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

216 LETTERS.
of flowers and jewels that they can shake out of their
mantles when they choose. I should n't wonder ii
the Medford little folks suspected you of being one of
those rich and beneficent beings, and would be on the
look-out to catch a glimpse of your hidden rainbowwings some day. I hope you and they had a pleasant
time as usual. I devote my New Year's attentions
to old folks. Two of the eight for whom I always
try to do something pleasant on that anniversary
have passed away since that season last came round.
MVIy protegees are likely to diminish while yours will
increase; but I have fewer competitors in my department, and I find that the old are as much pleased by
presents and tokens of remembrance as children are.
TO FRANCIS G. SHAW.'WAYLAND, 1873.
Very hearty, though somewhat tardy, thanks for
your beautiful present at the close of the year. I
feasted my eyes on the binding, so orientally gorgeous,
yet so tasteful. The very colors are appropriate;
black and gold and that tawny red. I shall not live
to see the universally acknowledged brotherhood of
the human race, but I rejoice over the ever-increasing
indication of tendencies toward such a result; among
which the mission of Mrs. Leonowens is very significant. The book, though unavoidably painful in some
respects, was very fascinating to me. I read it right
through, every word. How the proclamations of the
young King of Siam concerning the abolition of slavery and the brotherhood of religions thrilled through
me! God bless him! I want to send him something,. And those tender-hearted women of the harem whose hearts melted over " Uncle Tom's Cabin,