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

LETTERS. 55
and buttercups. I imaogine that placing the mere
name in the hand of the somnambulist is no criterion
at all. It ought to be some MS. bearing an impress
of the author's sentiments and thoughts.
I will copy for you what the iRev. Mr. Kent said
when some fragmentary portions of one of my letters
to the "C Courier," in manuscript, were given to him in
a sealed and blank envelope, without the person who
gave it knowing who was the writer. It was a portion
of my last letter, about the circulation of the blood
of the human fra-me. On touching it, Mr. K. (whose
state is said to be similar to ~'s) said: " The impression of this letter is pleasant - exceedingly so.
Yet it seems somewhat disconnected. (It was in fragments.) The writer is of a very happy disposition;
purely and truly religious, without being sad or sombre; full of benevolence and philanthropy; very enthusiastic and poetical; has written poetry; mind
quite philosophical, more so than one so poetic and
romantic would be supposed to be; great delicacy and
depth of feeling. My impression is that the letter
was written by a woman, but there is so much strength
of intellect in it, that it may have been written by a
man. Would not like to say certainly that it was
written by a woman, but my feeling is strong that it
was so. The mind is good, very good; perhaps not
-qrst-rate, that is, not a giant, but very good, and very
far above mediocrity. The person could not be guilty
of a base action. Strong in her own integrity, very
social, very lively, and fond of the approval of friends.
A phrenologist would say that love of approbation
was quite prominent. Very industrious and persevering; charitable, and very kind-llea;rted. A reflecting
mind; reflects much and profoundly; is inclined to