The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-06-21
MISTAKE IN LITERARY HIsTORY-UNCLE
TOMS CABIN

The Edinburgh Reciew, in its last number,
in an extended notice Of Uncle Toms Cabin,
makes the following singular statement:
" 1t came out as sort of teuilieton in the
National Era, Washington paper. The death
of Uncle Tom was the first portion published,
indeed the first that written. 1t appeared
In the summer of 1851, and excited so much
attention, that Mrs. Stowe added a beginning
and middle 10 her end, composing and print
ing, from week to week, the story as we now
have 1t, until it was concluded in March, 1852"
1t is often said, and with truth, that we know
more Of English subjects on which we attempt
to write, than English writer's know OF Ameri-
can subjects. An American reviewer who
should fall into such mistakes Us characterize
the foregoing extract, in speaking of the histo-
ry of any one of Dickens or SCOTS novels
would meet with little mercy at the hands of
his cotemporaries.
A brief statement will suffice to correct the
errors of the Edinburgh Reoier.
Some time in the spring of 1851, Mrs. Stowe,
a contributor to the National Era, wrote to us,
that subject had taken possession Of her
mind, and was gradually working itself into the
shape of n fictitious narrative, which she pro-
posed to publish in our paper, in successive
numbers. She supposed then that it would be
quite brief and the title she suggested was
Uacle Toms Cabin, Or The Nan that ,cas a
Thing" May Sth, We made the following an
nouncement:
eek alter next We propose to commence
IN the Era the publication of a new story, by
Mrs III. Ii. Stowe, the title of which will be,
Uncle Toms Cabin, or the Man that was a
Thing 1t will probably be of the length of
the tale 10y Mrs. Southworth, entitled Retribu
ton' Mrs. Stowe is one of the most gifted and
popular OF American writer's"
Before the close of the month, we received
the first two chapters, just as they appear now
in the book, the title having been modified, so
as to read, " Uncle TOMS Cabin, or Lifeamong
the Lo'cly" The chapters were published in
the National Era of June 5th. 1851, and the
work was then continued, in successive num-
bers, until April lst, 1852, when the last chap
tiers were printed. The whole work, consisting
of &c chapters, was published in the Era, ana
chapter 39th, describing the death of Uncle
Tom, appeared in its proper place, May 18th
1852.
Closing the publication, we remarked in an
editorial, as follows:
Mrs. Stowe has at last brought her great
work 20 a close. The last chapters appear in
this weeks Era. With our consent, the Bos-
ton publisher issued an edition of five thousand
on the 10Th of March, but it has already been
exhausted, and another edition Of FIVE thousand
has appeared. We do not recolect any pro-
duction of an American writer, that has excl
ted more profound and general interest. Since
the commencement of its publication in our
columns, We have received literally thousands
of testimonials from renewing subscribers
10 its unsurpassed ability. We hope that this
grand work of fiction may not be the last SER
vice which shall be rendered by Mrs. Stowe to
the cause of Freedom, through the columns OF
the National Era"
Our paper at that time had seventeen thou
sand subscribers, or, according TO the usual cal
culation, not fewer than $1,000 readers. 1t is
not wonderful that a work of such power. upon
such subject, eagerly looked for every week,
for nearly year, by eighty-fve thousand read
ers talked and written about incesantly read
on the car in the steamboat, at the hotel. in
parts, Just enough to stimulate, without satisfy
ing desire, should, the moment it appeared in
book form, have run like fire the prairie
The Rrisc, assigning the causes of its
great popularity in Europe, gives the frs,
place to its subject, but remarks that its Amer
lean popularity depended principally upon it.
religious character. This is rather far-fetched
Its subject, being novel, as theme of fiction
was leading element of its popularity in boil
Europe and America ; but it is great mistake
to suppose that it was detrimental in any re
spect TO the circulation of the work in the Uni
ted States. The Questions of Slavery embraced
in it are of engrossing interest in this country
no seo'' Ms Indifferent to them, no class. They
involve fundamental rights and incalculable In
erests, and are constantly generating the pro
,undestexcitements. Anti Slavery People-and
The reviewer should know that the Anti-Slavery