The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-05-24
HARRIET BEECHER STOWE.
INTERESTING PASSAGE FROM HER AUTO
. BIOGRAPHY.
From the London Weekly Chronicle April a


From the London Weekly Chronicle April q
The following extracts from letter addressed
by Mrs. Stowe to friend in this country, il
answer to an inquiry for some particulars O
her early life, give an account of the origin O
the worldrenowned "Uncle Toms Cabin.
After playful description of her personal ap
pearance, an account of her marriage will
Professor Stowe, at the age of twenty-five, he
settlement at Lane Seminary, near Cincinnati
in Ohio, and the increase of her family, sh,
says:
"The most beautiful of these (her children
and the most beloved, lies buried near my Gin
cinnati residence. 1t was at his dying bed, ant
at his grave, that l learnt what a poor slave
mother may feel when her child is torn from
her. In the depths of my sorrow, which seemed
to me unreasonable, it was my only prayer t.
God that such anguish might not be suffered
in vain.
There were circumstances connected will
this child's death, of such peculiar bitterness
OF what might seem almost cruel suffering
that felt could never be consoled for it, un
less 1T should appear that the crushing of my
own heart might enable me to work out some
great good to others
'" His death took place during the cholers
summer, when, in a circle of five miles AROUND
me, nine thousand were buried-a mortalit,
which have never heard exceeded anywhere
g My husband, in feeble health, was obliged
to be absent the whole time, and had sol,
charge of family of fifteen persons. He coulC
not return TO me, because l would not permi
it, for in many instances where parents haC
returned from distance to their families an,
the infected atmosphere, the result had beer
sudden death; and the physicians warned me
that if he returned, it would only be to die
My poor Charlie died for want of timely medi
cal aid; for, in the universal confusion ant
despair that prevailed, it was often impossible
to obtain assistance till it was too late.
NJ allude to this bereavement, because be
ieve that much that is in Uncle Toms Cabin
had its root in the awful scenes and bitter sor
rows of that summer. 1t has left now, trust
no trace in my mind, except deep compassion
for the sorrowful, especially for mothers whC
are separated from their children.
"During long years of struggling with pov
everty, Sickness and hot, facilitating climate
my children grew up around me. The nurser,
and the kitchen were my principal fields of la
Dor. Some of my friends, plying my tolls
sent some of my sketches to certain literally
paying ANNALS, with my name. With the frs
money that | earned this way, bought feather
bed! For, as l had married into poverty, anC
without dowry, and as my husband had only
large library of books, and a great deal o
learning, this bed and pillows were thought OF
the whole the most profitable investment
81 now thought had discovered the philos
opher's stone, and when new carpet or mat
trass was needed, or when, at the close of the
year, it began to be evident that my family &C
counts, 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
Nov, if you'll keep the babies quiet, and at
tend to all the things in the house for one day
I'll write piece, and then we shall be out O
the scrape.' And so became an authoress
Very modest at first, do assure you, and re
monstrating very seriously with the friends who
had thought it best to put my name to my pro
ductionas, by way of getting up reputation"
"During my life at the West, l lived two
miles from the city of Cincinnati, in the coun
try; and domestic service, not always to be
found in the city, is next to impossible to be
obtained in the country, even 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 goods to offer? Had it moi
been for my inseparable friend Anna, noble
hearted English girl, who landed on our Amer
clave unto me as Ruth unto Naomi, / had
never lived through all the toll which this un
certainty and absolute want of domestic service
imposed upon me. You may imagine, there.
fore, how glad was, when about dozen fam.
lilies of liberated negroes came and settled in
our vicinity. They became my favorite resorts
in cases of emergency.
If anybody wants to have black face look
handsome, let them be left as l have been, in
feeble health, in oppressive hot weather. with a
sick baby in arms, and two or three other little
ones in the nursery, and not single servant
in the whole house to do single turn. And
then, if they should see any good Aunt frankie
coming in, with her honest bluff, black face, her
long, strong arms, her chest as big and stout
as a barrel, and her hilarious, hearty laugh,
perfectly delighted to take ones washing and
do it at fair price, they soould appreciate the
beauty Of black people.
"My cook, poor Eliza, was regular epitome
of slave life in herself; fat, easy, gentle, loving,
and loveable; always calling my modest house
the Place as if it had been plantation, with
seven hundred hands on it. Her way of arrang;
ing her kitchen was at first like Dinah's, though
she imbibed our ideas more rapidly, and seemed
more ready to listen to my suggestions than did
that dignitary She had lived through the
whole sad story of a Virginia-raised slaves
life. She must have been in her youth a very
handsome mulatto girl. Her voice was sweet,
her manners refined and agreeable. She was
raised in good family as nurse and semp-
stress.
"When the family became embarrassed, she
was suddenly sold, to be sent to plantation in
Louisiana. She has often told me how, with
out any warning, she was forced into carriage,
and saw her little mistress screaming and
stretching her arms from the window towards
her, as she was driven away. She has told me
of scenes ON the Louisiana plantations, and
how she has often been out in the night by
stealth, ministering to poor slaves who have
been mangled or lacerated by the whip. From
Louisiana She was sold into Kentucky, and her
last master was the father of all her children.
On this point she always maintained delcacy
and reserve, which, though it is not at all I'M
common among slave women, appears to me
"She always called her master her husband,
and spoke of him with the same apparent feel
ing with which any woman regards her hus-
band and it was not till after she had lived
with me some years, that discovered accident
ally the real nature Of the relation. / shall
never forget how sorry felt for her, nor my
feelings at her humble apology You know,
Mrs. Stowe, slave women can't help themselves.
She had two very pretty quadroon daughters,
with beautiful hair and eyes interesting chill
iren, whom l had instructed in the family
school with my children.
"Time would fail to tell you all l have learned
of the slave system, in the history
Of various slaves who came into my family, and
Of the workings of the underground railroad,
which, I.may say, ran through my barn."
The Buffalo Republic says: "When the rose
bug first makes its appearance, sprinkle your
pushes profusely with the pollen of the flower
If the ailanthus tree, or make strong decoc-
ion of the same, and pour it over the bushes
b-,r ~ N Tn. - &c tlasa rla