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

242 LETTERS.
help him "row his boat." A few days ago I had a
letter from General Armstrong, in which he says:
"' Forsyth is an uncommonly intelligent, sensible, and
every way satisfactory pupil; and I have no doubt he
will make a good record of himself hereafter." That
had a very happyfying influence. I have so often
been unsuccessful in my efforts to help others.
TO MRS. S. 3. PARSONS.
BOSTON, December, 1876.
Your parcel arrived Christmas forenoon, and was
most welcome. For nine days I had been unable to
stir out of the house, on account of the fearfully slippery walking, and I was feeling very forlorn among
strangers. The weather also was cloudy and chilly,
and your little parcel came in like a sunbeam through
a fog. Thank you a thousand times. The views are
very fine. Perhaps the lady who carved the beautiful head in butter took the hint from Canova, who,
as a boy, first attracted attention by the beautiful ornaments he carved in butter for a nobleman's table.
I thank Henry cordially for the little book of poems,
I always read eagerly any poem I see signed "' J. W.
Chadwick." The one entitled " The Two Waitings " is about the loveliest poem I ever read. I copied it into my extract book long ago. The lines
"No more Sea " are beautiful. They seemed to bear
my drooping spirits up on angel's wings.
As for our national affairs, I submit, as one must
do, to things that cannot be helped. I am greatly
disheartened, but not much disappointed. I have no
patience with Republicans who refrained from voting
on the plea that both parties were so corrupt there
was nothing to choose between them. I am very