The Tower of London. - Westminster Abbey.-Lines on Queens - - - - - Illness at my Father's house in New Brunswick.-Departure for Cuba with Genevieve. - Pleasures of Cuba. - Love and Insanity. — Un- pleasant Night Drive for the Want of a little Spanish. Consump- tives. A Week in the Town of Trinidad. - Fête of Queen Isabella. St. Jago de Cuba. - Sail for Jamaica in a Spanish Man-of-war.- Wreck of the Vessel, and narrow Escape with our Lives. -A Boat Sail under a Tropical Sun.- Kindness of Mr. Armstrong. — Ar- rival at Kingston. - Decline of the Place, and evil Effects of Negro Emancipation. - Sail for New Orleans in an old Coal Vessel. Amusement on Board. - Singular Way in which a young Man inher- On Arrival first learn of the Death of my Husband and one of my Sons. - Happy Meeting with my Children. - My Husband's last Poem to me. Return to New York. - Write my Husband's Biography, by the Sale of which to support and educate my Children. - Forebod- ings in regard to Genevieve. - Death of my Father and Insanity - - Nature. Her Art Studies with Charles King. - Her Novel, "Genev- ra."- Letter from Eugene Sue. — Letters from the Historian Pres- cott and the Poet Longfellow in Praise of the Work. - Letters from W. B. Phillips in friendly Criticism. - Letters from Anna Cora 168 Admiration of Genevieve. Her Misanthropy and Sarcasm.— Fash- - I WAS industrio ties of th Under H all of the place in period w practical French New Jer den nam My fa ly the and uns structur for solid set them the univ > CHAPTER I was born in Rahway, New industrious parents, noble by all ties of the heart, personal worth, Under Heaven, their home, their all of their own making. They m place in the new world. They be period when living, in its best s practical. My mother's name French extraction: she was a nat New Jersey, and the daughter of den name was Frazee. My father was of Scotch origin ly the philosophy, capacity, and and unswerving people. He bel structure of life for enjoyment for solid work. Thus, with my set themselves together steadily t the universal law of life, which i and indispensable necessity. The better to assist them, love came; not that wild passion or fancy miscalled love, but the fervent, the deep and hallowed worship of the heart, that finds its happiness, only, in kindness, unselfishness, and sympathy. My father was a true patriot; and though he never cherished a thirst for war or military glory, he always possessed a warm and unwavering spirit of patriotism, which he inherited from his ancestors on both sides, who were all whigs during the American revolution, and who fought bravely and suffered much to wrest their beloved country from the iron grasp of intolerance and oppression. As time wore on, my parents found themselves quietly happy, surrounded by loving little ones, among whom I was the second daughter. My first impressions were of the diverse tastes and dispositions of the family. My sister being the eldest, I observed the most her nature, which was pensive and sad. I was an impulsive and energetic child. It was this difference in our characters that made us competitors in affection for each other; though this could hardly be otherwise, with the example set us by our beautiful and affectionate mother, whose sweet smiles acted as a charm upon our childish hearts, and made home the very nucleus of cheerfulness and happiness. Bitter or sweet as was her lot, no murmurs ever escaped her: no restless longings after what Heaven had denied her, of the superfluities of wealth, ever troubled her. Her life was a chronicle, the "title page" of which could be read upon her charming and benign countenance; her manner gentle, cheerful, and at ease; her unfailing interest in every thing around her, and in all people. Religion sat upon her soul, and her profession of it was neither hollow nor false. Single-hearted and pure-minded she walked through life, suffering as all must, but never defenseless, recognizing solely and above all her dependence upon God. In those days of frugality and self-reliance, people were sensible, and ignored extravagance; they were not lavish on their dwellings, dress, and entertainments, out used their means in the cultivation of their rural homes and the education of their children. The household of my mother was conducted on quite a different plan from those of the present time. Quick and attentive in her simple home, making all matters straight, she was one of those whom the wise man delighted to praise. "She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff; she stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy." Idleness was never known in my mother's dwelling. The taxation on all imported articles was so great after the war, that none except the most wealthy could furnish them. Industry, therefore, and prudence, were the words most in use in our little home. All articles of clothing for the male portion of the family, as well as bed and table linen, from the flax and wool to the material ready for use, were prepared by the incessant and individual energy of my mother. This noble economy lessened the personal wants of many families |