Chapter I: Front Matter

H.B. Stowe]

LIFE OF

HARRIET BEECHER STOWE

COMPILED FROM

Her Letters and Journals

BY HER SON

CHARLES EDWARD STOWE

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.

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