Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1855-10-20
HARRIET MARTINEAU.

1t lie some time since we had any direct infofma-
ton respecting the state Of health Of this noble
woman, which We have known TO DO extremely
critical for several months past and as her nu-
merous friends and admirers, on this side Of the
Atlantic, nre doubtless solicitous to obtain reliable
information on this subject, we venture to make
the following extracts from O letter Lately received
FROM our estimable coadjulor Parker Pillsbury, {hut
not written for publication,) who bas been visiting
Miss M. at her delightful residence at Ambleside
We hope to be pardoned for taking this liberty,
for the sketch given below cannot tnil to be read
universally with thrilling interest. and to touch
every chord Of sympathy in the human breast. Mr.,
P. says -
six months ago, Miss Marti1eau was summoned
by the most eminent physicians in London, to be
ready to leave the world ut e moments warning.
SO, at once, with the utmost serenity she set about
her preparations. No one ever arranged for e
Journey TO the next town with more composure.
Bnt the call has not yet come-and VEL dare to
say that no woman, i'll or well, in this country or
America has done more labor in six months past,
or does more now, from day to day, than this same
dear, but doomed woman and her last work |
hope will be her greatest and best--the record OF
her own illustrious life. She told ne it only re.
quired two days more to complete it. So, by this
time, it is doubtless done. and will make two large
volumes at least. when it goss TO press.
Tho disease is q fatal one but her hold on life
is too strong easily TO te severed. She suffers liz
tie comparatively. has o tolerab!e appetite, is not
pale MOI emaciated and would sleep well all night,
were her brain not too active and industrious.
She writes many hours every day che rises early,
and though she sleeps some during the day, neveT
retires till one in the morning she writes Ediso-
rails still for the London journals has many cor
respondents, and devotes the most other time, after
all, to her autobiography. 1t is beyond belief
while. She must drop suddenly ct last, and may
do SO soon. Her breath il labored she speaks
but in whispers, her circulation is irregular, ma
king n fearful cold at times Of the extremities
dropsy has already gone far, her feet and ankles
swell continually. and sho has frequently seasons
of great bodily distress, when she seems approach
ing the final struggle,an in one Of which she will
very likely yield up the spirit a. last.
And in these conditions she is still laboring FOX
humanity with as much oarnestness as though the
salvation Of the world depended on her single exer.
tion And her tranquility Of mind is all that her
most devoted friends could desire. If tho depar-
ture of Mr.. Estlin so calmly, and the serene and
beautiful approach to the Las. scene OF life on tine
part OF Miss Mnst!neau, would not deliver one from
the fear Of death, he must be faint.hearted indeed.
BUTT must ever be remembered that this happy
exit Of these two dear friends has been earned only
by lives Of true and earnest devotion TO tho cause
Of humaR redemption.
II was delightful to hear Miss MGrtlneau speak
40 kindly Of many in America though observed
that she now takes little interest in any but the
genuine, radical abolitionists. But she respects
them more for their infexible adherence - princi
pie, than for any results they will achieve For
believe she has given up all hopes that slavery car
be peacefully abolished, or our country saved fron
overwhelming destruction.
Her compass of mind is truly astonishing. 81;
rams over tie present condition Of the Uai:et
States, and the causes which have led tc tie p.sa
ent state of orr %afairs, with M intelligence a1t
1rency, such as you would look Coz n yaia among
ninu-tentas OF tie Senate ; and Jon might, ! 1T
srse, threw ir the Presidents With them. since JOB.
Quincy Adams, Such women Gro the Quccns 9
Britain, no mater who sits upon the throne. Auc
the abol;tionista may well esteem it an honor. a
we'll as an advantage, to have her rs their constal.
and untiring friend
In reply to many inquiries concerning the return
of Mr.. Pillsbury to this country, we are able t
state that he has considerably improved in health
but it is ID deemed best, by all his friendly counsel
lors, at home and abroad. that be should remain
in England at least until next spring, and nc
encounter the rigors of our American winter
Meanwhile, he will be laboring, las he has beea,
most assiduously, and to the extent Of his ability
to advance the interests of our glorious cause in tn
old world. Let him be assured that ne is not for
gotten by any Of ais old friends /; and that thei
! confidence in his fidelity, zeal and devotedness !
without limitation = Li6eraior.