Memoirs of Anne C.L. Botta,: written by her friends. With selections from her correspondence and from her writings in prose and poetry.

anne C.. cotta
of suffering, envy, and unkindness among those early
friends. To her gentle heart nothing could have
seemed more cruel. It will always be remembered
of her that none ever heard from her lips a word of
carping criticism. If she could not speak well and
pleasantly of people, she spoke of them not at all.
Not that she was blind to what moved to laughter
or to cynicism; a glint of humor in her bright eyes
showed that she saw, if she forbore to comment.
Mrs. Botta's tact and ease as a hostess were perfect; no one was ever dull or bored in her comfortable house. She knew how to blend, without
apparent effort, the most diverse social elements;
and the light-hearted gaiety, simplicity, and frankness of her welcome called forth all that was best
and brightest in her guests. There are probably no
Americans of note as writers and artists who have
not trodden her broad stairway, and no distinguished
foreign traveler in this country has failed to taste her
hospitality. Of these visitors in late years perhaps
the most interesting was Matthew Arnold- who
was his pleasantest self under that pleasant rooftree. Never was hostess more thoughtful of the
comfort and pleasure of those about her; and in
talk, whether'wise or witty, she was always appreciative and responsive. She was a good friend albeit
she was not wont to wear her heart upon her sleeve.
No one ever heard from Mrs. Botta's lips a word
which might be called "gushing," but many a one
will treasure utterances therefrom of the gentlest
kindness.
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