Chapter II: Introduction: iii

CHAPTER.

I. GENEALOGY AND PARENTAGE 11
II. CHILDHOOD 16
III. FRUITLANDS 32
IV. THE SENTIMENTAL PERIOD 56
V. AUTHORSHIP 75
VI. THE YEAR OF GOOD LUCK 110
VII. "HOSPITAL SKETCHES" 136
VIII. EUROPE, AND "LITTLE WOMEN" 170
IX. EUROPE 204
X. FAMILY CHANGES 263
XI. LAST YEARS 329
XII. CONCLUSION 387

ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE

PORTRAIT OF MISS ALCOTT _Frontispiece_

Photogravure by A. W. Elson & Co., from a photograph by
Notman (negative destroyed), taken in 1883. The facsimile
of her writing is an extract from a letter to her
publisher, written from her hospital retreat a few weeks
previous to her death.

ORCHARD HOUSE ("APPLE SLUMP"), CONCORD,
MASS., THE HOME OF THE ALCOTTS, 1858 TO
1878 93

Engraved by John Andrew & Son Co., from a photograph.

PORTRAIT OF MISS ALCOTT 140

Photogravure by A. W. Elson & Co., from a photograph
taken just previous to her going to Washington as a hospital
nurse, in 1862.

FAC-SIMILE OF MISS ALCOTT'S WRITING 362

Extract from a letter to her publisher, January, 1886.

FAC-SIMILE OF PREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION OF
"A MODERN MEPHISTOPHELES," NOW FIRST
PRINTED 380

LOUISA MAY ALCOTT.