains, amid such +surroundings, that Harriet began committing to memory that wonderful +assortment of hymns, poems, and scriptural passages from which in after +years she quoted so readily and effectively, for her sister Catherine, +in writing of her the following November, says:-- + +"Harriet is a very good girl. She has been to school all this summer, +and has learned to read very fluently. She has committed to memory +twenty-seven hymns and two long chapters in the Bible. She has a +remarkably retentive memory and will make a very good scholar." + +At this time the child was five years old, and a regular attendant +at "Ma'am Kilbourne's" school on West Street, to which she walked +every day hand in hand with her chubby, rosy-faced, bare-footed, +four-year-old brother, Henry Ward. With the ability to read germinated +the intense literary longing that was to be hers through life. In +those days but few books were specially prepared for children, and +at six years of age we find the little girl hungrily searching for +mental food amid barrels of old sermons and pamphlets stored in a +corner of the garret. Here it seemed to her were some thousands of the +most unintelligible things. "An appeal on the unlawfulness of a man +marrying his wife's sister" turned up in every barrel she investigated, +by twos, or threes, or dozens, till her soul despaired of finding an +end. At last her patient search was rewarded, for at the very bottom +of a barrel of musty sermons she discovered an ancient volume of +"The Arabian Nights." With this her fortune was made, for in these +most fascinating of fairy tales the imaginative child discovered a +well-spring of joy that was all her own. When things went astray with +her, when her brothers started off on long excursions, refusing to take +her with them, or in any other childish sorrow, she had only to curl +herself up in some snug corner and sail forth on her bit of enchanted +carpet into fairyland to forget all her griefs. + +In recalling her own child-life Mrs. Stowe, among other things, +describes her father's library, and gives a vivid bit of her own +experiences within its walls. She says: "High above all the noise of +the house, this room had to me the air of a refuge and a sanctuary. Its +walls were set round from floor to ceiling with the friendly, quiet +faces of books, and there stood my father's great writing-chair, on one +arm of which lay open always his Cruden's Concordance and his Bible. +Here I loved to retreat and niche myself down in a quiet corner with my +favorite books around me. I had a kind of sheltered feeling as I thus +sat and watched my father writing, turning to his books, and speaking +from time to time to himself in a loud, earnest whisper. I vaguely felt +that he was about some holy and mysterious work quite beyond my little +comprehension, and I was careful never to disturb him by question or +remark. + +[Illustration: BIRTHPLACE AT LITCHFIELD, CONNECTICUT.] + +"The books ranged around filled me too with a solemn awe. On the +lower shelves were enormous folios, on whose backs I spelled in black +letters, 'Lightfoot Opera,' a title whereat I wondered, considering +the bulk of the volumes. Above these, grouped along in friendly, +social rows, were books of all sorts, sizes, and bindings, the titles +of which I had read so often that I knew them by heart. There were +Bell's Sermons, Bonnett's Inquiries, Bogue's Essays, Toplady on +Predestination, Boston's Fourfold State, Law's Serious Call, and other +works of that kind. These I looked over wistfully, day after day, +without even a hope of getting something interesting out of them. The +thought that father could read and understand things like these filled +me with a vague awe, and I wondered if I would ever be old enough to +know what it was all about. + +"But there was one of my father's books that proved a mine of wealth +to me. It was a happy hour when he brought home and set up in his +bookcase Cotton Mather's 'Magnalia,' in a new edition of two volumes. +What wonderful stories those! Stories too about my own country. Stories +that made me feel the very ground I trod on to be consecrated by some +special dealing of God's Providence." + +In continuing these reminiscences Mrs. Stowe describes as follows her +sensations upon first hearing the Declaration of Independence: "I +had never heard it before, and even now had but a vague idea of what +was meant by some parts of it. Still I gathered enough from the recital +of the abuses and injuries that had driven my nation to this course to +feel myself swelling with indignation, and ready with all my little +mind and strength to applaud the concluding passage, which Colonel +Talmadge rendered with resounding majesty. I was as ready as any of +them to pledge my life, fortune, and sacred honor for such a cause. +The heroic element was strong in me, having come down by ordinary +generation from a long line of Puritan ancestry, and just now it made +me long to do something, I knew not what: to fight for my country, or +to make some declaration on my own account." + +When Harriet was nearly six years old her father married as his second +wife Miss Harriet Porter of Portland, Maine, and Mrs. Stowe thus +describes her new mother: "I slept in the nursery with my two younger +brothers. We knew that father was gone away somewhere on a journey +and was expected home, therefore the sound of a bustle in the house +the more easily awoke us. As father came into our room our new mother +followed him. She was very fair, with bright blue eyes, and soft auburn +hair bound round with a black velvet bandeau, and to us she seemed very +beautiful. + +"Never did stepmother make a prettier or sweeter impression. The +morning following her arrival we looked at her with awe. She seemed to +us so fair, so delicate, so elegant, that we were almost afraid to go +near her. We must have appeared to her as rough, red-faced, country +children, honest, obedient, and bashful. She was peculiarly dainty +and neat in all her ways and arrangements, and I used to feel breezy, +rough, and rude in her presence. + +"In her religion she was distinguished for a most unfaltering +Christ-worship. She was of a type noble but severe, naturally hard, +correct, exact and exacting, with intense natural and moral ideality. +Had it not been that Doctor Payson had set up and kept before her a +tender, human, loving Christ, she would have been only a conscientious +bigot. This image, however, gave softness and warmth to her religious +life, and I have since noticed how her Christ-enthusiasm has sprung up +in the hearts of all her children." + +In writing to her old home of her first impressions of her new one, +Mrs. Beecher says: "It is a very lovely family, and with heartfelt +gratitude I observed how cheerful and healthy they were. The sentiment +is greatly increased, since I perceive them to be of agreeable habits +and some of them of uncommon intellect." + +This new mother proved to be indeed all that the name implies to her +husband's children, and never did they have occasion to call her aught +other than blessed. + +Another year finds a new baby brother, Frederick by name, added to +the family. At this time too we catch a characteristic glimpse of +Harriet in one of her sister Catherine's letters. She says: "Last week +we interred Tom junior with funeral honors by the side of old Tom of +happy memory. Our Harriet is chief mourner always at their funerals. +She asked for what she called an _epithet_ for the gravestone of Tom +junior, which I gave as follows:-- + + "Here lies our Kit, + Who had a fit, + And acted queer, + Shot with a gun, + Her race is run, + And she lies here." + +In June, 1820, little Frederick died from scarlet fever, and Harriet +was seized with a violent attack of the same dread disease; but, after +a severe struggle, recovered. + +Following her happy, hearty child-life, we find her tramping through +the woods or going on fishing excursions with her brothers, sitting +thoughtfully in her father's study, listening eagerly to the animated +theological discussions of the day, visiting her grandmother at Nut +Plains, and figuring as one of the brightest scholars in the Litchfield +Academy, taught by Mr. John Brace and Miss Pierce. When she was eleven +years old her brother Edward wrote of her: "Harriet reads everything +she can lay hands on, and sews and knits diligently." + +At this time she was no longer the youngest girl of the family, for +another sister (Isabella) had been born in 1822. This event served +greatly to mature her, as she was intrusted with much of the care of +the baby out of school hours. It was not, however, allowed to interfere +in any way with her studies, and, under the skillful direction of her +beloved teachers, she seemed to absorb knowledge with every sense. +She herself writes: "Much of the training and inspiration of my early +days consisted not in the things that I was supposed to be studying, +but in hearing, while seated unnoticed at my desk, the conversation +of Mr. Brace with the older classes. There, from hour to hour, I +listened with eager ears to historical criticisms and discussions, +or to recitations in such works as Paley's Moral Philosophy, Blair's +Rhetoric, Allison on Taste, all full of most awakening suggestions to +my thoughts. + +"Mr. Brace exceeded all teachers I ever knew in the faculty of teaching +composition. The constant excitement in which he kept the minds of his +pupils, the wide and varied regions of thought into which he led them, +formed a preparation for composition, the main requisite for which is +to have something which one feels interested to say." + +In her tenth year Harriet began what to her was the fascinating work +of writing compositions, and so rapidly did she progress that at the +school exhibition held when she was twelve years old, hers was one of +the two or three essays selected to be read aloud before the august +assembly of visitors attracted by the occasion. + +Of this event Mrs. Stowe writes: "I remember well the scene at that +exhibition, to me so eventful. The hall was crowded with all the +literati of Litchfield. Before them all our compositions were read +aloud. When mine was read I noticed that father, who was sitting on +high by Mr. Brace, brightened and looked interested, and at the close +I heard him ask, 'Who wrote that composition?' 'Your daughter, sir,' +was the answer. It was the proudest moment of my life. There was no +mistaking father's face when he was pleased, and to have interested him +was past all juvenile triumphs." + +That composition has been carefully preserved, and on the old yellow +sheets the cramped childish handwriting is still distinctly legible. +As the first literary production of one who afterwards attained such +distinction as a writer, it is deemed of sufficient value and interest +to be embodied in this biography exactly as it was written and read +sixty-five years ago. The subject was certainly a grave one to be +handled by a child of twelve. + + +CAN THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL BE PROVED BY THE LIGHT OF NATURE? + + It has justly been concluded by the philosophers + of every age that "The proper study of mankind is + man," and his nature and composition, both physical + and mental, have been subjects of the most critical + examination. In the course of these researches many + have been at a loss to account for the change which + takes place in the body at the time of death. By some + it has been attributed to the flight of its tenant, and + by others to its final annihilation. + + The questions, "What becomes of the soul at the time + of death?" and, if it be not annihilated, "What is + its destiny after death?" are those which, from the + interest that we all feel in them, will probably + engross universal attention. + + In pursuing these inquiries it will be necessary to + divest ourselves of all that knowledge which we have + obtained from the light which revelation has shed over + them, and place ourselves in the same position as the + philosophers of past ages when considering the same + subject. + + The first argument which has been advanced to prove + the immortality of the soul is drawn from the nature + of the mind itself. It has (say the supporters of + this theory) no composition of parts, and therefore, + as there are no particles, is not susceptible of + divisibility and cannot be acted upon by decay, and + therefore if it will not decay it will exist forever. + + Now because the mind is not susceptible of decay + effected in the ordinary way by a gradual separation of + particles, affords no proof that that same omnipotent + power which created it cannot by another simple + exertion of power again reduce it to nothing. The only + reason for belief which this argument affords is that + the soul cannot be acted upon by decay. But it does not + prove that it cannot destroy its existence. Therefore, + for the validity of this argument, it must either be + proved that the "Creator" has not the power to destroy + it, or that he has not the will; but as neither of + these can be established, our immortality is left + dependent on the pleasure of the Creator. But it is + said that it is evident that the Creator designed the + soul for immortality, or he would never have created it + so essentially different from the body, for had they + both been designed for the same end they would both + have been created alike, as there would have been no + object in forming them otherwise. This only proves that + the soul and body had not the same destinations. Now + of what these destinations are we know nothing, and + after much useless reasoning we return where we began, + our argument depending upon the good pleasure of the + Creator. + + And here it is said that a being of such infinite + wisdom and benevolence as that of which the Creator is + possessed would not have formed man with such vast + capacities and boundless desires, and would have given + him no opportunity for exercising them. + + In order to establish the validity of this argument it + is necessary to prove by the light of Nature that the + Creator _is_ benevolent, which, being impracticable, is + of itself sufficient to render the argument invalid. + + But the argument proceeds upon the supposition that + to destroy the soul would be unwise. Now this is + arraigning the "All-wise" before the tribunal of his + subjects to answer for the mistakes in his government. + Can we look into the council of the "Unsearchable" and + see what means are made to answer their ends? We do + not know but the destruction of the soul may, in the + government of God, be made to answer such a purpose + that its existence would be contrary to the dictates of + wisdom. + + The great desire of the soul for immortality, its + secret, innate horror of annihilation, has been brought + to prove its immortality. But do we always find this + horror or this desire? Is it not much more evident + that the great majority of mankind have no such dread + at all? True that there is a strong feeling of horror + excited by the idea of perishing from the earth and + being forgotten, of losing all those honors and all + that fame awaited them. Many feel this secret horror + when they look down upon the vale of futurity and + reflect that though now the idols of the world, soon + all which will be left them will be the common portion + of mankind--oblivion! But this dread does not arise + from any idea of their destiny beyond the tomb, and + even were this true, it would afford no proof that + the mind would exist forever, merely from its strong + desires. For it might with as much correctness be + argued that the body will exist forever because we have + a great dread of dying, and upon this principle nothing + which we strongly desire would ever be withheld from + us, and no evil that we greatly dread will ever come + upon us, a principle evidently false. + + Again, it has been said that the constant progression + of the powers of the mind affords another proof of its + immortality. Concerning this, Addison remarks, "Were a + human soul ever thus at a stand in her acquirements, + were her faculties to be full blown and incapable of + further enlargement, I could imagine that she might + fall away insensibly and drop at once into a state + of annihilation. But can we believe a thinking being + that is in a perpetual progress of improvement, and + traveling on from perfection to perfection after having + just looked abroad into the works of her Creator and + made a few discoveries of his infinite wisdom and + goodness, must perish at her first setting out and in + the very beginning of her inquiries?" + + In answer to this it may be said that the soul is not + always progressing in her powers. Is it not rather a + subject of general remark that those brilliant talents + which in youth expand, in manhood become stationary, + and in old age gradually sink to decay? Till when the + ancient man descends to the tomb scarce a wreck of that + once powerful mind remains. + + Who, but upon reading the history of England, does not + look with awe upon the effects produced by the talents + of her Elizabeth? Who but admires that undaunted + firmness in time of peace and that profound depth + of policy which she displayed in the cabinet? Yet + behold the tragical end of this learned, this politic + princess! Behold the triumphs of age and sickness + over her once powerful talents, and say not that the + faculties of man are always progressing in their powers. + + From the activity of the mind at the hour of death has + also been deduced its immortality. But it is not true + that the mind is always active at the time of death. We + find recorded in history numberless instances of those + talents, which were once adequate to the government of + a nation, being so weakened and palsied by the touch + of sickness as scarcely to tell to beholders what they + once were. The talents of the statesman, the wisdom of + the sage, the courage and might of the warrior, are + instantly destroyed by it, and all that remains of them + is the waste of idiocy or the madness of insanity. + + Some minds there are who at the time of death retain + their faculties though much impaired, and if the + argument be valid these are the only cases where + immortality is conferred. Again, it is urged that the + inequality of rewards and punishments in this world + demand another in which virtue may be rewarded and vice + punished. This argument, in the first place, takes + for its foundation that by the light of nature the + distinction between virtue and vice can be discovered. + By some this is absolutely disbelieved, and by all + considered as extremely doubtful. And, secondly, it + puts the Creator under an obligation to reward and + punish the actions of his creatures. No such obligation + exists, and therefore the argument cannot be valid. And + this supposes the Creator to be a being of justice, + which cannot by the light of nature be proved, and + as the whole argument rests upon this foundation it + certainly cannot be correct. + + This argument also directly impeaches the wisdom of the + Creator, for the sense of it is this,--that, forasmuch + as he was not able to manage his government in this + world, he must have another in which to rectify the + mistakes and oversights of this, and what an idea would + this give us of our All-wise Creator? + + It is also said that all nations have some conceptions + of a future state, that the ancient Greeks and Romans + believed in it, that no nation has been found but have + possessed some idea of a future state of existence. + But their belief arose more from the fact that they + wished it to be so than from any real ground of belief; + for arguments appear much more plausible when the mind + wishes to be convinced. But it is said that every + nation, however circumstanced, possess some idea of + a future state. For this we may account by the fact + that it was handed down by tradition from the time of + the flood. From all these arguments, which, however + plausible at first sight, are found to be futile, may + be argued the necessity of a revelation. Without it, + the destiny of the noblest of the works of God would + have been left in obscurity. Never till the blessed + light of the Gospel dawned on the borders of the pit, + and the heralds of the Cross proclaimed "Peace on earth + and good will to men," was it that bewildered and + misled man was enabled to trace his celestial origin + and glorious destiny. + + The sun of the Gospel has dispelled the darkness that + has rested on objects beyond the tomb. In the Gospel + man learned that when the dust returned to dust the + spirit fled to the God who gave it. He there found + that though man has lost the image of his divine + Creator, he is still destined, after this earthly house + of his tabernacle is dissolved, to an inheritance + incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, to + a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. + +Soon after the writing of this remarkable composition, Harriet's +child-life in Litchfield came to an end, for that same year she went +to Hartford to pursue her studies in a school which had been recently +established by her sister Catherine in that city. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +SCHOOL DAYS IN HARTFORD, 1824-1832. + + MISS CATHERINE BEECHER.--PROFESSOR FISHER.--THE WRECK + OF THE ALBION AND DEATH OF PROFESSOR FISHER.--"THE + MINISTER'S WOOING."--MISS CATHERINE BEECHER'S SPIRITUAL + HISTORY.--MRS. STOWE'S RECOLLECTIONS OF HER SCHOOL + DAYS IN HARTFORD.--HER CONVERSION.--UNITES WITH THE + FIRST CHURCH IN HARTFORD.--HER DOUBTS AND SUBSEQUENT + RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT.--HER FINAL PEACE. + + +THE school days in Hartford began a new era in Harriet's life. It was +the formative period, and it is therefore important to say a few words +concerning her sister Catherine, under whose immediate supervision she +was to continue her education. In fact, no one can comprehend either +Mrs. Stowe or her writings without some knowledge of the life and +character of this remarkable woman, whose strong, vigorous mind and +tremendous personality indelibly stamped themselves on the sensitive, +yielding, dreamy, and poetic nature of the younger sister. Mrs. Stowe +herself has said that the two persons who most strongly influenced +her at this period of her life were her brother Edward and her sister +Catherine. + +Catherine was the oldest child of Lyman Beecher and Roxanna Foote, his +wife. In a little battered journal found among her papers is a short +sketch of her life, written when she was seventy-six years of age. +In a tremulous hand she begins: "I was born at East Hampton, L. I., +September 5, 1800, at 5 P. M., in the large parlor opposite father's +study. Don't remember much about it myself." The sparkle of wit in this +brief notice of the circumstances of her birth is very characteristic. +All through her life little ripples of fun were continually playing on +the surface of that current of intense thought and feeling in which her +deep, earnest nature flowed. + +When she was ten years of age her father removed to Litchfield, Conn., +and her happy girlhood was passed in that place. Her bright and +versatile mind and ready wit enabled her to pass brilliantly through +her school days with but little mental exertion, and those who knew +her slightly might have imagined her to be only a bright, thoughtless, +light-hearted girl. In Boston, at the age of twenty, she took lessons +in music and drawing, and became so proficient in these branches as +to secure a position as teacher in a young ladies' school, kept by +a Rev. Mr. Judd, an Episcopal clergyman, at New London, Conn. About +this time she formed the acquaintance of Professor Alexander Metcalf +Fisher, of Yale College, one of the most distinguished young men in +New England. In January of the year 1822 they became engaged, and the +following spring Professor Fisher sailed for Europe to purchase books +and scientific apparatus for the use of his department in the college. + +In his last letter to Miss Beecher, dated March 31, 1822, he writes:-- + +"I set out at 10 precisely to-morrow, in the Albion for Liverpool; the +ship has no superior in the whole number of excellent vessels belonging +to this port, and Captain Williams is regarded as first on their list +of commanders. The accommodations are admirable--fare $140. Unless our +ship should speak some one bound to America on the passage, you will +probably not hear from me under two months." + +Before two months had passed came vague rumors of a terrible shipwreck +on the coast of Ireland. Then the tidings that the Albion was lost. +Then came a letter from Mr. Pond, at Kinsale, Ireland, dated May 2, +1822:-- + +"You have doubtless heard of the shipwreck of the Albion packet of New +York, bound to Liverpool. It was a melancholy shipwreck. It happened +about four o'clock on the morning of the 22d of April. Professor +Fisher, of Yale College, was one of the passengers. Out of twenty-three +cabin passengers, but one reached the shore. He is a Mr. Everhart, +of Chester County, Pennsylvania. He informs me that Professor Fisher +was injured by things that fetched away in the cabin at the time the +ship was knocked down. This was between 8 and 9 o'clock in the evening +of the twenty-first. Mr. Fisher, though badly bruised, was calm and +resolute, and assisted Captain Williams by taking the injured compass +to his berth and repairing it. About five minutes before the vessel +struck Captain Williams informed the passengers of their danger, and +all went on deck except Professor Fisher, who remained sitting in his +berth. Mr. Everhart was the last person who left the cabin, and the +last who ever saw Professor Fisher alive." + +I should not have spoken of this incident of family history with +such minuteness, except for the fact that it is so much a part of +Mrs. Stowe's life as to make it impossible to understand either +her character or her most important works without it. Without this +incident "The Minister's Wooing" never would have been written, for +both Mrs. Marvyn's terrible soul struggles and old Candace's direct +and effective solution of all religious difficulties find their origin +in this stranded, storm-beaten ship on the coast of Ireland, and the +terrible mental conflicts through which her sister afterward passed, +for she believed Professor Fisher eternally lost. No mind more directly +and powerfully influenced Harriet's than that of her sister Catherine, +unless it was her brother Edward's, and that which acted with such +overwhelming power on the strong, unyielding mind of the older sister +must have, in time, a permanent and abiding influence on the mind of +the younger. + +After Professor Fisher's death his books came into Miss Beecher's +possession, and among them was a complete edition of Scott's works. It +was an epoch in the family history when Doctor Beecher came down-stairs +one day with a copy of "Ivanhoe" in his hand, and said: "I have always +said that my children should not read novels, but they must read these." + +The two years following the death of Professor Fisher were passed by +Miss Catherine Beecher at Franklin, Mass., at the home of Professor +Fisher's parents, where she taught his two sisters, studied mathematics +with his brother Willard, and listened to Doctor Emmons' fearless +and pitiless preaching. Hers was a mind too strong and buoyant to be +crushed and prostrated by that which would have driven a weaker and +less resolute nature into insanity. Of her it may well be said:-- + + "She faced the spectres of the mind + And laid them, thus she came at length + To find a stronger faith her own." + +Gifted naturally with a capacity for close metaphysical analysis and a +robust fearlessness in following her premises to a logical conclusion, +she arrived at results startling and original, if not always of +permanent value. + +In 1840 she published in the "Biblical Repository" an article on Free +Agency, which has been acknowledged by competent critics as the ablest +refutation of Edwards on "The Will" which has appeared. An amusing +incident connected with this publication may not be out of place here. +A certain eminent theological professor of New England, visiting a +distinguished German theologian and speaking of this production, said: +"The ablest refutation of Edwards on 'The Will' which was ever written +is the work of a woman, the daughter of Dr. Lyman Beecher." The worthy +Teuton raised both hands in undisguised astonishment. "You have a woman +that can write an able refutation of Edwards on 'The Will'? God forgive +Christopher Columbus for discovering America!" + +Not finding herself able to love a God whom she thought of in her own +language as "a perfectly happy being, unmoved by my sorrows or tears, +and looking upon me only with dislike and aversion," she determined "to +find happiness in living to do good." "It was right to pray and read +the Bible, so I prayed and read. It was right to try to save others, +so I labored for their salvation. I never had any fear of punishment +or hope of reward all these years." She was tormented with doubts. +"What has the Son of God done which the meanest and most selfish +creature upon earth would not have done? After making such a wretched +race and placing them in such disastrous circumstances, somehow, +without any sorrow or trouble, Jesus Christ had a human nature that +suffered and died. If something else besides ourselves will do all the +suffering, who would not save millions of wretched beings and receive +all the honor and gratitude without any of the trouble? Sometimes when +such thoughts passed through my mind, I felt that it was all pride, +rebellion, and sin." + +So she struggles on, sometimes floundering deep in the mire of doubt, +and then lifted for the moment above it by her naturally buoyant +spirits, and general tendency to look on the bright side of things. In +this condition of mind, she came to Hartford in the winter of 1824, +and began a school with eight scholars, and it was in the practical +experience of teaching that she found a final solution of all her +difficulties. She continues:-- + +"After two or three years I commenced giving instruction in mental +philosophy, and at the same time began a regular course of lectures +and instructions from the Bible, and was much occupied with plans for +governing my school, and in devising means to lead my pupils to become +obedient, amiable, and pious. By degrees I finally arrived at the +following principles in the government of my school:-- + +"First. It is indispensable that my scholars should feel that I am +sincerely and deeply interested in their best happiness, and the more I +can convince them of this, the more ready will be their obedience. + +"Second. The preservation of authority and order depends upon the +certainty that unpleasant consequences to themselves will inevitably be +the result of doing wrong. + +"Third. It is equally necessary, to preserve my own influence and their +affection, that they should feel that punishment is the natural result +of wrong-doing in such a way that they shall regard themselves, instead +of me, as the cause of their punishment. + +"Fourth. It is indispensable that my scholars should see that my +requisitions are reasonable. In the majority of cases this can be +shown, and in this way such confidence will be the result that they +will trust to my judgment and knowledge, in cases where no explanation +can be given. + +"Fifth. The more I can make my scholars feel that I am actuated by a +spirit of self-denying benevolence, the more confidence they will feel +in me, and the more they will be inclined to submit to self-denying +duties for the good of others. + +"After a while I began to compare my experience with the government of +God. I finally got through the whole subject, and drew out the results, +and found that all my difficulties were solved and all my darkness +dispelled." + +Her solution in brief is nothing more than that view of the divine +nature which was for so many years preached by her brother, Henry Ward +Beecher, and set forth in the writings of her sister Harriet,--the +conception of a being of infinite love, patience, and kindness who +suffers with man. The sufferings of Christ on the cross were not the +sufferings of his human nature merely, but the sufferings of the +divine nature in Him. In Christ we see the only revelation of God, and +that is the revelation of one that suffers. This is the fundamental +idea in "The Minister's Wooing," and it is the idea of God in which the +storm-tossed soul of the older sister at last found rest. All this was +directly opposed to that fundamental principle of theologians that God, +being the infinitely perfect Being, cannot suffer, because suffering +indicates imperfection. To Miss Beecher's mind the lack of ability to +suffer with his suffering creatures was a more serious imperfection. +Let the reader turn to the twenty-fourth chapter of "The Minister's +Wooing" for a complete presentation of this subject, especially the +passage that begins, "Sorrow is divine: sorrow is reigning on the +throne of the universe." + +In the fall of the year 1824, while her sister Catherine was passing +through the soul crisis which we have been describing, Harriet came to +the school that she had recently established. + +In a letter to her son written in 1886, speaking of this period of her +life, Mrs. Stowe says: "Somewhere between my twelfth and thirteenth +year I was placed under the care of my elder sister Catherine, in the +school that she had just started in Hartford, Connecticut. When I +entered the school there were not more than twenty-five scholars in it, +but it afterwards numbered its pupils by the hundreds. The school-room +was on Main Street, nearly opposite Christ Church, over Sheldon & +Colton's harness store, at the sign of the two white horses. I never +shall forget the pleasure and surprise which these two white horses +produced in my mind when I first saw them. One of the young men who +worked in the rear of the harness store had a most beautiful tenor +voice, and it was my delight to hear him singing in school hours:-- + +[Illustration: Catherine E. Beecher] + + 'When in cold oblivion's shade + Beauty, wealth, and power are laid, + When, around the sculptured shrine, + Moss shall cling and ivy twine, + Where immortal spirits reign, + There shall we all meet again.' + +"As my father's salary was inadequate to the wants of his large family, +the expense of my board in Hartford was provided for by a species of +exchange. Mr. Isaac D. Bull sent a daughter to Miss Pierce's seminary +in Litchfield, and she boarded in my father's family in exchange for +my board in her father's family. If my good, refined, neat, particular +stepmother could have chosen, she could not have found a family more +exactly suited to her desires. The very soul of neatness and order +pervaded the whole establishment. Mr. I. D. Bull was a fine, vigorous, +white-haired man on the declining slope of life, but full of energy +and of kindness. Mr. Samuel Collins, a neighbor who lived next door, +used to frequently come in and make most impressive and solemn calls on +Miss Mary Anne Bull, who was a brunette and a celebrated beauty of the +day. I well remember her long raven curls falling from the comb that +held them up on the top of her head. She had a rich soprano voice, and +was the leading singer in the Centre Church choir. The two brothers +also had fine, manly voices, and the family circle was often enlivened +by quartette singing and flute playing. Mr. Bull kept a very large +wholesale drug store on Front Street, in which his two sons, Albert +and James, were clerks. The oldest son, Watson Bull, had established a +retail drug store at the sign of the 'Good Samaritan.' A large picture +of the Good Samaritan relieving the wounded traveler formed a striking +part of the sign, and was contemplated by me with reverence. + +"The mother of the family gave me at once a child's place in her heart. +A neat little hall chamber was allotted to me for my own, and a well +made and kept single bed was given me, of which I took daily care with +awful satisfaction. If I was sick nothing could exceed the watchful +care and tender nursing of Mrs. Bull. In school my two most intimate +friends were the leading scholars. They had written to me before I +came and I had answered their letters, and on my arrival they gave me +the warmest welcome. One was Catherine Ledyard Cogswell, daughter of +the leading and best-beloved of Hartford physicians. The other was +Georgiana May, daughter of a most lovely Christian woman who was a +widow. Georgiana was one of many children, having two younger sisters, +Mary and Gertrude, and several brothers. Catherine Cogswell was one of +the most amiable, sprightly, sunny-tempered individuals I have ever +known. She was, in fact, so much beloved that it was difficult for +me to see much of her. Her time was all bespoken by different girls. +One might walk with her to school, another had the like promise on +the way home. And at recess, of which we had every day a short half +hour, there was always a suppliant at Katy's shrine, whom she found it +hard to refuse. Yet, among all these claimants, she did keep a little +place here and there for me. Georgiana was older and graver, and less +fascinating to the other girls, but between her and me there grew up +the warmest friendship, which proved lifelong in its constancy. + +"Catherine and Georgiana were reading 'Virgil' when I came to the +school. I began the study of Latin alone, and at the end of the first +year made a translation of 'Ovid' in verse, which was read at the final +exhibition of the school, and regarded, I believe, as a very creditable +performance. I was very much interested in poetry, and it was my dream +to be a poet. I began a drama called 'Cleon.' The scene was laid in the +court and time of the emperor Nero, and Cleon was a Greek lord residing +at Nero's court, who, after much searching and doubting, at last comes +to the knowledge of Christianity. I filled blank book after blank book +with this drama. It filled my thoughts sleeping and waking. One day +sister Catherine pounced down upon me, and said that I must not waste +my time writing poetry, but discipline my mind by the study of Butler's +'Analogy.' So after this I wrote out abstracts from the 'Analogy,' and +instructed a class of girls as old as myself, being compelled to master +each chapter just ahead of the class I was teaching. About this time I +read Baxter's 'Saint's Rest.' I do not think any book affected me more +powerfully. As I walked the pavements I used to wish that they might +sink beneath me if only I might find myself in heaven. I was at the +same time very much interested in Butler's 'Analogy,' for Mr. Brace +used to lecture on such themes when I was at Miss Pierce's school at +Litchfield. I also began the study of French and Italian with a Miss +Degan, who was born in Italy. + +"It was about this time that I first believed myself to be a Christian. +I was spending my summer vacation at home, in Litchfield. I shall +ever remember that dewy, fresh summer morning. I knew that it was a +sacramental Sunday, and thought with sadness that when all the good +people should take the sacrificial bread and wine I should be left +out. I tried hard to feel my sins and count them up; but what with the +birds, the daisies, and the brooks that rippled by the way, it was +impossible. I came into church quite dissatisfied with myself, and as +I looked upon the pure white cloth, the snowy bread and shining cups, +of the communion table, thought with a sigh: 'There won't be anything +for me to-day; it is all for these grown-up Christians.' Nevertheless, +when father began to speak, I was drawn to listen by a certain +pathetic earnestness in his voice. Most of father's sermons were as +unintelligible to me as if he had spoken in Choctaw. But sometimes he +preached what he was accustomed to call a 'frame sermon;' that is, a +sermon that sprung out of the deep feeling of the occasion, and which +consequently could be neither premeditated nor repeated. His text was +taken from the Gospel of John, the declaration of Jesus: 'Behold, I +call you no longer servants, but friends.' His theme was Jesus as a +soul friend offered to every human being. + +"Forgetting all his hair-splitting distinctions and dialectic +subtleties, he spoke in direct, simple, and tender language of the +great love of Christ and his care for the soul. He pictured Him as +patient with our errors, compassionate with our weaknesses, and +sympathetic for our sorrows. He went on to say how He was ever near +us, enlightening our ignorance, guiding our wanderings, comforting our +sorrows with a love unwearied by faults, unchilled by ingratitude, till +at last He should present us faultless before the throne of his glory +with exceeding joy. + +"I sat intent and absorbed. Oh! how much I needed just such a friend, +I thought to myself. Then the awful fact came over me that I had never +had any conviction of my sins, and consequently could not come to Him. +I longed to cry out 'I will,' when father made his passionate appeal, +'Come, then, and trust your soul to this faithful friend.' Like a flash +it came over me that if I needed conviction of sin, He was able to give +me even this also. I would trust Him for the whole. My whole soul was +illumined with joy, and as I left the church to walk home, it seemed to +me as if Nature herself were hushing her breath to hear the music of +heaven. + +"As soon as father came home and was seated in his study, I went up to +him and fell in his arms saying, 'Father, I have given myself to Jesus, +and He has taken me.' I never shall forget the expression of his face +as he looked down into my earnest, childish eyes; it was so sweet, so +gentle, and like sunlight breaking out upon a landscape. 'Is it so?' he +said, holding me silently to his heart, as I felt the hot tears fall on +my head. 'Then has a new flower blossomed in the kingdom this day.'" + +If she could have been let alone, and taught "to look up and not down, +forward and not back, out and not in," this religious experience might +have gone on as sweetly and naturally as the opening of a flower in +the gentle rays of the sun. But unfortunately this was not possible +at that time, when self-examination was carried to an extreme that was +calculated to drive a nervous and sensitive mind well-nigh distracted. +First, even her sister Catherine was afraid that there might be +something wrong in the case of a lamb that had come into the fold +without being first chased all over the lot by the shepherd; great +stress being laid, in those days, on what was called "being under +conviction." Then also the pastor of the First Church in Hartford, a +bosom friend of Dr. Beecher, looked with melancholy and suspicious +eyes on this unusual and doubtful path to heaven,--but more of this +hereafter. Harriet's conversion took place in the summer of 1825, when +she was fourteen, and the following year, April, 1826, Dr. Beecher +resigned his pastorate in Litchfield to accept a call to the Hanover +Street Church, Boston, Mass. In a letter to her grandmother Foote at +Guilford, dated Hartford, March 4, 1826, Harriet writes:-- + +"You have probably heard that our home in Litchfield is broken up. +Papa has received a call to Boston, and concluded to accept, because +he could not support his family in Litchfield. He was dismissed last +week Tuesday, and will be here (Hartford) next Tuesday with mamma and +Isabel. Aunt Esther will take Charles and Thomas to her house for the +present. Papa's salary is to be $2,000 and $500 settlement. + +"I attend school constantly and am making some progress in my studies. +I devote most of my attention to Latin and to arithmetic, and hope soon +to prepare myself to assist Catherine in the school." + +This breaking up of the Litchfield home led Harriet, under her +father's advice, to seek to connect herself with the First Church of +Hartford. Accordingly, accompanied by two of her school friends, she +went one day to the pastor's study to consult with him concerning the +contemplated step. The good man listened attentively to the child's +simple and modest statement of Christian experience, and then with an +awful, though kindly, solemnity of speech and manner said, "Harriet, +do you feel that if the universe should be destroyed (awful pause) +you could be happy with God alone?" After struggling in vain, in her +mental bewilderment, to fix in her mind some definite conception of the +meaning of the sounds which fell on her ear like the measured strokes +of a bell, the child of fourteen stammered out, "Yes, sir." + +"You realize, I trust," continued the doctor, "in some measure at +least, the deceitfulness of your heart, and that in punishment for your +sins God might justly leave you to make yourself as miserable as you +have made yourself sinful?" + +"Yes, sir," again stammered Harriet. + +Having thus effectually, and to his own satisfaction, fixed the child's +attention on the morbid and over-sensitive workings of her own heart, +the good and truly kind-hearted man dismissed her with a fatherly +benediction. But where was the joyous ecstasy of that beautiful Sabbath +morning of a year ago? Where was that heavenly friend? Yet was not +this as it should be, and might not God leave her "to make herself as +miserable as she had made herself sinful"? + +In a letter addressed to her brother Edward, about this time, she +writes: "My whole life is one continued struggle: I do nothing right. +I yield to temptation almost as soon as it assails me. My deepest +feelings are very evanescent. I am beset behind and before, and my sins +take away all my happiness. But that which most constantly besets me is +pride--I can trace almost all my sins back to it." + +In the mean time, the school is prospering. February 16, 1827, +Catherine writes to Dr. Beecher: "My affairs go on well. The stock is +all taken up, and next week I hope to have out the prospectus of the +'Hartford Female Seminary.' I hope the building will be done, and all +things in order, by June. The English lady is coming with twelve pupils +from New York." Speaking of Harriet, who was at this time with her +father in Boston, she adds: "I have received some letters from Harriet +to-day which make me feel uneasy. She says, 'I don't know as I am fit +for anything, and I have thought that I could wish to die young, and +let the remembrance of me and my faults perish in the grave, rather +than live, as I fear I do, a trouble to every one. You don't know how +perfectly wretched I often feel: so useless, so weak, so destitute of +all energy. Mamma often tells me that I am a strange, inconsistent +being. Sometimes I could not sleep, and have groaned and cried till +midnight, while in the daytime I tried to appear cheerful and succeeded +so well that papa reproved me for laughing so much. I was so absent +sometimes that I made strange mistakes, and then they all laughed at +me, and I laughed, too, though I felt as though I should go distracted. +I wrote rules; made out a regular system for dividing my time; but +my feelings vary so much that it is almost impossible for me to be +regular.'" + +But let Harriet "take courage in her dark sorrows and melancholies," as +Carlyle says: "Samuel Johnson too had hypochondrias; all great souls +are apt to have, and to be in thick darkness generally till the eternal +ways and the celestial guiding stars disclose themselves, and the vague +abyss of life knits itself up into firmaments for them." + +At the same time (the winter of 1827), Catherine writes to Edward +concerning Harriet: "If she could come here (Hartford) it might be the +best thing for her, for she can talk freely to me. I can get her books, +and Catherine Cogswell, Georgiana May, and her friends here could do +more for her than any one in Boston, for they love her and she loves +them very much. Georgiana's difficulties are different from Harriet's: +she is speculating about doctrines, etc. Harriet will have young +society here all the time, which she cannot have at home, and I think +cheerful and amusing friends will do much for her. I can do better in +preparing her to teach drawing than any one else, for I best know what +is needed." + +It was evidently necessary that something should be done to restore +Harriet to a more tranquil and healthful frame of mind; consequently in +the spring of 1827, accompanied by her friend Georgiana May, she went +to visit her grandmother Foote at Nut Plains, Guilford. Miss May refers +to this visit in a letter to Mrs. Foote, in January of the following +winter. + + HARTFORD, _January 4, 1828._ + + DEAR MRS. FOOTE:--... I very often think of you and + the happy hours I passed at your house last spring. + It seems as if it were but yesterday: now, while I am + writing, I can see your pleasant house and the familiar + objects around you as distinctly as the day I left + them. Harriet and I are very much the same girls we + were then. I do not believe we have altered very much, + though she is improved in some respects. + +The August following this visit to Guilford Harriet writes to her +brother Edward in a vein which is still streaked with sadness, but +shows some indication of returning health of mind. + +"Many of my objections you did remove that afternoon we spent together. +After that I was not as unhappy as I had been. I felt, nevertheless, +that my views were very indistinct and contradictory, and feared that +if you left me thus I might return to the same dark, desolate state +in which I had been all summer. I felt that my immortal interest, +my happiness for both worlds, was depending on the turn my feelings +might take. In my disappointment and distress I called upon God, and +it seemed as if I was heard. I felt that He could supply the loss of +all earthly love. All misery and darkness were over. I felt as if +restored, nevermore to fall. Such sober certainty of waking bliss had +long been a stranger to me. But even then I had doubts as to whether +these feelings were right, because I felt love to God alone without +that ardent love for my fellow-creatures which Christians have often +felt.... I cannot say exactly what it is makes me reluctant to speak +of my feelings. It costs me an effort to express feeling of any kind, +but more particularly to speak of my private religious feelings. If any +one questions me, my first impulse is to conceal all I can. As for +expression of affection towards my brothers and sisters, my companions +or friends, the stronger the affection the less inclination have I to +express it. Yet sometimes I think myself the most frank, open, and +communicative of beings, and at other times the most reserved. If you +can resolve all these caprices into general principles, you will do +more than I can. Your speaking so much philosophically has a tendency +to repress confidence. We never wish to have our feelings analyzed +down; and very little, nothing, that we say brought to the test of +mathematical demonstration. + +"It appears to me that if I only could adopt the views of God you +presented to my mind, they would exert a strong and beneficial +influence over my character. But I am afraid to accept them for several +reasons. First, it seems to be taking from the majesty and dignity +of the divine character to suppose that his happiness can be at all +affected by the conduct of his sinful, erring creatures. Secondly, it +seems to me that such views of God would have an effect on our own +minds in lessening that reverence and fear which is one of the greatest +motives to us for action. For, although to a generous mind the thought +of the love of God would be a sufficient incentive to action, there are +times of coldness when that love is not felt, and then there remains no +sort of stimulus. I find as I adopt these sentiments I feel less fear +of God, and, in view of sin, I feel only a sensation of grief which is +more easily dispelled and forgotten than that I formerly felt." + +A letter dated January 3, 1828, shows us that Harriet had returned to +Hartford and was preparing herself to teach drawing and painting, under +the direction of her sister Catherine. + + MY DEAR GRANDMOTHER,--I should have written before to + assure you of my remembrance of you, but I have been + constantly employed, from nine in the morning till + after dark at night, in taking lessons of a painting + and drawing master, with only an intermission long + enough to swallow a little dinner which was sent to me + in the school-room. You may easily believe that after + spending the day in this manner, I did not feel in a + very epistolary humor in the evening, and if I had + been, I could not have written, for when I did not go + immediately to bed I was obliged to get a long French + lesson. + + The seminary is finished, and the school going on + nicely. Miss Clarissa Brown is assisting Catherine in + the school. Besides her, Catherine, and myself, there + are two other teachers who both board in the family + with us: one is Miss Degan, an Italian lady who teaches + French and Italian; she rooms with me, and is very + interesting and agreeable. Miss Hawks is rooming with + Catherine. In some respects she reminds me very much + of my mother. She is gentle, affectionate, modest, and + retiring, and much beloved by all the scholars.... I + am still going on with my French, and carrying two + young ladies through Virgil, and if I have time, shall + commence Italian. + + I am very comfortable and happy. + + I propose, my dear grandmamma, to send you by the first + opportunity a dish of fruit of my own painting. Pray + do not now devour it in anticipation, for I cannot + promise that you will not find it sadly tasteless in + reality. If so, please excuse it, for the sake of the + poor young artist. I admire to cultivate a taste for + painting, and I wish to improve it; it was what my + dear mother admired and loved, and I cherish it for + her sake. I have thought more of this dearest of all + earthly friends these late years, since I have been old + enough to know her character and appreciate her worth. + I sometimes think that, had she lived, I might have + been both better and happier than I now am, but God is + good and wise in all his ways. + +A letter written to her brother Edward in Boston, dated March 27, 1828, +shows how slowly she adopted the view of God that finally became one of +the most characteristic elements in her writings. + +"I think that those views of God which you have presented to me have +had an influence in restoring my mind to its natural tone. But still, +after all, God is a being afar off. He is so far above us that anything +but the most distant reverential affection seems almost sacrilegious. +It is that affection that can lead us to be familiar that the heart +needs. But easy and familiar expressions of attachment and that sort +of confidential communication which I should address to papa or you +would be improper for a subject to address to a king, much less for +us to address to the King of kings. The language of prayer is of +necessity stately and formal, and we cannot clothe all the little +minutiae of our wants and troubles in it. I wish I could describe to you +how I feel when I pray. I feel that I love God,--that is, that I love +Christ,--that I find comfort and happiness in it, and yet it is not +that kind of comfort which would arise from free communication of my +wants and sorrows to a friend. I sometimes wish that the Saviour were +visibly present in this world, that I might go to Him for a solution of +some of my difficulties.... Do you think, my dear brother, that there +is such a thing as so realizing the presence and character of God that +He can supply the place of earthly friends? I really wish to know what +you think of this.... Do you suppose that God really loves sinners +before they come to Him? Some say that we ought to tell them that God +hates them, that He looks on them with utter abhorrence, and that they +must love Him before He will look on them otherwise. Is it right to say +to those who are in deep distress, 'God is interested in you; He feels +for and loves you'?" + +Appended to this letter is a short note from Miss Catherine Beecher, +who evidently read the letter over and answered Harriet's questions +herself. She writes: "When the young man came to Jesus, is it not said +that Jesus loved him, though he was unrenewed?" + +In April, 1828, Harriet again writes to her brother Edward:-- + +"I have had more reason to be grateful to that friend than ever +before. He has not left me in all my weakness. It seems to me that +my love to Him is the love of despair. All my communion with Him, +though sorrowful, is soothing. I am painfully sensible of ignorance +and deficiency, but still I feel that I am willing that He should know +all. He will look on all that is wrong only to purify and reform. He +will never be irritated or impatient. He will never show me my faults +in such a manner as to irritate without helping me. A friend to whom I +would acknowledge all my faults must be perfect. Let any one once be +provoked, once speak harshly to me, once sweep all the chords of my +soul out of tune, I never could confide there again. It is only to the +most perfect Being in the universe that imperfection can look and hope +for patience. How strange!... You do not know how harsh and forbidding +everything seems, compared with his character. All through the day in +my intercourse with others, everything has a tendency to destroy the +calmness of mind gained by communion with Him. One flatters me, another +is angry with me, another is unjust to me. + +"You speak of your predilections for literature having been a snare to +you. I have found it so myself. I can scarcely think, without tears +and indignation, that all that is beautiful and lovely and poetical +has been laid on other altars. Oh! will there never be a poet with a +heart enlarged and purified by the Holy Spirit, who shall throw all the +graces of harmony, all the enchantments of feeling, pathos, and poetry, +around sentiments worthy of them?... It matters little what service He +has for me.... I do not mean to live in vain. He has given me talents, +and I will lay them at his feet, well satisfied, if He will accept +them. All my powers He can enlarge. He made my mind, and He can teach +me to cultivate and exert its faculties." + +The following November she writes from Groton, Conn., to Miss May:-- + +"I am in such an uncertain, unsettled state, traveling back and +forth, that I have very little time to write. In the first place, on +my arrival in Boston I was obliged to spend two days in talking and +telling news. Then after that came calling, visiting, etc., and then I +came off to Groton to see my poor brother George, who was quite out of +spirits and in very trying circumstances. To-morrow I return to Boston +and spend four or five days, and then go to Franklin, where I spend the +rest of my vacation. + +"I found the folks all well on my coming to Boston, and as to my new +brother, James, he has nothing to distinguish him from forty other +babies, except a very large pair of blue eyes and an uncommonly fair +complexion, a thing which is of no sort of use or advantage to a man or +boy. + +"I am thinking very seriously of remaining in Groton and taking care of +the female school, and at the same time being of assistance and company +for George. On some accounts it would not be so pleasant as returning +to Hartford, for I should be among strangers. Nothing upon this point +can be definitely decided till I have returned to Boston, and talked to +papa and Catherine." + +Evidently papa and Catherine did not approve of the Groton plan, for +in February of the following winter Harriet writes from Hartford to +Edward, who is at this time with his father in Boston:-- + +"My situation this winter (1829) is in many respects pleasant. I room +with three other teachers, Miss Fisher, Miss Mary Dutton, and Miss +Brigham. Ann Fisher you know. Miss Dutton is about twenty, has a fine +mathematical mind, and has gone as far into that science perhaps as +most students at college. She is also, as I am told, quite learned in +the languages.... Miss Brigham is somewhat older: is possessed of a +fine mind and most unconquerable energy and perseverance of character. +From early childhood she has been determined to obtain an education, +and to attain to a certain standard. Where persons are determined to +be anything, they will be. I think, for this reason, she will make a +first-rate character. Such are my companions. We spend our time in +school during the day, and in studying in the evening. My plan of study +is to read rhetoric and prepare exercises for my class the first half +hour in the evening; after that the rest of the evening is divided +between French and Italian. Thus you see the plan of my employment and +the character of my immediate companions. Besides these, there are +others among the teachers and scholars who must exert an influence +over my character. Miss Degan, whose constant occupation it is to make +others laugh; Mrs. Gamage, her room-mate, a steady, devoted, sincere +Christian.... Little things have great power over me, and if I meet +with the least thing that crosses my feelings, I am often rendered +unhappy for days and weeks.... I wish I could bring myself to feel +perfectly indifferent to the opinions of others. I believe that there +never was a person more dependent on the good and evil opinions of +those around than I am. This desire to be loved forms, I fear, the +great motive for all my actions.... I have been reading carefully the +book of Job, and I do not think that it contains the views of God which +you presented to me. God seems to have stripped a dependent creature +of all that renders life desirable, and then to have answered his +complaints from the whirlwind; and instead of showing mercy and pity, +to have overwhelmed him by a display of his power and justice.... With +the view I received from you, I should have expected that a being who +sympathizes with his guilty, afflicted creatures would not have spoken +thus. Yet, after all, I do believe that God is such a being as you +represent Him to be, and in the New Testament I find in the character +of Jesus Christ a revelation of God as merciful and compassionate; in +fact, just such a God as I need. + +"Somehow or another you have such a reasonable sort of way of saying +things that when I come to reflect I almost always go over to your +side.... My mind is often perplexed, and such thoughts arise in it +that I cannot pray, and I become bewildered. The wonder to me is, how +all ministers and all Christians can feel themselves so inexcusably +sinful, when it seems to me we all come into the world in such a way +that it would be miraculous if we did not sin. Mr. Hawes always says in +prayer, 'We have nothing to offer in extenuation of any of our sins,' +and I always think when he says it, that we have everything to offer +in extenuation. The case seems to me exactly as if I had been brought +into the world with such a thirst for ardent spirits that there was +just a possibility, though no hope, that I should resist, and then +my eternal happiness made dependent on my being temperate. Sometimes +when I try to confess my sins, I feel that after all I am more to be +pitied than blamed, for I have never known the time when I have not +had a temptation within me so strong that it was certain I should not +overcome it. This thought shocks me, but it comes with such force, and +so appealingly, to all my consciousness, that it stifles all sense of +sin.... + +"Sometimes when I read the Bible, it seems to be wholly grounded on +the idea that the sin of man is astonishing, inexcusable, and without +palliation or cause, and the atonement is spoken of as such a wonderful +and undeserved mercy that I am filled with amazement. Yet if I give up +the Bible I gain nothing, for the providence of God in nature is just +as full of mystery, and of the two I think that the Bible, with all its +difficulties, is preferable to being without it; for the Bible holds +out the hope that in a future world all shall be made plain.... So you +see I am, as Mr. Hawes says, 'on the waves,' and all I can do is to +take the word of God that He does do right and there I rest." + +The following summer, in July, she writes to Edward: "I have never +been so happy as this summer. I began it in more suffering than I +ever before have felt, but there is One whom I daily thank for all +that suffering, since I hope that it has brought me at last to rest +entirely in Him. I do hope that my long, long course of wandering and +darkness and unhappiness is over, and that I have found in Him who died +for me all, and more than all, I could desire. Oh, Edward, you can +feel as I do; you can speak of Him! There are few, very few, who can. +Christians in general do not seem to look to Him as their best friend, +or realize anything of his unutterable love. They speak with a cold, +vague, reverential awe, but do not speak as if in the habit of close +and near communion; as if they confided to Him every joy and sorrow and +constantly looked to Him for direction and guidance. I cannot express +to you, my brother, I cannot tell you, how that Saviour appears to me. +To bear with one so imperfect, so weak, so inconsistent, as myself, +implied, long-suffering and patience more than words can express. I +love most to look on Christ as my teacher, as one who, knowing the +utmost of my sinfulness, my waywardness, my folly, can still have +patience; can reform, purify, and daily make me more like himself." + +So, after four years of struggling and suffering, she returns to the +place where she started from as a child of thirteen. It has been +like watching a ship with straining masts and storm-beaten sails, +buffeted by the waves, making for the harbor, and coming at last to +quiet anchorage. There have been, of course, times of darkness and +depression, but never any permanent loss of the religious trustfulness +and peace of mind indicated by this letter. + +The next three years were passed partly in Boston, and partly in +Guilford and Hartford. Writing of this period of her life to the Rev. +Charles Beecher, she says:-- + + MY DEAR BROTHER,--The looking over of father's letters + in the period of his Boston life brings forcibly to + my mind many recollections. At this time I was more + with him, and associated in companionship of thought + and feeling for a longer period than any other of my + experience. + +In the summer of 1832 she writes to Miss May, revealing her spiritual +and intellectual life in a degree unusual, even for her. + +"After the disquisition on myself above cited, you will be prepared to +understand the changes through which this wonderful _ego et me ipse_ +has passed. + +"The amount of the matter has been, as this inner world of mine has +become worn out and untenable, I have at last concluded to come out of +it and live in the external one, and, as F---- S---- once advised me, +to give up the pernicious habit of meditation to the first Methodist +minister that would take it, and try to mix in society somewhat as +another person would. + +"'_Horas non numero nisi serenas._' Uncle Samuel, who sits by me, +has just been reading the above motto, the inscription on a sun-dial +in Venice. It strikes me as having a distant relationship to what I +was going to say. I have come to a firm resolution to count no hours +but unclouded ones, and to let all others slip out of my memory and +reckoning as quickly as possible.... + +"I am trying to cultivate a general spirit of kindliness towards +everybody. Instead of shrinking into a corner to notice how other +people behave, I am holding out my hand to the right and to the left, +and forming casual or incidental acquaintances with all who will be +acquainted with me. In this way I find society full of interest and +pleasure--a pleasure which pleaseth me more because it is not old and +worn out. From these friendships I expect little; therefore generally +receive more than I expect. From past friendships I have expected +everything, and must of necessity have been disappointed. The kind +words and looks and smiles I call forth by looking and smiling are not +much by themselves, but they form a very pretty flower border to the +way of life. They embellish the day or the hour as it passes, and when +they fade they only do just as you expected they would. This kind of +pleasure in acquaintanceship is new to me. I never tried it before. +When I used to meet persons, the first inquiry was, 'Have they such and +such a character, or have they anything that might possibly be of use +or harm to me?'" + +It is striking, the degree of interest a letter had for her. + +"Your long letter came this morning. It revived much in my heart. +Just think how glad I must have been this morning to hear from you. I +was glad.... I thought of it through all the vexations of school this +morning.... I have a letter at home; and when I came home from school, +I went leisurely over it. + +"This evening I have spent in a little social party,--a dozen or +so,--and I have been zealously talking all the evening. When I +came to my cold, lonely room, there was your letter lying on the +dressing-table. It touched me with a sort of painful pleasure, for it +seems to me uncertain, improbable, that I shall ever return and find +you as I have found your letter. Oh, my dear G----, it is scarcely +well to love friends thus. The greater part that I see cannot move me +deeply. They are present, and I enjoy them; they pass and I forget +them. But those that I love differently; those that I LOVE; and oh, +how much that word means! I feel sadly about them. They may change; +they must die; they are separated from me, and I ask myself why should +I wish to love with all the pains and penalties of such conditions? I +check myself when expressing feelings like this, so much has been said +of it by the sentimental, who talk what they could not have felt. But +it is so deeply, sincerely so in me, that sometimes it will overflow. +Well, there is a heaven,--a heaven,--a world of love, and love after +all is the life-blood, the existence, the all in all of mind." + +This is the key to her whole life. She was impelled by love, and did +what she did, and wrote what she did, under the impulse of love. Never +could "Uncle Tom's Cabin" or "The Minister's Wooing" have been written, +unless by one to whom love was the "life-blood of existence, the all in +all of mind." Years afterwards Mrs. Browning was to express this same +thought in the language of poetry. + + "But when a soul by choice and conscience doth + Throw out her full force on another soul, + The conscience and the concentration both + Make mere life love. For life in perfect whole + And aim consummated is love in sooth, + As nature's magnet heat rounds pole with pole." + + + + +CHAPTER III + +CINCINNATI, 1832-1836. + + DR. BEECHER CALLED TO CINCINNATI.--THE WESTWARD + JOURNEY.--FIRST LETTER FROM HOME.--DESCRIPTION + OF WALNUT HILLS.--STARTING A NEW SCHOOL.--INWARD + GLIMPSES.--THE SEMI-COLON CLUB.--EARLY IMPRESSIONS OF + SLAVERY.--A JOURNEY TO THE EAST.--THOUGHTS AROUSED BY + FIRST VISIT TO NIAGARA.--MARRIAGE TO PROFESSOR STOWE. + + +IN 1832, after having been settled for six years over the Hanover +Street Church in Boston, Dr. Beecher received and finally accepted a +most urgent call to become President of Lane Theological Seminary in +Cincinnati. This institution had been chartered in 1829, and in 1831 +funds to the amount of nearly $70,000 had been promised to it provided +that Dr. Beecher accepted the presidency. It was hard for this New +England family to sever the ties of a lifetime and enter on so long +a journey to the far distant West of those days; but being fully +persuaded that their duty lay in this direction, they undertook to +perform it cheerfully and willingly. With Dr. Beecher and his wife were +to go Miss Catherine Beecher, who had conceived the scheme of founding +in Cincinnati, then considered the capital of the West, a female +college, and Harriet, who was to act as her principal assistant. In the +party were also George, who was to enter Lane as a student, Isabella, +James, the youngest son, and Miss Esther Beecher, the "Aunt Esther" of +the children. + +Before making his final decision, Dr. Beecher, accompanied by his +daughter Catherine, visited Cincinnati to take a general survey of +their proposed battlefield, and their impressions of the city are given +in the following letter written by the latter to Harriet in Boston:-- + +"Here we are at last at our journey's end, alive and well. We are +staying with Uncle Samuel (Foote), whose establishment I will try and +sketch for you. It is on a height in the upper part of the city, and +commands a fine view of the whole of the lower town. The city does not +impress me as being so very new. It is true everything looks neat and +clean, but it is compact, and many of the houses are of brick and very +handsomely built. The streets run at right angles to each other, and +are wide and well paved. We reached here in three days from Wheeling, +and soon felt ourselves at home. The next day father and I, with three +gentlemen, walked out to Walnut Hills. The country around the city +consists of a constant succession and variety of hills of all shapes +and sizes, forming an extensive amphitheatre. The site of the seminary +is very beautiful and picturesque, though I was disappointed to find +that both river and city are hidden by intervening hills. I never saw +a place so capable of being rendered a paradise by the improvements +of taste as the environs of this city. Walnut Hills are so elevated +and cool that people have to leave there to be sick, it is said. The +seminary is located on a farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres of +fine land, with groves of superb trees around it, about two miles from +the city. We have finally decided on the spot where our house shall +stand in case we decide to come, and you cannot (where running water +or the seashore is wanting) find another more delightful spot for a +residence. It is on an eminence, with a grove running up from the back +to the very doors, another grove across the street in front, and fine +openings through which distant hills and the richest landscapes appear. + +"I have become somewhat acquainted with those ladies we shall have +the most to do with, and find them intelligent, New England sort of +folks. Indeed, this is a New England city in all its habits, and its +inhabitants are more than half from New England. The Second Church, +which is the best in the city, will give father a unanimous call to be +their minister, with the understanding that he will give them what time +he can spare from the seminary. + +"I know of no place in the world where there is so fair a prospect of +finding everything that makes social and domestic life pleasant. Uncle +John and Uncle Samuel are just the intelligent, sociable, free, and +hospitable sort of folk that everybody likes and everybody feels at +home with. + +"The folks are very anxious to have a school on our plan set on foot +here. We can have fine rooms in the city college building, which is +now unoccupied, and everybody is ready to lend a helping hand. As to +father, I never saw such a field of usefulness and influence as is +offered to him here." + +This, then, was the field of labor in which the next eighteen years +of the life of Mrs. Stowe were to be passed. At this time her sister +Mary was married and living in Hartford, her brothers Henry Ward and +Charles were in college, while William and Edward, already licensed to +preach, were preparing to follow their father to the West. + +[Illustration: THE HOME AT WALNUT HILLS, CINCINNATI.] + +Mr. Beecher's preliminary journey to Cincinnati was undertaken in +the early spring of 1832, but he was not ready to remove his family +until October of that year. An interesting account of this westward +journey is given by Mrs. Stowe in a letter sent back to Hartford from +Cincinnati, as follows:-- + +"Well, my dear, the great sheet is out and the letter is begun. All our +family are here (in New York), and in good health. + +"Father is to perform to-night in the Chatham Theatre! 'positively +for the _last_ time this season!' I don't know, I'm sure, as we shall +ever get to Pittsburgh. Father is staying here begging money for the +Biblical Literature professorship; the incumbent is to be C. Stowe. +Last night we had a call from Arthur Tappan and Mr. Eastman. Father +begged $2,000 yesterday, and now the good people are praying him to +abide certain days, as he succeeds so well. They are talking of sending +us off and keeping him here. I really dare not go and see Aunt Esther +and mother now; they were in the depths of tribulation before at +staying so long, and now, + + 'In the lowest depths, _another_ deep!' + +Father is in high spirits. He is all in his own element,--dipping into +books; consulting authorities for his oration; going round here, there, +everywhere; begging, borrowing, and spoiling the Egyptians; delighted +with past success and confident for the future. + +"Wednesday. Still in New York. I believe it would kill me dead to live +long in the way I have been doing since I have been here. It is a sort +of agreeable delirium. There's only one thing about it, it is too +_scattering_. I begin to be athirst for the waters of quietness." + +Writing from Philadelphia, she adds:-- + +"Well, we did get away from New York at last, but it was through much +tribulation. The truckman carried all the family baggage to the wrong +wharf, and, after waiting and waiting on board the boat, we were +obliged to start without it, George remaining to look it up. Arrived +here late Saturday evening,--dull, drizzling weather; poor Aunt Esther +in dismay,--not a clean cap to put on,--mother in like state; all of +us destitute. We went, half to Dr. Skinner's and half to Mrs. Elmes's: +mother, Aunt Esther, father, and James to the former; Kate, Bella, and +myself to Mr. Elmes's. They are rich, hospitable folks, and act the +part of Gaius in apostolic times.... Our trunks came this morning. +Father stood and saw them all brought into Dr. Skinner's entry, and +then he swung his hat and gave a 'hurrah,' as any man would whose +wife had not had a clean cap or ruffle for a week. Father does not +succeed very well in opening purses here. Mr. Eastman says, however, +that this is not of much consequence. I saw to-day a notice in the +'Philadelphian' about father, setting forth how 'this distinguished +brother, with his large family, having torn themselves from the +endearing scenes of their home,' etc., etc., 'were going, like Jacob,' +etc.,--a very scriptural and appropriate flourish. It is too much after +the manner of men, or, as Paul says, speaking 'as a fool.' A number of +the pious people of this city are coming here this evening to hold a +prayer-meeting with reference to the journey and its object. For _this_ +I thank them." + +From Downington she writes:-- + +"Here we all are,--Noah and his wife and his sons and his daughters, +with the cattle and creeping things, all dropped down in the front +parlor of this tavern, about thirty miles from Philadelphia. If to-day +is a fair specimen of our journey, it will be a very pleasant, obliging +driver, good roads, good spirits, good dinner, fine scenery, and now +and then some 'psalms and hymns and spiritual songs;' for with George +on board you may be sure of music of some kind. Moreover, George has +provided himself with a quantity of tracts, and he and the children +have kept up a regular discharge at all the wayfaring people we +encountered. I tell him he is _peppering_ the land with moral influence. + +"We are all well; all in good spirits. Just let me give you a peep +into our traveling household. Behold us, then, in the front parlor of +this country inn, all as much at home as if we were in Boston. Father +is sitting opposite to me at this table, reading; Kate is writing a +billet-doux to Mary on a sheet like this; Thomas is opposite, writing +in a little journal that he keeps; Sister Bell, too, has her little +record; George is waiting for a seat that he may produce his paper +and write. As for me, among the multitude of my present friends, my +heart still makes occasional visits to absent ones,--visits full of +pleasure, and full of cause of gratitude to Him who gives us friends. +I have thought of you often to-day, my G. We stopped this noon at a +substantial Pennsylvania tavern, and among the flowers in the garden +was a late monthly honeysuckle like the one at North Guilford. I made +a spring for it, but George secured the finest bunch, which he wore in +his button-hole the rest of the noon. + +"This afternoon, as we were traveling, we struck up and sang 'Jubilee.' +It put me in mind of the time when we used to ride along the rough +North Guilford roads and make the air vocal as we went along. Pleasant +times those. Those were blue skies, and that was a beautiful lake and +noble pine-trees and rocks they were that hung over it. But those we +shall look upon 'na mair.' + +"Well, my dear, there is a land where we shall not _love_ and _leave_. +Those skies shall never cease to shine, the waters of life we shall +_never_ be called upon _to leave_. We have here no continuing city, but +we seek one to come. In such thoughts as these I desire ever to rest, +and with such words as these let us 'comfort one another and edify one +another.'" + +"Harrisburg, Sunday evening. Mother, Aunt Esther, George, and the +little folks have just gathered into Kate's room, and we have just been +singing. Father has gone to preach for Mr. De Witt. To-morrow we expect +to travel sixty-two miles, and in two more days shall reach Wheeling; +there we shall take the steamboat to Cincinnati." + +On the same journey George Beecher writes:-- + +"We had poor horses in crossing the mountains. Our average rate for +the last four days to Wheeling was forty-four miles. The journey, +which takes the mail-stage forty-eight hours, took us eight days. +At Wheeling we deliberated long whether to go on board a boat for +Cincinnati, but the prevalence of the cholera there at last decided +us to remain. While at Wheeling father preached eleven times,--nearly +every evening,--and gave them the Taylorite heresy on sin and decrees +to the highest notch; and what amused me most was to hear him establish +it from the Confession of Faith. It went high and dry, however, above +all objections, and they were delighted with it, even the old school +men, since it had not been christened 'heresy' in their hearing. After +remaining in Wheeling eight days, we chartered a stage for Cincinnati, +and started next morning. + +"At Granville, Ohio, we were invited to stop and attend a protracted +meeting. Being in no great hurry to enter Cincinnati till the cholera +had left, we consented. We spent the remainder of the week there, and I +preached five times and father four. The interest was increasingly deep +and solemn each day, and when we left there were forty-five cases of +conversion in the town, besides those from the surrounding towns. The +people were astonished at the doctrine; said they never saw the truth +so plain in their lives." + +Although the new-comers were cordially welcomed in Cincinnati, and +everything possible was done for their comfort and to make them feel +at home, they felt themselves to be strangers in a strange land. +Their homesickness and yearnings for New England are set forth by the +following extracts from Mrs. Stowe's answer to the first letter they +received from Hartford after leaving there:-- + +MY DEAR SISTER (Mary),--The Hartford letter from all and sundry has +just arrived, and after cutting all manner of capers expressive of +thankfulness, I have skipped three stairs at a time up to the study +to begin an answer. My notions of answering letters are according +to the literal sense of the word; not waiting six months and then +scrawling a lazy reply, but sitting down the moment you have read a +letter, and telling, as Dr. Woods says, "How the subject strikes you." +I wish I could be clear that the path of duty lay in talking to you +this afternoon, but as I find a loud call to consider the heels of +George's stockings, I must only write a word or two, and then resume +my darning-needle. You don't know how anxiously we all have watched +for some intelligence from Hartford. Not a day has passed when I have +not been the efficient agent in getting somebody to the post-office, +and every day my heart has sunk at the sound of "no letters." I felt a +tremor quite sufficient for a lover when I saw your handwriting once +more, so you see that in your old age you can excite quite as much +emotion as did the admirable Miss Byron in her adoring Sir Charles. I +hope the consideration and digestion of this fact will have its due +weight in encouraging you to proceed. + +The fact of our having received said letter is as yet a state secret, +not to be made known till all our family circle "in full assembly meet" +at the tea-table. Then what an illumination! "How we shall be edified +and fructified," as that old Methodist said. It seems too bad to keep +it from mother and Aunt Esther a whole afternoon, but then I have the +comfort of thinking that we are consulting for their greatest happiness +"on the whole," which is metaphysical benevolence. + +So kind Mrs. Parsons stopped in the very midst of her pumpkin pies to +think of us? Seems to me I can see her bright, cheerful face now! And +then those well known handwritings! We _do_ love our Hartford friends +dearly; there can be, I think, no controverting that fact. Kate says +that the word _love_ is used in _six senses_, and I am sure in some one +of them they will all come in. Well, good-by for the present. + +Evening. Having finished the last hole on George's black vest, I stick +in my needle and sit down to be sociable. You don't know how coming +away from New England has sentimentalized us all! Never was there +such an abundance of meditation on our native land, on the joys of +friendship, the pains of separation. Catherine had an alarming paroxysm +in Philadelphia which expended itself in "The Emigrant's Farewell." +After this was sent off she felt considerably relieved. My symptoms +have been of a less acute kind, but, I fear, more enduring. There! the +tea-bell rings. Too bad! I was just going to say something bright. Now +to take your letter and run! How they will stare when I produce it! + +After tea. Well, we have had a fine time. When supper was about half +over, Catherine began: "We have a dessert that we have been saving all +the afternoon," and then I held up my letter. "See here, this is from +Hartford!" I wish you could have seen Aunt Esther's eyes brighten, and +mother's pale face all in a smile, and father, as I unfolded the letter +and began. Mrs. Parsons's notice of her Thanksgiving predicament caused +just a laugh, and then one or two sighs (I told you we were growing +sentimental!). We did talk some of keeping it (Thanksgiving), but +perhaps we should all have felt something of the text, "How shall we +sing the Lord's song in a strange land?" Your praises of Aunt Esther +I read twice in an audible voice, as the children made some noise the +first time. I think I detected a visible blush, though she found at +that time a great deal to do in spreading bread and butter for James, +and shuffling his plate; and, indeed, it was rather a vehement attack +on her humility, since it gave her at least "angelic perfection," if +not "Adamic" (to use Methodist technics). Jamie began his Sunday-school +career yesterday. The superintendent asked him how old he was. "I'm +four years old now, and when it _snows very hard_ I shall be five," he +answered. I have just been trying to make him interpret his meaning; +but he says, "Oh, I said so because I could not think of anything else +to say." By the by, Mary, speaking of the temptations of cities, I +have much solicitude on Jamie's account lest he should form improper +intimacies, for yesterday or day before we saw him parading by the +house with his arm over the neck of a great hog, apparently on the most +amicable terms possible; and the other day he actually got upon the +back of one, and rode some distance. So much for allowing these animals +to promenade the streets, a particular in which Mrs. Cincinnati has +imitated the domestic arrangements of some of her elder sisters, and a +very disgusting one it is. + +Our family physician is one Dr. Drake, a man of a good deal of +science, theory, and reputed skill, but a sort of general mark for +the opposition of all the medical cloth of the city. He is a tall, +rectangular, perpendicular sort of a body, as stiff as a poker, and +enunciates his prescriptions very much as though he were delivering +a discourse on the doctrine of election. The other evening he was +detained from visiting Kate, and he sent a very polite, ceremonious +note containing a prescription, with Dr. D.'s compliments to Miss +Beecher, requesting that she would take the inclosed in a little +molasses at nine o'clock precisely. + +The house we are at present inhabiting is the most inconvenient, +ill-arranged, good-for-nothing, and altogether to be execrated affair +that ever was put together. It was evidently built without a thought of +a winter season. The kitchen is so disposed that it cannot be reached +from any part of the house without going out into the air. Mother is +actually obliged to put on a bonnet and cloak every time she goes into +it. In the house are two parlors with folding doors between them. The +back parlor has but one window, which opens on a veranda and has its +lower half painted to keep out what little light there is. I need +scarcely add that our landlord is an old bachelor and of course acted +up to the light he had, though he left little enough of it for his +tenants. + + * * * * * + +During this early Cincinnati life Harriet suffered much from ill-health +accompanied by great mental depression; but in spite of both she +labored diligently with her sister Catherine in establishing their +school. They called it the Western Female Institute, and proposed to +conduct it upon the college plan, with a faculty of instructors. As all +these things are treated at length in letters written by Mrs. Stowe to +her friend, Miss Georgiana May, we cannot do better than turn to them. +In May, 1833, she writes:-- + +"Bishop Purcell visited our school to-day and expressed himself as +greatly pleased that we had opened such an one here. He spoke of my +poor little geography,[1] and thanked me for the unprejudiced manner +in which I had handled the Catholic question in it. I was of course +flattered that he should have known anything of the book. + +"How I wish you could see Walnut Hills. It is about two miles from the +city, and the road to it is as picturesque as you can imagine a road to +be without 'springs that run among the hills.' Every possible variety +of hill and vale of beautiful slope, and undulations of land set off by +velvet richness of turf and broken up by groves and forests of every +outline of foliage, make the scene Arcadian. You might ride over the +same road a dozen times a day untired, for the constant variation of +view caused by ascending and descending hills relieves you from all +tedium. Much of the wooding is beech of a noble growth. The straight, +beautiful shafts of these trees as one looks up the cool green recesses +of the woods seems as though they might form very proper columns for +a Dryad temple. There! Catherine is growling at me for sitting up so +late; so 'adieu to music, moonlight, and you.' I meant to tell you an +abundance of classical things that I have been thinking to-night, but +'woe's me.' + +"Since writing the above my whole time has been taken up in the labor +of our new school, or wasted in the fatigue and lassitude following +such labor. To-day is Sunday, and I am staying at home because I think +it is time to take some efficient means to dissipate the illness and +bad feelings of divers kinds that have for some time been growing upon +me. At present there is and can be very little system or regularity +about me. About half of my time I am scarcely alive, and a great part +of the rest the slave and sport of morbid feeling and unreasonable +prejudice. I have everything but good health. + +"I still rejoice that this letter will find you in good old +Connecticut--thrice blessed--'oh, had I the wings of a dove' I would be +there too. Give my love to Mary H. I remember well how gently she used +to speak to and smile on that forlorn old daddy that boarded at your +house one summer. It was associating with her that first put into my +head the idea of saying something to people who were not agreeable, and +of saying something when I had nothing to say, as is generally the case +on such occasions." + +Again she writes to the same friend: "Your letter, my dear G., I have +just received, and read through three times. Now for my meditations +upon it. What a woman of the world you are grown. How good it would be +for me to be put into a place which so breaks up and precludes thought. +Thought, intense emotional thought, has been my disease. How much good +it might do me to be where I could not but be thoughtless.... + +"Now, Georgiana, let me copy for your delectation a list of matters +that I have jotted down for consideration at a teachers' meeting to be +held to-morrow night. It runneth as follows. Just hear! 'About quills +and paper on the floor; forming classes; drinking in the entry (cold +water, mind you); giving leave to speak; recess-bell, etc., etc.' 'You +are tired, I see,' says Gilpin, 'so am I,' and I spare you. + +"I have just been hearing a class of little girls recite, and telling +them a fairy story which I had to spin out as it went along, beginning +with 'once upon a time there was,' etc., in the good old-fashioned way +of stories. + +"Recently I have been reading the life of Madame de Stael and +'Corinne.' I have felt an intense sympathy with many parts of that +book, with many parts of her character. But in America feelings +vehement and absorbing like hers become still more deep, morbid, and +impassioned by the constant habits of self-government which the rigid +forms of our society demand. They are repressed, and they burn inward +till they burn the very soul, leaving only dust and ashes. It seems +to me the intensity with which my mind has thought and felt on every +subject presented to it has had this effect. It has withered and +exhausted it, and though young I have no sympathy with the feelings of +youth. All that is enthusiastic, all that is impassioned in admiration +of nature, of writing, of character, in devotional thought and +emotion, or in the emotions of affection, I have felt with vehement +and absorbing intensity,--felt till my mind is exhausted, and seems +to be sinking into deadness. Half of my time I am glad to remain in a +listless vacancy, to busy myself with trifles, since thought is pain, +and emotion is pain." + +During the winter of 1833-34 the young school-teacher became so +distressed at her own mental listlessness that she made a vigorous +effort to throw it off. She forced herself to mingle in society, and, +stimulated by the offer of a prize of fifty dollars by Mr. James Hall, +editor of the "Western Monthly," a newly established magazine, for the +best short story, she entered into the competition. Her story, which +was entitled "Uncle Lot," afterwards republished in the "Mayflower," +was by far the best submitted, and was awarded the prize without +hesitation. This success gave a new direction to her thoughts, gave her +an insight into her own ability, and so encouraged her that from that +time on she devoted most of her leisure moments to writing. + +Her literary efforts were further stimulated at this time by the +congenial society of the Semi-Colon Club, a little social circle that +met on alternate weeks at Mr. Samuel Foote's and Dr. Drake's. The name +of the club originated with a roundabout and rather weak bit of logic +set forth by one of its promoters. He said: "You know that in Spanish +Columbus is called 'Colon.' Now he who discovers a new pleasure is +certainly half as great as he who discovers a new continent. Therefore +if Colon discovered a continent, we who have discovered in this club a +new pleasure should at least be entitled to the name of 'Semi-Colons.'" +So Semi-Colons they became and remained for some years. + +At some meetings compositions were read, and at others nothing +was read, but the time was passed in a general discussion of some +interesting topic previously announced. Among the members of the club +were Professor Stowe, unsurpassed in Biblical learning; Judge James +Hall, editor of the "Western Monthly;" General Edward King; Mrs. +Peters, afterwards founder of the Philadelphia School of Design; Miss +Catherine Beecher; Mrs. Caroline Lee Hentz; E. P. Cranch; Dr. Drake; +S. P. Chase, and many others who afterwards became prominent in their +several walks of life. + +In one of her letters to Miss May, Mrs. Stowe describes one of her +methods for entertaining the members of the Semi-Colon as follows:-- + +"I am wondering as to what I shall do next. I have been writing a +piece to be read next Monday evening at Uncle Sam's _soiree_ (the +Semi-Colon). It is a letter purporting to be from Dr. Johnson. I have +been stilting about in his style so long that it is a relief to me to +come down to the jog of common English. Now I think of it I will just +give you a history of my campaign in this circle. + +"My first piece was a letter from Bishop Butler, written in his +outrageous style of parentheses and foggification. My second a +satirical essay on the modern uses of languages. This I shall send +to you, as some of the gentlemen, it seems, took a fancy to it and +requested leave to put it in the 'Western Magazine,' and so it is in +print. It is ascribed to _Catherine_, or I don't know that I should +have let it go. I have no notion of appearing in _propria personae_. + +"The next piece was a satire on certain members who were getting very +much into the way of joking on the worn-out subjects of matrimony and +old maid and old bachelorism. I therefore wrote a set of legislative +enactments purporting to be from the ladies of the society, forbidding +all such allusions in future. It made some sport at the time. I try not +to be personal, and to be courteous, even in satire. + +"But I have written a piece this week that is making me some disquiet. +I did not like it that there was so little that was serious and +rational about the reading. So I conceived the design of writing a _set +of letters_, and throwing them in, as being the letters of a friend. +I wrote a letter this week for the first of the set,--easy, not very +sprightly,--describing an imaginary situation, a house in the country, +a gentleman and lady, Mr. and Mrs. Howard, as being pious, literary, +and agreeable. I threw into the letter a number of little particulars +and incidental allusions to give it the air of having been really a +letter. I meant thus to give myself an opportunity for the introduction +of different subjects and the discussion of different characters in +future letters. + +"I meant to write on a great number of subjects in future. Cousin +Elisabeth, only, was in the secret; Uncle Samuel and Sarah Elliot were +not to know. + +"Yesterday morning I finished my letter, smoked it to make it look +yellow, tore it to make it look old, directed it and scratched out the +direction, postmarked it with red ink, sealed it and broke the seal, +all this to give credibility to the fact of its being a real letter. +Then I inclosed it in an envelope, stating that it was a part of a +_set_ which had incidentally fallen into my hands. This envelope was +written in a scrawny, scrawly, gentleman's hand. + +"I put it into the office in the morning, directed to 'Mrs. Samuel E. +Foote,' and then sent word to Sis that it was coming, so that she +might be ready to enact the part. + +"Well, the deception took. Uncle Sam examined it and pronounced, _ex +cathedra_, that it must have been a real letter. Mr. Greene (the +gentleman who reads) declared that it must have come from Mrs. Hall, +and elucidated the theory by spelling out the names and dates which +I had erased, which, of course, he accommodated to his own tastes. +But then, what makes me feel uneasy is that Elisabeth, after reading +it, did not seem to be exactly satisfied. She thought it had too much +sentiment, too much particularity of incident,--she did not exactly +know what. She was afraid that it would be criticised unmercifully. +Now Elisabeth has a tact and quickness of perception that I trust +to, and her remarks have made me uneasy enough. I am unused to being +criticised, and don't know how I shall bear it." + +In 1833 Mrs. Stowe first had the subject of slavery brought to her +personal notice by taking a trip across the river from Cincinnati into +Kentucky in company with Miss Dutton, one of the associate teachers in +the Western Institute. They visited an estate that afterwards figured +as that of Colonel Shelby in "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and here the young +authoress first came into personal contact with the negro slaves of +the South. In speaking, many years afterwards, of this visit, Miss +Dutton said: "Harriet did not seem to notice anything in particular +that happened, but sat much of the time as though abstracted in +thought. When the negroes did funny things and cut up capers, she did +not seem to pay the slightest attention to them. Afterwards, however, +in reading 'Uncle Tom.' I recognized scene after scene of that visit +portrayed with the most minute fidelity, and knew at once where the +material for that portion of the story had been gathered." + +At this time, however, Mrs. Stowe was more deeply interested in the +subject of education than in that of slavery, as is shown by the +following extract from one of her letters to Miss May, who was herself +a teacher. She says:-- + +"We mean to turn over the West by means of _model schools_ in this, its +capital. We mean to have a young lady's school of about fifty or sixty, +a primary school of little girls to the same amount, and then a primary +school for _boys_. We have come to the conclusion that the work of +teaching will never be rightly done till it passes into _female_ hands. +This is especially true with regard to boys. To govern boys by moral +influences requires tact and talent and versatility it requires also +the same division of labor that female education does. But men of tact, +versatility, talent, and piety will not devote their lives to teaching. +They must be ministers and missionaries, and all that, and while there +is such a thrilling call for action in this way, every man who is +merely teaching feels as if he were a Hercules with a distaff, ready +to spring to the first trumpet that calls him away. As for division of +labor, men must have salaries that can support wife and family, and, of +course, a revenue would be required to support a requisite number of +teachers if they could be found. + +"Then, if men have more knowledge they have less talent at +communicating it, nor have they the patience, the long-suffering, and +gentleness necessary to superintend the formation of character. We +intend to make these principles understood, and ourselves to set the +example of what females can do in this way. You see that first-rate +talent is necessary for all that we mean to do, especially for the +last, because here we must face down the prejudices of society and we +must have exemplary success to be believed. We want original, planning +minds, and you do not know how few there are among females, and how few +we can command of those that exist." + +During the summer of 1834 the young teacher and writer made her first +visit East since leaving New England two years before. Its object +was mainly to be present at the graduation of her favorite brother, +Henry Ward, from Amherst College. The earlier part of this journey +was performed by means of stage to Toledo, and thence by steamer +to Buffalo. A pleasant bit of personal description, and also of +impressions of Niagara, seen for the first time on this journey, are +given in a letter sent back to Cincinnati during its progress. In it +she says of her fellow-travelers:-- + +"Then there was a portly, rosy, clever Mr. Smith, or Jones, or +something the like; and a New Orleans girl looking like distraction, as +far as dress is concerned, but with the prettiest language and softest +intonations in the world, and one of those faces which, while you say +it isn't handsome, keeps you looking all the time to see what it can +be that is so pretty about it. Then there was Miss B., an independent, +good-natured, do-as-I-please sort of a body, who seemed of perpetual +motion from morning till night. Poor Miss D. said, when we stopped at +night, 'Oh, dear! I suppose Lydia will be fiddling about our room till +morning, and we shall not one of us sleep.' Then, by way of contrast, +there was a Mr. Mitchell, the most gentlemanly, obliging man that ever +changed his seat forty times a day to please a lady. Oh, yes, he could +ride outside,--or, oh, certainly, he could ride inside,--he had no +objection to this, or that, or the other. Indeed, it was difficult to +say what could come amiss to him. He speaks in a soft, quiet manner, +with something of a drawl, using very correct, well-chosen language, +and pronouncing all his words with carefulness; has everything in his +dress and traveling appointments _comme il faut_; and seems to think +there is abundant time for everything that is to be done in this +world, without, as he says, 'any unnecessary excitement.' Before the +party had fully discovered his name he was usually designated as 'the +obliging gentleman,' or 'that gentleman who is so accommodating.' Yet +our friend, withal, is of Irish extraction, and I have seen him roused +to talk with both hands and a dozen words in a breath. He fell into +a little talk about abolition and slavery with our good Mr. Jones, a +man whose mode of reasoning consists in repeating the same sentence at +regular intervals as long as you choose to answer it. This man, who was +finally convinced that negroes were black, used it as an irrefragible +argument to all that could be said, and at last began to deduce from +it that they might just as well be slaves as anything else, and so he +proceeded till all the philanthropy of our friend was roused, and he +sprung up all lively and oratorical and gesticulatory and indignant to +my heart's content. I like to see a quiet man that can be roused." + +In the same letter she gives her impressions of Niagara, as follows:-- + +"I have seen it (Niagara) and yet live. Oh, where is your soul? Never +mind, though. Let me tell, if I can, what is unutterable. Elisabeth, +it is not _like_ anything; it did not look like anything I expected; +it did not look like a waterfall. I did not once think whether it was +high or low; whether it roared or didn't roar; whether it equaled my +expectations or not. My mind whirled off, it seemed to me, in a new, +strange world. It seemed unearthly, like the strange, dim images in the +Revelation. I thought of the great white throne; the rainbow around +it; the throne in sight like unto an emerald; and oh! that beautiful +water rising like moonlight, falling as the soul sinks when it dies, +to rise refined, spiritualized, and pure. That rainbow, breaking out, +trembling, fading, and again coming like a beautiful spirit walking the +waters. Oh, it is lovelier than it is great; it is like the Mind that +made it: great, but so veiled in beauty that we gaze without terror. +I felt as if I could have _gone over_ with the waters; it would be +so beautiful a death; there would be no fear in it. I felt the rock +tremble under me with a sort of joy. I was so maddened that I could +have gone too, if it had gone." + +While at the East she was greatly affected by hearing of the death of +her dear friend, Eliza Tyler, the wife of Professor Stowe. This lady +was the daughter of Dr. Bennett Tyler, president of the Theological +Institute of Connecticut, at East Windsor; but twenty-five years of +age at the time of her death, a very beautiful woman gifted with a +wonderful voice. She was also possessed of a well-stored mind and a +personal magnetism that made her one of the most popular members of +the Semi-Colon Club, in the proceedings of which she took an active +interest. + +Her death left Professor Stowe a childless widower, and his forlorn +condition greatly excited the sympathy of her who had been his wife's +most intimate friend. It was easy for sympathy to ripen into love, +and after a short engagement Harriet E. Beecher became the wife of +Professor Calvin E. Stowe. + +Her last act before the wedding was to write the following note to the +friend of her girlhood, Miss Georgiana May:-- + + _January 6, 1836._ + + Well, my dear G., about half an hour more and your old + friend, companion, schoolmate, sister, etc., will cease + to be Hatty Beecher and change to nobody knows who. My + dear, you are engaged, and pledged in a year or two to + encounter a similar fate, and do you wish to know how + you shall feel? Well, my dear, I have been dreading + and dreading the time, and lying awake all last week + wondering how I should live through this overwhelming + crisis, and lo! it has come and I feel _nothing at all_. + + The wedding is to be altogether domestic; nobody + present but my own brothers and sisters, and my old + colleague, Mary Dutton; and as there is a sufficiency + of the ministry in our family we have not even to + call in the foreign aid of a minister. Sister Katy is + not here, so she will not witness my departure from + her care and guidance to that of another. None of my + numerous friends and acquaintances who have taken such + a deep interest in making the connection for me even + know the day, and it will be all done and over before + they know anything about it. + + Well, it is really a mercy to have this entire + stupidity come over one at such a time. I should be + crazy to feel as I did yesterday, or indeed to feel + anything at all. But I inwardly vowed that my last + feelings and reflections on this subject should be + yours, and as I have not got any, it is just as well to + tell you _that_. Well, here comes Mr. S., so farewell, + and for the last time I subscribe + + Your own + H. E. B. + +FOOTNOTE: + +[1] This geography was begun by Mrs. Stowe during the summer of 1832, +while visiting her brother William at Newport, R. I. It was completed +during the winter of 1833, and published by the firm of Corey, Fairbank +& Webster, of Cincinnati. + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +EARLY MARRIED LIFE, 1836-1840. + + PROFESSOR STOWE'S INTEREST IN POPULAR EDUCATION.--HIS + DEPARTURE FOR EUROPE.--SLAVERY RIOTS IN + CINCINNATI.--BIRTH OF TWIN DAUGHTERS.--PROFESSOR + STOWE'S RETURN AND VISIT TO COLUMBUS.--DOMESTIC + TRIALS.--AIDING A FUGITIVE SLAVE.--AUTHORSHIP UNDER + DIFFICULTIES.--A BEECHER ROUND ROBIN. + + +THE letter to her friend Georgiana May, begun half an hour before her +wedding, was not completed until nearly two months after that event. +Taking it from her portfolio, she adds:-- + +"Three weeks have passed since writing the above, and my husband +and self are now quietly seated by our own fireside, as domestic as +any pair of tame fowl you ever saw; he writing to his mother, and I +to you. Two days after our marriage we took a wedding excursion, so +called, though we would most gladly have been excused this conformity +to ordinary custom had not necessity required Mr. Stowe to visit +Columbus, and I had too much adhesiveness not to go too. Ohio roads +at this season are no joke, I can tell you, though we were, on the +whole, wonderfully taken care of, and our expedition included as many +pleasures as an expedition at this time of the year _ever_ could. + +"And now, my dear, perhaps the wonder to you, as to me, is how this +momentous crisis in the life of such a wisp of nerve as myself has +been transacted so quietly. My dear, it is a wonder to myself. I am +tranquil, quiet, and happy. I look _only_ on the present, and leave the +future with Him who has hitherto been so kind to me. 'Take no thought +for the morrow' is my motto, and my comfort is to rest on Him in whose +house there are many mansions provided when these fleeting earthly ones +pass away. + +"Dear Georgy, naughty girl that I am, it is a month that I have let +the above lie by, because I got into a strain of emotion in it that I +dreaded to return to. Well, so it shall be no longer. In about five +weeks Mr. Stowe and myself start for New England. He sails the first +of May. I am going with him to Boston, New York, and other places, and +shall stop finally at Hartford, whence, as soon as he is gone, it is my +intention to return westward." + +This reference to her husband as about to leave her relates to his +sailing for Europe to purchase books for Lane Seminary, and also as a +commissioner appointed by the State of Ohio to investigate the public +school systems of the old world. He had long been convinced that higher +education was impossible in the West without a higher grade of public +schools, and had in 1833 been one of the founders in Cincinnati of +"The College of Teachers," an institution that existed for ten years, +and exerted a widespread influence. Its objects were to popularize the +common schools, raise the standard of teachers, and create a demand +for education among the people. Professor Stowe was associated in this +movement with many of the leading intellects of Ohio at that time, and +among them were Albert Pickett, Dr. Drake, Smith Grimke, Archbishop +Purcell, President A. H. McGuffey, Dr. Beecher, Lydia Sigourney, +Caroline Lee Hentz, and others. Their influence finally extended to the +state legislature, and it was concluded to authorize Professor Stowe, +when abroad, to investigate and report upon the common school systems +of Europe, especially Prussia. + +He sailed from New York for London in the ship Montreal, Captain +Champlin, on June 8, 1836, and carried with him, to be opened only +after he was at sea, a letter from his wife, from which the following +extract is made:-- + +"Now, my dear, that you are gone where you are out of the reach of my +care, advice, and good management, it is fitting that you should have +something under my hand and seal for your comfort and furtherance in +the new world you are going to. Firstly, I must caution you to set +your face as a flint against the 'cultivation of indigo,' as Elisabeth +calls it, in any way or shape. Keep yourself from it most scrupulously, +and though you are unprovided with that precious and savory treatise +entitled 'Kemper's Consolations,'[2] yet you can exercise yourself to +recall and set in order such parts thereof as would more particularly +suit your case, particularly those portions wherewith you so much +consoled Kate, Aunt Esther, and your unworthy handmaid, while you yet +tarried at Walnut Hills. But seriously, dear one, you must give more +way to hope than to memory. You are going to a new scene now, and one +that I hope will be full of enjoyment to you. I want you to take the +good of it. + +"Only think of all you expect to see: the great libraries and +beautiful paintings, fine churches, and, above all, think of seeing +Tholuck, your great Apollo. My dear, I wish I were a man in your place; +if I wouldn't have a grand time!" + +During her husband's absence abroad Mrs. Stowe lived quietly in +Cincinnati with her father and brothers. She wrote occasionally short +stories, articles, and essays for publication in the "Western Monthly +Magazine" or the "New York Evangelist," and maintained a constant +correspondence with her husband by means of a daily journal, which was +forwarded to him once a month. She also assisted her brother, Henry +Ward, who had accepted a temporary position as editor of the "Journal," +a small daily paper published in the city. + +At this time the question of slavery was an exciting one in Cincinnati, +and Lane Seminary had become a hotbed of abolition. The anti-slavery +movement among the students was headed by Theodore D. Weld, one +of their number, who had procured funds to complete his education +by lecturing through the South. While thus engaged he had been so +impressed with the evils and horrors of slavery that he had become +a radical abolitionist, and had succeeded in converting several +Southerners to his views of the subject. Among them was Mr. J. G. +Birney of Huntsville, Alabama, who not only liberated his slaves, but +in connection with Dr. Gamaliel Bailey of Cincinnati founded in that +city an anti-slavery paper called "The Philanthropist." This paper +was finally suppressed, and its office wrecked by a mob instigated by +Kentucky slaveholders, and it is of this event that Mrs. Stowe writes +to her husband as follows:-- + +"Yesterday evening I spent scribbling for Henry's newspaper (the +'Journal') in this wise: 'Birney's printing-press has been mobbed, and +many of the respectable citizens are disposed to wink at the outrage in +consideration of its moving in the line of their prejudices.' + +"I wrote a conversational sketch, in which I rather satirized this +inconsistent spirit, and brought out the effects of patronizing _any_ +violation of private rights. It was in a light, sketchy style, designed +to draw attention to a long editorial of Henry's in which he considers +the subject fully and seriously. His piece is, I think, a powerful +one; indeed, he does write very strongly. I am quite proud of his +editorials; they are well studied, earnest, and dignified. I think +he will make a first-rate writer. Both our pieces have gone to press +to-day, with Charles's article on music, and we have had not a little +diversion about our _family newspaper_. + +"I thought, when I was writing last night, that I was, like a good +wife, defending one of your principles in your absence, and wanted you +to see how manfully I talked about it. Henry has also taken up and +examined the question of the Seminole Indians, and done it very nobly." + +Again:-- + +"The excitement about Birney continues to increase. The keeper of the +Franklin Hotel was assailed by a document subscribed to by many of his +boarders demanding that Birney should be turned out of doors. He chose +to negative the demand, and twelve of his boarders immediately left, +Dr. F. among the number. A meeting has been convoked by means of a +handbill, in which some of the most respectable men of the city are +invited by name to come together and consider the question whether they +will allow Mr. Birney to continue his paper in the city. Mr. Greene +says that, to his utter surprise, many of the most respectable and +influential citizens gave out that they should go. + +"He was one of the number they invited, but he told those who came to +him that he would have nothing to do with disorderly public meetings or +mobs in any shape, and that he was entirely opposed to the whole thing. + +"I presume they will have a hot meeting, if they have any at all. + +"I wish father were at home to preach a sermon to his church, for many +of its members do not frown on these things as they ought." + +"Later: The meeting was held, and was headed by Morgan, Neville, Judge +Burke, and I know not who else. Judge Burnet was present and consented +to their acts. The mob madness is certainly upon this city when men of +sense and standing will pass resolutions approving in so many words of +things done contrary to law, as one of the resolutions of this meeting +did. It quoted the demolition of the tea in Boston harbor as being +authority and precedent. + +"A large body, perhaps the majority of citizens, disapprove, but I fear +there will not be public disavowal. Even N. Wright but faintly opposes, +and Dr. Fore has been exceedingly violent. Mr. Hammond (editor of the +'Gazette') in a very dignified and judicious manner has condemned the +whole thing, and Henry has opposed, but otherwise the papers have +either been silent or in favor of mobs. We shall see what the result +will be in a few days. + +"For my part, I can easily see how such proceedings may make converts +to abolitionism, for already my sympathies are strongly enlisted for +Mr. Birney, and I hope that he will stand his ground and assert his +rights. The office is fire-proof, and inclosed by high walls. I wish he +would man it with armed men and see what can be done. If I were a man +I would go, for one, and take good care of at least one window. Henry +sits opposite me writing a most valiant editorial, and tells me to tell +you he is waxing mighty in battle." + +In another letter she writes:-- + +"I told you in my last that the mob broke into Birney's press, where, +however, the mischief done was but slight. The object appeared to be +principally to terrify. Immediately there followed a general excitement +in which even good men in their panic and prejudice about abolitionism +forgot that mobs were worse evils than these, talked against Birney, +and winked at the outrage; N. Wright and Judge Burnet, for example. +Meanwhile the turbulent spirits went beyond this and talked of +revolution and of righting things without law that could not be righted +by it. At the head of these were Morgan, Neville, Longworth, Joseph +Graham, and Judge Burke. A meeting was convoked at Lower Market Street +to decide whether they would permit the publishing of an abolition +paper, and to this meeting all the most respectable citizens were by +name summoned. + +"There were four classes in the city then: Those who meant to go as +revolutionists and support the mob; those who meant to put down +Birney, but rather hoped to do it without a mob; those who felt ashamed +to go, foreseeing the probable consequence, and yet did not decidedly +frown upon it; and those who sternly and decidedly reprehended it. + +"The first class was headed by Neville, Longworth, Graham, etc.; the +second class, though of some numbers, was less conspicuous; of the +third, Judge Burnet, Dr. Fore, and N. Wright were specimens; and in +the last such men as Hammond, Mansfield, S. P. Chase,[3] and Chester +were prominent. The meeting in so many words voted a mob, nevertheless +a committee was appointed to wait on Mr. Birney and ascertain what he +proposed to do; and, strange to tell, men as sensible as Uncle John and +Judge Burnet were so short-sighted as to act on that committee. + +"All the newspapers in the city, except Hammond's ('Gazette') and +Henry's (the 'Journal'), were either silent or openly 'mobocratic.' As +might have been expected, Birney refused to leave, and that night the +mob tore down his press, scattered the types, dragged the whole to the +river, threw it in, and then came back to demolish the office. + +"They then went to the houses of Dr. Bailey, Mr. Donaldson, and Mr. +Birney; but the persons they sought were not at home, having been +aware of what was intended. The mayor was a silent spectator of these +proceedings, and was heard to say, 'Well, lads, you have done well, so +far; go home now before you disgrace yourselves;' but the 'lads' spent +the rest of the night and a greater part of the next day (Sunday) in +pulling down the houses of inoffensive and respectable blacks. The +'Gazette' office was threatened, the 'Journal' office was to go next; +Lane Seminary and the water-works also were mentioned as probable +points to be attacked by the mob. + +"By Tuesday morning the city was pretty well alarmed. A regular corps +of volunteers was organized, who for three nights patrolled the streets +with firearms and with legal warrant from the mayor, who by this time +was glad to give it, to put down the mob even by bloodshed. + +"For a day or two we did not know but there would actually be war +to the knife, as was threatened by the mob, and we really saw Henry +depart with his pistols with daily alarm, only we were all too full of +patriotism not to have sent every brother we had rather than not have +had the principles of freedom and order defended. + +"But here the tide turned. The mob, unsupported by a now frightened +community, slunk into their dens and were still; and then Hammond, +who, during the few days of its prevalence, had made no comments, but +published simply the Sermon on the Mount, the Constitution of Ohio, +and the Declaration of Independence, without any comment, now came +out and gave a simple, concise history of the mob, tracing it to the +market-house meeting, telling the whole history of the meeting, with +the names of those who got it up, throwing on them and on those who +had acted on the committee the whole responsibility of the following +mob. It makes a terrible sensation, but it 'cuts its way,' and all who +took other stand than that of steady opposition from the first are +beginning to feel the reaction of public sentiment, while newspapers +from abroad are pouring in their reprehensions of the disgraceful +conduct of Cincinnati. Another time, I suspect, such men as Judge +Burnet, Mr. Greene, and Uncle John will keep their fingers out of such +a trap, and people will all learn better than to wink at a mob that +happens to please them at the outset, or in any way to give it their +countenance. Mr. Greene and Uncle John were full of wrath against mobs, +and would not go to the meeting, and yet were cajoled into acting on +that committee in the vain hope of getting Birney to go away and thus +preventing the outrage. + +"They are justly punished, I think, for what was very irresolute and +foolish conduct, to say the least." + +The general tone of her letters at this time would seem to show that, +while Mrs. Stowe was anti-slavery in her sympathies, she was not a +declared abolitionist. This is still further borne out in a letter +written in 1837 from Putnam, Ohio, whither she had gone for a short +visit to her brother William. In it she says:-- + +"The good people here, you know, are about half abolitionists. A lady +who takes a leading part in the female society in this place yesterday +called and brought Catherine the proceedings of the Female Anti-Slavery +Convention. + +"I should think them about as ultra as to measures as anything that has +been attempted, though I am glad to see a better spirit than marks such +proceedings generally. + +"To-day I read some in Mr. Birney's 'Philanthropist.' Abolitionism +being the fashion here, it is natural to look at its papers. + +"It does seem to me that there needs to be an _intermediate_ society. +If not, as light increases, all the excesses of the abolition party +will not prevent humane and conscientious men from joining it. + +"Pray what is there in Cincinnati to satisfy one whose mind is awakened +on this subject? No one can have the system of slavery brought before +him without an irrepressible desire to _do_ something, and what is +there to be done?" + +On September 29, 1836, while Professor Stowe was still absent in +Europe, his wife gave birth to twin daughters, Eliza and Isabella, as +she named them; but Eliza Tyler and Harriet Beecher, as her husband +insisted they should be called, when, upon reaching New York, he was +greeted by the joyful news. His trip from London in the ship Gladiator +had been unusually long, even for those days of sailing vessels, and +extended from November 19, 1836, to January 20, 1837. + +During the summer of 1837 Mrs. Stowe suffered much from ill health, on +which account, and to relieve her from domestic cares, she was sent to +make a long visit at Putnam with her brother, Rev. William Beecher. +While here she received a letter from her husband, in which he says:-- + +"We all of course feel proper indignation at the doings of last General +Assembly, and shall treat them with merited contempt. This alliance +between the old school (Presbyterians) and slaveholders will make more +abolitionists than anything that has been done yet." + +In December Professor Stowe went to Columbus with the extended +educational report that he had devoted the summer to preparing; and in +writing from there to his wife he says:-- + +"To-day I have been visiting the governor and legislators. They +received me with the utmost kindness, and are evidently anticipating +much from my report. The governor communicated it to the legislature +to-day, and it is concluded that I read it in Dr. Hodges' church on +two evenings, to-morrow and the day after, before both houses of the +legislature and the citizens. The governor (Vance) will preside at both +meetings. I like him (the governor) much. He is just such a plain, +simple-hearted, sturdy body as old Fritz (Kaiser Frederick), with more +of natural talent than his predecessor in the gubernatorial chair. For +my year's work in this matter I am to receive $500." + +On January 14, 1838, Mrs. Stowe's third child, Henry Ellis, was born. + +It was about this time that the famous reunion of the Beecher family +described in Lyman Beecher's "Autobiography" occurred. Edward made a +visit to the East, and when he returned he brought Mary (Mrs. Thomas +Perkins) from Hartford with him. William came down from Putnam, Ohio, +and George from Batavia, New York, while Catherine, Harriet, Henry, +Charles, Isabella, Thomas, and James were already at home. It was the +first time they had ever all met together. Mary had never seen James, +and had seen Thomas but once. The old doctor was almost transported +with joy as they all gathered about him, and his cup of happiness was +filled to overflowing when, the next day, which was Sunday, his pulpit +was filled by Edward in the morning, William in the afternoon, and +George in the evening. + +Side by side with this charming picture we have another of domestic +life outlined by Mrs. Stowe's own hand. It is contained in the +following letter, written June 21, 1838, to Miss May, at New Haven, +Conn.:-- + + MY DEAR, DEAR GEORGIANA,--Only think how long it is + since I have written to you, and how changed I am since + then--the mother of three children! Well, if I have + not kept the reckoning of old times, let this last + circumstance prove my apology, for I have been hand, + heart, and head full since I saw you. + + Now, to-day, for example, I'll tell you what I had + on my mind from dawn to dewy eve. In the first place + I waked about half after four and thought, "Bless + me, how light it is! I must get out of bed and rap + to wake up Mina, for breakfast must be had at six + o'clock this morning." So out of bed I jump and seize + the tongs and pound, pound, pound over poor Mina's + sleepy head, charitably allowing her about half an + hour to get waked up in,--that being the quantum of + time that it takes me,--or used to. Well, then baby + wakes--qua, qua, qua, so I give him his breakfast, + dozing meanwhile and soliloquizing as follows: "Now I + must not forget to tell Mr. Stowe about the starch and + dried apples"--doze--"ah, um, dear me! why doesn't Mina + get up? I don't hear her,"--doze--"a, um,--I wonder if + Mina has soap enough! I think there were two bars left + on Saturday"--doze again--I wake again. "Dear me, broad + daylight! I must get up and go down and see if Mina is + getting breakfast." Up I jump and up wakes baby. "Now, + little boy, be good and let mother dress, because she + is in a hurry." I get my frock half on and baby by + that time has kicked himself down off his pillow, and + is crying and fisting the bed-clothes in great order. I + stop with one sleeve off and one on to settle matters + with him. Having planted him bolt upright and gone all + up and down the chamber barefoot to get pillows and + blankets to prop him up, I finish putting my frock on + and hurry down to satisfy myself by actual observation + that the breakfast is in progress. Then back I come + into the nursery, where, remembering that it is washing + day and that there is a great deal of work to be done, + I apply myself vigorously to sweeping, dusting, and the + setting to rights so necessary where there are three + little mischiefs always pulling down as fast as one can + put up. + + Then there are Miss H---- and Miss E----, concerning + whom Mary will furnish you with all suitable + particulars, who are chattering, hallooing, or singing + at the tops of their voices, as may suit their various + states of mind, while the nurse is getting their + breakfast ready. This meal being cleared away, Mr. + Stowe dispatched to market with various memoranda + of provisions, etc., and the baby being washed and + dressed, I begin to think what next must be done. + I start to cut out some little dresses, have just + calculated the length and got one breadth torn off when + Master Henry makes a doleful lip and falls to crying + with might and main. I catch him up and turning round + see one of his sisters flourishing the things out of + my workbox in fine style. Moving it away and looking + the other side I see the second little mischief seated + by the hearth chewing coals and scraping up ashes with + great apparent relish. Grandmother lays hold upon her + and charitably offers to endeavor to quiet baby while + I go on with my work. I set at it again, pick up a + dozen pieces, measure them once more to see which is + the right one, and proceed to cut out some others, when + I see the twins on the point of quarreling with each + other. Number one pushes number two over. Number two + screams: that frightens the baby and he joins in. I + call number one a naughty girl, take the persecuted one + in my arms, and endeavor to comfort her by trotting to + the old lyric:-- + + "So ride the gentlefolk, + And so do we, so do we." + + Meanwhile number one makes her way to the slop jar and + forthwith proceeds to wash her apron in it. Grandmother + catches her by one shoulder, drags her away, and sets + the jar up out of her reach. By and by the nurse comes + up from her sweeping. I commit the children to her, and + finish cutting out the frocks. + + But let this suffice, for of such details as these are + all my days made up. Indeed, my dear, I am but a mere + drudge with few ideas beyond babies and housekeeping. + As for thoughts, reflections, and sentiments, good + lack! good lack! + + I suppose I am a dolefully uninteresting person at + present, but I hope I shall grow young again one of + these days, for it seems to me that matters cannot + always stand exactly as they do now. + + Well, Georgy, this marriage is--yes, I will speak well + of it, after all; for when I can stop and think long + enough to discriminate my head from my heels, I must + say that I think myself a fortunate woman both in + husband and children. My children I would not change + for all the ease, leisure, and pleasure that I could + have without them. They are money on interest whose + value will be constantly increasing. + +In 1839 Mrs. Stowe received into her family as a servant a colored +girl from Kentucky. By the laws of Ohio she was free, having been +brought into the State and left there by her mistress. In spite of +this, Professor Stowe received word, after she had lived with them some +months, that the girl's master was in the city looking for her, and +that if she were not careful she would be seized and conveyed back into +slavery. Finding that this could be accomplished by boldness, perjury, +and the connivance of some unscrupulous justice, Professor Stowe +determined to remove the girl to some place of security where she might +remain until the search for her should be given up. Accordingly he and +his brother-in-law, Henry Ward Beecher, both armed, drove the fugitive, +in a covered wagon, at night, by unfrequented roads, twelve miles back +into the country, and left her in safety with the family of old John +Van Zandt, the fugitive's friend. + +It is from this incident of real life and personal experience that Mrs. +Stowe conceived the thrilling episode of the fugitives' escape from Tom +Loker and Marks in "Uncle Tom's Cabin." + +An amusing and at the same time most interesting account of her +struggles to accomplish literary work amid her distracting domestic +duties at this time is furnished by the letter of one of her intimate +friends, who writes:-- + +"It was my good fortune to number Mrs. Stowe among my friends, and +during a visit to her I had an opportunity one day of witnessing the +combined exercise of her literary and domestic genius in a style that +to me was quite amusing. + +"'Come Harriet,' said I, as I found her tending one baby and watching +two others just able to walk, 'where is that piece for the "Souvenir" +which I promised the editor I would get from you and send on next week? +You have only this one day left to finish it, and have it I must.' + +"'And how will you get it, friend of mine?' said Harriet. 'You will +at least have to wait till I get house-cleaning over and baby's teeth +through.' + +"'As to house-cleaning, you can defer it one day longer; and as to +baby's teeth, there is to be no end to them, as I can see. No, no; +to-day that story must be ended. There Frederick has been sitting by +Ellen and saying all those pretty things for more than a month now, and +she has been turning and blushing till I am sure it is time to go to +her relief. Come, it would not take you three hours at the rate you can +write to finish the courtship, marriage, catastrophe, eclaircissement, +and all; and this three hours' labor of your brains will earn enough to +pay for all the sewing your fingers could do for a year to come. Two +dollars a page, my dear, and you can write a page in fifteen minutes! +Come, then, my lady housekeeper, economy is a cardinal virtue; consider +the economy of the thing.' + +"'But, my dear, here is a baby in my arms and two little pussies by +my side, and there is a great baking down in the kitchen, and there +is a "new girl" for "help," besides preparations to be made for +house-cleaning next week. It is really out of the question, you see.' + +"'I see no such thing. I do not know what genius is given for, if it +is not to help a woman out of a scrape. Come, set your wits to work, +let me have my way, and you shall have all the work done and finish the +story too.' + +"'Well, but kitchen affairs?' + +"'We can manage them too. You know you can write anywhere and anyhow. +Just take your seat at the kitchen table with your writing weapons, and +while you superintend Mina fill up the odd snatches of time with the +labors of your pen.' + +"I carried my point. In ten minutes she was seated; a table with flour, +rolling-pin, ginger, and lard on one side, a dresser with eggs, pork, +and beans and various cooking utensils on the other, near her an oven +heating, and beside her a dark-skinned nymph, waiting orders. + +"'Here, Harriet,' said I, 'you can write on this atlas in your lap; no +matter how the writing looks, I will copy it.' + +"'Well, well,' said she, with a resigned sort of amused look. 'Mina, +you may do what I told you, while I write a few minutes, till it is +time to mould up the bread. Where is the inkstand?' + +"'Here it is, close by, on the top of the tea-kettle,' said I. + +"At this Mina giggled, and we both laughed to see her merriment at our +literary proceedings. + +"I began to overhaul the portfolio to find the right sheet. + +"'Here it is,' said I. 'Here is Frederick sitting by Ellen, glancing at +her brilliant face, and saying something about "guardian angel," and +all that--you remember?' + +"'Yes, yes,' said she, falling into a muse, as she attempted to recover +the thread of her story. + +"'Ma'am, shall I put the pork on the top of the beans?' asked Mina. + +"'Come, come,' said Harriet, laughing. 'You see how it is. Mina is a +new hand and cannot do anything without me to direct her. We must give +up the writing for to-day.' + +"'No, no; let us have another trial. You can dictate as easily as you +can write. Come, I can set the baby in this clothes-basket and give him +some mischief or other to keep him quiet; you shall dictate and I will +write. Now, this is the place where you left off: you were describing +the scene between Ellen and her lover; the last sentence was, "Borne +down by the tide of agony, she leaned her head on her hands, the tears +streamed through her fingers, and her whole frame shook with convulsive +sobs." What shall I write next?' + +"'Mina, pour a little milk into this pearlash,' said Harriet. + +"'Come,' said I. '"The tears streamed through her fingers and her whole +frame shook with convulsive sobs." What next?' + +"Harriet paused and looked musingly out of the window, as she turned +her mind to her story. 'You may write now,' said she, and she dictated +as follows: + +"'"Her lover wept with her, nor dared he again to touch the point so +sacredly guarded"--Mina, roll that crust a little thinner. "He spoke in +soothing tones"--Mina, poke the coals in the oven.' + +"'Here,' said I, 'let me direct Mina about these matters, and write a +while yourself.' + +"Harriet took the pen and patiently set herself to the work. For +a while my culinary knowledge and skill were proof to all Mina's +investigating inquiries, and they did not fail till I saw two pages +completed. + +"'You have done bravely,' said I, as I read over the manuscript; 'now +you must direct Mina a while. Meanwhile dictate and I will write.' + +"Never was there a more docile literary lady than my friend. Without a +word of objection she followed my request. + +"'I am ready to write,' said I. 'The last sentence was: "What is this +life to one who has suffered as I have?" What next?' + +"'Shall I put in the brown or the white bread first?' said Mina. + +"'The brown first,' said Harriet. + +"'"What is this life to one who has suffered as I have?"' said I. + +"Harriet brushed the flour off her apron and sat down for a moment in a +muse. Then she dictated as follows:-- + +"'"Under the breaking of my heart I have borne up. I have borne up +under all that tries a woman,--but this thought,--oh, Henry!"' + +"'Ma'am, shall I put ginger into this pumpkin?' queried Mina. + +"'No, you may let that alone just now,' replied Harriet. She then +proceeded:-- + +"'"I know my duty to my children. I see the hour must come. You must +take them, Henry; they are my last earthly comfort."' + +"'Ma'am, what shall I do with these egg-shells and all this truck +here?' interrupted Mina. + +"'Put them in the pail by you,' answered Harriet. + +"'"They are my last earthly comfort,"' said I. 'What next?' + +"She continued to dictate,-- + +"'"You must take them away. It may be--perhaps it _must_ be--that I +shall soon follow, but the breaking heart of a wife still pleads, 'a +little longer, a little longer.'"' + +"'How much longer must the gingerbread stay in?' inquired Mina. + +"'Five minutes,' said Harriet. + +"'"A little longer, a little longer,"' I repeated in a dolorous tone, +and we burst into a laugh. + +"Thus we went on, cooking, writing, nursing, and laughing, till I +finally accomplished my object. The piece was finished, copied, and the +next day sent to the editor." + +The widely scattered members of the Beecher family had a fashion of +communicating with each other by means of circular letters. These, +begun on great sheets of paper, at either end of the line, were passed +along from one to another, each one adding his or her budget of news +to the general stock. When the filled sheet reached the last person +for whom it was intended, it was finally remailed to its point of +departure. Except in the cases of Mrs. Stowe and Mrs. Perkins, the +simple address "Rev. Mr. Beecher" was sufficient to insure its safe +delivery in any town to which it was sent. + +One of these great, closely-written sheets, bearing in faded ink the +names of all the Beechers, lies outspread before us as we write. It +is postmarked Hartford, Conn., Batavia, N. Y., Chillicothe, Ohio, +Zanesville, Ohio, Walnut Hills, Ohio, Indianapolis, Ind., Jacksonville, +Ill., and New Orleans, La. In it Mrs. Stowe occupies her allotted space +with-- + + WALNUT HILLS, _April 27, 1839._ + + DEAR FRIENDS,--I am going to Hartford myself, and + therefore shall not write, but hurry along the + preparations for my forward journey. Belle, father says + you may go to the White Mountains with Mr. Stowe and me + this summer. George, we may look in on you coming back. + Good-by. + + Affectionately to all, H. E. STOWE. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[2] A ridiculous book from which Mr. Stowe derived endless amusement. + +[3] Salmon P. Chase. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +POVERTY AND SICKNESS, 1840-1850. + + FAMINE IN CINCINNATI.--SUMMER AT THE EAST.--PLANS + FOR LITERARY WORK.--EXPERIENCE ON A RAILROAD.--DEATH + OF HER BROTHER GEORGE.--SICKNESS AND DESPAIR.--A + JOURNEY IN SEARCH OF HEALTH.--GOES TO BRATTLEBORO' + WATERCURE.--TROUBLES AT LANE SEMINARY.--CHOLERA IN + CINCINNATI.--DEATH OF YOUNGEST CHILD.--DETERMINED TO + LEAVE THE WEST. + + +ON January 7, 1839, Professor Stowe wrote to his mother in Natick, +Mass.: "You left here, I believe, in the right time, for as there has +been no navigation on the Ohio River for a year, we are almost in a +state of famine as to many of the necessities of life. For example, +salt (coarse) has sold in Cincinnati this winter for three dollars a +bushel; rice eighteen cents a pound; coffee fifty cents a pound; white +sugar the same; brown sugar twenty cents; molasses a dollar a gallon; +potatoes a dollar a bushel. We do without such things mostly; as there +is yet plenty of bread and bacon (flour six and seven dollars a barrel, +and good pork from six to eight cents a pound) we get along very +comfortably. + +"Our new house is pretty much as it was, but they say it will be +finished in July. I expect to visit you next summer, as I shall deliver +the Phi Beta Kappa oration at Dartmouth College; but whether wife and +children come with me or not is not yet decided." + +Mrs. Stowe came on to the East with her husband and children during +the following summer, and before her return made a trip through the +White Mountains. + +In May, 1840, her second son was born and named Frederick William, +after the sturdy Prussian king, for whom her husband cherished an +unbounded admiration. + +Mrs. Stowe has said somewhere: "So we go, dear reader, so long as we +have a body and a soul. For worlds must mingle,--the great and the +little, the solemn and the trivial, wreathing in and out like the +grotesque carvings on a gothic shrine; only did we know it rightly, +nothing is trivial, since the human soul, with its awful shadow, makes +all things sacred." So in writing a biography it is impossible for us +to tell what did and what did not powerfully influence the character. +It is safer simply to tell the unvarnished truth. The lily builds up +its texture of delicate beauty from mould and decay. So how do we know +from what humble material a soul grows in strength and beauty! + +In December, 1840, writing to Miss May, Mrs. Stowe says:-- + +"For a year I have held the pen only to write an occasional business +letter such as could not be neglected. This was primarily owing to a +severe neuralgic complaint that settled in my eyes, and for two months +not only made it impossible for me to use them in writing, but to fix +them with attention on anything. I could not even bear the least light +of day in my room. Then my dear little Frederick was born, and for two +months more I was confined to my bed. Besides all this, we have had an +unusual amount of sickness in our family.... + +"For all that my history of the past year records so many troubles, I +cannot on the whole regard it as a very troublous one. I have had so +many counterbalancing mercies that I must regard myself as a person +greatly blessed. It is true that about six months out of the twelve I +have been laid up with sickness, but then I have had every comfort and +the kindest of nurses in my faithful Anna. My children have thriven, +and on the whole 'come to more,' as the Yankees say, than the care of +them. Thus you see my troubles have been but enough to keep me from +loving earth too well." + +In the spring of 1842 Mrs. Stowe again visited Hartford, taking her +six-year-old daughter Hatty with her. In writing from there to her +husband she confides some of her literary plans and aspirations to him, +and he answers:-- + +"My dear, you must be a literary woman. It is so written in the book +of fate. Make all your calculations accordingly. Get a good stock of +health and brush up your mind. Drop the E. out of your name. It only +incumbers it and interferes with the flow and euphony. Write yourself +fully and always Harriet Beecher Stowe, which is a name euphonious, +flowing, and full of meaning. Then my word for it, your husband will +lift up his head in the gate, and your children will rise up and call +you blessed. + +"Our humble dwelling has to-day received a distinguished honor of which +I must give you an account. It was a visit from his excellency the +Baron de Roenne, ambassador of his majesty the King of Prussia to the +United States. He was pleased to assure me of the great satisfaction +my report on Prussian schools had afforded the king and members of +his court, with much more to the same effect. Of course having a real +live lord to exhibit, I was anxious for some one to exhibit him to; but +neither Aunt Esther nor Anna dared venture near the study, though they +both contrived to get a peep at his lordship from the little chamber +window as he was leaving. + +"And now, my dear wife, I want you to come home as quick as you can. +The fact is I cannot live without you, and if we were not so prodigious +poor I would come for you at once. There is no woman like you in this +wide world. Who else has so much talent with so little self-conceit; +so much reputation with so little affectation; so much literature with +so little nonsense; so much enterprise with so little extravagance; +so much tongue with so little scold; so much sweetness with so little +softness; so much of so many things and so little of so many other +things?" + +In answer to this letter Mrs. Stowe writes from Hartford:-- + +"I have seen Johnson of the 'Evangelist.' He is very liberally +disposed, and I may safely reckon on being paid for all I do there. Who +is that Hale, Jr., that sent me the 'Boston Miscellany,' and will he +keep his word with me? His offers are very liberal,--twenty dollars for +three pages, not very close print. Is he to be depended on? If so, it +is the best offer I have received yet. I shall get something from the +Harpers some time this winter or spring. Robertson, the publisher here, +says the book ('The Mayflower') will sell, and though the terms they +offer me are very low, that I shall make something on it. For a second +volume I shall be able to make better terms. On the whole, my dear, if +I choose to be a literary lady, I have, I think, as good a chance of +making profit by it as any one I know of. But with all this, I have my +doubts whether I shall be able to do so. + +"Our children are just coming to the age when everything depends on my +efforts. They are delicate in health, and nervous and excitable, and +need a mother's whole attention. Can I lawfully divide my attention by +literary efforts? + +"There is one thing I must suggest. If I am to write, I must have a +room to myself, which shall be _my_ room. I have in my own mind pitched +on Mrs. Whipple's room. I can put the stove in it. I have bought a +cheap carpet for it, and I have furniture enough at home to furnish it +comfortably, and I only beg in addition that you will let me change the +glass door from the nursery into that room and keep my plants there, +and then I shall be quite happy. + +"All last winter I felt the need of some place where I could go and be +quiet and satisfied. I could not there, for there was all the setting +of tables, and clearing up of tables, and dressing and washing of +children, and everything else going on, and the constant falling of +soot and coal dust on everything in the room was a constant annoyance +to me, and I never felt comfortable there though I tried hard. Then if +I came into the parlor where you were I felt as if I were interrupting +you, and you know you sometimes thought so too. + +"Now this winter let the cooking-stove be put into that room, and let +the pipe run up through the floor into the room above. We can eat by +our cooking-stove, and the children can be washed and dressed and keep +their playthings in the room above, and play there when we don't want +them below. You can study by the parlor fire, and I and my plants, +etc., will take the other room. I shall keep my work and all my things +there and feel settled and quiet. I intend to have a regular part of +each day devoted to the children, and then I shall take them in there." + +In his reply to this letter Professor Stowe says:-- + +"The little magazine ('The Souvenir') goes ahead finely. Fisher sent +down to Fulton the other day and got sixty subscribers. He will make +the June number as handsome as possible, as a specimen number for the +students, several of whom will take agencies for it during the coming +vacation. You have it in your power by means of this little magazine +to form the mind of the West for the coming generation. It is just as +I told you in my last letter. God has written it in his book that you +must be a literary woman, and who are we that we should contend against +God? You must therefore make all your calculations to spend the rest of +your life with your pen. + +"If you only could come home to-day how happy should I be. I am daily +finding out more and more (what I knew very well before) that you are +the most intelligent and agreeable woman in the whole circle of my +acquaintance." + +That Professor Stowe's devoted admiration for his wife was +reciprocated, and that a most perfect sympathy of feeling existed +between the husband and wife, is shown by a line in one of Mrs. +Stowe's letters from Hartford in which she says: "I was telling +Belle yesterday that I did not know till I came away how much I was +dependent upon you for information. There are a thousand favorite +subjects on which I could talk with you better than with any one else. +If you were not already my dearly loved husband I should certainly fall +in love with you." + +In this same letter she writes of herself:-- + +"One thing more in regard to myself. The absence and wandering of mind +and forgetfulness that so often vexes you is a physical infirmity +with me. It is the failing of a mind not calculated to endure a great +pressure of care, and so much do I feel the pressure I am under, +so much is my mind often darkened and troubled by care, that life +seriously considered holds out few allurements,--only my children. + +"In returning to my family, from whom I have been so long separated, +I am impressed with a new and solemn feeling of responsibility. It +appears to me that I am not probably destined for long life; at all +events, the feeling is strongly impressed upon my mind that a work is +put into my hands which I must be earnest to finish shortly. It is +nothing great or brilliant in the world's eye; it lies in one small +family circle, of which I am called to be the central point." + +On her way home from this Eastern visit Mrs. Stowe traveled for the +first time by rail, and of this novel experience she writes to Miss +Georgiana May:-- + + BATAVIA, _August 29, 1842._ + + Here I am at Brother William's, and our passage along + this railroad reminds me of the verse of the psalm:-- + + "Tho' lions roar and tempests blow, + And rocks and dangers fill the way." + + Such confusion of tongues, such shouting and swearing, + such want of all sort of system and decency in + arrangements, I never desire to see again. I was + literally almost trodden down and torn to pieces in + the Rochester depot when I went to help my poor, + near-sighted spouse in sorting out the baggage. You + see there was an accident which happened to the cars + leaving Rochester that morning, which kept us two + hours and a half at the passing place this side of + Auburn, waiting for them to come up and go by us. + The consequence was that we got into this Rochester + depot aforesaid after dark, and the steamboat, the + canal-boat, and the Western train of cars had all been + kept waiting three hours beyond their usual time, + and they all broke loose upon us the moment we put + our heads out of the cars, and such a jerking, and + elbowing, and scuffling, and swearing, and protesting, + and scolding you never heard, while the great + locomotive sailed up and down in the midst thereof, + spitting fire and smoke like some great fiend monster + diverting himself with our commotions. I do think + these steam concerns border a little too much on the + supernatural to be agreeable, especially when you are + shut up in a great dark depot after sundown. + + Well, after all, we had to ride till twelve o'clock at + night to get to Batavia, and I've been sick abed, so to + speak, ever since. + +The winter of 1842 was one of peculiar trial to the family at Walnut +Hills; as Mrs. Stowe writes, "It was a season of sickness and gloom." +Typhoid fever raged among the students of the seminary, and the house +of the president was converted into a hospital, while the members of +his family were obliged to devote themselves to nursing the sick and +dying. + +July 6, 1843, a few weeks before the birth of her third daughter, +Georgiana May, a most terrible and overwhelming sorrow came on Mrs. +Stowe, in common with all the family, in the sudden death of her +brother, the Rev. George Beecher. + +He was a young man of unusual talent and ability, and much loved by his +church and congregation. The circumstances of his death are related +in a letter written by Mrs. Stowe, and are as follows: "Noticing the +birds destroying his fruit and injuring his plants, he went for a +double-barreled gun, which he scarcely ever had used, out of regard to +the timidity and anxiety of his wife in reference to it. Shortly after +he left the house, one of the elders of his church in passing saw him +discharge one barrel at the birds. Soon after he heard the fatal report +and saw the smoke, but the trees shut out the rest from sight.... In +about half an hour after, the family assembled at breakfast, and the +servant was sent out to call him.... In a few minutes she returned, +exclaiming, 'Oh, Mr. Beecher is dead! Mr. Beecher is dead!'... In a +short time a visitor in the family, assisted by a passing laborer, +raised him up and bore him to the house. His face was pale and but +slightly marred, his eyes were closed, and over his countenance rested +the sweet expression of peaceful slumber.... Then followed the hurried +preparations for the funeral and journey, until three o'clock, when, +all arrangements being made, he was borne from his newly finished +house, through his blooming garden, to the new church, planned and +just completed under his directing eye.... The sermon and the prayers +were finished, the choir he himself had trained sung their parting +hymn, and at about five the funeral train started for a journey of over +seventy miles. That night will stand alone in the memories of those who +witnessed its scenes! + +"At ten in the evening heavy clouds gathered lowering behind, and +finally rose so as nearly to cover the hemisphere, sending forth +mutterings of thunder and constant flashes of lightning. + +"The excessive heat of the weather, the darkness of the night, the +solitary road, the flaring of the lamps and lanterns, the flashes of +the lightning, the roll of approaching thunder, the fear of being +overtaken in an unfrequented place and the lights extinguished by the +rain, the sad events of the day, the cries of the infant boy sick with +the heat and bewailing the father who ever before had soothed his +griefs, all combined to awaken the deepest emotions of the sorrowful, +the awful, and the sublime.... + +"And so it is at last; there must come a time when all that the most +heart-broken, idolizing love can give us is a coffin and a grave! All +that could be done for our brother, with all his means and all the +affection of his people and friends, was just this, no more! After all, +the deepest and most powerful argument for the religion of Christ is +its power in times like this. Take from us Christ and what He taught, +and what have we here? What confusion, what agony, what dismay, what +wreck and waste! But give Him to us, even the most stricken heart can +rise under the blow; yea, even triumph! + +"'Thy brother shall rise again,' said Jesus; and to us who weep +He speaks: 'Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are made partakers of Christ's +sufferings, that when his glory shall be revealed, ye also may be glad +with exceeding joy!'" + +The advent of Mrs. Stowe's third daughter was followed by a protracted +illness and a struggle with great poverty, of which Mrs. Stowe writes +in October, 1843:-- + +"Our straits for money this year are unparalleled even in our annals. +Even our bright and cheery neighbor Allen begins to look blue, and +says $600 is the very most we can hope to collect of our salary, +once $1,200. We have a flock of entirely destitute young men in the +seminary, as poor in money as they are rich in mental and spiritual +resources. They promise to be as fine a band as those we have just sent +off. We have two from Iowa and Wisconsin who were actually crowded from +secular pursuits into the ministry by the wants of the people about +them. Revivals began, and the people came to them saying, 'We have no +minister, and you must preach to us, for you know more than we do.'" + +In the spring of 1844 Professor Stowe visited the East to arouse +an interest in the struggling seminary and raise funds for its +maintenance. While he was there he received the following letter from +Mrs. Stowe:-- + +"I am already half sick with confinement to the house and overwork. +If I should sew every day for a month to come I should not be able to +accomplish a half of what is to be done, and should be only more unfit +for my other duties." + +This struggle against ill-health and poverty was continued through +that year and well into the next, when, during her husband's absence to +attend a ministerial convention at Detroit, Mrs. Stowe writes to him:-- + + _June 16, 1845._ + + MY DEAR HUSBAND,--It is a dark, sloppy, rainy, muddy, + disagreeable day, and I have been working hard (for + me) all day in the kitchen, washing dishes, looking + into closets, and seeing a great deal of that dark + side of domestic life which a housekeeper may who will + investigate too curiously into minutiae in warm, damp + weather, especially after a girl who keeps all clean + on the _outside_ of cup and platter, and is very apt + to make good the rest of the text in the _inside_ of + things. + + I am sick of the smell of sour milk, and sour meat, and + sour everything, and then the clothes _will_ not dry, + and no wet thing does, and everything smells mouldy; + and altogether I feel as if I never wanted to eat again. + + Your letter, which was neither sour nor mouldy, formed + a very agreeable contrast to all these things; the + more so for being unexpected. I am much obliged to + you for it. As to my health, it gives me very little + solicitude, although I am bad enough and daily growing + worse. I feel no life, no energy, no appetite, or + rather a growing distaste for food; in fact, I am + becoming quite ethereal. Upon reflection I perceive + that it pleases my Father to keep me in the fire, + for my whole situation is excessively harassing and + painful. I suffer with sensible distress in the brain, + as I have done more or less since my sickness last + winter, a distress which some days takes from me all + power of planning or executing anything; and you know + that, except this poor head, my unfortunate household + has no mainspring, for nobody feels any kind of + responsibility to do a thing in time, place, or manner, + except as I oversee it. + + Georgiana is so excessively weak, nervous, cross, and + fretful, night and day, that she takes all Anna's + strength and time with her; and then the children are, + like other little sons and daughters of Adam, full of + all kinds of absurdity and folly. + + When the brain gives out, as mine often does, and one + cannot think or remember anything, then what is to be + done? All common fatigue, sickness, and exhaustion is + nothing to this distress. Yet do I rejoice in my God + and know in whom I believe, and only pray that the + fire may consume the dross; as to the gold, that is + imperishable. No real evil can happen to me, so I fear + nothing for the future, and only suffer in the present + tense. + + God, the mighty God, is mine, of that I am sure, and I + know He knows that though flesh and heart fail, I am + all the while desiring and trying for his will alone. + As to a journey, I need not ask a physician to see that + it is needful to me as far as health is concerned, that + is to say, all human appearances are that way, but I + feel no particular choice about it. If God wills I + go. He can easily find means. Money, I suppose, is as + plenty with Him now as it always has been, and if He + sees it is really best He will doubtless help me. + +That the necessary funds were provided is evident from the fact that +the journey was undertaken and the invalid spent the summer of 1845 in +Hartford, in Natick, and in Boston. She was not, however, permanently +benefited by the change, and in the following spring it was deemed +necessary to take more radical measures to arrest the progress of her +increasing debility. After many consultations and much correspondence +it was finally decided that she should go to Dr. Wesselhoeft's +watercure establishment at Brattleboro', Vt. + +At this time, under date of March, 1846, she writes: + +"For all I have had trouble I can think of nothing but the greatness +and richness of God's mercy to me in giving me such friends, and in +always caring for us in every strait. There has been no day this winter +when I have not had abundant reason to see this. Some friend has always +stepped in to cheer and help, so that I have wanted for nothing. My +husband has developed wonderfully as house-father and nurse. You would +laugh to see him in his spectacles gravely marching the little troop in +their nightgowns up to bed, tagging after them, as he says, like an old +hen after a flock of ducks. The money for my journey has been sent in +from an unknown hand in a wonderful manner. All this shows the care of +our Father, and encourages me to rejoice and to hope in Him." + +A few days after her departure Professor Stowe wrote to his wife:-- + +"I was greatly comforted by your brief letter from Pittsburgh. When +I returned from the steamer the morning you left I found in the +post-office a letter from Mrs. G. W. Bull of New York, inclosing $50 on +account of the sickness in my family. There was another inclosing $50 +more from a Mrs. Devereaux of Raleigh, N. C., besides some smaller sums +from others. My heart went out to God in aspiration and gratitude. +None of the donors, so far as I know, have I ever seen or heard of +before. + +"Henry and I have been living in a Robinson Crusoe and man Friday sort +of style, greatly to our satisfaction, ever since you went away." + +Mrs. Stowe was accompanied to Brattleboro' by her sisters, Catherine +and Mary, who were also suffering from troubles that they felt might be +relieved by hydropathic treatment. + +From May, 1846, until March, 1847, she remained at Brattleboro' without +seeing her husband or children. During these weary months her happiest +days were those upon which she received letters from home. + +The following extracts, taken from letters written by her during this +period, are of value, as revealing what it is possible to know of her +habits of thought and mode of life at this time. + + BRATTLEBORO', _September, 1846._ + + MY DEAR HUSBAND,--I have been thinking of all your + trials, and I really pity you in having such a wife. I + feel as if I had been only a hindrance to you instead + of a help, and most earnestly and daily do I pray to + God to restore my health that I may do something for + you and my family. I think if I were only at home I + could at least sweep and dust, and wash potatoes, and + cook a little, and talk some to my children, and should + be doing something for my family. But the hope of + getting better buoys me up. I go through these tedious + and wearisome baths and bear that terrible douche + thinking of my children. They never will know how I + love them.... + + There is great truth and good sense in your analysis + of the cause of our past failures. We have now come + to a sort of crisis. If you and I do as we should for + _five years_ to come the character of our three oldest + children will be established. This is why I am willing + to spend so much time and make such efforts to have + health. Oh, that God would give me these five years in + full possession of mind and body, that I may train my + children as they should be trained. I am fully aware + of the importance of system and order in a family. I + know that nothing can be done without it; it is the + keystone, the _sine qua non_, and in regard to my + children I place it next to piety. At the same time it + is true that both Anna[4] and I labor under serious + natural disadvantages on this subject. It is not all + that is necessary to feel the importance of order and + system, but it requires a particular kind of talent to + carry it through a family. Very much the same kind of + talent, as Uncle Samuel said, which is necessary to + make a good prime minister.... + + I think you might make an excellent sermon to + Christians on the care of health, in consideration + of the various infirmities and impediments to the + developing the results of religion, that result from + bodily ill health, and I wish you would make one that + your own mind may be more vividly impressed with it. + The world is too much in a hurry. Ministers think there + is no way to serve Christ but to overdraw on their + physical capital for four or five years for Christ and + then have nothing to give, but become a mere burden on + his hands for the next five.... + + + _November 18._ "The daily course I go through + presupposes a degree of vigor beyond anything I ever + had before. For this week, I have gone before breakfast + to the wave-bath and let all the waves and billows roll + over me till every limb ached with cold and my hands + would scarcely have feeling enough to dress me. After + that I have walked till I was warm, and come home to + breakfast with such an appetite! Brown bread and milk + are luxuries indeed, and the only fear is that I may + eat too much. At eleven comes my douche, to which I + have walked in a driving rain for the last two days, + and after it walked in the rain again till I was warm. + (The umbrella you gave me at Natick answers finely, as + well as if it were a silk one.) After dinner I roll + ninepins or walk till four, then sitz-bath, and another + walk till six. + + "I am anxious for your health; do be persuaded to + try a long walk before breakfast. You don't know how + much good it will do you. Don't sit in your hot study + without any ventilation, a stove burning up all the + vitality of the air and weakening your nerves, and + above all, do _amuse_ yourself. Go to Dr. Mussey's + and spend an evening, and to father's and Professor + Allen's. When you feel worried go off somewhere and + forget and throw it off. I should really rejoice to + hear that you and father and mother, with Professor + and Mrs. Allen, Mrs. K., and a few others of the same + calibre would agree to meet together for dancing + cotillons. It would do you all good, and if you took + Mr. K.'s wife and poor Miss Much-Afraid, her daughter, + into the alliance it would do them good. Bless me! + what a profane set everybody would think you were, + and yet you are the people of all the world most + solemnly in need of it. I wish you could be with me in + Brattleboro' and coast down hill on a sled, go sliding + and snowballing by moonlight! I would snowball every + bit of the _hypo_ out of you! Now, my dear, if you are + going to get sick, I am going to come home. There is no + use in my trying to get well if you, in the mean time, + are going to run yourself down." + + _January, 1847._ + + My dear Soul,--I received your most melancholy + effusion, and I am sorry to find it's just so. I + entirely agree and sympathize. Why didn't you engage + the two tombstones--one for you and one for me? + + [Illustration: Ding, dong! Dead and gone!] + + I shall have to copy for your edification a "poem + on tombstones" which Kate put at Christmas into the + stocking of one of our most hypochondriac gentlemen, + who had pished and pshawed at his wife and us for + trying to get up a little fun. This poem was fronted + with the above vignette and embellished with sundry + similar ones, and tied with a long black ribbon. There + were only two cantos in very concise style, so I shall + send you them entire. + + CANTO I. + + In the kingdom of _Mortin_ + I had the good fortin' + To find these verses + On tombs and on hearses, + Which I, being jinglish + Have done into English. + + [Illustration] + + CANTO II. + + The man what's so colickish + When his friends are all frolickish + As to turn up his noses + And turn on his toses + Shall have only verses + On tombstones and hearses. + + But, seriously, my dear husband, you must try and be + patient, for this cannot last forever. Be patient and + bear it like the toothache, or a driving rain, or + anything else that you cannot escape. To see things as + through a glass darkly is your infirmity, you know; + but the Lord will yet deliver you from this trial. I + know how to pity you, for the last three weeks I have + suffered from an overwhelming mental depression, a + perfect heartsickness. All I wanted was to get home and + die. Die I was very sure I should at any rate, but I + suppose I was never less prepared to do so. + +The long exile was ended in the spring of 1847, and in May Mrs. Stowe +returned to her Cincinnati home, where she was welcomed with sincere +demonstrations of joy by her husband and children. + +Her sixth child, Samuel Charles, was born in January of 1848, and +about this time her husband's health became so seriously impaired that +it was thought desirable for him in turn to spend a season at the +Brattleboro' water-cure. He went in June, 1848, and was compelled by +the very precarious state of his health to remain until September, +1849. During this period of more than a year Mrs. Stowe remained in +Cincinnati caring for her six children, eking out her slender income by +taking boarders and writing when she found time, confronting a terrible +epidemic of cholera that carried off one of her little flock, and in +every way showing herself to be a brave woman, possessed of a spirit +that could rise superior to all adversity. Concerning this time she +writes in January, 1849, to her dearest friend:-- + + MY BELOVED GEORGY,--For six months after my return from + Brattleboro' my eyes were so affected that I wrote + scarce any, and my health was in so strange a state + that I felt no disposition to write. After the birth of + little Charley my health improved, but my husband was + sick and I have been so loaded and burdened with cares + as to drain me dry of all capacity of thought, feeling, + memory, or emotion. + + Well, Georgy, I am thirty-seven years old! I am glad + of it. I like to grow old and have six children and + cares endless. I wish you could see me with my flock + all around me. They sum up my cares, and were they gone + I should ask myself, What now remains to be done? They + are my work, over which I fear and tremble. + +In the early summer of 1849 cholera broke out in Cincinnati, and soon +became epidemic. Professor Stowe, absent in Brattleboro', and filled +with anxiety for the safety of his family, was most anxious, in spite +of his feeble health, to return and share the danger with them, but +this his wife would not consent to, as is shown by her letters to him, +written at this time. In one of them, dated June 29, 1849, she says:-- + + MY DEAR HUSBAND,--This week has been unusually fatal. + The disease in the city has been malignant and + virulent. Hearse drivers have scarce been allowed to + unharness their horses, while furniture carts and + common vehicles are often employed for the removal of + the dead. The sable trains which pass our windows, the + frequent indications of crowding haste, and the absence + of reverent decency have, in many cases, been most + painful. Of course all these things, whether we will or + no, bring very doleful images to the mind. + + On Tuesday one hundred and sixteen deaths from cholera + were reported, and that night the air was of that + peculiarly oppressive, deathly kind that seems to lie + like lead on the brain and soul. + + As regards your coming home, I am decidedly opposed + to it. First, because the chance of your being taken + ill is just as great as the chance of your being able + to render us any help. To exchange the salubrious air + of Brattleboro' for the pestilent atmosphere of this + place with your system rendered sensitive by water-cure + treatment would be extremely dangerous. It is a source + of constant gratitude to me that neither you nor father + are exposed to the dangers here. + + Second, none of us are sick, and it is very uncertain + whether we shall be. + + Third, if we were sick there are so many of us that it + is not at all likely we shall all be taken at once. + + _July 1._ Yesterday Mr. Stagg went to the city and + found all gloomy and discouraged, while a universal + panic seemed to be drawing nearer than ever before. + Large piles of coal were burning on the cross walks + and in the public squares, while those who had talked + confidently of the cholera being confined to the lower + classes and those who were imprudent began to feel as + did the magicians of old, "This is the finger of God." + + Yesterday, upon the recommendation of all the clergymen + of the city, the mayor issued a proclamation for a day + of general fasting, humiliation, and prayer, to be + observed on Tuesday next. + + _July 3._ We are all in good health and try to maintain + a calm and cheerful frame of mind. The doctors are + nearly used up. Dr. Bowen and Dr. Peck are sick in bed. + Dr. Potter and Dr. Pulte ought, I suppose, to be there + also. The younger physicians have no rest night or day. + Mr. Fisher is laid up from his incessant visitations + with the sick and dying. Our own Dr. Brown is likewise + prostrated, but we are all resolute to stand by each + other, and there are so many of us that it is not + likely we can all be taken sick together. + + _July 4._ All well. The meeting yesterday was very + solemn and interesting. There is more or less sickness + about us, but no very dangerous cases. One hundred + and twenty burials from cholera alone yesterday, yet + to-day we see parties bent on pleasure or senseless + carousing, while to-morrow and next day will witness + a fresh harvest of death from them. How we can become + accustomed to anything! Awhile ago ten a day dying of + cholera struck terror to all hearts; but now the tide + has surged up gradually until the deaths average over + a hundred daily, and everybody is getting accustomed + to it. Gentlemen make themselves agreeable to ladies + by reciting the number of deaths in this house or + that. This together with talk of funerals, cholera + medicines, cholera dietetics, and chloride of lime form + the ordinary staple of conversation. Serious persons of + course throw in moral reflections to their taste. + + _July 10._ Yesterday little Charley was taken ill, not + seriously, and at any other season I should not be + alarmed. Now, however, a slight illness seems like a + death sentence, and I will not dissemble that I feel + from the outset very little hope. I still think it best + that you should not return. By so doing you might lose + all you have gained. You might expose yourself to a + fatal incursion of disease. It is decidedly not your + duty to do so. + + _July 12._ Yesterday I carried Charley to Dr. Pulte, + who spoke in such a manner as discouraged and + frightened me. He mentioned dropsy on the brain as + a possible result. I came home with a heavy heart, + sorrowing, desolate, and wishing my husband and father + were here. + + About one o'clock this morning Miss Stewart suddenly + opened my door crying, "Mrs. Stowe, Henry is vomiting." + I was on my feet in an instant, and lifted up my heart + for help. He was, however, in a few minutes relieved. + Then I turned my attention to Charley, who was also + suffering, put him into a wet sheet, and kept him there + until he was in a profuse perspiration. He is evidently + getting better, and is auspiciously cross. Never was + crossness in a baby more admired. Anna and I have said + to each other exultingly a score of times, "How cross + the little fellow is! How he does scold!" + + _July 15._ Since I last wrote our house has been a + perfect hospital. Charley apparently recovering, but + still weak and feeble, unable to walk or play, and + so miserably fretful and unhappy. Sunday Anna and + I were fairly stricken down, as many others are, + with no particular illness, but with such miserable + prostration. I lay on the bed all day reading my + hymn-book and thinking over passages of Scripture. + + _July 17._ To-day we have been attending poor old Aunt + Frankie's[5] funeral. She died yesterday morning, + taken sick the day before while washing. Good, honest, + trustful old soul! She was truly one who hungered and + thirsted for righteousness. + + Yesterday morning our poor little dog, Daisy, who had + been ailing the day before, was suddenly seized with + frightful spasms and died in half an hour. Poor little + affectionate thing! If I were half as good for my + nature as she for hers I should be much better than I + am. While we were all mourning over her the news came + that Aunt Frankie was breathing her last. Hatty, Eliza, + Anna, and I made her shroud yesterday, and this morning + I made her cap. We have just come from her grave. + + + _July 23._ At last, my dear, the hand of the Lord hath + touched us. We have been watching all day by the dying + bed of little Charley, who is gradually sinking. After + a partial recovery from the attack I described in my + last letter he continued for some days very feeble, but + still we hoped for recovery. About four days ago he was + taken with decided cholera, and now there is no hope of + his surviving this night. + + Every kindness is shown us by the neighbors. Do not + return. All will be over before you could possibly get + here, and the epidemic is now said by the physicians + to prove fatal to every new case. Bear up. Let us not + faint when we are rebuked of Him. I dare not trust + myself to say more but shall write again soon. + + _July 26._ + + MY DEAR HUSBAND,--At last it is over and our dear + little one is gone from us. He is now among the + blessed. My Charley--my beautiful, loving, gladsome + baby, so loving, so sweet, so full of life and hope + and strength--now lies shrouded, pale and cold, in the + room below. Never was he anything to me but a comfort. + He has been my pride and joy. Many a heartache has he + cured for me. Many an anxious night have I held him to + my bosom and felt the sorrow and loneliness pass out + of me with the touch of his little warm hands. Yet I + have just seen him in his death agony, looked on his + imploring face when I could not help nor soothe nor do + one thing, not one, to mitigate his cruel suffering, + do nothing but pray in my anguish that he might die + soon. I write as though there were no sorrow like my + sorrow, yet there has been in this city, as in the + land of Egypt, scarce a house without its dead. This + heart-break, this anguish, has been everywhere, and + when it will end God alone knows. + +With this severest blow of all, the long years of trial and suffering +in the West practically end; for in September, 1849, Professor Stowe +returned from Brattleboro', and at the same time received a call to the +Collins Professorship at Bowdoin College, in Brunswick, Maine, that he +decided to accept. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[4] The governess, Miss Anna Smith. + +[5] An old colored woman. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +REMOVAL TO BRUNSWICK, 1850-1852. + + MRS. STOWE'S REMARKS ON WRITING AND UNDERSTANDING + BIOGRAPHY.--THEIR APPROPRIATENESS TO HER OWN + BIOGRAPHY.--REASONS FOR PROFESSOR STOWE'S LEAVING + CINCINNATI.--MRS. STOWE'S JOURNEY TO BROOKLYN.--HER + BROTHER'S SUCCESS AS A MINISTER.--LETTERS FROM HARTFORD + AND BOSTON.--ARRIVES IN BRUNSWICK.--HISTORY OF THE + SLAVERY AGITATION.--PRACTICAL WORKING OF THE FUGITIVE + SLAVE LAW.--MRS. EDWARD BEECHER'S LETTER TO MRS. STOWE + AND ITS EFFECT.--DOMESTIC TRIALS.--BEGINS TO WRITE + "UNCLE TOM'S CABIN" AS A SERIAL FOR THE "NATIONAL + ERA."--LETTER TO FREDERICK DOUGLASS.--"UNCLE TOM'S + CABIN" A WORK OF RELIGIOUS EMOTION. + + +EARLY in the winter of 1849 Mrs. Stowe wrote in a private journal in +which she recorded thought and feeling concerning religious themes: +"It has been said that it takes a man to write the life of a man; that +is, there must be similarity of mind in the person who undertakes to +present the character of another. This is true, also, of reading and +understanding biography. A statesman and general would read the life of +Napoleon with the spirit and the understanding, while the commonplace +man plods through it as a task. The difference is that the one, being +of like mind and spirit with the subject of the biography, is able to +sympathize with him in all his thoughts and experiences, and the other +is not. The life of Henry Martyn would be tedious and unintelligible to +a mind like that of a Richelieu or a Mazarin. They never experienced +or saw or heard anything like it, and would be quite at a loss where +to place such a man in their mental categories. It is not strange, +therefore, that of all biography in the world that of Jesus Christ +should be least understood. It is an exception to all the world has +ever seen. 'The world knew Him not.' There is, to be sure, a simple +grandeur about the life of Jesus which awes almost every mind. The most +hardened scoffer, after he has jested and jeered at everything in the +temple of Christianity, stands for a moment uncovered and breathless +when he comes to the object of its adoration and feels how awful +goodness is, and Virtue in her shape how lovely. Yet, after all, the +character of the Christ has been looked at and not sympathized with. +Men have turned aside to see this great sight. Christians have fallen +in adoration, but very few have tried to enter into his sympathies and +to feel as He felt." + +How little she dreamed that these words were to become profoundly +appropriate as a description of her own life in its relation to +mankind! How little the countless thousands who read, have read, and +will read, "Uncle Tom's Cabin" enter into or sympathize with the +feelings out of which it was written! A delicate, sensitive woman +struggling with poverty, with weary step and aching head attending +to the innumerable demands of a large family of growing children; a +devoted Christian seeking with strong crying and tears a kingdom not +of this world,--is this the popular conception of the author of "Uncle +Tom's Cabin"? Nevertheless it is the reality. When, amid the burning +ruins of a besieged city, a mother's voice is heard uttering a cry +of anguish over a child killed in her arms by a bursting shell, the +attention is arrested, the heart is touched. So "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was +a cry of anguish from a mother's heart, and uttered in sad sincerity. +It was the bursting forth of deep feeling, with all the intense anguish +of wounded love. It will be the purpose of this chapter to show this, +and to cause to pass before the reader's mind the time, the household, +and the heart from which this cry was heard. + +After struggling for seventeen years with ill health and every possible +vexation and hindrance in his work, Professor Stowe became convinced +that it was his duty to himself and his family to seek some other field +of labor. + +February 6, 1850, he writes to his mother, in Natick, Mass.: "My health +has not been good this winter, and I do not suppose that I should live +long were I to stay here. I have done a great deal of hard work here, +and practiced no little self-denial. I have seen the seminary carried +through a most vexatious series of lawsuits, ecclesiastical and civil, +and raised from the depths of poverty to comparative affluence, and I +feel at liberty now to leave. During the three months of June, July, +and August last, more than nine thousand persons died of cholera within +three miles of my house, and this winter, in the same territory, there +have been more than ten thousand cases of small-pox, many of them of +the very worst kind. Several have died on the hill, and the Jesuits' +college near us has been quite broken up by it. There have been, +however, no cases in our families or in the seminary. + +"I have received many letters from friends in the East expressing +great gratification at the offer from Bowdoin College, and the hope +that I would accept it. I am quite inclined to do so, but the matter +is not yet finally settled, and there are difficulties in the way. +They can offer me only $1,000 a year, and I must, out of it, hire my +own house, at an expense of $75 to $100 a year. Here the trustees +offer me $1,500 a year if I will stay, and a good house besides, which +would make the whole salary equivalent to $1,800; and to-day I have +had another offer from New York city of $2,300.... On the whole, I +have written to Bowdoin College, proposing to them if they will give +me $500 free and clear in addition to the salary, I will accept their +proposition, and I suppose that there is no doubt that they will do it. +In that case I should come on next spring, in May or June." + +This offer from Bowdoin College was additionally attractive to +Professor Stowe from the fact that it was the college from which he +graduated, and where some of the happiest years of his life had been +passed. + +The professorship was one just established through the gift of Mrs. +Collins, a member of Bowdoin Street Church in Boston, and named in her +honor, the "Collins Professorship of Natural and Revealed Religion." + +It was impossible for Professor Stowe to leave Lane Seminary till some +one could be found to take his place; so it was determined that Mrs. +Stowe, with three of the children, should start for the East in April, +and having established the family in Brunswick, Professor Stowe was to +come on with the remaining children when his engagements would permit. + +The following extracts from a letter written by Mrs. Stowe at her +brother Henry's, at Brooklyn, April 29, 1850, show us that the journey +was accomplished without special incident. + +[Illustration: Henry Ward Beecher] + +"The boat got into Pittsburgh between four and five on Wednesday. +The agent for the Pennsylvania Canal came on board and soon filled +out our tickets, calling my three chicks one and a half. We had a +quiet and agreeable passage, and crossed the slides at five o'clock +in the morning, amid exclamations of unbounded delight from all the +children, to whom the mountain scenery was a new and amazing thing. +We reached Hollidaysburg about eleven o'clock, and at two o'clock in +the night were called up to get into the cars at Jacktown. Arriving at +Philadelphia about three o'clock in the afternoon, we took the boat and +railroad line for New York. + +"At Lancaster we telegraphed to Brooklyn, and when we arrived in New +York, between ten and eleven at night, Cousin Augustus met us and +took us over to Brooklyn. We had ridden three hundred miles since two +o'clock that morning, and were very tired.... I am glad we came that +way, for the children have seen some of the finest scenery in our +country.... Henry's people are more than ever in love with him, and +have raised his salary to $3,300, and given him a beautiful horse and +carriage worth $600.... My health is already improved by the journey, +and I was able to walk a good deal between the locks on the canal. As +to furniture, I think that we may safely afford an outlay of $150, and +that will purchase all that may be necessary to set us up, and then we +can get more as we have means and opportunity.... If I got anything +for those pieces I wrote before coming away, I would like to be advised +thereof by you.... My plan is to spend this week in Brooklyn, the next +in Hartford, the next in Boston, and go on to Brunswick some time in +May or June." + +May 18, 1850, we find her writing from Boston, where she is staying +with her brother, Rev. Edward Beecher:-- + + MY DEAR HUSBAND,--I came here from Hartford on Monday, + and have since then been busily engaged in the business + of buying and packing furniture. + + I expect to go to Brunswick next Tuesday night by the + Bath steamer, which way I take as the cheaper. My + traveling expenses, when I get to Brunswick, including + everything, will have been seventy-six dollars.... + And now, lastly, my dear husband, you have never been + wanting ... in kindness, consideration, and justice, + and I want you to reflect calmly how great a work + has been imposed upon me at a time when my situation + particularly calls for rest, repose, and quiet. + + To come alone such a distance with the whole charge + of children, accounts, and baggage; to push my way + through hurrying crowds, looking out for trunks, and + bargaining with hackmen, has been a very severe trial + of my strength, to say nothing of the usual fatigues of + traveling. + +It was at this time, and as a result of the experiences of this trying +period, that Mrs. Stowe wrote that little tract dear to so many +Christian hearts, "Earthly Care a Heavenly Discipline." + +On the eve of sailing for Brunswick, Mrs. Stowe writes to Mrs. Sykes +(Miss May): "I am wearied and worn out with seeing to bedsteads, +tables, chairs, mattresses, with thinking about shipping my goods and +making out accounts, and I have my trunk yet to pack, as I go on board +the Bath steamer this evening. I beg you to look up Brunswick on the +map; it is about half a day's ride in the cars from Boston. I expect to +reach there by the way of Bath by to-morrow forenoon. There I have a +house engaged and kind friends who offer every hospitable assistance. +Come, therefore, to see me, and we will have a long talk in the pine +woods, and knit up the whole history from the place where we left it." + +Before leaving Boston she had written to her husband in Cincinnati: +"You are not able just now to bear anything, my dear husband, therefore +trust all to me; I never doubt or despair. I am already making +arrangements with editors to raise money. + +"I have sent some overtures to Wright. If he accepts my pieces and pays +you for them, take the money and use it as you see necessary; if not, +be sure and bring the pieces back to me. I am strong in spirit, and +God who has been with me in so many straits will not forsake me now. I +know Him well; He is my Father, and though I may be a blind and erring +child, He will help me for all that. My trust through all errors and +sins is in Him. He who helped poor timid Jacob through all his fears +and apprehensions, who helped Abraham even when he sinned, who was with +David in his wanderings, and who held up the too confident Peter when +he began to sink,--He will help us, and his arms are about us, so that +we shall not sink, my dear husband." + +May 29, 1850, she writes from Brunswick: "After a week of most +incessant northeast storm, most discouraging and forlorn to the +children, the sun has at length come out.... There is a fair wind +blowing, and every prospect, therefore, that our goods will arrive +promptly from Boston, and that we shall be in our own house by next +week. Mrs. Upham[6] has done everything for me, giving up time and +strength and taking charge of my affairs in a way without which we +could not have got along at all in a strange place and in my present +helpless condition. This family is delightful, there is such a perfect +sweetness and quietude in all its movements. Not a harsh word or hasty +expression is ever heard. It is a beautiful pattern of a Christian +family, a beautiful exemplification of religion...." + +The events of the first summer in Brunswick are graphically described +by Mrs. Stowe in a letter written to her sister-in-law, Mrs. George +Beecher, December 17, 1850. + + MY DEAR SISTER,--Is it really true that snow is on the + ground and Christmas coming, and I have not written + unto thee, most dear sister? No, I don't believe it! + I haven't been so naughty--it's all a mistake--yes, + written I must have--and written I have, too--in the + night-watches as I lay on my bed--such beautiful + letters--I wish you had only gotten them; but by day it + has been hurry, hurry, hurry, and drive, drive, drive! + or else the calm of a sick-room, ever since last spring. + + I put off writing when your letter first came because I + meant to write you a long letter--a full and complete + one, and so days slid by,--and became weeks,--and my + little Charlie came ... etc. and etc.!!! Sarah, when + I look back, I wonder at myself, not that I forget + any one thing that I should remember, but that I + have remembered anything. From the time that I left + Cincinnati with my children to come forth to a country + that I knew not of almost to the present time, it has + seemed as if I could scarcely breathe, I was so pressed + with care. My head dizzy with the whirl of railroads + and steamboats; then ten days' sojourn in Boston, and + a constant toil and hurry in buying my furniture and + equipments; and then landing in Brunswick in the midst + of a drizzly, inexorable northeast storm, and beginning + the work of getting in order a deserted, dreary, damp + old house. All day long running from one thing to + another, as for example, thus:-- + + Mrs. Stowe, how shall I make this lounge, and what + shall I cover the back with first? + + _Mrs. Stowe._ With the coarse cotton in the closet. + + _Woman._ Mrs. Stowe, there isn't any more soap to clean + the windows. + + _Mrs. Stowe._ Where shall I get soap? + + Here H., run up to the store and get two bars. + + There is a man below wants to see Mrs. Stowe about the + cistern. Before you go down, Mrs. Stowe, just show me + how to cover this round end of the lounge. + + There's a man up from the depot, and he says that a + box has come for Mrs. Stowe, and it's coming up to the + house; will you come down and see about it? + + Mrs. Stowe, don't go till you have shown the man how + to nail that carpet in the corner. He's nailed it all + crooked; what shall he do? The black thread is all used + up, and what shall I do about putting gimp on the back + of that sofa? Mrs. Stowe, there is a man come with a + lot of pails and tinware from Furbish; will you settle + the bill now? + + Mrs. Stowe, here is a letter just come from Boston + inclosing that bill of lading; the man wants to know + what he shall do with the goods. If you will tell me + what to say I will answer the letter for you. + + Mrs. Stowe, the meat-man is at the door. Hadn't we + better get a little beefsteak, or something, for dinner? + + Shall Hatty go to Boardman's for some more black thread? + + Mrs. Stowe, this cushion is an inch too wide for the + frame. What shall we do now? + + Mrs. Stowe, where are the screws of the black walnut + bedstead? + + Here's a man has brought in these bills for freight. + Will you settle them now? + + Mrs. Stowe, I don't understand using this great needle. + I can't make it go through the cushion; it sticks in + the cotton. + + Then comes a letter from my husband saying he is sick + abed, and all but dead; don't ever expect to see his + family again; wants to know how I shall manage, in + case I am left a widow; knows we shall get in debt + and never get out; wonders at my courage; thinks I am + very sanguine; warns me to be prudent, as there won't + be much to live on in case of his death, etc., etc., + etc. I read the letter and poke it into the stove, and + proceed.... + + Some of my adventures were quite funny; as for example: + I had in my kitchen elect no sink, cistern, or any + other water privileges, so I bought at the cotton + factory two of the great hogsheads they bring oil in, + which here in Brunswick are often used for cisterns, + and had them brought up in triumph to my yard, and + was congratulating myself on my energy, when lo and + behold! it was discovered that there was no cellar door + except one in the kitchen, which was truly a strait + and narrow way, down a long pair of stairs. Hereupon, + as saith John Bunyan, I fell into a muse,--how to get + my cisterns into my cellar. In days of chivalry I + might have got a knight to make me a breach through + the foundation walls, but that was not to be thought + of now, and my oil hogsheads standing disconsolately + in the yard seemed to reflect no great credit on my + foresight. In this strait I fell upon a real honest + Yankee cooper, whom I besought, for the reputation of + his craft and mine, to take my hogsheads to pieces, + carry them down in staves, and set them up again, which + the worthy man actually accomplished one fair summer + forenoon, to the great astonishment of "us Yankees." + When my man came to put up the pump, he stared very + hard to see my hogsheads thus translated and standing + as innocent and quiet as could be in the cellar, and + then I told him, in a very mild, quiet way, that I + got 'em taken to pieces and put together--just as if + I had been always in the habit of doing such things. + Professor Smith came down and looked very hard at + them and then said, "Well, nothing can beat a willful + woman." Then followed divers negotiations with a very + clever, but (with reverence) somewhat lazy gentleman + of jobs, who occupieth a carpenter's shop opposite to + mine. This same John Titcomb, my very good friend, is + a character peculiar to Yankeedom. He is part owner + and landlord of the house I rent, and connected by + birth with all the best families in town; a man of + real intelligence, and good education, a great reader, + and quite a thinker. Being of an ingenious turn he + does painting, gilding, staining, upholstery jobs, + varnishing, all in addition to his primary trade of + carpentry. But he is a man studious of ease, and fully + possessed with the idea that man wants but little here + below; so he boards himself in his workshop on crackers + and herring, washed down with cold water, and spends + his time working, musing, reading new publications, + and taking his comfort. In his shop you shall see + a joiner's bench, hammers, planes, saws, gimlets, + varnish, paint, picture frames, fence posts, rare old + china, one or two fine portraits of his ancestry, a + bookcase full of books, the tooth of a whale, an old + spinning-wheel and spindle, a lady's parasol frame, + a church lamp to be mended, in short, Henry says Mr. + Titcomb's shop is like the ocean; there is no end to + the curiosities in it. + + In all my moving and fussing Mr. Titcomb has been my + right-hand man. Whenever a screw was loose, a nail to + be driven, a lock mended, a pane of glass set, and + these cases were manifold, he was always on hand. + But my sink was no fancy job, and I believe nothing + but a very particular friendship would have moved + him to undertake it. So this same sink lingered in + a precarious state for some weeks, and when I had + _nothing else to do_, I used to call and do what + I could in the way of enlisting the good man's + sympathies in its behalf. + + How many times I have been in and seated myself in one + of the old rocking-chairs, and talked first of the + news of the day, the railroad, the last proceedings + in Congress, the probabilities about the millennium, + and thus brought the conversation by little and little + round to my sink!... because, till the sink was done, + the pump could not be put up, and we couldn't have any + rain-water. Sometimes my courage would quite fail me to + introduce the subject, and I would talk of everything + else, turn and get out of the shop, and then turn back + as if a thought had just struck my mind, and say:-- + + "Oh, Mr. Titcomb! about that sink?" + + "Yes, ma'am, I was thinking about going down street + this afternoon to look out stuff for it." + + "Yes, sir, if you would be good enough to get it done + as soon as possible; we are in great need of it." + + "I think there's no hurry. I believe we are going to + have a dry time now, so that you could not catch any + water, and you won't need a pump at present." + + These negotiations extended from the first of June to + the first of July, and at last my sink was completed, + and so also was a new house spout, concerning which + I had had divers communings with Deacon Dunning of + the Baptist church. Also during this time good Mrs. + Mitchell and myself made two sofas, or lounges, a + barrel chair, divers bedspreads, pillow cases, pillows, + bolsters, mattresses; we painted rooms; we revarnished + furniture; we--what _didn't_ we do? + + Then came on Mr. Stowe; and then came the eighth + of July and my little Charley. I was really glad + for an excuse to lie in bed, for I was full tired, + I can assure you. Well, I was what folks call very + comfortable for two weeks, when my nurse had to leave + me.... + + During this time I have employed my leisure hours in + making up my engagements with newspaper editors. I have + written more than anybody, or I myself, would have + thought. I have taught an hour a day in our school, and + I have read two hours every evening to the children. + The children study English history in school, and I + am reading Scott's historic novels in their order. + To-night I finish the "Abbot;" shall begin "Kenilworth" + next week; yet I am constantly pursued and haunted by + the idea that I don't do anything. Since I began this + note I have been called off at least a dozen times; + once for the fish-man, to buy a codfish; once to see + a man who had brought me some barrels of apples; once + to see a book-man; then to Mrs. Upham, to see about + a drawing I promised to make for her; then to nurse + the baby; then into the kitchen to make a chowder for + dinner; and now I am at it again, for nothing but + deadly determination enables me ever to write; it is + rowing against wind and tide. + + I suppose you think now I have begun, I am never going + to stop, and in truth it looks like it; but the spirit + moves now and I must obey. + + Christmas is coming, and our little household is all + alive with preparations; every one collecting their + little gifts with wonderful mystery and secrecy.... + + To tell the truth, dear, I am getting tired; my neck + and back ache, and I must come to a close. + + Your ready kindness to me in the spring I felt very + much; and _why_ I did not have the sense to have sent + you one line just by way of acknowledgment, I'm sure + I don't know; I felt just as if I had, till I awoke, + and behold! I had not. But, my dear, if my wits are + somewhat wool-gathering and unsettled, my heart is as + true as a star. I love you, and have thought of you + often. + + This fall I have felt often _sad_, lonesome, both very + unusual feelings with me in these busy days; but the + breaking away from my old home, and leaving father + and mother, and coming to a strange place affected me + naturally. In those sad hours my thoughts have often + turned to George; I have thought with encouragement + of his blessed state, and hoped that I should soon + be there too. I have many warm and kind friends + here, and have been treated with great attention and + kindness. Brunswick is a delightful residence, and + if you come East next summer you must come to my new + home. George[7] would delight to go a-fishing with the + children, and see the ships, and sail in the sailboats, + and all that. + + Give Aunt Harriet's love to him, and tell him when he + gets to be a painter to send me a picture. + + Affectionately yours, H. STOWE. + +The year 1850 is one memorable in the history of our nation as well as +in the quiet household that we have followed in its pilgrimage from +Cincinnati to Brunswick. + +The signers of the Declaration of Independence and the statesmen and +soldiers of the Revolution were no friends of negro slavery. In fact, +the very principles of the Declaration of Independence sounded the +death-knell of slavery forever. No stronger utterances against this +national sin are to be found anywhere than in the letters and published +writings of Jefferson, Washington, Hamilton, and Patrick Henry. +"Jefferson encountered difficulties greater than he could overcome, and +after vain wrestlings the words that broke from him, 'I tremble for my +country when I reflect that God is just and that his justice cannot +sleep forever,' were the words of despair. + +"It was the desire of Washington's heart that Virginia should remove +slavery by a public act; and as the prospects of a general emancipation +grew more and more dim ... he did all that he could by bequeathing +freedom to his own slaves."[8] + +Hamilton was one of the founders of the Manumission Society, the object +of which was the abolition of slaves in the State of New York. Patrick +Henry, speaking of slavery, said: "A serious view of this subject gives +a gloomy prospect to future times." Slavery was thought by the founders +of our Republic to be a dying institution, and all the provisions of +the Constitution touching slavery looked towards gradual emancipation +as an inevitable result of the growth of the democracy. + +From an economic standpoint slave labor had ceased to be profitable. +"The whole interior of the Southern States was languishing, and its +inhabitants emigrating, for want of some object to engage their +attention and employ their industry." The cultivation of cotton was +not profitable for the reason that there was no machine for separating +the seed from the fibre. + +This was the state of affairs in 1793, when Eli Whitney, a New England +mechanic, at this time residing in Savannah, Georgia, invented his +cotton-gin, or a machine to separate seed and fibre. "The invention +of this machine at once set the whole country in active motion."[9] +The effect of this invention may to some extent be appreciated when +we consider that whereas in 1793 the Southern States produced only +about five or ten thousand bales, in 1859 they produced over five +millions. But with this increase of the cotton culture the value +of slave property was augmented. Slavery grew and spread. In 1818 +to 1821 it first became a factor in politics during the Missouri +compromise. By this compromise slavery was not to extend north of +latitude 36 deg. 30'. From the time of this compromise till the year +1833 the slavery agitation slumbered. This was the year that the +British set the slaves free in their West Indian dependencies. This +act caused great uneasiness among the slaveholders of the South. The +National Anti-Slavery Society met in Philadelphia and pronounced +slavery a national sin, which could be atoned for only by immediate +emancipation. Such men as Garrison and Lundy began a work of agitation +that was soon to set the whole nation in a ferment. From this time on +slavery became the central problem of American history, and the line +of cleavage in American politics. The invasion of Florida when it was +yet the territory of a nation at peace with the United States, and its +subsequent purchase from Spain, the annexation of Texas and the war +with Mexico, were the direct results of the policy of the pro-slavery +party to increase its influence and its territory. In 1849 the State +of California knocked at the door of the Union for admission as a free +State. This was bitterly opposed by the slaveholders of the South, +who saw in it a menace to the slave-power from the fact that no slave +State was seeking admission at the same time. Both North and South the +feeling ran so high as to threaten the dismemberment of the Union, and +the scenes of violence and bloodshed which were to come eleven years +afterwards. It was to preserve the Union and avert the danger of the +hour that Henry Clay brought forward his celebrated compromise measures +in the winter of 1850. To conciliate the North, California was to be +admitted as a free State. To pacify the slaveholders of the South, more +stringent laws were to be enacted "concerning persons bound to service +in one State and escaping into another." + +The 7th of March, 1850, Daniel Webster made his celebrated speech, in +which he defended this compromise, and the abolitionists of the North +were filled with indignation, which found its most fitting expression +in Whittier's "Ichabod:" "So fallen, so lost, the glory from his gray +hairs gone." ... "When honor dies the man is dead." + +It was in the midst of this excitement that Mrs. Stowe, with her +children and her modest hopes for the future, arrived at the house of +her brother, Dr. Edward Beecher. + +Dr. Beecher had been the intimate friend and supporter of Lovejoy, +who had been murdered by the slaveholders at Alton for publishing an +anti-slavery paper. His soul was stirred to its very depths by the +iniquitous law which was at this time being debated in Congress,--a +law which not only gave the slaveholder of the South the right to seek +out and bring back into slavery any colored person whom he claimed +as a slave, but commanded the people of the free States to assist in +this revolting business. The most frequent theme of conversation while +Mrs. Stowe was in Boston was this proposed law, and when she arrived +in Brunswick her soul was all on fire with indignation at this new +indignity and wrong about to be inflicted by the slave-power on the +innocent and defenseless. + +After the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act, letter after letter was +received by Mrs. Stowe in Brunswick from Mrs. Edward Beecher and +other friends, describing the heart-rending scenes which were the +inevitable results of the enforcement of this terrible law. Cities were +more available for the capturing of escaped slaves than the country, +and Boston, which claimed to have the cradle of liberty, opened her +doors to the slave-hunters. The sorrow and anguish caused thereby no +pen could describe. Families were broken up. Some hid in garrets and +cellars. Some fled to the wharves and embarked in ships and sailed +for Europe. Others went to Canada. One poor fellow who was doing good +business as a crockery merchant, and supporting his family well, when +he got notice that his master, whom he had left many years before, was +after him, set out for Canada in midwinter on foot, as he did not dare +to take a public conveyance. He froze both of his feet on the journey, +and they had to be amputated. Mrs. Edward Beecher, in a letter to Mrs. +Stowe's son, writing of this period, says:-- + +"I had been nourishing an anti-slavery spirit since Lovejoy was +murdered for publishing in his paper articles against slavery and +intemperance, when our home was in Illinois. These terrible things +which were going on in Boston were well calculated to rouse up this +spirit. What can I do? I thought. Not much myself, but I know one who +can. So I wrote several letters to your mother, telling her of various +heart-rending events caused by the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave +Law. I remember distinctly saying in one of them, 'Now, Hattie, if I +could use a pen as you can, I would write something that would make +this whole nation feel what an accursed thing slavery is.'... When we +lived in Boston your mother often visited us.... Several numbers of +'Uncle Tom's Cabin' were written in your Uncle Edward's study at these +times, and read to us from the manuscripts." + +A member of Mrs. Stowe's family well remembers the scene in the little +parlor in Brunswick when the letter alluded to was received. Mrs. Stowe +herself read it aloud to the assembled family, and when she came to the +passage, "I would write something that would make this whole nation +feel what an accursed thing slavery is," Mrs. Stowe rose up from her +chair, crushing the letter in her hand, and with an expression on her +face that stamped itself on the mind of her child, said: "I will write +something. I will if I live." + +This was the origin of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and Professor Cairnes has +well said in his admirable work, "The Slave Power," "The Fugitive +Slave Law has been to the slave power a questionable gain. Among its +first-fruits was 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.'" + +The purpose of writing a story that should make the whole nation feel +that slavery was an accursed thing was not immediately carried out. +In December, 1850, Mrs. Stowe writes: "Tell sister Katy I thank her +for her letter and will answer it. As long as the baby sleeps with me +nights I can't do much at anything, but I will do it at last. I will +write that thing if I live. + +"What are folks in general saying about the slave law, and the stand +taken by Boston ministers universally, except Edward? + +"To me it is incredible, amazing, mournful!! I feel as if I should +be willing to sink with it, were all this sin and misery to sink in +the sea.... I wish father would come on to Boston, and preach on the +Fugitive Slave Law, as he once preached on the slave-trade, when I was +a little girl in Litchfield. I sobbed aloud in one pew and Mrs. Judge +Reeves in another. I wish some Martin Luther would arise to set this +community right." + +December 22, 1850, she writes to her husband in Cincinnati: "Christmas +has passed, not without many thoughts of our absent one. If you want +a description of the scenes in our family preceding it, _vide_ a 'New +Year's Story,' which I have sent to the 'New York Evangelist.' I am +sorry that in the hurry of getting off this piece and one for the 'Era' +you were neglected." The piece for the "Era" was a humorous article +called "A Scholar's Adventures in the Country," being, in fact, a +picture drawn from life and embodying Professor Stowe's efforts in the +department of agriculture while in Cincinnati. + +_December 29, 1850._ "We have had terrible weather here. I remember +such a storm when I was a child in Litchfield. Father and mother went +to Warren, and were almost lost in the snowdrifts. + +"Sunday night I rather watched than slept. The wind howled, and the +house rocked just as our old Litchfield house used to. The cold has +been so intense that the children have kept begging to get up from +table at meal-times to warm feet and fingers. Our air-tight stoves +warm all but the floor,--heat your head and keep your feet freezing. +If I sit by the open fire in the parlor my back freezes, if I sit in +my bedroom and try to write my head aches and my feet are cold. I am +projecting a sketch for the 'Era' on the capabilities of liberated +blacks to take care of themselves. Can't you find out for me how much +Willie Watson has paid for the redemption of his friends, and get any +items in figures of that kind that you can pick up in Cincinnati?... +When I have a headache and feel sick, as I do to-day, there is +actually not a place in the house where I can lie down and take a nap +without being disturbed. Overhead is the school-room, next door is the +dining-room, and the girls practice there two hours a day. If I lock +my door and lie down some one is sure to be rattling the latch before +fifteen minutes have passed.... There is no doubt in my mind that +our expenses this year will come two hundred dollars, if not three, +beyond our salary. We shall be able to come through, notwithstanding; +but I don't want to feel obliged to work as hard every year as I have +this. I can earn four hundred dollars a year by writing, but I don't +want to feel that I must, and when weary with teaching the children, +and tending the baby, and buying provisions, and mending dresses, and +darning stockings, sit down and write a piece for some paper." + +January 12, 1851, Mrs. Stowe again writes to Professor Stowe at +Cincinnati: "Ever since we left Cincinnati to come here the good hand +of God has been visibly guiding our way. Through what difficulties +have we been brought! Though we knew not where means were to come +from, yet means have been furnished every step of the way, and in +every time of need. I was just in some discouragement with regard to +my writing; thinking that the editor of the 'Era' was overstocked with +contributors, and would not want my services another year, and lo! he +sends me one hundred dollars, and ever so many good words with it. Our +income this year will be seventeen hundred dollars in all, and I hope +to bring our expenses within thirteen hundred." + +It was in the month of February after these words were written that +Mrs. Stowe was seated at communion service in the college church at +Brunswick. Suddenly, like the unrolling of a picture, the scene of +the death of Uncle Tom passed before her mind. So strongly was she +affected that it was with difficulty she could keep from weeping aloud. +Immediately on returning home she took pen and paper and wrote out the +vision which had been as it were blown into her mind as by the rushing +of a mighty wind. Gathering her family about her she read what she +had written. Her two little ones of ten and twelve years of age broke +into convulsions of weeping, one of them saying through his sobs, "Oh, +mamma! slavery is the most cruel thing in the world." Thus Uncle Tom +was ushered into the world, and it was, as we said at the beginning, +a cry, an immediate, an involuntary expression of deep, impassioned +feeling. + +Twenty-five years afterwards Mrs. Stowe wrote in a letter to one of +her children, of this period of her life: "I well remember the winter +you were a baby and I was writing 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.' My heart was +bursting with the anguish excited by the cruelty and injustice our +nation was showing to the slave, and praying God to let me do a little +and to cause my cry for them to be heard. I remember many a night +weeping over you as you lay sleeping beside me, and I thought of the +slave mothers whose babes were torn from them." + +It was not till the following April that the first chapter of the story +was finished and sent on to the "National Era" at Washington. + +In July Mrs. Stowe wrote to Frederick Douglass the following letter, +which is given entire as the best possible introduction to the history +of the career of that memorable work, "Uncle Tom's Cabin." + + BRUNSWICK, _July 9, 1851._ + + FREDERICK DOUGLASS, ESQ.: + + _Sir_,--You may perhaps have noticed in your editorial + readings a series of articles that I am furnishing for + the "Era" under the title of "Uncle Tom's Cabin, or + Life among the Lowly." + + In the course of my story the scene will fall upon + a cotton plantation. I am very desirous, therefore, + to gain information from one who has been an actual + laborer on one, and it occurred to me that in the + circle of your acquaintance there might be one + who would be able to communicate to me some such + information as I desire. I have before me an able paper + written by a Southern planter, in which the details and + _modus operandi_ are given from his point of sight. + I am anxious to have something more from another + standpoint. I wish to be able to make a picture that + shall be graphic and true to nature in its details. + Such a person as Henry Bibb, if in the country, might + give me just the kind of information I desire. You may + possibly know of some other person. I will subjoin to + this letter a list of questions, which in that case you + will do me a favor by inclosing to the individual, with + the request that he will at earliest convenience answer + them. + + For some few weeks past I have received your paper + through the mail, and have read it with great interest, + and desire to return my acknowledgments for it. It will + be a pleasure to me at some time when less occupied to + contribute something to its columns. I have noticed + with regret your sentiments on two subjects--the church + and African colonization, ... with the more regret + because I think you have a considerable share of reason + for your feelings on both these subjects; but I would + willingly, if I could, modify your views on both points. + + In the first place you say the church is "pro-slavery." + There is a sense in which this may be true. The + American church of all denominations, taken as a body, + comprises the best and most conscientious people + in the country. I do not say it comprises none but + these, or that none such are found out of it, but only + if a census were taken of the purest and most high + principled men and women of the country, the majority + of them would be found to be professors of religion + in some of the various Christian denominations. + This fact has given to the church great weight in + this country--the general and predominant spirit of + intelligence and probity and piety of its majority + has given it that degree of weight that it has the + power to decide the great moral questions of the + day. Whatever it unitedly and decidedly sets itself + against as moral evil it can put down. In this sense + the church is responsible for the sin of slavery. Dr. + Barnes has beautifully and briefly expressed this on + the last page of his work on slavery, when he says: + "Not all the force out of the church could sustain + slavery an hour if it were not sustained in it." It + then appears that the church has the power to put an + end to this evil and does not do it. In this sense she + may be said to be pro-slavery. But the church has the + same power over intemperance, and Sabbath-breaking, + and sin of all kinds. There is not a doubt that if + the moral power of the church were brought up to the + New Testament standpoint it is sufficient to put an + end to all these as well as to slavery. But I would + ask you, Would you consider it a fair representation + of the Christian church in this country to say that + it is pro-intemperance, pro-Sabbath-breaking, and + pro everything that it might put down if it were in + a higher state of moral feeling? If you should make + a list of all the abolitionists of the country, I + think that you would find a majority of them in the + church--certainly some of the most influential and + efficient ones are ministers. + + I am a minister's daughter, and a minister's wife, and + I have had six brothers in the ministry (one is in + heaven); I certainly ought to know something of the + feelings of ministers on this subject. I was a child in + 1820 when the Missouri question was agitated, and one + of the strongest and deepest impressions on my mind was + that made by my father's sermons and prayers, and the + anguish of his soul for the poor slave at that time. I + remember his preaching drawing tears down the hardest + faces of the old farmers in his congregation. + + I well remember his prayers morning and evening in the + family for "poor, oppressed, bleeding Africa," that the + time of her deliverance might come; prayers offered + with strong crying and tears, and which indelibly + impressed my heart and made me what I am from my very + soul, the enemy of all slavery. Every brother I have + has been in his sphere a leading anti-slavery man. One + of them was to the last the bosom friend and counselor + of Lovejoy. As for myself and husband, we have for the + last seventeen years lived on the border of a slave + State, and we have never shrunk from the fugitives, and + we have helped them with all we had to give. I have + received the children of liberated slaves into a family + school, and taught them with my own children, and it + has been the influence that we found in the church + and by the altar that has made us do all this. Gather + up all the sermons that have been published on this + offensive and unchristian Fugitive Slave Law, and you + will find that those against it are numerically more + than those in its favor, and yet some of the strongest + opponents have not published their sermons. Out of + thirteen ministers who meet with my husband weekly for + discussion of moral subjects, only three are found who + will acknowledge or obey this law in any shape. + + After all, my brother, the strength and hope of your + oppressed race does lie in the church--in hearts united + to Him of whom it is said, "He shall spare the souls + of the needy, and precious shall their blood be in his + sight." Everything is against you, but Jesus Christ is + for you, and He has not forgotten his church, misguided + and erring though it be. I have looked all the field + over with despairing eyes; I see no hope but in Him. + This movement must and will become a purely religious + one. The light will spread in churches, the tone of + feeling will rise, Christians North and South will give + up all connection with, and take up their testimony + against, slavery, and thus the work will be done. + +This letter gives us a conception of the state of moral and religious +exaltation of the heart and mind out of which flowed chapter after +chapter of that wonderful story. It all goes to prove the correctness +of the position from which we started, that "Uncle Tom's Cabin" came +from the heart rather than the head. It was an outburst of deep +feeling, a cry in the darkness. The writer no more thought of style +or literary excellence than the mother who rushes into the street and +cries for help to save her children from a burning house thinks of the +teachings of the rhetorician or the elocutionist. + +A few years afterwards Mrs. Stowe, writing of this story, said, "This +story is to show how Jesus Christ, who liveth and was dead, and now +is alive and forevermore, has still a mother's love for the poor and +lowly, and that no man can sink so low but that Jesus Christ will +stoop to take his hand. Who so low, who so poor, who so despised as +the American slave? The law almost denies his existence as a person, +and regards him for the most part as less than a man--a mere thing, +the property of another. The law forbids him to read or write, to hold +property, to make a contract, or even to form a legal marriage. It +takes from him all legal right to the wife of his bosom, the children +of his body. He can do nothing, possess nothing, acquire nothing, but +what must belong to his master. Yet even to this slave Jesus Christ +stoops, from where he sits at the right hand of the Father, and says, +'Fear not, thou whom man despiseth, for I am thy brother. Fear not, for +I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine.'" + +"Uncle Tom's Cabin" is a work of religion; the fundamental principles +of the gospel applied to the burning question of negro slavery. It sets +forth those principles of the Declaration of Independence that made +Jefferson, Hamilton, Washington, and Patrick Henry anti-slavery men; +not in the language of the philosopher, but in a series of pictures. +Mrs. Stowe spoke to the understanding and moral sense through the +imagination. + +"Uncle Tom's Cabin" made the enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Law +an impossibility. It aroused the public sentiment of the world by +presenting in the concrete that which had been a mere series of +abstract propositions. It was, as we have already said, an appeal to +the imagination through a series of pictures. People are like children, +and understand pictures better than words. Some one rushes into your +dining-room while you are at breakfast and cries out, "Terrible +railroad accident, forty killed and wounded, six were burned alive." + +"Oh, shocking! dreadful!" you exclaim, and yet go quietly on with +your rolls and coffee. But suppose you stood at that instant by the +wreck, and saw the mangled dead, and heard the piercing shrieks of the +wounded, you would be faint and dizzy with the intolerable spectacle. + +So "Uncle Tom's Cabin" made the crack of the slavedriver's whip, and +the cries of the tortured blacks ring in every household in the land, +till human hearts could endure it no longer. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[6] Wife of Professor Upham of Bowdoin College. + +[7] Her brother George's only child. + +[8] Bancroft's funeral oration on Lincoln. + +[9] Greeley's _American Conflict_, vol. i. p. 65. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +UNCLE TOM'S CABIN, 1852. + + "UNCLE TOM'S CABIN" AS A SERIAL IN THE "NATIONAL + ERA."--AN OFFER FOR ITS PUBLICATION IN BOOK + FORM.--WILL IT BE A SUCCESS?--AN UNPRECEDENTED + CIRCULATION.--CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES.--KIND WORDS FROM + ABROAD.--MRS. STOWE TO THE EARL OF CARLISLE.--LETTERS + FROM AND TO LORD SHAFTESBURY.--CORRESPONDENCE WITH + ARTHUR HELPS. + + +THE wonderful story that was begun in the "National Era," June 5, 1851, +and was announced to run for about three months, was not completed in +that paper until April 1, 1852. It had been contemplated as a mere +magazine tale of perhaps a dozen chapters, but once begun it could no +more be controlled than the waters of the swollen Mississippi, bursting +through a crevasse in its levees. The intense interest excited by the +story, the demands made upon the author for more facts, the unmeasured +words of encouragement to keep on in her good work that poured in +from all sides, and above all the ever-growing conviction that she +had been intrusted with a great and holy mission, compelled her to +keep on until the humble tale had assumed the proportions of a volume +prepared to stand among the most notable books in the world. As Mrs. +Stowe has since repeatedly said, "I could not control the story; it +wrote itself;" or "I the author of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'? No, indeed. The +Lord himself wrote it, and I was but the humblest of instruments in his +hand. To Him alone should be given all the praise." + +Although the publication of the "National Era" has been long since +suspended, the journal was in those days one of decided literary merit +and importance. On its title-page, with the name of Dr. Gamaliel Bailey +as editor, appeared that of John Greenleaf Whittier as corresponding +editor. In its columns Mrs. Southworth made her first literary venture, +while Alice and Phoebe Cary, Grace Greenwood, and a host of other +well-known names were published with that of Mrs. Stowe, which appeared +last of all in its prospectus for 1851. + +Before the conclusion of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" Mrs. Stowe had so far +outstripped her contemporaries that her work was pronounced by +competent judges to be the most powerful production ever contributed to +the magazine literature of this country, and she stood in the foremost +rank of American writers. + +After finishing her story Mrs. Stowe penned the following appeal to its +more youthful readers, and its serial publication was concluded:-- + +"The author of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' must now take leave of a wide circle +of friends whose faces she has never seen, but whose sympathies coming +to her from afar have stimulated and cheered her in her work. + +"The thought of the pleasant family circles that she has been meeting +in spirit week after week has been a constant refreshment to her, and +she cannot leave them without a farewell. + +"In particular the dear children who have followed her story have her +warmest love. Dear children, you will soon be men and women, and I hope +that you will learn from this story always to remember and pity the +poor and oppressed. When you grow up, show your pity by doing all you +can for them. Never, if you can help it, let a colored child be shut +out from school or treated with neglect and contempt on account of his +color. Remember the sweet example of little Eva, and try to feel the +same regard for all that she did. Then, when you grow up, I hope the +foolish and unchristian prejudice against people merely on account of +their complexion will be done away with. + +"Farewell, dear children, until we meet again." + +With the completion of the story the editor of the "Era" wrote: +"Mrs. Stowe has at last brought her great work to a close. We do not +recollect any production of an American writer that has excited more +general and profound interest." + +For the story as a serial the author received $300. In the mean time, +however, it had attracted the attention of Mr. John P. Jewett, a +Boston publisher, who promptly made overtures for its publication in +book form. He offered Mr. and Mrs. Stowe a half share in the profits, +provided they would share with him the expense of publication. This +was refused by Professor Stowe, who said he was altogether too poor +to assume any such risk; and the agreement finally made was that the +author should receive a ten per cent. royalty upon all sales. + +Mrs. Stowe had no reason to hope for any large pecuniary gain from +this publication, for it was practically her first book. To be sure, +she had, in 1832, prepared a small school geography for a Western +publisher, and ten years later the Harpers had brought out her +"Mayflower." Still, neither of these had been sufficiently remunerative +to cause her to regard literary work as a money-making business, and +in regard to this new contract she writes: "I did not know until a week +afterward precisely what terms Mr. Stowe had made, and I did not care. +I had the most perfect indifference to the bargain." + +The agreement was signed March 13, 1852, and, as by arrangement with +the "National Era" the book publication of the story was authorized +before its completion as a serial, the first edition of five thousand +copies was issued on the twentieth of the same month. + +In looking over the first semi-annual statement presented by her +publishers we find Mrs. Stowe charged, a few days before the date of +publication of her book, with "one copy U. T. C. cloth $.56," and this +was the first copy of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" ever sold in book form. +Five days earlier we find her charged with one copy of Horace Mann's +speeches. In writing of this critical period of her life Mrs. Stowe +says:-- + +"After sending the last proof-sheet to the office I sat alone reading +Horace Mann's eloquent plea for these young men and women, then about +to be consigned to the slave warehouse of Bruin & Hill in Alexandria, +Va.,--a plea impassioned, eloquent, but vain, as all other pleas on +that side had ever proved in all courts hitherto. It seemed that there +was no hope, that nobody would hear, nobody would read, nobody pity; +that this frightful system, that had already pursued its victims into +the free States, might at last even threaten them in Canada."[10] + +Filled with this fear, she determined to do all that one woman might +to enlist the sympathies of England for the cause, and to avert, even +as a remote contingency, the closing of Canada as a haven of refuge for +the oppressed. To this end she at once wrote letters to Prince Albert, +to the Duke of Argyll, to the Earls of Carlisle and Shaftesbury, to +Macaulay, Dickens, and others whom she knew to be interested in the +cause of anti-slavery. These she ordered to be sent to their several +addresses, accompanied by the very earliest copies of her book that +should be printed. + +Then, having done what she could, and committed the result to God, she +calmly turned her attention to other affairs. + +In the mean time the fears of the author as to whether or not her book +would be read were quickly dispelled. Three thousand copies were sold +the very first day, a second edition was issued the following week, a +third on the 1st of April, and within a year one hundred and twenty +editions, or over three hundred thousand copies of the book, had been +issued and sold in this country. Almost in a day the poor professor's +wife had become the most talked-of woman in the world, her influence +for good was spreading to its remotest corners, and henceforth she +was to be a public character, whose every movement would be watched +with interest, and whose every word would be quoted. The long, weary +struggle with poverty was to be hers no longer; for, in seeking to aid +the oppressed, she had also so aided herself that within four months +from the time her book was published it had yielded her $10,000 in +royalties. + +Now letters regarding the wonderful book, and expressing all shades +of opinion concerning it, began to pour in upon the author. Her +lifelong friend, whose words we have already so often quoted, wrote:-- + +"I sat up last night until long after one o'clock reading and finishing +'Uncle Tom's Cabin.' I could not leave it any more than I could have +left a dying child, nor could I restrain an almost hysterical sobbing +for an hour after I laid my head upon my pillow. I thought I was a +thorough-going abolitionist before, but your book has awakened so +strong a feeling of indignation and of compassion that I never seem to +have had any feeling on this subject until now." + +The poet Longfellow wrote:-- + + I congratulate you most cordially upon the immense + success and influence of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." It is one + of the greatest triumphs recorded in literary history, + to say nothing of the higher triumph of its moral + effect. + + With great regard, and friendly remembrance to Mr. + Stowe, I remain, + + Yours most truly, + HENRY W. LONGFELLOW. + +Whittier wrote to Garrison:-- + +"What a glorious work Harriet Beecher Stowe has wrought. Thanks for +the Fugitive Slave Law! Better would it be for slavery if that law had +never been enacted; for it gave occasion for 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.'" + +Garrison wrote to Mrs. Stowe:-- + +"I estimate the value of anti-slavery writing by the abuse it brings. +Now all the defenders of slavery have let me alone and are abusing +you." + +To Mrs. Stowe, Whittier wrote:-- + + Ten thousand thanks for thy immortal book. My young + friend Mary Irving (of the "Era") writes me that she + has been reading it to some twenty young ladies, + daughters of Louisiana slaveholders, near New Orleans, + and amid the scenes described in it, and that they, + with one accord, pronounce it true. + + Truly thy friend, + JOHN G. WHITTIER. + +From Thomas Wentworth Higginson came the following:-- + + To have written at once the most powerful of + contemporary fictions and the most efficient of + anti-slavery tracts is a double triumph in literature + and philanthropy, to which this country has heretofore + seen no parallel. + + Yours respectfully and gratefully, + T. W. HIGGINSON. + +A few days after the publication of the book, Mrs. Stowe, writing +from Boston to her husband in Brunswick, says: "I have been in such a +whirl ever since I have been here. I found business prosperous. Jewett +animated. He has been to Washington and conversed with all the leading +senators, Northern and Southern. Seward told him it was the greatest +book of the times, or something of that sort, and he and Sumner went +around with him to recommend it to Southern men and get them to read +it." + +It is true that with these congratulatory and commendatory letters came +hosts of others, threatening and insulting, from the Haleys and Legrees +of the country. + +Of them Mrs. Stowe said: "They were so curiously compounded of +blasphemy, cruelty, and obscenity, that their like could only be +expressed by John Bunyan's account of the speech of Apollyon: 'He spake +as a dragon.'" + +A correspondent of the "National Era" wrote: "'Uncle Tom's Cabin' is +denounced by time-serving preachers as a meretricious work. Will you +not come out in defense of it and roll back the tide of vituperation?" + +To this the editor answered: "We should as soon think of coming out in +defense of Shakespeare." + +Several attempts were made in the South to write books controverting +"Uncle Tom's Cabin," and showing a much brighter side of the slavery +question, but they all fell flat and were left unread. Of one of them, +a clergyman of Charleston, S. C., wrote in a private letter:-- + +"I have read two columns in the 'Southern Press' of Mrs. Eastman's +'Aunt Phillis' Cabin, or Southern Life as it is,' with the remarks of +the editor. I have no comment to make on it, as that is done by itself. +The editor might have saved himself being writ down an ass by the +public if he had withheld his nonsense. If the two columns are a fair +specimen of Mrs. Eastman's book, I pity her attempt and her name as an +author." + +In due time Mrs. Stowe began to receive answers to the letters she had +forwarded with copies of her book to prominent men in England, and +these were without exception flattering and encouraging. Through his +private secretary Prince Albert acknowledged with thanks the receipt +of his copy, and promised to read it. Succeeding mails brought scores +of letters from English men of letters and statesmen. Lord Carlisle +wrote:-- + +"I return my deep and solemn thanks to Almighty God who has led and +enabled you to write such a book. I do feel indeed the most thorough +assurance that in his good Providence such a book cannot have been +written in vain. I have long felt that slavery is by far the _topping_ +question of the world and age we live in, including all that is most +thrilling in heroism and most touching in distress; in short, the real +epic of the universe. The self-interest of the parties most nearly +concerned on the one hand, the apathy and ignorance of unconcerned +observers on the other, have left these august pretensions to drop +very much out of sight. Hence my rejoicing that a writer has appeared +who will be read and must be felt, and that happen what may to the +transactions of slavery they will no longer be suppressed." + +To this letter, of which but an extract has been given, Mrs. Stowe sent +the following reply:-- + + MY LORD,--It is not with the common pleasure of + gratified authorship that I say how much I am gratified + by the receipt of your very kind communication + with regard to my humble efforts in the cause of + humanity. The subject is one so grave, so awful--the + success of what I have written has been so singular + and so unexpected--that I can scarce retain a + self-consciousness and am constrained to look upon + it all as the work of a Higher Power, who, when He + pleases, can accomplish his results by the feeblest + instruments. I am glad of anything which gives + notoriety to the book, because it is a plea for the + dumb and the helpless! I am glad particularly of + notoriety in England because I see with what daily + increasing power England's opinion is to act on this + country. No one can tell but a _native_ born here + by what an infinite complexity of ties, nerves, and + ligaments this terrible evil is bound in one body + politic; how the slightest touch upon it causes + even the free States to thrill and shiver, what a + terribly corrupting and tempting power it has upon + the conscience and moral sentiment even of a free + community. Nobody can tell the thousand ways in + which by trade, by family affinity, or by political + expediency, the free part of our country is constantly + tempted to complicity with the slaveholding part. It + is a terrible thing to become used to hearing the + enormities of slavery, to hear of things day after + day that one would think the sun should hide his face + from, and yet, to _get used to them_, to discuss them + coolly, to dismiss them coolly. For example, the sale + of intelligent, handsome colored females for vile + purposes, facts of the most public nature, have made + this a perfectly understood matter in our Northern + States. I have now, myself, under charge and educating, + two girls of whose character any mother might be proud, + who have actually been rescued from this sale in the + New Orleans market. + + I desire to inclose a tract[11] in which I sketched down + a few incidents in the history of the family to which + these girls belong; it will show more than words can + the kind of incident to which I allude. The tract is + not a published document, only _printed_ to assist me + in raising money, and it would not, at present, be for + the good of the parties to have it published even in + England. + + But though these things are known in the free States, + and other things, if possible, worse, yet there is + a terrible deadness of moral sense. They are known + by clergymen who yet would not on any account so far + commit themselves as to preach on the evils of slavery, + or pray for the slaves in their pulpits. They are known + by politicians who yet give their votes for slavery + extension and perpetuation. + + This year both our great leading parties voted to + suppress all agitation of the subject, and in both + those parties were men who knew personally facts of + slavery and the internal slave-trade that one would + think no man could ever forget. Men _united_ in + pledging themselves to the Fugitive Slave Law, who yet + would tell you in private conversation that it was an + abomination, and who do not hesitate to say, that as + a matter of practice they always help the fugitive + because they _can't_ do otherwise. + + The moral effect of this constant insincerity, the + moral effect of witnessing and becoming accustomed to + the most appalling forms of crime and oppression, is to + me the most awful and distressing part of the subject. + Nothing makes me feel it so painfully as to see with + how much more keenness the English feel the disclosures + of my book than the Americans. I myself am blunted by + use--by seeing, touching, handling the details. In + dealing even for the ransom of slaves, in learning + market prices of men, women, and children, I feel that + I acquire a horrible familiarity with evil. + + Here, then, the great, wise, and powerful mind of + England, if she will but fully master the subject, + may greatly help us. Hers is the same kind of mind + as our own, but disembarrassed from our temptations + and unnerved by the thousands of influences that + blind and deaden us. There is a healthful vivacity + of moral feeling on this subject that must electrify + our paralyzed vitality. For this reason, therefore, I + rejoice when I see minds like your lordship's turning + to this subject; and I feel an intensity of emotion, as + if I could say, Do not for Christ's sake let go; you + know not what you may do. + + Your lordship will permit me to send you two of the + most characteristic documents of the present struggle, + written by two men who are, in their way, as eloquent + for the slave as Chatham was for us in our hour of need. + + I am now preparing some additional notes to my book, in + which I shall further confirm what I have said by facts + and statistics, and in particular by extracts from + the _codes of slaveholding States_, and the _records + of their courts_. These are documents that cannot be + disputed, and I pray your lordship to give them your + attention. No disconnected facts can be so terrible as + these legal decisions. They will soon appear in England. + + It is so far from being irrelevant for England to + notice slavery that I already see indications that this + subject, on _both sides_, is yet to be presented there, + and the battle fought on _English ground_. I see that + my friend the South Carolinian gentleman has sent to + "Fraser's Magazine" an article; before published in + this country, on "Uncle Tom's Cabin." The article + in the London "Times" was eagerly reprinted in this + country, was issued as a tract and sold by the hundred, + headed, "What they think of 'Uncle Tom' in England." + If I mistake not, a strong effort will be made to + pervert the public mind of England, and to do away the + impression which the book has left. + + For a time after it was issued it seemed to go by + acclamation. From quarters the most unexpected, from + all political parties, came an almost unbroken chorus + of approbation. I was very much surprised, knowing + the explosive nature of the subject. It was not till + the sale had run to over a hundred thousand copies + that reaction began, and the reaction was led off by + the London "Times." Instantly, as by a preconcerted + signal, all papers of a certain class began to abuse; + and some who had at first issued articles entirely + commendatory, now issued others equally depreciatory. + Religious papers, notably the "New York Observer," + came out and denounced the book as _anti-Christian_, + anti-evangelical, resorting even to personal slander on + the author as a means of diverting attention from the + work. + + All this has a meaning, but I think it comes too late. + I can think of no reason why it was not tried sooner, + excepting that God had intended that the cause should + have a hearing. It is strange that they should have + waited so long for the political effect of a book which + they might have foreseen at first; but not strange + that they should, now they _do_ see what it is doing, + attempt to root it up. + + The effects of the book so far have been, I think, + these: 1st. To soften and moderate the bitterness of + feeling in _extreme abolitionists_. 2d. To convert to + abolitionist views many whom this same bitterness had + repelled. 3d. To inspire the free colored people with + self-respect, hope, and confidence. 4th. To inspire + universally through the country a kindlier feeling + toward the negro race. + + It was unfortunate for the cause of freedom that + the first agitators of this subject were of that + class which your lordship describes in your note as + "well-meaning men." I speak sadly of their faults, + for they were men of _noble_ hearts. "But oppression + maketh a wise man _mad_," and they spoke and did + many things in the frenzy of outraged humanity that + repelled sympathy and threw multitudes off to a + hopeless distance. It is mournful to think of all the + absurdities that have been said and done in the name + and for the sake of this holy cause, that have so long + and so fatally retarded it. + + I confess that I expected for myself nothing but abuse + from extreme abolitionists, especially as I dared to + name a forbidden shibboleth, "Liberia," and the fact + that the wildest and extremest abolitionists united + with the coldest conservatives, at first, to welcome + and advance the book is a thing that I have never + ceased to wonder at. + + I have written this long letter because I am extremely + desirous that some leading minds in England should know + how _we_ stand. The subject is now on trial at the bar + of a civilized world--a Christian world! and I feel + sure that God has not ordered this without a design. + Yours for the cause, + + HARRIET BEECHER STOWE. + +In December the Earl of Shaftesbury wrote to Mrs. Stowe:-- + + MADAM,--It is very possible that the writer of this + letter may be wholly unknown to you. But whether my + name be familiar to your ears, or whether you now read + it for the first time, I cannot refrain from expressing + to you the deep gratitude that I feel to Almighty God + who has inspired both your heart and your head in + the composition of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." None but a + Christian believer could have produced such a book as + yours, which has absolutely startled the whole world, + and impressed many thousands by revelations of cruelty + and sin that give us an idea of what would be the + uncontrolled dominion of Satan on this fallen earth. + +To this letter Mrs. Stowe replied as follows:-- + + ANDOVER, _January 6, 1853._ + + TO THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURY: + + _My Lord_,--The few lines I have received from you are + a comfort and an encouragement to me, feeble as I now + am in health, and pressed oftentimes with sorrowful + thoughts. + + It is a comfort to know that in other lands there are + those who feel as we feel, and who are looking with + simplicity to the gospel of Jesus, and prayerfully + hoping his final coming. + + My lord, before you wrote me I read with deep emotion + your letter to the ladies of England, and subsequently + the noble address of the Duchess of Sutherland, and I + could not but feel that such movements, originating + in such a quarter, prompted by a spirit so devout and + benevolent, were truly of God, and must result in a + blessing to the world. + + I grieve to see that both in England and this country + there are those who are entirely incapable of + appreciating the Christian and truly friendly feeling + that prompted this movement, and that there are even + those who meet it with coarse personalities such as + I had not thought possible in an English or American + paper. + + When I wrote my work it was in simplicity and in the + love of Christ, and if I felt anything that seemed to + me like a call to undertake it, it was this, that I had + a true heart of love for the Southern people, a feeling + appreciation of their trials, and a sincere admiration + of their many excellent traits, and that I thus felt, + I think, must appear to every impartial reader of the + work. + + It was my hope that a book so kindly intended, so + favorable in many respects, might be permitted free + circulation among them, and that the gentle voice of + Eva and the manly generosity of St. Clare might be + allowed to say those things of the system which would + be invidious in any other form. + + At first the book seemed to go by acclamation; the + South did not condemn, and the North was loud and + unanimous in praise; not a dissenting voice was raised; + to my astonishment everybody praised. But when the + book circulated so widely and began to penetrate the + Southern States, when it began to be perceived how + powerfully it affected every mind that read it, there + came on a reaction. + + Answers, pamphlets, newspaper attacks came thick and + fast, and certain Northern papers, religious,--so + called,--turned and began to denounce the work as + unchristian, heretical, etc. The reason of all this + is that it has been seen that the book has a direct + tendency to do what it was written for,--to awaken + conscience in the slaveholding States and lead to + emancipation. + + Now there is nothing that Southern political leaders + and capitalists so dread as anti-slavery feeling among + themselves. All the force of lynch law is employed + to smother discussion and blind conscience on this + question. The question is not allowed to be discussed, + and he who sells a book or publishes a tract makes + himself liable to fine and imprisonment. + + My book is, therefore, as much under an interdict in + some parts of the South as the Bible is in Italy. It + is not allowed in the bookstores, and the greater part + of the people hear of it and me only through grossly + caricatured representations in the papers, with garbled + extracts from the book. + + A cousin residing in Georgia this winter says that the + prejudice against my name is so strong that she dares + not have it appear on the outside of her letters, and + that very amiable and excellent people have asked her + if such as I could be received into reputable society + at the North. + + Under these circumstances, it is a matter of particular + regret that the "New York Observer," an old and + long-established religious paper in the United States, + extensively read at the South, should have come out in + such a bitter and unscrupulous style of attack as even + to induce some Southern papers, with a generosity one + often finds at the South, to protest against it. + + That they should use their Christian character and + the sacred name of Christ still further to blind the + minds and strengthen the prejudices of their Southern + brethren is to me a matter of deepest sorrow. All + those things, of course, cannot touch me in my private + capacity, sheltered as I am by a happy home and very + warm friends. I only grieve for it as a dishonor to + Christ and a real injustice to many noble-minded people + at the South, who, if they were allowed quietly and + dispassionately to hear and judge, might be led to the + best results. + + But, my lord, all this only shows us how strong is the + interest we touch. _All the wealth of America_ may be + said to be interested in it. And, if I may judge from + the furious and bitter tone of some English papers, + they also have some sensitive connection with the evil. + + I trust that those noble and gentle ladies of England + who have in so good a spirit expressed their views of + the question will not be discouraged by the strong + abuse that will follow. England is doing us good. We + need the vitality of a disinterested country to warm + our torpid and benumbed public sentiment. + + Nay, the storm of feeling which the book raises in + Italy, Germany, and France is all good, though truly + 'tis painful for us Americans to bear. The fact is, we + have become used to this frightful evil, and we need + the public sentiment of the world to help us. + + I am now writing a work to be called "Key to Uncle + Tom's Cabin." It contains, in an undeniable form, + the facts which corroborate all that I have said. + One third of it is taken up with judicial records of + trials and decisions, and with statute law. It is a + most fearful story, my lord,--I can truly say that I + write with life-blood, but as called of God. I give in + my evidence, and I hope that England may so fix the + attention of the world on the facts of which I am the + unwilling publisher, that the Southern States may be + compelled to notice what hitherto they have denied and + ignored. If they call the fiction dreadful, what will + they say of the fact, where I cannot deny, suppress, or + color? But it is God's will that it must be told, and I + am the unwilling agent. + + This coming month of April, my husband and myself + expect to sail for England on the invitation of the + Anti-Slavery Society of the Ladies and Gentlemen of + Glasgow, to confer with friends there. + + There are points where English people can do much good; + there are also points where what they seek to do may be + made more efficient by a little communion with those + who know the feelings and habits of our countrymen: but + I am persuaded that England can do much for us. + + My lord, they greatly mistake who see, in this movement + of English Christians for the abolition of slavery, + signs of disunion between the nations. It is the purest + and best proof of friendship England has ever shown us, + and will, I am confident, be so received. I earnestly + trust that all who have begun to take in hand the cause + will be in nothing daunted, but persevere to the end; + for though everything else be against us, _Christ_ is + certainly on our side and He _must at last prevail_, + and it will be done, "not by might, nor by power, but + by His Spirit." + + Yours in Christian sincerity, + H. B. STOWE. + +Mrs. Stowe also received a letter from Arthur Helps[12] accompanying +a review of her work written by himself and published in "Fraser's +Magazine." In his letter Mr. Helps took exception to the comparison +instituted in "Uncle Tom's Cabin" between the working-classes of +England and the slaves of America. In her answer to this criticism and +complaint Mrs. Stowe says:-- + + MR. ARTHUR HELPS: + + _My dear Sir_,--I cannot but say I am greatly obliged + to you for the kind opinions expressed in your letter. + On one point, however, it appears that my book has not + faithfully represented to you the feelings of my heart. + I mean in relation to the English nation as a nation. + You will notice that the remarks on that subject occur + in the _dramatic_ part of the book, in the mouth of an + intelligent Southerner. As a fair-minded person, bound + to state for both sides all that could be said in the + person of St. Clare, the best that could be said on + that point, and what I know _is_ in fact constantly + reiterated, namely, that the laboring class of the + South are in many respects, as to physical comfort, in + a better condition than the poor of England. + + This is the slaveholder's stereotyped apology,--a + defense it cannot be, unless two wrongs make one right. + + It is generally supposed among us that this estimate + of the relative condition of the slaves and the poor + of England is correct, and we base our ideas on + reports made in Parliament and various documentary + evidence; also such sketches as "London Labor and + London Poor," which have been widely circulated among + us. The inference, however, which _we_ of the freedom + party draw from it, is _not_ that the slave is, on + the whole, in the best condition because of this + striking difference; that in America the slave has not + a recognized _human_ character _in law, has not even + an existence_, whereas in England the law recognizes + and protects the meanest subject, in theory _always_, + and in _fact_ to a certain extent. A prince of the + blood could not strike the meanest laborer without a + liability to prosecution, in _theory_ at least, and + that is something. In America any man may strike any + slave he meets, and if the master does not choose to + notice it, he has no redress. + + I do not suppose _human nature_ to be widely different + in England and America. In both countries, when any + class holds power and wealth by institutions which + in the long run bring misery on lower classes, they + are very unwilling still to part with that wealth and + power. They are unwilling to be convinced that it is + their duty, and unwilling to do it if they are. It + is always so everywhere; it is not English nature or + American nature, but human nature. We have seen in + England the battle for popular rights fought step by + step with as determined a resistance from parties in + possession as the slaveholder offers in America. + + There was the same kind of resistance in certain + quarters there to the laws restricting the employing of + young children eighteen hours a day in factories, as + there is here to the anti-slavery effort. + + Again, in England as in America, there are, in those + very classes whose interests are most invaded by what + are called popular rights, some of the most determined + supporters of them, and here I think that the balance + preponderates in favor of England. I think there are + more of the high nobility of England who are friends + of the common people and willing to help the cause of + human progress, irrespective of its influence on their + own interests, than there are those of a similar class + among slaveholding aristocracy, though even that class + is not without such men. But I am far from having any + of that senseless prejudice against the English nation + as a nation which, greatly to my regret, I observe + sometimes in America. It is a relic of barbarism for + two such nations as England and America to cherish any + such unworthy prejudice. + + For my own part, I am proud to be of English blood; + and though I do not think England's national course + faultless, and though I think many of her institutions + and arrangements capable of much revision and + improvement, yet my heart warms to her as, _on the + whole_, the strongest, greatest, and best nation on + earth. Have not England and America one blood, one + language, one literature, and a glorious literature + it is! Are not Milton and Shakespeare, and all the + wise and brave and good of old, common to us both, + and should there be anything but cordiality between + countries that have so glorious an inheritance in + common? If there is, it will be elsewhere than in + hearts like mine. + + Sincerely yours, + H. B. STOWE. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[10] Introduction to Illustrated Edition of _Uncle Tom_, p. xiii. +(Houghton, Osgood & Co., 1879.) + +[11] Afterwards embodied in the _Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin_. + +[12] Author of _Spanish Conquest in America_.--ED. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +FIRST TRIP TO EUROPE, 1853. + + THE EDMONDSONS.--BUYING SLAVES TO SET THEM FREE.--JENNY + LIND.--PROFESSOR STOWE IS CALLED TO ANDOVER.--FITTING + UP THE NEW HOME.--THE "KEY TO UNCLE TOM'S + CABIN."--"UNCLE TOM" ABROAD.--HOW IT WAS PUBLISHED + IN ENGLAND.--PREFACE TO THE EUROPEAN EDITION.--THE + BOOK IN FRANCE.--IN GERMANY.--A GREETING FROM CHARLES + KINGSLEY.--PREPARING TO VISIT SCOTLAND.--LETTER TO MRS. + FOLLEN. + + +VERY soon after the publication of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" Mrs. Stowe +visited her brother Henry in Brooklyn, and while there became intensely +interested in the case of the Edmondsons, a slave family of Washington, +D. C. Emily and Mary two of the daughters of Paul (a free colored man) +and Milly (a slave) Edmondson, had, for trying to escape from bondage, +been sold to a trader for the New Orleans market. While they were +lying in jail in Alexandria awaiting the making up of a gang for the +South, their heartbroken father determined to visit the North and try +to beg from a freedom-loving people the money with which to purchase +his daughters' liberty. The sum asked by the trader was $2,250, but its +magnitude did not appall the brave old man, and he set forth upon his +quest full of faith that in some way he would secure it. + +Reaching New York, he went to the anti-slavery bureau and related +his pitiful story. The sum demanded was such a large one and seemed +so exorbitant that even those who took the greatest interest in the +case were disheartened over the prospect of raising it. The old man +was finally advised to go to Henry Ward Beecher and ask his aid. He +made his way to the door of the great Brooklyn preacher's house, but, +overcome by many disappointments and fearing to meet with another +rebuff, hesitated to ring the bell, and sat down on the steps with +tears streaming from his eyes. + +There Mr. Beecher found him, learned his story, and promised to do what +he could. There was a great meeting in Plymouth Church that evening, +and, taking the old colored man with him to it, Mrs. Stowe's brother +made such an eloquent and touching appeal on behalf of the slave girls +as to rouse his audience to profound indignation and pity. The entire +sum of $2,250 was raised then and there, and the old man, hardly able +to realize his great joy, was sent back to his despairing children with +their freedom money in his hand. + +All this had happened in the latter part of 1848, and Mrs. Stowe had +first known of the liberated girls in 1851, when she had been appealed +to for aid in educating them. From that time forward she became +personally responsible for all their expenses while they remained in +school, and until the death of one of them in 1853. + +Now during her visit to New York in the spring of 1852 she met their +old mother, Milly Edmondson, who had come North in the hope of saving +her two remaining slave children, a girl and a young man, from falling +into the trader's clutches. Twelve hundred dollars was the sum to be +raised, and by hard work the father had laid by one hundred of it when +a severe illness put an end to his efforts. After many prayers and much +consideration of the matter, his feeble old wife said to him one day, +"Paul, I'm a gwine up to New York myself to see if I can't get that +money." + +Her husband objected that she was too feeble, that she would be unable +to find her way, and that Northern people had got tired of buying +slaves to set them free, but the resolute old woman clung to her +purpose and finally set forth. Reaching New York she made her way to +Mr. Beecher's house, where she was so fortunate as to find Mrs. Stowe. +Now her troubles were at an end, for this champion of the oppressed +at once made the slave woman's cause her own and promised that her +children should be redeemed. She at once set herself to the task of +raising the purchase-money, not only for Milly's children, but for +giving freedom to the old slave woman herself. On May 29, she writes to +her husband in Brunswick:-- + +"The mother of the Edmondson girls, now aged and feeble, is in the +city. I did not actually know when I wrote 'Uncle Tom' of a living +example in which Christianity had reached its fullest development under +the crushing wrongs of slavery, but in this woman I see it. I never +knew before what I could feel till, with her sorrowful, patient eyes +upon me, she told me her history and begged my aid. The expression of +her face as she spoke, and the depth of patient sorrow in her eyes, was +beyond anything I ever saw. + +"'Well,' said I, when she had finished, 'set your heart at rest; +you and your children shall be redeemed. If I can't raise the money +otherwise, I will pay it myself.' You should have seen the wonderfully +sweet, solemn look she gave me as she said, 'The Lord bless you, my +child!' + +"Well, I have received a sweet note from Jenny Lind, with her name +and her husband's with which to head my subscription list. They give +a hundred dollars. Another hundred is subscribed by Mr. Bowen in his +wife's name, and I have put my own name down for an equal amount. A +lady has given me twenty-five dollars, and Mr. Storrs has pledged me +fifty dollars. Milly and I are to meet the ladies of Henry's and Dr. +Cox's churches to-morrow, and she is to tell them her story. I have +written to Drs. Bacon and Dutton in New Haven to secure a similar +meeting of ladies there. I mean to have one in Boston, and another in +Portland. It will do good to the givers as well as to the receivers. + +"But all this time I have been so longing to get your letter from +New Haven, for I heard it was there. It is not fame nor praise that +contents me. I seem never to have needed love so much as now. I long +to hear you say how much you love me. Dear one, if this effort impedes +my journey home, and wastes some of my strength, you will not murmur. +When I see this Christlike soul standing so patiently bleeding, yet +forgiving, I feel a sacred call to be the helper of the helpless, and +it is better that my own family do without me for a while longer than +that this mother lose all. _I must redeem her._ + +"_New Haven, June 2._ My old woman's case progresses gloriously. I +am to see the ladies of this place to-morrow. Four hundred dollars +were contributed by individuals in Brooklyn, and the ladies who took +subscription papers at the meeting will undoubtedly raise two hundred +dollars more." + +Before leaving New York, Mrs. Stowe gave Milly Edmondson her check for +the entire sum necessary to purchase her own freedom and that of her +children, and sent her home rejoicing. That this sum was made up to her +by the generous contributions of those to whom she appealed is shown by +a note written to her husband and dated July, 1852, in which she says:-- + +"Had a very kind note from A. Lawrence inclosing a twenty-dollar +gold-piece for the Edmondsons. Isabella's ladies gave me twenty-five +dollars, so you see our check is more than paid already." + +Although during her visit in New York Mrs. Stowe made many new friends, +and was overwhelmed with congratulations and praise of her book, the +most pleasing incident of this time seems to have been an epistolatory +interview with Jenny Lind (Goldschmidt). In writing of it to her +husband she says:-- + +"Well, we have heard Jenny Lind, and the affair was a bewildering dream +of sweetness and beauty. Her face and movements are full of poetry and +feeling. She has the artless grace of a little child, the poetic effect +of a wood-nymph, is airy, light, and graceful. + +"We had first-rate seats, and how do you think we got them? When Mr. +Howard went early in the morning for tickets, Mr. Goldschmidt told +him it was impossible to get any good ones, as they were all sold. +Mr. Howard said he regretted that, on Mrs. Stowe's account, as she +was very desirous of hearing Jenny Lind. 'Mrs. Stowe!' exclaimed Mr. +Goldschmidt, 'the author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin"? Indeed, she shall +have a seat whatever happens!' + +"Thereupon he took his hat and went out, returning shortly with tickets +for two of the best seats in the house, inclosed in an envelope +directed to me in his wife's handwriting. Mr. Howard said he could have +sold those tickets at any time during the day for ten dollars each. + +"To-day I sent a note of acknowledgment with a copy of my book. I am +most happy to have seen her, for she is a noble creature." + +To this note the great singer wrote in answer:-- + + MY DEAR MADAM,--Allow me to express my sincere thanks + for your very kind letter, which I was very happy to + receive. + + You must feel and know what a deep impression "Uncle + Tom's Cabin" has made upon every heart that can feel + for the dignity of human existence: so I with my + miserable English would not even try to say a word + about the great excellency of that most beautiful book, + but I must thank you for the great joy I have felt over + that book. + + Forgive me, my dear madam: it is a great liberty I take + in thus addressing you, I know, but I have so wished to + find an opportunity to pour out my thankfulness in a + few words to you that I cannot help this intruding. I + have the feeling about "Uncle Tom's Cabin" that great + changes will take place by and by, from the impression + people receive out of it, and that the writer of that + book can fall asleep to-day or to-morrow with the + bright, sweet conscience of having been a strong means + in the Creator's hand of operating essential good in + one of the most important questions for the welfare + of our black brethren. God bless and protect you and + yours, dear madam, and certainly God's hand will remain + with a blessing over your head. + + Once more forgive my bad English and the liberty I have + taken, and believe me to be, dear madam, + + Yours most truly, + JENNY GOLDSCHMIDT, _nee_ LIND. + +In answer to Mrs. Stowe's appeal on behalf of the Edmonsons, Jenny Lind +wrote:-- + + MY DEAR MRS. STOWE,--I have with great interest read + your statement of the black family at Washington. It is + with pleasure also that I and my husband are placing + our humble names on the list you sent. + + The time is short. I am very, very sorry that I shall + not be able to _see_ you. I must say farewell to you + in this way. Hoping that in the length of time you may + live to witness the progression of the good sake for + which you so nobly have fought, my best wishes go with + you. + + Yours in friendship, + JENNY GOLDSCHMIDT. + +While Mrs. Stowe was thus absent from home, her husband received and +accepted a most urgent call to the Professorship of Sacred Literature +in the Theological Seminary at Andover, Mass. + +In regard to leaving Brunswick and her many friends there, Mrs. Stowe +wrote: "For my part, if I _must_ leave Brunswick, I would rather leave +at once. I can tear away with a sudden pull more easily than to linger +there knowing that I am to leave at last. I shall never find people +whom I shall like better than those of Brunswick." + +As Professor Stowe's engagements necessitated his spending much of +the summer in Brunswick, and also making a journey to Cincinnati, +it devolved upon his wife to remain in Andover, and superintend the +preparation of the house they were to occupy. This was known as the +old stone workshop, on the west side of the Common, and it had a year +or two before been fitted up by Charles Munroe and Jonathan Edwards[13] +as the Seminary gymnasium. Beneath Mrs. Stowe's watchful care and by +the judicious expenditure of money, it was transformed by the first of +November into the charming abode which under the name of "The Cabin" +became noted as one of the pleasantest literary centres of the country. +Here for many years were received, and entertained in a modest way, +many of the most distinguished people of this and other lands, and here +were planned innumerable philanthropic undertakings in which Mrs. Stowe +and her scholarly husband were the prime movers. + +The summer spent in preparing this home was one of great pleasure as +well as literary activity. In July Mrs. Stowe writes to her husband: "I +had no idea this place was so beautiful. Our family circle is charming. +All the young men are so gentlemanly and so agreeable, as well as +Christian in spirit. Mr. Dexter, his wife, and sister are delightful. +Last evening a party of us went to ride on horseback down to Pomp's +Pond. What a beautiful place it is! There is everything here that +there is at Brunswick except the sea,--a great exception. Yesterday I +was out all the forenoon sketching elms. There is no end to the beauty +of these trees. I shall fill my book with them before I get through. We +had a levee at Professor Park's last week,--quite a brilliant affair. +To-day there is to be a fishing party to go to Salem beach and have a +chowder. + +[Illustration: THE ANDOVER HOME] + +"It seems almost too good to be true that we are going to have such +a house in such a beautiful place, and to live here among all these +agreeable people, where everybody seems to love you so much and to +think so much of you. I am almost afraid to accept it, and should not, +did I not see the Hand that gives it all and know that it is both firm +and true. He knows if it is best for us, and His blessing addeth no +sorrow therewith. I cannot describe to you the constant undercurrent of +love and joy and peace ever flowing through my soul. I am so happy--so +blessed!" + +The literary work of this summer was directed toward preparing articles +on many subjects for the "New York Independent" and the "National +Era," as well as collecting material for future books. That the +"Pearl of Orr's Island," which afterward appeared as a serial in the +"Independent," was already contemplated, is shown by a letter written +July 29th, in which Mrs. Stowe says: "What a lovely place Andover is! +So many beautiful walks! Last evening a number of us climbed Prospect +Hill, and had a most charming walk. Since I came here we have taken up +hymn-singing to quite an extent, and while we were all up on the hill +we sang 'When I can read my title clear.' It went finely. + +"I seem to have so much to fill my time, and yet there is my Maine +story waiting. However, I am composing it every day, only I greatly +need living studies for the filling in of my sketches. There is 'old +Jonas,' my 'fish father,' a sturdy, independent fisherman farmer, who +in his youth sailed all over the world and made up his mind about +everything. In his old age he attends prayer-meetings and reads the +'Missionary Herald.' He also has plenty of money in an old brown +sea-chest. He is a great heart with an inflexible will and iron +muscles. I must go to Orr's Island and see him again. I am now writing +an article for the 'Era' on Maine and its scenery, which I think is +even better than the 'Independent' letter. In it I took up Longfellow. +Next I shall write one on Hawthorne and his surroundings. + +"To-day Mrs. Jewett sent out a most solemnly savage attack upon me +from the 'Alabama Planter.' Among other things it says: 'The plan for +assaulting the best institutions in the world may be made just as +rational as it is by the wicked (perhaps unconsciously so) authoress +of this book. The woman who wrote it must be either a very bad or a +very fanatical person. For her own domestic peace we trust no enemy +will ever penetrate into her household to pervert the scenes he may +find there with as little logic or kindness as she has used in her +"Uncle Tom's Cabin."' There's for you! Can you wonder now that such a +wicked woman should be gone from you a full month instead of the week I +intended? Ah, welladay!" + +At last the house was finished, the removal from Brunswick effected, +and the reunited family was comfortably settled in its Andover home. +The plans for the winter's literary work were, however, altered by +force of circumstances. Instead of proceeding quietly and happily with +her charming Maine story, Mrs. Stowe found it necessary to take notice +in some manner of the cruel and incessant attacks made upon her as the +author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and to fortify herself against them by +a published statement of incontrovertible facts. It was claimed on all +sides that she had in her famous book made such ignorant or malicious +misrepresentations that it was nothing short of a tissue of falsehoods, +and to refute this she was compelled to write a "Key to Uncle Tom's +Cabin," in which should appear the sources from which she had obtained +her knowledge. Late in the winter Mrs. Stowe wrote:-- + +"I am now very much driven. I am preparing a Key to unlock 'Uncle +Tom's Cabin.' It will contain all the original facts, anecdotes, and +documents on which the story is founded, with some very interesting and +affecting stories parallel to those told of Uncle Tom. Now I want you +to write for me just what you heard that slave-buyer say, exactly as he +said it, that people may compare it with what I have written. My Key +will be stronger than the Cabin." + +In regard to this "Key" Mrs. Stowe also wrote to the Duchess of +Sutherland upon hearing that she had headed an address from the women +of England to those of America:-- + + It is made up of the facts, the documents, the things + which my own eyes have looked upon and my hands have + handled, that attest this awful indictment upon my + country. I write it in the anguish of my soul, with + tears and prayer, with sleepless nights and weary days. + I bear my testimony with a heavy heart, as one who in + court is forced by an awful oath to disclose the sins + of those dearest. + + So I am called to draw up this fearful witness against + my country and send it into all countries, that the + general voice of humanity may quicken our paralyzed + vitality, that all Christians may pray for us, and that + shame, honor, love of country, and love of Christ may + be roused to give us strength to cast out this mighty + evil. + + Yours for the oppressed, + H. B. STOWE. + +This harassing, brain-wearying, and heart-sickening labor was +continued until the first of April, 1853, when, upon invitation of the +Anti-Slavery Society of Glasgow, Scotland, Mrs. Stowe, accompanied by +her husband and her brother, Charles Beecher, sailed for Europe. + +In the mean time the success of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" abroad was already +phenomenal and unprecedented. From the pen of Mr. Sampson Low, the +well-known London publisher, we have the following interesting +statement regarding it:-- + +"The first edition printed in London was in April, 1852, by Henry +Vizetelly, in a neat volume at ten and sixpence, of which he issued +7,000 copies. He received the first copy imported, through a friend +who had bought it in Boston the day the steamer sailed, for his own +reading. He gave it to Mr. V., who took it to the late Mr. David Bogue, +well known for his general shrewdness and enterprise. He had the book +to read and consider over night, and in the morning returned it, +declining to take it at the very moderate price of five pounds. + +"Vizetelly at once put the volume into the hands of a friendly printer +and brought it out on his own account, through the nominal agency of +Clarke & Co. The 7,000 copies sold, other editions followed, and Mr. +Vizetelly disposed of his interest in the book to the printer and +agent, who joined with Mr. Beeton and at once began to issue monster +editions. The demand called for fresh supplies, and these created an +increased demand. The discovery was soon made that any one was at +liberty to reprint the book, and the initiative was thus given to a +new era in cheap literature, founded on American reprints. A shilling +edition followed the one-and-sixpence, and this in turn became the +precursor of one 'complete for sixpence.' From April to December, 1852, +twelve different editions (not reissues) were published, and within +the twelve months of its first appearance eighteen different London +publishing houses were engaged in supplying the great demand that had +set in, the total number of editions being forty, varying from fine +art-illustrated editions at 15s., 10s., and 7s. 6d., to the cheap +popular editions of 1s., 9d., and 6d. + +"After carefully analyzing these editions and weighing probabilities +with ascertained facts, I am able pretty confidently to say that the +aggregate number of copies circulated in Great Britain and the colonies +exceeds one and a half millions." + +A similar statement made by Clarke & Co. in October, 1852, reveals the +following facts. It says: "An early copy was sent from America the +latter end of April to Mr. Bogue, the publisher, and was offered by +him to Mr. Gilpin, late of Bishopsgate Street. Being declined by Mr. +Gilpin, Mr. Bogue offered it to Mr. Henry Vizetelly, and by the latter +gentleman it was eventually purchased for us. Before printing it, +however, as there was one night allowed for decision, one volume was +taken home to be read by Mr. Vizetelly, and the other by Mr. Salisbury, +the printer, of Bouverie Street. The report of the latter gentleman the +following morning, to quote his own words, was: 'I sat up till four in +the morning reading the book, and the interest I felt was expressed one +moment by laughter, another by tears. Thinking it might be weakness and +not the power of the author that affected me, I resolved to try the +effect upon my wife (a rather strong-minded woman). I accordingly woke +her and read a few chapters to her. Finding that the interest in the +story kept her awake, and that she, too, laughed and cried, I settled +in my mind that it was a book that ought to, and might with safety, be +printed.' + +"Mr. Vizetelly's opinion coincided with that of Mr. Salisbury, and to +the latter gentleman it was confided to be brought out immediately. The +week following the book was produced and one edition of 7,000 copies +worked off. It made no stir until the middle of June, although we +advertised it very extensively. From June it began to make its way, and +it sold at the rate of 1,000 per week during July. In August the demand +became very great, and went on increasing to the 20th, by which time +it was perfectly overwhelming. We have now about 400 people employed +in getting out the book, and seventeen printing machines besides hand +presses. Already about 150,000 copies of the book are in the hands of +the people, and still the returns of sales show no decline." + +The story was dramatized in the United States in August, 1852, +without the consent or knowledge of the author, who had neglected +to reserve her rights for this purpose. In September of the same +year we find it announced as the attraction at two London theatres, +namely, the Royal Victoria and the Great National Standard. In 1853 +Professor Stowe writes: "The drama of 'Uncle Tom' has been going on +in the National Theatre of New York all summer with most unparalleled +success. Everybody goes night after night, and nothing can stop it. The +enthusiasm beats that of the run in the Boston Museum out and out. The +'Tribune' is full of it. The 'Observer,' the 'Journal of Commerce,' and +all that sort of fellows, are astonished and nonplussed. They do not +know what to say or do about it." + +While the English editions of the story were rapidly multiplying, and +being issued with illustrations by Cruikshank, introductions by Elihu +Burritt, Lord Carlisle, etc., it was also making its way over the +Continent. For the authorized French edition, translated by Madame +Belloc, and published by Charpentier of Paris, Mrs. Stowe wrote the +following:-- + + +PREFACE TO THE EUROPEAN EDITION. + + In authorizing the circulation of this work on the + Continent of Europe, the author has only this apology, + that the love of _man_ is higher than the love of + country. + + The great mystery which all Christian nations hold in + common, the union of God with man through the humanity + of Jesus Christ, invests human existence with an awful + sacredness; and in the eye of the true believer in + Jesus, he who tramples on the rights of his meanest + fellow-man is not only inhuman but sacrilegious, and + the worst form of this sacrilege is the institution of + _slavery_. + + It has been said that the representations of this book + are exaggerations! and oh, _would_ that this were true! + Would that this book were indeed a fiction, and not a + close mosaic of facts! But that it is not a fiction the + proofs lie bleeding in thousands of hearts; they have + been attested by surrounding voices from almost every + slave State, and from slave-owners themselves. Since so + it must be, thanks be to God that this mighty cry, this + wail of an unutterable anguish, has at last been heard! + + It has been said, and not in utter despair but in + solemn hope and assurance may we regard the struggle + that now convulses America,--the outcry of the demon + of slavery, which has heard the voice of Jesus of + Nazareth, and is rending and convulsing the noble + nation from which at last it must depart. + + It cannot be that so monstrous a solecism can long + exist in the bosom of a nation which in all respects is + the best exponent of the great principle of universal + brotherhood. In America the Frenchman, the German, + the Italian, the Swede, and the Irish all mingle on + terms of equal right; all nations there display their + characteristic excellences and are admitted by her + liberal laws to equal privileges: everything is tending + to liberalize, humanize, and elevate, and for that very + reason it is that the contest with slavery there grows + every year more terrible. + + The stream of human progress, widening, deepening, + strengthening from the confluent forces of all nations, + meets this barrier, behind which is concentrated all + the ignorance, cruelty, and oppression of the dark + ages, and it roars and foams and shakes the barrier, + and anon it must bear it down. + + In its commencement slavery overspread every State in + the Union: the progress of society has now emancipated + the North from its yoke. In Kentucky, Tennessee, + Virginia, and Maryland, at different times, strong + movements have been made for emancipation,--movements + enforced by a comparison of the progressive march + of the adjoining free States with the poverty and + sterility and ignorance produced by a system which in a + few years wastes and exhausts all the resources of the + soil without the power of renewal. + + The time cannot be distant when these States will + emancipate for self-preservation; and if no new slave + territory be added, the increase of slave population in + the remainder will enforce measures of emancipation. + + Here, then, is the point of the battle. Unless more + slave territory is gained, slavery dies; if it is + gained, it lives. Around this point political parties + fight and manoeuvre, and every year the battle wages + hotter. + + The internal struggles of no other nation in the world + are so interesting to Europeans as those of America; + for America is fast filling up from Europe, and every + European has almost immediately his vote in her + councils. + + If, therefore, the oppressed of other nations desire + to find in America an asylum of permanent freedom, let + them come prepared, heart and hand, and vote against + the institution of slavery; for they who enslave man + cannot themselves remain free. + + True are the great words of Kossuth: "No nation can + remain free with whom freedom is a _privilege_ and not + a principle." + +This preface was more or less widely copied in the twenty translations +of the book that quickly followed its first appearance. These, arranged +in the alphabetical order of their languages, are as follows: Armenian, +Bohemian, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Flemish, French, German, Hungarian, +Illyrian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romaic or modern Greek, Russian, +Servian, Spanish, Wallachian, and Welsh. + +In Germany it received the following flattering notice from one of the +leading literary journals: "The abolitionists in the United States +should vote the author of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' a civic crown, for a more +powerful ally than Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe and her romance they +could not have. We confess that in the whole modern romance literature +of Germany, England, and France, we know of no novel to be called equal +to this. In comparison with its glowing eloquence that never fails +of its purpose, its wonderful truth to nature, the largeness of its +ideas, and the artistic faultlessness of the machinery in this book, +George Sand, with her Spiridion and Claudie, appears to us untrue +and artificial; Dickens, with his but too faithful pictures from the +popular life of London, petty; Bulwer, hectic and self-conscious. It is +like a sign of warning from the New World to the Old." + +Madame George Sand reviewed the book, and spoke of Mrs. Stowe herself +in words at once appreciative and discriminating: "Mrs. Stowe is all +instinct; it is the very reason she appears to some not to have talent. +Has she not talent? What is talent? Nothing, doubtless, compared to +genius; but has she genius? She has genius as humanity feels the need +of genius,--the genius of goodness, not that of the man of letters, but +that of the saint." + +Charles Sumner wrote from the senate chamber at Washington to Professor +Stowe: "All that I hear and read bears testimony to the good Mrs. Stowe +has done. The article of George Sand is a most remarkable tribute, +such as was hardly ever offered by such a genius to any living mortal. +Should Mrs. Stowe conclude to visit Europe she will have a triumph." + +From Eversley parsonage Charles Kingsley wrote to Mrs. Stowe:-- + + A thousand thanks for your delightful letter. As for + your progress and ovation here in England, I have no + fear for you. You will be flattered and worshiped. + You deserve it and you must bear it. I am sure that + you have seen and suffered too much and too long to + be injured by the foolish yet honest and heartfelt + lionizing which you must go through. + + I have many a story to tell you when we meet about the + effects of the great book upon the most unexpected + people. + + Yours ever faithfully, + C. KINGSLEY. + +March 28, 1853, Professor Stowe sent the following communication to the +Committee of Examination of the Theological Seminary at Andover: "As I +shall not be present at the examinations this term, I think it proper +to make to you a statement of the reasons of my absence. During the +last winter I have not enjoyed my usual health. Mrs. Stowe also became +sick and very much exhausted. At this time we had the offer of a voyage +to Great Britain and back free of expense." + +This offer, coming as it did from the friends of the cause of +emancipation in the United Kingdom, was gladly accepted by Mr. and Mrs. +Stowe, and they sailed immediately. + +The preceding month Mrs. Stowe had received a letter from Mrs. Follen +in London, asking for information with regard to herself, her family, +and the circumstances of her writing "Uncle Tom's Cabin." + +In reply Mrs. Stowe sent the following very characteristic letter, +which may be safely given at the risk of some repetition:-- + + ANDOVER, _February 16, 1853._ + + MY DEAR MADAM,--I hasten to reply to your letter, to me + the more interesting that I have long been acquainted + with you, and during all the nursery part of my life + made daily use of your poems for children. + + I used to think sometimes in those days that I would + write to you, and tell you how much I was obliged to + you for the pleasure which they gave us all. + + So you want to know something about what sort of a + woman I am! Well, if this is any object, you shall + have statistics free of charge. To begin, then, I am + a little bit of a woman,--somewhat more than forty, + about as thin and dry as a pinch of snuff; never very + much to look at in my best days, and looking like a + used-up article now. + + I was married when I was twenty-five years old to a man + rich in Greek and Hebrew, Latin and Arabic, and, alas! + rich in nothing else. When I went to housekeeping, + my entire stock of china for parlor and kitchen was + bought for eleven dollars. That lasted very well for + two years, till my brother was married and brought + his bride to visit me. I then found, on review, that + I had neither plates nor teacups to set a table for + my father's family; wherefore I thought it best to + reinforce the establishment by getting me a tea-set + that cost ten dollars more, and this, I believe, formed + my whole stock in trade for some years. + + But then I was abundantly enriched with wealth of + another sort. + + I had two little, curly-headed twin daughters to + begin with, and my stock in this line has gradually + increased, till I have been the mother of seven + children, the most beautiful and the most loved of + whom lies buried near my Cincinnati residence. It was + at his dying bed and at his grave that I learned what + a poor slave mother may feel when her child is torn + away from her. In those depths of sorrow which seemed + to me immeasurable, it was my only prayer to God that + such anguish might not be suffered in vain. There + were circumstances about his death of such peculiar + bitterness, of what seemed almost cruel suffering, that + I felt that I could never be consoled for it, unless + this crushing of my own heart might enable me to work + out some great good to others.... + + I allude to this here because I have often felt that + much that is in that book ("Uncle Tom") had its root + in the awful scenes and bitter sorrows of that summer. + It has left now, I trust, no trace on my mind, except + a deep compassion for the sorrowful, especially for + mothers who are separated from their children. + + During long years of struggling with poverty and + sickness, and a hot, debilitating climate, my children + grew up around me. The nursery and the kitchen were my + principal fields of labor. Some of my friends, pitying + my trials, copied and sent a number of little sketches + from my pen to certain liberally paying "Annuals" with + my name. With the first money that I earned in this + way I bought a feather-bed! for as I had married into + poverty and without a dowry, and as my husband had only + a large library of books and a great deal of learning, + the bed and pillows were thought the most profitable + investment. After this I thought that I had discovered + the philosopher's stone. So when a new carpet or + mattress was going to be needed, or when, at the close + of the year, it began to be evident that my family + accounts, like poor Dora's, "wouldn't add up," then I + used to say to my faithful friend and factotum Anna, + who shared all my joys and sorrows, "Now, if you will + keep the babies and attend to the things in the house + for one day, I'll write a piece, and then we shall + be out of the scrape." So I became an author,--very + modest at first, I do assure you, and remonstrating + very seriously with the friends who had thought it best + to put my name to the pieces by way of getting up a + reputation; and if you ever see a woodcut of me, with + an immoderately long nose, on the cover of all the U. + S. Almanacs, I wish you to take notice, that I have + been forced into it contrary to my natural modesty by + the imperative solicitations of my dear five thousand + friends and the public generally. One thing I must say + with regard to my life at the West, which you will + understand better than many English women could. + + I lived two miles from the city of Cincinnati, in the + country, and domestic service, not always you know to + be found in the city, is next to an impossibility to + obtain in the country, even by those who are willing to + give the highest wages; so what was to be expected for + poor me, who had very little of this world's goods to + offer? + + Had it not been for my inseparable friend Anna, a + noble-hearted English girl, who landed on our shores + in destitution and sorrow, and clave to me as Ruth to + Naomi, I had never lived through all the trials which + this uncertainty and want of domestic service imposed + on both: you may imagine, therefore, how glad I was + when, our seminary property being divided out into + small lots which were rented at a low price, a number + of poor families settled in our vicinity, from whom + we could occasionally obtain domestic service. About + a dozen families of liberated slaves were among the + number, and they became my favorite resort in cases + of emergency. If anybody wishes to have a black face + look handsome, let them be left, as I have been, in + feeble health in oppressive hot weather, with a sick + baby in arms, and two or three other little ones in + the nursery, and not a servant in the whole house to + do a single turn. Then, if they could see my good old + Aunt Frankie coming with her honest, bluff, black face, + her long, strong arms, her chest as big and stout as + a barrel, and her hilarious, hearty laugh, perfectly + delighted to take one's washing and do it at a fair + price, they would appreciate the beauty of black people. + + My cook, poor Eliza Buck,--how she would stare to think + of her name going to England!--was a regular epitome + of slave life in herself; fat, gentle, easy, loving + and lovable, always calling my very modest house and + door-yard "The Place," as if it had been a plantation + with seven hundred hands on it. She had lived through + the whole sad story of a Virginia-raised slave's life. + In her youth she must have been a very handsome mulatto + girl. Her voice was sweet, and her manners refined and + agreeable. She was raised in a good family as a nurse + and seamstress. When the family became embarrassed, she + was suddenly sold on to a plantation in Louisiana. She + has often told me how, without any warning, she was + suddenly forced into a carriage, and saw her little + mistress screaming and stretching her arms from the + window towards her as she was driven away. She has told + me of scenes on the Louisiana plantation, and she has + often been out at night by stealth ministering to poor + slaves who had been mangled and lacerated by the lash. + Hence she was sold into Kentucky, and her last master + was the father of all her children. On this point she + ever maintained a delicacy and reserve that always + appeared to me remarkable. She always called him her + husband; and it was not till after she had lived with + me some years that I discovered the real nature of + the connection. I shall never forget how sorry I felt + for her, nor my feelings at her humble apology, "You + know, Mrs. Stowe, slave women cannot help themselves." + She had two very pretty quadroon daughters, with her + beautiful hair and eyes, interesting children, whom I + had instructed in the family school with my children. + Time would fail to tell you all that I learned + incidentally of the slave system in the history of + various slaves who came into my family, and of the + underground railroad which, I may say, ran through our + house. But the letter is already too long. + + You ask with regard to the remuneration which I have + received for my work here in America. Having been poor + all my life and expecting to be poor the rest of it, + the idea of making money by a book which I wrote just + because I could not help it, never occurred to me. It + was therefore an agreeable surprise to receive ten + thousand dollars as the first-fruits of three months' + sale. I presume as much more is now due. Mr. Bosworth + in England, the firm of Clarke & Co., and Mr. Bentley, + have all offered me an interest in the sales of their + editions in London. I am very glad of it, both on + account of the value of what they offer, and the value + of the example they set in this matter, wherein I think + that justice has been too little regarded. + + I have been invited to visit Scotland, and shall + probably spend the summer there and in England. + + I have very much at heart a design to erect in some of + the Northern States a normal school, for the education + of colored teachers in the United States and in Canada. + I have very much wished that some permanent memorial + of good to the colored race might be created out of + the proceeds of a work which promises to have so + unprecedented a sale. My own share of the profits will + be less than that of the publishers', either English + or American; but I am willing to give largely for this + purpose, and I have no doubt that the publishers, both + American and English, will unite with me; for nothing + tends more immediately to the emancipation of the slave + than the education and elevation of the free. + + I am now writing a work which will contain, perhaps, + an equal amount of matter with "Uncle Tom's Cabin." + It will contain all the facts and documents on which + that story was founded, and an immense body of facts, + reports of trials, legal documents, and testimony of + people now living South, which will more than confirm + every statement in "Uncle Tom's Cabin." + + I must confess that till I began the examination of + facts in order to write this book, much as I thought + I knew before, I had not begun to measure the depth + of the abyss. The law records of courts and judicial + proceedings are so incredible as to fill me with + amazement whenever I think of them. It seems to me + that the book cannot but be felt, and, coming upon the + sensibility awaked by the other, do something. + + I suffer exquisitely in writing these things. It may + be truly said that I write with my heart's blood. Many + times in writing "Uncle Tom's Cabin" I thought my + health would fail utterly; but I prayed earnestly that + God would help me till I got through, and still I am + pressed beyond measure and above strength. + + This horror, this nightmare abomination! can it be in + my country! It lies like lead on my heart, it shadows + my life with sorrow; the more so that I feel, as for my + own brothers, for the South, and am pained by every + horror I am obliged to write, as one who is forced + by some awful oath to disclose in court some family + disgrace. Many times I have thought that I must die, + and yet I pray God that I may live to see something + done. I shall in all probability be in London in May: + shall I see you? + + It seems to me so odd and dream-like that so many + persons desire to see me, and now I cannot help + thinking that they will think, when they do, that God + hath chosen "the weak things of this world." + + If I live till spring I shall hope to see Shakespeare's + grave, and Milton's mulberry-tree, and the good land of + my fathers,--old, old England! May that day come! + + Yours affectionately, + H. B. STOWE. + +FOOTNOTE: + +[13] Students in the Seminary. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +SUNNY MEMORIES, 1853. + + CROSSING THE ATLANTIC.--ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND.--RECEPTION + IN LIVERPOOL.--WELCOME TO SCOTLAND.--A GLASGOW + TEA-PARTY.--EDINBURGH HOSPITALITY.--ABERDEEN.--DUNDEE + AND BIRMINGHAM.--JOSEPH STURGE.--ELIHU + BURRITT.--LONDON.--THE LORD MAYOR'S DINNER.--CHARLES + DICKENS AND HIS WIFE. + + +THE journey undertaken by Mrs. Stowe with her husband and brother +through England and Scotland, and afterwards with her brother alone +over much of the Continent, was one of unusual interest. No one was +more surprised than Mrs. Stowe herself by the demonstrations of respect +and affection that everywhere greeted her. + +Fortunately an unbroken record of this memorable journey, in Mrs. +Stowe's own words, has been preserved, and we are thus able to +receive her own impressions of what she saw, heard, and did, under +circumstances that were at once pleasant, novel, and embarrassing. +Beginning with her voyage, she writes as follows:-- + + LIVERPOOL, _April 11, 1853._ + + MY DEAR CHILDREN,--You wish, first of all, to hear of + the voyage. Let me assure you, my dears, in the very + commencement of the matter, that going to sea is not at + all the thing that we have taken it to be. + + Let me warn you, if you ever go to sea, to omit all + preparations for amusement on shipboard. Don't leave + so much as the unlocking of a trunk to be done after + sailing. In the few precious minutes when the ship + stands still, before she weighs her anchor, set your + house, that is to say your stateroom, as much in order + as if you were going to be hanged; place everything + in the most convenient position to be seized without + trouble at a moment's notice; for be sure that in half + an hour after sailing, an infinite desperation will + seize you, in which the grasshopper will be a burden. + If anything is in your trunk, it might almost as well + be in the sea, for any practical probability of your + getting to it. + + Our voyage out was called "a good run." It was voted + unanimously to be "an extraordinary good passage," "a + pleasant voyage;" yet the ship rocked the whole time + from side to side with a steady, dizzy, continuous + motion, like a great cradle. I had a new sympathy for + babies, poor little things, who are rocked hours at a + time without so much as a "by your leave" in the case. + No wonder there are so many stupid people in the world! + + We arrived on Sunday morning: the custom-house + officers, very gentlemanly men, came on board; our + luggage was all set out, and passed through a rapid + examination, which in many cases amounted only to + opening the trunk and shutting it, and all was over. + The whole ceremony did not occupy two hours. + + We were inquiring of some friends for the most + convenient hotel, when we found the son of Mr. Cropper, + of Dingle Bank, waiting in the cabin to take us with + him to their hospitable abode. In a few moments after + the baggage had been examined, we all bade adieu to the + old ship, and went on board the little steam tender + which carries passengers up to the city. + + This Mersey River would be a very beautiful one, if + it were not so dingy and muddy. As we are sailing + up in the tender towards Liverpool, I deplore the + circumstance feelingly. + + "What does make this river so muddy?" + + "Oh," says a by-stander, "don't you know that + + "'The quality of mercy is not strained'?" + + I had an early opportunity of making acquaintance with + my English brethren; for, much to my astonishment, I + found quite a crowd on the wharf, and we walked up to + our carriage through a long lane of people, bowing, and + looking very glad to see us. + + When I came to get into the hack it was surrounded by + more faces than I could count. They stood very quietly, + and looked very kindly, though evidently very much + determined to look. Something prevented the hack from + moving on; so the interview was prolonged for some time. + + Our carriage at last drove on, taking us through + Liverpool and a mile or two out, and at length wound + its way along the gravel paths of a beautiful little + retreat, on the banks of the Mersey, called the + "Dingle." It opened to my eyes like a paradise, all + wearied as I was with the tossing of the sea. I have + since become familiar with these beautiful little + spots, which are so common in England; but now all was + entirely new to me. + + After a short season allotted to changing our ship + garments and for rest, we found ourselves seated at + the dinner table. While dining, the sister-in-law of + our friends came in from the next door, to exchange a + word or two of welcome, and invite us to breakfast with + them the following morning. + + The next morning we slept late and hurried to dress, + remembering our engagement to breakfast with the + brother of our host, whose cottage stands on the same + ground, within a few steps of our own. I had not the + slightest idea of what the English mean by a breakfast, + and therefore went in all innocence, supposing I should + see nobody but the family circle of my acquaintances. + Quite to my astonishment, I found a party of between + thirty and forty people; ladies sitting with their + bonnets on, as in a morning call. It was impossible, + however, to feel more than a momentary embarrassment + in the friendly warmth and cordiality of the circle by + whom we were surrounded. + + In the evening I went into Liverpool to attend a party + of friends of the anti-slavery cause. When I was going + away, the lady of the house said that the servants were + anxious to see me; so I came into the dressing-room to + give them an opportunity. + + The next day was appointed to leave Liverpool. A + great number of friends accompanied us to the cars, + and a beautiful bouquet of flowers was sent with a + very affecting message from a sick gentleman, who, + from the retirement of his chamber, felt a desire to + testify his sympathy. We left Liverpool with hearts a + little tremulous and excited by the vibration of an + atmosphere of universal sympathy and kindness, and + found ourselves, at length, shut from the warm adieu of + our friends, in a snug compartment of the railroad car. + + "Dear me!" said Mr. S.; "six Yankees shut up in a car + together! Not one Englishman to tell us anything about + the country! Just like the six old ladies that made + their living by taking tea at each other's houses!" + + What a bright lookout we kept for ruins and old houses! + Mr. S., whose eyes are always in every place, allowed + none of us to slumber, but looking out, first on his + own side and then on ours, called our attention to + every visible thing. If he had been appointed on a + mission of inquiry, he could not have been more zealous + and faithful, and I began to think that our desire for + an English cicerone was quite superfluous. + + Well, we are in Scotland at last, and now our pulse + rises as the sun declines in the west. We catch + glimpses of Solway Firth and talk about Redgauntlet. + The sun went down and night drew on; still we were in + Scotland. Scotch ballads, Scotch tunes, and Scotch + literature were in the ascendant. We sang "Auld Lang + Syne," "Scots wha hae," and "Bonnie Doon," and then, + changing the key, sang "Dundee," "Elgin," and "Martyr." + + "Take care," said Mr. S.; "don't get too much excited." + + "Ah," said I, "this is a thing that comes only once in + a lifetime; do let us have the comfort of it. We shall + never come into Scotland for the _first time_ again." + + While we were thus at the fusion point of enthusiasm, + the cars stopped at Lockerbie. All was dim and dark + outside, but we soon became conscious that there was + quite a number of people collected, peering into the + window; and with a strange kind of thrill, I heard my + name inquired for in the Scottish accent. I went to the + window; there were men, women, and children gathered, + and hand after hand was presented, with the words, + "Ye're welcome to Scotland!" + + Then they inquired for and shook hands with all the + party, having in some mysterious manner got the + knowledge of who they were, even down to little G., + whom they took to be my son. Was it not pleasant, when + I had a heart so warm for this old country? I shall + never forget the thrill of those words, "Ye're welcome + to Scotland," nor the "Gude night." + + After that we found similar welcomes in many succeeding + stopping-places; and though I did wave a towel out + of the window, instead of a pocket handkerchief, and + commit other awkwardnesses, from not knowing how to + play my part, yet I fancied, after all, that Scotland + and we were coming on well together. Who the good souls + were that were thus watching for us through the night, + I am sure I do not know; but that they were of the "one + blood" which unites all the families of the earth, I + felt. + + At Glasgow, friends were waiting in the station-house. + Earnest, eager, friendly faces, ever so many. Warm + greetings, kindly words. A crowd parting in the middle, + through which we were conducted into a carriage, and + loud cheers of welcome, sent a throb, as the voice of + living Scotland. + + I looked out of the carriage, as we drove on, and saw, + by the light of a lantern, Argyll Street. It was past + twelve o'clock when I found myself in a warm, cosy + parlor, with friends whom I have ever since been glad + to remember. In a little time we were all safely + housed in our hospitable apartments, and sleep fell on + me for the first time in Scotland. + + The next morning I awoke worn and weary, and scarce + could the charms of the social Scotch breakfast restore + me. + + Our friend and host was Mr. Bailie Paton. I believe + that it is to his suggestion in a public meeting that + we owe the invitation which brought us to Scotland. + + After breakfast the visiting began. First, a friend of + the family, with three beautiful children, the youngest + of whom was the bearer of a handsomely bound album, + containing a pressed collection of the sea-mosses of + the Scottish coast, very vivid and beautiful. + + All this day is a confused dream to me of a dizzy + and overwhelming kind. So many letters that it took + brother Charles from nine in the morning till two in + the afternoon to read and answer them in the shortest + manner; letters from all classes of people, high + and low, rich and poor, in all shades and styles of + composition, poetry and prose; some mere outbursts of + feeling; some invitations; some advice and suggestions; + some requests and inquiries; some presenting books, or + flowers, or fruit. + + Then came, in their turn, deputations from Paisley, + Greenock, Dundee, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Belfast + in Ireland; calls of friendship, invitations of all + descriptions to go everywhere, and to see everything, + and to stay in so many places. One kind, venerable + minister, with his lovely daughter, offered me a + retreat in his quiet manse on the beautiful shores of + the Clyde. + + For all these kindnesses, what could I give in return? + There was scarce time for even a grateful thought + on each. People have often said to me that it must + have been an exceeding bore. For my part, I could not + think of regarding it so. It only oppressed me with an + unutterable sadness. + + In the afternoon I rode out with the lord provost to + see the cathedral. The lord provost answers to the + lord mayor in England. His title and office in both + countries continue only a year, except in case of + re-election. + + As I saw the way to the cathedral blocked up by a + throng of people who had come out to see me, I could + not help saying, "What went ye out for to see? a reed + shaken with the wind?" In fact I was so worn out that + I could hardly walk through the building. The next + morning I was so ill as to need a physician, unable to + see any one that called, or to hear any of the letters. + I passed most of the day in bed, but in the evening + I had to get up, as I had engaged to drink tea with + two thousand people. Our kind friends, Dr. and Mrs. + Wardlaw, came after us, and Mr. S. and I went in the + carriage with them. Our carriage stopped at last at the + place. I have a dim remembrance of a way being made for + us through a great crowd all round the house, and of + going with Mrs. Wardlaw up into a dressing-room where + I met and shook hands with many friendly people. Then + we passed into a gallery, where a seat was reserved + for our party, directly in front of the audience. Our + friend Bailie Paton presided. Mrs. Wardlaw and I sat + together, and around us many friends, chiefly ministers + of the different churches, the ladies and gentlemen of + the Glasgow Anti-Slavery Society and others. I told + you it was a tea-party; but the arrangements were + altogether different from any I had ever seen. There + were narrow tables stretched up and down the whole + extent of the great hall, and every person had an + appointed seat. These tables were set out with cups + and saucers, cakes, biscuit, etc., and when the proper + time came, attendants passed along serving tea. The + arrangements were so accurate and methodical that the + whole multitude actually took tea together, without the + least apparent inconvenience or disturbance. + + There was a gentle, subdued murmur of conversation + all over the house, the sociable clinking of teacups + and teaspoons, while the entertainment was going on. + It seemed to me such an odd idea, I could not help + wondering what sort of a teapot that must be in which + all this tea for two thousand people was made. Truly, + as Hadji Baba says, I think they must have had the + "father of all the tea-kettles" to boil it in. I could + not help wondering if old mother Scotland had put two + thousand teaspoonfuls of tea for the company, and one + for the teapot, as is our good Yankee custom. + + We had quite a sociable time up in our gallery. Our + tea-table stretched quite across, and we drank tea + in sight of all the people. By _we_, I mean a great + number of ministers and their wives, and ladies of + the Anti-Slavery Society, besides our party, and the + friends whom I have mentioned before. All seemed to be + enjoying themselves. + + After tea they sang a few verses of the seventy-second + psalm in the old Scotch version. + + _April 17._ To-day a large party of us started on a + small steamer to go down the Clyde. It was a trip + full of pleasure and incident. Now we were shown + the remains of old Cardross Castle, where it was + said Robert Bruce breathed his last. And now we came + near the beautiful grounds of Roseneath, a green, + velvet-like peninsula, stretching out into the widening + waters. + + Somewhere about here I was presented, by his own + request, to a broad-shouldered Scotch farmer, who stood + some six feet two, and who paid me the compliment to + say that he had read my book, and that he would walk + six miles to see me any day. Such a flattering evidence + of discriminating taste, of course, disposed my heart + towards him; but when I went up and put my hand into + his great prairie of a palm, I was as a grasshopper + in my own eyes. I inquired who he was and was told he + was one of the Duke of Argyll's farmers. I thought to + myself if all the duke's farmers were of this pattern, + that he might be able to speak to the enemy in the + gates to some purpose. + + It was concluded after we left Roseneath that, instead + of returning by the boat, we should take carriage and + ride home along the banks of the river. In our carriage + were Mr. S. and myself, Dr. Robson, and Lady Anderson. + About this time I commenced my first essay towards + giving titles, and made, as you may suppose, rather an + odd piece of work of it, generally saying "Mrs." first, + and "Lady" afterwards, and then begging pardon. Lady + Anderson laughed and said she would give me a general + absolution. She is a truly genial, hearty Scotchwoman, + and seemed to enter happily into the spirit of the hour. + + As we rode on, we found that the news of our coming had + spread through the village. People came and stood in + their doors, beckoning, bowing, smiling, and waving + their handkerchiefs, and the carriage was several + times stopped by persons who came to offer flowers. + I remember, in particular, a group of young girls + bringing to the carriage two of the most beautiful + children I ever saw, whose little hands literally + deluged us with flowers. + + At the village of Helensburgh we stopped a little + while to call upon Mrs. Bell, the wife of Mr. Bell, + the inventor of the steamboat. His invention in this + country was at about the same time as that of Fulton + in America. Mrs. Bell came to the carriage to speak to + us. She is a venerable woman, far advanced in years. + They had prepared a lunch for us, and quite a number of + people had come together to meet us, but our friends + said there was not time for us to stop. + + We rode through several villages after this, and met + everywhere a warm welcome. What pleased me was, that + it was not mainly from the literary, nor the rich, nor + the great, but the plain, common people. The butcher + came out of his stall and the baker from his shop, the + miller dusty with flour, the blooming, comely young + mother, with her baby in her arms, all smiling and + bowing, with that hearty, intelligent, friendly look, + as if they knew we should be glad to see them. + + Once, while we stopped to change horses, I, for the + sake of seeing something more of the country, walked + on. It seems the honest landlord and his wife were + greatly disappointed at this; however, they got into + the carriage and rode on to see me, and I shook hands + with them with a right good will. + + We saw several of the clergymen, who came out to meet + us; and I remember stopping just to be introduced, + one by one, to a most delightful family, a gray-headed + father and mother, with comely brothers and fair + sisters, all looking so kindly and homelike, that I + should have been glad to accept the invitation they + gave me to their dwelling. + + This day has been a strange phenomenon to me. In the + first place, I have seen in all these villages how + universally the people read. I have seen how capable + they are of a generous excitement and enthusiasm, and + how much may be done by a work of fiction so written + as to enlist those sympathies which are common to all + classes. Certainly a great deal may be effected in this + way, if God gives to any one the power, as I hope he + will to many. The power of fictitious writing, for good + as well as evil, is a thing which ought most seriously + to be reflected on. No one can fail to see that in our + day it is becoming a very great agency. + + We came home quite tired, as you may well suppose. You + will not be surprised that the next day I found myself + more disposed to keep my bed than go out. + + Two days later: We bade farewell to Glasgow, + overwhelmed with kindness to the last, and only + oppressed by the thought of how little that was + satisfactory we were able to give in return. Again + we were in the railroad car on our way to Edinburgh. + A pleasant two hours' trip is this from Glasgow to + Edinburgh. When the cars stopped at Linlithgow station, + the name started us as out of a dream. + + In Edinburgh the cars stopped amid a crowd of people + who had assembled to meet us. The lord provost met + us at the door of the car, and presented us to the + magistracy of the city and the committees of the + Edinburgh Anti-Slavery Societies. The drab dresses and + pure white bonnets of many Friends were conspicuous + among the dense moving crowd, as white doves seen + against a dark cloud. Mr. S. and myself, and our future + hostess, Mrs. Wigham, entered the carriage with the + lord provost, and away we drove, the crowd following + with their shouts and cheers. I was inexpressibly + touched and affected by this. While we were passing the + monument of Scott, I felt an oppressive melancholy. + What a moment life seems in the presence of the noble + dead! What a momentary thing is art, in all its beauty! + Where are all those great souls that have created such + an atmosphere of light about Edinburgh? and how little + a space was given them to live and enjoy! + + We drove all over Edinburgh, up to the castle, to the + university, to Holyrood, to the hospitals, and through + many of the principal streets, amid shouts, and smiles, + and greetings. Some boys amused me very much by their + pertinacious attempts to keep up with the carriage. + + "Heck," says one of them, "that's her; see the + _courls_!" + + The various engravers who have amused themselves + by diversifying my face for the public having all, + with great unanimity, agreed in giving prominence to + this point, I suppose the urchins thought they were + on safe ground there. I certainly think I answered + one good purpose that day, and that is of giving the + much-oppressed and calumniated class called boys an + opportunity to develop all the noise that was in + them,--a thing for which I think they must bless me in + their remembrances. + + At last the carriage drove into a deep-graveled yard, + and we alighted at a porch covered with green ivy, and + found ourselves once more at home. + + You may spare your anxieties about me, for I do assure + you that if I were an old Sevres china jar I could not + have more careful handling than I do. Everybody is + considerate; a great deal to say when there appears to + be so much excitement. Everybody seems to understand + how good-for-nothing I am; and yet, with all this + consideration, I have been obliged to keep my room and + bed for a good part of the time. Of the multitudes who + have called, I have seen scarcely any. + + To-morrow evening is to be the great tea-party here. + How in the world I am ever to live through it I don't + know. + + The amount of letters we found waiting for us here in + Edinburgh was, if possible, more appalling than in + Glasgow. Among those from persons whom you would be + interested in hearing of, I may mention a very kind + and beautiful one from the Duchess of Sutherland, and + one also from the Earl of Carlisle, both desiring to + make appointments for meeting us as soon as we come to + London. Also a very kind and interesting note from the + Rev. Mr. Kingsley and lady. I look forward with a great + deal of interest to passing a little time with them in + their rectory. + + As to all engagements, I am in a state of happy + acquiescence, having resigned myself, as a very tame + lion, into the hands of my keepers. Whenever the time + comes for me to do anything, I try to behave as well as + I can, which, as Dr. Young says, is all that an angel + could do under the same circumstances. + + _April 26._ Last night came off the _soiree_. The hall + was handsomely decorated with flags in front. We went + with the lord provost in his carriage. We went up as + before into a dressing-room, where I was presented + to many gentlemen and ladies. When we go in, the + cheering, clapping, and stamping at first strikes one + with a strange sensation; but then everybody looks so + heartily pleased and delighted, and there is such an + all-pervading atmosphere of geniality and sympathy, as + makes me in a few moments feel quite at home. After + all, I consider that these cheers and applauses are + Scotland's voice to America, a recognition of the + brotherhood of the countries. + + The national penny offering, consisting of a thousand + golden sovereigns on a magnificent silver salver, stood + conspicuously in view of the audience. It has been an + unsolicited offering, given in the smallest sums, often + from the extreme poverty of the giver. The committee + who collected it in Edinburgh and Glasgow bore witness + to the willingness with which the very poorest + contributed the offering of their sympathy. In one + cottage they found a blind woman, and said, "Here, at + least, is one who will feel no interest, as she cannot + have read the book." + + "Indeed," said the old lady, "if I cannot read, my son + has read it to me, and I've got my penny saved to give." + + It is to my mind extremely touching to see how the + poor, in their poverty, can be moved to a generosity + surpassing that of the rich. Nor do I mourn that they + took it from their slender store, because I know that a + penny given from a kindly impulse is a greater comfort + and blessing to the poorest giver than even a penny + received. + + As in the case of the other meeting, we came out long + before the speeches were ended. Well, of course I did + not sleep all night, and the next day I felt quite + miserable. + + From Edinburgh we took cars for Aberdeen. I enjoyed + this ride more than anything we had seen yet, the + country was so wild and singular. In the afternoon we + came in sight of the German Ocean. The free, bracing + air from the sea, and the thought that it actually + _was_ the German Ocean, and that over the other side + was Norway, within a day's sail of us, gave it a + strange, romantic charm. It was towards the close of + the afternoon that we found ourselves crossing the + Dee, in view of Aberdeen. My spirits were wonderfully + elated: the grand scenery and fine, bracing air; the + noble, distant view of the city, rising with its + harbor and shipping,--all filled me with delight. + In this propitious state, disposed to be pleased + with everything, our hearts responded warmly to the + greetings of the many friends who were waiting for us + at the station-house. + + The lord provost received us into his carriage, and + as we drove along pointed out to us the various + objects of interest in the beautiful town. Among other + things, a fine old bridge across the Dee attracted our + particular attention. We were conducted to the house + of Mr. Cruikshank, a Friend, and found waiting for us + there the thoughtful hospitality which we had ever + experienced in all our stopping-places. A snug little + quiet supper was laid out upon the table, of which we + partook in haste, as we were informed that the assembly + at the hall were waiting to receive us. + + There arrived, we found the hall crowded, and with + difficulty made our way to the platform. Whether owing + to the stimulating effect of the air from the ocean, + or to the comparatively social aspect of the scene, + or perhaps to both, certain it is that we enjoyed the + meeting with great zest. I was surrounded on the stage + with blooming young ladies, one of whom put into my + hands a beautiful bouquet, some flowers of which I have + now, dried, in my album. The refreshment tables were + adorned with some exquisite wax flowers, the work, as + I was afterwards told, of a young lady in the place. + One of these designs especially interested me. It was a + group of water-lilies resting on a mirror, which gave + them the appearance of growing in the water. + + We had some very animated speaking, in which the + speakers contrived to blend enthusiastic admiration and + love for America with detestation of slavery. + + They presented an offering in a beautiful embroidered + purse, and after much shaking of hands we went home, + and sat down to the supper-table for a little more chat + before going to bed. The next morning--as we had only + till noon to stay in Aberdeen--our friends, the lord + provost and Mr. Leslie, the architect, came immediately + after breakfast to show us the place. + + About two o'clock we started from Aberdeen, among + crowds of friends, to whom we bade farewell with real + regret. + + At Stonehaven station, where we stopped a few minutes, + there was quite a gathering of the inhabitants to + exchange greetings, and afterwards, at successive + stations along the road, many a kindly face and voice + made our journey a pleasant one. + + When we got into Dundee it seemed all alive with + welcome. We went in the carriage with the lord provost, + Mr. Thoms, to his residence, where a party had been + waiting dinner for us for some time. + + The meeting in the evening was in a large church, + densely crowded, and conducted much as the others had + been. When they came to sing the closing hymn, I hoped + they would sing Dundee; but they did not, and I fear + in Scotland, as elsewhere, the characteristic national + melodies are giving way before more modern ones. + + We left Dundee at two o'clock, by cars, for Edinburgh + again, and in the evening attended another _soiree_ of + the workingmen of Edinburgh. We have received letters + from the workingmen, both in Dundee and Glasgow, + desiring our return to attend _soirees_ in those + cities. Nothing could give us greater pleasure, had we + time or strength. The next day we had a few calls to + make, and an invitation from Lady Drummond to visit + classic Hawthornden, which, however, we had not time + to accept. In the forenoon, Mr. S. and I called on + Lord and Lady Gainsborough. Though she is one of the + queen's household, she is staying here at Edinburgh + while the queen is at Osborne. I infer, therefore, that + the appointment includes no very onerous duties. The + Earl of Gainsborough is the eldest brother of the Rev. + Baptist W. Noel. + + It was a rainy, misty morning when I left my kind + retreat and friends in Edinburgh. Considerate as + everybody had been about imposing on my time or + strength, still you may well believe that I was much + exhausted. We left Edinburgh, therefore, with the + determination to plunge at once into some hidden and + unknown spot, where we might spend two or three days + quietly by ourselves; and remembering your Sunday at + Stratford-on-Avon, I proposed that we should go there. + As Stratford, however, is off the railroad line, we + determined to accept the invitation, which was lying by + us, from our friend, Joseph Sturge, of Birmingham, and + take sanctuary with him. So we wrote on, intrusting him + with the secret, and charging him on no account to let + any one know of our arrival. + + About night our cars whizzed into the depot at + Birmingham; but just before we came in a difficulty + was started in the company. "Mr. Sturge is to be there + waiting for us, but he does not know us and we don't + know him; what is to be done?" C. insisted that he + should know him by instinct; and so, after we reached + the depot, we told him to sally out and try. Sure + enough, in a few moments he pitched upon a cheerful, + middle-aged gentleman, with a moderate but not decisive + broad brim to his hat, and challenged him as Mr. + Sturge. The result verified the truth that "instinct is + a great matter." In a few moments our new friend and + ourselves were snugly encased in a fly, trotting off + as briskly as ever we could to his place at Edgbaston, + nobody a whit the wiser. You do not know how pleased we + felt to think we had done it so nicely. + + As we were drinking tea that evening, Elihu Burritt + came in. It was the first time I had ever seen him, + though I had heard a great deal of him from our + friends in Edinburgh. He is a man in middle life, + tall and slender, with fair complexion, blue eyes, + an air of delicacy and refinement, and manners of + great gentleness. My ideas of the "learned blacksmith" + had been of something altogether more ponderous and + peremptory. Elihu has been for some years operating, + in England and on the Continent, in a movement which + many in our half-Christianized times regard with as + much incredulity as the grim, old warlike barons did + the suspicious imbecilities of reading and writing. The + sword now, as then, seems so much more direct a way to + terminate controversies, that many Christian men, even, + cannot conceive how the world is to get along without + it. + + We spent the evening in talking over various topics + relating to the anti-slavery movement. Mr. Sturge was + very confident that something more was to be done + than had ever been done yet, by combinations for the + encouragement of free in the place of slave grown + produce; a question which has, ever since the days + of Clarkson, more or less deeply occupied the minds + of abolitionists in England. I should say that Mr. + Sturge in his family has for many years conscientiously + forborne the use of any article produced by slave + labor. I could scarcely believe it possible that there + could be such an abundance and variety of all that is + comfortable and desirable in the various departments + of household living within these limits. Mr. Sturge + presents the subject with very great force, the more so + from the consistency of his example. + + The next morning, as we were sitting down to + breakfast, our friends sent in to me a plate of the + largest, finest strawberries I have ever seen, which, + considering that it was only the latter part of April, + seemed to me quite an astonishing luxury. + + Before we left, we had agreed to meet a circle of + friends from Birmingham, consisting of the Abolition + Society there, which is of long standing, extending + back in its memories to the very commencement of the + agitation under Clarkson and Wilberforce. The windows + of the parlor were opened to the ground; and the + company invited filled not only the room, but stood + in a crowd on the grass around the window. Among the + peaceable company present was an admiral in the navy, a + fine, cheerful old gentleman, who entered with hearty + interest into the scene. + + A throng of friends accompanied us to the depot, while + from Birmingham we had the pleasure of the company of + Elihu Burritt, and enjoyed a delightful run to London, + where we arrived towards evening. + + At the station-house in London we found the Rev. + Messrs. Binney and Sherman waiting for us with + carriages. C. went with Mr. Sherman, and Mr. S. and I + soon found ourselves in a charming retreat called Rose + Cottage, in Walworth, about which I will tell you more + anon. Mrs. B. received us with every attention which + the most thoughtful hospitality could suggest. One of + the first things she said to me after we got into our + room was, "Oh, we are so glad you have come! for we + are all going to the lord mayor's dinner to-night, and + you are invited." So, though I was tired, I hurried + to dress in all the glee of meeting an adventure. As + soon as Mr. and Mrs. B. and the rest of the party were + ready, crack went the whip, round went the wheels, and + away we drove. + + We found a considerable throng, and I was glad to + accept a seat which was offered me in the agreeable + vicinity of the lady mayoress, so that I might see what + would be interesting to me of the ceremonial. + + A very dignified gentleman, dressed in black velvet, + with a fine head, made his way through the throng, and + sat down by me, introducing himself as Lord Chief Baron + Pollock. He told me he had just been reading the legal + part of the "Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin," and remarked + especially on the opinion of Judge Ruffin, in the case + of _State_ v. _Mann_, as having made a deep impression + on his mind. + + Dinner was announced between nine and ten o'clock, + and we were conducted into a splendid hall, where the + tables were laid. + + Directly opposite me was Mr. Dickens, whom I now beheld + for the first time, and was surprised to see looking + so young. Mr. Justice Talfourd, known as the author + of "Ion," was also there with his lady. She had a + beautiful, antique cast of head. The lord mayor was + simply dressed in black, without any other adornment + than a massive gold chain. We rose from table between + eleven and twelve o'clock--that is, we ladies--and went + into the drawing-room, where I was presented to Mrs. + Dickens and several other ladies. Mrs. Dickens is a + good specimen of a truly English woman; tall, large, + and well developed, with fine, healthy color, and an + air of frankness, cheerfulness, and reliability. A + friend whispered to me that she was as observing and + fond of humor as her husband. + + After a while the gentlemen came back to the + drawing-room, and I had a few moments of very pleasant, + friendly conversation with Mr. Dickens. They are both + people that one could not know a little of without + desiring to know more. + + After a little we began to talk of separating; the lord + mayor to take his seat in the House of Commons, and the + rest of the party to any other engagement that might be + upon their list. + + "Come, let us go to the House of Commons," said one + of my friends, "and make a night of it." "With all my + heart," replied I, "if I only had another body to go + into to-morrow." + + What a convenience in sight-seeing it would be if + one could have a relay of bodies as of clothes, and + slip from one into the other! But we, not used to the + London style of turning night into day, are full weary + already. So good-night to you all. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +FROM OVER THE SEA, 1853. + + THE EARL OF CARLISLE.--ARTHUR HELPS.--THE DUKE AND + DUCHESS OF ARGYLL.--MARTIN FARQUHAR TUPPER.--A + MEMORABLE MEETING AT STAFFORD HOUSE.--MACAULAY AND DEAN + MILMAN.--WINDSOR CASTLE.--PROFESSOR STOWE RETURNS TO + AMERICA.--MRS. STOWE ON THE CONTINENT.--IMPRESSIONS OF + PARIS.--EN ROUTE TO SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY.--BACK TO + ENGLAND.--HOMEWARD BOUND. + + ROSE COTTAGE, WALWORTH, LONDON, _May 2, 1856._ + + MY DEAR,--This morning Mrs. Follen called and we had + quite a chat. We are separated by the whole city. + She lives at the West End, while I am down here in + Walworth, which is one of the postscripts of London, + for this place has as many postscripts as a lady's + letter. This evening we dined with the Earl of + Carlisle. There was no company but ourselves, for he, + with great consideration, said in his note that he + thought a little quiet would be the best thing he could + offer. + + Lord Carlisle is a great friend to America, and so is + his sister, the Duchess of Sutherland. He is the only + English traveler who ever wrote notes on our country in + a real spirit of appreciation. + + We went about seven o'clock, the dinner hour being here + somewhere between eight and nine. We were shown into an + ante-room adjoining the entrance hall, and from that + into an adjacent apartment, where we met Lord Carlisle. + The room had a pleasant, social air, warmed and + enlivened by the blaze of a coal fire and wax candles. + + We had never, any of us, met Lord Carlisle before; but + the considerateness and cordiality of our reception + obviated whatever embarrassment there might have + been in this circumstance. In a few moments after we + were all seated, a servant announced the Duchess of + Sutherland, and Lord Carlisle presented me. She is + tall and stately, with a most noble bearing. Her fair + complexion, blonde hair, and full lips speak of Saxon + blood. + + The only person present not of the family connection + was my quondam correspondent in America, Arthur Helps. + Somehow or other I had formed the impression from his + writings that he was a venerable sage of very advanced + years, who contemplated life as an aged hermit from the + door of his cell. Conceive my surprise to find a genial + young gentleman of about twenty-five, who looked as if + he might enjoy a joke as well as another man. + + After the ladies left the table, the conversation + turned on the Maine law, which seems to be considered + over here as a phenomenon in legislation, and many of + the gentlemen present inquired about it with great + curiosity. + + After the gentlemen rejoined us, the Duke and Duchess + of Argyll came in, and Lord and Lady Blantyre. These + ladies are the daughters of the Duchess of Sutherland. + The Duchess of Argyll is of slight and fairy-like + figure, with flaxen hair and blue eyes, answering + well enough to the description of Annot Lyle in the + Legend of Montrose. Lady Blantyre was somewhat taller, + of fuller figure, with a very brilliant bloom. Lord + Blantyre is of the Stuart blood, a tall and slender + young man with very graceful manners. + + As to the Duke of Argyll, we found that the picture + drawn of him by his countrymen in Scotland was in + every way correct. Though slight of figure, with + fair complexion and blue eyes, his whole appearance + is indicative of energy and vivacity. His talents + and efficiency have made him a member of the British + Cabinet at a much earlier age than is usual; and + he has distinguished himself not only in political + life, but as a writer, having given to the world a + work on Presbyterianism, embracing an analysis of + the ecclesiastical history of Scotland since the + Reformation, which is spoken of as written with great + ability, and in a most liberal spirit. He made many + inquiries about our distinguished men, particularly of + Emerson, Longfellow, and Hawthorne; also of Prescott, + who appears to be a general favorite here. I felt at + the moment that we never value our own literary men so + much as when we are placed in a circle of intelligent + foreigners. + + The following evening we went to dine with our old + friends of the Dingle, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Cropper, + who are now spending a little time in London. We were + delighted to meet them once more and to hear from our + Liverpool friends. Mrs. Cropper's father, Lord Denman, + has returned to England, though with no sensible + improvement in his health. + + At dinner we were introduced to Lord and Lady + Hatherton. Lady Hatherton is a person of great + cultivation and intelligence, warmly interested in all + the progressive movements of the day; and I gained much + information in her society. There were also present + Sir Charles and Lady Trevelyan; the former holds an + appointment at the treasury, and Lady Trevelyan is a + sister of Macaulay. + + In the evening quite a circle came in, among others + Lady Emma Campbell, sister of the Duke of Argyll; the + daughters of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who very + kindly invited me to visit them at Lambeth; and Mr. + Arthur Helps, besides many others whose names I need + not mention. + + _May 7._ This evening our house was opened in a + general way for callers, who were coming and going all + the evening. I think there must have been over two + hundred people, among them Martin Farquhar Tupper, a + little man with fresh, rosy complexion and cheery, + joyous manners; and Mary Howitt, just such a cheerful, + sensible, fireside companion as we find her in her + books,--winning love and trust the very first moment of + the interview. + + The general topic of remark on meeting me seems to be, + that I am not so bad-looking as they were afraid I was; + and I do assure you that when I have seen the things + that are put up in the shop windows here with my name + under them, I have been in wondering admiration at the + boundless loving-kindness of my English and Scottish + friends in keeping up such a warm heart for such a + Gorgon. I should think that the Sphinx in the London + Museum might have sat for most of them. I am going to + make a collection of these portraits to bring home to + you. There is a great variety of them, and they will be + useful, like the Irishman's guide-board, which showed + where the road did not go. + + Before the evening was through I was talked out and + worn out; there was hardly a chip of me left. To-morrow + at eleven o'clock comes the meeting at Stafford House. + What it will amount to I do not know; but I take no + thought for the morrow. + + _May 8._ + + MY DEAR C.,--In fulfillment of my agreement I will tell + you, as nearly as I can remember, all the details of + the meeting at Stafford House. At about eleven o'clock + we drove under the arched carriage-way of a mansion + externally not very showy in appearance. + + When the duchess appeared, I thought she looked + handsomer by daylight than in the evening. She received + us with the same warm and simple kindness which she + had shown before. We were presented to the Duke of + Sutherland. He is a tall, slender man, with rather a + thin face, light-brown hair, and a mild blue eye, with + an air of gentleness and dignity. + + Among the first that entered were the members of the + family, the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, Lord and Lady + Blantyre, the Marquis and Marchioness of Stafford, and + Lady Emma Campbell. Then followed Lord Shaftesbury with + his beautiful lady, and her father and mother, Lord and + Lady Palmerston. Lord Palmerston is of middle height, + with a keen dark eye and black hair streaked with gray. + There is something peculiarly alert and vivacious about + all his movements; in short, his appearance perfectly + answers to what we know of him from his public life. + One has a strange, mythological feeling about the + existence of people of whom one hears for many years + without ever seeing them. While talking with Lord + Palmerston I could but remember how often I had heard + father and Mr. S. exulting over his foreign dispatches + by our own fireside. There were present, also, Lord + John Russell, Mr. Gladstone, and Lord Granville. The + latter we all thought very strikingly resembled in his + appearance the poet Longfellow. + + After lunch the whole party ascended to the + picture-gallery, passing on our way the grand staircase + and hall, said to be the most magnificent in Europe. + The company now began to assemble and throng the + gallery, and very soon the vast room was crowded. Among + the throng I remember many presentations, but of course + must have forgotten many more. Archbishop Whateley was + there, with Mrs. and Miss Whateley; Macaulay, with two + of his sisters; Milman, the poet and historian; the + Bishop of Oxford, Chevalier Bunsen and lady, and many + more. + + When all the company were together, Lord Shaftesbury + read a very short, kind, and considerate address in + behalf of the ladies of England, expressive of their + cordial welcome. + + This Stafford House meeting, in any view of it, + is a most remarkable fact. Kind and gratifying as + its arrangements have been to me, I am far from + appropriating it to myself individually as a personal + honor. I rather regard it as the most public expression + possible of the feelings of the women of England on one + of the most important questions of our day, that of + individual liberty considered in its religious bearings. + +On this occasion the Duchess of Sutherland presented Mrs. Stowe with a +superb gold bracelet, made in the form of a slave's shackle, bearing +the inscription: "We trust it is a memorial of a chain that is soon +to be broken." On two of the links were inscribed the dates of the +abolition of the slave-trade and of slavery in English territory. Years +after its presentation to her, Mrs. Stowe was able to have engraved +on the clasp of this bracelet, "Constitutional Amendment (forever +abolishing slavery in the United States)." + +Continuing her interesting journal, Mrs. Stowe writes, May 9th:-- + + DEAR E.,--This letter I consecrate to you, because I + know that the persons and things to be introduced into + it will most particularly be appreciated by you. + + In your evening reading circles, Macaulay, Sydney + Smith, and Milman have long been such familiar names + that you will be glad to go with me over all the scenes + of my morning breakfast at Sir Charles Trevelyan's + yesterday. Lady Trevelyan, I believe I have said + before, is a sister of Macaulay. + + We were set down at Westbourne Terrace somewhere, I + believe, about eleven o'clock, and found quite a number + already in the drawing-room. I had met Macaulay before, + but being seated between him and Dean Milman, I must + confess I was a little embarrassed at times, because I + wanted to hear what they were both saying at the same + time. However, by the use of the faculty by which you + play a piano with both hands, I got on very comfortably. + + There were several other persons of note present + at this breakfast, whose conversation I had not an + opportunity of hearing, as they sat at a distance from + me. There was Lord Glenelg, brother of Sir Robert + Grant, governor of Bombay, whose beautiful hymns have + rendered him familiar in America. The favorite one, + commencing + + "When gathering clouds around I view," + + was from his pen. + + The historian Hallam was also present, and I think it + very likely there may have been other celebrities whom + I did not know. I am always finding out, a day or two + after, that I have been with somebody very remarkable + and did not know it at the time. + +Under date of May 18th she writes to her sister Mary:-- + + DEAR M.,--I can compare the embarrassment of our London + life, with its multiplied solicitations and infinite + stimulants to curiosity and desire, only to that annual + perplexity which used to beset us in our childhood on + Thanksgiving Day. Like Miss Edgeworth's philosophic + little Frank, we are obliged to make out a list of what + man _must_ want, and of what he _may_ want; and in our + list of the former we set down, in large and decisive + characters, one quiet day for the exploration and + enjoyment of Windsor. + + The ride was done all too soon. About eleven o'clock + we found ourselves going up the old stone steps to the + castle. We went first through the state apartments. The + principal thing that interested me was the ball-room, + which was a perfect gallery of Vandyke's paintings. + After leaving the ball-room we filed off to the proper + quarter to show our orders for the private rooms. The + state apartments, which we had been looking at, are + open at all times, but the private apartments can + only be seen in the Queen's absence and by a special + permission, which had been procured for us on that + occasion by the kindness of the Duchess of Sutherland. + + One of the first objects that attracted my attention + upon entering the vestibule was a baby's wicker wagon, + standing in one corner. It was much such a carriage as + all mothers are familiar with; such as figures largely + in the history of almost every family. It had neat + curtains and cushions of green merino, and was not + royal, only maternal. I mused over the little thing + with a good deal of interest. + + We went for our dinner to the White Hart, the very inn + which Shakespeare celebrates in his "Merry Wives," and + had a most overflowing merry time of it. After dinner + we had a beautiful drive. + + We were bent upon looking up the church which gave rise + to Gray's "Elegy in a Country Churchyard," intending + when we got there to have a little scene over it; Mr. + S., in all the conscious importance of having been + there before, assuring us that he knew exactly where it + was. So, after some difficulty with our coachman, and + being stopped at one church which would not answer our + purpose in any respect, we were at last set down by one + which looked authentic; embowered in mossy elms, with a + most ancient and goblin yew-tree, an ivy-mantled tower, + all perfect as could be. Here, leaning on the old + fence, we repeated the Elegy, which certainly applies + here as beautifully as language could apply. + + Imagine our chagrin, on returning to London, at + being informed that we had not been to the genuine + churchyard after all. The gentleman who wept over the + scenes of his early days on the wrong doorstep was not + more grievously disappointed. However, he and we could + both console ourselves with the reflection that the + emotion was admirable, and wanted only the right place + to make it the most appropriate in the world. + + The evening after our return from Windsor was spent + with our kind friends, Mr. and Mrs. Gurney. After + breakfast the next day, Mr. S., C., and I drove out to + call upon Kossuth. We found him in an obscure lodging + on the outskirts of London. I would that some of the + editors in America, who have thrown out insinuations + about his living in luxury, could have seen the utter + bareness and plainness of the reception room, which + had nothing in it beyond the simplest necessaries. He + entered into conversation with us with cheerfulness, + speaking English well, though with the idioms of + foreign languages. When we parted he took my hand + kindly and said, "God bless you, my child!" + + I have been quite amused with something which has + happened lately. This week the "Times" has informed the + United Kingdom that Mrs. Stowe is getting a new dress + made! It wants to know if Mrs. Stowe is aware what sort + of a place her dress is being made in; and there is + a letter from a dressmaker's apprentice stating that + it is being made up piecemeal, in the most shockingly + distressed dens of London, by poor, miserable white + slaves, worse treated than the plantation slaves of + America! + + Now Mrs. Stowe did not know anything of this, but + simply gave the silk into the hands of a friend, and + was in due time waited on in her own apartment by + a very respectable-appearing woman, who offered to + make the dress, and lo, this is the result! Since the + publication of this piece, I have received earnest + missives, from various parts of the country, begging me + to interfere, hoping that I was not going to patronize + the white slavery of England, and that I would employ + my talents equally against oppression in every form. + Could these people only know in what sweet simplicity I + had been living in the State of Maine, where the only + dressmaker of our circle was an intelligent, refined, + well-educated woman who was considered as the equal of + us all, and whose spring and fall ministrations to our + wardrobe were regarded a double pleasure,--a friendly + visit as well as a domestic assistance,--I say, could + they know all this, they would see how guiltless I + was in the matter. I verily never thought but that + the nice, pleasant person who came to measure me for + my silk dress was going to take it home and make it + herself; it never occurred to me that she was the head + of an establishment. + +May 22, she writes to her husband, whose duties had obliged him to +return to America: "To-day we went to hear a sermon in behalf of the +ragged schools by the Archbishop of Canterbury. My thoughts have +been much saddened by the news which I received of the death of Mary +Edmonson." + +"_May 30._ The next day from my last letter came off Miss Greenfield's +concert, of which I send a card. You see in what company they have put +your poor little wife. Funny!--isn't it? Well, the Hons. and Right +Hons. all were there. I sat by Lord Carlisle. + +"After the concert the duchess asked Lady Hatherton and me to come +round to Stafford House and take tea, which was not a thing to be +despised, either on account of the tea or the duchess. A lovelier time +we never had,--present, the Duchess of Argyll, Lady Caroline Campbell, +Lady Hatherton, and myself. We had the nicest cup of tea, with such +cream, and grapes and apricots, with some Italian bread, etc. + +"When we were going the duchess got me, on some pretext, into another +room, and came up and put her arms round me, with her noble face all +full of feeling. + +"'Oh, Mrs. Stowe, I have been reading that last chapter in the "Key"; +Argyll read it aloud to us. Oh, surely, surely you will succeed,--God +surely will bless you!' + +"I said then that I thanked her for all her love and feeling for us, +told her how earnestly all the women of England sympathized with her, +and many in America. She looked really radiant and inspired. Had those +who hang back from our cause seen her face, it might have put a soul +into them as she said again, 'It will be done--it will be done--oh, I +trust and pray it may!' + +"So we kissed each other, and vowed friendship and fidelity--so I came +away. + +"To-day I am going with Lord Shaftesbury to St. Paul's to see the +charity children, after which lunch with Dean Milman. + +"_May 31._ We went to lunch with Miss R. at Oxford Terrace, where, +among a number of distinguished guests, was Lady Byron, with whom I had +a few moments of deeply interesting conversation. No engravings that +ever have been circulated in America do any justice to her appearance. +She is of slight figure, formed with exceeding delicacy, and her whole +form, face, dress, and air unite to make an impression of a character +singularly dignified, gentle, pure, and yet strong. No words addressed +to me in any conversation hitherto have made their way to my inner +soul with such force as a few remarks dropped by her on the present +religious aspect of England,--remarks of such quality as one seldom +hears. + +"According to request, I will endeavor to keep you informed of all our +goings-on after you left, up to the time of our departure for Paris. + +"We have borne in mind your advice to hasten away to the Continent. +Charles wrote, a day or two since, to Mrs. C. at Paris to secure very +private lodgings, and by no means let any one know that we were coming. +She has replied urging us to come to her house, and promising entire +seclusion and rest. So, since you departed, we have been passing with +a kind of comprehensive skip and jump over remaining engagements. +And just the evening after you left came off the presentation of the +inkstand by the ladies of Surrey Chapel. + +"It is a beautiful specimen of silver-work, eighteen inches long, with +a group of silver figures on it representing Religion, with the Bible +in her hand, giving liberty to the slave. The slave is a masterly piece +of work. He stands with his hands clasped, looking up to Heaven, while +a white man is knocking the shackles from his feet. But the prettiest +part of the scene was the presentation of a _gold pen_ by a band of +beautiful children, one of whom made a very pretty speech. I called +the little things to come and stand around me, and talked with them a +few minutes, and this was all the speaking that fell to my share. + +"To-morrow we go--go to quiet, to obscurity, to peace--to Paris, to +Switzerland; there we shall find the loveliest glen, and, as the Bible +says, 'fall on sleep.' + +"_Paris, June 4._ Here we are in Paris, in a most charming family. I +have been out all the morning exploring shops, streets, boulevards, +and seeing and hearing life in Paris. When one has a pleasant home and +friends to return to, this gay, bustling, vivacious, graceful city is +one of the most charming things in the world; and we _have_ a most +charming home. + +"I wish the children could see these Tuileries with their statues and +fountains, men, women, and children seated in family groups under the +trees, chatting, reading aloud, working muslin,--children driving hoop, +playing ball, all alive and chattering French. Such fresh, pretty girls +as are in the shops here! _Je suis rave_, as they say. In short I am +decidedly in a French humor, and am taking things quite _couleur de +rose_. + +"_Monday, June 13._ We went this morning to the studio of M. Belloc, +who is to paint my portrait. The first question which he proposed, +with a genuine French air, was the question of 'pose' or position. +It was concluded that, as other pictures had taken me looking at the +spectator, this should take me looking away. M. Belloc remarked that M. +Charpentier said I appeared always with the air of an observer,--was +always looking around on everything. Hence M. Belloc would take me '_en +observatrice, mais pas en curieuse_,'--with the air of observation, +but not of curiosity. By and by M. Charpentier came in. He began +panegyrizing 'Uncle Tom,' and this led to a discussion of the ground +of its unprecedented success. In his thirty-five years' experience as +a bookseller, he had known nothing like it. It surpassed all modern +writings! At first he would not read it; his taste was for old masters +of a century or two ago. 'Like M. Belloc in painting,' said I. At +length he found his friend M., the first intelligence of the age, +reading it. + +"'What, you, too?' said he. + +"'Ah, ah!' replied the friend; 'say nothing about this book! There is +nothing like it. This leaves us all behind,--all, all, miles behind!' + +"M. Belloc said the reason was because there was in it more _genuine +faith_ than in any book; and we branched off into florid eloquence +touching paganism, Christianity, and art. + +"_Wednesday, June 22._ Adieu to Paris! Ho for Chalons-sur-Saone! After +affectionate farewells of our kind friends, by eleven o'clock we were +rushing, in the pleasantest of cars, over the smoothest of rails, +through Burgundy. We arrived at Chalons at nine P. M. + +"_Thursday, 23_, eight o'clock A. M. Since five we have had a fine +bustle on the quay below our windows. There lay three steamers, shaped +for all the world like our last night's rolls. One would think Ichabod +Crane might sit astride one of them and dip his feet in the water. They +ought to be swift. L'Hirondelle (The Swallow) flew at five; another at +six. We leave at nine. + +"_Lyons._ There was a scene of indescribable confusion upon our +arrival here. Out of the hold of our steamer a man with a rope and hook +began hauling baggage up a smooth board. Three hundred people were +sorting their goods without checks. Porters were shouldering immense +loads, four or five heavy trunks at once, corded together, and stalking +off Atlantean. Hat-boxes, bandboxes, and valises burst like a meteoric +shower out of a crater. '_A moi, a moi!_' was the cry, from old men, +young women, soldiers, shopkeepers, and _freres_, scuffling and shoving +together. + +"_Saturday, June 25._ Lyons to Geneve. As this was our first experience +in the diligence line, we noticed particularly every peculiarity. I had +had the idea that a diligence was a ricketty, slow-moulded antediluvian +nondescript, toiling patiently along over impassable roads at a snail's +pace. Judge of my astonishment at finding it a full-blooded, vigorous +monster, of unscrupulous railway momentum and imperturbable equipoise +of mind. Down the macadamized slopes we thundered at a prodigious +pace; up the hills we trotted, with six horses, three abreast; madly +through the little towns we burst, like a whirlwind, crashing across +the pebbled streets, and out upon the broad, smooth road again. Before +we had well considered the fact that we were out of Lyons we stopped to +change horses. Done in a jiffy; and whoop, crick, crack, whack, rumble, +bump, whirr, whisk, away we blazed, till, ere we knew it, another +change and another. + +"As evening drew on, a wind sprang up and a storm seemed gathering on +the Jura. The rain dashed against the panes of the berlin as we rode +past the grim-faced monarch of the 'misty shroud.' It was night as we +drove into Geneva and stopped at the Messagerie. I heard with joy a +voice demanding if this were _Madame Besshare_. I replied, not without +some scruples of conscience, '_Oui, Monsieur, c'est moi_,' though the +name did not sound exactly like the one to which I had been wont to +respond. In half an hour we were at home in the mansion of Monsieur +Fazy." + +From Geneva the party made a tour of the Swiss Alps, spending some +weeks among them. While there Charles Beecher wrote from a small hotel +at the foot of the Jura:-- + +"The people of the neighborhood, having discovered who Harriet was, +were very kind, and full of delight at seeing her. It was Scotland over +again. We have had to be unflinching to prevent her being overwhelmed, +both in Paris and Geneva, by the same demonstrations of regard. To +this we were driven, as a matter of life and death. It was touching to +listen to the talk of these secluded mountaineers. The good hostess, +even the servant maids, hung about Harriet, expressing such tender +interest for the slave. All had read 'Uncle Tom;' and it had apparently +been an era in their life's monotony, for they said, 'Oh, madam, do +write another! Remember, our winter nights here are very long!'" + +Upon their return to Geneva they visited the Castle of Chillon, of +which, in describing the dungeons, Mrs. Stowe writes:-- + +"One of the pillars in this vault is covered with names. I think it +is Bonnevard's Pillar. There are the names of Byron, Hunt, Schiller, +and ever so many more celebrities. As we were going from the cell our +conductress seemed to have a sudden light upon her mind. She asked a +question or two of some of our party, and fell upon me vehemently to +put my name also there. Charley scratched it on the soft freestone, +and there it is for future ages. The lady could scarce repress her +enthusiasm; she shook my hand over and over again, and said she had +read 'Uncle Tom.' 'It is beautiful,' she said, 'but it is cruel.' + +"_Monday, July 18._ Weather suspicious. Stowed ourselves and our +baggage into our _voiture_, and bade adieu to our friends and to +Geneva. Ah, how regretfully! From the market-place we carried away +a basket of cherries and fruit as a consolation. Dined at Lausanne, +and visited the cathedral and picture-gallery, where was an exquisite +_Eva_. Slept at Meudon. + +"_Tuesday, July 19._ Rode through Payerne to Freyburg. Stopped at the +Zaehringer Hof,--most romantic of inns. + +"_Wednesday, July 20._ Examined, not the lions, but the bears of Berne. +Engaged a _voiture_ and drove to Thun. Dined and drove by the shore of +the lake to Interlachen, arriving just after a brilliant sunset. + +"We crossed the Wengern Alps to Grindelwald. The Jungfrau is right over +against us,--her glaciers purer, tenderer, more dazzlingly beautiful, +if possible, than those of Mont Blanc. Slept at Grindelwald." + +From Rosenlaui, on this journey, Charles Beecher writes:-- + +"_Friday, July 22._ Grindelwald to Meyringen. On we came, to the top of +the Great Schiedeck, where H. and W. botanized, while I slept. Thence +we rode down the mountain till we reached Rosenlaui, where, I am free +to say, a dinner was to me a more interesting object than a glacier. +Therefore, while H. and W. went to the latter, I turned off to the inn, +amid their cries and reproaches. + +"Here, then, I am, writing these notes in the _salle a manger_ of +the inn, where other voyagers are eating and drinking, and there is +H. feeding on the green moonshine of an emerald ice cave. One would +almost think her incapable of fatigue. How she skips up and down high +places and steep places, to the manifest perplexity of the honest +guide Kienholz, _pere_, who tries to take care of her, but does not +exactly know how! She gets on a pyramid of debris, which the edge of +the glacier is plowing and grinding up, sits down, and falls--not +asleep exactly, but into a trance. W. and I are ready to go on: we +shout; our voice is lost in the roar of the torrent. We send the guide. +He goes down, and stands doubtfully. He does not know exactly what to +do. She hears him, and starts to her feet, pointing with one hand to +yonder peak, and with the other to that knife-like edge that seems +cleaving heaven with its keen and glistening cimeter of snow, reminding +one of Isaiah's sublime imagery, 'For my sword is bathed in heaven.' +She points at the grizzly rocks, with their jags and spear-points. +Evidently she is beside herself, and thinks she can remember the names +of those monsters, born of earthquake and storm, which cannot be named +nor known but by sight, and then are known at once perfectly and +forever." + +After traveling through Germany, Belgium, and Holland, the party +returned to Paris toward the end of August, from which place Mrs. Stowe +writes:-- + +"I am seated in a snug little room at M. Belloc's. The weather is +overpoweringly hot, but these Parisian houses seem to have seized and +imprisoned coolness. French household ways are delightful. I like their +seclusion from the street by these deep-paned quadrangles. + +"Madame Belloc was the translator of Maria Edgeworth, by that lady's +desire; corresponded with her for years, and still has many of her +letters. Her translation of 'Uncle Tom' has to me all the merit and all +the interest of an original composition. In perusing it, I enjoy the +pleasure of reading the story with scarce any consciousness of its ever +having been mine." + +The next letter is from London _en route_ for America, to which passage +had been engaged on the Collins steamer Arctic. In it Mrs. Stowe +writes:-- + +"_London, August 28._ Our last letters from home changed all our plans. +We concluded to hurry away by the next steamer, if at that late hour +we could get a passage. We were all in a bustle. The last shoppings +for aunts, cousins, and little folks were to be done by us all. The +Palais Royal was to be rummaged; bronzes, vases, statuettes, bonbons, +playthings,--all that the endless fertility of France could show,--was +to be looked over for the 'folks at home.' + +"How we sped across the Channel C. relates. We are spending a few very +pleasant days with our kind friends the L.'s, in London. + +"_On board the Arctic, September 7._ On Thursday, September 1, we +reached York, and visited the beautiful ruins of St. Mary's Abbey, +and the magnificent cathedral. It rained with inflexible pertinacity +during all the time we were there, and the next day it rained still, +when we took the cars for Castle Howard station. + +"Lady Carlisle welcomed us most affectionately, and we learned that, +had we not been so reserved at the York station in concealing our +names, we should have received a note from her. However, as we were +safely arrived, it was of no consequence. + +"Our friends spoke much of Sumner and Prescott, who had visited there; +also of Mr. Lawrence, our former ambassador, who had visited them just +before his return. After a very pleasant day, we left with regret the +warmth of this hospitable circle, thus breaking one more of the links +that bind us to the English shore. + +"Nine o'clock in the evening found us sitting by a cheerful fire in the +parlor of Mr. E. Baines at Leeds. The next day the house was filled +with company, and the Leeds offering was presented. + +"Tuesday we parted from our excellent friends in Leeds, and soon found +ourselves once more in the beautiful "Dingle," our first and last +resting-place on English shores. + +"A deputation from Belfast, Ireland, here met me, presenting a +beautiful bog-oak casket, lined with gold, and carved with appropriate +national symbols, containing an offering for the cause of the +oppressed. They read a beautiful address, and touched upon the +importance of inspiring with the principles of emancipation the Irish +nation, whose influence in our land is becoming so great. Had time and +strength permitted, it had been my purpose to visit Ireland, to revisit +Scotland, and to see more of England. But it is not in man that +walketh to direct his steps. And now came parting, leave-taking, last +letters, notes, and messages. + +"Thus, almost sadly as a child might leave its home, I left the shores +of kind, strong Old England,--the mother of us all." + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +HOME AGAIN, 1853-1856. + + ANTI-SLAVERY WORK.--STIRRING TIMES IN THE UNITED + STATES.--ADDRESS TO THE LADIES OF GLASGOW.--APPEAL TO + THE WOMEN OF AMERICA.--CORRESPONDENCE WITH WILLIAM + LLOYD GARRISON.--THE WRITING OF "DRED."--FAREWELL + LETTER FROM GEORGIANA MAY.--SECOND VOYAGE TO ENGLAND. + + +AFTER her return in the autumn of 1853 from her European tour, Mrs. +Stowe threw herself heart and soul into the great struggle with +slavery. Much of her time was occupied in distributing over a wide +area of country the English gold with which she had been intrusted +for the advancement of the cause. With this money she assisted in the +redemption of slaves whose cases were those of peculiar hardship, and +helped establish them as free men. She supported anti-slavery lectures +wherever they were most needed, aided in establishing and maintaining +anti-slavery publications, founded and assisted in supporting schools +in which colored people might be taught how to avail themselves of the +blessings of freedom. She arranged public meetings, and prepared many +of the addresses that should be delivered at them. She maintained such +an extensive correspondence with persons of all shades of opinion in +all parts of the world, that the letters received and answered by her +between 1853 and 1856 would fill volumes. With all these multifarious +interests, her children received a full share of her attention, nor +were her literary activities relaxed. + +Immediately upon the completion of her European tour, her experiences +were published in the form of a journal, both in this country and +England, under the title of "Sunny Memories." She also revised and +elaborated the collection of sketches which had been published by the +Harpers in 1843, under title of "The Mayflower," and having purchased +the plates caused them to be republished in 1855 by Phillips & Sampson, +the successors of John P. Jewett & Co., in this country, and by Sampson +Low & Co. in London. + +Soon after her return to America, feeling that she owed a debt of +gratitude to her friends in Scotland, which her feeble health had not +permitted her adequately to express while with them, Mrs. Stowe wrote +the following open letter:-- + + TO THE LADIES' ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW: + + _Dear Friends_,--I have had many things in my mind + to say to you, which it was my hope to have said + personally, but which I am now obliged to say by letter. + + I have had many fears that you must have thought our + intercourse, during the short time that I was in + Glasgow, quite unsatisfactory. + + At the time that I accepted your very kind invitation, + I was in tolerable health, and supposed that I should + be in a situation to enjoy society, and mingle as much + in your social circles as you might desire. + + When the time came for me to fulfil my engagement with + you, I was, as you know, confined to my bed with a + sickness brought on by the exertion of getting the + "Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin" through the press during the + winter. + + In every part of the world the story of "Uncle Tom" + had awakened sympathy for the American slave, and + consequently in every part of the world the story of + his wrongs had been denied; it had been asserted to be + a mere work of romance, and I was charged with being + the slanderer of the institutions of my own country. I + knew that if I shrank from supporting my position, the + sympathy which the work had excited would gradually die + out, and the whole thing would be looked upon as a mere + romantic excitement of the passions. + + When I came abroad, I had not the slightest idea of + the kind of reception which was to meet me in England + and Scotland. I had thought of something involving + considerable warmth, perhaps, and a good deal of + cordiality and feeling on the part of friends; but of + the general extent of feeling through society, and of + the degree to which it would be publicly expressed, I + had, I may say, no conception. + + As through your society I was invited to your country, + it may seem proper that what communication I have to + make to friends in England and Scotland should be made + through you. + + In the first place, then, the question will probably + arise in your minds, Have the recent demonstrations in + Great Britain done good to the anti-slavery cause in + America? + + The first result of those demonstrations, as might have + been expected, was an intense reaction. Every kind of + false, evil, and malignant report has been circulated + by malicious and partisan papers; and if there is any + blessing in having all manner of evil said against us + falsely, we have seemed to be in a fair way to come in + possession of it. + + The sanction which was given in this matter to the + voice of the people, by the nobility of England and + Scotland, has been regarded and treated with special + rancor; and yet, in its place, it has been particularly + important. Without it great advantages would have + been taken to depreciate the value of the national + testimony. The value of this testimony in particular + will appear from the fact that the anti-slavery cause + has been treated with especial contempt by the leaders + of society in this country, and every attempt made to + brand it with ridicule. + + The effect of making a cause generally unfashionable + is much greater in this world than it ought to be. It + operates very powerfully with the young and impressible + portion of the community; therefore Cassius M. Clay + very well said with regard to the demonstration at + Stafford House: "It will help our cause by rendering it + fashionable." + + With regard to the present state of the anti-slavery + cause in America, I think, for many reasons, that it + has never been more encouraging. It is encouraging in + this respect, that the subject is now fairly up for + inquiry before the public mind. And that systematic + effort which has been made for years to prevent its + being discussed is proving wholly ineffectual. + + The "Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin" has sold extensively at + the South, following in the wake of "Uncle Tom." Not + one fact or statement in it has been disproved as yet. + I have yet to learn of even an _attempt_ to disprove. + + The "North American Review," a periodical which has + never been favorable to the discussion of the slavery + question, has come out with a review of "Uncle Tom's + Cabin," in which, while rating the book very low as a + work of art, they account for its great circulation + and success by the fact of its being a true picture of + slavery. They go on to say that the system is one so + inherently abominable that, unless slaveholders shall + rouse themselves and abolish the principle of chattel + ownership, they can no longer sustain themselves under + the contempt and indignation of the whole civilized + world. What are the slaveholders to do when this is the + best their friends and supporters can say for them? + + I regret to say that the movements of Christian + denominations on this subject are yet greatly behind + what they should be. Some movements have been made by + religious bodies, of which I will not now speak; but + as a general thing the professed Christian church is + pushed up to its duty by the world, rather than the + world urged on by the church. + + The colored people in this country are rapidly rising + in every respect. I shall request Frederick Douglass + to send you the printed account of the recent colored + convention. It would do credit to any set of men + whatever, and I hope you will get some notice taken + of it in the papers of the United Kingdom. It is time + that the slanders against this unhappy race should be + refuted, and it should be seen how, in spite of every + social and political oppression, they are rising in the + scale of humanity. In my opinion they advance quite as + fast as any of the foreign races which have found an + asylum among us. + + May God so guide us in all things that our good be not + evil spoken of, and that we be left to defend nothing + which is opposed to his glory and the good of man! + + Yours in all sympathy, + H. B. STOWE. + +During the Kansas and Nebraska agitation (1853-54), Mrs. Stowe, in +common with the abolitionists of the North, was deeply impressed +with a solemn sense that it was a desperate crisis in the nation's +history. She was in constant correspondence with Charles Sumner and +other distinguished statesmen of the time, and kept herself informed +as to the minutest details of the struggle. At this time she wrote and +caused to be circulated broadcast the following appeal to the women of +America:-- + +"The Providence of God has brought our nation to a crisis of most +solemn interest. + +"A question is now pending in our national legislature which is most +vitally to affect the temporal and eternal interests, not only of +ourselves, but of our children and our children's children for ages yet +unborn. Through our nation it is to affect the interests of liberty and +Christianity throughout the world. + +"Of the woes, the injustice, and the misery of slavery it is not +needful to speak. There is but one feeling and one opinion upon this +subject among us all. I do not think there is a mother who clasps her +child to her breast who would ever be made to feel it right that that +child should be a slave, not a mother among us who would not rather lay +that child in its grave. + +"Nor can I believe that there is a woman so unchristian as to think +it right to inflict upon her neighbor's child what she would consider +worse than death were it inflicted upon her own. I do not believe there +is a wife who would think it right that _her_ husband should be sold to +a trader to be worked all his life without wages or a recognition of +rights. I do not believe there is a husband who would consider it right +that his wife should be regarded by law the property of another man. I +do not believe there is a father or mother who would consider it right +were they forbidden by law to teach their children to read. I do not +believe there is a brother who would think it right to have his sister +held as property, with no legal defense for her personal honor, by any +man living. + +"All this is inherent in slavery. It is not the abuse of slavery, but +its legal nature. And there is not a woman in the United States, where +the question is fairly put to her, who thinks these things are right. + +"But though our hearts have bled over this wrong, there have been +many things tending to fetter our hands, to perplex our efforts, +and to silence our voice. We have been told that to speak of it was +an invasion of the rights of states. We have heard of promises and +compacts, and the natural expression of feeling has in many cases been +repressed by an appeal to those honorable sentiments which respect the +keeping of engagements. + +"But a time has now come when the subject is arising under quite a +different aspect. + +"The question is not now, shall the wrongs of slavery exist as they +have within their own territories, but shall we permit them to be +extended all over the free territories of the United States? Shall the +woes and the miseries of slavery be extended over a region of fair, +free, unoccupied territory nearly equal in extent to the whole of the +free States? + +"Nor is this all! This is not the last thing that is expected or +intended. Should this movement be submitted to in silence, should the +North consent to this solemn breach of contract on the part of the +South, there yet remains one more step to be apprehended, namely, the +legalizing of slavery throughout the free States. By a decision of the +supreme court in the Lemmon case, it may be declared lawful for slave +property to be held in the Northern States. Should this come to pass, +it is no more improbable that there may be four years hence slave +depots in New York city than it was four years ago that the South would +propose a repeal of the Missouri Compromise. + +"Women of the free States! the question is not shall we remonstrate +with slavery on its own soil, but are we willing to receive slavery +into the free States and Territories of this Union? Shall the whole +power of these United States go into the hands of slavery? Shall every +State in the Union be thrown open to slavery? This is the possible +result and issue of the question now pending. This is the fearful +crisis at which we stand. + +"And now you ask, What can the _women_ of a country do? + +"O women of the free States! what did your brave mothers do in the +days of our Revolution? Did not liberty in those days feel the strong +impulse of woman's heart? + +"There was never a great interest agitating a community where woman's +influence was not felt for good or for evil. At the time when the +abolition of the slave-trade was convulsing England, women contributed +more than any other laborers to that great triumph of humanity. The +women of England refused to receive into their houses the sugar +raised by slaves. Seventy thousand families thus refused the use of +sugar in testimony of their abhorrence of the manner in which it was +produced. At that time women were unwearied in going from house to +house distributing books and tracts upon the subject, and presenting it +clearly and forcibly to thousands of families who would otherwise have +disregarded it. + +"The women all over England were associated in corresponding circles +for prayer and labor. Petitions to the government were prepared and +signed by women of every station in all parts of the kingdom. + +"Women of America! we do not know with what thrilling earnestness the +hopes and the eyes of the world are fastened upon our country, and +how intense is the desire that we should take a stand for universal +liberty. When I was in England, although I distinctly stated that the +raising of money was no part of my object there, it was actually forced +upon me by those who could not resist the impulse to do something +for this great cause. Nor did it come from the well-to-do alone; but +hundreds of most affecting letters were received from poor working men +and women, who inclosed small sums in postage-stamps to be devoted to +freeing slaves. + +"Nor is this deep feeling confined to England alone. I found it in +France, Switzerland, and Germany. Why do foreign lands regard us with +this intensity of interest? Is it not because the whole world looks +hopefully toward America as a nation especially raised by God to +advance the cause of human liberty and religion? + +"There has been a universal expectation that the next step taken by +America would surely be one that should have a tendency to right this +great wrong. Those who are struggling for civil and religious liberty +in Europe speak this word 'slavery' in sad whispers, as one names a +fault of a revered friend. They can scarce believe the advertisements +in American papers of slave sales of men, women, and children, traded +like cattle. Scarcely can they trust their eyes when they read the laws +of the slave States, and the decisions of their courts. The advocates +of despotism hold these things up to them and say: 'See what comes +of republican liberty!' Hitherto the answer has been, 'America is +more than half free, and she certainly will in time repudiate slavery +altogether.' + +"But what can they say now if, just as the great struggle for human +rights is commencing throughout Europe, America opens all her +Territories to the most unmitigated despotism? + +"While all the nations of Europe are thus moved on the subject of +American slavery, shall we alone remain unmoved? Shall we, the wives, +mothers, and sisters of America, remain content with inaction in such a +crisis as this? + +"The first duty of every American woman at this time is to thoroughly +understand the subject for herself, and to feel that she is bound to +use her influence for the right. Then they can obtain signatures to +petitions to our national legislature. They can spread information +upon this vital topic throughout their neighborhoods. They can employ +lecturers to lay the subject before the people. They can circulate the +speeches of their members of Congress that bear upon the subject, and +in many other ways they can secure to all a full understanding of the +present position of our country. + +"Above all, it seems to be necessary and desirable that we should +make this subject a matter of earnest prayer. A conflict is now begun +between the forces of liberty and despotism throughout the whole world. +We who are Christians, and believe in the sure word of prophecy, know +that fearful convulsions and overturnings are predicted before the +coming of Him who is to rule the earth in righteousness. How important, +then, in this crisis, that all who believe in prayer should retreat +beneath the shadow of the Almighty! + +"It is a melancholy but unavoidable result of such great encounters +of principle that they tend to degenerate into sectional and personal +bitterness. It is this liability that forms one of the most solemn and +affecting features of the crisis now presented. We are on the eve of a +conflict which will try men's souls, and strain to the utmost the bonds +of brotherly union that bind this nation together. + +"Let us, then, pray that in the agitation of this question between +the North and the South the war of principle may not become a mere +sectional conflict, degenerating into the encounter of physical force. +Let us raise our hearts to Him who has the power to restrain the wrath +of men, that He will avert the consequences that our sins as a nation +so justly deserve. + +"There are many noble minds in the South who do not participate in the +machinations of their political leaders, and whose sense of honor and +justice is outraged by this proposition equally with our own. While, +then, we seek to sustain the cause of freedom unwaveringly, let us +also hold it to be our office as true women to moderate the acrimony +of political contest, remembering that the slaveholder and the slave +are alike our brethren, whom the law of God commands us to love as +ourselves. + +"For the sake, then, of our dear children, for the sake of our common +country, for the sake of outraged and struggling liberty throughout the +world, let every woman of America now do her duty." + +At this same time Mrs. Stowe found herself engaged in an active +correspondence with William Lloyd Garrison, much of which appeared in +the columns of his paper, the "Liberator." Late in 1853 she writes to +him:-- + +"In regard to you, your paper, and in some measure your party, I am in +an honest embarrassment. I sympathize with you fully in many of your +positions. Others I consider erroneous, hurtful to liberty and the +progress of humanity. Nevertheless, I believe you and those who support +them to be honest and conscientious in your course and opinions. What +I fear is that your paper will take from poor Uncle Tom his Bible, and +give him nothing in its place." + +To this Mr. Garrison answers: "I do not understand why the imputation +is thrown upon the 'Liberator' as tending to rob Uncle Tom of his +Bible. I know of no writer in its pages who wishes to deprive him of +it, or of any comfort he may derive from it. It is for him to place +whatever estimate he can upon it, and for you and me to do the same; +but for neither of us to accept any more of it than we sincerely +believe to be in accordance with reason, truth, and eternal right. +How much of it is true and obligatory, each one can determine only +for himself; for on Protestant ground there is no room for papal +infallibility. All Christendom professes to believe in the inspiration +of the volume, and at the same time all Christendom is by the ears as +to its real teachings. Surely you would not have me disloyal to my +conscience. How do you prove that you are not trammeled by educational +or traditional notions as to the entire sanctity of the book? Indeed, +it seems to me very evident that you are not free in spirit, in view of +the apprehension and sorrow you feel because you find your conceptions +of the Bible controverted in the 'Liberator,' else why such disquietude +of mind? 'Thrice is he armed who hath his quarrel just.'" + +In answer to this Mrs. Stowe writes:-- + + I did not reply to your letter immediately, because + I did not wish to speak on so important a subject + unadvisedly, or without proper thought and reflection. + The greater the interest involved in a truth the more + careful, self-distrustful, and patient should be the + inquiry. + + I would not attack the faith of a heathen without being + sure I had a better one to put in its place, because, + such as it is, it is better than nothing. I notice + in Mr. Parker's sermons a very eloquent passage on + the uses and influences of the Bible. He considers it + to embody absolute and perfect religion, and that no + better mode for securing present and eternal happiness + can be found than in the obedience to certain religious + precepts therein recorded. He would have it read and + circulated, and considers it, as I infer, a Christian + duty to send it to the heathen, the slave, etc. I + presume you agree with him. + + These things being supposed about the Bible would + certainly make it appear that, if any man deems it + his duty to lessen its standing in the eyes of the + community, he ought at least to do so in a cautious and + reverential spirit, with humility and prayer. + + My objection to the mode in which these things are + handled in the "Liberator" is that the general tone + and spirit seem to me the reverse of this. If your + paper circulated only among those of disciplined and + cultivated minds, skilled to separate truth from + falsehood, knowing where to go for evidence and how + to satisfy the doubts you raise, I should feel less + regret. But your name and benevolent labors have given + your paper a circulation among the poor and lowly. They + have no means of investigating, no habits of reasoning. + The Bible, as they at present understand it, is doing + them great good, and is a blessing to them and their + families. The whole tendency of your mode of proceeding + is to lessen their respect and reverence for the Bible, + without giving them anything in its place. + + I have no fear of discussion as to its final results + on the Bible; my only regrets are for those human + beings whose present and immortal interests I think + compromised by this manner of discussion. Discussion + of the evidence of the authenticity and inspiration + of the Bible and of all theology will come more and + more, and I rejoice that they will. But I think they + must come, as all successful inquiries into truth must, + in a calm, thoughtful, and humble spirit; not with + bold assertions, hasty generalizations, or passionate + appeals. + + [Illustration: Lyman Beecher] + + I appreciate your good qualities none the less though + you differ with me on this point. I believe you to be + honest and sincere. In Mr. Parker's works I have found + much to increase my respect and esteem for him as a + man. He comes to results, it is true, to which it would + be death and utter despair for me to arrive at. Did I + believe as he does about the Bible and Jesus, I were of + all creatures most miserable, because I could not love + God. I could find no God to love. I would far rather + never have been born. + + As to you, my dear friend, you must own that my + frankness to you is the best expression of my + confidence in your honor and nobleness. Did I not + believe that "an excellent spirit" is in you, I would + not take the trouble to write all this. If in any + points in this note I appear to have misapprehended or + done you injustice, I hope you will candidly let me + know where and how. + + Truly your friend, + H. B. STOWE. + +In addition to these letters the following extracts from a subsequent +letter to Mr. Garrison are given to show in what respect their fields +of labor differed, and to present an idea of what Mrs. Stowe was doing +for the cause of freedom besides writing against slavery:-- + + ANDOVER, MASS., _February 18, 1854._ + +DEAR FRIEND,--I see and sincerely rejoice in the result of your lecture +in New York. I am increasingly anxious that all who hate slavery be +united, if not in form, at least in fact,--a unity in difference. _Our_ +field lies in the church, and as yet I differ from you as to what may +be done and hoped there. Brother Edward (Beecher) has written a sermon +that goes to the very root of the decline of moral feeling in the +church. As soon as it can be got ready for the press I shall have it +printed, and shall send a copy to every minister in the country. + +Our lectures have been somewhat embarrassed by a pressure of new +business brought upon us by the urgency of the Kansas-Nebraska +question. Since we began, however, brother Edward has devoted his whole +time to visiting, consultation, and efforts the result of which will +shortly be given to the public. We are trying to secure a universal +arousing of the pulpit. + +Dr. Bacon's letter is noble. You must think so. It has been sent to +every member of Congress. Dr. Kirk's sermon is an advance, and his +congregation warmly seconded it. Now, my good friend, be willing to see +that the church is better than you have thought it. Be not unwilling +to see some good symptoms, and hope that even those who see not at +all at first will gain as they go on. I am acting on the conviction +that you love the cause better than self. If anything can be done now +advantageously by the aid of money, let me know. God has given me some +power in this way, though I am too feeble to do much otherwise. + + Yours for the cause, + H. B. STOWE. + +Although the demand was very great upon Mrs. Stowe for magazine and +newspaper articles, many of which she managed to write in 1854-55, +she had in her mind at this time a new book which should be in many +respects the complement of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." In preparing her Key +to the latter work, she had collected much new material. In 1855, +therefore, and during the spring of 1856, she found time to weave these +hitherto unused facts into the story of "Dred." In her preface to the +English edition of this book she writes:-- + +"The author's object in this book is to show the general effect of +slavery on society; the various social disadvantages which it brings, +even to its most favored advocates; the shiftlessness and misery and +backward tendency of all the economical arrangements of slave States; +the retrograding of good families into poverty; the deterioration of +land; the worse demoralization of all classes, from the aristocratic, +tyrannical planter to the oppressed and poor white, which is the result +of the introduction of slave labor. + +"It is also an object to display the corruption of Christianity which +arises from the same source; a corruption that has gradually lowered +the standard of the church, North and South, and been productive of +more infidelity than the works of all the encyclopaedists put together." + +The story of "Dred" was suggested by the famous negro insurrection, +led by Nat Turner, in Eastern Virginia in 1831. In this affair one of +the principal participators was named "Dred." An interesting incident +connected with the writing of "Dred" is vividly remembered by Mrs. +Stowe's daughters. + +One sultry summer night there arose a terrific thunder-storm, with +continuous flashes of lightning and incessant rumbling and muttering of +thunder, every now and then breaking out into sharp, crashing reports +followed by torrents of rain. + +The two young girls, trembling with fear, groped their way down-stairs +to their mother's room, and on entering found her lying quietly in +bed awake, and calmly watching the storm from the windows, the shades +being up. She expressed no surprise on seeing them, but said that +she had not been herself in the least frightened, though intensely +interested in watching the storm. "I have been writing a description +of a thunder-storm for my book, and I am watching to see if I need to +correct it in any particular." Our readers will be interested to know +that she had so well described a storm from memory that even this vivid +object-lesson brought with it no new suggestions. This scene is to be +found in the twenty-fourth chapter of "Dred,"--"Life in the Swamps." + +"The day had been sultry and it was now an hour or two past midnight, +when a thunder-storm, which had long been gathering and muttering in +the distant sky, began to develop its forces. A low, shivering sigh +crept through the woods, and swayed in weird whistlings the tops of +the pines; and sharp arrows of lightning came glittering down among +the branches, as if sent from the bow of some warlike angel. An army +of heavy clouds swept in a moment across the moon; then came a broad, +dazzling, blinding sheet of flame." + +What particularly impressed Mrs. Stowe's daughters at the time was +their mother's perfect calmness, and the minute study of the storm. +She was on the alert to detect anything which might lead her to correct +her description. + +Of this new story Charles Summer wrote from the senate chamber:-- + + MY DEAR MRS. STOWE,--I am rejoiced to learn, from your + excellent sister here, that you are occupied with + another tale exposing slavery. I feel that it will + act directly upon pending questions, and help us in + our struggle for Kansas, and also to overthrow the + slave-oligarchy in the coming Presidential election. We + need your help at once in our struggle. + + Ever sincerely yours, + CHARLES SUMNER. + +Having finished this second great story of slavery, in the early +summer of 1856 Mrs. Stowe decided to visit Europe again, in search of +a much-needed rest. She also found it necessary to do so in order to +secure the English right to her book, which she had failed to do on +"Uncle Tom's Cabin." + +Just before sailing she received the following touching letter from her +life-long friend, Georgiana May. It is the last one of a series that +extended without interruption over a period of thirty years, and as +such has been carefully cherished:-- + + OCEAN HOUSE, GROTON POINT, _July 26, 1856._ + + DEAR HATTIE,--Very likely it is too late for me to come + with my modest knock to your study door, and ask to + be taken in for a moment, but I do so want to _bless_ + you before you go, and I have not been well enough to + write until to-day. It seems just as if I _could_ not + let you go till I have seen once more your face in the + flesh, for great uncertainties hang over my future. One + thing, however, is certain: whichever of us two gets + first to the farther shore of the great ocean between + us and the unseen will be pretty sure to be at hand to + welcome the other. It is not poetry, but solemn verity + between us that we _shall_ meet again. + + But there is nothing _morbid_ or _morbific_ going into + these few lines. I have made "Old Tiff's" acquaintance. + _He_ is a verity,--will stand up with Uncle Tom and + Topsy, pieces of negro property you will be guilty of + holding after you are dead. Very likely your children + may be selling them. + + Hattie, I rejoice over this completed work. Another + work for God and your generation. I am glad that you + have come out of it alive, that you have pleasure in + prospect, that you "walk at liberty" and have done + with "fits of languishing." Perhaps some day I shall + be set free, but the prospect does not look promising, + except as I have full faith that "the Good Man above + is looking on, and will bring it all round right." + Still "heart and flesh" both "fail me." He will be the + "strength of my heart," and I never seem to doubt "my + portion forever." + + If I never speak to you again, this is the farewell + utterance. + + Yours truly, + GEORGIANA. + +Mrs. Stowe was accompanied on this second trip to Europe by her +husband, her two eldest daughters, her son Henry, and her sister +Mary (Mrs. Perkins). It was a pleasant summer voyage, and was safely +accomplished without special incident. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +DRED, 1856. + + SECOND VISIT TO ENGLAND.--A GLIMPSE AT THE QUEEN.--THE + DUKE OF ARGYLL AND INVERARY.--EARLY CORRESPONDENCE WITH + LADY BYRON.--DUNROBIN CASTLE AND ITS INMATES.--A VISIT + TO STOKE PARK.--LORD DUFFERIN.--CHARLES KINGSLEY AT + HOME.--PARIS REVISITED.--MADAME MOHL'S RECEPTIONS. + + +AFTER reaching England, about the middle of August, 1856, Mrs. Stowe +and her husband spent some days in London completing arrangements +to have an English edition of "Dred" published by Sampson Low & Co. +Professor Stowe's duties in America being very pressing, he had +intended returning at once, but was detained for a short time, as will +be seen in the following letter written by him from Glasgow, August 29, +to a friend in America:-- + + DEAR FRIEND,--I finished my business in London on + Wednesday, and intended to return by the Liverpool + steamer of to-morrow, but find that every berth on that + line is engaged until the 3d of October. We therefore + came here yesterday, and I shall take passage in the + steamer New York from this port next Tuesday. We have + received a special invitation to visit Inverary Castle, + the seat of the Duke of Argyll, and yesterday we had + just the very pleasantest little interview with the + Queen that ever was. None of the formal, drawing-room, + breathless receptions, but just an accidental, + done-on-purpose meeting at a railway station, while on + our way to Scotland. + + The Queen seemed really delighted to see my wife, and + remarkably glad to see me for her sake. She pointed us + out to Prince Albert, who made two most gracious bows + to my wife and two to me, while the four royal children + stared their big blue eyes almost out looking at the + little authoress of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Colonel Grey + handed the Queen, with my wife's compliments, a copy of + the new book ("Dred"). She took one volume herself and + handed the other to Prince Albert, and they were soon + both very busy reading. She is a real nice little body + with exceedingly pleasant, kindly manners. + + I expect to be in Natick the last week in September. + God bless you all. + + C. E. STOWE. + +After her husband's departure for the United States, Mrs. Stowe, +with her son Henry, her two eldest daughters, and her sister Mary +(Mrs. Perkins), accepted the Duke of Argyll's invitation to visit +the Highlands. Of this visit we catch a pleasant glimpse from a +letter written to Professor Stowe during its continuance, which is as +follows:-- + + INVERARY CASTLE, _September 6, 1856._ + + MY DEAR HUSBAND,--We have been now a week in this + delicious place, enjoying the finest skies and scenery, + the utmost of kind hospitality. From Loch Goil we took + the coach for Inverary, a beautiful drive of about + two hours. We had seats on the outside, and the driver + John, like some of the White Mountain guides, was full + of song and story, and local tradition. He spoke Scotch + and Gaelic, recited ballads, and sung songs with great + gusto. Mary and the girls stopped in a little inn at + St. Catherine's, on the shores of Loch Fine, while + Henry and I took steamboat for Inverary, where we found + the duchess waiting in a carriage for us, with Lady + Emma Campbell.... + + The common routine of the day here is as follows: We + rise about half past eight. About half past nine we + all meet in the dining-hall, where the servants are + standing in a line down one side, and a row of chairs + for guests and visitors occupies the other. The duchess + with her nine children, a perfectly beautiful little + flock, sit together. The duke reads the Bible and a + prayer, and pronounces the benediction. After that, + breakfast is served,--a very hearty, informal, cheerful + meal,--and after that come walks, or drives, or fishing + parties, till lunch time, and then more drives, or + anything else: everybody, in short, doing what he likes + till half past seven, which is the dinner hour. After + that we have coffee and tea in the evening. + + The first morning, the duke took me to see his mine + of nickel silver. We had a long and beautiful drive, + and talked about everything in literature, religion, + morals, and the temperance movement, about which last + he is in some state of doubt and uncertainty, not + inclining, I think, to have it pressed yet, though + feeling there is need of doing something. + + If "Dred" has as good a sale in America as it is likely + to have in England, we shall do well. There is such + a demand that they had to placard the shop windows in + Glasgow with,-- + + "To prevent disappointment, + 'Dred' + Not to be had till," etc. + + Everybody is after it, and the prospect is of an + enormous sale. + + God, to whom I prayed night and day while I was writing + the book, has heard me, and given us of worldly goods + more _than_ I asked. I feel, therefore, a desire to + "walk softly," and inquire, for what has He so trusted + us? + + Every day I am more charmed with the duke and duchess; + they are simple-hearted, frank, natural, full of + feeling, of piety, and good sense. They certainly are, + apart from any considerations of rank or position, most + interesting and noble people. The duke laughed heartily + at many things I told him of our Andover theological + tactics, of your preaching, etc.; but I think he is a + sincere, earnest Christian. + + Our American politics form the daily topic of interest. + The late movements in Congress are discussed with great + warmth, and every morning the papers are watched for + new details. + + I must stop now, as it is late and we are to leave here + early to-morrow morning. We are going to Staffa, Iona, + the Pass of Glencoe, and finally through the Caledonian + Canal up to Dunrobin Castle, where a large party of all + sorts of interesting people are gathered around the + Duchess of Sutherland. + + Affectionately yours, + HARRIET. + +From Dunrobin Castle one of his daughters writes to Professor Stowe: +"We spent five most delightful days at Inverary, and were so sorry +you could not be there with us. From there we went to Oban, and spent +several days sight-seeing, finally reaching Inverness by way of the +Caledonian Canal. Here, to our surprise, we found our rooms at the +hotel all prepared for us. The next morning we left by post for +Dunrobin, which is fifty-nine miles from Inverness. At the borders of +the duke's estate we found a delightfully comfortable carriage awaiting +us, and before we had gone much farther the postilion announced that +the duchess was coming to meet us. Sure enough, as we looked up the +road we saw a fine cavalcade approaching. It consisted of a splendid +coach-and-four (in which sat the duchess) with liveried postilions, and +a number of outriders, one of whom rode in front to clear the way. The +duchess seemed perfectly delighted to see mamma, and taking her into +her own carriage dashed off towards the castle, we following on behind." + +At Dunrobin Mrs. Stowe found awaiting her the following note from her +friend, Lady Byron:-- + + LONDON, _September 10, 1856._ + + Your book, dear Mrs. Stowe, is of the "little leaven" + kind, and must prove a great moral force,--perhaps not + manifestly so much as secretly, and yet I can hardly + conceive so much power without immediate and sensible + effects; only there will be a strong disposition to + resist on the part of all the hollow-hearted professors + of religion, whose heathenisms you so unsparingly + expose. They have a class feeling like others. To the + young, and to those who do not reflect much on what + is offered to their belief, you will do great good by + showing how spiritual food is adulterated. The Bread + from Heaven is in the same case as baker's bread. I + feel that one perusal is not enough. It is a "mine," to + use your own simile. If there is truth in what I heard + Lord Byron say, that works of fiction _lived_ only by + the amount of _truth_ which they contained, your story + is sure of long life.... + + I know now, more than before, how to value communion + with you. + + With kind regards to your family, + Yours affectionately, + A. T. NOEL BYRON. + +From this pleasant abiding-place Mrs. Stowe writes to her husband:-- + + DUNROBIN CASTLE, _September 15, 1856._ + + MY DEAR HUSBAND,--Everything here is like a fairy + story. The place is beautiful! It is the most perfect + combination of architectural and poetic romance, + with home comfort. The people, too, are charming. We + have here Mr. Labouchere, a cabinet minister, and + Lady Mary his wife,--I like him very much, and her, + too,--Kingsley's brother, a very entertaining man, and + to-morrow Lord Ellsmere is expected. I wish you could + be here, for I am sure you would like it. Life is so + quiet and sincere and friendly, that you would feel + more as if you had come at the hearts of these people + than in London. + + The Sutherland estate looks like a garden. We stopped + at the town of Frain, four miles before we reached + Sutherlandshire, where a crowd of well-to-do, + nice-looking people gathered around the carriage, and + as we drove off gave three cheers. This was better than + I expected, and looks well for their opinion of my + views. + + "Dred" is selling over here wonderfully. Low says, with + all the means at his command, he has not been able to + meet the demand. He sold fifty thousand in two weeks, + and probably will sell as many more. + + I am showered with letters, private and printed, in + which the only difficulty is to know what the writers + would be at. I see evidently happiness and prosperity + all through the line of this estate. I see the duke + giving his thought and time, and spending the whole + income of this estate in improvements upon it. I see + the duke and duchess evidently beloved wherever they + move. I see them most amiable, most Christian, most + considerate to everybody. The writers of the letters + admit the goodness of the duke, but denounce the + system, and beg me to observe its effects for myself. + I do observe that, compared with any other part of + the Highlands, Sutherland is a garden. I observe + well-clothed people, thriving lands, healthy children, + fine schoolhouses, and all that. + + Henry was invited to the tenants' dinner, where he + excited much amusement by pledging every toast in fair + water, as he has done invariably on all occasions since + he has been here. + + The duchess, last night, showed me her copy of "Dred," + in which she has marked what most struck or pleased + her. I begged it, and am going to send it to you. She + said to me this morning at breakfast, "The Queen says + that she began 'Dred' the very minute she got it, and + is deeply interested in it." + + She bought a copy of Lowell's poems, and begged me to + mark the best ones for her; so if you see him, tell him + that we have been reading him together. She is, taking + her all in all, one of the noblest-appointed women I + ever saw; real old, genuine English, such as one reads + of in history; full of nobility, courage, tenderness, + and zeal. It does me good to hear her read prayers + daily, as she does, in the midst of her servants and + guests, with a manner full of grand and noble feeling. + + _Thursday Morning, September 25._ We were obliged to + get up at half past five the morning we left Dunrobin, + an effort when one doesn't go to bed till one o'clock. + We found breakfast laid for us in the library, and + before we had quite finished the duchess came in. + Our starting off was quite an imposing sight. First + came the duke's landau, in which were Mary, the duke, + and myself; then a carriage in which were Eliza and + Hatty, and finally the carriage which we had hired, + with Henry, our baggage, and Mr. Jackson (the duke's + secretary). The gardener sent a fresh bouquet for each + of us, and there was such a leave-taking, as if we were + old and dear friends. We did really love them, and had + no doubt of their love for us. + + The duke rode with us as far as Dornach, where he + showed us the cathedral beneath which his ancestors are + buried, and where is a statue of his father, similar to + one the tenants have erected on top of the highest hill + in the neighborhood. + + We also saw the prison, which had but two inmates, + and the old castle. Here the duke took leave of us, + and taking our own carriage we crossed the ferry and + continued on our way. After a very bad night's rest at + Inverness, in consequence of the town's being so full + of people attending some Highland games that we could + have no places at the hotel, and after a weary ride in + the rain, we came into Aberdeen Friday night. + + To-morrow we go on to Edinburgh, where I hope to meet + a letter from you. The last I heard from Low, he had + sold sixty thousand of "Dred," and it was still selling + well. I have not yet heard from America how it goes. + The critics scold, and whiffle, and dispute about it, + but on the whole it is a success, so the "Times" says, + with much coughing, hemming, and standing first on one + foot and then on the other. If the "Times" were sure we + should beat in the next election, "Dred" would go up in + the scale; but as long as there is that uncertainty, it + has first one line of praise, and then one of blame. + +Henry Stowe returned to America in October to enter Dartmouth College, +while the rest of the party pursued their way southward, as will be +seen by the following letters:-- + + CITY OF YORK, _October 10, 1856._ + + DEAR HUSBAND,--Henry will tell you all about our + journey, and at present I have but little time for + details. I received your first letter with great joy, + relief, and gratitude, first to God for restoring your + health and strength, and then to you for so good, long, + and refreshing a letter. + + Henry, I hope, comes home with a serious determination + to do well and be a comfort. Seldom has a young man + seen what he has in this journey, or made more valuable + friends. + + Since we left Aberdeen, from which place my last was + mailed, we have visited in Edinburgh with abounding + delight; thence yesterday to Newcastle. Last night + attended service in Durham Cathedral, and after that + came to York, whence we send Henry to Liverpool. + + I send you letters, etc., by him. One hundred thousand + copies of "Dred" sold in four weeks! After that who + cares what critics say? Its success in England has + been complete, so far as sale is concerned. It is very + bitterly attacked, both from a literary and a religious + point of view. The "Record" is down upon it with a + cartload of solemnity; the "Athenaeum" with waspish + spite; the "Edinburgh" goes out of its way to say that + the author knows nothing of the society she describes; + but yet it goes everywhere, is read everywhere, and + Mr. Low says that he puts the hundred and twenty-fifth + thousand to press confidently. The fact that so many + good judges like it better than "Uncle Tom" is success + enough. + + In my journal to Henry, which you may look for next + week, you will learn how I have been very near the + Queen, and formed acquaintance with divers of her lords + and ladies, and heard all she has said about "Dred;" + how she prefers it to "Uncle Tom," how she inquired for + you, and other matters. + + Till then, I am, as ever, your affectionate wife, + + H. B. STOWE. + +After leaving York, Mrs. Stowe and her party spent a day or two at +Carlton Rectory, on the edge of Sherwood Forest, in which they enjoyed +a most delightful picnic. From there they were to travel to London by +way of Warwick and Oxford, and of this journey Mrs. Stowe writes as +follows to her son Henry:-- + +"The next morning we were induced to send our things to London, being +assured by Mr. G. that he would dispatch them immediately with some +things of his own that were going, and that they should certainly await +us upon our arrival. In one respect it was well for us that we thus rid +ourselves of the trouble of looking after them, for I never saw such +blind, confusing arrangements as these English railroads have. + +"When we were set down at the place where we were to change for +Warwick, we were informed that probably the train had gone. At any rate +it could only be found on the other side of the station. You might +naturally think we had nothing to do but walk across to the other side. +No, indeed! We had to ascend a flight of stairs, go through a sort of +tubular bridge, and down another pair of stairs. When we got there +the guard said the train was just about to start, and yet the ticket +office was closed. We tried the door in vain. 'You must hurry,' said +the guard. 'How can we?' said I, 'when we can't get tickets.' He went +and thumped, and at last roused the dormant intelligence inside. We got +our tickets, ran for dear life, got in, and then _waited ten minutes_! +Arrived at Warwick we had a very charming time, and after seeing all +there was to see we took cars for Oxford. + +"The next day we tried to see Oxford. You can have no idea of it. +Call it a college! it is a city of colleges,--a mountain of museums, +colleges, halls, courts, parks, chapels, lecture-rooms. Out of +twenty-four colleges we saw only three. We saw enough, however, to show +us that to explore the colleges of Oxford would take a week. Then we +came away, and about eleven o'clock at night found ourselves in London. + +"It was dripping and raining here, for all the world, just as it did +when we left; but we found a cosy little parlor, papered with cheerful +crimson paper, lighted by a coal-fire, a neat little supper laid out, +and the Misses Low waiting; for us. Wasn't it nice? + +"We are expecting our baggage to-night. Called at Sampson Low's store +to-day and found it full everywhere of red 'Dreds.'" + +Upon reaching London Mrs. Stowe found the following note from Lady +Byron awaiting her:-- + + OXFORD HOUSE, _October 15, 1856._ + + DEAR MRS. STOWE,--The newspapers represent you as + returning to London, but I cannot wait for the chance, + slender I fear, of seeing you there, for I wish to + consult you on a point admitting but of little delay. + Feeling that the sufferers in Kansas have a claim not + only to sympathy, but to the expression of it, I wish + to send them a donation. It is, however, necessary to + know what is the best application of money and what + the safest channel. Presuming that you will approve + the object, I ask you to tell me. Perhaps you would + undertake the transmission of my L50. My present + residence, two miles beyond Richmond, is opposite. I + have watched for instructions of your course with warm + interest. The sale of your book will go on increasing. + It is beginning to be understood. + + Believe me, with kind regards to your daughters, + + Your faithful and affectionate + A. T. NOEL BYRON. + +To this note the following answer was promptly returned:-- + + GROVE TERRACE, KENTISH TOWN, _October 16, 1856._ + + DEAR LADY BYRON,--How glad I was to see your + handwriting once more! how more than glad I should be + to see _you!_ I do long to see you. I have so much to + say,--so much to ask, and need to be refreshed with a + sense of a congenial and sympathetic soul. + + Thank you, my dear friend, for your sympathy with our + poor sufferers in Kansas. May God bless you for it! By + doing this you will step to my side; perhaps you may + share something of that abuse which they who "know not + what they do" heap upon all who so feel for the right. + I assure you, dear friend, I am _not_ insensible to the + fiery darts which thus fly around me.... + + Direct as usual to my publishers, and believe me, as + ever, with all my heart, + + Affectionately yours, H. B. S. + +Having dispatched this note, Mrs. Stowe wrote to her husband concerning +their surroundings and plans as follows:-- + +"_Friday, 16th._ Confusion in the camp! no baggage come, nobody +knows why; running to stations, inquiries, messages, and no baggage. +Meanwhile we have not even a clean collar, nothing but very soiled +traveling dresses; while Lady Mary Labouchere writes that her carriage +will wait for us at Slough Station this afternoon, and we must be off +at two. What's to be done? Luckily I did not carry all my dresses to +Dunrobin; so I, of all the party, have a dress that can be worn. We go +out and buy collars and handkerchiefs, and two o'clock beholds us at +the station house. + +"_Stoke Park._ I arrived here alone, the baggage not having yet been +heard from. Mr. G., being found in London, confessed that he delayed +sending it by the proper train. In short, Mr. G. is what is called +an easy man, and one whose easiness makes everybody else uneasy. So +because he was easy and thought it was no great matter, and things +would turn out well enough, without any great care, _we_ have had all +this discomfort. + +"I arrived alone at the Slough Station and found Lady Mary's carriage +waiting. Away we drove through a beautiful park full of deer, who +were so tame as to stand and look at us as we passed. The house is in +the Italian style, with a dome on top, and wide terraces with stone +balustrades around it. + +"Lady Mary met me at the door, and seemed quite concerned to learn +of our ill-fortune. We went through a splendid suite of rooms to a +drawing-room, where a little tea-table was standing. + +"After tea Lady Mary showed me my room. It had that delightful, +homelike air of repose and comfort they succeed so well in giving to +rooms here. There was a cheerful fire burning, an arm-chair drawn up +beside it, a sofa on the other side with a neatly arranged sofa-table +on which were writing materials. One of the little girls had put +a pot of pretty greenhouse moss in a silver basket on this table, +and my toilet cushion was made with a place in the centre to hold a +little vase of flowers. Here Lady Mary left me to rest before dressing +for dinner. I sat down in an easy-chair before the fire, and formed +hospitable resolutions as to how I would try to make rooms always look +homelike and pleasant to tired guests. Then came the maid to know if +I wanted hot water,--if I wanted anything,--and by and by it was time +for dinner. Going down into the parlor I met Mr. Labouchere and we all +went in to dinner. It was not quite as large a party as at Dunrobin, +but much in the same way. No company, but several ladies who were all +family connections. + +"The following morning Lord Dufferin and Lord Alfred Paget, two +gentlemen of the Queen's household, rode over from Windsor to lunch +with us. They brought news of the goings-on there. Do you remember one +night the Duchess of S. read us a letter from Lady Dufferin, describing +the exploits of her son, who went yachting with Prince Napoleon up by +Spitzbergen, and when Prince Napoleon and all the rest gave up and went +back, still persevered and discovered a new island? Well, this was the +same man. A thin, slender person, not at all the man you would fancy as +a Mr. Great Heart,--lively, cheery, and conversational. + +"Lord Alfred is also very pleasant. + +"Lady Mary prevailed on Lord Dufferin to stay and drive with us after +lunch, and we went over to Clifden, the duchess's villa, of which we +saw the photograph at Dunrobin. For grace and beauty some of the rooms +in this place exceed any I have yet seen in England. + +"When we came back my first thought was whether Aunt Mary and the +girls had come. Just as we were all going up to dress for dinner they +appeared. Meanwhile, the Queen had sent over from Windsor for Lady Mary +and her husband to dine with her that evening, and such invitations are +understood as commands. + +"So, although they themselves had invited four or five people to +dinner, they had to go and leave us to entertain ourselves. Lady +Mary was dressed very prettily in a flounced white silk dress with a +pattern of roses woven round the bottom of each flounce, and looked +very elegant. Mr. Labouchere wore breeches, with knee and shoe buckles +sparkling with diamonds. + +"They got home soon after we had left the drawing-room, as the Queen +always retires at eleven. No late hours for her. + +"The next day Lady Mary told me that the Queen had talked to her all +about 'Dred,' and how she preferred it to 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,' how +interested she was in Nina, how provoked when she died, and how she +was angry that something dreadful did not happen to Tom Gordon. She +inquired for papa, and the rest of the family, all of whom she seemed +to be well informed about. + +"The next morning we had Lord Dufferin again to breakfast. He is one of +the most entertaining young men I have seen in England, full of real +thought and noble feeling, and has a wide range of reading. He had read +all our American literature, and was very flattering in his remarks +on Hawthorne, Poe, and Longfellow. I find J. R. Lowell less known, +however, than he deserves to be. + +"Lord Dufferin says that his mother wrote him some verses on his coming +of age, and that he built a tower for them and inscribed them on a +brass plate. I recommend the example to you, Henry; make yourself the +tower and your memory the brass plate. + +"This morning came also, to call, Lady Augusta Bruce, Lord Elgin's +daughter, one of the Duchess of Kent's ladies-in-waiting; a very +excellent, sensible girl, who is a strong anti-slavery body. + +"After lunch we drove over to Eton, and went in to see the provost's +house. After this, as we were passing by Windsor the coachman suddenly +stopped and said, 'The Queen is coming, my lady.' We stood still and +the royal cortege passed. I only saw the Queen, who bowed graciously. + +"Lady Mary stayed at our car door till it left the station, and handed +in a beautiful bouquet as we parted. This is one of the loveliest +visits I have made." + +After filling a number of other pleasant engagements in England, among +which was a visit in the family of Charles Kingsley, Mrs. Stowe and her +party crossed the Channel and settled down for some months in Paris for +the express purpose of studying French. From the French capital she +writes to her husband in Andover as follows:-- + + PARIS, _November 7, 1856._ + + MY DEAR HUSBAND,--On the 28th, when your last was + written, I was at Charles Kingsley's. It seemed odd + enough to Mary and me to find ourselves, long after + dark, alone in a hack, driving towards the house of a + man whom we never had seen (nor his wife either). + + My heart fluttered as, after rumbling a long way + through the dark, we turned into a yard. We knocked at + a door and were met in the hall by a man who stammers + a little in his speech, and whose inquiry, "Is this + Mrs. Stowe?" was our first positive introduction. + Ushered into a large, pleasant parlor lighted by a coal + fire, which flickered on comfortable chairs, lounges, + pictures, statuettes, and book-cases, we took a good + view of him. He is tall, slender, with blue eyes, brown + hair, and a hale, well-browned face, and somewhat + loose-jointed withal. His wife is a real Spanish beauty. + + How we did talk and go on for three days! I guess he + is tired. I'm sure we were. He is a nervous, excitable + being, and talks with head, shoulders, arms, and + hands, while his hesitance makes it the harder. Of his + theology I will say more some other time. He, also, + has been through the great distress, the "Conflict + of Ages," but has come out at a different end from + Edward, and stands with John Foster, though with more + positiveness than he. + + He laughed a good deal at many stories I told him of + father, and seemed delighted to hear about him. But he + is, what I did not expect, a zealous Churchman; insists + that the Church of England is the finest and broadest + platform a man can stand on, and that the thirty-nine + articles are the only ones he could subscribe to. + I told him you thought them the best summary (of + doctrine) you knew, which pleased him greatly. + + Well, I got your letter to-night in Paris, at No. 19 + Rue de Clichy, where you may as well direct your future + letters. + + We reached Paris about eleven o'clock last night and + took a carriage for 17 Rue de Clichy, but when we got + there, no ringing or pounding could rouse anybody. + Finally, in despair, we remembered a card that had been + handed into the cars by some hotel-runner, and finding + it was of an English and French hotel, we drove there, + and secured very comfortable accommodations. We did not + get to bed until after two o'clock. The next morning I + sent a messenger to find Mme. Borione, and discovered + that we had mistaken the number, and should have gone + to No. 19, which was the next door; so we took a + carriage and soon found ourselves established here, + where we have a nice parlor and two bedrooms. + + There are twenty-one in the family, mostly Americans, + like ourselves, come to learn to speak French. One of + them is a tall, handsome, young English lady, Miss + Durant, who is a sculptress, studying with Baron de + Triqueti. She took me to his studio, and he immediately + remarked that she ought to get me to sit. I said + I would, "only my French lessons." "Oh," said he, + smiling, "we will give you French lessons while you + sit." So I go to-morrow morning. + + As usual, my horrid pictures do me a service, and + people seem relieved when they see me; think me even + handsome "in a manner." Kingsley, in his relief, + expressed as much to his wife, and as beauty has never + been one of my strong points I am open to flattery upon + it. + + We had a most agreeable call from Arthur Helps before + we left London. He, Kingsley, and all the good people + are full of the deepest anxiety for our American + affairs. They really do feel very deeply, seeing the + peril so much plainer than we do in America. + + _Sunday night._ I fear I have delayed your letter too + long. The fact is, that of the ten days I have been + here I have been laid up three with severe neuralgia, + viz., _toothache in the backbone_, and since then have + sat all day to be modeled for my bust. + + We spent the other evening with Baron de Triqueti, + the sculptor. He has an English wife, and a charming + daughter about the age of our girls. Life in Paris is + altogether more simple and natural than in England. + They give you a plate of cake and a cup of tea in the + most informal, social way,--the tea-kettle sings at the + fire, and the son and daughter busy themselves gayly + together making and handing tea. When tea was over, M. + de Triqueti showed us a manuscript copy of the Gospels, + written by his mother, to console herself in a season + of great ill-health, and which he had illustrated all + along with exquisite pen-drawings, resembling the most + perfect line engravings. I can't describe the beauty, + grace, delicacy, and fullness of devotional feeling in + these people. He is one of the loveliest men I ever saw. + + We have already three evenings in the week in which we + can visit and meet friends if we choose, namely, at + Madame Mohl's, Madame Lanziel's, and Madame Belloc's. + All these salons are informal, social gatherings, with + no fuss of refreshments, no nonsense of any kind. Just + the cheeriest, heartiest, kindest little receptions you + ever saw. + + A kiss to dear little Charley. If he could see all the + things that I see every day in the Tuileries and Champs + Elysees, he would go wild. All Paris is a general + whirligig out of doors, but indoors people seem steady, + quiet, and sober as anybody. + + _November 30._ This is Sunday evening, and a Sunday + in Paris always puts me in mind of your story about + somebody who said, "Bless you! they make such a + noise that the Devil couldn't meditate." All the + extra work and odd jobs of life are put into Sunday. + Your washerwoman comes Sunday, with her innocent, + good-humored face, and would be infinitely at a + loss to know why she shouldn't. Your bonnet, cloak, + shoes, and everything are sent home Sunday morning, + and all the way to church there is such whirligiging + and pirouetting along the boulevards as almost takes + one's breath away. To-day we went to the Oratoire to + hear M. Grand Pierre. I could not understand much; my + French ear is not quick enough to follow. I could only + perceive that the subject was "La Charite," and that + the speaker was fluent, graceful, and earnest, the + audience serious and attentive. + + Last night we were at Baron de Triqueti's again, with a + party invited to celebrate the birthday of their eldest + daughter, Blanche, a lovely girl of nineteen. There + were some good ladies there who had come eighty leagues + to meet me, and who were so delighted with my miserable + French that it was quite encouraging. I believe I am + getting over the sandbar at last, and conversation is + beginning to come easy to me. + + There were three French gentlemen who had just been + reading "Dred" in English, and who were as excited + and full of it as could be, and I talked with them to + a degree that astonished myself. There is a review + of "Dred" in the "Revue des Deux Mondes" which has + long extracts from the book, and is written in a very + appreciative and favorable spirit. Generally speaking, + French critics seem to have a finer appreciation of my + subtle shades of meaning than English. I am curious + to hear what Professor Park has to say about it. + There has been another review in "La Presse" equally + favorable. All seem to see the truth about American + slavery much plainer than people can who are in it. If + American ministers and Christians could see through + their sophistical spider-webs, with what wonder, pity, + and contempt they would regard their own vacillating + condition! + + We visit once a week at Madame Mohl's, where we meet + all sorts of agreeable people. Lady Elgin doesn't go + into society now, having been struck with paralysis, + but sits at home and receives her friends as usual. + This notion of sitting always in the open air is one of + her peculiarities. + + I must say, life in Paris is arranged more sensibly + than with us. Visiting involves no trouble in the + feeding line. People don't go to eat. A cup of tea and + plate of biscuit is all,--just enough to break up the + stiffness. + + It is wonderful that the people here do not seem to + have got over "Uncle Tom" a bit. The impression seems + fresh as if just published. How often have they said, + That book has revived the Gospel among the poor of + France; it has done more than all the books we have + published put together. It has gone among the _les + ouvriers_, among the poor of Faubourg St. Antoine, and + nobody knows how many have been led to Christ by it. Is + not this blessed, my dear husband? Is it not worth all + the suffering of writing it? + + I went the other evening to M. Grand Pierre's, where + there were three rooms full of people, all as eager + and loving as ever we met in England or Scotland. Oh, + if Christians in Boston could only see the earnestness + of feeling with which Christians here regard slavery, + and their surprise and horror at the lukewarmness, to + say the least, of our American church! About eleven + o'clock we all joined in singing a hymn, then M. Grand + Pierre made an address, in which I was named in the + most affectionate and cordial manner. Then followed a + beautiful prayer for our country, for America, on which + hang so many of the hopes of Protestantism. One and all + then came up, and there was great shaking of hands and + much effusion. + +Under date of December 28, Mrs. Perkins writes: "On Sunday we went with +Mr. and Mrs. (Jacob) Abbott to the Hotel des Invalides, and I think +I was never more interested and affected. Three or four thousand old +and disabled soldiers have here a beautiful and comfortable home. We +went to the morning service. The church is very large, and the colors +taken in battle are hung on the walls. Some of them are so old as to be +moth-eaten. The service is performed, as near as possible, in imitation +of the service before a battle. The drum beats the call to assemble, +and the common soldiers march up and station themselves in the centre +of the church, under the commander. All the services are regulated by +the beat of the drum. Only one priest officiates, and soldiers are +stationed around to protect him. The music is from a brass band, and is +very magnificent. + +"In the afternoon I went to vespers in the Madeleine, where the music +was exquisite. They have two fine organs at opposite ends of the +church. The 'Adeste Fidelis' was sung by a single voice, accompanied +by the organ, and after every verse it was taken up by male voices +and the other organ and repeated. The effect was wonderfully fine. I +have always found in our small churches at home that the organ was too +powerful and pained my head, but in these large cathedrals the effect +is different. The volume of sound rolls over, full but soft, and I feel +as though it must come from another sphere. + +"In the evening Mr. and Mrs. Bunsen called. He is a son of Chevalier +Bunsen, and she a niece of Elizabeth Fry,--very intelligent and +agreeable people." + +Under date of January 25, Mrs. Stowe writes from Paris:-- + +"Here is a story for Charley. The boys in the Faubourg St. Antoine are +the children of _ouvriers_, and every day their mothers give them two +sous to buy a dinner. When they heard I was coming to the school, of +their own accord they subscribed half their dinner money to give to me +for the poor slaves. This five-franc piece I have now; I have bought it +of the cause for five dollars, and am going to make a hole in it and +hang it round Charley's neck as a medal. + +"I have just completed arrangements for leaving the girls at a +Protestant boarding-school while I go to Rome. + +"We expect to start the 1st of February, and my direction will be, E. +Bartholimeu, 108 Via Margaretta." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +OLD SCENES REVISITED, 1856. + + EN ROUTE TO ROME.--TRIALS OF TRAVEL.--A MIDNIGHT + ARRIVAL AND AN INHOSPITABLE RECEPTION.--GLORIES OF THE + ETERNAL CITY.--NAPLES AND VESUVIUS.--VENICE.--HOLY + WEEK IN ROME.--RETURN TO ENGLAND.--LETTER FROM HARRIET + MARTINEAU ON "DRED."--A WORD FROM MR. PRESCOTT ON + "DRED."--FAREWELL TO LADY BYRON. + + +AFTER leaving Paris Mrs. Stowe and her sister, Mrs. Perkins, traveled +leisurely through the South of France toward Italy, stopping at Amiens, +Lyons, and Marseilles. At this place they took steamer for Genoa, +Leghorn, and Civita Vecchia. During their last night on shipboard they +met with an accident, of which, and their subsequent trials in reaching +Rome, Mrs. Stowe writes as follows:-- + + About eleven o'clock, as I had just tranquilly laid + down in my berth, I was roused by a grating crash, + accompanied by a shock that shook the whole ship, + and followed by the sound of a general rush on deck, + trampling, scuffling, and cries. I rushed to the door + and saw all the gentlemen hurrying on their clothes and + getting confusedly towards the stairway. I went back + to Mary, and we put on our things in silence, and, as + soon as we could, got into the upper saloon. It was an + hour before we could learn anything certainly, except + that we had run into another vessel. The fate of the + Arctic came to us both, but we did not mention it to + each other; indeed, a quieter, more silent company + you would not often see. Had I had any confidence + in the administration of the boat, it would have + been better, but as I had not, I sat in momentary + uncertainty. Had we then known, as we have since, the + fate of a boat recently sunk in the Mediterranean by + a similar carelessness, it would have increased our + fears. By a singular chance an officer, whose wife and + children were lost on board that boat, was on board + ours, and happened to be on the forward part of the + boat when the accident occurred. The captain and mate + were both below; there was nobody looking out, and + had not this officer himself called out to stop the + boat, we should have struck her with such force as to + have sunk us. As it was, we turned aside and the shock + came on a paddle-wheel, which was broken by it, for + when, after two hours' delay, we tried to start and + had gone a little way, there was another crash and the + paddle-wheel fell down. You may be sure we did little + sleeping that night. It was an inexpressible desolation + to think that we might never again see those we loved. + No one knows how much one thinks, and how rapidly, in + such hours. + + In the Naples boat that was sunk a short time ago, the + women perished in a dreadful way. The shock threw the + chimney directly across the egress from below, so that + they could not get on deck, and they were all drowned + in the cabin. + + We went limping along with one broken limb till + the next day about eleven, when we reached Civita + Vecchia, where there were two hours more of delay + about passports. Then we, that is, Mary and I, and a + Dr. Edison from Philadelphia, with his son Alfred, + took a carriage to Rome, but they gave us a miserable + thing that looked as if it had been made soon after + the deluge. About eight o'clock at night, on a lonely + stretch of road, the wheel came off. We got out, and + our postilions stood silently regarding matters. None + of us could speak Italian, they could not speak French; + but the driver at last conveyed the idea that for five + francs he could get a man to come and mend the wheel. + The five francs were promised, and he untackled a horse + and rode off. Mary and I walked up and down the dark, + desolate road, occasionally reminding each other that + we were on classic ground, and laughing at the oddity + of our lonely, starlight promenade. After a while our + driver came back, Tag, Rag, and Bobtail at his heels. + I don't think I can do greater justice to Italian + costumes than by this respectable form of words. + + Then there was another consultation. They put a + bit of rotten timber under to pry the carriage up. + Fortunately, it did not break, as we all expected it + would, till after the wheel was on. Then a new train + of thought was suggested. How was it to be kept on? + Evidently they had not thought far in that direction, + for they had brought neither hammer nor nail, nor tool + of any kind, and therefore they looked first at the + wheel, then at each other, and then at us. The doctor + now produced a little gimlet, with the help of which + the broken fragments of the former linchpin were pushed + out, and the way was cleared for a new one. Then they + began knocking a fence to pieces to get out nails, but + none could be found to fit. At last another ambassador + was sent back for nails. While we were thus waiting, + the diligence, in which many of our ship's company were + jogging on to Rome, came up. They had plenty of room + inside, and one of the party, seeing our distress, + tried hard to make the driver stop, but he doggedly + persisted in going on, and declared if anybody got down + to help us he would leave him behind. + + An interesting little episode here occurred. It was + raining, and Mary and I proposed, as the wheel was now + on, to take our seats. We had no sooner done so than + the horses were taken with a sudden fit of animation + and ran off with us in the most vivacious manner, Tag, + Rag, and Co. shouting in the rear. Some heaps of stone + a little in advance presented an interesting prospect + by way of a terminus. However, the horses were lucidly + captured before the wheel was off again; and our + ambassador being now returned, we were set right and + again proceeded. + + I must not forget to remark that at every post where + we changed horses and drivers, we had a pitched battle + with the driver for more money than we had been told + was the regular rate, and the carriage was surrounded + with a perfect mob of ragged, shock-headed, black-eyed + people, whose words all ended in "ino," and who raved + and ranted at us till finally we paid much more than we + ought, to get rid of them. + + At the gates of Rome the official, after looking at our + passports, coolly told the doctor that if he had a mind + to pay him five francs he could go in without further + disturbance, but if not he would keep the baggage till + morning. This form of statement had the recommendation + of such precision and neatness of expression that we + paid him forthwith, and into Rome we dashed at two + o'clock in the morning of the 9th of February, 1857, in + a drizzling rain. + + We drove to the Hotel d'Angleterre,--it was full,--and + ditto to four or five others, and in the last effort + our refractory wheel came off again, and we all got out + into the street. About a dozen lean, ragged "corbies," + who are called porters and who are always lying in + wait for travelers, pounced upon us. They took down + our baggage in a twinkling, and putting it all into + the street surrounded it, and chattered over it, while + M. and I stood in the rain and received first lessons + in Italian. How we did try to say something! but they + couldn't talk anything but in "ino" as aforesaid. The + doctor finally found a man who could speak a word or + two of French, and leaving Mary, Alfred, and me to keep + watch over our pile of trunks, he went off with him to + apply for lodgings. I have heard many flowery accounts + of first impressions of Rome. I must say ours was + somewhat sombre. + + A young man came by and addressed us in English. How + cheering! We almost flew upon him. We begged him, at + least, to lend us his Italian to call another carriage, + and he did so. A carriage which was passing was luckily + secured, and Mary and I, with all our store of boxes + and little parcels, were placed in it out of the rain, + at least. Here we sat while the doctor from time to + time returned from his wanderings to tell us he could + find no place. "Can it be," said I, "that we are to + be obliged to spend a night in the streets?" What + made it seem more odd was the knowledge that, could + we only find them, we had friends enough in Rome who + would be glad to entertain us. We began to speculate + on lodgings. Who knows what we may get entrapped into? + Alfred suggested stories he had read of beds placed on + trap-doors,--of testers which screwed down on people + and smothered them; and so, when at last the doctor + announced lodgings found, we followed in rather an + uncertain frame of mind. + + We alighted at a dirty stone passage, smelling of cats + and onions, damp, cold, and earthy, we went up stone + stairways, and at last were ushered into two very + decent chambers, where we might lay our heads. The + "corbies" all followed us,--black-haired, black-browed, + ragged, and clamorous as ever. They insisted that we + should pay the pretty little sum of twenty francs, or + four dollars, for bringing our trunks about twenty + steps. The doctor modestly but firmly declined to + be thus imposed upon, and then ensued a general + "chatteration;" one and all fell into attitudes, and + the "inos" and "issimos" rolled freely. "For pity's + sake get them off," we said; so we made a truce for ten + francs, but still they clamored, forced their way even + into our bedroom, and were only repulsed by a loud and + combined volley of "No, no, noes!" which we all set up + at once, upon which they retreated. + + Our hostess was a little French woman, and that + reassured us. I examined the room, and seeing no trace + of treacherous testers, or trap-doors, resolved to + avail myself without fear of the invitation of a very + clean, white bed, where I slept till morning without + dreaming. + + The next day we sent our cards to M. Bartholimeu, and + before we had finished breakfast he was on the spot. + We then learned that he had been watching the diligence + office for over a week, and that he had the pleasant + set of apartments we are now occupying all ready and + waiting for us. + + _March 1._ + + MY DEAR HUSBAND,--Every day is opening to me a new + world of wonders here in Italy. I have been in the + Catacombs, where I was shown many memorials of the + primitive Christians, and to-day we are going to the + Vatican. The weather is sunny and beautiful beyond + measure, and flowers are springing in the fields on + every side. Oh, my dear, how I do long to have you + here to enjoy what you are so much better fitted to + appreciate than I,--this wonderful combination of the + past and the present, of what has been and what is! + + Think of strolling leisurely through the Forum, of + seeing the very stones that were laid in the time of + the Republic, of rambling over the ruined Palace of the + Caesars, of walking under the Arch of Titus, of seeing + the Dying Gladiator, and whole ranges of rooms filled + with wonders of art, all in one morning! All this I + did on Saturday, and only wanted you. You know so much + more and could appreciate so much better. At the Palace + of the Caesars, where the very dust is a _melange_ of + exquisite marbles, I saw for the first time an acanthus + growing, and picked my first leaf. + + Our little _menage_ moves on prosperously; the doctor + takes excellent care of us and we of him. One sees + everybody here at Rome, John Bright, Mrs. Hemans' son, + Mrs. Gaskell, etc., etc. Over five thousand English + travelers are said to be here. Jacob Abbot and wife + are coming. Rome is a world! Rome is an astonishment! + Papal Rome is an enchantress! Old as she is, she is + like Ninon d'Enclos,--the young fall in love with her. + + You will hear next from us at Naples. + + Affectionately yours, + H. B. S. + +From Rome the travelers went to Naples, and after visiting Pompeii and +Herculaneum made the ascent of Vesuvius, a graphic account of which +is contained in a letter written at this time by Mrs. Stowe to her +daughters in Paris. After describing the preparations and start, she +says:-- + +"Gradually the ascent became steeper and steeper, till at length it +was all our horses could do to pull us up. The treatment of horses in +Naples is a thing that takes away much from the pleasure and comfort of +such travelers as have the least feeling for animals. The people seem +absolutely to have no consideration for them. You often see vehicles +drawn by one horse carrying fourteen or fifteen great, stout men and +women. This is the worse as the streets are paved with flat stones +which are exceedingly slippery. On going up hill the drivers invariably +race their horses, urging them on with a constant storm of blows. + +"As the ascent of the mountain became steeper, the horses panted and +trembled in a way that made us feel that we could not sit in the +carriage, yet the guide and driver never made the slightest motion to +leave the box. At last three of us got out and walked, and invited +our guide to do the same, yet with all this relief the last part of +the ascent was terrible, and the rascally fellows actually forced the +horses to it by beating them with long poles on the back of their +legs. No Englishman or American would ever allow a horse to be treated +so. + +"The Hermitage is a small cabin, where one can buy a little wine or +any other refreshment one may need. There is a species of wine made of +the grapes of Vesuvius, called 'Lachryma Christi,' that has a great +reputation. Here was a miscellaneous collection of beggars, ragged +boys, men playing guitars, bawling donkey drivers, and people wanting +to sell sticks or minerals, the former to assist in the ascent, and the +latter as specimens of the place. In the midst of the commotion we were +placed on our donkeys, and the serious, pensive brutes moved away. At +last we reached the top of the mountain, and I gladly sprang on firm +land. The whole top of the mountain was covered with wavering wreaths +of smoke, from the shadows of which emerged two English gentlemen, +who congratulated us on our safe arrival, and assured us that we were +fortunate in our day, as the mountain was very active. We could hear +a hollow, roaring sound, like the burning of a great furnace, but saw +nothing. 'Is this all?' I said. 'Oh, no. Wait till the guide comes up +with the rest of the party,' and soon one after another came up, and we +then followed the guide up a cloudy, rocky path, the noise of the fire +constantly becoming nearer. Finally we stood on the verge of a vast, +circular pit about forty feet deep, the floor of which is of black, +ropy waves of congealed lava. + +"The sides are sulphur cliffs, stained in every brilliant shade, from +lightest yellow to deepest orange and brown. In the midst of the lava +floor rises a black cone, the chimney of the great furnace. This was +burning and flaming like the furnace of a glass-house, and every few +moments throwing up showers of cinders and melted lava which fell with +a rattling sound on the black floor of the pit. One small bit of the +lava came over and fell at our feet, and a gentleman lighted his cigar +at it. + +"All around where we stood the smoke was issuing from every chance rent +and fissure of the rock, and the Neapolitans who crowded round us were +every moment soliciting us to let them cook us an egg in one of these +rifts, and, overcome by persuasion, I did so, and found it very nicely +boiled, or rather steamed, though the shell tasted of Glauber's salt +and sulphur. + +"The whole place recalled to my mind so vividly Milton's description of +the infernal regions, that I could not but believe that he had drawn +the imagery from this source. Milton, as we all know, was some time in +Italy, and, although I do not recollect any account of his visiting +Vesuvius, I cannot think how he should have shaped his language so +coincidently to the phenomena if he had not. + +"On the way down the mountain our ladies astonished the natives +by making an express stipulation that our donkeys were not to be +beaten,--why, they could not conjecture. The idea of any feeling of +compassion for an animal is so foreign to a Neapolitan's thoughts that +they supposed it must be some want of courage on our part. When, once +in a while, the old habit so prevailed that the boy felt that he must +strike the donkey, and when I forbade him, he would say, 'Courage, +signora, courage.' + +"Time would fail me to tell the whole of our adventures in Southern +Italy. We left it with regret, and I will tell you some time by word of +mouth what else we saw. + +"We went by water from Naples to Leghorn, and were gloriously seasick, +all of us. From Leghorn we went to Florence, where we abode two weeks +nearly. Two days ago we left Florence and started for Venice, stopping +one day and two nights _en route_ at Bologna. Here we saw the great +university, now used as a library, the walls of which are literally +covered with the emblazoned names and coats of arms of distinguished +men who were educated there. + +"_Venice._ The great trouble of traveling in Europe, or indeed +of traveling anywhere, is that you can never _catch_ romance. No +sooner are you in any place than being there seems the most natural, +matter-of-fact occurrence in the world. Nothing looks foreign or +strange to you. You take your tea and your dinner, eat, drink, and +sleep as aforetime, and scarcely realize where you are or what you are +seeing. But Venice is an exception to this state of things; it is all +romance from beginning to end, and never ceases to seem strange and +picturesque. + +"It was a rainy evening when our cars rumbled over the long railroad +bridge across the lagoon that leads to the station. Nothing but flat, +dreary swamps, and then the wide expanse of sea on either side. The +cars stopped, and the train, being a long one, left us a little out +of the station. We got out in a driving rain, in company with flocks +of Austrian soldiers, with whom the third-class cars were filled. We +went through a long passage, and emerged into a room where all nations +seemed commingling; Italians, Germans, French, Austrians, Orientals, +all in wet weather trim. + +"Soon, however, the news was brought that our baggage was looked out +and our gondolas ready. + +"The first plunge under the low, black hood of a gondola, especially of +a rainy night, has something funereal in it. Four of us sat cowering +together, and looked, out of the rain-dropped little windows at the +sides, at the scene. Gondolas of all sizes were gliding up and down, +with their sharp, fishy-looking prows of steel pushing their ways +silently among each other, while gondoliers shouted and jabbered, and +made as much confusion in their way as terrestrial hackmen on dry land. +Soon, however, trunks and carpet-bags being adjusted, we pushed off, +and went gliding away up the Grand Canal, with a motion so calm that +we could scarce discern it except by the moving of objects on shore. +Venice, _la belle_, appeared to as much disadvantage as a beautiful +woman bedraggled in a thunder-storm." + +"_Lake Como._ We stayed in Venice five days, and during that time saw +all the sights that it could enter the head of a _valet-de-place_ to +afflict us with. It is an affliction, however, for which there is no +remedy, because you want to see the things, and would be very sorry if +you went home without having done so. From Venice we went to Milan to +see the cathedral and Leonardo da Vinci's 'Last Supper.' The former is +superb, and of the latter I am convinced, from the little that remains +of it, that it _was_ the greatest picture the world ever saw. We shall +run back to Rome for Holy Week, and then to Paris. + +"_Rome._ From Lake Como we came back here for Holy Week, and now it is +over. + +"'What do you think of it?' + +"Certainly no thoughtful or sensitive person, no person impressible +either through the senses or the religious feelings, can fail to feel +it deeply. + +"In the first place, the mere fact of the different nations of +the earth moving, so many of them, with one accord, to so old and +venerable a city, to celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus, is +something in itself affecting. Whatever dispute there may be about the +other commemorative feasts of Christendom, the time of this epoch is +fixed unerringly by the Jews' Passover. That great and solemn feast, +therefore, stands as an historical monument to mark the date of the +most important and thrilling events which this world ever witnessed. + +"When one sees the city filling with strangers, pilgrims arriving on +foot, the very shops decorating themselves in expectancy, every church +arranging its services, the prices even of temporal matters raised by +the crowd and its demands, he naturally thinks, Wherefore, why is all +this? and he must be very careless indeed if it do not bring to mind, +in a more real way than before, that at this very time, so many years +ago, Christ and his apostles were living actors in the scenes thus +celebrated to-day." + +As the spring was now well advanced, it was deemed advisable to bring +this pleasant journey to a close, and for Mrs. Stowe at least it was +imperative that she return to America. Therefore, leaving Rome with +many regrets and lingering, backward glances, the two sisters hurried +to Paris, where they found their brother-in-law, Mr. John Hooker, +awaiting them. Under date of May 3 Mrs. Stowe writes from Paris to her +husband: "Here I am once more, safe in Paris after a fatiguing journey. +I found the girls well, and greatly improved in their studies. As to +bringing them home with me now, I have come to the conclusion that it +would not be expedient. A few months more of study here will do them +a world of good. I have, therefore, arranged that they shall come in +November in the Arago, with a party of friends who are going at that +time. + +"John Hooker is here, so Mary is going with him and some others for a +few weeks into Switzerland. I have some business affairs to settle in +England, and shall sail from Liverpool in the Europa on the sixth of +June. I am _so_ homesick to-day, and long with a great longing to be +with you once more. I am impatient to go, and yet dread the voyage. +Still, to reach you I must commit myself once more to the ocean, of +which at times I have a nervous horror, as to the arms of my Father. +'The sea is his, and He made it.' It is a rude, noisy old servant, but +it is always obedient to his will, and cannot carry me beyond his power +and love, wherever or to whatever it bears me." + +Having established her daughters in a Protestant boarding-school in +Paris, Mrs. Stowe proceeded to London. While there she received the +following letter from Harriet Martineau:-- + + AMBLESIDE, _June 1._ + + DEAR MRS. STOWE,--I have been at my wits' end to learn + how to reach you, as your note bore no direction but + "London." Arnolds, Croppers, and others could give no + light, and the newspapers tell only where you _had_ + been. So I commit this to your publishers, trusting + that it will find you somewhere, and in time, perhaps, + bring you here. _Can't_ you come? You are aware that + we shall never meet if you don't come soon. I see + no strangers at all, but I hope to have breath and + strength enough for a little talk with you, if you + could come. You could have perfect freedom at the times + when I am laid up, and we could seize my "capability + seasons" for our talk. + + The weather and scenery are usually splendid just now. + Did I see you (in white frock and black silk apron) + when I was in Ohio in 1835? Your sister I knew well, + and I have a clear recollection of your father. I + believe and hope you were the young lady in the black + silk apron. + + Do you know I rather dreaded reading your book! Sick + people _are_ weak: and one of my chief weaknesses is + dislike of novels,--(except some old ones which I + almost know by heart). I knew that with you I should be + safe from the cobweb-spinning of our modern subjective + novelists and the jaunty vulgarity of our "funny + philosophers"--the Dickens sort, who have tired us + out. But I dreaded the alternative,--the too strong + interest. But oh! the delight I have had in "Dred!" The + genius carries all before it, and drowns everything in + glorious pleasure. So marked a work of genius claims + exemption from every sort of comparison; but, _as you + ask for my opinion of the book_, you may like to know + that I think it far superior to "Uncle Tom." I have + no doubt that a multitude of people will say it is a + falling off, because they made up their minds that + any new book of yours must be inferior to that, and + because it is so rare a thing for a prodigious fame to + be sustained by a second book; but, in my own mind I + am entirely convinced that the second book is by far + the best. Such faults as you have are in the artistic + department, and there is less defect in "Dred" than + in "Uncle Tom," and the whole material and treatment + seem to me richer and more substantial. I have had + critiques of "Dred" from the two very wisest people + I know--perfectly unlike each other (the critics, I + mean), and they delight me by thinking exactly like + each other and like me. They distinctly prefer it to + "Uncle Tom." To say the plain truth, it seems to me so + splendid a work of genius that nothing that I can say + can give you an idea of the intensity of admiration + with which I read it. It seemed to me, as I told my + nieces, that our English fiction writers had better + shut up altogether and have done with it, for one will + have no patience with any but didactic writing after + yours. My nieces (and you may have heard that Maria, my + nurse, is very, very clever) are thoroughly possessed + with the book, and Maria says she feels as if a fresh + department of human life had been opened to her since + this day week. I feel the freshness no less, while, + from my travels, I can be even more assured of the + truthfulness of your wonderful representation. I see + no limit to the good it may do by suddenly splitting + open Southern life, for everybody to look into. It + is precisely the thing that is most wanted,--just as + "Uncle Tom" was wanted, three years since, to show + what negro slavery in your republic was like. It is + plantation-life, particularly in the present case, + that I mean. As for your exposure of the weakness and + helplessness of the churches, I deeply honor you for + the courage with which you have made the exposure; but + I don't suppose that any amendment is to be looked for + in that direction. You have unburdened your own soul in + that matter, and if they had been corrigible, you would + have helped a good many more. But I don't expect that + result. The Southern railing at you will be something + unequaled, I suppose. I hear that three of us have + the honor of being abused from day to day already, as + most portentous and shocking women, you, Mrs. Chapman, + and myself (as the traveler of twenty years ago). Not + only newspapers, but pamphlets of such denunciation + are circulated, I'm told. I'm afraid now I, and even + Mrs. Chapman, must lose our fame, and all the railing + will be engrossed by you. My little function is to keep + English people tolerably right, by means of a London + daily paper, while the danger of misinformation and + misreading from the "Times" continues. I can't conceive + how such a paper as the "Times" can fail to be _better + informed_ than it is. At times it seems as if its New + York correspondent was making game of it. The able and + excellent editor of the "Daily News" gives me complete + liberty on American subjects, and Mrs. Chapman's and + other friends' constant supply of information enables + me to use this liberty for making the cause better + understood. I hope I shall hear that you are coming. + It is like a great impertinence--my having written so + freely about your book: but you asked my opinion,--that + is all I can say. Thank you much for sending the book + to me. If you come you will write our names in it, and + this will make it a valuable legacy to a nephew or + niece. + + Believe me gratefully and affectionately yours, + + HARRIET MARTINEAU. + +In London Mrs. Stowe also received the following letter from Prescott, +the historian, which after long wandering had finally rested quietly at +her English publishers awaiting her coming. + + PEPPERELL, _October 4, 1856._ + + MY DEAR MRS. STOWE,--I am much obliged to you for the + copy of "Dred" which Mr. Phillips put into my hands. It + has furnished us our evening's amusement since we have + been in the country, where we spend the brilliant month + of October. + + The African race are much indebted to you for + showing up the good sides of their characters, their + cheerfulness, and especially their powers of humor, + which are admirably set off by their peculiar _patois_, + in the same manner as the expression of the Scottish + sentiment is by the peculiar Scottish dialect. People + differ; but I was most struck among your characters + with Uncle Tiff and Nina. The former a variation of + good old Uncle Tom, though conceived in a merrier vein + than belonged to that sedate personage; the difference + of their tempers in this respect being well suited to + the difference of the circumstances in which they were + placed. But Nina, to my mind, is the true _hero_ of the + book, which I should have named after her instead of + "Dred." She is indeed a charming conception, full of + what is called character, and what is masculine in her + nature is toned down by such a delightful sweetness + and kindness of disposition as makes her perfectly + fascinating. I cannot forgive you for smothering her + so prematurely. No _dramatis personae_ could afford the + loss of such a character. But I will not bore you with + criticism, of which you have had quite enough. I must + thank you, however, for giving Tom Gordon a guttapercha + cane to perform his flagellations with. + + I congratulate you on the brilliant success of the + work, unexampled even in this age of authorship; and, + as Mr. Phillips informs me, greater even in the old + country than in ours. I am glad you are likely to + settle the question and show that a Yankee writer can + get a copyright in England--little thanks to our own + government, which compels him to go there in order to + get it. + + With sincere regard, believe me, dear Mrs. Stowe, + + Very truly yours, + WM. H. PRESCOTT. + +From Liverpool, on the eve of her departure for America, Mrs. Stowe +wrote to her daughters in Paris:-- + + I spent the day before leaving London with Lady Byron. + She is lovelier than ever, and inquired kindly about + you both. I left London to go to Manchester, and + reaching there found the Rev. Mr. Gaskell waiting to + welcome me in the station. Mrs. Gaskell seems lovely + at home, where besides being a writer she proves + herself to be a first-class housekeeper, and performs + all the duties of a minister's wife. After spending a + delightful day with her I came here to the beautiful + "Dingle," which is more enchanting than ever. I am + staying with Mrs. Edward Cropper, Lord Denman's + daughter. + + I want you to tell Aunt Mary that Mr. Ruskin lives with + his father at a place called Denmark Hill, Camberwell. + He has told me that the gallery of Turner pictures + there is open to me or my friends at any time of the + day or night. Both young and old Mr. Ruskin are fine + fellows, sociable and hearty, and will cordially + welcome any of my friends who desire to look at their + pictures. + + I write in haste, as I must be aboard the ship + to-morrow at eight o'clock. So good-by, my dear girls, + from your ever affectionate mother. + +Her last letter written before sailing was to Lady Byron, and serves +to show how warm an intimacy had sprung up between them. It was as +follows:-- + + _June 5, 1857._ + + DEAR FRIEND,--I left you with a strange sort of + yearning, throbbing feeling--you make me feel quite + as I did years ago, a sort of girlishness quite odd + for me. I have felt a strange longing to send you + something. Don't smile when you see what it turns out + to be. I have a weakness for your pretty Parian things; + it is one of my own home peculiarities to have strong + passions for pretty tea-cups and other little matters + for my own quiet meals, when, as often happens, I am + too unwell to join the family. So I send you a cup + made of primroses, a funny little pitcher, quite large + enough for cream, and a little vase for violets and + primroses--which will be lovely together--and when you + use it think of me and that I love you more than I can + say. + + I often think how strange it is that I should _know_ + you--you who were a sort of legend of my early + days--that I should love you is only a natural result. + You seem to me to stand on the confines of that land + where the poor formalities which separate hearts here + pass like mist before the sun, and therefore it is + that I feel the language of love must not startle you + as strange or unfamiliar. You are so nearly there in + spirit that I fear with every adieu that it may be the + last; yet did you pass within the veil I should not + feel you lost. + + I have got past the time when I feel that my heavenly + friends are _lost_ by going there. I feel them + _nearer_, rather than farther off. + + So good-by, dear, dear friend, and if you see morning + in our Father's house before I do, carry my love to + those that wait for me, and if I pass first, you will + find me there, and we shall love each other _forever_. + + Ever yours, + H. B. STOWE. + +The homeward voyage proved a prosperous one, and it was followed by a +joyous welcome to the "Cabin" in Andover. The world seemed very bright, +and amid all her happiness came no intimation of the terrible blow +about to descend upon the head of the devoted mother. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +THE MINISTER'S WOOING, 1857-1859. + + DEATH OF MRS. STOWE'S OLDEST SON.--LETTER TO THE + DUCHESS OF SUTHERLAND.--LETTER TO HER DAUGHTERS IN + PARIS.--LETTER TO HER SISTER CATHERINE.--VISIT TO + BRUNSWICK AND ORR'S ISLAND.--WRITES "THE MINISTER'S + WOOING" AND "THE PEARL OF ORR'S ISLAND."--MR. + WHITTIER'S COMMENTS.--MR. LOWELL ON THE "MINISTER'S + WOOING."--LETTER TO MRS. STOWE FROM MR. LOWELL.--JOHN + RUSKIN ON THE "MINISTER'S WOOING."--A YEAR OF + SADNESS.--LETTER TO LADY BYRON.--LETTER TO HER + DAUGHTER.--DEPARTURE FOR EUROPE. + + +IMMEDIATELY after Mrs. Stowe's return from England in June, 1857, a +crushing sorrow came upon her in the death of her oldest son, Henry +Ellis, who was drowned while bathing in the Connecticut River at +Hanover, N. H., where he was pursuing his studies as a member of the +Freshman class in Dartmouth College. This melancholy event took place +the 9th of July, 1857, and the 3d of August Mrs. Stowe wrote to the +Duchess of Sutherland:-- + + DEAR FRIEND,--Before this reaches you you will have + perhaps learned from other sources of the sad blow + which has fallen upon us,--our darling, our good, + beautiful boy, snatched away in the moment of health + and happiness. Alas! could I know that when I parted + from my Henry on English shores that I should never + see him more? I returned to my home, and, amid the + jubilee of meeting the rest, was fain to be satisfied + with only a letter from him, saying that his college + examinations were coming on, and he must defer seeing + me a week or two till they were over. I thought then + of taking his younger brother and going up to visit + him; but the health of the latter seeming unfavorably + affected by the seacoast air, I turned back with him + to a water-cure establishment. Before I had been two + weeks absent a fatal telegram hurried me home, and when + I arrived there it was to find the house filled with + his weeping classmates, who had just come bringing his + remains. There he lay so calm, so placid, so peaceful, + that I could not believe that he would not smile upon + me, and that my voice which always had such power over + him could not recall him. There had always been such + a peculiar union, such a tenderness between us. I had + had such power always to call up answering feelings + to my own, that it seemed impossible that he could be + silent and unmoved at my grief. But yet, dear friend, + I am sensible that in this last sad scene I had an + alleviation that was not granted to you. I recollect, + in the mournful letter you wrote me about that time, + you said that you mourned that you had never told your + own dear one how much you loved him. That sentence + touched me at the time. I laid it to heart, and from + that time lost no occasion of expressing to my children + those feelings that we too often defer to express to + our dearest friends till it is forever too late. + + He did fully know how I loved him, and some of the last + loving words he spoke were of me. The very day that he + was taken from us, and when he was just rising from + the table of his boarding-house to go whence he never + returned, some one noticed the seal ring, which you + may remember to have seen on his finger, and said, How + beautiful that ring is! Yes, he said, and best of all, + it was my mother's gift to me. That ring, taken from + the lifeless hand a few hours later, was sent to me. + Singularly enough, it is broken right across the name + from a fall a little time previous.... + + It is a great comfort to me, dear friend, that I took + Henry with me to Dunrobin. I hesitated about keeping + him so long from his studies, but still I thought a + mind so observing and appreciative might learn from + such a tour more than through books, and so it was. + He returned from England full of high resolves and + manly purposes. "I may not be what the world calls a + Christian," he wrote, "but I will live such a life as + a Christian ought to live, such a life as every true + man ought to live." Henceforth he became remarkable for + a strict order and energy, and a vigilant temperance + and care of his bodily health, docility and deference + to his parents and teachers, and perseverance in every + duty.... Well, from the hard battle of this life he + is excused, and the will is taken for the deed, and + whatever comes his heart will not be pierced as mine + is. But I am glad that I can connect him with all my + choicest remembrances of the Old World. + + Dunrobin will always be dearer to me now, and I have + felt towards you and the duke a turning of spirit, + because I remember how kindly you always looked on and + spoke to him. I knew then it was the angel of your lost + one that stirred your hearts with tenderness when you + looked on another so near his age. The plaid that the + duke gave him, and which he valued as one of the chief + of his boyish treasures, will hang in his room--for + still we have a room that we call his. + + [Illustration: Aunty Sutherland] + + You will understand, you will feel, this sorrow with us + as few can. My poor husband is much prostrated. I need + not say more: you know what this must be to a father's + heart. But still I repeat what I said when I saw you + last. Our dead are ministering angels; they teach us + to love, they fill us with tenderness for all that can + suffer. These weary hours when sorrow makes us for + the time blind and deaf and dumb, have their promise. + These hours come in answer to our prayers for nearness + to God. It is always our treasure that the lightning + strikes.... I have poured out my heart to you because + you can understand. While I was visiting in Hanover, + where Henry died, a poor, deaf old slave woman, who + has still five children in bondage, came to comfort + me. "Bear up, dear soul, she said; you must bear it, + for the Lord loves ye." She said further, "Sunday is a + heavy day to me, 'cause I can't work, and can't hear + preaching, and can't read, so I can't keep my mind off + my poor children. Some on 'em the blessed Master's got, + and they's safe; but, oh, there are five that I don't + know where they are." + + What are our mother sorrows to this! I shall try to + search out and redeem these children, though, from the + ill success of efforts already made, I fear it will + be hopeless. Every sorrow I have, every lesson on the + sacredness of family love, makes me the more determined + to resist to the last this dreadful evil that makes so + many mothers so much deeper mourners than I ever can + be.... + + Affectionately yours, + H. B. STOWE. + +About this same time she writes to her daughters in Paris: "Can +anybody tell what sorrows are locked up with our best affections, or +what pain may be associated with every pleasure? As I walk the house, +the pictures he used to love, the presents I brought him, and the +photographs I meant to show him, all pierce my heart. I have had a +dreadful faintness of sorrow come over me at times. I have felt so +crushed, so bleeding, so helpless, that I could only call on my Saviour +with groanings that could not be uttered. Your papa justly said, +'Every child that dies is for the time being an only one; yes--his +individuality no time, no change, can ever replace.' + +"Two days after the funeral your father and I went to Hanover. We saw +Henry's friends, and his room, which was just as it was the day he left +it. + +"'There is not another such room in the college as his,' said one of +his classmates with tears. I could not help loving the dear boys as +they would come and look sadly in, and tell us one thing and another +that they remembered of him. 'He was always talking of his home and his +sisters,' said one. The very day he died he was so happy because I had +returned, and he was expecting soon to go home and meet me. He died +with that dear thought in his heart. + +"There was a beautiful lane leading down through a charming glen to +the river. It had been for years the bathing-place of the students, +and into the pure, clear water he plunged, little dreaming that he was +never to come out alive. + +"In the evening we went down to see the boating club of which he was +a member. He was so happy in this boating club. They had a beautiful +boat called the Una, and a uniform, and he enjoyed it so much. + +"This evening all the different crews were out; but Henry's had their +flag furled, and tied with black crape. I felt such love to the dear +boys, all of them, because they loved Henry, that it did not pain me as +it otherwise would. They were glad to see us there, and I was glad that +we could be there. Yet right above where their boats were gliding in +the evening light lay the bend in the river, clear, still, beautiful, +fringed with overhanging pines, from whence our boy went upward to +heaven. To heaven--if earnest, manly purpose, if sincere, deliberate +strife with besetting sin is accepted of God, as I firmly believe it +is. Our dear boy was but a beginner in the right way. Had he lived, we +had hoped to see all wrong gradually fall from his soul as the worn-out +calyx drops from the perfected flower. But Christ has taken him into +his own teaching. + + "'And one view of Jesus as He is, + Will strike all sin forever dead.' + +"Since I wrote to you last we have had anniversary meetings, and with +all the usual bustle and care, our house full of company. Tuesday we +received a beautiful portrait of our dear Henry, life-size, and as +perfect almost as life. It has just that half-roguish, half-loving +expression with which he would look at me sometimes, when I would come +and brush back his hair and look into his eyes. Every time I go in or +out of the room, it seems to give so bright a smile that I almost think +that a spirit dwells within it. + +"When I am so heavy, so weary, and go about as if I were wearing an +arrow that had pierced my heart, I sometimes look up, and this smile +seems to say, 'Mother, patience, I am happy. In our Father's house are +many mansions.' Sometimes I think I am like a gardener who has planted +the seed of some rare exotic. He watches as the two little points of +green leaf first spring above the soil. He shifts it from soil to +soil, from pot to pot. He watches it, waters it, saves it through +thousands of mischiefs and accidents. He counts every leaf, and marks +the strengthening of the stem, till at last the blossom bud was fully +formed. What curiosity, what eagerness,--what expectation--what longing +now to see the mystery unfold in the new flower. + +"Just as the calyx begins to divide and a faint streak of color becomes +visible,--lo! in one night the owner of the greenhouse sends and takes +it away. He does, not consult me, he gives me no warning; he silently +takes it and I look, but it is no more. What, then? Do I suppose he has +destroyed the flower? Far from it; I know that he has taken it to his +own garden. What Henry might have been I could guess better than any +one. What Henry is, is known to Jesus only." + +Shortly after this time Mrs. Stowe wrote to her sister Catherine:-- + + If ever I was conscious of an attack of the Devil + trying to separate me from the love of Christ, it was + for some days after the terrible news came. I was in a + state of great physical weakness, most agonizing, and + unable to control my thoughts. Distressing doubts as + to Henry's spiritual state were rudely thrust upon my + soul. It was as if a voice had said to me: "You trusted + in God, did you? You believed that He loved you! You + had perfect confidence that he would never take your + child till the work of grace was mature! Now He has + hurried him into eternity without a moment's warning, + without preparation, and where is he?" + + I saw at last that these thoughts were irrational, and + contradicted the calm, settled belief of my better + moments, and that they were dishonorable to God, and + that it was my duty to resist them, and to assume and + steadily maintain that Jesus in love had taken my dear + one to his bosom. Since then the Enemy has left me in + peace. + + It is our duty to assume that a thing which would be + in its very nature unkind, ungenerous, and unfair has + not been done. What should we think of the crime of + that human being who should take a young mind from + circumstances where it was progressing in virtue, and + throw it recklessly into corrupting and depraving + society? Particularly if it were the child of one who + had trusted and confided in Him for years. No! no such + slander as this shall the Devil ever fix in my mind + against my Lord and my God! He who made me capable of + such an absorbing, unselfish devotion for my children, + so that I would sacrifice my eternal salvation for + them, He certainly did not make me capable of more + love, more disinterestedness than He has himself. He + invented mothers' hearts, and He certainly has the + pattern in his own, and my poor, weak rush-light of + love is enough to show me that some things can and some + things cannot be done. Mr. Stowe said in his sermon + last Sunday that the mysteries of God's ways with us + must be swallowed up by the greater mystery of the love + of Christ, even as Aaron's rod swallowed up the rods of + the magicians. + + Papa and mamma are here, and we have been reading over + the "Autobiography and Correspondence." It is glorious, + beautiful; but more of this anon. + + Your affectionate sister, + HATTIE. + + ANDOVER, _August 24, 1857._ + + DEAR CHILDREN,--Since anniversary papa and I have been + living at home; Grandpa and Grandma Beecher are here + also, and we have had much comfort in their society.... + To-night the last sad duty is before us. The body is + to be removed from the receiving tomb in the Old South + Churchyard, and laid in the graveyard near by. Pearson + has been at work for a week on a lot that is to be + thenceforth ours. + + "Our just inheritance consecrated by his grave." + + How little he thought, wandering there as he often has + with us, that his mortal form would so soon be resting + there. Yet that was written for him. It was as certain + then as now, and the hour and place of our death is + equally certain, though we know it not. + + It seems selfish that I should yearn to lie down by his + side, but I never knew how much I loved him till now. + + The one lost piece of silver seems more than all the + rest,--the one lost sheep dearer than all the fold, and + I so long for one word, one look, one last embrace.... + + ANDOVER, _September 1, 1857._ + + MY DARLING CHILDREN,--I must not allow a week to pass + without sending a line to you.... Our home never looked + lovelier. I never saw Andover look so beautiful; the + trees so green, the foliage so rich. Papa and I are + just starting to spend a week in Brunswick, for I am so + miserable;--so weak--the least exertion fatigues me, + and much of my time I feel a heavy languor, indifferent + to everything. I know nothing is so likely to bring + me up as the air of the seaside.... I have set many + flowers around Henry's grave, which are blossoming; + pansies, white immortelle, white petunia, and verbenas. + Papa walks there every day, often twice or three times. + The lot has been rolled and planted with fine grass, + which is already up and looks green and soft as velvet, + and the little birds gather about it. To-night as I + sat there the sky was so beautiful, all rosy, with the + silver moon looking out of it. Papa said with a deep + sigh, "I am submissive, but not reconciled." + + BRUNSWICK, _September 6, 1857._ + + MY DEAR GIRLS,--Papa and I have been here for four + or five days past. We both of us felt so unwell that + we thought we would try the sea air and the dear old + scenes of Brunswick. Everything here is just as we + left it. We are staying with Mrs. Upham, whose house + is as wide, cool, and hospitable as ever. The trees + in the yard have grown finely, and Mrs. Upham has + cultivated flowers so successfully that the house is + all surrounded by them. Everything about the town is + the same, even to Miss Gidding's old shop, which is + as disorderly as ever, presenting the same medley of + tracts, sewing-silk, darning-cotton, and unimaginable + old bonnets, which existed there of yore. She has been + heard to complain that she can't find things as easily + as once. Day before yesterday papa, Charley, and I went + down to Harpswell about seven o'clock in the morning. + The old spruces and firs look lovely as ever, and I was + delighted, as I always used to be, with every step of + the way. Old Getchell's mill stands as forlorn as ever + in its sandy wastes, and More Brook creeps on glassy + and clear beyond. Arriving at Harpswell a glorious hot + day, with scarce a breeze to ruffle the water, papa + and Charley went to fish for cunners, who soon proved + too _cun_ning for them, for they ate every morsel of + bait off the hooks, so that out of twenty bites they + only secured two or three. What they did get were fried + for our dinner, reinforced by a fine clam-chowder. The + evening was one of the most glorious I ever saw--a + calm sea and round, full moon; Mrs. Upham and I sat + out on the rocks between the mainland and the island + until ten o'clock. I never did see a more perfect and + glorious scene, and to add to it there was a splendid + northern light dancing like spirits in the sky. Had it + not been for a terrible attack of mosquitoes in our + sleeping-rooms, that kept us up and fighting all night, + we should have called it a perfect success. + + We went into the sea to bathe twice, once the day we + came, and about eight o'clock in the morning before we + went back. Besides this we have been to Middle Bay, + where Charley, standing where you all stood before him, + actually caught a flounder with his own hand, whereat + he screamed loud enough to scare all the folks on Eagle + Island. We have also been to Maquoit. We have visited + the old pond, and, if I mistake not, the relics of your + old raft yet float there; at all events, one or two + fragments of a raft are there, caught among rushes. + + I do not realize that one of the busiest and happiest + of the train who once played there shall play there no + more. "He shall return to his house no more, neither + shall his place know him any more." I think I have felt + the healing touch of Jesus of Nazareth on the deep + wound in my heart, for I have golden hours of calm + when I say: "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in + thy sight." So sure am I that the most generous love + has ordered all, that I can now take pleasure to give + this little proof of my unquestioning confidence in + resigning one of my dearest comforts to Him. I feel + very near the spirit land, and the words, "I shall go + to him, but he shall not return to me," are very sweet. + + Oh, if God would give to you, my dear children, a view + of the infinite beauty of Eternal Love,--if He would + unite us in himself, then even on earth all tears might + be wiped away. + + Papa has preached twice to-day, and is preaching again + to-night. He told me to be sure to write and send you + his love. I hope his health is getting better. Mrs. + Upham sends you her best love, and hopes you will make + her a visit some time. + + Good-by, my darlings. Come soon to your affectionate + mother. + + H. B. S. + +The winter of 1857 was passed quietly and uneventfully at Andover. In +November Mrs. Stowe contributed to the "Atlantic Monthly" a touching +little allegory, "The Mourning Veil." + +In December, 1858, the first chapter of "The Minister's Wooing" +appeared in the same magazine. Simultaneously with this story was +written "The Pearl of Orr's Island," published first as a serial in +the "Independent." + +She dictated a large part of "The Minister's Wooing" under a great +pressure of mental excitement, and it was a relief to her to turn to +the quiet story of the coast of Maine, which she loved so well. + +In February, 1874, Mrs. Stowe received the following words from Mr. +Whittier, which are very interesting in this connection: "When I am in +the mood for thinking deeply I read 'The Minister's Wooing.' But 'The +Pearl of Orr's Island' is my favorite. It is the most charming New +England idyl ever written." + +"The Minister's Wooing" was received with universal commendation from +the first, and called forth the following appreciative words from the +pen of Mr. James Russell Lowell:-- + +"It has always seemed to us that the anti-slavery element in the two +former novels by Mrs. Stowe stood in the way of a full appreciation of +her remarkable genius, at least in her own country. It was so easy to +account for the unexampled popularity of 'Uncle Tom' by attributing it +to a cheap sympathy with sentimental philanthropy! As people began to +recover from the first enchantment, they began also to resent it and +to complain that a dose of that insane Garrison-root which takes the +reason prisoner had been palmed upon them without their knowing it, +and that their ordinary water-gruel of fiction, thinned with sentiment +and thickened with moral, had been hocussed with the bewildering +hasheesh of Abolition. We had the advantage of reading that truly +extraordinary book for the first time in Paris, long after the whirl of +excitement produced by its publication had subsided, in the seclusion +of distance, and with a judgment unbiased by those political sympathies +which it is impossible, perhaps unwise, to avoid at home. We felt then, +and we believe now, that the secret of Mrs. Stowe's power lay in that +same genius by which the great successes in creative literature have +always been achieved,--the genius that instinctively goes right to +the organic elements of human nature, whether under a white skin or a +black, and which disregards as trivial the conventional and factitious +notions which make so large a part both of our thinking and feeling. +Works of imagination written with an aim to immediate impression are +commonly ephemeral, like Miss Martineau's 'Tales,' and Elliott's +'Corn-law Rhymes;' but the creative faculty of Mrs. Stowe, like that +of Cervantes in 'Don Quixote' and of Fielding in 'Joseph Andrews,' +overpowered the narrow specialty of her design, and expanded a local +and temporary theme with the cosmopolitanism of genius. + +"It is a proverb that 'There is a great deal of human nature in men,' +but it is equally and sadly true that there is amazingly little of it +in books. Fielding is the only English novelist who deals with life in +its broadest sense. Thackeray, his disciple and congener, and Dickens, +the congener of Smollett, do not so much treat of life as of the strata +of society; the one studying nature from the club-room window, the +other from the reporters' box in the police court. It may be that the +general obliteration of distinctions of rank in this country, which is +generally considered a detriment to the novelist, will in the end turn +to his advantage by compelling him to depend for his effects on the +contrasts and collisions of innate character, rather than on those +shallower traits superinduced by particular social arrangements, or by +hereditary associations. Shakespeare drew ideal, and Fielding natural +men and women; Thackeray draws either gentlemen or snobs, and Dickens +either unnatural men or the oddities natural only in the lowest grades +of a highly artificial system of society. The first two knew human +nature; of the two latter, one knows what is called the world, and +the other the streets of London. Is it possible that the very social +democracy which here robs the novelist of so much romance, so much +costume, so much antithesis of caste, so much in short that is purely +external, will give him a set-off in making it easier for him to get at +that element of universal humanity which neither of the two extremes +of an aristocratic system, nor the salient and picturesque points of +contrast between the two, can alone lay open to him? + +"We hope to see this problem solved by Mrs. Stowe. That kind of +romantic interest which Scott evolved from the relations of lord +and vassal, of thief and clansman, from the social more than the +moral contrast of Roundhead and Cavalier, of far-descended pauper +and _nouveau riche_ which Cooper found in the clash of savagery with +civilization, and the shaggy virtue bred on the border-land between +the two, Indian by habit, white by tradition, Mrs. Stowe seems in +her former novels to have sought in a form of society alien to her +sympathies, and too remote for exact study, or for the acquirement of +that local truth which is the slow result of unconscious observation. +There can be no stronger proof of the greatness of her genius, of her +possessing that conceptive faculty which belongs to the higher order +of imagination, than the avidity with which 'Uncle Tom' was read at the +South. It settled the point that this book was true to human nature, +even if not minutely so to plantation life. + +"If capable of so great a triumph where success must so largely depend +on the sympathetic insight of her mere creative power, have we not a +right to expect something far more in keeping with the requirements +of art, now that her wonderful eye is to be the mirror of familiar +scenes, and of a society in which she was bred, of which she has +seen so many varieties, and that, too, in the country, where it is +most _naive_ and original? It is a great satisfaction to us that in +'The Minister's Wooing' she has chosen her time and laid her scene +amid New England habits and traditions. There is no other writer who +is so capable of perpetuating for us, in a work of art, a style of +thought and manners which railways and newspapers will soon render as +palaeozoic as the mastodon or the megalosaurians. Thus far the story has +fully justified our hopes. The leading characters are all fresh and +individual creations. Mrs. Kate Scudder, the notable Yankee housewife; +Mary, in whom Cupid is to try conclusions with Calvin; James Marvyn, +the adventurous boy of the coast, in whose heart the wild religion of +nature swells till the strait swathings of Puritanism are burst; Dr. +Hopkins, the conscientious minister come upon a time when the social +_prestige_ of the clergy is waning, and whose independence will test +the voluntary system of ministerial support; Simeon Brown, the man +of theological dialectics, in whom the utmost perfection of creed is +shown to be not inconsistent with the most contradictory imperfection +of life,--all these are characters new to literature. And the scene +is laid just far enough away in point of time to give proper tone and +perspective. + +"We think we find in the story, so far as it has proceeded, the promise +of an interest as unhackneyed as it will be intense. There is room +for the play of all the passions and interests that make up the great +tragi-comedy of life, while all the scenery and accessories will be +those which familiarity has made dear to us. We are a little afraid of +Colonel Burr, to be sure, it is so hard to make a historical personage +fulfill the conditions demanded by the novel of every-day life. He is +almost sure either to fall below our traditional conception of him, +or to rise above the natural and easy level of character, into the +vague or the melodramatic. Moreover, we do not want a novel of society +from Mrs. Stowe; she is quite too good to be wasted in that way, and +her tread is much more firm on the turf of the "door-yard" or the +pasture, and the sanded floor of the farmhouse, than on the velvet of +the _salon_. We have no notion how she is to develop her plot, but we +think we foresee chances for her best power in the struggle which seems +foreshadowed between Mary's conscientious admiration of the doctor and +her half-conscious passion for James, before she discovers that one of +these conflicting feelings means simply moral liking and approval, and +the other that she is a woman and that she loves. And is not the value +of dogmatic theology as a rule of life to be thoroughly tested for the +doctor by his slave-trading parishioners? Is he not to learn the bitter +difference between intellectual acceptance of a creed and that true +partaking of the sacrament of love and faith and sorrow that makes +Christ the very life-blood of our being and doing? And has not James +Marvyn also his lesson to be taught? We foresee him drawn gradually +back by Mary from his recoil against Puritan formalism to a perception +of how every creed is pliant and plastic to a beautiful nature, of how +much charm there may be in an hereditary faith, even if it have become +almost conventional. + +"In the materials of character already present in the story, there is +scope for Mrs. Stowe's humor, pathos, clear moral sense, and quick eye +for the scenery of life. We do not believe that there is any one who, +by birth, breeding, and natural capacity, has had the opportunity to +know New England so well as she, or who has the peculiar genius so +to profit by the knowledge. Already there have been scenes in 'The +Minister's Wooing' that, in their lowness of tone and quiet truth, +contrast as charmingly with the humid vagueness of the modern school of +novel-writers as 'The Vicar of Wakefield' itself, and we are greatly +mistaken if it do not prove to be the most characteristic of Mrs. +Stowe's works, and therefore that on which her fame will chiefly rest +with posterity." + +"The Minister's Wooing" was not completed as a serial till December, +1859. Long before its completion Mrs. Stowe received letters from many +interested readers, who were as much concerned for the future of her +"spiritual children," as George Eliot would call them, as if they had +been flesh and blood. + +The following letter from Mr. Lowell is given as the most valuable +received by Mrs. Stowe at this time:-- + + CAMBRIDGE, _February 4, 1859._ + + MY DEAR MRS. STOWE,--I certainly did mean to write you + about your story, but only to cry _bravissima!_ with + the rest of the world. I intended no kind of criticism; + deeming it wholly out of place, and in the nature of + a wet-blanket, so long as a story is unfinished. When + I got the first number in MS., I said to Mr. Phillips + that I thought it would be the best thing you had done, + and what followed has only confirmed my first judgment. + From long habit, and from the tendency of my studies, I + cannot help looking at things purely from an aesthetic + point of view, and what _I_ valued in "Uncle Tom" was + the genius, and not the moral. That is saying a good + deal, for I never use the word _genius_ at haphazard, + and always (perhaps, too) sparingly. I am going to be + as frank as I ought to be with one whom I value so + highly. What especially charmed me in the new story + was, that you had taken your stand on New England + ground. You are one of the few persons lucky enough + to be born with eyes in your head,--that is, with + something behind the eyes which makes them of value. To + most people the seeing apparatus is as useless as the + great telescope at the observatory is to me,--something + to stare through with no intelligent result. Nothing + could be better than the conception of your plot (so + far as I divine it), and the painting-in of your + figures. As for "theology," it is as much a part of + daily life in New England as in Scotland, and all I + should have to say about it is this: let it crop out + when it naturally comes to the surface, only don't dig + down to it. A moral aim is a fine thing, but in making + a story an artist is a traitor who does not sacrifice + everything to art. Remember the lesson that Christ gave + us twice over. First, he preferred the useless Mary to + the dish-washing Martha, and next, when that exemplary + moralist and friend of humanity, Judas, objected to + the sinful waste of the Magdalen's ointment, the great + Teacher would rather it should be wasted in an act of + simple beauty than utilized for the benefit of the + poor. Cleopatra was an artist when she dissolved her + biggest pearl to captivate her Antony-public. May I, a + critic by profession, say the whole truth to a woman of + genius? Yes? And never be forgiven? I shall try, and + try to be forgiven, too. In the first place, pay no + regard to the advice of anybody. In the second place, + pay a great deal to mine! A Kilkenny-cattish style + of advice? Not at all. My advice is to follow your + own instincts,--to stick to nature, and to avoid what + people commonly call the "Ideal;" for that, and beauty, + and pathos, and success, all lie in the simply natural. + We all preach it, from Wordsworth down, and we all, + from Wordsworth down, don't practice it. Don't I feel + it every day in this weary editorial mill of mine, that + there are ten thousand people who can write "ideal" + things for one who can see, and feel, and reproduce + nature and character? Ten thousand, did I say? Nay, ten + million. What made Shakespeare so great? Nothing but + eyes and--faith in them. The same is true of Thackeray. + I see nowhere more often than in authors the truth that + men love their opposites. Dickens insists on being + tragic and makes shipwreck. + + I always thought (forgive me) that the Hebrew parts of + "Dred" were a mistake. Do not think me impertinent; I + am only honestly anxious that what I consider a very + remarkable genius should have faith in itself. Let + your moral take care of itself, and remember that an + author's writing-desk is something infinitely higher + than a pulpit. What I call "care of itself" is shown + in that noble passage in the February number about the + ladder up to heaven. That is grand preaching and in the + right way. I am sure that "The Minister's Wooing" is + going to be the best of your products hitherto, and I + am sure of it because you show so thorough a mastery + of your material, so true a perception of realities, + without which the ideality is impossible. + + As for "orthodoxy," be at ease. Whatever is well done + the world finds orthodox at last, in spite of all the + Fakir journals, whose only notion of orthodoxy seems + to be the power of standing in one position till you + lose all the use of your limbs. If, with your heart and + brain, _you_ are not orthodox, in Heaven's name who is? + If you mean "Calvinistic," no woman could ever be such, + for Calvinism is logic, and no woman worth the name + could ever live by syllogisms. Woman charms a higher + faculty in us than reason, God be praised, and nothing + has delighted me more in your new story than the happy + instinct with which you develop this incapacity of the + lovers' logic in your female characters. Go on just + as you have begun, and make it appear in as many ways + as you like,--that, whatever creed may be true, it is + _not_ true and never will be that man can be saved by + machinery. I can speak with some chance of being right, + for I confess a strong sympathy with many parts of + Calvinistic theology, and, for one thing, believe in + hell with all my might, and in the goodness of God for + all that. + + I have not said anything. What could I say? One might + almost as well advise a mother about the child she + still bears under her heart, and say, give it these and + those qualities, as an author about a work yet in the + brain. + + Only this I will say, that I am honestly delighted with + "The Minister's Wooing;" that reading it has been one + of my few editorial pleasures; that no one appreciates + your genius more highly than I, or hopes more fervently + that you will let yourself go without regard to this, + that, or t'other. Don't read any criticisms on your + story: believe that you know better than any of us, and + be sure that everybody likes it. That I know. There is + not, and never was, anybody so competent to write a + true New England poem as yourself, and have no doubt + that you are doing it. The native sod sends up the + best inspiration to the brain, and you are as sure of + immortality as we all are of dying,--if you only go on + with entire faith in yourself. + + Faithfully and admiringly yours, + J. R. LOWELL. + +After the book was published in England, Mr. Ruskin wrote to Mrs. +Stowe:-- + +"Well, I have read the book now, and I think nothing can be nobler +than the noble parts of it (Mary's great speech to Colonel Burr, for +instance), nothing wiser than the wise parts of it (the author's +parenthetical and under-breath remarks), nothing more delightful than +the delightful parts (all that Virginie says and does), nothing more +edged than the edged parts (Candace's sayings and doings, to wit); but +I do not like the plan of the whole, because the simplicity of the +minister seems to diminish the probability of Mary's reverence for him. +I cannot fancy even so good a girl who would not have laughed at him. +Nor can I fancy a man of real intellect reaching such a period of life +without understanding his own feelings better, or penetrating those of +another more quickly. + +"Then I am provoked at nothing happening to Mrs. Scudder, whom I think +as entirely unendurable a creature as ever defied poetical justice at +the end of a novel meant to irritate people. And finally, I think you +are too disdainful of what ordinary readers seek in a novel, under the +name of 'interest,'--that gradually developing wonder, expectation, and +curiosity which makes people who have no self-command sit up till three +in the morning to get to the crisis, and people who have self-command +lay the book down with a resolute sigh, and think of it all the next +day through till the time comes for taking it up again. Still, I know +well that in many respects it was impossible for you to treat this +story merely as a work of literary art. There must have been many facts +which you could not dwell upon, and which no one may judge by common +rules. + +"It is also true, as you say once or twice in the course of the work, +that we have not among us here the peculiar religious earnestness you +have mainly to describe. + +"We have little earnest formalism, and our formalists are for the most +part hollow, feeble, uninteresting, mere stumbling-blocks. We have the +Simeon Brown species, indeed; and among readers even of his kind the +book may do some good, and more among the weaker, truer people, whom it +will shake like mattresses,--making the dust fly, and perhaps with it +some of the sticks and quill-ends, which often make that kind of person +an objectionable mattress. I write too lightly of the book,--far too +lightly,--but your letter made me gay, and I have been lighter-hearted +ever since; only I kept this after beginning it, because I was ashamed +to send it without a line to Mrs. Browning as well. I do not understand +why you should apprehend (or rather anticipate without apprehension) +any absurd criticism on it. It is sure to be a popular book,--not as +'Uncle Tom' was, for that owed part of its popularity to its dramatic +effect (the flight on the ice, etc.), which I did not like; but as a +true picture of human life is always popular. Nor, I should think, +would any critics venture at all to carp at it. + +"The Candace and Virginie bits appear to me, as far as I have yet seen, +the best. I am very glad there is this nice French lady in it: the +French are the least appreciated in general, of all nations, by other +nations.... My father says the book is worth its weight in gold, and he +knows good work." + + * * * * * + +When we turn from these criticisms and commendations to the inner +history of this period, we find that the work was done in deep sadness +of heart, and the undertone of pathos that forms the dark background +of the brightest and most humorous parts of "The Minister's Wooing" +was the unconscious revelation of one of sorrowful spirit, who, weary +of life, would have been glad to lie down with her arms "round the +wayside cross, and sleep away into a brighter scene." + +Just before beginning the writing of "The Minister's Wooing" she sent +the following letter to Lady Byron:-- + + ANDOVER, _June 30, 1858._ + + MY DEAR FRIEND,--I did long to hear from you at a time + when few knew how to speak, because I knew that you + did know everything that sorrow can teach,--you whose + whole life has been a crucifixion, a long ordeal. + But I believe that the "Lamb," who stands forever in + the midst of the throne "as it had been slain," has + everywhere his followers, those who are sent into the + world, as he was, to suffer for the redemption of + others, and like him they must look to the joy set + before them of redeeming others. + + I often think that God called you to this beautiful and + terrible ministry when He suffered you to link your + destiny with one so strangely gifted, so fearfully + tempted, and that the reward which is to meet you, when + you enter within the veil, where you must soon pass, + will be to see the angel, once chained and defiled + within him, set free from sin and glorified, and so + know that to you it has been given, by your life of + love and faith, to accomplish this glorious change. + + I think very much on the subject on which you conversed + with me once,--the future state of retribution. It + is evident to me that the spirit of Christianity has + produced in the human spirit a tenderness of love which + wholly revolts from the old doctrine on the subject, + and I observe the more Christ-like any one becomes, + the more impossible it seems for him to accept it; and + yet, on the contrary, it was Christ who said, "Fear + Him that is able to destroy soul and body in hell," + and the most appalling language on this subject is + that of Christ himself. Certain ideas once prevalent + certainly must be thrown off. An endless infliction for + past sins was once the doctrine that we now generally + reject. The doctrine as now taught is that of an + eternal persistence in evil necessitating eternal + punishment, since evil induces misery by an eternal + nature of things, and this, I fear, is inferable from + the analogies of nature, and confirmed by the whole + implication of the Bible. + + Is there any fair way of disposing of the current + of assertion, and the still deeper undercurrent of + implication, on this subject, without one which + loosens all faith in revelation, and throws us on pure + naturalism? But of one thing I am sure,--probation does + not end with this life, and the number of the redeemed + may therefore be infinitely greater than the world's + history leads us to suppose. + +The views expressed in this letter certainly throw light on many +passages in "The Minister's Wooing." + +The following letter, written to her daughter Georgiana, is introduced +as revealing the spirit in which much of "The Minister's Wooing" was +written:-- + + _February 12, 1859._ + + MY DEAR GEORGIE,--Why haven't I written? Because, dear + Georgie, I am like the dry, dead, leafless tree, and + have only cold, dead, slumbering buds of hope on the + end of stiff, hard, frozen twigs of thought, but no + leaves, no blossoms; nothing to send to a little girl + who doesn't know what to do with herself any more than + a kitten. I am cold, weary, dead; everything is a + burden to me. + + I let my plants die by inches before my eyes, and do + not water them, and I dread everything I do, and wish + it was not to be done, and so when I get a letter from + my little girl I smile and say, "Dear little puss, I + will answer it;" and I sit hour after hour with folded + hands, looking at the inkstand and dreading to begin. + The fact is, pussy, mamma is tired. Life to you is + gay and joyous, but to mamma it has been a battle in + which the spirit is willing but the flesh weak, and + she would be glad, like the woman in the St. Bernard, + to lie down with her arms around the wayside cross, + and sleep away into a brighter scene. Henry's fair, + sweet face looks down upon me now and then from out + a cloud, and I feel again all the bitterness of the + eternal "No" which says I must never, never, in this + life, see that face, lean on that arm, hear that voice. + Not that my faith in God in the least fails, and that + I do not believe that all this is for good. I do, and + though not happy, I am blessed. Weak, weary as I am, I + rest on Jesus in the innermost depth of my soul, and + am quite sure that there is coming an inconceivable + hour of beauty and glory when I shall regain Jesus, + and he will give me back my beloved one, whom he is + educating in a far higher sphere than I proposed. So do + not mistake me,--only know that mamma is sitting weary + by the wayside, feeling weak and worn, but in no sense + discouraged. + + Your affectionate mother, + H. B. S. + +So is it ever: when with bold step we press our way into the holy place +where genius hath wrought, we find it to be a place of sorrows. Art +has its Gethsemane and its Calvary as well as religion. Our best loved +books and sweetest songs are those "that tell of saddest thought." + +The summer of 1859 found Mrs. Stowe again on her way to Europe, this +time accompanied by all her children except the youngest. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +THE THIRD TRIP TO EUROPE, 1859. + + THIRD VISIT TO EUROPE.--LADY BYRON ON "THE + MINISTER'S WOOING."--SOME FOREIGN PEOPLE AND THINGS + AS THEY APPEARED TO PROFESSOR STOWE.--A WINTER IN + ITALY.--THINGS UNSEEN AND UNREVEALED.--SPECULATIONS + CONCERNING SPIRITUALISM.--JOHN RUSKIN.--MRS. + BROWNING.--THE RETURN TO AMERICA.--LETTERS TO DR. + HOLMES. + + +MRS. STOWE'S third and last trip to Europe was undertaken in the summer +of 1859. In writing to Lady Byron in May of that year, she says: "I +am at present writing something that interests me greatly, and may +interest you, as an attempt to portray the heart and life of New +England, its religion, theology, and manners. Sampson Low & Son are +issuing it in numbers, and I should be glad to know how they strike +you. It is to publish this work complete that I intend to visit England +this summer." + +The story thus referred to was "The Minister's Wooing," and Lady +Byron's answer to the above, which is appended, leaves no room for +doubt as to her appreciation of it. She writes:-- + + LONDON, _May 31, 1859._ + + DEAR FRIEND,--I have found, particularly as to + yourself, that if I did not answer from the first + impulse, all had evaporated. Your letter came by the + Niagara, which brought Fanny Kemble, to learn the loss + of her _best_ friend, that Miss Fitzhugh whom you saw + at my house. + + I have an intense interest in your new novel. More + power in these few numbers than in any of your former + writings, relatively, at least to my own mind. More + power than in "Adam Bede," which is _the_ book of the + season, and well deserves a high place. Whether Mrs. + Scudder will rival Mrs. Poyser, we shall see. + + It would amuse you to hear my granddaughter and myself + attempting to foresee the future of the "love story," + being quite persuaded for the moment that James is + at sea, and the minister about to ruin himself. We + think that she will labor to be in love with the + self-devoting man, under her mother's influence, and + from that hyper-conscientiousness so common with good + girls,--but we don't wish her to succeed. Then what + is to become of her older lover? He--Time will show. + I have just missed Dale Owen, with whom I wished to + have conversed about the "Spiritualism." Harris is + lecturing here on religion. I do not hear him praised. + People are looking for helps to believe everywhere but + in life,--in music, in architecture, in antiquity, + in ceremony,--and upon all is written, "Thou shalt + _not_ believe." At least, if this be faith, happier + the unbeliever. I am willing to see _through_ that + materialism, but if I am to rest there, I would rend + the veil. + + _June 1._ The day of the packet's sailing. I shall hope + to be visited by you here. The best flowers sent me + have been placed in your little vases, giving life, as + it were, to the remembrance of you, though not to pass + away like them. + + Ever yours, + A. T. NOEL BYRON. + +The entire family, with the exception of the youngest son, was abroad +at this time. The two eldest daughters were in Paris, having previously +sailed for Havre in March, in company with their cousin, Miss Beecher. +On their arrival in Paris, they went directly to the house of their +old friend, Madame Borione, and soon afterwards entered a Protestant +school. The rest of the family, including Mrs. Stowe, her husband and +youngest daughter, sailed for Liverpool early in August. At about the +same time, Fred Stowe, in company with his friend Samuel Scoville, took +passage for the same port in a sailing vessel. A comprehensive outline +of the earlier portion of this foreign tour is given in the following +letter written by Professor Stowe to the sole member of the family +remaining in America: + + CASTLE CHILLON, SWITZERLAND, _September 1, 1859._ + + DEAR LITTLE CHARLEY,--We are all here except Fred, and + all well. We have had a most interesting journey, of + which I must give a brief account. + + We sailed from New York in the steamer Asia, on the 3d + of August [1859], a very hot day, and for ten days it + was the hottest weather I ever knew at sea. We had a + splendid ship's company, mostly foreigners, Italians, + Spaniards, with a sprinkling of Scotch and Irish. We + passed one big iceberg in the night close to, and as + the iceberg wouldn't turn out for us we turned out for + the iceberg, and were very glad to come off so. This + was the night of the 9th of August, and after that we + had cooler weather, and on the morning of the 13th the + wind blew like all possessed, and so continued till + afternoon. Sunday morning, the 14th, we got safe into + Liverpool, landed, and went to the Adelphi Hotel. Mamma + and Georgie were only a little sick on the way over, + and that was the morning of the 13th. + + As it was court time, the high sheriff of Lancashire, + Sir Robert Gerauld, a fine, stout, old, gray-haired + John Bull, came thundering up to the hotel at noon + in his grand coach with six beautiful horses with + outriders, and two trumpeters, and twelve men with + javelins for a guard, all dressed in the gayest + manner, and rushing along like Time in the primer, the + trumpeters too-ti-toot-tooing like a house a-fire, and + how I wished my little Charley had been there to see it! + + Monday we wanted to go and see the court, so we + went over to St. George's Hall, a most magnificent + structure, that beats the Boston State House all + hollow, and Sir Robert Gerauld himself met us, and said + he would get us a good place. So he took us away round + a narrow, crooked passage, and opened a little door, + where we saw nothing but a great, crimson curtain, + which he told us to put aside and go straight on; and + where do you think we all found ourselves? + + Right on the platform with the judges in their big wigs + and long robes, and facing the whole crowded court! It + was enough to frighten a body into fits, but we took it + quietly as we could, and your mamma looked as meek as + Moses in her little, battered straw hat and gray cloak, + seeming to say, "I didn't come here o' purpose." + + That same night we arrived in London, and Tuesday + (August 16th), riding over the city, we called at + Stafford House, and inquired if the Duchess of + Sutherland was there. A servant came out and said + the duchess was in and would be very glad to see us; + so your mamma, Georgie, and I went walking up the + magnificent staircase in the entrance hall, and the + great, noble, brilliant duchess came sailing down the + stairs to meet us, in her white morning dress (for it + was only four o'clock in the afternoon, and she was + not yet dressed for dinner), took your mamma into her + great bosom, and folded her up till the little Yankee + woman looked like a small gray kitten half covered in a + snowbank, and kissed and kissed her, and then she took + up little Georgie and kissed her, and then she took my + hand, and didn't kiss me. + + Next day we went to the duchess's villa, near Windsor + Castle, and had a grand time riding round the park, + sailing on the Thames, and eating the very best dinner + that was ever set on a table. + + We stayed in London till the 25th of August, and then + went to Paris and found H. and E. and H. B. all well + and happy; and on the 30th of August we all went to + Geneva together, and to-day, the 1st of September, we + all took a sail up the beautiful Lake Leman here in the + midst of the Alps, close by the old castle of Chillon, + about which Lord Byron has written a poem. In a day or + two we shall go to Chamouni, and then Georgie and I + will go back to Paris and London, and so home at the + time appointed. Until then I remain as ever, + + Your loving father, + C. E. STOWE. + +Mrs. Stowe accompanied her husband and daughter to England, where, +after traveling and visiting for two weeks, she bade them good-by and +returned to her daughters in Switzerland. From Lausanne she writes +under date of October 9th:-- + + MY DEAR HUSBAND,--Here we are at Lausanne, in the + Hotel Gibbon, occupying the very parlor that the + Ruskins had when we were here before. The day I left + you I progressed prosperously to Paris. Reached there + about one o'clock at night; could get no carriage, + and finally had to turn in at a little hotel close by + the station, where I slept till morning. I could not + but think what if anything should happen to me there? + Nobody knew me or where I was, but the bed was clean, + the room respectable; so I locked my door and slept, + then took a carriage in the morning, and found Madame + Borione at breakfast. I write to-night, that you may + get a letter from me at the earliest possible date + after your return. + + Instead of coming to Geneva in one day, I stopped + over one night at Macon, got to Geneva the next day + about four o'clock, and to Lausanne at eight. Coming + up-stairs and opening the door, I found the whole + party seated with their books and embroidery about + a centre-table, and looking as homelike and cosy as + possible. You may imagine the greetings, the kissing, + laughing, and good times generally. + +From Lausanne the merry party traveled toward Florence by easy stages, +stopping at Lake Como, Milan, Verona, Venice, Genoa, and Leghorn. At +Florence, where they arrived early in November, they met Fred Stowe +and his friend, Samuel Scoville, and here they were also joined by +their Brooklyn friends, the Howards. Thus it was a large and thoroughly +congenial party that settled down in the old Italian city to spend the +winter. From here Mrs. Stowe wrote weekly letters to her husband in +Andover, and among them are the following, that not only throw light +upon their mode of life, but illustrate a marked tendency of her mind:-- + + FLORENCE, _Christmas Day, 1859._ + + MY DEAR HUSBAND,--I wish you all a Merry Christmas, + hoping to spend the next one with you. + + For us, we are expecting to spend this evening with + quite a circle of American friends. With Scoville and + Fred came L. Bacon (son of Dr. Bacon); a Mr. Porter, + who is to study theology at Andover, and is now making + the tour of Europe; Mr. Clarke, formerly minister at + Cornwall; Mr. Jenkyns, of Lowell; Mr. and Mrs. Howard, + John and Annie Howard, who came in most unexpectedly + upon us last night. So we shall have quite a New + England party, and shall sing Millais' Christmas hymn + in great force. Hope you will all do the same in the + old stone cabin. + + Our parlor is all trimmed with laurel and myrtle, + looking like a great bower, and our mantel and table + are redolent with bouquets of orange blossoms and pinks. + + + _January 16, 1860._ + + MY DEAR HUSBAND,--Your letter received to-day has + raised quite a weight from my mind, for it shows that + at last you have received all mine, and that thus the + chain of communication between us is unbroken. What + you said about your spiritual experiences in feeling + the presence of dear Henry with you, and, above all, + the vibration of that mysterious guitar, was very + pleasant to me. Since I have been in Florence, I have + been distressed by inexpressible yearnings after + him,--such sighings and outreachings, with a sense of + utter darkness and separation, not only from him but + from all spiritual communion with my God. But I have + become acquainted with a friend through whom I receive + consoling impressions of these things,--a Mrs. E., of + Boston, a very pious, accomplished, and interesting + woman, who has had a history much like yours in + relation to spiritual manifestations. + + Without doubt she is what the spiritualists would + regard as a very powerful medium, but being a very + earnest Christian, and afraid of getting led astray, + she has kept carefully aloof from all circles and + things of that nature. She came and opened her mind to + me in the first place, to ask my advice as to what she + had better do; relating experiences very similar to + many of yours. + + My advice was substantially to try the spirits whether + they were of God,--to keep close to the Bible and + prayer, and then accept whatever came. But I have + found that when I am with her I receive very strong + impressions from the spiritual world, so that I feel + often sustained and comforted, as if I had been near + to my Henry and other departed friends. This has been + at times so strong as greatly to soothe and support + me. I told her your experiences, in which she was + greatly interested. She said it was so rare to hear of + Christian and reliable people with such peculiarities. + + I cannot, however, think that Henry strikes the + guitar,--that must be Eliza. Her spirit has ever + seemed to cling to that mode of manifestation, and if + you would keep it in your sleeping-room, no doubt you + would hear from it oftener. I have been reading lately + a curious work from an old German in Paris who has been + making experiments in spirit-writing. He purports to + describe a series of meetings held in the presence of + fifty witnesses, whose names he gives, in which writing + has come on paper, without the apparition of hands or + any pen or pencil, from various historical people. + + He seems a devout believer in inspiration, and the book + is curious for its mixture of all the phenomena, Pagan + and Christian, going over Hindoo, Chinese, Greek, and + Italian literature for examples, and then bringing + similar ones from the Bible. + + One thing I am convinced of,--that spiritualism is a + reaction from the intense materialism of the present + age. Luther, when he recognized a personal devil, + was much nearer right. We ought to enter fully, at + least, into the spiritualism of the Bible. Circles and + spiritual jugglery I regard as the lying signs and + wonders, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness; + but there is a real scriptural spiritualism which has + fallen into disuse, and must be revived, and there + are, doubtless, people who, from some constitutional + formation, can more readily receive the impressions of + the surrounding spiritual world. Such were apostles, + prophets, and workers of miracles. + + _Sunday evening._ To-day I went down to sit with Mrs. + E. in her quiet parlor. We read in Revelation together, + and talked of the saints and spirits of the just made + perfect, till it seemed, as it always does when with + her, as if Henry were close by me. Then a curious thing + happened. She has a little Florentine guitar which + hangs in her parlor, quite out of reach. She and I + were talking, and her sister, a very matter-of-fact, + practical body, who attends to temporals for her, was + arranging a little lunch for us, when suddenly the bass + string of the guitar was struck loudly and distinctly. + + "Who struck that guitar?" said the sister. We both + looked up and saw that no body or thing was on that + side of the room. After the sister had gone out, Mrs. + E. said, "Now, that is strange! I asked last night + that if any spirit was present with us after you came + to-day, that it would try to touch that guitar." A + little while after her husband came in, and as we were + talking we were all stopped by a peculiar sound, as if + somebody had drawn a hand across all the strings at + once. We marveled, and I remembered the guitar at home. + + What think you? Have you had any more manifestations, + any truths from the spirit world? + +About the end of February the pleasant Florentine circle broke up, and +Mrs. Stowe and her party journeyed to Rome, where they remained until +the middle of April. We next find them in Naples, starting on a six +days' trip to Castellamare, Sorrento, Salerno, Paestum, and Amalfi; then +up Vesuvius, and to the Blue Grotto of Capri, and afterwards back to +Rome by diligence. Leaving Rome on May 9th, they traveled leisurely +towards Paris, which they reached on the 27th. From there Mrs. Stowe +wrote to her husband on May 28th:-- + + Since my last letter a great change has taken place + in our plans, in consequence of which our passage for + America is engaged by the Europa, which sails the 16th + of June; so, if all goes well, we are due in Boston + four weeks from this date. I long for home, for my + husband and children, for my room, my yard and garden, + for the beautiful trees of Andover. We will make a very + happy home, and our children will help us. + + Affectionately yours, + HATTY. + +This extended and pleasant tour was ended with an equally pleasant +homeward voyage, for on the Europa were found Nathaniel Hawthorne and +James T. Fields, who proved most delightful traveling companions. + +While Mrs. Stowe fully enjoyed her foreign experiences, she was +so thoroughly American in every fibre of her being that she was +always thankful to return to her own land and people. She could not, +therefore, in any degree reciprocate the views of Mr. Ruskin on this +subject, as expressed in the following letter, received soon after her +return to Andover:-- + + GENEVA, _June 18, 1860._ + + DEAR MRS. STOWE,--It takes a great deal, when I am at + Geneva, to make me wish myself anywhere else, and, + of all places else, in London; nevertheless, I very + heartily wish at this moment that I were looking out + on the Norwood Hills, and were expecting you and the + children to breakfast to-morrow. + + I had very serious thoughts, when I received your + note, of running home; but I expected that very day an + American friend, Mr. S., who I thought would miss me + more here than you would in London; so I stayed. + + What a dreadful thing it is that people should have to + go to America again, after coming to Europe! It seems + to me an inversion of the order of nature. I think + America is a sort of "United" States of Probation, out + of which all wise people, being once delivered, and + having obtained entrance into this better world, should + never be expected to return (sentence irremediably + ungrammatical), particularly when they have been making + themselves cruelly pleasant to friends here. My friend + Norton, whom I met first on this very blue lake water, + had no business to go back to Boston again, any more + than you. + + I was waiting for S. at the railroad station on + Thursday, and thinking of you, naturally enough,--it + seemed so short a while since we were there together. + I managed to get hold of Georgie as she was crossing + the rails, and packed her in opposite my mother and + beside me, and was thinking myself so clever, when you + sent that rascally courier for her! I never forgave him + any of his behavior after his imperativeness on that + occasion. + + And so she is getting nice and strong? Ask her, please, + when you write, with my love, whether, when she stands + now behind the great stick, one can see much of her on + each side? + + So you have been seeing the Pope and all his Easter + performances? I congratulate you, for I suppose it is + something like "Positively the last appearance on any + stage." What was the use of thinking about _him_? You + should have had your own thoughts about what was to + come after him. I don't mean that Roman Catholicism + will die out so quickly. It will last pretty nearly as + long as Protestantism, which keeps it up; but I wonder + what is to come next. That is the main question just + now for everybody. + + So you are coming round to Venice, after all? We shall + all have to come to it, depend upon it, some way or + another. There never has been anything in any other + part of the world like Venetian strength well developed. + + I've no heart to write about anything in Europe to you + now. When are you coming back again? Please send me + a line as soon as you get safe over, to say you are + all--wrong, but not lost in the Atlantic. + + I don't know if you will ever get this letter, but I + hope you will think it worth while to glance again at + the Denmark Hill pictures; so I send this to my father, + who, I hope, will be able to give it you. + + I really am very sorry you are going,--you and yours; + and that is absolute fact, and I shall not enjoy my + Swiss journey at all so much as I might. It was a shame + of you not to give me warning before. I could have + stopped at Paris so easily for you! All good be with + you! Remember me devotedly to the young ladies, and + believe me ever affectionately yours, + + J. RUSKIN. + +In Rome Mrs. Stowe had formed a warm friendship with the Brownings, +with whom she afterwards maintained a correspondence. The following +letter from Mrs. Browning was written a year after their first meeting. + + ROME, 126 VIA FELICE, _14 March, 1861._ + + MY DEAR MRS. STOWE,--Let me say one word first. Your + letter, which would have given me pleasure if I had + been in the midst of pleasures, came to me when little + beside could have pleased. Dear friend, let me say it, + I had had a great blow and loss in England, and you + wrote things in that letter which seemed meant for me, + meant to do me good, and which did me good,--the first + good any letter or any talk did me; and it struck me as + strange, as more than a coincidence, that your first + word since we parted in Rome last spring should come to + me in Rome, and bear so directly on an experience which + you did not know of. I thank you very much. + + The earnest stanzas I sent to England for one who + wanted them even more than I. I don't know how people + can keep up their prejudices against spiritualism with + tears in their eyes,--how they are not, at least, + thrown on the "wish that it might be true," and the + investigation of the phenomena, by that abrupt shutting + in their faces of the door of death, which shuts them + out from the sight of their beloved. My tendency is to + beat up against it like a crying child. Not that this + emotional impulse is the best for turning the key and + obtaining safe conclusions,--no. I did not write before + because I always do shrink from touching my own griefs, + one feels at first so sore that nothing but stillness + is borne. It is only after, when one is better, that + one can express one's self at all. This is so with me, + at least, though perhaps it ought not to be so with a + poet. + + If you saw my "De Profundis" you must understand that + it was written nearly twenty years ago, and referred + to what went before. Mr. Howard's affliction made me + think of the MS. (in reference to a sermon of Dr. + Beecher's in the "Independent"), and I pulled it out + of a secret place and sent it to America, not thinking + that the publication would fall in so nearly with a new + grief of mine as to lead to misconceptions. In fact the + poem would have been an exaggeration in that case, and + unsuitable in other respects. + + It refers to the greatest affliction of my life,--the + only time when I felt _despair_,--written a year after + or more. Forgive all these reticences. My husband calls + me "peculiar" in some things,--peculiarly _lache_, + perhaps. I can't articulate some names, or speak of + certain afflictions;--no, not to _him_,--not after all + these years! It's a sort of _dumbness_ of the soul. + Blessed are those who can speak, I say. But don't you + see from this how I must want "spiritualism" above most + persons? + + Now let me be ashamed of this egotism, together with + the rest of the weakness obtruded on you here, when I + should rather have congratulated you, my dear friend, + on the great crisis you are passing through in America. + If the North is found noble enough to stand fast on + the moral question, whatever the loss or diminution of + territory, God and just men will see you greater and + more glorious as a nation. + + I had much anxiety for you after the Seward and Adams + speeches, but the danger seems averted by that fine + madness of the South which seems judicial. The tariff + movement we should regret deeply (and do, some of us), + only I am told it was wanted in order to persuade + those who were less accessible to moral argument. It's + eking out the holy water with ditch water. If the Devil + flees before it, even so, let us be content. How you + must feel, _you_ who have done so much to set this + accursed slavery in the glare of the world, convicting + it of hideousness! They should raise a statue to you in + America and elsewhere. + + Meanwhile I am reading you in the "Independent," sent + to me by Mr. Tilton, with the greatest interest. Your + new novel opens beautifully.[14] + + Do write to me and tell me of yourself and the subjects + which interest us both. It seems to me that our Roman + affairs may linger a little (while the Papacy bleeds + slowly to death in its finances) on account of this + violent clerical opposition in France. Otherwise we + were prepared for the fall of the house any morning. + Prince Napoleon's speech represents, with whatever + slight discrepancy, the inner mind of the emperor. It + occupied seventeen columns of the "Moniteur" and was + magnificent. Victor Emmanuel wrote to thank him for + it in the name of Italy, and even the English papers + praised it as "a masterly exposition of the policy of + France." It is settled that we shall wait for Venice. + It will not be for long. Hungary is _only_ waiting, + and even in the ashes of Poland there are flickering + sparks. Is it the beginning of the restitution of all + things? + + Here in Rome there are fewer English than usual, and + more empty houses. There is a new story every morning, + and nobody to cut off the head of the Scheherazade. + Yesterday the Pope was going to Venice directly, and, + the day before, fixed the hour for Victor Emmanuel's + coming, and the day before _that_ brought a letter from + Cavour to Antonelli about sweeping the streets clean + for the feet of the king. The poor Romans live on these + stories, while the Holy Father and king of Naples meet + holding one another's hands, and cannot speak for sobs. + The little queen, however, is a heroine in her way and + from her point of view, and when she drives about in a + common fiacre, looking very pretty under her only crown + left of golden hair, one must feel sorry that she was + not born and married nearer to holy ground. My husband + prays you to remember him, and I ask your daughters to + remember both of us. Our boy rides his pony and studies + under his abbe, and keeps a pair of red cheeks, thank + God. + + I ought to send you more about the society in Rome, but + I have lived much alone this winter, and have little to + tell you. Dr. Manning and Mr. De Vere stay away, not + bearing, perhaps, to see the Pope in his agony. + + Your ever affectionate friend, + ELIZABETH B. BROWNING. + +Soon after her return to America Mrs. Stowe began a correspondence with +Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, which opened the way for the warm friendship +that has stood the test of years. Of this correspondence the two +following letters, written about this time, are of attention. + + ANDOVER, _September 9, 1860._ + + DEAR DR. HOLMES,--I have had an impulse upon me for + a long time to write you a line of recognition and + sympathy, in response to those that reached me monthly + in your late story in the "Atlantic" ("Elsie Venner"). + + I know not what others may think of it, since I have + seen nobody since my return; but to me it is of deeper + and broader interest than anything you have done + yet, and I feel an intense curiosity concerning that + underworld of thought from which like bubbles your + incidents and remarks often seem to burst up. The + foundations of moral responsibility, the interlacing + laws of nature and spirit, and their relations to us + here and hereafter, are topics which I ponder more + and more, and on which only one medically educated + can write _well_. I think a course of medical study + ought to be required of all ministers. How I should + like to talk with you upon the strange list of topics + suggested in the schoolmaster's letter! They are bound + to agitate the public mind more and more, and it is of + the chiefest importance to learn, if we can, to think + soundly and wisely of them. Nobody can be a sound + theologian who has not had his mind drawn to think with + reverential fear on these topics. + + Allow me to hint that the monthly numbers are not + long enough. Get us along a little faster. You must + work this well out. Elaborate and give us all the + particulars. Old Sophie is a jewel; give us more of + her. I have seen her. Could you ever come out and spend + a day with us? The professor and I would so like to + have a talk on some of these matters with you! + + Very truly yours, + H. B. STOWE. + + + ANDOVER, _February 18, 1861._ + + DEAR DOCTOR,--I was quite indignant to hear yesterday + of the very unjust and stupid attack upon you in the + ----. Mr. Stowe has written to them a remonstrance + which I hope they will allow to appear as he wrote it, + and over his name. He was well acquainted with your + father and feels the impropriety of the thing. + + But, my dear friend, in being shocked, surprised, + or displeased personally with such things, we must + consider other people's natures. A man or woman may + wound us to the quick without knowing it, or meaning to + do so, simply through difference of fibre. As Cowper + hath somewhere happily said:-- + + "Oh, why are farmers made so coarse, + Or clergy made so fine? + A kick that scarce might move a horse + Might kill a sound divine." + + When once people get ticketed, and it is known that one + is a hammer, another a saw, and so on, if we happen to + get a taste of their quality we cannot help being hurt, + to be sure, but we shall not take it ill of them. There + be pious, well-intending beetles, wedges, hammers, + saws, and all other kinds of implements, good--except + where they come in the way of our fingers--and from a + beetle you can have only a beetle's gospel. + + I have suffered in my day from this sort of handling, + which is worse for us women, who must never answer, and + once when I wrote to Lady Byron, feeling just as you + do about some very stupid and unkind things that had + invaded my personality, she answered me, "Words do not + kill, my dear, or I should have been dead long ago." + + There is much true religion and kindness in the world, + after all, and as a general thing he who has struck a + nerve would be very sorry for it if he only knew what + he had done. + + I would say nothing, if I were you. There is eternal + virtue in silence. + + I must express my pleasure with the closing chapters of + "Elsie." They are nobly and beautifully done, and quite + come up to what I wanted to complete my idea of her + character. I am quite satisfied with it now. It is an + artistic creation, original and beautiful. + + Believe me to be your true friend, + H. B. STOWE. + +FOOTNOTE: + +[14] _The Pearl of Orr's Island._ + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +THE CIVIL WAR, 1860-1865. + + THE OUTBREAK OF CIVIL WAR.--MRS. STOWE'S SON + ENLISTS.--THANKSGIVING DAY IN WASHINGTON.--THE + PROCLAMATION OF EMANCIPATION.--REJOICINGS IN + BOSTON.--FRED STOWE AT GETTYSBURG.--LEAVING ANDOVER + AND SETTLING IN HARTFORD.--A REPLY TO THE WOMEN OF + ENGLAND.--LETTERS FROM JOHN BRIGHT, ARCHBISHOP WHATELY, + AND NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE. + + +IMMEDIATELY after Mrs. Stowe's return from Europe, it became only too +evident that the nation was rapidly and inevitably drifting into all +the horrors of civil war. To use her own words: "It was God's will +that this nation--the North as well as the South--should deeply and +terribly suffer for the sin of consenting to and encouraging the great +oppressions of the South; that the ill-gotten wealth, which had arisen +from striking hands with oppression and robbery, should be paid back +in the taxes of war; that the blood of the poor slave, that had cried +so many years from the ground in vain, should be answered by the blood +of the sons from the best hearthstones through all the free States; +that the slave mothers, whose tears nobody regarded, should have with +them a great company of weepers, North and South,--Rachels weeping for +their children and refusing to be comforted; that the free States, who +refused to listen when they were told of lingering starvation, cold, +privation, and barbarous cruelty, as perpetrated on the slave, should +have lingering starvation, cold, hunger, and cruelty doing its work +among their own sons, at the hands of these slave-masters, with whose +sins our nation had connived." + +Mrs. Stowe spoke from personal experience, having seen her own son go +forth in the ranks of those who first responded to the President's +call for volunteers. He was one of the first to place his name on the +muster-roll of Company A of the First Massachusetts Volunteers. While +his regiment was still at the camp in Cambridge, Mrs. Stowe was called +to Brooklyn on important business, from which place she writes to her +husband under the date June 11, 1861:-- + +"Yesterday noon Henry (Ward Beecher) came in, saying that the +Commonwealth, with the First (Massachusetts) Regiment on board, had +just sailed by. Immediately I was of course eager to get to Jersey City +to see Fred. Sister Eunice said she would go with me, and in a few +minutes she, Hatty, Sam Scoville, and I were in a carriage, driving +towards the Fulton Ferry. Upon reaching Jersey City we found that the +boys were dining in the depot, an immense building with many tracks +and platforms. It has a great cast-iron gallery just under the roof, +apparently placed there with prophetic instinct of these times. There +was a crowd of people pressing against the grated doors, which were +locked, but through which we could see the soldiers. It was with great +difficulty that we were at last permitted to go inside, and that object +seemed to be greatly aided by a bit of printed satin that some man gave +Mr. Scoville. + +"When we were in, a vast area of gray caps and blue overcoats was +presented. The boys were eating, drinking, smoking, talking, singing, +and laughing. Company A was reported to be here, there, and everywhere. +At last S. spied Fred in the distance, and went leaping across the +tracks towards him. Immediately afterwards a blue-overcoated figure +bristling with knapsack and haversack, and looking like an assortment +of packages, came rushing towards us. + +"Fred was overjoyed, you may be sure, and my first impulse was to wipe +his face with my handkerchief before I kissed him. He was in high +spirits, in spite of the weight of blue overcoat, knapsack, etc., etc., +that he would formerly have declared intolerable for half an hour. +I gave him my handkerchief and Eunice gave him hers, with a sheer +motherly instinct that is so strong within her, and then we filled his +haversack with oranges. + +"We stayed with Fred about two hours, during which time the gallery +was filled with people, cheering and waving their handkerchiefs. Every +now and then the band played inspiriting airs, in which the soldiers +joined with hearty voices. While some of the companies sang, others +were drilled, and all seemed to be having a general jollification. The +meal that had been provided was plentiful, and consisted of coffee, +lemonade, sandwiches, etc. + +"On our way out we were introduced to the Rev. Mr. Cudworth, chaplain +of the regiment. He is a fine-looking man, with black eyes and hair, +set off by a white havelock. He wore a sword, and Fred, touching it, +asked, 'Is this for use or ornament, sir?' + +"'Let me see you in danger,' answered the chaplain, 'and you'll find +out.' + +"I said to him I supposed he had had many an one confided to his kind +offices, but I could not forbear adding one more to the number. He +answered, 'You may rest assured, Mrs. Stowe, I will do all in my power.' + +"We parted from Fred at the door. He said he felt lonesome enough +Saturday evening on the Common in Boston, where everybody was taking +leave of somebody, and he seemed to be the only one without a friend, +but that this interview made up for it all. + +"I also saw young Henry. Like Fred he is mysteriously changed, and +wears an expression of gravity and care. So our boys come to manhood +in a day. Now I am watching anxiously for the evening paper to tell me +that the regiment has reached Washington in safety." + +In November, 1862, Mrs. Stowe was invited to visit Washington, to be +present at a great thanksgiving dinner provided for the thousands +of fugitive slaves who had flocked to the city. She accepted the +invitation the more gladly because her son's regiment was encamped +near the city, and she should once more see him. He was now Lieutenant +Stowe, having honestly won his promotion by bravery on more than one +hard-fought field. She writes of this visit:-- + + Imagine a quiet little parlor with a bright coal fire, + and the gaslight burning above a centre-table, about + which Hatty, Fred, and I are seated. Fred is as happy + as happy can be to be with mother and sister once more. + All day yesterday we spent in getting him. First we had + to procure a permit to go to camp, then we went to the + fort where the colonel is, and then to another where + the brigadier-general is stationed. I was so afraid + they would not let him come with us, and was never + happier than when at last he sprang into the carriage + free to go with us for forty-eight hours. "Oh!" he + exclaimed in a sort of rapture, "this pays for a year + and a half of fighting and hard work!" + + We tried hard to get the five o'clock train out to + Laurel, where J.'s regiment is stationed, as we wanted + to spend Sunday all together; but could not catch it, + and so had to content ourselves with what we could + have. I have managed to secure a room for Fred next + ours, and feel as though I had my boy at home once + more. He is looking very well, has grown in thickness, + and is as loving and affectionate as a boy can be. + + I have just been writing a pathetic appeal to the + brigadier-general to let him stay with us a week. I + have also written to General Buckingham in regard to + changing him from the infantry, in which there seems to + be no prospect of anything but garrison duty, to the + cavalry, which is full of constant activity. + + General B. called on us last evening. He seemed to + think the prospect before us was, at best, of a long + war. He was the officer deputed to carry the order + to General McClellan relieving him of command of the + army. He carried it to him in his tent about twelve + o'clock at night. Burnside was there. McClellan said it + was very unexpected, but immediately turned over the + command. I said I thought he ought to have expected + it after having so disregarded the President's order. + General B. smiled and said he supposed McClellan had + done that so often before that he had no idea any + notice would be taken of it this time. + + Now, as I am very tired, I must close, and remain as + always, lovingly yours, + + HATTY. + +During the darkest and most bitter period of the Civil War, Mrs. Stowe +penned the following letter to the Duchess of Argyll:-- + + ANDOVER, _July 31, 1863._ + + MY DEAR FRIEND,--Your lovely, generous letter was a + real comfort to me, and reminded me that a year--and, + alas! a whole year--had passed since I wrote to your + dear mother, of whom I think so often as one of God's + noblest creatures, and one whom it comforts me to think + is still in our world. + + _So many_, good and noble, have passed away whose + friendship was such a pride, such a comfort to me! + Your noble father, Lady Byron, Mrs. Browning,--their + spirits are as perfect as ever passed to the world of + light. I grieve about your dear mother's eyes. I have + thought about you all, many a sad, long, quiet hour, + as I have lain on my bed and looked at the pictures + on my wall; one, in particular, of the moment before + the Crucifixion, which is the first thing I look at + when I wake in the morning. I think how suffering is, + and must be, the portion of noble spirits, and no lot + so brilliant that must not first or last dip into the + shadow of that eclipse. Prince Albert, too, the ideal + knight, the _Prince Arthur_ of our times, the good, + wise, steady head and heart we--that is, our world, we + Anglo-Saxons--need so much. And the Queen! yes, I have + thought of and prayed for her, too. But could a woman + hope to have _always_ such a heart, and yet ever be + weaned from earth "all this and heaven, too"? + + Under my picture I have inscribed, "Forasmuch as Christ + also hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves + with the same mind." + + This year has been one long sigh, one smothering sob, + to me. And I thank God that we have as yet one or two + generous friends in England who understand and feel for + our cause. + + The utter failure of Christian, anti-slavery England, + in those _instincts_ of a right heart which always can + see where the cause of liberty lies, has been as bitter + a grief to me as was the similar prostration of all our + American religious people in the day of the Fugitive + Slave Law. Exeter Hall is a humbug, a pious humbug, + like the rest. Lord Shaftesbury. Well, let him go; he + is a Tory, and has, after all, the instincts of his + class. But I saw _your_ duke's speech to his tenants! + That was grand! If _he_ can see these things, they are + to be seen, and why cannot Exeter Hall see them? It is + simply the want of the honest heart. + + Why do the horrible barbarities of _Southern_ soldiers + cause no comment? Why is the sympathy of the British + Parliament reserved for the poor women of New Orleans, + deprived of their elegant amusement of throwing vitriol + into soldiers' faces, and practicing indecencies + inconceivable in any other state of society? Why is + _all_ expression of sympathy on the _Southern_ side? + There is a class of women in New Orleans whom Butler + protects from horrible barbarities, that up to his day + have been practiced on them by these so-called New + Orleans ladies, but British sympathy has ceased to + notice _them_. You see I am bitter. I am. You wonder + at my brother. He is a man, and feels a thousand + times more than I can, and deeper than all he ever + has expressed, the spirit of these things. You must + not wonder, therefore. Remember it is the moment when + every nerve is vital; it is our agony; we tread the + winepress alone, and they whose cheap rhetoric has been + for years pushing us into it now desert _en masse_. I + thank my God I always loved and trusted most those who + now _do_ stand true,--your family, your duke, yourself, + your noble mother. I have lost Lady Byron. Her great + heart, her eloquent letters, would have been such a joy + to me! And Mrs. Browning, oh such a heroic woman! None + of her poems can express what _she_ was,--so grand, so + comprehending, so strong, with such inspired insight! + She stood by Italy through its crisis. Her heart was + with all good through the world. Your prophecy that + we shall come out better, truer, stronger, will, I am + confident, be true, and it was worthy of yourself and + your good lineage. + + Slavery will be sent out by this agony. We are only + in the throes and ravings of the exorcism. The roots + of the cancer have gone everywhere, but they must + die--will. Already the Confiscation Bill is its natural + destruction. Lincoln has been too slow. He should have + done it sooner, and with an impulse, but come it must, + come it will. Your mother will live to see slavery + abolished, _unless_ England forms an alliance to hold + it up. England is the great reliance of the slave-power + to-day, and next to England the faltering weakness of + the North, which palters and dare not fire the great + broadside for fear of hitting friends. These things + _must_ be done, and sudden, sharp remedies are _mercy_. + Just now we are in a dark hour; but whether God be with + us or not, I know He is with the slave, and with his + redemption will come the solution of our question. I + have long known _what_ and who we had to deal with + in this, for when I wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin" I had + letters addressed to me showing a state of society + perfectly _inconceivable_. That they violate graves, + make drinking-cups of skulls, that _ladies_ wear cameos + cut from bones, and treasure scalps, is no surprise + to me. If I had written what I knew of the obscenity, + brutality, and cruelty of that society down there, + society would have cast out the books; and it is for + their interest, the interest of the whole race in the + South, that we should succeed. I wish _them_ no ill, + feel no bitterness; they have had a Dahomian education + which makes them savage. We don't expect any more of + _them_, but if slavery is destroyed, one generation of + education and liberty will efface these stains. They + will come to themselves, these States, and be glad it + is over. + + I am using up my paper to little purpose. Please give + my best love to your dear mother. I am going to write + to her. If I only could have written the things I have + often thought! I am going to put on her bracelet, with + the other dates, that of the abolition of slavery in + the District of Columbia. Remember me to the duke and + to your dear children. My husband desires his best + regards, my daughters also. + + I am lovingly ever yours, + H. B. STOWE. + +Later in the year we hear again from her son in the army, and this +time the news comes in a chaplain's letter from the terrible field of +Gettysburg. He writes:-- + + GETTYSBURG, PA., _Saturday, July 11_, 9.30 P. M. + + MRS. H. B. STOWE: + + _Dear Madam_,--Among the thousands of wounded and dying + men on this war-scarred field, I have just met with + your son, Captain Stowe. If you have not already heard + from him, it may cheer your heart to know that he is + in the hands of good, kind friends. He was struck by + a fragment of a shell, which entered his right ear. + He is quiet and cheerful, longs to see some member + of his family, and is, above all, anxious that they + should hear from him as soon as possible. I assured him + I would write at once, and though I am wearied by a + week's labor here among scenes of terrible suffering, + I know that, to a mother's anxious heart, even a hasty + scrawl about her boy will be more than welcome. + + May God bless and sustain you in this troubled time! + + Yours with sincere sympathy, + J. M. CROWELL. + +The wound in the head was not fatal, and after weary months of intense +suffering it imperfectly healed; but the cruel iron had too nearly +touched the brain of the young officer, and never again was he what he +had been. Soon after the war his mother bought a plantation in Florida, +largely in the hope that the out-of-door life connected with its +management might be beneficial to her afflicted son. He remained on it +for several years, and then, being possessed with the idea that a long +sea voyage would do him more good than anything else, sailed from New +York to San Francisco around the Horn. That he reached the latter city +in safety is known; but that is all. No word from him or concerning +him has ever reached the loving hearts that have waited so anxiously +for it, and of his ultimate fate nothing is known. + +Meantime, the year 1863 was proving eventful in many other ways to Mrs. +Stowe. In the first place, the long and pleasant Andover connection of +Professor Stowe was about to be severed, and the family were to remove +to Hartford, Conn. They were to occupy a house that Mrs. Stowe was +building on the bank of Park River. It was erected in a grove of oaks +that had in her girlhood been one of Mrs. Stowe's favorite resorts. +Here, with her friend Georgiana May, she had passed many happy hours, +and had often declared that if she were ever able to build a house, it +should stand in that very place. Here, then, it was built in 1863, and +as the location was at that time beyond the city limits, it formed, +with its extensive, beautiful groves, a particularly charming place of +residence. Beautiful as it was, however, it was occupied by the family +for only a few years. The needs of the growing city caused factories to +spring up in the neighborhood, and to escape their encroachments the +Stowes in 1873 bought and moved into the house on Forest Street that +has ever since been their Northern home. Thus the only house Mrs. Stowe +ever planned and built for herself has been appropriated to the use of +factory hands, and is now a tenement occupied by several families. + +Another important event of 1863 was the publishing of that charming +story of Italy, "Agnes of Sorrento," which had been begun nearly four +years before. This story suggested itself to Mrs. Stowe while she +was abroad during the winter of 1859-60. The origin of the story is +as follows: One evening, at a hotel in Florence, it was proposed that +the various members of the party should write short stories and read +them for the amusement of the company. Mrs. Stowe took part in this +literary contest, and the result was the first rough sketch of "Agnes +of Sorrento." From this beginning was afterwards elaborated "Agnes of +Sorrento," with a dedication to Annie Howard, who was one of the party. + +Not the least important event of the year to Mrs. Stowe, and the world +at large through her instrumentality, was the publication in the +"Atlantic Monthly" of her reply to the address of the women of England. +The "reply" is substantially as follows:-- + + _January, 1863._ + + A REPLY + + To "The affectionate and Christian Address of many + thousands of Women of Great Britain and Ireland to + their Sisters, the Women of the United States of + America," (signed by) + + ANNA MARIA BEDFORD (Duchess of Bedford). + OLIVIA CECILIA COWLEY (Countess Cowley). + CONSTANCE GROSVENOR (Countess Grosvenor). + HARRIET SUTHERLAND (Duchess of Sutherland). + ELIZABETH ARGYLL (Duchess of Argyll). + ELIZABETH FORTESCUE (Countess Fortescue). + EMILY SHAFTESBURY (Countess of Shaftesbury). + MARY RUTHVEN (Baroness Ruthven). + M. A. MILMAN (wife of Dean of St. Paul). + R. BUXTON (daughter of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton). + CAROLINE AMELIA OWEN (wife of Professor Owen). + MRS. CHARLES WINDHAM. + C. A. HATHERTON (Baroness Hatherton). + ELIZABETH DUCIE (Countess Dowager of Ducie). + CECILIA PARKE (wife of Baron Parke). + MARY ANN CHALLIS (wife of the Lord Mayor of London). + E. GORDON (Duchess Dowager of Gordon). + ANNA M. L. MELVILLE (daughter of Earl of Leven and Melville). + GEORGIANA EBRINGTON (Lady Ebrington). + A. HILL (Viscountess Hill). + MRS. GOBAT (wife of Bishop Gobat of Jerusalem). + E. PALMERSTON (Viscountess Palmerston). + (And others). + + SISTERS,--More than eight years ago you sent to us in + America a document with the above heading. It is as + follows:-- + + "A common origin, a common faith, and, we sincerely + believe, a common cause, urge us, at the present + moment, to address you on the subject of that system of + negro slavery which still prevails so extensively, and, + even under kindly disposed masters, with such frightful + results, in many of the vast regions of the Western + world. + + "We will not dwell on the ordinary topics,--on the + progress of civilization, on the advance of freedom + everywhere, on the rights and requirements of the + nineteenth century; but we appeal to you very seriously + to reflect, and to ask counsel of God, how far such a + state of things is in accordance with his Holy Word, + the inalienable rights of immortal souls, and the + pure and merciful spirit of the Christian religion. + We do not shut our eyes to the difficulties, nay, the + dangers, that might beset the immediate abolition of + that long-established system. We see and admit the + necessity of preparation for so great an event; but, + in speaking of indispensable preliminaries, we cannot + be silent on those laws of your country which, in + direct contravention of God's own law, 'instituted in + the time of man's innocency,' deny in effect to the + slave the sanctity of marriage, with all its joys, + rights, and obligations; which separate, at the will + of the master, the wife from the husband, and the + children from the parents. Nor can we be silent on that + awful system which, either by statute or by custom, + interdicts to any race of men, or any portion of the + human family, education in the truths of the gospel and + the ordinances of Christianity. A remedy applied to + these two evils alone would commence the amelioration + of their sad condition. We appeal to you then, as + sisters, as wives, and as mothers, to raise your voices + to your fellow-citizens, and your prayers to God, for + the removal of this affliction and disgrace from the + Christian world. + + "We do not say these things in a spirit of + self-complacency, as though our nation were free from + the guilt it perceives in others. + + "We acknowledge with grief and shame our heavy share + in this great sin. We acknowledge that our forefathers + introduced, nay compelled the adoption, of slavery in + those mighty colonies. We humbly confess it before + Almighty God; and it is because we so deeply feel + and unfeignedly avow our own complicity, that we now + venture to implore your aid to wipe away our common + crime and our common dishonor." + + * * * * * + + This address, splendidly illuminated on vellum, was + sent to our shores at the head of twenty-six folio + volumes, containing considerably more than half + a million of signatures of British women. It was + forwarded to me with a letter from a British nobleman, + now occupying one of the highest official positions + in England, with a request on behalf of these ladies + that it should be in any possible way presented to the + attention of my countrywomen. + + This memorial, as it now stands in its solid oaken + case, with its heavy folios, each bearing on its back + the imprint of the American eagle, forms a most unique + library, a singular monument of an international + expression of a moral idea. No right-thinking person + can find aught to be objected against the substance + or form of this memorial. It is temperate, just, and + kindly; and on the high ground of Christian equality, + where it places itself, may be regarded as a perfectly + proper expression of sentiment, as between blood + relations and equals in two different nations. The + signatures to this appeal are not the least remarkable + part of it; for, beginning at the very steps of the + throne, they go down to the names of women in the + very humblest conditions in life, and represent all + that Great Britain possesses, not only of highest and + wisest, but of plain, homely common sense and good + feeling. Names of wives of cabinet ministers appear + on the same page with the names of wives of humble + labourers,--names of duchesses and countesses, of wives + of generals, ambassadors, savants, and men of letters, + mingled with names traced in trembling characters by + hands evidently unused to hold the pen, and stiffened + by lowly toil. Nay, so deep and expansive was the + feeling, that British subjects in foreign lands had + their representation. Among the signatures are those of + foreign residents, from Paris to Jerusalem. Autographs + so diverse, and collected from sources so various, + have seldom been found in juxtaposition. They remain + at this day a silent witness of a most singular tide + of feeling which at that time swept over the British + community and _made_ for itself an expression, even at + the risk of offending the sensibilities of an equal and + powerful nation. + + No reply to that address, in any such tangible and + monumental form, has ever been possible. It was + impossible to canvass our vast territories with the + zealous and indefatigable industry with which England + was canvassed for signatures. In America, those + possessed of the spirit which led to this efficient + action had no leisure for it. All their time and + energies were already absorbed in direct efforts to + remove the great evil, concerning which the minds of + their English sisters had been newly aroused, and their + only answer was the silent continuance of these efforts. + + From the slaveholding States, however, as was to be + expected, came a flood of indignant recrimination and + rebuke. No one act, perhaps, ever produced more frantic + irritation, or called out more unsparing abuse. It came + with the whole united weight of the British aristocracy + and commonalty on the most diseased and sensitive part + of our national life; and it stimulated that fierce + excitement which was working before, and has worked + since, till it has broken out into open war. + + The time has come, however, when such an astonishing + page has been turned, in the anti-slavery history of + America, that the women of our country, feeling that + the great anti-slavery work to which their English + sisters exhorted them is almost done, may properly and + naturally feel moved to reply to their appeal, and lay + before them the history of what has occurred since the + receipt of their affectionate and Christian address. + + Your address reached us just as a great moral conflict + was coming to its intensest point. The agitation kept + up by the anti-slavery portion of America, by England, + and by the general sentiment of humanity in Europe, + had made the situation of the slaveholding aristocracy + intolerable. As one of them at the time expressed it, + they felt themselves under the ban of the civilized + world. Two courses only were open to them: to abandon + slave institutions, the sources of their wealth and + political power, or to assert them with such an + overwhelming national force as to compel the respect + and assent of mankind. They chose the latter. + + To this end they determined to seize on and control all + the resources of the Federal Government, and to spread + their institutions through new States and Territories + until the balance of power should fall into their hands + and they should be able to force slavery into all the + free States. + + A leading Southern senator boasted that he would yet + call the roll of his slaves on Bunker Hill; and for a + while the political successes of the slave-power were + such as to suggest to New England that this was no + impossible event. + + They repealed the Missouri Compromise, which had + hitherto stood like the Chinese wall, between our + Northwestern Territories and the irruptions of + slaveholding barbarians. + + Then came the struggle between freedom and slavery in + the new territory; the battle for Kansas and Nebraska, + fought with fire and sword and blood, where a race of + men, of whom John Brown was the immortal type, acted + over again the courage, the perseverance, and the + military-religious ardor of the old Covenanters of + Scotland, and like them redeemed the ark of liberty at + the price of their own blood, and blood dearer than + their own. + + The time of the Presidential canvass which elected + Mr. Lincoln was the crisis of this great battle. The + conflict had become narrowed down to the one point of + the extension of slave territory. If the slaveholders + could get States enough, they could control and + rule; if they were outnumbered by free States, their + institutions, by the very law of their nature, would + die of suffocation. Therefore Fugitive Slave Law, + District of Columbia, Inter-State Slave-trade, and what + not, were all thrown out of sight for a grand rally + on this vital point. A President was elected pledged + to opposition to this one thing alone,--a man known + to be in favor of the Fugitive Slave Law and other + so-called compromises of the Constitution, but honest + and faithful in his determination on this one subject. + That this was indeed the vital point was shown by the + result. The moment Lincoln's election was ascertained, + the slaveholders resolved to destroy the Union they + could no longer control. + + They met and organized a Confederacy which they openly + declared to be the first republic founded on the right + and determination of the white man to enslave the black + man, and, spreading their banners, declared themselves + to the Christian world of the nineteenth century as a + nation organized with the full purpose and intent of + perpetuating slavery. + + But in the course of the struggle that followed, it + became important for the new confederation to secure + the assistance of foreign powers, and infinite pains + were then taken to blind and bewilder the mind of + England as to the real issues of the conflict in + America. + + It has been often and earnestly asserted that slavery + had nothing to do with this conflict; that it was a + mere struggle for power; that the only object was to + restore the Union as it was, with all its abuses. It is + to be admitted that expressions have proceeded from the + national administration which naturally gave rise to + misapprehension, and therefore we beg to speak to you + on this subject more fully. + + And first the declaration of the Confederate States + themselves is proof enough, that, whatever may be + declared on the other side, the maintenance of slavery + is regarded by them as the vital object of their + movement. + + We ask your attention under this head to the + declaration of their Vice-President, Stephens, in that + remarkable speech delivered on the 21st of March, + 1861, at Savannah, Georgia, wherein he declares the + object and purposes of the new Confederacy. It is one + of the most extraordinary papers which our century + has produced. I quote from the _verbatim_ report in + the "Savannah Republican" of the address as it was + delivered in the Athenaeum of that city, on which + occasion, says the newspaper from which I copy, "Mr. + Stephens took his seat amid a burst of enthusiasm and + applause such as the Athenaeum has never had displayed + within its walls within the recollection 'of the oldest + inhabitant.'" + + Last, not least, the new Constitution has put at rest + _forever_ all the agitating questions relating to our + peculiar institution,--African slavery as it exists + among us, the proper _status_ of the negro in our form + of civilization. _This was the immediate cause of the + late rupture and present revolution._ Jefferson, in his + forecast, had anticipated this as the "rock upon which + the old Union would split." He was right. What was a + conjecture with him is now a realized fact. But whether + he fully comprehended the great truth upon which that + rock _stood_ and _stands_ may be doubted. + + _The prevailing ideas entertained by him and most of + the leading statesmen at the time of the formation of + the old Constitution were, that the enslavement of + the African was in violation of the laws of nature; + that it was wrong in principle, socially, morally, and + politically._ + + In the mean while, during the past year, the Republican + administration, with all the unwonted care of + organizing an army and navy, and conducting military + operations on an immense scale, have proceeded to + demonstrate the feasibility of overthrowing slavery + by purely constitutional measures. To this end they + have instituted a series of movements which have made + this year more fruitful in anti-slavery triumphs than + any other since the emancipation of the British West + Indies. The District of Columbia, as belonging strictly + to the national government and to no separate State, + has furnished a fruitful subject of remonstrance from + British Christians with America. We have abolished + slavery there, and thus wiped out the only blot of + territorial responsibility on our escutcheon. + + By another act, equally grand in principle, and far + more important in its results, slavery is forever + excluded from the Territories of the United States. + + By another act, America has consummated the + long-delayed treaty with Great Britain for the + suppression of the slave-trade. In ports whence slave + vessels formerly sailed with the connivance of the + port officers, the administration has placed men who + stand up to their duty, and for the first time in our + history the slave-trader is convicted and hung as a + pirate. This abominable secret traffic has been wholly + demolished by the energy of the Federal Government. + + Lastly, and more significant still, the United States + government has in its highest official capacity taken + distinct anti-slavery ground, and presented to the + country a plan of peaceable emancipation with suitable + compensation. This noble-spirited and generous offer + has been urged on the slaveholding States by the chief + executive with earnestness and sincerity. But this is + but half the story of the anti-slavery triumphs of this + year. We have shown you what has been done for freedom + by the simple use of the ordinary constitutional forces + of the Union. We are now to show you what has been done + to the same end by the constitutional war-power of the + nation. + + By this power it has been this year decreed that every + slave of a rebel who reaches the lines of our army + becomes a free man; that all slaves found deserted + by their masters become free men; that every slave + employed in any service for the United States thereby + obtains his liberty; and that every slave employed + against the United States in any capacity obtains his + liberty; and lest the army should contain officers + disposed to remand slaves to their masters, the power + of judging and delivering up slaves is denied to army + officers, and all such acts are made penal. + + By this act the Fugitive Slave Law is for all present + purposes practically repealed. With this understanding + and provision, wherever our armies march they carry + liberty with them. For be it remembered that our army + is almost entirely a volunteer one, and that the most + zealous and ardent volunteers are those who have been + for years fighting, with tongue and pen, the abolition + battle. So marked is the character of our soldiers in + this respect, that they are now familiarly designated + in the official military dispatches of the Confederate + States as "the Abolitionists." Conceive the results + when an army so empowered by national law marches + through a slave territory. One regiment alone has to + our certain knowledge liberated two thousand slaves + during the past year, and this regiment is but one out + of hundreds. + + Lastly, the great decisive measure of the war + has appeared,--_the President's Proclamation of + Emancipation_. + + This also has been much misunderstood and + misrepresented in England. It has been said to mean + virtually this: Be loyal and you shall keep your + slaves; rebel and they shall be free. But let us + remember what we have just seen of the purpose and + meaning of the Union to which the rebellious States + are invited back. It is to a Union which has abolished + slavery in the District of Columbia, and interdicted + slavery in the Territories; which vigorously represses + the slave-trade, and hangs the convicted slaver as a + pirate; which necessitates emancipation by denying + expansion to slavery, and facilitates it by the offer + of compensation. Any slaveholding States which should + return to such a Union might fairly be supposed to + return with the purpose of peaceable emancipation. + The President's Proclamation simply means this: Come + in and emancipate peaceably with compensation; stay + out and I emancipate, nor will I protect you from the + consequences. + + Will our sisters in England feel no heartbeat at + that event? Is it not one of the predicted voices of + the latter day, saying under the whole heavens, "It + is done; the kingdoms of this world are become the + kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ"? + + And now, sisters of England, in this solemn, expectant + hour, let us speak to you of one thing which fills our + hearts with pain and solicitude. It is an unaccountable + fact, and one which we entreat you seriously to ponder, + that the party which has brought the cause of freedom + thus far on its way, during the past eventful year, + has found little or no support in England. Sadder + than this, the party which makes slavery the chief + corner-stone of its edifice finds in England its + strongest defenders. + + The voices that have spoken for us who contend for + liberty have been few and scattering. God forbid that + we should forget those few noble voices, so sadly + exceptional in the general outcry against us! They + are, alas! too few to be easily forgotten. False + statements have blinded the minds of your community, + and turned the most generous sentiments of the British + heart against us. The North are fighting for supremacy + and the South for independence, has been the voice. + Independence? for what? to do what? To prove the + doctrine that all men are _not_ equal; to establish the + doctrine that the white may enslave the negro! + + In the beginning of our struggle, the voices that + reached us across the water said: "If we were only + sure you were fighting for the abolition of slavery, + we should not dare to say whither our sympathies for + your cause might not carry us." Such, as we heard, were + the words of the honored and religious nobleman who + draughted this very letter which you signed and sent + us, and to which we are now replying. + + When these words reached us we said: "We can wait; our + friends in England will soon see whither this conflict + is tending." A year and a half have passed; step after + step has been taken for liberty; chain after chain has + fallen, till the march of our armies is choked and + clogged by the glad flocking of emancipated slaves; + the day of final emancipation is set; the border + States begin to move in voluntary consent; universal + freedom for all dawns like the sun in the distant + horizon, and still no voice from England. No voice? + Yes, we have heard on the high seas the voice of a + war-steamer, built for a man-stealing Confederacy, + with English gold, in an English dockyard, going out + of an English harbor, manned by English sailors, with + the full knowledge of English government officers, in + defiance of the Queen's proclamation of neutrality! + So far has English sympathy overflowed. We have heard + of other steamers, iron-clad, designed to furnish to + a slavery-defending Confederacy their only lack,--a + navy for the high seas. We have heard that the British + Evangelical Alliance refuses to express sympathy with + the liberating party, when requested to do so by + the French Evangelical Alliance. We find in English + religious newspapers all those sad degrees in the + downward-sliding scale of defending and apologizing + for slaveholders and slaveholding, with which we have + so many years contended in our own country. We find + the President's Proclamation of Emancipation spoken + of in those papers only as an incitement to servile + insurrection. Nay, more,--we find in your papers, from + thoughtful men, the admission of the rapid decline of + anti-slavery sentiments in England. + + This very day the writer of this has been present at + a solemn religious festival in the national capital, + given at the home of a portion of those fugitive slaves + who have fled to our lines for protection,--who, under + the shadow of our flag, find sympathy and succor. The + national day of thanksgiving was there kept by over + a thousand redeemed slaves, and for whom Christian + charity had spread an ample repast. Our sisters, + we wish _you_ could have witnessed the scene. We + wish you could have heard the prayer of a blind old + negro, called among his fellows John the Baptist, + when in touching broken English he poured forth his + thanksgivings. We wish you could have heard the sound + of that strange rhythmical chant which is now forbidden + to be sung on Southern plantations,--the psalm of this + modern exodus,--which combines the barbaric fire of + the Marseillaise with the religious fervor of the old + Hebrew prophet:-- + + "Oh, go down, Moses, + Way down into Egypt's land! + Tell King Pharaoh + To let my people go! + Stand away dere, + Stand away dere, + And let my people go!" + + As we were leaving, an aged woman came and lifted up + her hands in blessing. "Bressed be de Lord dat brought + me to see dis first happy day of my life! Bressed be de + Lord!" In all England is there no Amen? + + We have been shocked and saddened by the question + asked in an association of Congregational ministers in + England, the very blood relations of the liberty-loving + Puritans,--"Why does not the North let the South go?" + + What! give up the point of emancipation for these four + million slaves? Turn our backs on them, and leave them + to their fate? What! leave our white brothers to run + a career of oppression and robbery, that, as sure as + there is a God that ruleth in the armies of heaven, + will bring down a day of wrath and doom? Remember that + wishing success to this slavery-establishing effort is + only wishing to the sons and daughters of the South all + the curses that God has written against oppression. + _Mark our words!_ If we succeed, the children of + these very men who are now fighting us will rise up + to call us blessed. Just as surely as there is a God + who governs in the world, so surely all the laws of + national prosperity follow in the train of equity; and + if we succeed, we shall have delivered the children's + children of our misguided brethren from the wages of + sin, which is always and everywhere death. + + And now, sisters of England, think it not strange if we + bring back the words of your letter, not in bitterness, + but in deepest sadness, and lay them down at your door. + We say to you, Sisters, you have spoken well; we have + heard you; we have heeded; we have striven in the + cause, even unto death. We have sealed our devotion + by desolate hearth and darkened homestead,--by the + blood of sons, husbands, and brothers. In many of + our dwellings the very light of our lives has gone + out; and yet we accept the life-long darkness as our + own part in this great and awful expiation, by which + the bonds of wickedness shall be loosed, and abiding + peace established on the foundation of righteousness. + Sisters, what have _you_ done, and what do you mean to + do? + + We appeal to you as sisters, as wives, and as mothers, + to raise your voices to your fellow-citizens, and your + prayers to God for the removal of this affliction and + disgrace from the Christian world. + + In behalf of many thousands of American women. + + HARRIET BEECHER STOWE. + + WASHINGTON, _November 27, 1862._ + +The publication of this reply elicited the following interesting letter +from John Bright:-- + + ROCHDALE, _March 9, 1863._ + + DEAR MRS. STOWE,--I received your kind note with + real pleasure, and felt it very good of you to send + me a copy of the "Atlantic Monthly" with your noble + letter to the women of England. I read every word + of it with an intense interest, and I am quite sure + that its effect upon opinion here has been marked and + beneficial. It has covered some with shame, and it has + compelled many to think, and it has stimulated not a + few to act. Before this reaches you, you will have + seen what large and earnest meetings have been held in + all our towns in favor of abolition and the North. No + town has a building large enough to contain those who + come to listen, to applaud, and to vote in favor of + freedom and the Union. The effect of this is evident + on our newspapers and on the tone of Parliament, where + now nobody says a word in favor of recognition, or + mediation, or any such thing. + + The need and duty of England is admitted to be a strict + neutrality, but the feeling of the millions of her + people is one of friendliness to the United States and + its government. It would cause universal rejoicing, + among all but a limited circle of aristocracy and + commercially rich and corrupt, to hear that the + Northern forces had taken Vicksburg on the great river, + and Charleston on the Atlantic, and that the neck of + the conspiracy was utterly broken. + + I hope your people may have strength and virtue to win + the great cause intrusted to them, but it is fearful to + contemplate the amount of the depravity in the North + engendered by the long power of slavery. New England is + far ahead of the States as a whole,--too instructed and + too moral; but still I will hope that she will bear the + nation through this appalling danger. + + I well remember the evening at Rome and our + conversation. You lamented the election of Buchanan. + You judged him with a more unfriendly but a more + correct eye than mine. He turned out more incapable and + less honest than I hoped for. And I think I was right + in saying that your party was not then sufficiently + consolidated to enable it to maintain its policy in the + execution, even had Fremont been elected. As it is now, + six years later, the North but falteringly supports the + policy of the government, though impelled by the force + of events which then you did not dream of. President + Lincoln has lived half his troubled reign. In the + coming half I hope he may see land; surely slavery will + be so broken up that nothing can restore and renew it; + and, slavery once fairly gone, I know not how all your + States can long be kept asunder. + + Believe me very sincerely yours, + JOHN BRIGHT. + +It also called forth from Archbishop Whately the following letter:-- + + PALACE, DUBLIN, _January, 1863._ + + DEAR MADAM,--In acknowledging your letter and + pamphlet, I take the opportunity of laying before + you what I collect to be the prevailing sentiments + here on American affairs. Of course there is a great + variety of opinion, as may be expected in a country + like ours. Some few sympathize with the Northerns, + and some few with the Southerns, but far the greater + portion sympathize with neither completely, but lament + that each party should be making so much greater + an expenditure of life and property than can be + compensated for by any advantage they can dream of + obtaining. + + Those who are the least favorable to the Northerns are + not so from any approbation of slavery, but from not + understanding that the war is waged in the cause of + abolition. "It was waged," they say, "ostensibly for + the restoration of the Union," and in attestation of + this, they refer to the proclamation which announced + the confiscation of slaves that were the property of + secessionists, while those who adhered to the Federal + cause should be exempt from such confiscation, which, + they say, did not savor much of zeal for abolition. + And if the other object--the restoration of the + Union--could be accomplished, which they all regard + as hopeless, they do not understand how it will tend + to the abolition of slavery. On the contrary, "if," + say they, "the separation had been allowed to take + place peaceably, the Northerns might, as we do, have + proclaimed freedom to every slave who set foot on + their territory; which would have been a great check + to slavery, and especially to any cruel treatment of + slaves." Many who have a great dislike to slavery yet + hold that the Southerns had at least as much right + to secede as the Americans had originally to revolt + from Great Britain. And there are many who think that, + considering the dreadful distress we have suffered from + the cotton famine, we have shown great forbearance in + withstanding the temptation of recognizing the Southern + States and to break the blockade. + + Then, again, there are some who are provoked at the + incessant railing at England, and threats of an + invasion of Canada, which are poured forth in some of + the American papers. + + There are many, also, who consider that the present + state of things cannot continue much longer if the + Confederates continue to hold their own, as they + have done hitherto; and that a people who shall have + maintained their independence for two or three years + will be recognized by the principal European powers. + Such appears to have been the procedure of the European + powers in all similar cases, such as the revolt of the + Anglo-American and Spanish-American colonies, of the + Haytians and the Belgians. In these and other like + cases, the rule practically adopted seems to have been + to recognize the revolters, not at once, but after a + reasonable time had been allowed to see whether they + could maintain their independence; and this without + being understood to have pronounced any decision either + way as to the justice of the cause. + + Moreover, there are many who say that the negroes and + people of color are far from being kindly or justly + treated in the Northern States. An emancipated slave, + at any rate, has not received good training for earning + his bread by the wages of labor; and if, in addition + to this and his being treated as an outcast, he is + excluded, as it is said, from many employments, by + the refusal of white laborers to work along with him, + he will have gained little by taking refuge in the + Northern States. + + I have now laid before you the views which I conceive + to be most prevalent among us, and for which I am not + myself responsible. + + For the safe and effectual emancipation of slaves, + I myself consider there is no plan so good as the + gradual one which was long ago suggested by Bishop + Hinds. What he recommended was an _ad valorem tax_ upon + slaves,--the value to be fixed by the owner, with an + option to government to purchase at that price. Thus + the slaves would be a burden to the master, and those + the most so who should be the most valuable, as being + the most intelligent and steady, and therefore the best + qualified for freedom; and it would be his interest to + train his slaves to be free laborers, and to emancipate + them, one by one, as speedily as he could with safety. + I fear, however, that the time is gone by for trying + this experiment in America. + + With best wishes for the new year, believe me + + Yours faithfully, + RD. WHATELY. + +Among the many letters written from this side of the Atlantic regarding +the reply, was one from Nathaniel Hawthorne, in which he says:-- + + I read with great pleasure your article in the last + "Atlantic." If anything could make John Bull blush, I + should think it might be that; but he is a hardened + and villainous hypocrite. I always felt that he cared + nothing for or against slavery, except as it gave him + a vantage-ground on which to parade his own virtue and + sneer at our iniquity. + + With best regards from Mrs. Hawthorne and myself to + yourself and family, sincerely yours, + + NATH'L HAWTHORNE. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +FLORIDA, 1865-1869. + + LETTER TO DUCHESS OF ARGYLL.--MRS. STOWE DESIRES TO + HAVE A HOME AT THE SOUTH.--FLORIDA THE BEST FIELD + FOR DOING GOOD.--SHE BUYS A PLACE AT MANDARIN.--A + CHARMING WINTER RESIDENCE.--"PALMETTO LEAVES."--EASTER + SUNDAY AT MANDARIN.--CORRESPONDENCE WITH DR. + HOLMES.--"POGANUC PEOPLE."--RECEPTIONS IN NEW ORLEANS + AND TALLAHASSEE.--LAST WINTER AT MANDARIN. + + +IN 1866, the terrible conflict between the North and South having +ended, Mrs. Stowe wrote the following letter to the Duchess of Argyll:-- + + HARTFORD, _February 19, 1866._ + + MY DEAR FRIEND,--Your letter was a real spring of + comfort to me, bringing refreshingly the pleasant + library at Inverary and the lovely days I spent there. + + I am grieved at what you say of your dear mother's + health. I showed your letter to Mrs. Perkins, and we + both agreed in saying that _we_ should like for a time + to fill the place of maid to her, as doubtless you all + feel, too. I should so love to be with her, to read to + her, and talk to her! and oh, there is so much that + would cheer and comfort a noble heart like hers that + we could talk about. Oh, my friend, when I think of + what has been done these last few years, and of what is + now doing, I am lost in amazement. I have just, by way + of realizing it to myself, been reading "Uncle Tom's + Cabin" again, and when I read that book, scarred and + seared and burned into with the memories of an anguish + and horror that can never be forgotten, and think it + is all over now, all past, and that now the questions + debated are simply of more or less time before granting + legal suffrage to those who so lately were held only + as articles of merchandise,--when this comes over me I + think no private or individual sorrow can ever make me + wholly without comfort. If my faith in God's presence + and real, living power in the affairs of men ever grows + dim, this makes it impossible to doubt. + + I have just had a sweet and lovely Christian letter + from Garrison, whose beautiful composure and + thankfulness in his hour of victory are as remarkable + as his wonderful courage in the day of moral battle. + His note ends with the words, "And who but God is to + be glorified?" Garrison's attitude is far more exalted + than that of Wendell Phillips. He acknowledges the + great deed done. He suspends his "Liberator" with + words of devout thanksgiving, and devotes himself + unobtrusively to the work yet to be accomplished for + the freedmen; while Phillips seems resolved to ignore + the mighty work that has been done, because of the + inevitable shortcomings and imperfections that beset + it still. We have a Congress of splendid men,--men + of stalwart principle and determination. We have a + President[15] honestly seeking to do right; and if he + fails in knowing just what right is, it is because he + is a man born and reared in a slave State, and acted + on by many influences which we cannot rightly estimate + unless we were in his place. My brother Henry has + talked with him earnestly and confidentially, and has + faith in him as an earnest, good man seeking to do + right. Henry takes the ground that it is unwise and + impolitic to endeavor to force negro suffrage on the + South at the point of the bayonet. His policy would be, + to hold over the negro the protection of our Freedman's + Bureau until the great laws of free labor shall begin + to draw the master and servant together; to endeavor to + soothe and conciliate, and win to act with us, a party + composed of the really good men at the South. + + For this reason he has always advocated lenity of + measures towards them. He wants to get them into a + state in which the moral influence of the North can + act upon them beneficially, and to get such a state of + things that there will be a party _at the South_ to + protect the negro. + + Charles Sumner is looking simply at the abstract + _right_ of the thing. Henry looks at actual + probabilities. We all know that the state of society + at the South is such that laws are a very inadequate + protection even to white men. Southern elections always + have been scenes of mob violence _when only white men + voted_. + + Multitudes of lives have been lost at the polls in + this way, and if against their will negro suffrage was + forced upon them, I do not see how any one in their + senses can expect anything less than an immediate war + of races. + + If negro suffrage were required as a condition of + acquiring political position, there is no doubt the + slave States would grant it; grant it nominally, + because they would know that the grant never could or + would become an actual realization. And what would then + be gained for the negro? + + I am sorry that people cannot differ on such great and + perplexing public questions without impugning each + other's motives. Henry has been called a back-slider + because of the lenity of his counsels, but I cannot + but think it is the Spirit of Christ that influences + him. Garrison has been in the same way spoken of as + a deserter, because he says that a work that is done + shall be called done, and because he would not keep up + an anti-slavery society when slavery is abolished; and + I think our President is much injured by the abuse that + is heaped on him, and the selfish and unworthy motives + that are ascribed to him by those who seem determined + to allow to nobody an honest, unselfish difference in + judgment from their own. + + Henry has often spoken of you and your duke as pleasant + memories in a scene of almost superhuman labor and + excitement. He often said to me: "When this is all + over,--when we have won the victory,--_then_ I will + write to the duchess." But when it was over and the + flag raised again at Sumter his arm was smitten + down with the news of our President's death! We all + appreciate your noble and true sympathy through the + dark hour of our national trial. You and yours are + almost the only friends we now have left in England. + You cannot know what it was, unless you could imagine + your own country to be in danger of death, extinction + of nationality. _That_, dear friend, is an experience + which shows us what we are and what we can feel. I am + glad to hear that we may hope to see your son in this + country. I fear so many pleasant calls will beset his + path that we cannot hope for a moment, but it would + give us _all_ the greatest pleasure to see him here. + Our dull, prosy, commonplace, though good old Hartford + could offer few attractions compared with Boston or + New York, and yet I hope he will not leave us out + altogether if he comes among us. God bless him! You are + very happy indeed in being permitted to keep all your + dear ones and see them growing up. + + I want to ask a favor. Do you have, as we do, _cartes + de visite_? If you have, and could send me one of + yourself and the duke and of Lady Edith and your + eldest son, I should be so very glad to see how you + are looking now; and the dear mother, too, I should + so like to see how she looks. It seems almost like a + dream to look back to those pleasant days. I am glad + to see you still keep some memories of our goings on. + Georgie's marriage is a very happy one to us. They live + in Stockbridge, the loveliest part of Massachusetts, + and her husband is a most devoted pastor, and gives all + his time and property to the great work which he has + embraced, purely for the love of it. My other daughters + are with me, and my son, Captain Stowe, who has come + with weakened health through our struggle, suffering + constantly from the effects of a wound in his head + received at Gettysburg, which makes his returning to + his studies a hard struggle. My husband is in better + health since he resigned his professorship, and desires + his most sincere regards to yourself and the duke, and + his profound veneration to your mother. Sister Mary + also desires to be remembered to you, as do also my + daughters. Please tell me a little in your next of Lady + Edith; she must be very lovely now. + + I am, with sincerest affection, ever yours, + + H. B. STOWE. + +Soon after the close of the war Mrs. Stowe conceived the idea of making +for herself and her family a winter home in the South, where she might +escape the rigors of Northern winters, and where her afflicted son +Frederick might enjoy an out-of-door life throughout the year. She was +also most anxious to do her share towards educating and leading to a +higher life those colored people whom she had helped so largely to set +free, and who were still in the state of profound ignorance imposed +by slavery. In writing of her hopes and plans to her brother Charles +Beecher, in 1866, she says:-- + +"My plan of going to Florida, as it lies in my mind, is not in any +sense a mere worldly enterprise. I have for many years had a longing to +be more immediately doing Christ's work on earth. My heart is with that +poor people whose cause in words I have tried to plead, and who now, +ignorant and docile, are just in that formative stage in which whoever +seizes has them. + +"Corrupt politicians are already beginning to speculate on them as +possible capital for their schemes, and to fill their poor heads with +all sorts of vagaries. Florida is the State into which they have, +more than anywhere else, been pouring. Emigration is positively and +decidedly setting that way; but as yet it is mere worldly emigration, +with the hope of making money, nothing more. + +"The Episcopal Church is, however, undertaking, under direction of the +future Bishop of Florida, a wide-embracing scheme of Christian activity +for the whole State. In this work I desire to be associated, and my +plan is to locate at some salient point on the St. John's River, where +I can form the nucleus of a Christian neighborhood, whose influence +shall be felt far beyond its own limits." + +During this year Mrs. Stowe partially carried her plan into execution +by hiring an old plantation called "Laurel Grove," on the west side of +the St. John's River, near the present village of Orange Park. Here +she established her son Frederick as a cotton planter, and here he +remained for two years. This location did not, however, prove entirely +satisfactory, nor did the raising of cotton prove to be, under the +circumstances, a profitable business. After visiting Florida during +the winter of 1866-67, at which time her attention was drawn to the +beauties and superior advantages of Mandarin on the east side of the +river, Mrs. Stowe writes from Hartford, May 29, 1867, to Rev. Charles +Beecher:-- + + MY DEAR BROTHER,--We are now thinking seriously of a + place in Mandarin much more beautiful than any other + in the vicinity. It has on it five large date palms, + an olive tree in full bearing, besides a fine orange + grove which this year will yield about seventy-five + thousand oranges. If we get that, then I want you to + consider the expediency of buying the one next to it. + It contains about two hundred acres of land, on which + is a fine orange grove, the fruit from which last year + brought in two thousand dollars as sold at the wharf. + It is right on the river, and four steamboats pass it + each week, on their way to Savannah and Charleston. + There is on the place a very comfortable cottage, as + houses go out there, where they do not need to be built + as substantially as with us. + + [Illustration: THE HOME AT MANDARIN, FLORIDA.] + + I am now in correspondence with the Bishop of Florida, + with a view to establishing a line of churches along + the St. John's River, and if I settle at Mandarin, it + will be one of my stations. Will you consent to enter + the Episcopal Church and be our clergyman? You are + just the man we want. If my tasks and feelings did not + incline me toward the Church, I should still choose + it as the best system for training immature minds + such as those of our negroes. The system was composed + with reference to the wants of the laboring class of + England, at a time when they were as ignorant as our + negroes now are. + + I long to be at this work, and cannot think of it + without my heart burning within me. Still I leave all + with my God, and only hope He will open the way for me + to do all that I want to for this poor people. + + Affectionately yours, + H. B. STOWE. + +Mrs. Stowe had some years before this joined the Episcopal Church, for +the sake of attending the same communion as her daughters, who were +Episcopalians. Her brother Charles did not, however, see fit to change +his creed, and though he went to Florida he settled a hundred and sixty +miles west from the St. John's River, at Newport, near St. Marks, on +the Gulf coast, and about twenty miles from Tallahassee. Here he lived +every winter and several summers for fifteen years, and here he left +the impress of his own remarkably sweet and lovely character upon the +scattered population of the entire region. + +Mrs. Stowe in the mean time purchased the property, with its orange +grove and comfortable cottage, that she had recommended to him, and +thus Mandarin became her winter home. No one who has ever seen it can +forget the peaceful beauty of this Florida home and its surroundings. +The house, a story and a half cottage of many gables, stands on a +bluff overlooking the broad St. John's, which is five miles wide at +this point. It nestles in the shade of a grove of superb, moss-hung +live-oaks, around one of which the front piazza is built. Several fine +old orange trees also stand near the cottage, scenting the air with +the sweet perfume of their blossoms in the early spring, and offering +their golden fruit to whoever may choose to pluck it during the winter +months. Back of the house stretches the well-tended orange grove in +which Mrs. Stowe took such genuine pride and pleasure. Everywhere about +the dwelling and within it were flowers and singing birds, while the +rose garden in front, at the foot of the bluff, was the admiration of +all who saw it. + +Here, on the front piazza, beneath the grand oaks, looking out on the +calm sunlit river, Professor Stowe enjoyed that absolute peace and +restful quiet for which his scholarly nature had always longed, but +which had been forbidden to the greater part of his active life. At +almost any hour of the day the well-known figure, with snow-white, +patriarchal beard and kindly face, might be seen sitting there, with a +basket of books, many of them in dead and nearly forgotten languages, +close at hand. An amusing incident of family life was as follows: +Some Northern visitors seemed to think that the family had no rights +which were worthy of a a moment's consideration. They would land at +the wharf, roam about the place, pick flowers, peer into the house +through the windows and doors, and act with that disregard of all the +proprieties of life which characterizes ill-bred people when on a +journey. The professor had been driven well-nigh distracted by these +migratory bipeds. One day, when one of them broke a branch from an +orange tree directly before his eyes, and was bearing it off in triumph +with all its load of golden fruit, he leaped from his chair, and +addressed the astonished individual on those fundamental principles of +common honesty, which he deemed outraged by this act. The address was +vigorous and truthful, but of a kind which will not bear repeating. +"Why," said the horror-stricken culprit, "I thought that this was Mrs. +Stowe's place!" "You thought it was Mrs. Stowe's place!" Then, in a +voice of thunder, "I would have you understand, sir, that I am the +proprietor and protector of Mrs. Stowe and of this place, and if you +commit any more such shameful depredations I will have you punished as +you deserve!" Thus this predatory Yankee was taught to realize that +there is a God in Israel. + +In April, 1869, Mrs. Stowe was obliged to hurry North in order to visit +Canada in time to protect her English rights in "Oldtown Folks," which +she had just finished. + +About this time she secured a plot of land, and made arrangements for +the erection on it of a building that should be used as a schoolhouse +through the week, and as a church on Sunday. For several years +Professor Stowe preached during the winter in this little schoolhouse, +and Mrs. Stowe conducted Sunday-school, sewing classes, singing +classes, and various other gatherings for instruction and amusement, +all of which were well attended and highly appreciated by both the +white and colored residents of the neighborhood. + +Upon one occasion, having just arrived at her Mandarin home, Mrs. Stowe +writes:-- + +"At last, after waiting a day and a half in Charleston, we arrived here +about ten o'clock Saturday morning, just a week from the day we sailed. +The house looked so pretty, and quiet, and restful, the day was so calm +and lovely, it seemed as though I had passed away from all trouble, and +was looking back upon you all from a secure resting-place. Mr. Stowe +is very happy here, and is constantly saying how pleasant it is, and +how glad he is that he is here. He is so much improved in health that +already he is able to take a considerable walk every day. + +"We are all well, contented, and happy, and we have six birds, two +dogs, and a pony. Do write more and oftener. Tell me all the little +nothings and nowheres. You can't imagine how they are magnified by the +time they have reached into this remote corner." + +In 1872 she wrote a series of Florida sketches, which were published in +book form, the following year, by J. R. Osgood & Co., under the title +of "Palmetto Leaves." May 19, 1873, she writes to her brother Charles +at Newport, Fla.:-- + +"Although you have not answered my last letter, I cannot leave Florida +without saying good-by. I send you the 'Palmetto Leaves' and my parting +love. If I could either have brought or left my husband, I should have +come to see you this winter. The account of your roses fills me with +envy. + +"We leave on the San Jacinto next Saturday, and I am making the most of +the few charming hours yet left; for never did we have so delicious a +spring. I never knew such altogether perfect weather. It is enough to +make a saint out of the toughest old Calvinist that ever set his face +as a flint. How do you think New England theology would have fared if +our fathers had been landed here instead of on Plymouth Rock? + +"The next you hear of me will be at the North, where our address is +Forest Street, Hartford. We have bought a pretty cottage there, near to +Belle, and shall spend the summer there." + +In a letter written in May of the following year to her son Charles, at +Harvard, Mrs. Stowe says: "I can hardly realize that this long, flowery +summer, with its procession of blooms and fruit, has been running on at +the same time with the snowbanks and sleet storms of the North. But so +it is. It is now the first of May. Strawberries and blackberries are +over with us; oranges are in a waning condition, few and far between. +Now we are going North to begin another summer, and have roses, +strawberries, blackberries, and green peas come again. + +"I am glad to hear of your reading. The effect produced on you by +Jonathan Edwards is very similar to that produced on me when I took the +same mental bath. His was a mind whose grasp and intensity you cannot +help feeling. He was a poet in the intensity of his conceptions, and +some of his sermons are more terrible than Dante's 'Inferno.'" + +In November, 1874, upon their return to Mandarin, she writes: "We have +had heavenly weather, and we needed it; for our house was a cave of +spider-webs, cockroaches, dirt, and all abominations, but less than a +week has brought it into beautiful order. It now begins to put on that +quaint, lively, pretty air that so fascinates me. Our weather is, as +I said, heavenly, neither hot nor cold; cool, calm, bright, serene, +and so tranquillizing. There is something indescribable about the best +weather we have down here. It does not debilitate me like the soft +October air in Hartford." + +During the following February, she writes in reply to an invitation to +visit a Northern watering place later in the season: "I shall be most +happy to come, and know of nothing to prevent. I have, thank goodness, +no serial story on hand for this summer, to hang like an Old Man of +the Sea about my neck, and hope to enjoy a little season of being like +other folks. It is a most lovely day to-day, most unfallen Eden-like." + +In a letter written later in the same season, March 28, 1875, Mrs. +Stowe gives us a pleasant glimpse at their preparations for the proper +observance of Easter Sunday in the little Mandarin schoolhouse. She +says: "It was the week before Easter, and we had on our minds the +dressing of the church. There my two Gothic fireboards were to be +turned into a pulpit for the occasion. I went to Jacksonville and got a +five-inch moulding for a base, and then had one fireboard sawed in two, +so that there was an arched panel for each end. Then came a rummage +for something for a top, and to make a desk of, until it suddenly +occurred to me that our old black walnut extension table had a set of +leaves. They were exactly the thing. The whole was trimmed with a +beading of yellow pine, and rubbed, and pumice-stoned, and oiled, and +I got out my tubes of paint and painted the nail-holes with Vandyke +brown. By Saturday morning it was a lovely little Gothic pulpit, and +Anthony carried it over to the schoolhouse and took away the old desk +which I gave him for his meeting-house. That afternoon we drove out +into the woods and gathered a quantity of superb Easter lilies, papaw, +sparkleberry, great fern-leaves, and cedar. In the evening the girls +went over to the Meads to practice Easter hymns; but I sat at home +and made a cross, eighteen inches long, of cedar and white lilies. +This Southern cedar is the most exquisite thing; it is so feathery and +delicate. + +"Sunday morning was cool and bright, a most perfect Easter. Our little +church was full, and everybody seemed delighted with the decorations. +Mr. Stowe preached a sermon to show that Christ is going to put +everything right at last, which is comforting. So the day was one of +real pleasure, and also I trust of real benefit, to the poor souls who +learned from it that Christ is indeed risen for them." + +During this winter the following characteristic letters passed between +Mrs. Stowe and her valued friend, Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, called +forth by the sending to the latter of a volume of Mrs. Stowe's latest +stories:-- + + BOSTON, _January 8, 1876._ + + MY DEAR MRS. STOWE,--I would not write to thank you for + your most welcome "Christmas Box," + + "A box whose sweets compacted lie," + + before I had read it, and every word of it. I have + been very much taken up with antics of one kind and + another, and have only finished it this afternoon. The + last of the papers was of less comparative value to + me than to a great fraction of your immense parish of + readers, because I am so familiar with every movement + of the Pilgrims in their own chronicles. + + "Deacon Pitkin's Farm" is full of those thoroughly + truthful touches of New England in which, if you are + not unrivaled, I do not know who your rival may be. + I wiped the tears from one eye in reading "Deacon + Pitkin's Farm." + + I wiped the tears, and plenty of them, from both eyes, + in reading "Betty's Bright Idea." It is a most charming + and touching story, and nobody can read who has not + a heart like a pebble, without being melted into + tenderness. + + How much you have done and are doing to make our New + England life wholesome and happy! If there is any + one who can look back over a literary life which has + pictured our old and helped our new civilization, it is + yourself. Of course your later books have harder work + cut out for them than those of any other writer. They + have had "Uncle Tom's Cabin" for a rival. The brightest + torch casts a shadow in the blaze of a light, and any + transcendent success affords the easiest handle for + that class of critics whose method is the one that + Dogberry held to be "odious." + + I think it grows pleasanter to us to be remembered by + the friends we still have, as with each year they grow + fewer. We have lost Agassiz and Sumner from our circle, + and I found Motley stricken with threatening illness + (which I hope is gradually yielding to treatment), in + the profoundest grief at the loss of his wife, another + old and dear friend of mine. So you may be assured that + I feel most sensibly your kind attention, and send you + my heartfelt thanks for remembering me. + + Always, dear Mrs. Stowe, faithfully yours, + O. W. HOLMES. + +To this letter Mrs. Stowe replied as follows:-- + + MANDARIN, _February 23, 1876._ + + DEAR DOCTOR,--How kind it was of you to write me that + very beautiful note! and how I wish you were just where + I am, to see the trees laden at the same time with + golden oranges and white blossoms! I should so like + to cut off a golden cluster, leaves and all, for you. + Well, Boston seems very far away and dreamy, like some + previous state of existence, as I sit on the veranda + and gaze on the receding shores of the St. John's, + which at this point is five miles wide. + + Dear doctor, how time slips by! I remember when Sumner + seemed to me a young man, and now he has gone. And + Wilson has gone, and Chase, whom I knew as a young man + in society in Cincinnati, has gone, and Stanton has + gone, and Seward has gone, and yet how lively the world + races on! A few air-bubbles of praise or lamentation, + and away sails the great ship of life, no matter over + whose grave! + + Well, one cannot but feel it! To me, also, a whole + generation of friends has gone from the other side of + the water since I was there and broke kindly bread + with them. The Duchess of Sutherland, the good old + duke, Lansdowne, Ellesmere, Lady Byron, Lord and Lady + Amberly, Charles Kingsley, the good Quaker, Joseph + Sturge, all are with the shadowy train that has moved + on. Among them were as dear and true friends as I ever + had, and as pure and noble specimens of human beings + as God ever made. They are living somewhere in intense + vitality, I must believe, and you, dear doctor, must + not doubt. + + I think about your writings a great deal, and one + element in them always attracts me. It is their pitiful + and sympathetic vein, the pity for poor, struggling + human nature. In this I feel that you must be very near + and dear to Him whose name is Love. + + You wrote some verses once that have got into the + hymn-books, and have often occurred to me in my most + sacred hours as descriptive of the feelings with which + I bear the sorrows and carry the cares of life. They + begin,-- + + "Love Divine, that stooped to share." + + I have not all your books down here, and am haunted by + gaps in the verses that memory cannot make good; but it + is that "Love Divine" which is my stay and comfort and + hope, as one friend after another passes beyond sight + and hearing. Please let me have it in your handwriting. + + I remember a remark you once made on spiritualism. + I cannot recall the words, but you spoke of it as + modifying the sharp angles of Calvinistic belief, + as a fog does those of a landscape. I would like to + talk with you some time on spiritualism, and show + you a collection of very curious facts that I have + acquired through mediums _not_ professional. Mr. Stowe + has just been wading through eight volumes of "La + Mystique," by Goerres, professor for forty years past + in the University of Munich, first of physiology and + latterly of philosophy. He examines the whole cycle of + abnormal psychic, spiritual facts, trances, ecstasy, + clairvoyance, witchcraft, spiritualism, etc., etc., as + shown in the Romish miracles and the history of Europe. + + I have long since come to the conclusion that + the marvels of spiritualism are natural, and not + supernatural, phenomena,--an uncommon working of + natural laws. I believe that the door between those + _in_ the body and those _out_ has never in any age + been entirely closed, and that occasional perceptions + within the veil are a part of the course of nature, and + therefore not miraculous. Of course such a phase of + human experience is very substantial ground for every + kind of imposture and superstition, and I have no faith + whatever in mediums who practice for money. In their + case I think the law of Moses, that forbade consulting + those who dealt with "familiar spirits," a very wise + one. + + Do write some more, dear doctor. You are too well + off in your palace down there on the new land. Your + Centennial Ballad was a charming little peep; now give + us a full-fledged story. Mr. Stowe sends his best + regards, and wishes you would read "Goerres."[16] It is + in French also, and he thinks the French translation + better than the German. + + Yours ever truly, + H. B. STOWE. + +Writing in the autumn of 1876 to her son Charles, who was at that time +abroad, studying at Bonn, Mrs. Stowe describes a most tempestuous +passage between New York and Charleston, during which she and her +husband and daughters suffered so much that they were ready to +forswear the sea forever. The great waves as they rushed, boiling +and seething, past would peer in at the little bull's-eye window of +the state-room, as if eager to swallow up ship and passengers. From +Charleston, however, they had a most delightful run to their journey's +end. She writes: "We had a triumphal entrance into the St. John's, and +a glorious sail up the river. Arriving at Mandarin, at four o'clock, +we found all the neighbors, black as well as white, on the wharf to +receive us. There was a great waving of handkerchiefs and flags, +clapping of hands and cheering, as we drew near. The house was open and +all ready for us, and we are delighted to be once more in our beautiful +Florida home." + +In the following December she writes to her son: "I am again entangled +in writing a serial, a thing I never mean to do again, but the story, +begun for a mere Christmas brochure, grew so under my hands that I +thought I might as well fill it out and make a book of it. It is +the last thing of the kind I ever expect to do. In it I condense my +recollections of a bygone era, that in which I was brought up, the ways +and manners of which are now as nearly obsolete as the Old England of +Dickens's stories is.' + +"I am so hampered by the necessity of writing this story, that I am +obliged to give up company and visiting of all kinds and keep my +strength for it. I hope I may be able to finish it, as I greatly desire +to do so, but I begin to feel that I am not so strong as I used to be. +Your mother is an old woman, Charley mine, and it is best she should +give up writing before people are tired of reading her. + +"I would much rather have written another such a book as 'Footsteps +of the Master,' but all, even the religious papers, are gone mad on +serials. Serials they demand and will have, and I thought, since this +generation will listen to nothing but stories, why not tell them?" + +The book thus referred to was "Poganuc People," that series of +delightful reminiscences of the New England life of nearly a century +ago, that has proved so fascinating to many thousands of readers. +It was published in 1878, and, as Mrs. Stowe foresaw, was her last +literary undertaking of any length, though for several years afterwards +she wrote occasional short stories and articles. + +In January, 1879, she wrote from Mandarin to Dr. Holmes:-- + + DEAR DOCTOR,--I wish I could give to you and Mrs. + Holmes the exquisite charm of this morning. My window + is wide open; it is a lovely, fresh, sunny day, and a + great orange tree hung with golden balls closes the + prospect from my window. The tree is about thirty feet + high, and its leaves fairly glisten in the sunshine. + + I sent "Poganuc People" to you and Mrs. Holmes as + being among the few who know those old days. It is + an extremely quiet story for these sensational days, + when heaven and earth seem to be racked for a thrill; + but as I get old I do love to think of those quiet, + simple times when there was not a poor person in the + parish, and the changing glories of the year were the + only spectacle. We, that is the professor and myself, + have been reading with much interest Motley's Memoir. + That was a man to be proud of, a beauty, too (by your + engraving). I never had the pleasure of a personal + acquaintance. + + I feel with you that we have come into the land of + leave-taking. Hardly a paper but records the death of + some of Mr. Stowe's associates. But the river is not so + black as it seems, and there are clear days when the + opposite shore is plainly visible, and now and then + we catch a strain of music, perhaps even a gesture of + recognition. They are thinking of us, without doubt, on + the other side. My daughters and I have been reading + "Elsie Venner" again. Elsie is one of my especial + friends,--poor, dear child!--and all your theology in + that book I subscribe to with both hands. + + Does not the Bible plainly tell us of a time when there + shall be no more pain? That is to be the end and crown + of the Messiah's mission, when God shall wipe all tears + away. My face is set that way, and yours, too, I trust + and believe. + + Mr. Stowe sends hearty and affectionate remembrance + both to you and Mrs. Holmes, and I am, as ever, truly + yours, + + H. B. STOWE. + +About this time Mrs. Stowe paid a visit to her brother Charles, at +Newport, Fla., and, continuing her journey to New Orleans, was made to +feel how little of bitterness towards her was felt by the best class +of Southerners. In both New Orleans and Tallahassee she was warmly +welcomed, and tendered public receptions that gave equal pleasure to +her and to the throngs of cultivated people who attended them. She was +also greeted everywhere with intense enthusiasm by the colored people, +who, whenever they knew of her coming, thronged the railway stations in +order to obtain a glimpse of her whom they venerated above all women. + +The return to her Mandarin home each succeeding winter was always +a source of intense pleasure to this true lover of nature in its +brightest and tenderest moods. Each recurring season was filled with +new delights. In December, 1879, she writes to her son, now married and +settled as a minister in Saco, Me.:-- + + DEAR CHILDREN,--Well, we have stepped from December + to June, and this morning is sunny and dewy, with a + fresh sea-breeze giving life to the air. I have just + been out to cut a great bunch of roses and lilies, + though the garden is grown into such a jungle that I + could hardly get about in it. The cannas, and dwarf + bananas, and roses are all tangled together, so that I + can hardly thread my way among them. I never in my life + saw anything range and run rampant over the ground as + cannas do. The ground is littered with fallen oranges, + and the place looks shockingly untidy, but so beautiful + that I am quite willing to forgive its disorder. + + We got here Wednesday evening about nine o'clock, and + found all the neighbors waiting to welcome us on the + wharf. The Meads, and Cranes, and Webbs, and all the + rest were there, while the black population was in a + frenzy of joy. Your father is quite well. The sea had + its usual exhilarating effect upon him. Before we left + New York he was quite meek, and exhibited such signs of + grace and submission that I had great hopes of him. He + promised to do exactly as I told him, and stated that + he had entire confidence in my guidance. What woman + couldn't call such a spirit evidence of being prepared + for speedy translation? I was almost afraid he could + not be long for this world. But on the second day at + sea his spirits rose, and his appetite reasserted + itself. He declared in loud tones how well he felt, + and quite resented my efforts to take care of him. I + reminded him of his gracious vows and promises in the + days of his low spirits, but to no effect. The fact + is, his self-will has not left him yet, and I have now + no fear of his immediate translation. He is going to + preach for us this morning. + +The last winter passed in this well-loved Southern home was that of +1883-84, for the following season Professor Stowe's health was in +too precarious a state to permit him to undertake the long journey +from Hartford. By this time one of Mrs. Stowe's fondest hopes had +been realized; and, largely through her efforts, Mandarin had been +provided with a pretty little Episcopal church, to which was attached a +comfortable rectory, and over which was installed a regular clergyman. + +In January, 1884, Mrs. Stowe writes:-- + +"Mandarin looks very gay and airy now with its new villas, and our new +church and rectory. Our minister is perfect. I wish you could know him. +He wants only physical strength. In everything else he is all one could +ask. + +"It is a bright, lovely morning, and four orange-pickers are busy +gathering our fruit. Our trees on the bluff have done better than any +in Florida. + +"This winter I study nothing but Christ's life. First I read Farrar's +account and went over it carefully. Now I am reading Geikie. It keeps +my mind steady, and helps me to bear the languor and pain, of which I +have more than usual this winter." + +FOOTNOTES: + +[15] Andrew Johnson. + +[16] _Die Christliche Mystik_, by Johann Joseph Goerres, Regensburg, +1836-42. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +OLDTOWN FOLKS, 1869. + + PROFESSOR STOWE THE ORIGINAL OF "HARRY" IN "OLDTOWN + FOLKS."--PROFESSOR STOWE'S LETTER TO GEORGE + ELIOT.--HER REMARKS ON THE SAME.--PROFESSOR STOWE'S + NARRATIVE OF HIS YOUTHFUL ADVENTURES IN THE WORLD OF + SPIRITS.--PROFESSOR STOWE'S INFLUENCE ON MRS. STOWE'S + LITERARY LIFE.--GEORGE ELIOT ON "OLDTOWN FOLKS." + + +THIS biography would be signally incomplete without some mention of the +birth, childhood, early associations, and very peculiar and abnormal +psychological experiences of Professor Stowe. Aside from the fact of +Dr. Stowe's being Mrs. Stowe's husband, and for this reason entitled to +notice in any sketch of her life, however meagre, he is the original of +the "visionary boy" in "Oldtown Folks;" and "Oldtown Fireside Stories" +embody the experiences of his childhood and youth among the grotesque +and original characters of his native town. + +March 26, 1882, Professor Stowe wrote the following characteristic +letter to Mrs. Lewes:-- + + MRS. LEWES,--I fully sympathize with you in your + disgust with Hume and the professing mediums generally. + + Hume spent his boyhood in my father's native town, + among my relatives and acquaintances, and he was a + disagreeable, nasty boy. But he certainly has qualities + which science has not yet explained, and some of his + doings are as real as they are strange. My interest in + the subject of spiritualism arises from the fact of + my own experience, more than sixty years ago, in my + early childhood. I then never thought of questioning + the objective reality of all I saw, and supposed that + everybody else had the same experience. Of what this + experience was you may gain some idea from certain + passages in "Oldtown Folks." + + The same experiences continue yet, but with serious + doubts as to the objectivity of the scenes exhibited. I + have noticed that people who have remarkable and minute + answers to prayer, such as Stilling, Franke, Lavater, + are for the most part of this peculiar temperament. + Is it absurd to suppose that some peculiarity in the + nervous system, in the connecting link between soul and + body, may bring some, more than others, into an almost + abnormal contact with the spirit-world (for example, + Jacob Boehme and Swedenborg), and that, too, without + correcting their faults, or making them morally better + than others? Allow me to say that I have always admired + the working of your mind, there is about it such a + perfect uprightness and uncalculating honesty. I think + you are a better Christian without church or theology + than most people are with both, though I am, and always + have been in the main, a Calvinist of the Jonathan + Edwards school. God bless you! I have a warm side for + Mr. Lewes on account of his Goethe labors. + + Goethe has been my admiration for more than forty + years. In 1830 I got hold of his "Faust," and for two + gloomy, dreary November days, while riding through the + woods of New Hampshire in an old-fashioned stagecoach, + to enter upon a professorship in Dartmouth College, I + was perfectly dissolved by it. + + Sincerely yours, + C. E. STOWE. + +In a letter to Mrs. Stowe, written June 24, 1872, Mrs. Lewes alludes +to Professor Stowe's letter as follows: "Pray give my special thanks +to the professor for his letter. His handwriting, which does really +look like Arabic,--a very graceful character, surely,--happens to be +remarkably legible to me, and I did not hesitate over a single word. +Some of the words, as expressions of fellowship, were very precious to +me, and I hold it very good of him to write to me that best sort of +encouragement. I was much impressed with the fact--which you have told +me--that he was the original of the "visionary boy" in "Oldtown Folks;" +and it must be deeply interesting to talk with him on his experience. +Perhaps I am inclined, under the influence of the facts, physiological +and psychological, which have been gathered of late years, to give +larger place to the interpretation of vision-seeing as subjective than +the professor would approve. It seems difficult to limit--at least +to limit with any precision--the possibility of confounding sense +by impressions derived from inward conditions with those which are +directly dependent on external stimulus. In fact, the division between +within and without in this sense seems to become every year a more +subtle and bewildering problem." + +In 1834, while Mr. Stowe was a professor in Lane Theological Seminary +at Cincinnati, Ohio, he wrote out a history of his youthful adventures +in the spirit-world, from which the following extracts are taken:-- + +[Illustration: Signature: C. S. Stowe.] + +"I have often thought I would communicate to some scientific physician +a particular account of a most singular delusion under which I lived +from my earliest infancy till the fifteenth or sixteenth year of my +age, and the effects of which remain very distinctly now that I am past +thirty. + +"The facts are of such a nature as to be indelibly impressed upon my +mind they appear to me to be curious, and well worth the attention of +the psychologist. I regard the occurrences in question as the more +remarkable because I cannot discover that I possess either taste or +talent for fiction or poetry. I have barely imagination enough to +enjoy, with a high degree of relish, the works of others in this +department of literature, but have never felt able or disposed to +engage in that sort of writing myself. On the contrary, my style has +always been remarkable for its dry, matter-of-fact plainness; my mind +has been distinguished for its quickness and adaptedness to historical +and literary investigations, for ardor and perseverance in pursuit of +the knowledge of facts,--_eine verstaendige Richtung_, as the Germans +would say,--rather than for any other quality; and the only talent of a +higher kind which I am conscious of possessing is a turn for accurate +observation of men and things, and a certain broad humor and drollery. + +"From the hour of my birth I have been constitutionally feeble, as were +my parents before me, and my nervous system easily excitable. With +care, however, I have kept myself in tolerable health, and my life +has been an industrious one, for my parents were poor and I have +always been obliged to labor for my livelihood. + +"With these preliminary remarks, I proceed to the curious details of +my psychological history. As early as I can remember anything, I can +remember observing a multitude of animated and active objects, which +I could see with perfect distinctness, moving about me, and could +sometimes, though seldom, hear them make a rustling noise, or other +articulate sounds; but I could never touch them. They were in all +respects independent of the sense of touch, and incapable of being +obstructed in any way by the intervention of material objects; I could +see them at any distance, and through any intervening object, with as +much ease and distinctness as if they were in the room with me, and +directly before my eyes. I could see them passing through the floors, +and the ceilings, and the walls of the house, from one apartment to +another, in all directions, without a door, or a keyhole, or crevice +being open to admit them. I could follow them with my eyes to any +distance, or directly through or just beneath the surface, or up and +down, in the midst of boards and timbers and bricks, or whatever +else would stop the motion or intercept the visibleness of all other +objects. These appearances occasioned neither surprise nor alarm, +except when they assumed some hideous and frightful form, or exhibited +some menacing gesture, for I became acquainted with them as soon as +with any of the objects of sense. As to the reality of their existence +and the harmlessness of their character, I knew no difference between +them and any other of the objects which met my eye. They were as +familiar to me as the forms of my parents and my brother; they made +up a part of my daily existence, and were as really the subjects of +my consciousness as the little bench on which I sat in the corner by +my mother's knee, or the wheels and sticks and strings with which I +amused myself upon the floor. I indeed recognized a striking difference +between them and the things which I could feel and handle, but to me +this difference was no more a matter of surprise than that which I +observed between my mother and the black woman who so often came to +work for her; or between my infant brother and the little spotted +dog Brutus of which I was so fond. There was no time, or place, or +circumstance, in which they did not occasionally make their appearance. +Solitude and silence, however, were more favorable to their appearance +than company and conversation. They were more pleased with candle-light +than the daylight. They were most numerous, distinct, and active when +I was alone and in the dark, especially when my mother had laid me in +bed and returned to her own room with the candle. At such times, I +always expected the company of my aerial visitors, and counted upon it +to amuse me till I dropped asleep. Whenever they failed to make their +appearance, as was sometimes the case, I felt lonely and discontented. +I kept up a lively conversation with them,--not by language or by +signs, for the attempt on my part to speak or move would at once break +the charm and drive them away in a fret, but by a peculiar sort of +spiritual intercommunion. + +"When their attention was directed towards me, I could feel and respond +to all their thoughts and feelings, and was conscious that they could +in the same manner feel and respond to mine. Sometimes they would take +no notice of me, but carry on a brisk conversation among themselves, +principally by looks and gestures, with now and then an audible word. +In fact, there were but few with whom I was very familiar. These few +were much more constant and uniform in their visits than the great +multitude, who were frequently changing, and too much absorbed in +their own concerns to think much of me. I scarcely know how I can +give an idea of their form and general appearance, for there are no +objects in the material world with which I can compare them, and no +language adapted to an accurate description of their peculiarities. +They exhibited all possible combinations of size, shape, proportion, +and color, but their most usual appearance was with the human form +and proportion, but under a shadowy outline that seemed just ready to +melt into the invisible air, and sometimes liable to the most sudden +and grotesque changes, and with a uniform darkly bluish color spotted +with brown, or brownish white. This was the general appearance of +the multitude; but there were many exceptions to this description, +particularly among my more welcome and familiar visitors, as will be +seen in the sequel. + +"Besides these rational and generally harmless beings, there was +another set of objects which never varied in their form or qualities, +and were always mischievous and terrible. The fact of their appearance +depended very much on the state of my health and feelings. If I was +well and cheerful they seldom troubled me; but when sick or depressed +they were sure to obtrude their hateful presence upon me. These were a +sort of heavy clouds floating about overhead, of a black color, spotted +with brown, in the shape of a very flaring inverted tunnel without a +nozzle, and from ten to thirty or forty feet in diameter. They floated +from place to place in great numbers, and in all directions, with a +strong and steady progress, but with a tremulous, quivering, internal +motion that agitated them in every part. + +"Whenever they approached, the rational phantoms were thrown into great +consternation; and well it might be, for if a cloud touched any part of +one of the rational phantoms it immediately communicated its own color +and tremulous motion to the part it touched. + +"In spite of all the efforts and convulsive struggles of the unhappy +victim, this color and motion slowly, but steadily and uninteruptedly, +proceeded to diffuse itself over every part of the body, and as fast as +it did so the body was drawn into the cloud and became a part of its +substance. It was indeed a fearful sight to see the contortions, the +agonizing efforts, of the poor creatures who had been touched by one of +these awful clouds, and were dissolving and melting into it by inches +without the possibility of escape or resistance. + +"This was the only visible object that had the least power over the +phantoms, and this was evidently composed of the same material as +themselves. The forms and actions of all these phantoms varied very +much with the state of my health and animal spirits, but I never could +discover that the surrounding material objects had any influence upon +them, except in this one particular, namely, if I saw them in a neat, +well furnished room, there was a neatness and polish in their form +and motions; and, on the contrary, if I was in an unfinished, rough +apartment, there was a corresponding rudeness and roughness in my aerial +visitors. A corresponding difference was visible when I saw them in the +woods or in the meadows, upon the water or upon the ground, in the air +or among the stars. + +"Every different apartment which I occupied had a different set of +phantoms, and they always had a degree of correspondence to the +circumstances in which they were seen. (It should be noted, however, +that it was not so much the place where the phantoms themselves +appeared to me to be, that affected their forms and movements, as the +place in which I myself actually was while observing them. The apparent +locality of the phantoms, it is true, had some influence, but my own +actual locality had much more.) + +"Thus far I have attempted only a general outline of these curious +experiences. I will now proceed to a detailed account of several +particular incidents, for the sake of illustrating the general +statements already made. I select a few from manifestations without +number. I am able to ascertain dates from the following circumstances:-- + +"I was born in April, 1802, and my father died in July, 1808, after +suffering for more than a year from a lingering organic disease. +Between two and three years before his death he removed from the house +in which I was born to another at a little distance from it. What +occurred, therefore, before my father's last sickness, must have taken +place during the first five years of my life, and whatever took place +before the removal of the family must have taken place during the +first three years of my life. Before the removal of the family I slept +in a small upper chamber in the front part of the house, where I was +generally alone for several hours in the evening and morning. Adjoining +this room, and opening into it by a very small door, was a low, dark, +narrow, unfinished closet, which was open on the other side into a +ruinous, old chaise-house. This closet was a famous place for the +gambols of the phantoms, but of their forms and actions I do not now +retain any very distinct recollection. I only remember that I was very +careful not to do anything that I thought would be likely to offend +them; yet otherwise their presence caused me no uneasiness, and was not +at all disagreeable to me. + +"The first incident of which I have a distinct recollection was the +following:-- + +"One night, as I was lying alone in my chamber with my little dog +Brutus snoring beside my bed, there came out of the closet a very +large Indian woman and a very small Indian man, with a huge bass-viol +between them. The woman was dressed in a large, loose, black gown, +secured around her waist by a belt of the same material, and on her +head she wore a high, dark gray fur cap, shaped somewhat like a lady's +muff, ornamented with a row of covered buttons in front, and open +towards the bottom, showing a red lining. The man was dressed in a +shabby, black-colored overcoat and a little round, black hat that +fitted closely to his head. They took no notice of me, but were rather +ill-natured towards each other, and seemed to be disputing for the +possession of the bass-viol. The man snatched it away and struck upon +it a few harsh, hollow notes, which I distinctly heard, and which +seemed to vibrate through my whole body, with a strange, stinging +sensation. The woman then took it and appeared to play very intently +and much to her own satisfaction, but without producing any sound that +was perceptible by me. They soon left the chamber, and I saw them go +down into the back kitchen, where they sat and played and talked with +my mother. It was only when the man took the bow that I could hear the +harsh, abrupt, disagreeable sounds of the instrument. At length they +arose, went out of the back door, and sprang upon a large heap of straw +and unthreshed beans, and disappeared with a strange, rumbling sound. +This vision was repeated night after night with scarcely any variation +while we lived in that house, and once, and once only, after the family +had removed to the other house. The only thing that seemed to me +unaccountable and that excited my curiosity was that there should be +such a large heap of straw and beans before the door every night, when +I could see nothing of it in the daytime. I frequently crept out of bed +and stole softly down into the kitchen, and peeped out of the door to +see if it was there very early in the morning. + +"I attempted to make some inquiries of my mother, but as I was not as +yet very skillful in the use of language, I could get no satisfaction +out of her answers, and could see that my questions seemed to distress +her. At first she took little notice of what I said, regarding it +no doubt as the meaningless prattle of a thoughtless child. My +persistence, however, seemed to alarm her, and I suppose that she +feared for my sanity. I soon desisted from asking anything further, and +shut myself more and more within myself. One night, very soon after +the removal, when the house was still, and all the family were in bed, +these unearthly musicians once made their appearance in the kitchen of +the new house, and after looking around peevishly, and sitting with a +discontented frown and in silence, they arose and went out of the back +door, and sprang on a pile of cornstalks, and I saw them no more. + +"Our new dwelling was a low-studded house of only one story, and, +instead of an upper chamber, I now occupied a bedroom that opened into +the kitchen. Within this bedroom, directly on the left hand of the +door as you entered from the kitchen, was the staircase which led to +the garret; and, as the room was unfinished, some of the boards which +inclosed the staircase were too short, and left a considerable space +between them and the ceiling. One of these open spaces was directly in +front of my bed, so that when I lay upon my pillow my face was opposite +to it. Every night, after I had gone to bed and the candle was removed, +a very pleasant-looking human face would peer at me over the top of +that board, and gradually press forward his head, neck, shoulders, +and finally his whole body as far as the waist, through the opening, +and then, smiling upon me with great good-nature, would withdraw in +the same manner in which he had entered. He was a great favorite of +mine; for though we neither of us spoke, we perfectly understood, and +were entirely devoted to, each other. It is a singular fact that the +features of this favorite phantom bore a very close resemblance to +those of a boy older than myself whom I feared and hated: still the +resemblance was so strong that I called him by the same name, Harvey. + +"Harvey's visits were always expected and always pleasant; but +sometimes there were visitations of another sort, odious and frightful. +One of these I will relate as a specimen of the rest. + +"One night, after I had retired to bed and was looking for Harvey, +I observed an unusual number of the tunnel-shaped tremulous clouds +already described, and they seemed intensely black and strongly +agitated. This alarmed me exceedingly, and I had a terrible feeling +that something awful was going to happen. It was not long before I saw +Harvey at his accustomed place, cautiously peeping at me through the +aperture, with an expression of pain and terror on his countenance. +He seemed to warn me to be on my guard, but was afraid to put his +head into the room lest he should be touched by one of the clouds, +which were every moment growing thicker and more numerous. Harvey soon +withdrew and left me alone. On turning my eyes towards the left-hand +wall of the room, I thought I saw at an immense distance below me the +regions of the damned, as I had heard them pictured in sermons. From +this awful world of horror the tunnel-shaped clouds were ascending, +and I perceived that they were the principal instruments of torture in +these gloomy abodes. These regions were at such an immense distance +below me that I could obtain but a very indistinct view of the +inhabitants, who were very numerous and exceedingly active. Near the +surface of the earth, and as it seemed to me but a little distance from +my bed, I saw four or five sturdy, resolute devils endeavoring to carry +off an unprincipled and dissipated man in the neighborhood, by the name +of Brown, of whom I had stood in terror for years. These devils I saw +were very different from the common representations. They had neither +red faces, nor horns, nor hoofs, nor tails. They were in all respects +stoutly built and well-dressed gentlemen. The only peculiarity that I +noted in their appearance was as to their heads. Their faces and necks +were perfectly bare, without hair or flesh, and of a uniform sky-blue +color, like the ashes of burnt paper before it falls to pieces, and of +a certain glossy smoothness. + +"As I looked on, full of eagerness, the devils struggled to force Brown +down with them, and Brown struggled with the energy of desperation to +save himself from their grip, and it seemed that the human was likely +to prove too strong for the infernal. In this emergency one of the +devils, panting for breath and covered with perspiration, beckoned to +a strong, thick cloud that seemed to understand him perfectly, and, +whirling up to Brown, touched his hand. Brown resisted stoutly, and +struck out right and left at the cloud most furiously, but the usual +effect was produced,--the hand grew black, quivered, and seemed to +be melting into the cloud; then the arm, by slow degrees, and then +the head and shoulders. At this instant Brown, collecting all his +energies for one desperate effort, sprang at once into the centre of +the cloud, tore it asunder, and descended to the ground, exclaiming, +with a hoarse, furious voice that grated on my ear, 'There, I've got +out; dam'me if I haven't!' This was the first word that had been spoken +through the whole horrible scene. It was the first time I had ever +seen a cloud fail to produce its appropriate result, and it terrified +me so that I trembled from head to foot. The devils, however, did +not seem to be in the least discouraged. One of them, who seemed to +be the leader, went away and quickly returned bringing with him an +enormous pair of rollers fixed in an iron frame, such as are used in +iron-mills for the purpose of rolling out and slitting bars of iron, +except instead of being turned by machinery, each roller was turned by +an immense crank. Three of the devils now seized Brown and put his feet +to the rollers, while two others stood, one at each crank, and began to +roll him in with a steady strain that was entirely irresistible. Not +a word was spoken, not a sound was heard; but the fearful struggles +and terrified, agonizing looks of Brown were more than I could endure. +I sprang from my bed and ran through the kitchen into the room where +my parents slept, and entreated that they would permit me to spend +the remainder of the night with them. After considerable parleying +they assured me that nothing could hurt me, and advised me to go back +to bed. I replied that I was not afraid of their hurting me, but I +couldn't bear to see them acting so with C. Brown. 'Poh! poh! you +foolish boy,' replied my father, sternly. 'You've only been dreaming; +go right back to bed, or I shall have to whip you.' Knowing that there +was no other alternative, I trudged back through the kitchen with all +the courage I could muster, cautiously entered my room, where I found +everything quiet, there being neither cloud, nor devil, nor anything of +the kind to be seen, and getting into bed I slept quietly till morning. +The next day I was rather sad and melancholy, but kept all my troubles +to myself, through fear of Brown. This happened before my father's +sickness, and consequently between the four and six years of my age. + +"During my father's sickness and after his death I lived with my +grandmother; and when I had removed to her house I forever lost sight +of Harvey. I still continued to sleep alone for the most part, but in +a neatly furnished upper chamber. Across the corner of the chamber, +opposite to and at a little distance from the head of my bed, there +was a closet in the form of an old-fashioned buffet. After going to +bed, on looking at the door of this closet, I could see at a great +distance from it a pleasant meadow, terminated by a beautiful little +grove. Out of this grove, and across this meadow, a charming little +female figure would advance, about eight inches high and exquisitely +proportioned, dressed in a loose black silk robe, with long, smooth +black hair parted up her head and hanging loose over her shoulders. +She would come forward with a slow and regular step, becoming more +distinctly visible as she approached nearer, till she came even with +the surface of the closet door, when she would smile upon me, raise her +hands to her head and draw them down on each side of her face, suddenly +turn round, and go off at a rapid trot. The moment she turned I could +see a good-looking mulatto man, rather smaller than herself, following +directly in her wake and trotting off after her. This was generally +repeated two or three times before I went to sleep. The features of +the mulatto bore some resemblance to those of the Indian man with the +bass-viol, but were much more mild and agreeable. + + * * * * * + +"I awoke one bright, moonlight night, and found a large, full-length +human skeleton of an ashy-blue color in bed with me! I screamed out +with fright, and soon summoned the family around me. I refused to tell +the cause of my alarm, but begged permission to occupy another bed, +which was granted. + +"For the remainder of the night I slept but little; but I saw upon +the window-stools companies of little fairies, about six inches high, +in white robes, gamboling and dancing with incessant merriment. +Two of them, a male and female, rather taller than the rest, were +dignified with a crown and sceptre. They took the kindest notice of +me, smiled upon me with great benignity, and seemed to assure me of +their protection. I was soothed and cheered by their presence, though +after all there was a sort of sinister and selfish expression in their +countenances which prevented my placing implicit confidence in them. + +"Up to this time I had never doubted the real existence of these +phantoms, nor had I ever suspected that other people had not seen +them as distinctly as myself. I now, however, began to discover with +no little anxiety that my friends had little or no knowledge of the +aerial beings among whom I have spent my whole life; that my allusions +to them were not understood, and all complaints respecting them were +laughed at. I had never been disposed to say much about them, and this +discovery confirmed me in my silence. It did not, however, affect +my own belief, or lead me to suspect that my imaginations were not +realities. + +"During the whole of this period I took great pleasure in walking +out alone, particularly in the evening. The most lonely fields, the +woods, and the banks of the river, and other places most completely +secluded, were my favorite resorts, for there I could enjoy the sight +of innumerable aerial beings of all sorts, without interruption. +Every object, even every shaking leaf, seemed to me to be animated +by some living soul, whose nature in some degree corresponded to its +habitation. I spent much of my life in these solitary rambles; there +were particular places to which I gave names, and visited them at +regular intervals. Moonlight was particularly agreeable to me, but most +of all I enjoyed a thick, foggy night. At times, during these walks, +I would be excessively oppressed by an indefinite and deep feeling +of melancholy. Without knowing why, I would be so unhappy as to wish +myself annihilated, and suddenly it would occur to me that my friends +at home were suffering some dreadful calamity, and so vivid would be +the impression, that I would hasten home with all speed to see what +had taken place. At such seasons I felt a morbid love for my friends +that would almost burn up my soul, and yet, at the least provocation +from them, I would fly into an uncontrollable passion and foam like a +little fury. I was called a dreadful-tempered boy; but the Lord knows +that I never occasioned pain to any animal, whether human or brutal, +without suffering untold agonies in consequence of it. I cannot, even +now, without feelings of deep sorrow, call to mind the alternate fits +of corroding melancholy, irritation, and bitter remorse which I then +endured. These fits of melancholy were most constant and oppressive +during the autumnal months. + +"I very early learned to read, and soon became immoderately attached +to books. In the Bible I read the first chapters of Job, and parts +of Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation, with most intense delight, and +with such frequency that I could repeat large portions from memory +long before the age at which boys in the country are usually able to +read plain sentences. The first large book besides the Bible that +I remember reading was Morse's 'History of New England,' which I +devoured with insatiable greediness, particularly those parts which +relate to Indian wars and witchcraft. I was in the habit of applying +to my grandmother for explanations, and she would relate to me, while +I listened with breathless attention, long stories from Mather's +'Magnalia' or (Mag-nilly, as she used to call it), a work which I +earnestly longed to read, but of which I never got sight till after my +twentieth year. Very early there fell into my hands an old school-book, +called 'The Art of Speaking,' containing numerous extracts from Milton +and Shakespeare. There was little else in the book that interested +me, but these extracts from the two great English poets, though there +were many things in them that I did not well understand, I read again +and again, with increasing pleasure at every perusal, till I had +nearly committed them to memory, and almost thumbed the old book into +nonentity. But of all the books that I read at this period, there was +none that went to my heart like Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress.' I read +it and re-read it night and day; I took it to bed with me and hugged it +to my bosom while I slept; every different edition that I could find +I seized upon and read with as eager a curiosity as if it had been a +new story throughout; and I read with the unspeakable satisfaction of +most devoutly believing that everything which 'Honest John' related +was a real verity, an actual occurrence. Oh that I could read that +most inimitable book once more with the same solemn conviction of its +literal truth, that I might once more enjoy the same untold ecstacy! + +"One other remark it seems proper to make before I proceed further +to details. The appearance, and especially the motions, of my aerial +visitors were intimately connected, either as cause or effect, I cannot +determine which, with certain sensations of my own. Their countenances +generally expressed pleasure or pain, complaisance or anger, according +to the mood of my own mind: if they moved from place to place without +moving their limbs, with that gliding motion appropriate to spirits, I +felt in my stomach that peculiar tickling sensation which accompanies a +rapid, progressive movement through the air; and if they went off with +an uneasy trot, I felt an unpleasant jarring through my frame. Their +appearance was always attended with considerable effort and fatigue +on my part: the more distinct and vivid they were, the more would my +fatigue be increased; and at such times my face was always pale, and my +eyes unusually sparkling and wild. This continued to be the case after +I became satisfied that it was all a delusion of the imagination, and +it so continues to the present day." + +It is not surprising that Mrs. Stowe should have felt herself impelled +to give literary form to an experience so exceptional. Still more +must this be the case when the early associations of this exceptional +character were as amusing and interesting as they are shown forth in +"Oldtown Fireside Stories." + +None of the incidents or characters embodied in those sketches are +ideal. The stories are told as they came from Mr. Stowe's lips, with +little or no alteration. Sam Lawson was a real character. In 1874 Mr. +Whittier wrote to Mrs. Stowe: "I am not able to write or study much, +or read books that require thought, without suffering, but I have Sam +Lawson lying at hand, and, as Corporal Trim said of Yorick's sermon, 'I +like it hugely.'" + +The power and literary value of these stories lie in the fact that they +are true to nature. Professor Stowe was himself an inimitable mimic +and story-teller. No small proportion of Mrs. Stowe's success as a +literary woman is to be attributed to him. Not only was he possessed of +a bright, quick mind, but wonderful retentiveness of memory. Mrs. Stowe +was never at a loss for reliable information on any subject as long as +the professor lived. He belonged to that extinct species, the "general +scholar." His scholarship was not critical in the modern sense of the +word, but in the main accurate, in spite of his love for the marvelous. + +It is not out of place to give a little idea of his power in +character-painting, as it shows how suggestive his conversation and +letters must have been to a mind like that of Mrs. Stowe:-- + + NATICK, _July 14, 1839._ + + I have had a real good time this week writing my + oration. I have strolled over my old walking places, + and found the same old stone walls, the same old + foot-paths through the rye-fields, the same bends in + the river, the same old bullfrogs with their green + spectacles on, the same old terrapins sticking up their + heads and bowing as I go by; and nothing was wanting + but my wife to talk with to make all complete.... I + have had some rare talks with old uncle "Jaw" Bacon, + and other old characters, which you ought to have + heard. The Curtises have been flooding Uncle "Jaw's" + meadows, and he is in a great stew about it. He says: + "I took and tell'd your Uncle Izic to tell them 'ere + Curtises that if the Devil didn't git 'em far flowing + my medder arter that sort, I didn't see no use o' + havin' any Devil." "Have you talked with the Curtises + yourself?" "Yes, hang the sarcy dogs! and they took + and tell'd me that they'd take and flow clean up to my + front door, and make me go out and in in a boat." "Why + don't you go to law?" "Oh, they keep alterin' and er + tinkerin'-up the laws so here in Massachusetts that a + body can't git no damage fur flowing; they think cold + water can't hurt nobody." + + Mother and Aunt Nabby each keep separate + establishments. First Aunt Nabby gets up in the morning + and examines the sink, to see whether it leaks and + rots the beam. She then makes a little fire, gets her + little teapot of bright shining tin, and puts into it a + teaspoonful of black tea, and so prepares her breakfast. + + By this time mother comes creeping down-stairs, like + an old tabby-cat out of the ash-hole; and she kind o' + doubts and reckons whether or no she had better try to + git any breakfast, bein' as she's not much appetite + this mornin'; but she goes to the leg of bacon and cuts + off a little slice, reckons sh'll broil it; then goes + and looks at the coffee-pot and reckons sh'll have a + little coffee; don't exactly know whether it's good + for her, but she don't drink much. So while Aunt Nabby + is sitting sipping her tea and munching her bread and + butter with a matter-of-fact certainty and marvelous + satisfaction, mother goes doubting and reckoning round, + like Mrs. Diffidence in Doubting Castle, till you see + rising up another little table in another corner of the + room, with a good substantial structure of broiled ham + and coffee, and a boiled egg or two, with various et + ceteras, which Mrs. Diffidence, after many desponding + ejaculations, finally sits down to, and in spite of + all presentiments makes them fly as nimbly as Mr. + Ready-to-Halt did Miss Much-afraid when he footed it + so well with her on his crutches in the dance on the + occasion of Giant Despair's overthrow. + + I have thus far dined alternately with mother and Aunt + Susan, not having yet been admitted to Aunt Nabby's + establishment. There are now great talkings, and + congresses and consultations of the allied powers, + and already rumors are afloat that perhaps all will + unite their forces and dine at one table, especially + as Harriet and little Hattie are coming, and there is + no knowing what might come out in the papers if there + should be anything a little odd. + + Mother is very well, thin as a hatchet and smart as + a steel trap; Aunt Nabby, fat and easy as usual; for + since the sink is mended, and no longer leaks and rots + the beam, and she has nothing to do but watch it, + and Uncle Bill has joined the Washingtonians and no + longer drinks rum, she is quite at a loss for topics of + worriment. + + Uncle Ike has had a little touch of palsy and is rather + feeble. He says that his legs and arms have rather + gi'n out, but his head and pluck are as good as they + ever were. I told him that our sister Kate was very + much in the same fix, whereat he was considerably + affected, and opened the crack in his great pumpkin of + a face, displaying the same two rows of great white + ivories which have been my admiration from my youth + up. He is sixty-five years of age, and has never lost + a tooth, and was never in his life more than fifteen + miles from the spot where he was born, except once, in + the ever-memorable year 1819, when I was at Bradford + Academy. + + In a sudden glow of adventurous rashness he undertook + to go after me and bring me home for vacation; and he + actually performed the whole journey of thirty miles + with his horse and wagon, and slept at a tavern a whole + night, a feat of bravery on which he has never since + ceased to plume himself. I well remember that awful + night in the tavern in the remote region of North + Andover. We occupied a chamber in which were two beds. + In the unsuspecting innocence of youth I undressed + myself and got into bed as usual; but my brave and + thoughtful uncle, merely divesting himself of his coat, + put it under his pillow, and then threw himself on to + the bed with his boots on his feet, and his two hands + resting on the rim of his hat, which he had prudently + placed on the apex of his stomach as he lay on his + back. He wouldn't allow me to blow out the candle, + but he lay there with his great white eyes fixed on + the ceiling, in the cool, determined manner of a bold + man who had made up his mind to face danger and meet + whatever might befall him. We escaped, however, without + injury, the doughty landlord and his relentless sons + merely demanding pay for supper, lodging, horse-feed, + and breakfast, which my valiant uncle, betraying no + signs of fear, resolutely paid. + +Mrs. Stowe has woven this incident into chapter thirty-two of "Oldtown +Folks," where Uncle Ike figures as Uncle Jacob. + +Mrs. Stowe had misgivings as to the reception which "Oldtown Folks" +would meet in England, owing to its distinctively New England +character. Shortly after the publication of the book she received the +following words of encouragement from Mrs. Lewes (George Eliot), July +11, 1869:-- + +"I have received and read 'Oldtown Folks.' I think that few of your +readers can have felt more interest than I have felt in that picture +of an elder generation; for my interest in it has a double root,--one +in my own love for our old-fashioned provincial life, which had its +affinities with a contemporary life, even all across the Atlantic, +and of which I have gathered glimpses in different phases from my +father and mother, with their relations; the other is my experimental +acquaintance with some shades of Calvinistic orthodoxy. I think your +way of presenting the religious convictions which are not your own, +except by the way of indirect fellowship, is a triumph of insight and +true tolerance.... Both Mr. Lewes and I are deeply interested in the +indications which the professor gives of his peculiar psychological +experience, and we should feel it a great privilege to learn much more +of it from his lips. It is a rare thing to have such an opportunity of +studying exceptional experience in the testimony of a truthful and in +every way distinguished mind." + +"Oldtown Folks" is of interest as being undoubtedly the last of Mrs. +Stowe's works which will outlive the generation for which it was +written. Besides its intrinsic merit as a work of fiction, it has a +certain historic value as being a faithful study of "New England life +and character in that particular time of its history which may be +called the seminal period." + +Whether Mrs. Stowe was far enough away from the time and people she +attempts to describe to "make (her) mind as still and passive as +a looking-glass or a mountain lake, and to give merely the images +reflected there," is something that will in great part determine the +permanent value of this work. Its interest as a story merely is of +course ephemeral. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +THE BYRON CONTROVERSY, 1869-1870. + + MRS. STOWE'S STATEMENT OF HER OWN CASE.--THE + CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH SHE FIRST MET LADY + BYRON.--LETTERS TO LADY BYRON.--LETTER TO DR. HOLMES + WHEN ABOUT TO PUBLISH "THE TRUE STORY OF LADY BYRON'S + LIFE" IN THE "ATLANTIC."--DR. HOLMES'S REPLY.--THE + CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER. + + +IT seems impossible to avoid the unpleasant episode in Mrs. Stowe's +life known as the "Byron Controversy." It will be our effort to deal +with the matter as colorlessly as is consistent with an adequate +setting forth of the motives which moved Mrs. Stowe to awaken this +unsavory discussion. In justification of her action in this matter, +Mrs. Stowe says:-- + +"What interest have you and I, my brother and my sister, in this short +life of ours, to utter anything but the truth? Is not truth between man +and man, and between man and woman, the foundation on which all things +rest? Have you not, every individual of you, who must hereafter give +an account yourself alone to God, an interest to know the exact truth +in this matter, and a duty to perform as respects that truth? Hear me, +then, while I tell you the position in which I stood, and what was my +course in relation to it. + +"A shameless attack on my friend's memory had appeared in the +'Blackwood' of July, 1869, branding Lady Byron as the vilest of +criminals, and recommending the Guiccioli book to a Christian public +as interesting from the very fact that it was the avowed production +of Lord Byron's mistress. No efficient protest was made against +this outrage in England, and Littell's 'Living Age' reprinted the +'Blackwood' article, and the Harpers, the largest publishing house in +America, perhaps in the world, republished the book. + +"Its statements--with those of the 'Blackwood,' 'Pall Mall Gazette,' +and other English periodicals--were being propagated through all +the young reading and writing world of America. I was meeting them +advertised in dailies, and made up into articles in magazines, and thus +the generation of to-day, who had no means of judging Lady Byron but by +these fables of her slanderers, were being foully deceived. The friends +who knew her personally were a small, select circle in England, whom +death is every day reducing. They were few in number compared with the +great world, and were _silent_. I saw these foul slanders crystallizing +into history, uncontradicted by friends who knew her personally, who, +firm in their own knowledge of her virtues, and limited in view as +aristocratic circles generally are, had no idea of the width of the +world they were living in, and the exigency of the crisis. When time +passed on and no voice was raised, I spoke." + +It is hardly necessary to recapitulate, at any great length, facts +already so familiar to the reading public; it may be sufficient simply +to say that after the appearance in 1868 of the Countess Guiccioli's +"Recollections of Lord Byron," Mrs. Stowe felt herself called upon +to defend the memory of her friend from what she esteemed to be +falsehoods and slanders. To accomplish this object, she prepared for +the "Atlantic Monthly" of September, 1869, an article, "The True Story +of Lady Byron's Life." Speaking of her first impressions of Lady Byron, +Mrs. Stowe says:-- + +"I formed her acquaintance in the year 1853, during my first visit to +England. I met her at a lunch party in the house of one of her friends. +When I was introduced to her, I felt in a moment the words of her +husband:-- + + "'There was awe in the homage that she drew; + Her spirit seemed as seated on a throne.'" + +It was in the fall of 1856, on the occasion of Mrs. Stowe's second +visit to England, as she and her sister were on their way to Eversley +to visit the Rev. C. Kingsley, that they stopped by invitation to lunch +with Lady Byron at her summer residence at Ham Common, near Richmond. +At that time Lady Byron informed Mrs. Stowe that it was her earnest +desire to receive a visit from her on her return, as there was a +subject of great importance concerning which she desired her advice. +Mrs. Stowe has thus described this interview with Lady Byron:-- + +"After lunch, I retired with Lady Byron, and my sister remained with +her friends. I should here remark that the chief subject of the +conversation which ensued was not entirely new to me. + +"In the interval between my first and second visits to England, a lady +who for many years had enjoyed Lady Byron's friendship and confidence +had, with her consent, stated the case generally to me, giving some of +the incidents, so that I was in a manner prepared for what followed. + +"Those who accuse Lady Byron of being a person fond of talking upon +this subject, and apt to make unconsidered confidences, can have known +very little of her, of her reserve, and of the apparent difficulty she +had in speaking on subjects nearest her heart. Her habitual calmness +and composure of manner, her collected dignity on all occasions, are +often mentioned by her husband, sometimes with bitterness, sometimes +with admiration. He says: 'Though I accuse Lady Byron of an excess of +self-respect, I must in candor admit that, if ever a person had excuse +for an extraordinary portion of it, she has, as in all her thoughts, +words, and deeds she is the most decorous woman that ever existed, and +must appear, what few I fancy could, a perfectly refined gentlewoman, +even to her _femme de chambre_.' + +"This calmness and dignity were never more manifested than in this +interview. In recalling the conversation at this distance of time, I +cannot remember all the language used. Some particular words and forms +of expression I do remember, and those I give; and in other cases I +give my recollection of the substance of what was said. + +"There was something awful to me in the intensity of repressed emotion +which she showed as she proceeded. The great fact upon which all turned +was stated in words that were unmistakable." + +Mrs. Stowe goes on to give minutely Lady Byron's conversation, and +concludes by saying:-- + + Of course I did not listen to this story as one who + was investigating its worth. I received it as truth, + and the purpose for which it was communicated was not + to enable me to prove it to the world, but to ask + my opinion whether she should show it to the world + before leaving it. The whole consultation was upon the + assumption that she had at her command such proofs as + could not be questioned. Concerning what they were I + did not minutely inquire, only, in answer to a general + question, she said that she had letters and documents + in proof of her story. Knowing Lady Byron's strength + of mind, her clear-headedness, her accurate habits, + and her perfect knowledge of the matter, I considered + her judgment on this point decisive. I told her that + I would take the subject into consideration and give + my opinion in a few days. That night, after my sister + and myself had retired to our own apartment, I related + to her the whole history, and we spent the night in + talking it over. I was powerfully impressed with the + justice and propriety of an immediate disclosure; + while she, on the contrary, represented the fatal + consequences that would probably come upon Lady Byron + from taking such a step. + + Before we parted the next day, I requested Lady Byron + to give me some memoranda of such dates and outlines + of the general story as would enable me better to keep + it in its connection, which she did. On giving me the + paper, Lady Byron requested me to return it to her + when it had ceased to be of use to me for the purpose + intended. Accordingly, a day or two after, I inclosed + it to her in a hasty note, as I was then leaving London + for Paris, and had not yet had time fully to consider + the subject. On reviewing my note I can recall that + then the whole history appeared to me like one of those + singular cases where unnatural impulses to vice are + the result of a taint of constitutional insanity. This + has always seemed to me the only way of accounting for + instances of utterly motiveless and abnormal wickedness + and cruelty. These, my first impressions, were + expressed in the hasty note written at the time: + + LONDON, _November 5, 1856._ + + DEAREST FRIEND,--I return these. They have held mine + eyes waking. How strange! How unaccountable! Have you + ever subjected the facts to the judgment of a medical + man, learned in nervous pathology? Is it not insanity? + + "Great wits to madness nearly are allied, + And thin partitions do their bounds divide." + + But my purpose to-night is not to write to you fully + what I think of this matter. I am going to write to you + from Paris more at leisure. + + (The rest of the letter was taken up in the final + details of a charity in which Lady Byron had been + engaged with me in assisting an unfortunate artist. It + concludes thus:) + + I write now in all haste, _en route_ for Paris. As to + America, all is not lost yet. Farewell. I love you, my + dear friend, as never before, with an intense feeling + that I cannot easily express. God bless you. + + H. B. S. + +The next letter is as follows:-- + + PARIS, _December 17, 1856._ + + DEAR LADY BYRON,--The Kansas Committee have written + me a letter desiring me to express to Miss ---- their + gratitude for the five pounds she sent them. I am not + personally acquainted with her, and must return these + acknowledgments through you. + + I wrote you a day or two since, inclosing the reply of + the Kansas Committee to you. + + On that subject on which you spoke to me the last time + we were together, I have thought often and deeply. + I have changed my mind somewhat. Considering the + peculiar circumstances of the case, I could wish that + the sacred veil of silence, so bravely thrown over the + past, should never be withdrawn during the time that + you remain with us. I would say then, leave all with + some discreet friends, who, after both have passed + from earth, shall say what was due to justice. I am + led to think this by seeing how low, how unworthy, the + judgments of this world are; and I would not that what + I so much respect, love, and revere should be placed + within reach of its harpy claw, which pollutes what + it touches. The day will yet come which will bring to + light every hidden thing. "There is nothing covered + that shall not be revealed, neither hid that shall not + be known;" and so justice will not fail. + + Such, my dear friend, are my thoughts; different from + what they were since first I heard that strange, sad + history. Meanwhile I love you forever, whether we meet + again on earth or not. + + Affectionately yours, + H. B. S. + +Before her article appeared in print, Mrs. Stowe addressed the +following letter to Dr. Holmes in Boston:-- + + HARTFORD, _June 26, 1869._ + + DEAR DOCTOR,--I am going to ask help of you, and I feel + that confidence in your friendship that leads me to be + glad that I have a friend like you to ask advice of. In + order that you may understand fully what it is, I must + go back some years and tell you about it. + + When I went to England the first time, I formed a + friendship with Lady Byron which led to a somewhat + interesting correspondence. When there the second + time, after the publication of "Dred" in 1856, Lady + Byron wrote to me that she wished to have some private + confidential conversation with me, and invited me to + come spend a day with her at her country-seat near + London. I went, met her alone, and spent an afternoon + with her. The object of the visit she then explained + to me. She was in such a state of health that she + considered she had very little time to live, and + was engaged in those duties and reviews which every + thoughtful person finds who is coming deliberately, and + with their eyes open, to the boundaries of this mortal + life. + + Lady Byron, as you must perceive, has all her life + lived under a weight of slanders and false imputations + laid upon her by her husband. Her own side of the story + has been told only to that small circle of confidential + friends who needed to know it in order to assist her + in meeting the exigencies which it imposed on her. + Of course it has thrown the sympathy mostly on his + side, since the world generally has more sympathy with + impulsive incorrectness than with strict justice. + + At that time there was a cheap edition of Byron's + works in contemplation, meant to bring them into + circulation among the masses, and the pathos arising + from the story of his domestic misfortunes was one + great means relied on for giving it currency. + + Under these circumstances some of Lady Byron's friends + had proposed the question to her whether she had not a + responsibility to society for the truth; whether she + did right to allow these persons to gain influence + over the popular mind by a silent consent to an utter + falsehood. As her whole life had been passed in the + most heroic self-abnegation and self sacrifice, the + question was now proposed to her whether one more act + of self-denial was not required of her, namely, to + declare _the truth_, no matter at what expense to her + own feelings. + + For this purpose she told me she wished to recount the + whole story to a person in whom she had confidence,--a + person of another country, and out of the whole sphere + of personal and local feelings which might be supposed + to influence those in the country and station in life + where the events really happened,--in order that I + might judge whether anything more was required of her + in relation to this history. + + The interview had almost the solemnity of a death-bed + confession, and Lady Byron told me the history which I + have embodied in an article to appear in the "Atlantic + Monthly." I have been induced to prepare it by the run + which the Guiccioli book is having, which is from first + to last an unsparing attack on Lady Byron's memory by + Lord Byron's mistress. + + When you have read my article, I want, _not_ your + advice as to whether the main facts shall be told, for + on this point I am so resolved that I frankly say + advice would do me no good. But you might help me, + with your delicacy and insight, to make the _manner of + telling_ more perfect, and I want to do it as wisely + and well as such story can be told. + + My post-office address after July 1st will be Westport + Point, Bristol Co., Mass., care of Mrs. I. M. Soule. + The proof-sheets will be sent you by the publisher. + + Very truly yours, + H. B. STOWE. + +In reply to the storm of controversy aroused by the publication of this +article, Mrs. Stowe made a more extended effort to justify the charges +which she had brought against Lord Byron, in a work published in 1869, +"Lady Byron Vindicated." Immediately after the publication of this +work, she mailed a copy to Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, accompanied by +the following note:-- + + BOSTON, _May 19, 1869._ + + DEAR DOCTOR,--... In writing this book, which I now + take the liberty of sending to you, I have been in + ... a "critical place." It has been a strange, weird + sort of experience, and I have had not a word to say + to anybody, though often thinking of you and wishing + I could have a little of your help and sympathy in + getting out what I saw. I think of you very much, and + rejoice to see the _hold_ your works get on England + as well as this country, and I would give more for + your opinion than that of most folks. How often I have + pondered your last letter to me, and sent it to many + (friends)! God bless you. Please accept for yourself + and your good wife, this copy. + + From yours truly, + H. B. STOWE. + +Mrs. Stowe also published in 1870, through Sampson Low & Son, of +London, a volume for English readers, "The History of the Byron +Controversy." These additional volumes, however, do not seem to have +satisfied the public as a whole, and perhaps the expediency of the +publication of Mrs. Stowe's first article is doubtful, even to her most +ardent admirers. The most that can be hoped for, through the mention +of the subject in this biography, is the vindication of Mrs. Stowe's +purity of motive and nobility of intention in bringing this painful +matter into notice. + +While she was being on all hands effectively, and evidently in some +quarters with rare satisfaction, roundly abused for the article, and +her consequent responsibility in bringing this unsavory discussion so +prominently before the public mind, she received the following letter +from Dr. O. W. Holmes:-- + + BOSTON, _September 25, 1869._ + + MY DEAR MRS. STOWE,--I have been meaning to write to + you for some time, but in the midst of all the wild and + virulent talk about the article in the "Atlantic," I + felt as if there was little to say until the first fury + of the storm had blown over. + + I think that we all perceive now that the battle is + not to be fought here, but in England. I have listened + to a good deal of talk, always taking your side in a + quiet way, backed very heartily on one occasion by + one of my most intellectual friends, reading all that + came in my way, and watching the course of opinion. + And first, it was to be expected that the Guiccioli + fanciers would resent any attack on Lord Byron, and + would highly relish the opportunity of abusing one who, + like yourself, had been identified with all those moral + enterprises which elevate the standard of humanity at + large, and of womanhood in particular. After this scum + had worked itself off, there must necessarily follow a + controversy, none the less sharp and bitter, but not + depending essentially on abuse. The first point the + recusants got hold of was the error of the two years + which contrived to run the gauntlet of so many pairs + of eyes. Some of them were made happy by mouthing and + shaking this between their teeth, as a poodle tears + round with a glove. This did not last long. No sensible + person could believe for a moment you were mistaken in + the essential character of a statement every word of + which would fall on the ear of a listening friend like + a drop of melted lead, and burn its scar deep into the + memory. That Lady Byron believed and told you the story + will not be questioned by any but fools and malignants. + Whether her belief was well founded there may be + positive evidence in existence to show affirmatively. + The fact that her statement is not peremptorily + contradicted by those most likely to be acquainted + with the facts of the case, is the one result so far + which is forcing itself into unwilling recognition. I + have seen nothing, in the various hypotheses brought + forward, which did not to me involve a greater + improbability than the presumption of guilt. Take + that, for witness, that Byron accused himself, through + a spirit of perverse vanity, of crimes he had not + committed. How preposterous! He would stain the name of + a sister, whom, on the supposition of his innocence, + he loved with angelic ardor as well as purity, by + associating it with such an infamous accusation. + Suppose there are some anomalies hard to explain in + Lady Byron's conduct. Could a young and guileless + woman, in the hands of such a man, be expected to + act in any given way, or would she not be likely to + waver, to doubt, to hope, to contradict herself, in the + anomalous position in which, without experience, she + found herself? + + As to the intrinsic evidence contained in the poems, + I think it confirms rather than contradicts the + hypothesis of guilt. I do not think that Butler's + argument, and all the other attempts at invalidation of + the story, avail much in the face of the acknowledged + fact that it was told to various competent and honest + witnesses, and remains without a satisfactory answer + from those most interested. + + I know your firm self-reliance, and your courage to + proclaim the truth when any good end is to be served + by it. It is to be expected that public opinion will + be more or less divided as to the expediency of this + revelation.... + + Hoping that you have recovered from your indisposition, + I am + + Faithfully yours, + O. W. HOLMES. + +While undergoing the most unsparing and pitiless criticism and brutal +insult, Mrs. Stowe received the following sympathetic words from Mrs. +Lewes (George Eliot):-- + + THE PRIORY, 21 NORTH BANK, _December 10, 1869._ + + MY DEAR FRIEND,-- ... In the midst of your trouble I + was often thinking of you, for I feared that you were + undergoing a considerable trial from the harsh and + unfair judgments, partly the fruit of hostility glad + to find an opportunity for venting itself, and partly + of that unthinking cruelty which belongs to hasty + anonymous journalism. For my own part, I should have + preferred that the Byron question should never have + been brought before the public, because I think the + discussion of such subjects is injurious socially. But + with regard to yourself, dear friend, I feel sure that, + in acting on a different basis of impressions, you were + impelled by pure, generous feeling. Do not think that + I would have written to you of this point to express a + judgment. I am anxious only to convey to you a sense + of my sympathy and confidence, such as a kiss and a + pressure of the hand could give if I were near you. + + I trust that I shall hear a good account of Professor + Stowe's health, as well as your own, whenever you + have time to write me a word or two. I shall not be + so unreasonable as to expect a long letter, for the + hours of needful rest from writing become more and more + precious as the years go on, but some brief news of + you and yours will be especially welcome just now. Mr. + Lewes unites with me in high regards to your husband + and yourself, but in addition to that I have the sister + woman's privilege of saying that I am always + + Your affectionate friend, + M. H. LEWES. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +GEORGE ELIOT. + + CORRESPONDENCE WITH GEORGE ELIOT.--GEORGE ELIOT'S FIRST + IMPRESSIONS OF MRS. STOWE.--MRS. STOWE'S LETTER TO MRS. + FOLLEN.--GEORGE ELIOT'S LETTER TO MRS. STOWE.--MRS. + STOWE'S REPLY.--LIFE IN FLORIDA.--ROBERT DALE OWEN AND + MODERN SPIRITUALISM.--GEORGE ELIOT'S LETTER ON THE + PHENOMENA OF SPIRITUALISM.--MRS. STOWE'S DESCRIPTION + OF SCENERY IN FLORIDA.--MRS. STOWE CONCERNING + "MIDDLEMARCH."--GEORGE ELIOT TO MRS. STOWE DURING REV. + H. W. BEECHER'S TRIAL.--MRS. STOWE CONCERNING HER LIFE + EXPERIENCE WITH HER BROTHER, H. W. BEECHER, AND HIS + TRIAL.--MRS. LEWES' LAST LETTER TO MRS. STOWE.--DIVERSE + MENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THESE TWO WOMEN.--MRS. + STOWE'S FINAL ESTIMATE OF MODERN SPIRITUALISM. + + +IT is with a feeling of relief that we turn from one of the most +disagreeable experiences of Mrs. Stowe's life to one of the most +delightful, namely, the warm friendship of one of the most eminent +women of this age, George Eliot. + +There seems to have been some deep affinity of feeling that drew them +closely together in spite of diversity of intellectual tastes. + +George Eliot's attention was first personally attracted to Mrs. Stowe +in 1853, by means of a letter which the latter had written to Mrs. +Follen. Speaking of this incident she (George Eliot) writes: "Mrs. +Follen showed me a delightful letter which she has just had from Mrs. +Stowe, telling all about herself. She begins by saying, 'I am a little +bit of a woman, rather more than forty, as withered and dry as a pinch +of snuff; never very well worth looking at in my best days, and now a +decidedly used-up article.' The whole letter is most fascinating, and +makes one love her."[17] + +The correspondence between these two notable women was begun by Mrs. +Stowe, and called forth the following extremely interesting letter from +the distinguished English novelist:-- + + THE PRIORY, 21 NORTH BANK, _May 8, 1869._ + + MY DEAR FRIEND,--I value very highly the warrant to + call you friend which your letter has given me. It + lay awaiting me on our return the other night from a + nine weeks' absence in Italy, and it made me almost + wish that you could have a momentary vision of the + discouragement,--nay, paralyzing despondency--in which + many days of my writing life have been passed, in order + that you might fully understand the good I find in such + sympathy as yours, in such an assurance as you give me + that my work has been worth doing. But I will not dwell + on any mental sickness of mine. The best joy your words + give me is the sense of that sweet, generous feeling in + you which dictated them. I shall always be the richer + because you have in this way made me know you better. I + must tell you that my first glimpse of you as a woman + came through a letter of yours, and charmed me very + much. The letter was addressed to Mrs. Follen, and + one morning I called on her in London (how many years + ago!); she was kind enough to read it to me, because it + contained a little history of your life, and a sketch + of your domestic circumstances. I remember thinking + that it was very kind of you to write that long letter, + in reply to inquiries of one who was personally unknown + to you; and, looking back with my present experience, + I think it was kinder than it then appeared, for at + that time you must have been much oppressed with the + immediate results of your fame. I remember, too, that + you wrote of your husband as one who was richer in + Hebrew and Greek than in pounds or shillings; and as an + ardent scholar has always been a character of peculiar + interest to me, I have rarely had your image in my mind + without the accompanying image (more or less erroneous) + of such a scholar by your side. I shall welcome the + fruit of his Goethe studies, whenever it comes. + + I have good hopes that your fears are groundless as + to the obstacles your new book ("Oldtown Folks") may + find here from its thorough American character. Most + readers who are likely to be really influenced by + writing above the common order will find that special + aspect an added reason for interest and study; and + I dare say you have long seen, as I am beginning to + see with new clearness, that if a book which has any + sort of exquisiteness happens also to be a popular, + widely circulated book, the power over the social mind + for any good is, after all, due to its reception by a + few appreciative natures, and is the slow result of + radiation from that narrow circle. I mean that you can + affect a few souls, and that each of these in turn may + affect a few more, but that no exquisite book tells + properly and directly on a multitude, however largely + it may be spread by type and paper. Witness the things + the multitude will say about it, if one is so unhappy + as to be obliged to hear their sayings. I do not + write this cynically, but in pure sadness and pity. + Both traveling abroad and staying at home among our + English sights and sports, one must continually feel + how slowly the centuries work toward the moral good of + men, and that thought lies very close to what you say + as to your wonder or conjecture concerning my religious + point of view. I believe that religion, too, has to + be modified according to the dominant phases; that + a religion more perfect than any yet prevalent must + express less care of personal consolation, and the more + deeply awing sense of responsibility to man springing + from sympathy with that which of all things is most + certainly known to us,--the difficulty of the human + lot. Letters are necessarily narrow and fragmentary, + and when one writes on wide subjects, are likely to + create more misunderstanding than illumination. But I + have little anxiety in writing to you, dear friend and + fellow-laborer; for you have had longer experience than + I as a writer, and fuller experience as a woman, since + you have borne children and known a mother's history + from the beginning. I trust your quick and long-taught + mind as an interpreter little liable to mistake me. + + When you say, "We live in an orange grove, and are + planting many more," and when I think you must have + abundant family love to cheer you, it seems to me + that you must have a paradise about you. But no list + of circumstances will make a paradise. Nevertheless, + I must believe that the joyous, tender humor of your + books clings about your more immediate life, and + makes some of that sunshine for yourself which you + have given to us. I see the advertisement of "Oldtown + Folks," and shall eagerly expect it. That and every + other new link between us will be reverentially valued. + With great devotion and regard, + + Yours always, + M. L. LEWES. + +Mrs. Stowe writes from Mandarin to George Eliot:-- + + MANDARIN, _February 8, 1872._ + + DEAR FRIEND,--It is two years nearly since I had your + last very kind letter, and I have never answered, + because two years of constant and severe work have made + it impossible to give a drop to anything beyond the + needs of the hour. Yet I have always thought of you, + loved you, trusted you all the same, and read every + little scrap from your writing that came to hand. + + One thing brings you back to me. I am now in Florida + in my little hut in the orange orchard, with the broad + expanse of the blue St. John's in front, and the + waving of the live-oaks, with their long, gray mosses, + overhead, and the bright gold of oranges looking + through dusky leaves around. It is like Sorrento,--so + like that I can quite dream of being there. And when I + get here I enter another life. The world recedes; I am + out of it; it ceases to influence; its bustle and noise + die away in the far distance; and here is no winter, an + open-air life,--a quaint, rude, wild wilderness sort of + life, both rude and rich; but when I am here I write + more letters to friends than ever I do elsewhere. The + mail comes only twice a week, and then is the event + of the day. My old rabbi and I here set up our tent, + he with German, and Greek, and Hebrew, devouring all + sorts of black-letter books, and I spinning ideal webs + out of bits that he lets fall here and there. + + I have long thought that I would write you again when I + got here, and so I do. I have sent North to have them + send me the "Harper's Weekly," in which your new story + is appearing, and have promised myself leisurely to + devour and absorb every word of it. + + While I think of it I want to introduce to you a friend + of mine, a most noble man, Mr. Owen, for some years our + ambassador at Naples, now living a literary and scholar + life in America. His father was Robert Dale Owen, the + theorist and communist you may have heard of in England + some years since. + + Years ago, in Naples, I visited Mr. Owen for the + first time, and found him directing his attention + to the phenomena of spiritism. He had stumbled upon + some singular instances of it accidentally, and he + had forthwith instituted a series of researches and + experiments on the subject, some of which he showed me. + It was the first time I had ever seriously thought of + the matter, and he invited my sister and myself to see + some of the phenomena as exhibited by a medium friend + of theirs who resided in their family. The result at + the time was sufficiently curious, but I was interested + in his account of the manner in which he proceeded, + keeping records of every experiment with its results, + in classified orders. As the result of his studies + and observations, he has published two books, one + "Footfalls on the Boundary of Another World," published + in 1860, and latterly, "The Debatable Land Between this + World and the Next." I regard Mr. Owen as one of the + few men who are capable of entering into an inquiry of + this kind without an utter drowning of common sense, + and his books are both of them worth a fair reading. To + me they present a great deal that is intensely curious + and interesting, although I do not admit, of course, + all his deductions, and think he often takes too much + for granted. Still, with every abatement there remains + a residuum of fact, which I think both curious and + useful. In a late letter to me he says:-- + + "There is no writer of the present day whom I more + esteem than Mrs. Lewes, nor any one whose opinion of my + work I should more highly value." + + I believe he intends sending them to you, and I hope + you will read them. Lest some of the narratives should + strike you, as such narratives did me once, as being a + perfect Arabian Nights' Entertainment, I want to say + that I have accidentally been in the way of confirming + some of the most remarkable by personal observation.... + In regard to all this class of subjects, I am of the + opinion of Goethe, that "it is just as absurd to deny + the facts of spiritualism now as it was in the Middle + Ages to ascribe them to the Devil." I think Mr. Owen + attributes too much value to his facts. I do not think + the things contributed from the ultra-mundane sphere + are particularly valuable, apart from the evidence they + give of continued existence after death. + + I do not think there is yet any evidence to warrant + the idea that they are a supplement or continuation of + the revelations of Christianity, but I do regard them + as an interesting and curious study in psychology, + and every careful observer like Mr. Owen ought to be + welcomed to bring in his facts. With this I shall + send you my observations on Mr. Owen's books, from + the "Christian Union." I am perfectly aware of the + frivolity and worthlessness of much of the revealings + purporting to come from spirits. In my view, the worth + or worthlessness of them has nothing to do with the + question of fact. + + Do invisible spirits speak in any wise,--wise or + foolish?--is the question _a priori_? I do not know + of any reason why there should not be as many foolish + virgins in the future state as in this. As I am a + believer in the Bible and Christianity, I don't need + these things as confirmations, and they are not likely + to be a religion to me. I regard them simply as I do + the phenomena of the Aurora Borealis, or Darwin's + studies on natural selection, as curious studies into + nature. Besides, I think some day we shall find a law + by which all these facts will fall into their places. + + I hope now this subject does not bore you: it certainly + is one that seems increasingly to insist on getting + itself heard. It is going on and on, making converts, + who are many more than dare avow themselves, and for my + part I wish it were all brought into the daylight of + inquiry. + + Let me hear from you if ever you feel like it. I know + too well the possibilities and impossibilities of a + nature like yours to ask more, but it can do you no + harm to know that I still think of you and love you as + ever. + + Faithfully yours, + H. B. STOWE. + + THE PRIORY, 21 NORTH BANK, REGENT'S PARK, _March 4, 1872._ + + DEAR FRIEND,--I can understand very easily that the + two last years have been full for you of other and + more imperative work than the writing of letters not + absolutely demanded either by charity or business. The + proof that you still think of me affectionately is very + welcome now it has come, and more cheering because it + enables me to think of you as enjoying your retreat + in your orange orchard,--your western Sorrento--the + beloved rabbi still beside you. I am sure it must be + a great blessing to you to bathe in that quietude, as + it always is to us when we go out of reach of London + influences and have the large space of country days to + study, walk, and talk in.... + + When I am more at liberty I will certainly read Mr. + Owen's books, if he is good enough to send them to me. + I desire on all subjects to keep an open mind, but + hitherto the various phenomena, reported or attested + in connection with ideas of spirit intercourse and so + on, have come before me here in the painful form of the + lowest charlatanerie.... + + But apart from personal contact with people who get + money by public exhibitions as mediums, or with + semi-idiots such as those who make a court for a Mrs. + ----, or other feminine personages of that kind, I + would not willingly place any barriers between my mind + and any possible channel of truth affecting the human + lot. The spirit in which you have written in the paper + you kindly sent me is likely to touch others, and + arouse them at least to attention in a case where you + have been deeply impressed.... + + Yours with sincere affection, + M. L. LEWES. + + + (Begun April 4th.) + + MANDARIN, FLORIDA, _May 11, 1872._ + + MY DEAR FRIEND,--I was very glad to get your dear + little note,--sorry to see by it that you are not in + your full physical force. Owing to the awkwardness + and misunderstanding of publishers, I am not reading + "Middlemarch," as I expected to be, here in these + orange shades: they don't send it, and I am too far + out of the world to get it. I felt, when I read your + letters, how glad I should be to have you here in our + Florida cottage, in the wholly new, wild, woodland + life. Though resembling Italy in climate, it is wholly + different in the appearance of nature,--the plants, the + birds, the animals, all different. The green tidiness + and culture of England here gives way to a wild and + rugged savageness of beauty. Every tree bursts forth + with flowers; wild vines and creepers execute delirious + gambols, and weave and interweave in interminable + labyrinths. Yet here, in the great sandy plains back + of our house, there is a constant wondering sense + of beauty in the wild, wonderful growths of nature. + First of all, the pines--high as the stone pines of + Italy--with long leaves, eighteen inches long, through + which there is a constant dreamy sound, as if of + dashing waters. Then the live-oaks and the water-oaks, + narrow-leaved evergreens, which grow to enormous size, + and whose branches are draped with long festoons of the + gray moss. There is a great, wild park of these trees + back of us, which, with the dazzling, varnished green + of the new spring leaves and the swaying drapery of + moss, looks like a sort of enchanted grotto. Underneath + grow up hollies and ornamental flowering shrubs, and + the yellow jessamine climbs into and over everything + with fragrant golden bells and buds, so that sometimes + the foliage of a tree is wholly hidden in its embrace. + + This wild, wonderful, bright and vivid growth, that + is all new, strange, and unknown by name to me, has a + charm for me. It is the place to forget the outside + world, and live in one's self. And if you were here, + we would go together and gather azaleas, and white + lilies, and silver bells, and blue iris. These flowers + keep me painting in a sort of madness. I have just + finished a picture of white lilies that grow in the + moist land by the watercourses. I am longing to begin + on blue iris. Artist, poet, as you are by nature, you + ought to see all these things, and if you would come + here I would take you in heart and house, and you + should have a little room in our cottage. The history + of the cottage is this: I found a hut built close to + a great live-oak twenty-five feet in girth, and with + overarching boughs eighty feet up in the air, spreading + like a firmament, and all swaying with mossy festoons. + We began to live here, and gradually we improved the + hut by lath, plaster, and paper. Then we threw out + a wide veranda all round, for in these regions the + veranda is the living-room of the house. Ours had to be + built around the trunk of the tree, so that our cottage + has a peculiar and original air, and seems as if it + were half tree, or a something that had grown out of + the tree. We added on parts, and have thrown out gables + and chambers, as a tree throws out new branches, till + our cottage is like nobody else's, and yet we settle + into it with real enjoyment. There are all sorts of + queer little rooms in it, and we are accommodating at + this present a family of seventeen souls. In front, + the beautiful, grand St. John's stretches five miles + from shore to shore, and we watch the steamboats plying + back and forth to the great world we are out of. On + all sides, large orange trees, with their dense shade + and ever-vivid green, shut out the sun so that we can + sit, and walk, and live in the open air. Our winter + here is only cool, bracing out-door weather, without + snow. No month without flowers blooming in the open + air, and lettuce and peas in the garden. The summer + range is about 90 deg., but the sea-breezes keep the air + delightfully fresh. Generally we go North, however, for + three months of summer. Well, I did not mean to run on + about Florida, but the subject runs away with me, and I + want you to visit us in spirit if not personally. + + My poor rabbi!--he sends you some Arabic, which I fear + you cannot read: on diablerie he is up to his ears in + knowledge, having read all things in all tongues, from + the Talmud down.... + + Ever lovingly yours, + H. B. STOWE. + +[Illustration: H B Stowe] + + BOSTON, _September 26, 1872._ + + MY DEAR FRIEND,--I think when you see my name again + so soon, you will think it rains, hails, and snows + notes from this quarter. Just now, however, I am in + this lovely, little nest in Boston, where dear Mrs. + Fields, like a dove, "sits brooding on the charmed + wave." We are both wishing we had you here with us, + and she has not received any answer from you as yet + in reply to the invitation you spoke of in your last + letter to me. It seems as if you must have written, + and the letter somehow gone astray, because I know, + of course, you would write. Yesterday we were both out + of our senses with mingled pity and indignation at + that dreadful stick of a Casaubon,--and think of poor + Dorothea dashing like a warm, sunny wave against so + cold and repulsive a rock! He is a little too dreadful + for anything: there does not seem to be a drop of warm + blood in him, and so, as it is his misfortune and + not his fault, to be cold-blooded, one must not get + angry with him. It is the scene in the garden, after + the interview with the doctor, that rests on our mind + at this present. There was such a man as he over in + Boston, high in literary circles, but I fancy his wife + wasn't like Dorothea, and a vastly proper time they had + of it, treating each other with mutual reverence, like + two Chinese mandarins. + + My love, what I miss in this story is just what we + would have if you would come to our tumble-down, jolly, + improper, but joyous country,--namely, "jollitude." + You write and live on so high a plane! It is all + self-abnegation. We want to get you over here, and into + this house, where, with closed doors, we sometimes + make the rafters ring with fun, and say anything and + everything, no matter what, and won't be any properer + than we's a mind to be. I am wishing every day you + could see our America,--travel, as I have been doing, + from one bright, thriving, pretty, flowery town to + another, and see so much wealth, ease, progress, + culture, and all sorts of nice things. This dovecot + where I now am is the sweetest little nest imaginable; + fronting on a city street, with back windows opening on + a sea view, with still, quiet rooms filled with books, + pictures, and all sorts of things, such as you and + Mr. Lewes would enjoy. Don't be afraid of the ocean, + now! I've crossed it six times, and assure you it is + an overrated item. Froude is coming here--why not you? + Besides, we have the fountain of eternal youth here, + that is, in Florida, where I live, and if you should + come you would both of you take a new lease of life, + and what glorious poems, and philosophies, and whatnot, + we should have! My rabbi writes, in the seventh heaven, + an account of your note to him. To think of his + setting-off on his own account when I was away! + + Come now, since your answer to dear Mrs. Fields is yet + to come; let it be a glad yes, and we will clasp you to + our heart of hearts. + + Your ever loving, + H. B. S. + +During the summer of 1874, while Mrs. Stowe's brother, the Rev. Henry +Ward Beecher, was the victim of a most revolting, malicious, and +groundless attack on his purity, Mrs. Lewes wrote the following words +of sympathy:-- + + MY DEAR FRIEND,--The other day I had a letter from + Mrs. Fields, written to let me know something of you + under that heavy trouble, of which such information as + I have had has been quite untrustworthy, leaving me + in entire incredulity in regard to it except on this + point, that you and yours must be suffering deeply. + Naturally I thought most of you in the matter (its + public aspects being indeterminate), and many times + before our friend's letter came I had said to Mr. + Lewes: "What must Mrs. Stowe be feeling!" I remember + Mrs. Fields once told me of the wonderful courage and + cheerfulness which belonged to you, enabling you to + bear up under exceptional trials, and I imagined you + helping the sufferers with tenderness and counsel, but + yet, nevertheless, I felt that there must be a bruising + weight on your heart. Dear, honored friend, you who are + so ready to give warm fellowship, is it any comfort to + you to be told that those afar off are caring for you + in spirit, and will be happier for all good issues that + may bring you rest? + + I cannot, dare not, write more in my ignorance, lest + I should be using unreasonable words. But I trust in + your not despising this scrap of paper which tells you, + perhaps rather for my relief than yours, that I am + always in grateful, sweet remembrance of your goodness + to me and your energetic labors for all. + +It was two years or more before Mrs. Stowe replied to these words of +sympathy. + + Orange-blossom time, MANDARIN, _March 18, 1876._ + + MY DEAR FRIEND,--I always think of you when the orange + trees are in blossom; just now they are fuller than + ever, and so many bees are filling the branches that + the air is full of a sort of still murmur. And now I am + beginning to hear from you every month in Harper's. It + is as good as a letter. "Daniel Deronda" has succeeded + in awaking in my somewhat worn-out mind an interest. + So many stories are tramping over one's mind in every + modern magazine nowadays that one is macadamized, so to + speak. It takes something unusual to make a sensation. + This does excite and interest me, as I wait for each + number with eagerness. I wish I could endow you with + our long winter weather,--not winter, except such as + you find in Sicily. We live here from November to + June, and my husband sits outdoors on the veranda + and reads all day. We emigrate in solid family: my + two dear daughters, husband, self, and servants come + together to spend the winter here, and so together to + our Northern home in summer. My twin daughters relieve + me from all domestic care; they are lively, vivacious, + with a real genius for practical life. We have around + us a little settlement of neighbors, who like ourselves + have a winter home here, and live an easy, undress, + picnic kind of life, far from the world and its cares. + Mr. Stowe has been busy on eight volumes of Goerres on + the mysticism of the Middle Ages.[18] This Goerres was + Professor of Philosophy at Munich, and he reviews the + whole ground of the shadow-land between the natural and + the supernatural,--ecstacy, trance, prophecy, miracles, + spiritualism, the stigmata, etc. He was a devout Roman + Catholic, and the so-called facts that he reasons on + seem to me quite amazing; and yet the possibilities + that lie between inert matter and man's living, + all-powerful, immortal soul may make almost anything + credible. The soul at times can do anything with + matter. I have been busying myself with Sainte-Beuve's + seven volumes on the Port Royal development. I like him + (Sainte-Beuve). His capacity of seeing, doing justice + to all kinds of natures and sentiments, is wonderful. I + am sorry he is no longer our side the veil. + + There is a redbird (cardinal grosbeak) singing in + the orange trees fronting my window, so sweetly and + insistently as to almost stop my writing. I hope, dear + friend, you are well--better than when you wrote last. + + It was very sweet and kind of you to write what you + did last. I suppose it is so long ago you may have + forgotten, but it was a word of tenderness and sympathy + about my brother's trial; it was womanly, tender, and + sweet, such as at heart you are. After all, my love of + you is greater than my admiration, for I think it more + and better to be really a woman worth loving than to + have read Greek and German and written books. And in + this last book I read, I feel more with you in some + little, fine points,--they stare at me as making an + amusing exhibition. For, my dear, I feel myself at + last as one who has been playing and picnicking on the + shores of life, and waked from a dream late in the + afternoon to find that everybody almost has gone over + to the beyond. And the rest are sorting their things + and packing their trunks, and waiting for the boat to + come and take them. + + It seems now but a little time since my brother Henry + and I were two young people together. He was my two + years junior, and nearest companion out of seven + brothers and three sisters. I taught him drawing and + heard his Latin lessons, for you know a girl becomes + mature and womanly long before a boy. I saw him through + college, and helped him through the difficult love + affair that gave him his wife; and then he and my + husband had a real German, enthusiastic love for each + other, which ended in making me a wife. Ah! in those + days we never dreamed that he, or I, or any of us, were + to be known in the world. All he seemed then was a + boy full of fun, full of love, full of enthusiasm for + protecting abused and righting wronged people, which + made him in those early days write editorials, and wear + arms and swear himself a special policeman to protect + the poor negroes in Cincinnati, where we then lived, + when there were mobs instigated by the slaveholders of + Kentucky. + + Then he married, and lived a missionary life in the new + West, all with a joyousness, an enthusiasm, a chivalry, + which made life bright and vigorous to us both. Then + in time he was called to Brooklyn, just as the crisis + of the great anti-slavery battle came on, and the + Fugitive Slave Law was passed. I was then in Maine, + and I well remember one snowy night his riding till + midnight to see me, and then our talking, till near + morning, what we could do to make headway against the + horrid cruelties that were being practiced against the + defenseless blacks. My husband was then away lecturing, + and my heart was burning itself out in indignation and + anguish. Henry told me then that he meant to fight that + battle in New York; that he would have a church that + would stand by him to resist the tyrannic dictation + of Southern slaveholders. I said: "I, too, have begun + to do something; I have begun a story, trying to + set forth the sufferings and wrongs of the slaves." + "That's right, Hattie," he said; "finish it, and I + will scatter it thick as the leaves of Vallambrosa," + and so came "Uncle Tom," and Plymouth Church became a + stronghold where the slave always found refuge and a + strong helper. One morning my brother found sitting on + his doorstep poor old Paul Edmonson, weeping; his two + daughters, of sixteen and eighteen, had passed into + the slave warehouse of Bruin & Hill, and were to be + sold. My brother took the man by the hand to a public + meeting, told his story for him, and in an hour raised + the two thousand dollars to redeem his children. Over + and over again, afterwards, slaves were redeemed at + Plymouth Church, and Henry and Plymouth Church became + words of hatred and fear through half the Union. From + that time until we talked together about the Fugitive + Slave Law, there was not a pause or stop in the battle + till we had been through the war and slavery had been + wiped out in blood. Through all he has been pouring + himself out, wrestling, burning, laboring everywhere, + making stump speeches when elections turned on the + slave question, and ever maintaining that the cause + of Christ was the cause of the slave. And when all + was over, it was he and Lloyd Garrison who were sent + by government once more to raise our national flag + on Fort Sumter. You must see that a man does not + so energize without making many enemies. Half of + our Union has been defeated, a property of millions + annihilated by emancipation, a proud and powerful slave + aristocracy reduced to beggary, and there are those + who never saw our faces that, to this hour, hate him + and me. Then he has been a progressive in theology. + He has been a student of Huxley, and Spencer, and + Darwin,--enough to alarm the old school,--and yet + remained so ardent a supernaturalist as equally to + repel the radical destructionists in religion. He and I + are Christ-worshippers, adoring Him as the Image of the + Invisible God and all that comes from believing this. + Then he has been a reformer, an advocate of universal + suffrage and woman's rights, yet not radical enough to + please that reform party who stand where the Socialists + of France do, and are for tearing up all creation + generally. Lastly, he has had the misfortune of a + popularity which is perfectly phenomenal. I cannot give + you any idea of the love, worship, idolatry, with which + he has been overwhelmed. He has something magnetic + about him that makes everybody crave his society,--that + makes men follow and worship him. I remember being at + his house one evening in the time of early flowers, and + in that one evening came a box of flowers from Maine, + another from New Jersey, another from Connecticut,--all + from people with whom he had no personal acquaintance, + who had read something of his and wanted to send him + some token. I said, "One would think you were a _prima + donna_. What does make people go on so about you?" + + My brother is hopelessly generous and confiding. His + inability to believe evil is something incredible, and + so has come all this suffering. You said you hoped + I should be at rest when the first investigating + committee and Plymouth Church cleared my brother almost + by acclamation. Not so. The enemy have so committed + themselves that either they or he must die, and there + has followed two years of the most dreadful struggle. + First, a legal trial of six months, the expenses + of which on his side were one hundred and eighteen + thousand dollars, and in which he and his brave wife + sat side by side in the court-room, and heard all that + these plotters, who had been weaving their webs for + three years, could bring. The foreman of the jury was + offered a bribe of ten thousand dollars to decide + against my brother. He sent the letter containing the + proposition to the judge. But with all their plotting, + three fourths of the jury decided against them, and + their case was lost. It was accepted as a triumph + by my brother's friends; a large number of the most + influential clergy of all denominations so expressed + themselves in a public letter, and it was hoped the + thing was so far over that it might be lived down and + overgrown with better things. + + But the enemy, intriguing secretly with all those + parties in the community who wish to put down a public + and too successful man, have been struggling to bring + the thing up again for an ecclesiastical trial. The + cry has been raised in various religious papers that + Plymouth Church was in complicity with crime,--that + they were so captivated with eloquence and genius that + they refused to make competent investigation. The six + months' legal investigation was insufficient; a new + trial was needed. Plymouth Church immediately called a + council of ministers and laymen, in number representing + thirty-seven thousand Congregational Christians, to + whom Plymouth Church surrendered her records,--her + conduct,--all the facts of the case, and this great + council unanimously supported the church and ratified + her decision; recognizing the fact that, in all the + investigations hitherto, nothing had been proved + against my brother. They at his request, and that of + Plymouth Church, appointed a committee of five to whom + within sixty days any one should bring any facts that + they could prove, or else forever after hold their + peace. It is thought now by my brother's friends that + this thing must finally reach a close. But you see + why I have not written. This has drawn on my life--my + heart's blood. He is myself; I know you are the kind of + woman to understand me when I say that I felt a blow at + him more than at myself. I, who know his purity, honor, + delicacy, know that he has been from childhood of an + ideal purity,--who reverenced his conscience as his + king, whose glory was redressing human wrong, who spake + no slander, no, nor listened to it. + + Never have I known a nature of such strength, and + such almost childlike innocence. He is of a nature + so sweet and perfect that, though I have seen him + thunderously indignant at moments, I never saw him + fretful or irritable,--a man who continuously, in + every little act of life, is thinking of others, a + man that all the children on the street run after, + and that every sorrowful, weak, or distressed person + looks to as a natural helper. In all this long history + there has been no circumstance of his relation to any + woman that has not been worthy of himself,--pure, + delicate, and proper; and I know all sides of it, and + certainly should not say this if there were even a + misgiving. Thank God, there is none, and I can read my + New Testament and feel that by all the beatitudes my + brother is blessed. + + His calmness, serenity, and cheerfulness through all + this time has uplifted us all. Where he was, there was + no anxiety, no sorrow. My brother's power to console + is something peculiar and wonderful. I have seen him + at death-beds and funerals, where it would seem as if + hope herself must be dumb, bring down the very peace of + Heaven and change despair to trust. He has not had less + power in his own adversity. You cannot conceive how + he is beloved, by those even who never saw him,--old, + paralytic, distressed, neglected people, poor + seamstresses, black people, who have felt these arrows + shot against their benefactor as against themselves, + and most touching have been their letters of sympathy. + From the first, he has met this in the spirit of + Francis de Sales, who met a similar plot,--by silence, + prayer, and work, and when urged to defend himself said + "God would do it in his time." God was the best judge + how much reputation he needed to serve Him with. + + In your portrait of Deronda, you speak of him as one + of those rare natures in whom a private wrong bred + no bitterness. "The sense of injury breeds, not the + will to inflict injuries, but a hatred of all injury;" + and I must say, through all this conflict my brother + has been always in the spirit of Him who touched and + healed the ear of Malchus when he himself was attacked. + His friends and lawyers have sometimes been aroused + and sometimes indignant with his habitual caring for + others, and his habit of vindicating and extending + even to his enemies every scrap and shred of justice + that might belong to them. From first to last of this + trial, he has never for a day intermitted his regular + work. Preaching to crowded houses, preaching even in + his short vacations at watering places, carrying on + his missions which have regenerated two once wretched + districts of the city, editing a paper, and in short + giving himself up to work. He cautioned his church not + to become absorbed in him and his trials, to prove + their devotion by more faithful church work and a + wider charity; and never have the Plymouth missions + among the poor been so energetic and effective. He + said recently, "The worst that can befall a man is to + stop thinking of God and begin to think of himself; + if trials make us self-absorbed, they hurt us." Well, + dear, pardon me for this outpour. I loved you--I love + you--and therefore wanted you to know just what I felt. + Now, dear, this is over, don't think you must reply to + it or me. I know how much you have to do,--yes, I know + all about an aching head and an overtaxed brain. This + last work of yours is to be your best, I think, and I + hope it will bring you enough to buy an orange grove in + Sicily, or somewhere else, and so have lovely weather + such as we have. + + Your ancient admirer,[19] who usually goes to bed at + eight o'clock, was convicted by me of sitting up after + eleven over the last installment of "Daniel Deronda," + and he is full of it. We think well of Guendoline, and + that she isn't much more than young ladies in general + so far. + + Next year, if I can possibly do it, I will send you + some of our oranges. I perfectly long to have you enjoy + them. + + Your very loving H. B. STOWE. + + P. S. I am afraid I shall write you again when I + am reading your writings, they are so provokingly + suggestive of things one wants to say. + + H. B. S. + +In her reply to this letter Mrs. Lewes says, incidentally: "Please +offer my reverential love to the Professor, and tell him I am +ruthlessly proud of having kept him out of his bed. I hope that both +you and he will continue to be interested in my spiritual children." + +After Mr. Lewes's death, Mrs. Lewes writes to Mrs. Stowe:-- + + THE PRIORY, 21 NORTH BANK, _April 10, 1879._ + + MY DEAR FRIEND,--I have been long without sending you + any sign (unless you have received a message from me + through Mrs. Fields), but my heart has been going out + to you and your husband continually as among the chief + of the many kind beings who have given me their tender + fellow-feeling in my last earthly sorrow.... When your + first letter came, with the beautiful gift of your + book,[20] I was unable to read any letters, and did not + for a long time see what you had sent me. But when I + did know, and had read your words of thankfulness at + the great good you have seen wrought by your help, I + felt glad, for your sake first, and then for the sake + of the great nation to which you belong. The hopes + of the world are taking refuge westward, under the + calamitous conditions, moral and physical, in which we + of the elder world are getting involved.... + + Thank you for telling me that you have the comfort of + seeing your son in a path that satisfies your best + wishes for him. I like to think of your having family + joys. One of the prettiest photographs of a child that + I possess is one of your sending to me.... + + Please offer my reverential, affectionate regards to + your husband, and believe me, dear friend, + + Yours always gratefully, + M. L. LEWES. + +As much as has been said with regard to spiritualism in these pages, +the subject has by no means the prominence that it really possessed in +the studies and conversations of both Professor and Mrs. Stowe. + +Professor Stowe's very remarkable psychological development, and the +exceptional experiences of his early life, were sources of conversation +of unfailing interest and study to both. + +Professor Stowe had made an elaborate and valuable collection of the +literature of the subject, and was, as Mrs. Stowe writes, "over head +and ears in _diablerie_." + +It is only just to give Mrs. Stowe's views on this perplexing theme +more at length, and as the mature reflection of many years has caused +them to take form. + +In reference to professional mediums, and spirits that peep, rap, and +mutter, she writes:-- + +"Each friend takes away a portion of ourselves. There was some part +of our being related to him as to no other, and we had things to say +to him which no other would understand or appreciate. A portion of +our thoughts has become useless and burdensome, and again and again, +with involuntary yearning, we turn to the stone at the door of the +sepulchre. We lean against the cold, silent marble, but there is no +answer,--no voice, neither any that regardeth. + +"There are those who would have us think that in _our_ day this doom +is reversed; that there are those who have the power to restore to us +the communion of our lost ones. How many a heart, wrung and tortured +with the anguish of this fearful silence, has throbbed with strange, +vague hopes at the suggestion! When we hear sometimes of persons of the +strongest and clearest minds becoming credulous votaries of certain +spiritualist circles, let us not wonder: if we inquire, we shall +almost always find that the belief has followed some stroke of death; +it is only an indication of the desperation of that heart-hunger which +in part it appeases. + +"Ah, _were_ it true! Were it indeed so that the wall between the +spiritual and material is growing thin, and a new dispensation +germinating in which communion with the departed blest shall be among +the privileges and possibilities of this our mortal state! Ah, were +it so that when we go forth weeping in the gray dawn, bearing spices +and odors which we long to pour forth for the beloved dead, we should +indeed find the stone rolled away and an angel sitting on it! + +"But for us the stone must be rolled away by an _unquestionable_ angel, +whose countenance is as the lightning, who executes no doubtful juggle +by pale moonlight or starlight, but rolls back the stone in fair, open +morning, and sits on it. Then we could bless God for his mighty gift, +and with love, and awe, and reverence take up that blessed fellowship +with another life, and weave it reverently and trustingly into the web +of our daily course. + +"But no such angel have we seen,--no such sublime, unquestionable, +glorious manifestation. And when we look at what is offered to us, +ah! who that had a friend in heaven could wish them to return in such +wise as this? The very instinct of a sacred sorrow seems to forbid +that our beautiful, our glorified ones should stoop lower than even to +the medium of their cast-off bodies, to juggle, and rap, and squeak, +and perform mountebank tricks with tables and chairs; to recite over +in weary sameness harmless truisms, which we were wise enough to say +for ourselves; to trifle, and banter, and jest, or to lead us through +endless moonshiny mazes. Sadly and soberly we say that, if this be +communion with the dead, we had rather be without it. We want something +a little in advance of our present life, and not below it. We have read +with some attention weary pages of spiritual communication purporting +to come from Bacon, Swedenborg, and others, and long accounts from +divers spirits of things seen in the spirit land, and we can conceive +of no more appalling prospect than to have them true. + +"If the future life is so weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable as we +might infer from these readings, one would have reason to deplore an +immortality from which no suicide could give an outlet. To be condemned +to such eternal prosing would be worse than annihilation. + +"Is there, then, no satisfaction for this craving of the soul? There +is One who says: "I am he that liveth and was dead, and behold I am +alive for evermore, and I have the keys of hell and of death;" and this +same being said once before: "He that loveth me shall be loved of my +Father, and I will love him and will manifest myself unto him." This +is a promise direct and personal; not confined to the first apostles, +but stated in the most general way as attainable by any one who loves +and does the will of Jesus. It seems given to us as some comfort for +the unavoidable heart-breaking separations of death that there should +be, in that dread unknown, one all-powerful Friend with whom it is +possible to commune, and from whose spirit there may come a response to +us. Our Elder Brother, the partaker of our nature, is not only in the +spirit land, but is all-powerful there. It is he that shutteth and no +man openeth, and openeth and no man shutteth. He whom we have seen in +the flesh, weeping over the grave of Lazarus, is he who hath the keys +of hell and of death. If we cannot commune with our friends, we can at +least commune with Him to whom they are present, who is intimately with +them as with us. He is the true bond of union between the spirit world +and our souls; and one blest hour of prayer, when we draw near to Him +and feel the breadth, and length, and depth, and heighth of that love +of his that passeth knowledge, is better than all those incoherent, +vain, dreamy glimpses with which longing hearts are cheated. + +"They who have disbelieved all spiritual truth, who have been +Sadduceeic doubters of either angel or spirit, may find in modern +spiritualism a great advance. But can one who has ever really had +communion with Christ, who has said with John, "Truly our fellowship is +with the Father and the Son,"--can such an one be satisfied with what +is found in the modern circle? + +"For Christians who have strayed into these inclosures, we cannot but +recommend the homely but apt quotation of old John Newton:-- + + "'What think ye of Christ is the test + To try both your word and your scheme.' + +"In all these so-called revelations, have there come any echoes of +the _new song_ which no man save the redeemed from earth could learn; +any unfoldings of that love that passeth knowledge,--anything, in +short, such as spirits might utter to whom was unveiled that which eye +hath not seen nor ear heard, neither hath entered the heart of man to +conceive? We must confess that all those spirits that yet have spoken +appear to be living in quite another sphere from John or Paul. + +"Let us, then, who long for communion with spirits, seek nearness to +Him who has promised to speak and commune, leaving forever this word to +his church:-- + +"'I will not leave you comfortless. I will come to you.'" + +FOOTNOTES: + +[17] George Eliot's Life, edited by J. W. Cross, vol. i. + +[18] _Die Christliche Mystik._ + +[19] Professor Stowe. + +[20] _Uncle Tom's Cabin_, new edition, with introduction. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +CLOSING SCENES, 1870-1889. + + LITERARY LABORS.--COMPLETE LIST OF PUBLISHED + BOOKS.--FIRST READING TOUR.--PEEPS BEHIND + THE CURTAIN.--SOME NEW ENGLAND CITIES.--A + LETTER FROM MAINE.--PLEASANT AND UNPLEASANT + READINGS.--SECOND TOUR.--A WESTERN JOURNEY.--VISIT + TO OLD SCENES.--CELEBRATION OF SEVENTIETH + BIRTHDAY.--CONGRATULATORY POEMS FROM MR. WHITTIER AND + DR. HOLMES.--LAST WORDS. + + +BESIDES the annual journeys to and from Florida, and her many interests +in the South, Mrs. Stowe's time between 1870 and 1880 was largely +occupied by literary and kindred labors. In the autumn of 1871 we find +her writing to her daughters as follows regarding her work:-- + +"I have at last finished all my part in the third book of mine that is +to come out this year, to wit 'Oldtown Fireside Stories,' and you can +have no idea what a perfect luxury of rest it is to be free from all +literary engagements, of all kinds, sorts, or descriptions. I feel like +a poor woman I once read about,-- + + "'Who always was tired, + 'Cause she lived in a house + Where help wasn't hired,' + +and of whom it is related that in her dying moments, + + "'She folded her hands + With her latest endeavor, + Saying nothing, dear nothing, + Sweet nothing forever.' + +"I am in about her state of mind. I luxuriate in laziness. I do not +want to do anything or go anywhere. I only want to sink down into lazy +enjoyment of living." + +She was certainly well entitled to a rest, for never had there been a +more laborious literary life. In addition to the twenty-three books +already written, she had prepared for various magazines and journals +an incredible number of short stories, letters of travel, essays, +and other articles. Yet with all she had accomplished, and tired as +she was, she still had seven books to write, besides many more short +stories, before her work should be done. As her literary life did not +really begin until 1852, the bulk of her work has been accomplished +within twenty-six years, as will be seen from the following list of her +books, arranged in the chronological order of their publication:-- + + 1833. An Elementary Geography. + 1843. The Mayflower. + 1852. Uncle Tom's Cabin. + 1853. Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin. + 1854. Sunny Memories. + 1856. Dred. + 1858. Our Charley. + 1859. Minister's Wooing. + 1862. Pearl of Orr's Island. + 1863. Agnes of Sorrento. + 1864. House and Home Papers. + 1865. Little Foxes. + 1866. Nina Gordon (Formerly "Dred"). + 1867. Religious Poems. + 1867. Queer Little People. + 1868. The Chimney Corner. + 1868. Men of Our Times. + 1869. Oldtown Folks. + 1870. Lady Byron Vindicated. + 1871. The History of the Byron Controversy (London). + 1870. Little Pussy Willow. + 1871. Pink and White Tyranny. + 1871. Old Town Fireside Stories. + 1872. My Wife and I. + 1873. Palmetto Leaves. + 1873. Library of Famous Fiction. + 1875. We and Our Neighbors. + 1876. Betty's Bright Idea. + 1877. Footsteps of the Master. + 1878. Bible Heroines. + 1878. Poganuc People. + 1881. A Dog's Mission. + +In 1872 a new and remunerative field of labor was opened to Mrs. Stowe, +and though it entailed a vast amount of weariness and hard work, she +entered it with her customary energy and enthusiasm. It presented +itself in the shape of an offer from the American Literary (Lecture) +Bureau of Boston to deliver a course of forty readings from her own +works in the principal cities of the New England States. The offer was +a liberal one, and Mrs. Stowe accepted it on condition that the reading +tour should be ended in time to allow her to go to her Florida home +in December. This being acceded to, she set forth and gave her first +reading in Bridgeport, Conn., on the evening of September 19, 1872. + +The following extracts from letters written to her husband while on +this reading tour throw some interesting gleams of light on the scenes +behind the curtain of the lecturer's platform. From Boston, October +3d, she writes: "Have had a most successful but fatiguing week. Read +in Cambridgeport to-night, and Newburyport to-morrow night." Two weeks +later, upon receipt of a letter from her husband, in which he fears he +has not long to live, she writes from Westfield, Mass:-- + +"I have never had a greater trial than being forced to stay away from +you now. I would not, but that my engagements have involved others in +heavy expense, and should I fail to fulfill them, it would be doing a +wrong. + +"God has given me strength as I needed it, and I never read more to my +own satisfaction than last night. + +"Now, my dear husband, please do _want_, and try, to remain with us yet +a while longer, and let us have a little quiet evening together before +either of us crosses the river. My heart cries out for a home with you; +our home together in Florida. Oh, may we see it again! Your ever loving +wife." + +From Fitchburg, Mass., under date of October 29th, she writes:-- + +"In the cars, near Palmer, who should I discover but Mr. and Mrs. J. T. +Fields, returning from a Western trip, as gay as a troubadour. I took +an empty seat next to them, and we had a jolly ride to Boston. I drove +to Mr. Williams's house, where I met the Chelsea agent, who informed +me that there was no hotel in Chelsea, but that they were expecting to +send over for me. So I turned at once toward 148 Charles Street, where +I tumbled in on the Fields before they had got their things off. We had +a good laugh, and I received a hearty welcome. I was quickly installed +in my room, where, after a nice dinner, I curled up for my afternoon +nap. At half-past seven the carriage came for me, and I was informed +that I should not have a hard reading, as they had engaged singers +to take part. So, when I got into the carriage, who should I find, +beshawled, and beflowered, and betoggled in blue satin and white lace, +but our old friend ---- of Andover concert memory, now become Madame +Thingumbob, of European celebrity. She had studied in Italy, come out +in Milan, sung there in opera for a whole winter, and also in Paris and +London. + +"Well, she sings very sweetly and looks very nice and pretty. Then we +had a little rosebud of a Chelsea girl who sang, and a pianist. I read +'Minister's Housekeeper' and Topsy, and the audience was very jolly and +appreciative. Then we all jogged home." + +The next letter finds Mrs. Stowe in Maine, and writing in the cars +between Bangor and Portland. She says:-- + + MY DEAR HUSBAND,--Well, Portland and Bangor are over, + and the latter, which I had dreaded as lonesome and + far off, turned out the pleasantest of any place I + have visited yet. I stayed at the Fays; he was one of + the Andover students, you remember; and found a warm, + cosy, social home. In the evening I met an appreciative + audience, and had a delightful reading. I read Captain + Kittridge, apparently to the great satisfaction of the + people, who laughed heartily at his sea stories, and + the "Minister's Housekeeper" with the usual success, + also Eva and Topsy. + + One woman, totally deaf, came to me afterwards and + said: "Bless you. I come jist to see you. I'd rather + see you than the Queen." Another introduced her little + girl named Harriet Beecher Stowe, and another, older, + named Eva. She said they had traveled fifty miles to + hear me read. An incident like that appeals to one's + heart, does it not? + + The people of Bangor were greatly embarrassed by the + horse disease; but the mayor and his wife walked over + from their house, a long distance off, to bring me + flowers, and at the reading he introduced me. I had + an excellent audience notwithstanding that it rained + tremendously, and everybody had to walk because there + were no horses. The professors called on me, also + Newman Smith, now a settled minister here. + + Everybody is so anxious about you, and Mr. Fay made + me promise that you and I should come and spend a + week with them next summer. Mr. Howard, in Portland, + called upon me to inquire for you, and everybody was so + delighted to hear that you were getting better. + + It stormed all the time I was in Portland and Bangor, + so I saw nothing of them. Now I am in a palace car + riding alongside the Kennebec, and recalling the + incidents of my trip. I certainly had very satisfactory + houses; and these pleasant little visits, and meetings + with old acquaintance, would be well worth having, + even though I had made nothing in a pecuniary sense. + On the whole it is as easy a way of making money as + I have ever tried, though no way of making money is + perfectly easy,--there must be some disagreeables. The + lonesomeness of being at a hotel in dull weather is + one, and in Portland it seems there is nobody now to + invite us to their homes. Our old friends there are + among the past. They have gone on over the river. I + send you a bit of poetry that pleases me. The love of + the old for each other has its poetry. It is something + sacred and full of riches. I long to be with you, and + to have some more of our good long talks. + + The scenery along this river is very fine. The oaks + still keep their leaves, though the other trees are + bare; but oaks and pines make a pleasant contrast. We + shall stop twenty minutes at Brunswick, so I shall get + a glimpse of the old place. + + Now we are passing through Hallowell, and the Kennebec + changes sides. What a beautiful river! It is now full + of logs and rafts. Well, I must bring this to a close. + Good-by, dear, with unchanging love. Ever your wife. + +From South Framingham, Mass., she writes on November 7th:-- + + Well, my dear, here I am in E.'s pretty little house. + He has a pretty wife, a pretty sister, a pretty baby, + two nice little boys, and a lovely white cat. The last + is a perfect beauty! a Persian, from a stock brought + over by Dr. Parker, as white as snow, with the softest + fur, a perfect bunch of loving-kindness, all purr and + felicity. I had a good audience last evening, and + enjoyed it. My audiences, considering the horse disease + and the rains, are amazing. And how they do laugh! We + get into regular gales. + + E. has the real country minister turn-out: horse and + buggy, and such a nice horse too. The baby is a beauty, + and giggles, and goos, and shouts inquiries with the + rising inflection, in the most inspiring manner. + + _November 13._ Wakefield. I read in Haverhill last + night. It was as usual stormy. I had a good audience, + but not springy and inspiriting like that at Waltham. + Some audiences seem to put spring into one, and some + to take it out. This one seemed good but heavy. I had + to lift them, while in Framingham and Waltham they + lifted me. + + The Lord bless and keep you. It grieves me to think + you are dull and I not with you. By and by we will be + together and stay together. Good-by dear. Your ever + loving wife, + + H. B. S. + + _November 24._ "I had a very pleasant reading in + Peabody. While there visited the library and saw the + picture of the Queen that she had painted expressly + for George Peabody. It was about six inches square, + enameled on gold, and set in a massive frame of solid + gold and velvet. The effect is like painting on ivory. + At night the picture rolls back into a safe, and great + doors, closed with a combination lock, defend it. It + reminded me of some of the foreign wonders we have seen. + + "Well, my course is almost done, and if I get through + without any sickness, cold, or accident, how wonderful + it will seem. I have never felt the near, kind presence + of our Heavenly Father so much as in this. 'He giveth + strength to the faint, and to them of no might He + increaseth strength.' I have found this true all my + life." + +From Newport she writes on November 26th:-- + +"It was a hard, tiring, disagreeable piece of business to read in New +London. Had to wait three mortal hours in Palmer. Then a slow, weary +train, that did not reach New London until after dark. There was then +no time to rest, and I was so tired that it did seem as though I could +not dress. I really trembled with fatigue. The hall was long and +dimly lighted, and the people were not seated compactly, but around in +patches. The light was dim, except for a great flaring gas jet arranged +right under my eyes on the reading desk, and I did not see a creature +whom I knew. I was only too glad when it was over and I was back again +at my hotel. There I found that I must be up at five o'clock to catch +the Newport train. + +"I started for this place in the dusk of a dreary, foggy morning. +Traveled first on a ferry, then in cars, and then in a little cold +steamboat. Found no one to meet me, in spite of all my writing, and so +took a carriage and came to the hotel. The landlord was very polite to +me, said he knew me by my trunk, had been to our place in Mandarin, +etc. All I wanted was a warm room, a good bed, and unlimited time to +sleep. Now I have had a three hours' nap, and here I am, sitting by +myself in the great, lonely hotel parlor. + +"Well, dear old man, I think lots of you, and only want to end +all this in a quiet home where we can sing 'John Anderson, my Jo' +together. I check off place after place as the captive the days of his +imprisonment. Only two more after to-night. Ever your loving wife." + +Mrs. Stowe made one more reading tour the following year, and this time +it was in the West. On October 28, 1873, she writes from Zanesville, +Ohio, to her son at Harvard:-- + + You have been very good to write as often as you have, + and your letters, meeting me at different points, have + been most cheering. I have been tired, almost to the + last degree. Read two successive evenings in Chicago, + and traveled the following day for thirteen hours, a + distance of about three hundred miles, to Cincinnati. + We were compelled to go in the most uncomfortable + cars I ever saw, crowded to overflowing, a fiend of a + stove at each end burning up all the air, and without + a chance to even lay my head down. This is the grand + route between Chicago and Cincinnati, and we were on it + from eight in the morning until nearly ten at night. + + Arrived at Cincinnati we found that George Beecher had + not received our telegram, was not expecting us, had no + rooms engaged for us, and that we could not get rooms + at his boarding-place. After finding all this out we + had to go to the hotel, where, about eleven o'clock, I + crept into bed with every nerve aching from fatigue. + The next day was dark and rainy, and I lay in bed most + of it; but when I got up to go and read I felt only + half rested, and was still so tired that it seemed as + though I could not get through. + + Those who planned my engagements failed to take, into + account the fearful distances and wretched trains out + here. On none of these great Western routes is there a + drawing-room car. Mr. Saunders tried in every way to + get them to put one on for us, but in vain. They are + all reserved for the night trains; so that there is no + choice except to travel by night in sleeping cars, or + take such trains as I have described in the daytime. + + I had a most sympathetic audience in Cincinnati; they + all seemed delighted and begged me to come again. The + next day George took us for a drive out to Walnut + Hills, where we saw the seminary buildings, the house + where your sisters were born, and the house in which + we afterwards lived. In the afternoon we had to leave + and hurry away to a reading in Dayton. The next evening + another in Columbus, where we spent Sunday with an old + friend. + + By this time I am somewhat rested from the strain of + that awful journey; but I shall never again undertake + such another. It was one of those things that have to + be done once, to learn not to do it again. My only + reading between Columbus and Pittsburgh is to be here + in Zanesville, a town as black as Acheron, and where + one might expect to see the river Styx. + + Later. I had a nice audience and a pleasant reading + here, and to-day we go on to Pittsburgh, where I read + to-morrow night. + + I met the other day at Dayton a woman who now has + grandchildren; but who, when I first came West, was a + gay rattling girl. She was one of the first converts + of brother George's seemingly obscure ministry in the + little new town of Chillicothe. Now she has one son + who is a judge of the supreme court, and another in + business. Both she and they are not only Christians, + but Christians of the primitive sort, whose religion + is their all; who triumph and glory in tribulation, + knowing that it worketh patience. She told me, with + a bright sweet calm, of her husband killed in battle + the first year of the war, of her only daughter and + two grandchildren dying in the faith, and of her own + happy waiting on God's will, with bright hopes of a + joyful reunion. Her sons are leading members of the + Presbyterian Church, and most active in stirring up + others to make their profession a reality, not an + empty name. When I thought that all this came from the + conversion of one giddy girl, when George seemed to be + doing so little, I said, "Who can measure the work of + a faithful minister?" It is such living witnesses that + maintain Christianity on earth. + + Good-by. We shall soon be home now, and preparing for + Florida. Always your own loving mother, + + H. B. S. + +Mrs. Stowe never undertook another reading tour, nor, after this one, +did she ever read again for money, though she frequently contributed +her talent in this direction to the cause of charity. + +The most noteworthy event of her later years was the celebration of +the seventieth anniversary of her birthday. That it might be fittingly +observed, her publishers, Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin & Co. of Boston, +arranged a reception for her in form of a garden party, to which they +invited the _literati_ of America. It was held on June 14, 1882, at +"The Old Elms," the home of Ex-Governor Claflin of Massachusetts, in +Newtonville, one of Boston's most beautiful suburbs. Here the assembly +gathered to do honor to Mrs. Stowe, that lovely June afternoon, +comprised two hundred of the most distinguished and best known among +the literary men and women of the day. + +From three until five o'clock was spent socially. As the guests arrived +they were presented to Mrs. Stowe by Mr. H. O. Houghton, and then they +gathered in groups in the parlors, on the verandas, on the lawn, and in +the refreshment room. At five o'clock they assembled in a large tent +on the lawn, when Mr. Houghton, as host, addressed to his guest and +her friends a few words of congratulation and welcome. He closed his +remarks by saying:-- + +"And now, honored madam, as + + "'When to them who sail + Beyond the Cape of Hope, and now are past + Mozambic, off at sea northeast winds blow + Sabean odors from the spicy shore + Of Arabie the blest,' + +so the benedictions of the lowly and the blessings of all conditions +of men are brought to you to-day on the wings of the wind, from every +quarter of the globe; but there will be no fresher laurels to crown +this day of your rejoicing than are brought by those now before +you, who have been your co-workers in the strife; who have wrestled +and suffered, fought and conquered, with you; who rank you with the +Miriams, the Deborahs, and the Judiths of old; and who now shout back +the refrain, when you utter the inspired song:-- + + "'Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously.' + . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . + 'The Almighty Lord hath disappointed them by the hand of a woman.'" + +In reply to this Mrs. Stowe's brother, Henry Ward Beecher, said: "Of +course you all sympathize with me to-day, but, standing in this place, +I do not see your faces more clearly than I see those of my father and +my mother. Her I only knew as a mere babe-child. He was my teacher and +my companion. A more guileless soul than he, a more honest one, more +free from envy, from jealousy, and from selfishness, I never knew. +Though he thought he was great by his theology, everybody else knew he +was great by his religion. My mother is to me what the Virgin Mary is +to a devout Catholic. She was a woman of great nature, profound as a +philosophical thinker, great in argument, with a kind of intellectual +imagination, diffident, not talkative,--in which respect I take +after her,--the woman who gave birth to Mrs. Stowe, whose graces and +excellences she probably more than any of her children--we number but +thirteen--has possessed. I suppose that in bodily resemblance, perhaps, +she is not like my mother, but in mind I presume she is most like her. +I thank you for my father's sake and for my mother's sake for the +courtesy, the friendliness, and the kindness which you give to Mrs. +Stowe." + +The following poem from John Greenleaf Whittier was then read:-- + + "Thrice welcome from the Land of Flowers + And golden-fruited orange bowers + To this sweet, green-turfed June of ours! + To her who, in our evil time, + Dragged into light the nation's crime + With strength beyond the strength of men, + And, mightier than their sword, her pen; + To her who world-wide entrance gave + To the log cabin of the slave, + Made all his wrongs and sorrows known, + And all earth's languages his own,-- + North, South, and East and West, made all + The common air electrical, + Until the o'ercharged bolts of heaven + Blazed down, and every chain was riven! + + "Welcome from each and all to her + Whose Wooing of the Minister + Revealed the warm heart of the man + Beneath the creed-bound Puritan, + And taught the kinship of the love + Of man below and God above; + To her whose vigorous pencil-strokes + Sketched into life her Oldtown Folks, + Whose fireside stories, grave or gay, + In quaint Sam Lawson's vagrant way, + With Old New England's flavor rife, + Waifs from her rude idyllic life, + Are racy as the legends old + By Chaucer or Boccaccio told; + To her who keeps, through change of place + And time, her native strength and grace, + Alike where warm Sorrento smiles, + Or where, by birchen-shaded isles + Whose summer winds have shivered o'er + The icy drift of Labrador, + She lifts to light the priceless Pearl + Of Harpswell's angel-beckoned girl. + To her at threescore years and ten + Be tributes of the tongue and pen, + Be honor, praise, and heart thanks given, + The loves of earth, the hopes of heaven! + + "Ah, dearer than the praise that stirs + The air to-day, our love is hers! + She needs no guaranty of fame + Whose own is linked with Freedom's name. + Long ages after ours shall keep + Her memory living while we sleep; + The waves that wash our gray coast lines, + The winds that rock the Southern pines + Shall sing of her; the unending years + Shall tell her tale in unborn ears. + And when, with sins and follies past, + Are numbered color-hate and caste, + White, black, and red shall own as one, + The noblest work by woman done." + +It was followed by a few words from Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, +who also read the subjoined as his contribution to the chorus of +congratulation:-- + + "If every tongue that speaks her praise + For whom I shape my tinkling phrase + Were summoned to the table, + The vocal chorus that would meet + Of mingling accents harsh or sweet, + From every land and tribe, would beat + The polyglots of Babel. + + "Briton and Frenchman, Swede and Dane, + Turk, Spaniard, Tartar of Ukraine, + Hidalgo, Cossack, Cadi, + High Dutchman and Low Dutchman, too, + The Russian serf, the Polish Jew, + Arab, Armenian, and Mantchoo + Would shout, 'We know the lady.' + + "Know her! Who knows not Uncle Tom + And her he learned his gospel from, + Has never heard of Moses; + Full well the brave black hand we know + That gave to freedom's grasp the hoe + That killed the weed that used to grow + Among the Southern roses. + + "When Archimedes, long ago, + Spoke out so grandly, '_Dos pou sto_,-- + Give me a place to stand on, + I'll move your planet for you, now,'-- + He little dreamed or fancied how + The _sto_ at last should find its _pou_ + For woman's faith to land on. + + "Her lever was the wand of art, + Her fulcrum was the human heart, + Whence all unfailing aid is; + She moved the earth! Its thunders pealed + Its mountains shook, its temples reeled, + The blood-red fountains were unsealed, + And Moloch sunk to Hades. + + "All through the conflict, up and down + Marched Uncle Tom and Old John Brown, + One ghost, one form ideal; + And which was false and which was true, + And which was mightier of the two, + The wisest sibyl never knew, + For both alike were real. + + "Sister, the holy maid does well + Who counts her beads in convent cell, + Where pale devotion lingers; + But she who serves the sufferer's needs, + Whose prayers are spelt in loving deeds, + May trust the Lord will count her beads + As well as human fingers. + + "When Truth herself was Slavery's slave + Thy hand the prisoned suppliant gave + The rainbow wings of fiction. + And Truth who soared descends to-day + Bearing an angel's wreath away, + Its lilies at thy feet to lay + With heaven's own benediction." + +Poems written for the occasion by Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney, Miss Elizabeth +Stuart Phelps, Mr. J. T. Trowbridge, Mrs. Allen (Mrs. Stowe's +daughter), Mrs. Annie Fields, and Miss Charlotte F. Bates, were also +read, and speeches were made by Judge Albion W. Tourgee and others +prominent in the literary world. + +Letters from many noted people, who were prevented from being present +by distance or by other engagements, had been received. Only four of +them were read, but they were all placed in Mrs. Stowe's hands. The +exercises were closed by a few words from Mrs. Stowe herself. As she +came to the front of the platform the whole company rose, and remained +standing until she had finished. In her quiet, modest, way, and yet so +clearly as to be plainly heard by all, she said:-- + +"I wish to say that I thank all my friends from my heart,--that is +all. And one thing more,--and that is, if any of you have doubt, or +sorrow, or pain, if you doubt about this world, just remember what +God has done; just remember that this great sorrow of slavery has +gone, gone by forever. I see it every day at the South. I walk about +there and see the lowly cabins. I see these people growing richer and +richer. I see men very happy in their lowly lot; but, to be sure, you +must have patience with them. They are not perfect, but have their +faults, and they are serious faults in the view of white people. But +they are very happy, that is evident, and they do know how to enjoy +themselves,--a great deal more than you do. An old negro friend in our +neighborhood has got a new, nice two-story house, and an orange grove, +and a sugar-mill. He has got a lot of money, besides. Mr. Stowe met +him one day, and he said, 'I have got twenty head of cattle, four head +of "hoss," forty head of hen, and I have got ten children, all _mine, +every one mine_.' Well, now, that is a thing that a black man could not +say once, and this man was sixty years old before he could say it. With +all the faults of the colored people, take a man and put him down with +nothing but his hands, and how many could say as much as that? I think +they have done well. + +"A little while ago they had at his house an evening festival for their +church, and raised fifty dollars. We white folks took our carriages, +and when we reached the house we found it fixed nicely. Every one of +his daughters knew how to cook. They had a good place for the festival. +Their suppers were spread on little white tables with nice clean cloths +on them. People paid fifty cents for supper. They got between fifty and +sixty dollars, and had one of the best frolics you could imagine. They +had also for supper ice-cream, which they made themselves. + +"That is the sort of thing I see going on around me. Let us never +doubt. Everything that ought to happen is going to happen." + + * * * * * + +Mrs. Stowe's public life ends with the garden party, and little more +remains to be told. She had already, in 1880, begun the task of +selection from the great accumulation of letters and papers relating +to her life, and writes thus to her son in Saco, Maine, regarding the +work:-- + + _September 30, 1880._ + + MY DEAR CHARLEY,--My mind has been with you a great + deal lately. I have been looking over and arranging + my papers with a view to sifting out those that are + not worth keeping, and so filing and arranging those + that are to be kept, that my heirs and assigns may + with the less trouble know where and what they are. I + cannot describe (to you) the peculiar feelings which + this review occasions. Reading old letters--when so + many of the writers are gone from earth, seems to me + like going into the world of spirits--letters full of + the warm, eager, anxious, busy life, that is _forever_ + past. My own letters, too, full of by-gone scenes in + my early life and the childish days of my children. + It is affecting to me to recall things that strongly + moved me years ago, that filled my thoughts and made + me anxious when the occasion and emotion have wholly + vanished from my mind. But I thank God there is _one_ + thing running through all of them from the time I was + thirteen years old, and that is the intense unwavering + sense of Christ's educating, guiding presence and care. + It is _all_ that remains now. The romance of my youth + is faded, it looks to me now, from my years, so _very_ + young--those days when my mind only lived in _emotion_, + and when my letters never were dated, because they were + only histories of the _internal_, but now that I am no + more and never can be young in this world, now that the + friends of those days are almost all in eternity, what + remains? + + Through life and through death, through sorrowing, through sinning, + Christ shall suffice me as he hath sufficed. + Christ is the end and Christ the beginning, + The beginning and end of all is Christ. + + [Illustration: THE LATER HARTFORD HOME.] + + I was passionate in my attachments in those far back + years, and as I have looked over files of old letters, + they are all gone (except one, C. Van Rensselaer), + Georgiana May, Delia Bacon, Clarissa Treat, Elisabeth + Lyman, Sarah Colt, Elisabeth Phenix, Frances Strong, + Elisabeth Foster. I have letters from them all, but + they have been long in spirit land and know more about + how it is there than I do. It gives me a sort of dizzy + feeling of the shortness of life and nearness of + eternity when I see how many that I have traveled with + are gone within the veil. Then there are all my own + letters, written in the first two years of marriage, + when Mr. Stowe was in Europe and I was looking forward + to motherhood and preparing for it--my letters when my + whole life was within the four walls of my nursery, + my thoughts absorbed by the developing character of + children who have now lived their earthly life and gone + to the eternal one,--my two little boys, each in their + way good and lovely, whom Christ has taken in youth, + and my little one, my first Charley, whom He took away + before he knew sin or sorrow,--then my brother + George and sister Catherine, the one a companion of my + youth, the other the mother who assumed the care of + me after I left home in my twelfth year--and they are + gone. Then my blessed father, for many years so true an + image of the Heavenly Father,--in all my afflictions he + was afflicted, in all my perplexities he was a sure and + safe counselor, and he too is gone upward to join the + angelic mother whom I scarcely knew in this world, who + has been to me only a spiritual presence through life. + +In 1882 Mrs. Stowe writes to her son certain impressions derived from +reading the "Life and Letters of John Quincy Adams," which are given as +containing a retrospect of the stormy period of her own life-experience. + +"Your father enjoys his proximity to the Boston library. He is now +reading the twelve or fourteen volumes of the life and diary of John +Q. Adams. It is a history of our country through all the period of +slavery usurpation that led to the war. The industry of the man in +writing is wonderful. Every day's doings in the house are faithfully +daguerreotyped,--all the mean tricks, contrivances of the slave-power, +and the pusillanimity of the Northern members from day to day recorded. +Calhoun was then secretary of state. Under his connivance even the +United States census was falsified, to prove that freedom was bad for +negroes. Records of deaf, dumb, and blind, and insane colored people +were distributed in Northern States, and in places where John Q. Adams +had means of _proving_ there were no negroes. When he found that these +falsified figures had been used with the English embassador as reasons +for admitting Texas as a slave State, the old man called on Calhoun, +and showed him the industriously collected _proofs_ of the falsity of +this census. He says: 'He writhed like a trodden rattlesnake, but said +the census was full of mistakes; but one part balanced another,--it +was not worth while to correct them.' His whole life was an incessant +warfare with the rapidly advancing spirit of slavery, that was coiling +like a serpent around everything. + +"At a time when the Southerners were like so many excited tigers +and rattlesnakes,--when they bullied, and scoffed, and sneered, and +threatened, this old man rose every day in his place, and, knowing +every parliamentary rule and tactic of debate, found means to make +himself heard. Then he presented a petition from _negroes_, which +raised a storm of fury. The old man claimed that the right of petition +was the right of every human being. They moved to expel him. By the +rules of the house a man, before he can be expelled, may have the +floor to make his defense. This was just what he wanted. He held the +floor for _fourteen days_, and used his wonderful powers of memory and +arrangement to give a systematic, scathing history of the usurpations +of slavery; he would have spoken fourteen days more, but his enemies, +finding the thing getting hotter and hotter, withdrew their motion, and +the right of petition was gained. + +"What is remarkable in this journal is the minute record of going to +church every Sunday, and an analysis of the text and sermon. There +is something about these so simple, so humble, so earnest. Often +differing from the speaker--but with gravity and humility--he seems +always to be so self-distrustful; to have such a sense of sinfulness +and weakness, but such trust in God's fatherly mercy, as is most +beautiful to see. Just the record of his Sunday sermons, and his +remarks upon them, would be most instructive to a preacher. He was a +regular communicant, and, beside, attended church on Christmas and +Easter,--I cannot but love the old man. He died without seeing even the +dawn of liberty which God has brought; but oh! I am sure he sees it +from above. He died in the Capitol, in the midst of his labors, and the +last words he said were, 'This is the last of earth; I am content.' And +now, I trust, he is with God. + +"All, all are gone. All that raged; all that threatened; all the +cowards that yielded; truckled, sold their country for a mess of +pottage; all the _men_ that stood and bore infamy and scorn for the +truth; all are silent in dust; the fight is over, but eternity will +never efface from their souls whether they did well or ill--whether +they fought bravely or failed like cowards. In a sense, our lives +are irreparable. If we shrink, if we fail, if we choose the fleeting +instead of the eternal, God may forgive us; but there must be an +eternal regret! This man lived for humanity when hardest bestead; for +truth when truth was unpopular; for Christ when Christ stood chained +and scourged in the person of the slave." + +In the fall of 1887 she writes to her brother Rev. Dr. Edward Beecher +of Brooklyn, N. Y.:-- + + 49 FOREST STREET, HARTFORD, CONN., _October 11, 1887._ + + DEAR BROTHER,--I was delighted to receive your kind + letter. _You_ were my earliest religious teacher; your + letters to me while a school-girl in Hartford gave + me a high Christian aim and standard which I hope I + have never lost. Not only did they do me good, but + also my intimate friends, Georgiana May and Catherine + Cogswell, to whom I read them. The simplicity, warmth, + and childlike earnestness of those school days I love + to recall. I am the _only one living_ of that circle + of early friends. _Not one_ of my early schoolmates is + living,--and now Henry, younger by a year or two than + I, has gone--my husband also.[21] I often think, _Why_ + am I spared? Is there yet anything for me to do? I am + thinking with my son Charles's help of writing a review + of my life, under the title, "Pebbles from the Shores + of a Past Life." + + Charlie told me that he has got all written up to my + twelfth or thirteenth year, when I came to be under + sister Catherine's care in Hartford. I am writing daily + my remembrances from that time. You were then, I think, + teacher of the Grammar School in Hartford.... + + So, my dear brother, let us keep good heart; no evil + can befall us. Sin alone is evil, and from that Christ + will keep us. Our journey is _so_ short! + + I feel about all things now as I do about the things + that happen in a hotel, after my trunk is packed to go + home. I may be vexed and annoyed ... but what of it! I + am going home soon. + + Your affectionate sister, + HATTIE. + +To a friend she writes a little later:-- + +"I have thought much lately of the possibility of my leaving you all +and going home. I am come to that stage of my pilgrimage that is within +sight of the River of Death, and I feel that now I must have all in +readiness day and night for the messenger of the King. I have sometimes +had in my sleep strange perceptions of a vivid spiritual life near to +and with Christ, and multitudes of holy ones, and the joy of it is like +no other joy,--it cannot be told in the language of the world. What I +have then I _know_ with absolute certainty, yet it is so unlike and +above anything we conceive of in this world that it is difficult to +put it into words. The inconceivable loveliness of Christ! It seems +that about Him there is a sphere where the enthusiasm of love is the +calm habit of the soul, that without words, without the necessity of +demonstrations of affection, heart beats to heart, soul answers soul, +we respond to the Infinite Love, and we feel his answer in us, and +there is no need of words. All seemed to be busy coming and going on +ministries of good, and passing each gave a thrill of joy to each as +Jesus, the directing soul, the centre of all, "over all, in all, and +through all," was working his beautiful and merciful will to redeem and +save. I was saying as I awoke:-- + + "''Tis joy enough, my all in all, + At thy dear feet to lie. + Thou wilt not let me lower fall, + And none can higher fly.' + +"This was but a glimpse; but it has left a strange sweetness in my +mind." + +FOOTNOTE: + +[21] Professor Stowe died August, 1886. + + + + +INDEX. + + + ABBOTT, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob, 292. + + Aberdeen, reception in, 221. + + Abolition, English meetings in favor of, 389. + + Abolition sentiment, growth of, 87. + + Abolitionism made fashionable, 253. + + Adams, John Quincy, crusade of, against slavery, 509; + holds floor of Congress fourteen days, 510; + his religious life and trust, 511; + died without seeing dawn of liberty, 511; + life and letters of, 510. + + "Agnes of Sorrento," first draft of, 374; + date of, 490; + Whittier's praise of, 503. + + "Alabama Planter," savage attack of, on H. B. S., 187. + + Albert, Prince, Mrs. Stowe's letter to, 160; + his reply, 164; + meeting with, 271; + death, 368. + + America, liberty in, 193; + Ruskin on, 354. + + American novelist, Lowell on the, 330. + + Andover, Mass., beauty of, 186; + Stowe family settled in, 188. + + Anti-slavery cause: result of English demonstrations, 252; + letters to England, 160; + feeling dreaded in South, 172; + movement in Cincinnati, 81; + in Boston, 145; + Beecher family all anti-slavery men, 152. + + "Arabian Nights," H. B. S.'s delight in, 9. + + Argyll, Duke and Duchess of 229, 232; + warmth of, 239; + H. B. S. invited to visit, 270, 271; + death of father of Duchess, 368. + + Argyll, Duchess of, letter from H. B. S. to, on England's attitude + during our Civil War, 368; + on _post bellum_ events, 395. + + "Atlantic Monthly," contains "Minister's Wooing," 327; + Mrs. Stowe's address to women of England, 375; + "The True Story of Lady Byron's Life," 447, 453. + + + BAILEY, Gamaliel, Dr., editor of "National Era," 157. + + Bangor, readings in, 493. + + Bates, Charlotte Fiske, reads a poem at Mrs. Stowe's seventieth + birthday, 505. + + Baxter's "Saints' Rest," has a powerful effect on H. B. S., 32. + + Beecher, Catherine, eldest sister of H. B. S., 1; + her education of H. B. S., 22; + account of her own birth, 23; + strong influence over Harriet, 22; + girlhood of, 23; + teacher at New London, 23; + engagement, 23; + drowning of her lover, 23; + soul struggles after Prof. Fisher's death, 25, 26; + teaches in his family, 25; + publishes article on Free Agency, 26; + opens school at Hartford, 27; + solution of doubts while teaching, 28, 29; + her conception of Divine Nature, 28; + school at Hartford described by H. B. S., 29; + doubts about Harriet's conversion, 35; + hopes for "Hartford Female Seminary," 37; + letter to Edward about Harriet's doubts, 38; + note on Harriet's letter, 43; + new school at Cincinnati, 53, 64, _et seq._; + visits Cincinnati with father, 54; + impressions of city, 54; + homesickness, 62; + at water cure, 113; + a mother to sister Harriet, 509; + letters to H. B. S. to, on her religious depression, 37; + on religious doubts, 322. + + Beecher, Charles, brother of H. B. S., 2; + in college, 56; + goes to Florida, 402; + letters from H. B. S., on mother's death, 2-4, 49. + + Beecher, Edward, Dr., brother of H. B. S., 1; + influence over her, 22, 25; + indignation against Fugitive Slave Act, 144; + efforts to arouse churches, 265; + letters from H. B. S. to, on early religious struggles, 36, 37; + on her feelings, 39; + on views of God, 42, 43, 44, 48; + on death of friends and relatives, and the writing of her life + by her son Charles, 512. + + Beecher, Esther, aunt of H. B. S., 53, 56, 57. + + Beecher family, famous reunion of, 89; + circular letter to, 99. + + Beecher, Frederick, H. B. S.'s half-brother, death of, 13. + + Beecher, George, brother of H. B. S., 1; + visit to, 45; + enters Lane as student, 53; + music and tracts, 58; + account of journey to Cincinnati, 59; + sudden death, 108; + H. B. S. meets at Dayton one of his first converts, 499; + his letters cherished, 508. + + Beecher, George, nephew of H. B. S., visit to, 498. + + Beecher, Mrs. George, letter from H. B. S. to, describing new home, + 133. + + Beecher, Harriet E. first; death of, 1; + second, (H. B. S.) birth of, 1. + + Beecher, Mrs. Harriet Porter, H. B. S.'s stepmother, 11; + personal appearance and character of, 11, 12; + pleasant impressions of new home and children, 12; + at Cincinnati, 62. + + Beecher, Henry Ward, brother of H. B. S., birth of, 1; + anecdote of, after mother's death, 2; + first school, 8; + conception of Divine Nature, 28; + in college, 55; + H. B. S. attends graduation, 73; + editor of Cincinnati "Journal," 81; + sympathy with anti-slavery movement, 84, 85, 87; + at Brooklyn, 130; + saves Edmonson's daughters, 178; + H. B. S. visits, 364; + views on Reconstruction, 397; + George Eliot on Beecher trial, 472; + his character as told by H. B. S., 475; + love for Prof. Stowe, 475; + his youth and life in West, 476; + Brooklyn and his anti-slavery fight, 476; + Edmonsons and Plymouth Church, 477; + his loyalty and energy, 477; + his religion, 477; + popularity and personal magnetism, 478; + terrible struggle in the Beecher trial, 478; + bribery of jury, but final triumph, 479; + ecclesiastical trial of, 479; + committee of five appointed to bring facts, 479; + his ideal purity and innocence, 480; + power at death-beds and funerals, 480; + beloved by poor and oppressed, 481; + meets accusations by silence, prayer, and work, 481; + his thanks and speech at Stowe Garden Party, 501; + tribute to father, mother, and sister Harriet, 502; + death, 512. + + Beecher, Isabella, H. B. S.'s half-sister, birth of, 13; + goes to Cincinnati, 53. + + Beecher, James, H. B. S.'s half-brother, 45; + goes to Cincinnati, 53; + begins Sunday-school, 63. + + Beecher, Rev. Dr. Lyman, H. B. Stowe's father, 1; + "Autobiography and Correspondence of," 2, 89; + verdict on his wife's remarkable piety, 3; + pride in his daughter's essay, 14; + admiration of Walter Scott, 25; + sermon which converts H. B. S., 33, 34; + accepts call to Hanover Street Church, Boston, 35; + president of Lane Theological Seminary, 53; + first journey to Cincinnati, 53; + removal and westward journey, 56 _et seq._; + removes family to Cincinnati, 56; + Beecher reunion, 89; + powerful sermons on slave question, 152; + his sturdy character, H. W. Beecher's eulogy upon, 502; + death and reunion with H. B. S's mother, 509. + + Beecher, Mary, sister of H. B. S., 1; + married, 55; + letter to, 61; + accompanies sister to Europe, 269; + letters from H. B. S. to, on love for New England, 61; + on visit to Windsor, 235. + + Beecher, Roxanna Foote, mother of H. B. S., 1; + her death, 2; + strong, sympathetic nature, 2; + reverence for the Sabbath, 3; + sickness, death, and funeral, 4; + influence in family strong even after death, 5; + character described by H. W. Beecher, 502; + H. B. S.'s resemblance to, 502. + + Beecher, William, brother of H. B. S., 1; + licensed to preach, 56. + + Bell, Henry, English inventor of steamboat, 215. + + Belloc, Mme., translates "Uncle Tom," 247. + + Belloc, M., to paint portrait of H. B. S., 241. + + Bentley, London publisher, offers pay for "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 202. + + "Betty's Bright Idea," date of, 491. + + Bible, 48; + Uncle Tom's, 262; + use and influence of, 263. + + "Bible Heroines," date of, 491. + + Bibliography of H. B. S., 490. + + Biography, H. B. S.'s remarks on writing and understanding, 126. + + Birney, J. G., office wrecked, 81 _et seq._; + H. B. S.'s sympathy with, 84. + + Birthday, seventieth, celebration of by Houghton, Mifflin & Co., + 500. + + Blackwood's attack on Lady Byron, 448. + + Blantyre, Lord, 230. + + Bogue, David, 189-191. + + Boston opens doors to slave-hunters, 144. + + Boston Library, Prof. Stowe enjoys proximity to, 509. + + Bowdoin College calls Prof. Stowe, 125, 129. + + Bowen, H. C., 181. + + Bruce, John, of Litchfield Academy, H. B. S.'s tribute to, 14; + lectures on Butler's "Analogy," 32. + + Brigham, Miss, character of, 46. + + Bright, John, letter to H. B. S. on her "Appeal to English Women," + 389. + + Brooklyn, Mrs. Stowe's visit to brother Henry in, 130; + visit in 1852, when she helps the Edmonson slave family, 178-180; + Beecher, H. W. called to, 476; + Beecher trial in, 478. + + Brown and the phantoms, 431. + + Brown, John, bravery of, 380. + + Browning, Mrs., on life and love, 52. + + Browning, E. B., letter to H. B. S., 356; + death of, 368, 370. + + Browning, Robert and E. B, friendship with, 355. + + Brunswick, Mrs. Stowe's love of, 184; + revisited, 324. + + Buck, Eliza, history of as slave, 201. + + Bull, J. D. and family, make home for H. B. S. while at school in + Hartford, 30, 31. + + Bunsen, Chevalier, 233. + + Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," Prof. Stowe's love of, 437. + + Burritt, Elihu, writes introduction to "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 192; + calls on Mrs. Stowe, 223. + + Butler's "Analogy," study of, by H. B. S., 32. + + "Byron Controversy," 445; + history of, 455; + George Eliot on, 458; + Dr. Holmes on, 455. + + Byron, Lady, 239; + letters from, 274, 281; + makes donation to Kansas sufferers, 281; + on power of words, 361; + death of, 368, 370; + her character assailed, 446; + her first meeting with H. B. S., 447; + dignity and calmness, 448; + memoranda and letters about Lord Byron shown to Mrs. Stowe, 450; + solemn interview with H. B. S., 453; + letters to H. B. S. from, 274, 282; + on "The Minister's Wooing," 343; + farewell to, 313, 339; + her confidences, 440; + Mrs. Stowe's counsels to, 451. + + Byron, Lord, Mrs. Stowe on, 339; + she suspects his insanity, 450; + cheap edition of his works proposed, 453; + Recollections of, by Countess Guiccioli, 446; + his position as viewed by Dr. Holmes, 457; + evidence of his poems for and against him, 457. + + + "CABIN, The," literary centre, 185. + + Cairnes, Prof., on the "Fugitive Slave Law," 146. + + Calhoun falsifies census, 509. + + Calvinism, J. R. Lowell's sympathy with, 335. + + Cambridgeport, H. B. S. reads in, 491. + + Carlisle, Lord, praises "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 164; + Mrs. Stowe's reply, 164; + writes introduction to "Uncle Tom," 192; + H. B. S. dines with, 228; + farewell to, 248; + letter from H. B. S. to on moral effect of slavery, 164; + letter to H. B. S. from, 218. + + Cary, Alice and Phoebe, 157. + + Casaubon and Dorothea, criticism by H. B. S. on, 471. + + Catechisms, Church and Assembly, H. B. S.'s early study of, 6, 7. + + Chapman, Mrs. Margaret Weston, 310. + + Charpentier of Paris, publishes "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 192; + eulogy of that work, 242. + + Chase, Salmon P., 69, 85. + + Chelsea, H. B. S. reads in, 492. + + Chicago, readings in, 498. + + Children of H. B. S., picture of three eldest, 90; + appeal to, by H. B. S. 157; + described by H. B. S., 198; + letters to, from H. B. S. on European voyage and impressions, 205; + on life in London, 228; + on meeting at Stafford House, 232; + on Vesuvius, 301, 416. + + "Chimney Corner, The," date of, 490. + + Cholera epidemic in Cincinnati, 120. + + Christ, life of, little understood, 127; + communion with Him possible, 487; + love and faith in, 513; + study of his life, 418; + his presence all that remains now, 507; + his promises comfort the soul for separations by death, 486. + + "Christian Union," contains observations by H. B. S. on spiritualism + and Mr. Owen's books, 465. + + Christianity and spiritualism, 487. + + Church, the, responsible for slavery, 151. + + Cincinnati, Lyman Beecher accepts call to, 53; + Catherine Beecher's impressions of, 54, 55; + Walnut Hills and Seminary, 54, 55; + famine in, 100; + cholera, 119; + sympathetic audience in, 498. + + Civil War, Mrs. Stowe on causes of, 363. + + Clarke & Co. on English success of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 190; + offer author remuneration, 202. + + Clay, Henry, and his compromise, 143. + + Cogswell, Catherine Ledyard, school-friend of H. B. S., 31. + + College of Teachers, 79. + + Collins professorship, 129. + + Colored people, advance of, 255. + + Confederacy, A. H. Stephens on object of, 381. + + Courage and cheerfulness of H. B. S., 473. + + Cranch, E. P., 69. + + Cruikshank illustrates "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 192. + + + "DANIEL DERONDA," appears, in "Harper's," 473; + his nature like H. W. Beecher's, 481; + admiration of Prof. Stowe for, 482. + + Da Vinci's Last Supper, H. B. S.'s impressions of, 305. + + Death of youngest-born of H. B. S., 124; + anguish at, 198. + + Death, H. B. S. within sight of the River of, 513. + + "Debatable Land between this World and the Next," 464. + + Declaration of Independence, H. B. S.'s feeling about, 11; + death-knell to slavery, 141. + + Degan, Miss, 32, 41, 46. + + Democracy and American novelists, Lowell on, 329. + + "De Profundis," motive of Mrs. Browning's, 357. + + De Stael, Mme., and Corinne, 67. + + Dickens, first sight of, 226; + J. R. Lowell on, 328. + + "Dog's Mission, A," date of, 491. + + Domestic service, H. B. S.'s trouble with, 200. + + Doubters and disbelievers may find comfort in spiritualism, 487. + + Doubts, religious, after death of eldest son, 321. + + Douglass, Frederick, 254; + letters from H. B. S. to, on slavery, 149. + + Drake, Dr., family physician, 63; + one of founders of "College of Teachers," 79. + + "Dred," 266; + Sumner's letter on, 268; + Georgiana May on, 268; + English edition of, 270; + presented to Queen Victoria, 271; + her interest in, 277, 285; + demand for, in Glasgow, 273; + Duchess of Sutherland's copy, 276; + Low's sales of, 278, 279; + "London Times," on, 278; + English reviews on, severe, 279; + "Revue des Deux Mondes" on, 290; + Miss Martineau on, 309; + Prescott on, 311; + Lowell on, 334; + now "Nina Gordon," publication of, 490. + + Dudevant, Madame. See Sand, George. + + Dufferin, Lord and Lady, their love of American literature, 284, + 285. + + Dundee, meeting at, 222. + + Dunrobin Castle, visit to, 276. + + + E----, letter from H. B. S. to, on breakfast at the Trevelyans', + 234. + + "Earthly Care a Heavenly Discipline," 131. + + East Hampton, L. I., birthplace of Catherine Beecher, 23. + + Eastman, Mrs., writes a Southern reply to "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 163. + + Edgeworth, Maria, 247. + + Edinburgh, H. B. S. in, 216; + return to, 222. + + Edmonson slave family; efforts to save, 179; + Mrs. Stowe educates and supports daughters, 179; + raises money to free mother and two slave children, 180. + + Edmonson, death of Mary, 238. + + Education, H. B. S.'s interest in, 72, 73. + + Edwards, Jonathan, the power of, 406; + his treatise on "The Will," refuted by Catherine Beecher, 26. + + Eliot, George, 419; + a good Christian, 420; + on psychical problems, 421; + on "Oldtown Folks," 443; + her despondency in "writing life" and longing for sympathy, 460; + on power of fine books, 461; + on religion, 462; + desires to keep an open mind on all subjects, 467; + on impostures of spiritualism, 467; + lack of "jollitude" in "Middlemarch," 471; + invited to visit America, 471; + sympathy with H. B. S. in Beecher trial, 472; + proud of Stowes' interest in her "spiritual children," 482; + on death of Mr. Lewes and gratitude for sympathy of H. B. S., 483; + a "woman worth loving," H. B. S.'s love for greater than her + admiration, 475; + letters from H. B. S. to, on spiritualism, 463; + describes Florida nature and home, 468; + reply to letter of sympathy giving facts in the Beecher case, 473; + from Professor Stowe on spiritualism, 419; + letter to H. B. S. from, 421; + with sympathy on abuse called out by the Byron affair, 458; + on effect of letter of H. B. S. to Mrs. Follen upon her mind, 460; + on joy of sympathy, 460; + reply to letter on spiritualism, 466; + sympathy with her in the Beecher trial, 472. + + Elmes, Mr., 57. + + "Elms, The Old," H. B. S.'s seventieth birthday celebrated at, 500. + + "Elsie Venner," Mrs. Stowe's praise of, 360, 362, 415. + + Emancipation, Proclamation of, 384. + + Emmons, Doctor, the preaching of, 25. + + England and America compared, 177. + + England, attitude of, in civil war, grief at, 369; + help of to America on slave question, 166, 174. + + English women's address on slavery, 374; + H. B. S.'s reply in the "Atlantic Monthly," 374. + + Europe, first visit to, 189; + second visit to, 268; + third visit to, 343. + + + FAITH in Christ, 513. + + Famine in Cincinnati, 100. + + Fiction, power of, 216. + + Fields, Mrs. Annie, in Boston, 470; + her tribute to Mrs. Stowe's courage and cheerfulness, 473; + George Eliot's mention of, 483; + her poem read at seventieth birthday, 505. + + Fields, Jas. T., Mr. and Mrs., visit of H. B. S. to, 492. + + Fisher, Prof. Alexander Metcalf, 23; + engagement to Catherine Beecher, 23; + sails for Europe, 23, 24; + his death by drowning in shipwreck of Albion, 24; + Catherine Beecher's soul struggles, over his future fate, 25; + influence of these struggles depicted in "The Minister's + Wooing," 25. + + Florence, Mrs. Stowe's winter in, 349. + + Florida, winter home in Mandarin, 401; + like Sorrento, 463; + wonderful growth of nature, 468; + how H. B. S.'s house was built, 469; + her happy life in, 474; + longings for, 482; + her enjoyment of happy life of the freedmen in, 506. + + Flowers, love of, 405, 406, 416, 469; + painting, 469. + + Follen, Mrs., 197; + letter from H. B. S. to, on her biography, 197. + + Foote, Harriet, aunt of H. B. S., 5; + energetic English character, 6; + teaches niece catechism, 6, 7. + + Foote, Mrs. Roxanna, grandmother of H. B. S., first visit to, 5-7; + visit to in 1827, 38. + + "Footfalls on the Boundary of Another World," 464. + + "Footsteps of the Master," published, 491. + + "Fraser's Magazine" on "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 168; + Helps's review of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 175. + + "Free Agency," Catherine Beecher's refutation of Edwards on "The + Will," 26. + + French critics, high standing of, 291. + + Friends, love for, 51; + death of, 410; + death of old, whose letters are cherished, 508; + death of, takes away a part of ourselves, 485. + + Friendship, opinion of, 50. + + Fugitive Slave Act, suffering caused by, 144; + Prof. Cairnes on, 146; + practically repealed, 384. + + Future life, glimpses of, leave strange sweetness, 513. + + Future punishment, ideas of, 340. + + + GARRISON, W. L., to Mrs. Stowe on "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 161; + in hour of victory, 396; + his "Liberator," 261; + sent with H. W. Beecher to raise flag on Sumter, 477; + letters to H. B. S. from, on "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 161; + on slavery, 251-262; + on arousing the church, 265. + + Gaskell, Mrs., at home, 312. + + Geography, school, written by Mrs. Stowe, 65 _note_, 158. + + Germany's tribute to "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 195. + + Gladstone, W. E., 233. + + Glasgow, H. B. S. visits, 210; + Anti-slavery Society of, 174, 189, 213. + + Glasgow Anti-slavery Society, letter from H. B. S. to, 251. + + God, H. B. S.'s views of, 30, 42, 43, 46, 47; + trust in, 112, 132, 148, 341; + doubts and final trust in, 321, 396; + his help in time of need, 496. + + Goethe and Mr. Lewes, 420; + Prof. Stowe's admiration of, 420. + + Goldschmidt, Madame. See Lind, Jenny. + + Goerres on spiritualism and mysticism, 412, 474. + + Grandmother, letter from H. B. S. to, on breaking up of Litchfield + home, 35; + on school life in Hartford, 41. + + Granville, Lord, 233. + + "Gray's Elegy," visit to scene of, 236. + + Guiccioli, Countess, "Recollections of Lord Byron," 446. + + + HALL, Judge James, 68, 69. + + Hallam, Arthur Henry, 235. + + Hamilton and Manumission Society, 141. + + Harper & Brothers reprint Guiccioli's "Recollections of Byron," 446. + + Hartford, H. B. S. goes to school at, 21; + the Stowes make their home at, 373. + + Harvey, a phantom, 430. + + Hawthorne, Nathaniel, 353; + letter on, 187; + on slavery, 394; + letter to H. B. S. on, from English attitude towards America, 394. + + Health, care of, 115. + + Heaven, belief in, 59. + + Helps, Arthur, on "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 175; + meets H. B. S., 229; + letter from H. B. S. to, on "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 175. + + Henry, Patrick, on slavery, 141. + + Hentz, Mrs. Caroline Lee, 69, 80. + + Higginson, T. W., letter to H. B. S. from, on "Uncle Tom's Cabin," + 162. + + "History, The, of the Byron Controversy," 490. + + Holmes, O. W., correspondence with, 360, _et seq._; + attacks upon, 361; + H. B. S. asks advice from, about manner of telling facts in + relation to Byron Controversy, 452, 454; + sends copy of "Lady Byron Vindicated" to, 454; + on facts of case, 455; + on sympathy displayed in his writings, 411; + poem on H. B. S.'s seventieth birthday, 503; + tribute to Uncle Tom, 504; + letters from H. B. S. to, 359, 410; + on "Poganuc People," 414; + asking advice about Byron Controversy and article for "Atlantic + Monthly," 452; + letters to H. B. S. from, 360, 409; + on facts in the Byron Controversy, 456. + + Houghton, Mifflin & Co., celebrate H. B. S.'s seventieth birthday, 500. + + Houghton, H. O., presents guests to H. B. S., on celebration of + seventieth birthday, 500; + address of welcome by, 501. + + "House and Home Papers" published, 490. + + Howitt, Mary, calls on H. B. S., 231. + + Human life, sacredness of, 193. + + Human nature in books and men, 328. + + Hume and mediums, 419. + + Humor of Mrs. Stowe's books, George Eliot on, 462. + + Husband and wife, sympathy between, 105. + + + IDEALISM _versus_ Realism, Lowell on, 334. + + "Independent," New York, work for, 186; + Mrs. Browning reads Mrs. Stowe in, 357. + + Inverary Castle, H. B. S.'s, visit to, 271. + + Ireland's gift to Mrs. Stowe, 248. + + + JEFFERSON, Thomas, on slavery, 141. + + Jewett, John P., of Boston, publisher of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 158. + + + KANSAS Nebraska Bill, 255; + urgency of question, 265. + + "Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin" projected, 174; + written, 188; contains facts, 203; + read by Pollock, 226; + by Argyll, 239; + sickness caused by, 252; + sale, 253; + facts woven into "Dred," 266; + date of in chronological list, 490. + + Kingsley, Charles, upon effect of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 196; + visit to, 286; + letters to H. B. S. from, on "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 196, 218. + + Kossuth, on freedom, 195; + Mrs. Stowe calls upon, 237. + + + LABOUCHERE, Lady Mary, visit to, 283. + + "Lady Byron Vindicated," 454; + date, 490. + + Letters, circular, writing of, a custom in the Beecher family, 99; + H. B. S.'s love of, 62, 63; + H. B. S.'s peculiar emotions on re-reading old, 507. + + Lewes, G. H., George Eliot's letter after death of, 483. + + Lewes, Mrs. G. H. See Eliot, George, 325. + + "Library of Famous Fiction," date of, 491. + + "Liberator," The, 261; + and Bible, 263; + suspended after the close of civil war, 396. + + Lincoln and slavery, 380; + death of, 398. + + Lind, Jenny, liberality of, 181; + H. B. S. attends concert by, 182; + letter to H. B. S. from, on her delight in "Uncle Tom's Cabin," + 183; + letters from H. B. S. to, with appeal for slaves, 183, 184. + + Litchfield, birthplace of H. B. S., 1; + end of her child-life in, 21; + home at broken up, 35. + + Literary labors, early, 15-21; + prize story, 68; + club essays, 69-71; + contributor to "Western Monthly Magazine," 81; + school geography, 65; + described in letter to a friend, 94; + price for, 103; + fatigue caused by, 489; + length of time passed in, with list of books written, 490. + + Literary work _versus_ domestic duties, 94 _et seq._, 139; + short stories--"New Year's Story" for "N. Y. Evangelist," 146; + "A Scholar's Adventures in the Country" for "Era," 146. + + Literature, opinion of, 44. + + "Little Pussy Willow," date of, 491. + + Liverpool, warm reception of H. B. S. at, 207. + + London poor and Southern slaves, 175. + + London, first visit to, 225; + second visit to, 281. + + Longfellow, H. W., congratulations of, on "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 161; + letter on, 187; + Lord Granville's likeness to, 233; + letters to H. B. S. from, on "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 161. + + Love, the impulse of life, 51, 52. + + Lovejoy, J. P., murdered, 143, 145; + aided by Beechers, 152. + + Low, Sampson, on success of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" abroad, 189. + + Low, Sampson & Co. publish "Dred," 269; + their sales, 279. + + Lowell, J. R., Duchess of Sutherland's interest in, 277; + less known in England than he should be, 285; + on "Uncle Tom," 327; + on Dickens and Thackeray, 327, 334; + on "The Minister's Wooing," 330, 333; + on idealism, 334; + letter to H. B. S. from, on "The Minister's Wooing," 333. + + + MACAULAY, 233, 234. + + McClellan, Gen., his disobedience to the President's commands, 367. + + "Magnalia," Cotton Mather's, a mine of wealth to H. B. S., 10; + Prof. Stowe's interest in, 427. + + Maine law, curiosity about in England, 229. + + Mandarin, Mrs. Stowe at, 403; + like Sorrento, 463; + how her house was built, 469; + her happy out-door life in, relieved from domestic care, 474; + longings for home at, 492; + freedmen's happy life in South, 506. + + Mann, Horace, makes a plea for slaves, 159. + + Martineau, Harriet, letter to H. B. S. from, 208. + + May, Georgiana, school and life-long friend of H. B. S., 31, 32; + Mrs. Sykes, 132; + her ill-health and farewell to H. B. S., 268; + letters from H. B. S. to, 44, 49, 50; + account of westward journey, 56; + on labor in establishing school, 65, 66; + on education, 72; + just before her marriage to Mr. Stowe, 76; + on her early married life and housekeeping, 89; + on birth of her son, 101; + describing first railroad ride, 106; + on her children, 119; + her letter to Mrs. Foote, grandmother of H. B. S., 38; + letters to H. B. S. from, 161, 268. + + "Mayflower, The," 103, 158; + revised and republished, 251; + date of, 490. + + Melancholy, 118, 341; + a characteristic of Prof. Stowe in childhood, 436. + + "Men of Our Times," date of, 410. + + "Middlemarch," H. B. S. wishes to read, 468; + character of Casaubon in, 471. + + Milman, Dean, 234. + + Milton's hell, 303. + + "Minister's Wooing, The," soul struggles of Mrs. Marvyn, + foundation of incident, 25; + idea of God in, 29; + impulse for writing, 52; + appears in "Atlantic Monthly," 326; + Lowell, J. R. on, 327, 330, 333; + Whittier on, 327; + completed, 332; + Ruskin on, 336; + undertone of pathos, 339; + visits England in relation to, 343; + date of, 490; + "reveals warm heart of man" beneath the Puritan in Whittier's + poem, 502. + + Missouri Compromise, 142, 257; + repealed, 379. + + Mohl, Madame, and her _salon_, 291. + + Money-making, reading as easy a way as any of, 494. + + Moral aim in novel-writing, J. R. Lowell on, 333. + + "Mourning Veil, The," 327. + + "Mystique La," on spiritualism, 412. + + + NAPLES and Vesuvius, 302. + + "National Era," its history, 157; + work for, 186. + + Negroes, petition from, presented by J. Q. Adams, 510. + + New England, Mrs. Stowe's knowledge of, 332; + in "The Minister's Wooing," 333; + life pictured in "Oldtown Folks," 444. + + New London, fatigue of reading at, 496. + + Newport, tiresome journey to, on reading tour, 497. + + Niagara, impressions of, 75. + + Normal school for colored teachers, 203. + + "North American Review" on "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 254. + + North _versus_ South, England on, 388, 391. + + Norton, C. E., Ruskin on the proper home of, 354. + + + "OBSERVER, New York," denunciation of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 168, 172. + + "Oldtown Fireside Stories," 438; + strange spiritual experiences of Prof. Stowe, 438; + Sam Lawson a real character, 439; + relief after finishing, 489; + date of in chronological list, 491; + in Whittier's poem on seventieth birthday "With Old New England's + flavor rife," 503. + + "Oldtown Folks," 404; + Prof. Stowe original of "Harry" in, 421; + George Eliot on its reception in England, 443, 461, 463; + picture of N. E. life, 444; + date of, 490; + Whittier's praise of, "vigorous pencil-strokes" in poem on + seventieth birthday, 503. + + Orthodoxy, 335. + + "Our Charley," date of, 490. + + Owen, Robert Dale, his "Footfalls on the Boundary of Another World" + and "The Debatable Land between this World and the Next," 464; + H. B. S. wishes George Eliot to meet, 464. + + + PALMERSTON, Lord, meeting with, 232. + + "Palmetto Leaves" published, 405; + date, 491. + + Papacy, The, 358. + + Paris, first visit to, 241; + second visit, 286. + + Park, Professor Edwards A., 186. + + Parker, Theodore, on the Bible and Jesus, 264. + + Paton, Bailie, host of Mrs. Stowe, 211. + + Peabody, pleasant reading in, 496; + Queen Victoria's picture at, 496. + + "Pearl of Orr's Island, The," 186, 187; + first published, 327; + Whittier's favorite, 327; + date of, 490. + + "Pebbles from the Shores of a Past Life," a review of her life + proposed to be written by H. B. S. with aid of son Charles, + 512. + + Phantoms seen by Professor Stowe, 425. + + Phelps, Elizabeth Stuart, writes poem on H. B. S.'s seventieth + birthday, 505. + + "Philanthropist, The," anti-slavery paper, 81, 87. + + Phillips, Wendell, attitude of after war, 396. + + "Pink and White Tyranny," date of, 491. + + Plymouth Church, saves Edmonson's daughters, 179; + slavery and, 477; + clears Henry Ward Beecher by acclamation, 478; + calls council of Congregational ministers and laymen, 479; + council ratifies decision of Church, 479; + committee of five appointed to bring facts which could be + proved, 479; + missions among poor particularly effective at time of trial, 481. + + "Poganuc People," 413; + sent to Dr. Holmes, 414; + date of, 491. + + Pollock, Lord Chief Baron, 226. + + Poor, generosity of touches H. B. S., 219. + + Portland, H. B. S.'s friends there among the past, 494; + her readings in, 493. + + Portraits of Mrs. Stowe, 231; + Belloc to paint, 241; + untruth of, 288. + + Poverty in early married life, 198. + + Prescott, W. H., letter to H. B, S. from, on "Dred," 311. + + "Presse, La," on "Dred," 291. + + Providential aid in sickness, 113. + + + "QUEER Little People," date of, 490. + + + READING and teaching, 139. + + Religion and humanity, George Eliot on, 462. + + "Religious poems," date of, 490. + + "Revue des Deux Mondes" on "Dred," 290. + + Riots in Cincinnati and anti-slavery agitation, 85. + + Roenne, Baron de, visits Professor Stowe, 102. + + Roman politics in 1861, 358. + + Rome, H. B. S.'s journey to, 294; + impressions of, 300. + + Ruskin, John, letters to H. B. S. from, on "The Minister's + Wooing," 336; + on his dislike of America, but love for American friends, 354. + + Ruskin and Turner, 313. + + + SAINT-BEUVE, H. B. S.'s liking for, 474. + + Sales, Francis de, H. W. Beecher compared with, 481. + + Salisbury, Mr., interest of in "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 191. + + Salons, French, 289. + + Sand, George, reviews "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 196. + + Scotland, H. B. S.'s first visit to, 209. + + Scott, Walter, Lyman Beecher's opinion of, when discussing + novel-reading, 25; + monument in Edinburgh, 217. + + Sea, H. B. S.'s nervous horror of, 307. + + Sea-voyages, H. B. S. on, 205. + + Semi-Colon Club, H. B. S. becomes a member of, 68. + + Shaftesbury, Earl of, letter of, to Mrs. Stowe, 170. + + Shaftesbury, Lord, to H. B. S., letter from, 170; + letter from H. B. S. to, 170; + America and, 369. + + Skinner, Dr., 57. + + Slave, aiding a fugitive, 93. + + Slave-holding States on English address, 378; + intensity of conflict in, 379. + + Slavery, H. B. S.'s first notice of, 71; + anti-slavery agitation, 81; + death-knell of, 141; + Jefferson, Washington, Hamilton, and Patrick Henry on, 141; + growth of, 142; + resume of its history, 143; + responsibility of church for, 151; + Lord Carlisle's opinion on, 164; + moral effect of, 165; + sacrilege of, 193; + its past and future, 194; + its injustice, 255; + its death-blow; 370; + English women's appeal against, 375; + J. Q. Adams' crusade against, 509; + gone forever, 506. + + Slaves, H. B. S.'s work for and sympathy with, 152; + family sorrows of, 318. + + Smith, Anna, helper to Mrs. S., 115; + _note_, 200. + + Soul, immortality of, H. B. S.'s essay written at age of twelve: + first literary production, 15-21; + Addison's remarks upon, 18; + Greek and Roman idea of immortality, 20; + light given by Gospel, 20, 21; + Christ on, 109. + + South, England's sympathy with the, 370, 386. + + South Framingham, good audience at reading in, 495. + + "Souvenir, The," 105. + + Spiritualism, Mrs. Stowe on, 350, 351, 464; + Mrs. Browning on, 356; + Holmes, O. W., on, 411; + "La Mystique" and Goerres on, 412, 474; + Professor Stowe's strange experiences in, 420, 423; + George Eliot on psychical problems of, 421; + on "Charlatanerie" connected with, 467; + Robert Dale Owen on, 464; + Goethe on, 465; + H. B. S.'s letter to George Eliot on, 466; + her mature views on, 485; + a comfort to doubters and disbelievers, 487; + from Christian standpoint, 487. + + Stafford House meeting, 233. + + Stephens, A. H., on object of Confederacy, 381. + + Storrs, Dr. R. S., 181. + + Stowe, Calvin E., 56; + death of first wife, 75; + his engagement to Harriet E. Beecher, 76; + their marriage, 76, 77; + his work in Lane Seminary, 79; + sent by the Seminary to Europe on educational matters, 80; + returns, 88; + his Educational Report presented, 89; + aids a fugitive slave, 93; + strongly encourages his wife in her literary aspirations, 102, + 105; + care of the sick students in Lane Seminary, 107; + is "house-father" during his wife's illness and absence, 113; + goes to water cure after his wife's return from the same, 119; + absent from Cincinnati home at death of youngest child, 124; + accepts the Collins Professorship at Bowdoin, 125; + gives his mother his reasons for leaving Cincinnati, 128; + remains behind to finish college work, while wife and three + children leave for Brunswick, Me., 129; + resigns his professorship at Bowdoin, and accepts a call to + Andover, 184; + accompanies his wife to Europe, 205; + his second trip with wife to Europe, 269; + sermon after his son's death, 322; + great sorrow at his bereavement, 324; + goes to Europe for the fourth time, 345; + resigns his position at Andover, 373; + in Florida, 403; + failing health, 417; + his letter to George Eliot, 420; + H. B. S. uses his strange experiences in youth as material for + her picture of "Harry" in "Oldtown Folks," 421; + the psychological history of his strange child-life, 423; + curious experiences with phantoms, and good and bad spirits, 427; + visions of fairies, 435; + love of reading, 437; + his power of character-painting shown in his description of a + visit to his relatives, 439; + George Eliot's mental picture of his personality, 461; + enjoys life and study in Florida, 463; + his studies on Prof. Goerres' book, "Die Christliche Mystik," and + its relation to his own spiritual experience, 474; + love for Henry Ward Beecher returned by latter, 475; + absorbed in "Daniel Deronda," 482; + "over head and ears in _diablerie_," 484; + fears he has not long to live, 491; + dull at wife's absence on reading tour, 496; + enjoys proximity to Boston Library, and "Life of John Quincy + Adams," 509; + death, 512 and _note_; + letters from H. B. S. to, 80, 106; + on her illness, 112, 114, 117; + on cholera epidemic in Cincinnati, 120; + on sickness, death of son Charley, 122; + account of new home, 133; + on her writings and literary aspirations, 146; + on success of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 162; + on her interest in the Edmonson slave family, 180; + on life in London, 238; + on visit to the Duke of Argyle, 271; + from Dunrobin Castle, 275; + on "Dred," 282; + other letters from abroad, 282; + on life in Paris, 286; + on journey to Rome, 294; + on impressions of Rome, 300; + on Swiss journey, 348; + from Florence, 349; + from Paris, 353; + on farewell to her soldier son, 364; + visit to Duchess of Argyle, 366; + on her reading tour, 491; + on his health and her enforced absence from him, 492; + on reading, at Chelsea, 492; + at Bangor and Portland, 493; + at South Framingham and Haverhill, 495; + Peabody, 496; + fatigue at New London reading, 496; + letters from to H. B. S. on visit to his relatives and + description of home life, 440; + to mother on reasons for leaving the West, 128; + to George Eliot, 420; + to son Charles, 345. + + Stowe, Charles E., seventh child of H. B. S., birth of, 139; + at Harvard, 406; + at Bonn, 412; + letter from Calvin E. Stowe to, 345; + letter from H. B. S. to, on her school life, 29; + on "Poganuc People," 413; + on her readings in the West, 497; + on selection of papers and letters for her biography, 507; + on interest of herself and Prof. Stowe in life and anti-slavery + career of John Quincy Adams, 509. + + Stowe, Eliza Tyler (Mrs. C. E.), death of, 75; + twin daughter of H. B. S., 88. + + Stowe, Frederick William, second son of H. B. S., 101; + enlists in First Massachusetts, 364; + made lieutenant for bravery, 366; + mother's visit to, 367; + severely wounded, 372; + subsequent effects of the wound, never entirely recovers, his + disappearance and unknown fate, 373; + ill-health after war, Florida home purchased for his sake, 399. + + Stowe, Georgiana May, daughter of H. B. S., birth of, 108; + family happy in her marriage, 399; + letter from H. B. S. to, 340. + + Stowe, Harriet Beecher, birth and parentage of, 1; + first memorable incident, the death of her mother, 2; + letter to her brother Charles on her mother's death, 2; + incident of the tulip bulbs and mother's gentleness, 2; + first journey a visit to her grandmother, 5; + study of catechisms under her grandmother and aunt, 6; + early religious and Biblical reading, 8; + first school at the age of five, 8; + hunger after mental food, 9; + joyful discovery of "The Arabian Nights," in the bottom of a + barrel of dull sermons, 9; + reminiscences of reading in father's library, 10; + impression made by the Declaration of Independence, 11; + appearance and character of her stepmother, 11, 12; + healthy, happy child-life, 13; + birth of her half-sister Isabella and H. B. S.'s care of infant, + 14; + early love of writing, 14; + her essay selected for reading at school exhibitions, 14; + her father s pride in essay, 15; + subject of essay, arguments for belief in the Immortality of the + Soul, 15-21; + end of child-life in Litchfield, 21; + goes to sister Catherine's school at Hartford, 29; + describes Catherine Beecher's school in letter to son, 29; + her home with the Bulls, 30, 31; + school friends, 31, 32; + takes up Latin, her study of Ovid and Virgil, 32; + dreams of being a poet and writes "Cleon," a drama, 32; + her conversion, 33, 34; + doubts of relatives and friends, 34, 35; + connects herself with First Church, Hartford, 36; + her struggle with rigid theology, 36; + her melancholy and doubts, 37, 38; + necessity of cheerful society, 38; + visit to grandmother, 38; + return to Hartford, 41; + interest in painting lessons, 41; + confides her religious doubts to her brother Edward, 42; + school life in Hartford, 46; + peace at last, 49; + accompanies her father and family to Cincinnati, 53; + describes her journey, 56; + yearnings for New England home, 60; + ill-health and depression, 64; + her life in Cincinnati and teaching at new school established by + her sister Catherine and herself, 65; + wins prize for short story, 68; + joins "Semicolon Club," 68; + slavery first brought to her personal notice, 71; + attends Henry Ward Beecher's graduation, 73; + engagement, 76; + marriage, 76; + anti-slavery agitation, 82; + sympathy with Birney, editor of anti-slavery paper in Cincinnati, + 84; + birth of twin daughters, 88; + of her third child, 89; + reunion of the Beecher family, 89; + housekeeping _versus_ literary work, 93; + birth of second son, 101; + visits Hartford, 102; + literary work encouraged, 102, 105; + sickness in Lane Seminary, 107; + death of brother George, 108; + birth of third daughter, 108; + protracted illness and poverty, 110; + seminary struggles, 110; + goes to water cure, 113; + returns home, 118; + birth of sixth child, 118; + bravery in cholera epidemic, 120; + death of youngest child Charles, 123; + leaves Cincinnati, 125; + removal to Brunswick, 126; + getting settled, 134; + husband arrives, 138; + birth of seventh child, 139; + anti-slavery feeling aroused by letters from Boston, 145; + "Uncle Tom's Cabin," first thought of, 145; + writings for papers, 147; + "Uncle Tom's Cabin" appears as a serial, 156; + in book form, 159; + its wonderful success, 160; + praise from Longfellow, Whittier, Garrison, Higginson, 161; + letters from English nobility, 164, _et seq._; + writes "Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin," 174, 188; + visits Henry Ward in Brooklyn, 178; + raises money to free Edmondson family, 181; + home-making at Andover, 186; + first trip to Europe, 189, 205; + wonderful success of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" abroad, 189; + her warm reception at Liverpool, 207; + delight in Scotland, 209; + public reception and tea-party at Glasgow, 212; + warm welcome from Scotch people, 214; + touched by the "penny offering" of the poor for the slaves, 219; + Edinburgh soiree, 219; + meets English celebrities at Lord Mayor's dinner in London, 226; + meets English nobility, 229; + Stafford House, 232; + breakfast at Lord Trevelyan's, 234; + Windsor, 235; + presentation of bracelet, 233; + of inkstand, 240; + Paris, first visit to, 241; + _en route_ for Switzerland, 243; + Geneva and Chillon, 244; + Grindelwald to Meyringen, 245; + London, _en route_ for America, 247; + work for slaves in America, 250; + correspondence with Garrison, 261, _et seq._; + "Dred," 266; + second visit to Europe, 268; + meeting with Queen Victoria, 270; + visits Inverary Castle, 271; + Dunrobin Castle, 275; + Oxford and London, 280; + visits the Laboucheres, 283; + Paris, 289; + _en route_ to Rome, 294; + Naples and Vesuvius, 301; + Venice and Milan, 305; + homeward journey and return, 306, 314; + death of oldest son, 315; + visits Dartmouth, 319; + receives advice from Lowell on "The Pearl of Orr's Island," 327; + "The Minister's Wooing," 327, 330, 334; + third trip to Europe, 342; + Duchess of Sutherland's warm welcome, 346; + Switzerland, 348; + Florence, 349; + Italian journey, 352; + return to America, 353; + letters from Ruskin, Mrs. Browning, Holmes, 353, 362; + bids farewell to her son, 364; + at Washington, 366; + her son wounded at Gettysburg, 372; + his disappearance, 373; + the Stowes remove to Hartford, 373; + Address to women of England on slavery, 374; + winter home in Florida, 401; + joins the Episcopal Church, 402; + erects schoolhouse and church in Florida, 404; + "Palmetto, Leaves," 405; + "Poganuc People," 413; + warm reception at South, 415; + last winter in Florida, 417; + writes "Oldtown Folks," 404; + her interest in husband's strange spiritual experiences, 438; + H. B. S. justifies her action in Byron Controversy, 445; + her love and faith in Lady Byron, 449; + reads Byron letters, 450; + counsels silence and patience to Lady Byron, 451; + writes "True Story of Lady Byron's Life," 447, 453; + publishes "Lady Byron Vindicated," 454; + "History of the Byron Controversy," 455; + her purity of motive in this painful matter, 455; + George Eliot's sympathy with her in Byron matter, 458; + her friendship with George Eliot dates from letter shown by Mrs. + Follen, 459, 460; + describes Florida life and peace to George Eliot, 463; + her interest in Mr. Owen and spiritualism, 464; + love of Florida life and nature, 468; + history of Florida home, 469; + impressions of "Middlemarch," 471; + invites George Eliot to come to America, 472; + words of sympathy on Beecher trial from George Eliot, and Mrs. + Stowe's reply, 473; + her defense of her brother's purity of life, 475; + Beecher trial drawn on her heart's blood, 480; + her mature views on spiritualism, 484; + her doubts of ordinary manifestations, 486; + soul-cravings after dead friends satisfied by Christ's promises, + 486; + chronological list of her books, 490; + accepts offer from N. E. Lecture Bureau to give readings from + her works, 491; + gives readings in New England, 491, _et seq._; + warm welcome in Maine, 493; + sympathetic audiences in Massachusetts, 495; + fatigue of traveling and reading at New London, 496; + Western reading tour, 497; + "fearful distances and wretched trains," 498; + seventieth anniversary of birthday celebrated by Houghton, + Mifflin & Co., 500; + H. O. Houghton's welcome, 501; + H. W. Beecher's reply and eulogy on sister, 502; + Whittier's poem at seventieth birthday, 502; + Holmes' poem, 503; + other poems of note written for the occasion, 505; + Mrs. Stowe's thanks, 505; + joy in the future of the colored race, 506; + reading old letters and papers, 507; + her own letters to Mr. Stowe and letters from friends, 508; + interest in Life of John Quincy Adams and his crusade against + slavery, 510; + death of husband, 512 and _note_; + of Henry Ward Beecher, 512; + thinks of writing review of her life aided by son, under title + of "Pebbles from the Shores of a Past Life," 512; + her feelings on the nearness of death, but perfect trust in + Christ, 513; glimpses + of the future life leave a strange sweetness in her mind, 513. + + Stowe, Harriet Beecher, twin daughter of H. B. S., 88. + + Stowe, Henry Ellis, first son of H. B. S., 89; + goes to Europe, 269; + returns to enter Dartmouth, 278; + death of, 315; + his character, 317; + his portrait, 320; + mourning for, 341, 350. + + Stowe, Samuel Charles, sixth child of H. B. S., birth of, 118; + death of, 124; + anguish at loss of, 198; + early death of, 508. + + Study, plans for a, 104. + + Sturge, Joseph, visit to, 223. + + Suffrage, universal, H. W. Beecher advocate of, 477. + + Sumner, Charles, on "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 196; + letter to H. B. S. from, 268. + + Sumter, Fort, H. W. Beecher raises flag on, 477. + + "Sunny Memories," 251; + date of, 491. + + Sutherland, Duchess of, 188, 218; + friend to America, 228; + at Stafford House presents gold bracelet, 233; + visit to, 274, 276; + fine character, 277; + sympathy with on son's death, 319; + warm welcome to H. B. S., 346; + death of, 410; + letters from H. B. S. to, on "Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin," 188; + on death of eldest son, 315. + + Sutherland, Lord, personal appearance of, 232. + + Swedenborg, weary messages from spirit-world of, 486. + + Swiss Alps, visit to, 244; + delight in, 246. + + Swiss interest in "Uncle Tom," 244. + + Switzerland, H. B. S. in, 348. + + Sykes, Mrs. See May, Georgiana. + + + TALFOURD, Mr. Justice, 226. + + Thackeray, W. M., Lowell on, 328. + + Thanksgiving Day in Washington, freed slaves celebrate, 387. + + "Times, London," on "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 168; + on Mrs. Stowe's new dress, 237; + on "Dred," 278; + Miss Martineau's criticism on, 310. + + Titcomb, John, aids H. B. S. in moving, 137. + + Tourgee, Judge A. W., his speech at seventieth birthday, 505. + + Trevelyan, Lord and Lady, 231; + breakfast to Mrs. Stowe, 234. + + Triqueti, Baron de, models bust of H. B. S., 289. + + Trowbridge, J. T., writes on seventieth birthday, 505. + + "True Story of Lady Byron's Life, The," in "Atlantic Monthly," 447. + + Tupper, M. F., calls on H. B. S., 231. + + "Uncle Tom's Cabin," description of Augustine St. Clair's mother's + influence a simple reproduction of Mrs. Lyman Beecher's + influence, 5; + written under love's impulse, 52; + fugitives' escape, foundation of story, 93; + popular conception of author of, 127; + origin and inspiration of, 145; + Prof. Cairnes on, 146; + Uncle Tom's death, conception of, 148; + letter to Douglas about facts, 149; + appears in the "Era," 149, 156; + came from heart, 153; + a religious work, object of, 154; + its power, 155; + begins a serial in "National Era," 156; + price paid by "Era," 158; + publisher's offer, 158; + first copy of books sold, 159; + wonderful success, 160; + praise from Longfellow, Whittier, Garrison, and Higginson, 161, + 162; + threatening letters, 163; + Eastman's, Mrs., rejoinder to, 163; + reception in England, "Times," on, 168; + political effect of, 168, 169; + book under interdict in South, 172; + "Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin," 174, 188; + Jenny Lind's praise of, 183; + attack upon, 187; + Sampson Low upon its success abroad, 189; + first London publisher, 189; + number of editions sold in Great Britain and abroad, 190; + dramatized in U.S. and London, 192; + European edition, preface to, 192; + fact not fiction, 193; + translations of, 195; + German tribute to, 195; + George Sand's review, 196; + remuneration for, 202; + written with heart's blood, 203; + Swiss interest in, 244, 245; + Mme. Belloc translates, 247; + "North American Review" on, 254; + in France, 291; + compared with "Dred," 285, 309; + J. R. Lowell on, 327, 330; + Mrs. Stowe rereads after war, 396; + later books compared with, 409; + H. W. Beecher's approval of, 476; + new edition with introduction sent to George Eliot, 483; + date of, 490; + Whittier's mention of, in poem on seventieth birthday, 502; + Holmes' tribute to, in poem on same occasion, 504. + + + UPHAM, Mrs., kindness to H. B. S., 133; + visit to, 324. + + + VENICE, 304. + + Victoria, Queen, H. B. S.'s interview with, 270; + gives her picture to Geo. Peabody, 496. + + Vizetelly, Henry, first London publisher of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," + 189, 191. + + + WAKEFIELD, reading at, 495. + + Walnut Hills, picture of, 65; + and old home revisited, 499. + + Waltham, audience inspires reader, 496. + + Washington, Mrs. Stowe visits soldier son at, 366. + + Washington on slavery, 141. + + Water cure, H. B. S. at, 113. + + "We and our Neighbors," date of, 491. + + Webster, Daniel, famous speech of, 143. + + Weld, Theodore D. in the anti-slavery movement, 81. + + Western travel, discomforts of, 498. + + Whately, Archbishop, letter to H. B. S. from, 391. + + Whitney, A. D. T., writes poem on seventieth birthday, 505. + + Whitney, Eli, and the cotton gin, 142. + + Whittier's "Ichabod," a picture of Daniel Webster, 143. + + Whittier, J. G., 157; + letter to W. L. Garrison from, on "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 161; + letter to H. B. S. from, on "Uncle Tom's Cabin," 162; + on "Pearl of Orr's Island," 327; + on "Minister's Wooing," 327; + poem on H. B. S's seventieth birthday, 502. + + Windsor, visit to, 235. + + Womanhood, true, H. B. S. on intellect _versus_ heart, 475. + + Woman's rights, H. W. Beecher, advocate of, 478. + + Women of America, Appeal from H. B. S. to, 255. + + Women's influence, power of, 258. + + + ZANESVILLE, description of, 499. + + + + +_A LIST OF THE WORKS OF HARRIET BEECHER STOWE. + + + + + +NOVELS, STORIES, SKETCHES, AND POEMS, BY HARRIET BEECHER STOWE. + +_It is the great happiness of Mrs. Stowe not only to have written many +delightful books, but to have written one book which will be always +famous not only as the most vivid picture of an extinct evil system, +but as one of the most powerful influences in overthrowing it. . . . No +book was ever more a historical event than "Uncle Tom's Cabin." . . . +If all whom she has charmed and quickened should unite to sing her +praises, the birds of summer would be outdone._--GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS. + + + _UNCLE TOM'S CABIN._ A Story of American Slavery. 12mo, + $2.00. + + New _Popular Edition_ from new plates. With account + of the writing of this story by Mrs. STOWE, and + frontispiece. 16mo, $1.00. + + _Holiday Edition._ With an Introduction of more + than thirty pages by Mrs. STOWE, describing the + circumstances under which the story was written, and + a Bibliography of the various editions and languages + in which the work has appeared, by GEORGE BULLEN, + of the British Museum. With more than one hundred + illustrations, and red-line border. 8vo, full gilt, + $3.00; half calf, $5.00; morocco, or tree calf, $6.00. + +The publication of this remarkable story was an event in American +history as well as in American literature. It fixed the eyes of the +nation and of the civilized world on the evils of slavery, presenting +these so vividly and powerfully that the heart and conscience of +mankind were thenceforth enlisted against them. But, aside from +its graphic portrayal of slavery, "Uncle Tom's Cabin" is a story +of thrilling power, and abounds in humorous delineations of negro +and Yankee character. Its extraordinary annual sale of thousands of +copies, and its translation into numerous foreign languages, attest its +universal and permanent interest. + + + _DRED (NINA GORDON)._ A Story of Slavery. New Edition + from new plates. 12mo, $1.50. + +This volume was originally published under the title "Dred." It has a +close connection with "Uncle Tom's Cabin," the object of both being to +picture life at the South as it was under the regime of slavery. + + "Uncle Tom" and "Dred" will assure Mrs. Stowe a + place in that high rank of novelists who can give + us a national life in all its phases, popular and + aristocratic, humorous and tragic, political and + religious.--_Westminster Review_ (London). + + + _AGNES OF SORRENTO._ An Italian Romance. 12mo, $1.50. + +In this story a plot of rare interest is wrought out, amid the glowing +scenery of Italy, with the author's well-known dramatic skill. + + + _THE PEARL OF ORR'S ISLAND._ 12mo, $1.50. + +The scene of this charming tale is laid upon the coast of Maine. The +author's familiar knowledge of New England rural life renders the +volume especially attractive. + + A story of singular pathos and beauty.--_North American + Review._ + + + _THE MINISTER'S WOOING._ 12mo, $1.50. + +In this volume Mrs. Stowe has reproduced the New England of two +generations ago. It deals with the noblest and most rugged traits of +New England character. + + + _MY WIFE AND I_; or, Harry Henderson's History. New + Edition. Illustrated. 12mo, $1.50. + +This book first appeared as a serial in the _Christian Union_, New +York. The author dedicates it to "the many dear, bright young girls +whom she is so happy as to number among her choicest friends." + + + _WE AND OUR NEIGHBORS._ New Edition. Illustrated. 12mo, + $1.50. + +This is a sequel to "My Wife and I." + + + _POGANUC PEOPLE._ Their Loves and Lives. New Edition. + Illustrated. 12mo, $1.50. + +A story of a New England town, its men and its manners. + + + _OLD TOWN FOLKS._ 12mo, $1.50. + + Full to repletion of delicate sketches of very original + characters, and clever bits of dialogue, and vivid + descriptions of natural scenery.--_The Spectator_ + (London). + + + _SAM LAWSON'S OLDTOWN FIRESIDE STORIES._ Illustrated. + New Edition, enlarged. 12mo, $1.50. + +CONTENTS: The Ghost in the Mill; The Sullivan Looking-Glass; The +Minister's Housekeeper; The Widow's Bandbox; Captain Kidd's Money; +"Mis' Elderkin's Pitcher"; The Ghost in the Cap'n Brown House; Colonel +Eph's Shoe-Buckles; The Bull-Fight; How to Fight the Devil; Laughin' in +Meetin'; The Toothacre's Ghost Story; The Parson's Horse Race; Oldtown +Fireside Talks of the Revolution; A Student's Sea Story. + + These stories will prove a mine of genuine fun; + pictures of a time, place, and state of society which + are like nothing on this side of the world, and + which, we suppose, are becoming rapidly erased.--_The + Athenaeum_ (London). + + + _THE MAYFLOWER, AND OTHER SKETCHES._ 12mo, $1.50. + +A series of New England sketches, many of which have become household +stories throughout the land. + +The above eleven 12mo volumes, uniform, in box, $16.00. + + + _LITTLE PUSSY WILLOW, ETC._ Illustrated. Square 12mo, $1.25. + + _A DOG'S MISSION, ETC._ Illustrated. Square 12mo, $1.25. + + _QUEER LITTLE PEOPLE._ Illustrated. Square 12mo, $1.25. + +These three Juvenile books, $3.75. + +Three collections of delightful stories--the best of reading for young +folks. + + + _PALMETTO LEAVES._ Sketches of Florida. Illustrated. 16mo, $1.50. + + Any one who wishes a delightful excursion to the land + of flowers has only to turn over these "Palmetto + Leaves" and he has it.--_New York Observer._ + + + _HOUSE AND HOME PAPERS_. 16mo, $1.50. + +CONTENTS: The Ravages of a Carpet; Home-Keeping _versus_ House-Keeping; +What is a Home? The Economy of the Beautiful; Raking up the Fire; +The Lady who does her own Work; What can be got in America; Economy; +Servants; Cookery; Our House; Home Religion. + + An invaluable volume, and one which should be owned and + consulted by every one who has a house, or who wants a + home.--_The Congregationalist_ (Boston.) + + + _LITTLE FOXES._ Common Household Faults. 16mo, $1.50. + + The foxes are,--Fault-Finding, Irritability, + Repression, Persistence, Intolerance, Discourtesy, + Exactingness. Mrs. Stowe has made essays as + entertaining as stories, enlivened with wit, + seasoned with sense, glowing with the most kindly + feeling.--_Hartford Press._ + + + _THE CHIMNEY CORNER._ 16mo, $1.50. + +A series of papers on Woman's Rights and Duties, Health, Amusements, +Entertainment of Company, Dress, Fashion, Self-Discipline, etc. The +genial, practical wisdom of these subjects gives this volume great +value. + +These three Household Books, uniform, in box, $4.50. + + + _RELIGIOUS POEMS._ Illustrated. 16mo, $1.50. + + All characterized by the genius of Mrs. Stowe.... In + all, there is a profound appreciation of the _inner + life_ of religion,--a wrestling for nearness to + God.--_American Christian Review._ + + + _FLOWERS AND FRUIT_, selected from the Writings of + Harriet Beecher Stowe. 16mo, $1.00. + + A charming little book ... full of sweet passages, + and bright, discerning, wise, and in the best sense + of the term, witty sayings of our greatest American + novelist.--_Chicago Advance._ + + + _DIALOGUES AND SCENES FROM THE WRITINGS OF MRS. STOWE._ + For use in School Entertainments. Selected by EMILY + WEAVER. In Riverside Literature Series, extra number + _E_. 16mo, paper, 15 cents, _net_. + + The selections are from some of Mrs. Stowe's most + true-to-life scenes,--full of pathos and mirth.... Nine + most charming dialogues.--_School Journal_ (New York). + + +*** _For sale by all Booksellers. Sent, post-paid, on receipt of price +by the Publishers_, + + HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY, + 4 PARK STREET, BOSTON; 11 EAST 17TH STREET, NEW YORK. + + * * * * * + +Transcriber's Notes: + +Punctuation errors repaired. + +Page 146, repeated word "the" removed from text. Original read (make +the the whole nation) + +Page 179, "propect" changed to "prospect" (over the prospect of raising) + +Page 205, "everywere" changed to "everywhere" (affection that +everywhere) + +Page 205, "Frith" changed to "Firth" (of Solway Firth and) + +Page 416, "neigbors" changed to "neighbors" (all the neigbors waiting) + +Page 437, "nonenity" changed to "nonentity" (old book into nonentity) + +Page 438, "aerial" changed to "aerial" (of my aerial visitors) + +Page 505, "Tourgee" changed to "Tourgee" (Tourgee and others prominent) + +Page 516, Stowe, Catherine, page reference added to (visits Cincinnati +with father, 54;) + +Page 522, Lowell, J. R. "interesti n" changed to "interest in" +(Sutherland's interest in, 277) + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Life of Harriet Beecher Stowe Compiled +from Her Letters and Journals, by Charles Edward Stowe + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LIFE OF HARRIET BEECHER STOWE *** + +***** This file should be named 6702.txt or 6702.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/6/7/0/6702/ + +Produced by David Edwards, Emmy, Steve Schulze, Charles +Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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