Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-05-05
From the London Empire
HARRIET BEECHER STOWE.
AN AUTO BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, BY HERSELF

1t is our intention to reprint from the columns
of the Neto York Independent series of very
beautiful sketches in course of publication in that
journal, from the pen of the authoress of the
world-renowned Uncle TOMS Cabin. These COM
muEicatons we have no doubt will be read with
delight. AS preface to the forthcoming sketch.
es, we lay before readers to-day some extracts
from letter addressed by Mrs. Stowe to a friend
in this country, prior to her welcome visit to the
shores. of Britain The interesting epistle from
which we are about to quote, is answer to an
inquiry for some particulars respecting the early
life of Mrs. Stowe and the materials out of which
she constructed her unrivalled tale of negro life in
the United States.
After a playful description of her personal ap-
pearance-an account of her marriage with Pro =
lessor Stowe, at the age of wenty-fveher settle
ment at Lane Seminary, near Cincinnati in
Ohio, and the increase of her family she says:-
"The most beautiful of these (her children), and
the most beloved lies buried near my Cincinnati
residence. 1t was at his dying bed, and at his
grave, that learnt what q poor slave mother
may feel when her child is torn from her In
the depths of my sorrow, which seemed to me
that such anguish might not be suffered in
vain"
There were circumstances connected with this
child's death OF such peculiar btterness-of what
might seem almost cruel sufering-that l felt
could never be consoed for it, unless it should
enable me to work out some great good to
others"
Ellis death took place during the cholera sum-
mer when in circle of five miles around me- 9 900
were buried-a mortality which | have never heard
exceeded anywhere"
"My husband, in feeble health, was obliged to
be absent the whole time, and had sole charge of
a family of fifteen persons He could not return
to me, because | would not permit it; for in
many instances where parents had returned from
q distance to their families, and to the infected
atmosphere, the result had been sudden DEATH
and the physicians warned me that if he return
ed, it would only be to die NV poor Charlie
died for want of timely medical aid for in the
universal confusion and despair that prevailed, it
was often impossible to obtain assistance till it
was too late"
81 allude to this bereavement, because believe
that much that is in Uncle TOMS Cabin, had its
roots in the awful scenes and bitter sorrows of that
summer 1t has left now, trust no trace in my
mind, except deep compassion for the sorrowful,
especially for mothers who are separated from
their children"
| During long years of struggling with poverty,
sickness and hot debilitatng climate, my chill
dren grew up around me. The nursery and the
kitchen weremy principal fields of labor. Some
! OF my friends, plying my tolls, sent some of my
sketches to certain literally paying annuals, with
my name. With the first money earned this
way, bought a feather bed For, as had mar
ried into poverty, and. without dowry, and as
my husband had only large library of books,
and great deal Of learning, this bed and pillows
were thought on the whole the most profitable
investment"
81 now thought | had discovered the phloso-
pliers stone, and when new carpet or mattrass
was needed, or when at the close of the year il
began to be evident that my family accounts, like
Dora's, "wouldn't add up then used to say to
my faithful friend and factotum, Anna, who
shared all my joys and sorrows, Now, if you'll
keep the babies quiet, and attend to all the things
IN the house for one day, I'll write piece, and
then we shall be out of the scrape.' And so
became an authoress Very modest at first | do
assure you, and demonstrating very seriously with
the friends who had thought it best to put my
reputation"
During my life at the West, I lived two miles
from the city OF Cincinnati, in the country and
domestic service, not always to be found in the
city, is next to impossible to be obtained in the
country, ever by those who are willing to give the
highest wages. So what was to be expected for
poor me, who had very little of this worlds good
to offer2 Had it not been for my nseparable
friend, Anna, noble-hearted English girl. who
landed on our American shores in destitution and
sorrow and who clave unto me as Ruth unto
Naomi, had never lived through all the toll which
this uncertainty and absolute want Of domestic