The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-08-23
LETTER FROM SARATOGA.
WASHINGTON HALL, Htlv %. 1,

WASHINGTON HALL, Jhtly %, 1855.
DEAR TRANSCRIPT: 1t has been my good
fortune to meet at the Congress Hall two ladies
of literary eminence, and of whose works.
recent works. will venture to speak, if per-
haps may aid the public to knowledge of
what it will be well for them to know. Miss
johnson, whose nom de plume is well known
as "Minnie MYRTLE" has recently brought out
book entitled "The Iroquois," among whom
she has of late resided. This book had been
placed in the hands of few friends, when the
edition was consumed in recent fire of
book -bindery in New York. A new edition has
just been got out. The venerable Philip E.
Thomas, of Baltimore, who has himself taken
deep interest in this interesting tribe of Indians,
spoke to me of this work in terms thigh COM
mendation. Now, nothing l may say can add
to such testimony in its favor. AS have not
yet had the pleasure of meeting with this work,
do not speak Shy the book" but of it.
Not so, however, of Miss Catharine Beecher's
last work, just published by Harper & Brothers,
in one small volume of 200 pages, entitled
" Letters to the People on Health and Hap
piness." This book is divided into five parts,
viz: LIST, Organs of the human body; series
of letters on Physiology, remarkable for their
simplicity and ability. This is not new topic
COn,be's book is the text book of many schools,
but those to whom this science is most familiar
will best appreciate the skill, perspicacity, and
learning, showed in the composition Of this Sec
ton of the book. I'd, Laws of Health; Sd,
Abuses of Bodily Organs 4th, Evils thence
resulting. In this section, Miss Beecher has
given the results of her personal experience
and keen observation. 1t is wonderful chap
ter, and will open the eyes of fathers and moth
ers, and their daughters especially nor can
these letters be read ever so cursorily without
startling the reader. Part 9th, The remedies
for the evils of false education and physical
development.
The topics treated of in this book are vital
and important to the well.being of society.
Every parent should read, study, and inwardly
digest, the pages of this work. We are confident
this book will have a worldwide fame, and
Miss Beecher will be ranked among the bene-
factors of the age. Her venerable father, proud
as he well may be of his boys, has said, with
all truth, " Cdtharine is the best of all nv
boys Her sphere of influence has ever been
connected with education. She has written
several works of great ability and eminent
popularity. These have been as it were crush
ed out, under a conviction of the want of such
works; and, as other pens were occupied on
other subjects, she has sat down to the labor.
To this sense of need we owe this book Miss
Beecher has devoted her share of the profits of
this book to aid in the formation of an % Asso-
citation Of american Wonaen," the leading
measure of which is the establishment of per-
manent endowed institutions for women, to
furnish superior teachers in training the human
mind, the care Of the human body in infancy
and sickness, and the conservation of the family
state. In the same Association, Miss Beecher
devotes her share of another work, now in the
press entitled "Physiology and Cdlisthenics"
This is for schools, and is designed to introduce
into schools and families system of instruc-
ton, for childhood and youth, that shall train
their bodies to strength, beauty, gracefulness,
and perfect health. Methods of curing deformi-
ties will also be introduced. This is to be done
scientifically, and, in order to this, the children
are to be taught the construction of their own
bodies and the philosophy of all the methods
pursued, SO that they will understand the in
huence and benefits of all the exercises adopted
The work will be illustrated by over hundred
engravings. Yours, truly,
"PETER SCHLEMIHL IN AMERICA"