Letters of Lydia Maria Child, with a biographical introduction by John G. Whittier and an appendix by Wendell Phillips.

INTRODUCTION. vii
-Hoboinok," which she published in the twenty-first
)year of her age. The success it met with induced
lier to give to the public, soon after, " The Rebels: a
Tle of the Ptevolution," which was at once received
into popular favor, and ran ratpidly through several
editions. Then followed in close succession "The
fother's Book," ullrutlingc throulgh eighlt American
editions, twelve English, and one German, "The
Girl's Book," the "History of Women," and the
"Fruta, l Housewife," of which thirty-five editiols3
were published. Her "Juvenile Miscellany " was
co0mimenced in 1.826.
It is not too much to say that half a century ago
she was the most popular literary woman in the
lUnited St:ates. She had published historical novels
of iunquestioneed power of description and characterizationl, and was widely and favorably known as the
etitor of the "Juvenile M[iscellany," whichl was probably tlhe first periodical in the English tongue devoted
exclusively to chlildren. and to which she was by far
tlhe largest contributor. Some of the tales and poems
froim her pen were extensively copied anlcd grreatly adl milted. It w:ls alt this period that the "N 1orth Amelican Review-," the highest literary authority of the
country, said of her, " AWe are not sure that any
woman of our country could outrank'Itrs. Child.
Thiiaslady has been long before the putblic as an atutlhor with much success. Ancl she well deserves it,
for in all her works nothing can be found w-hich does
not commend itself, by its tone of healthy morality
and good sense. Few female writers, if any, have
done more or better things for our literature in the
lighter or graver departments."
Complaratively young, she had placed herself in