New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-24
Nkaw9 1ork Daiip Gxibn,se
NEW PUBZICdIT ONG

the influences which have I'D TO the formation of her
present convictions, and illustrates her narraiIve
by numerous anecdotes and "reminiscences con-
corning various local celebrities both OF the
pTesont ard Of the past generation She has
the unparalleled frankness TO inform e that
her birth took place some fifty years ago and since
that event, there seems not have been an mpor-
tsnt incident in her experience which che has not here
set down in black and white for the benefit Of the
world. The famous locality known as the North
End in Boston was the birthplace Of our autobiog-
rspher. Here she early imbbed the pety, patriotism,
freedom Of mind and res,lessness Of disposition which
said TO be characteristic OF that Classical quarter
Her father was sturdy shipcapenter-cne OF the old
school of Boston Notwithstanding the sprt OF
the North-End men who rocked the cradle OF the
Revolutior-and leaving his children the legacy Of
his upright, fearless and independent character Upon
his sudden death, the family were placed IN hmlted
circumstances though not destitute of the COMFORTS OF
life. Harriet turned to the usual resource OF New
England women in that condition. and opened school.
She continued this employment for six years when
her attention directed 10 the practice OF medicine
appropriate female occupation With her, action
promptly followed reflection. She decided To become
female physician and TO her success in that line the
volume before probably owes its existence.
" | remember wildly she says, the earnestneSs
the enthusiasm, with which received onr first pa
TENTS To be sure, they came along very slowly; bu
every case that did come was new revelation
new wonder-a new study in itself and BY itself The
need Of freedom of action-dversty OF treatment
war constantly felt by Very early in medical lire
we found ourselves differing from teachers, and
escaping from formal rules. We very coon learned
not to trust too mach medication-not but that
often saw it fully successfubut it did not meet our
perception Of the dignity Of the human body Anat-
omy had partially opened its treasures TO me; and the
wonderful deposits from the blood to develop, perfect,
and sustain the system-even the bony structure
filed nv soul with reverent awe; for never entered
the medical life through physics but through meta
physics
Her experience in the medical profession led her 10
consider the subject of remuneration for female labor
d" had an ample opportunity to investigate the posi-
ton of women in this relation. | have saved one
hundred dollars said seamstress who had labored
diligently for many years, and that is only owing TO
nv good health 'Ihave not cent laid up, said
another; my board and clothing take all can earn,
for sick headaches often keep me at home Il was
obliged after my husbands death, TO part with two Of
INV children. so small is the pay receive said
third. Such appeals have been around me for years
They are all the more narrowing when ill.health deep
ems the tones of sorrow in which they uttered aud
when they ere ate doubts of Divine Providence. Man
ciyes few hours Of his time for certain number OF
yenrs and with industry and frugaly he gets home
and a competence "a his reward. What does the
laborng woman get for her years of toll industry and
frueaityl Oh my brother women have been pom
derng these subjects for long long time; and their
hour of utterance he's come Men alone are not 10
blame The other sex has a large share in these
wrongs Call after the work, said a fashionable
woman to delicate young seamstress; think you
can carry the bundle Ny coachman Is always busy,
and if send my other manservant out, the chamber
girl has to answer the door-bell Call again, AMI
will pay YOU; cant to-day said another noneyef
woman TO her seamstress. As much as that for THIS
work. exclaimed an astonished lady, who was pre-
paring to make a tour through Europe; why
thought il would be much cheaper; and this was tn
way che could talk to a widow who mouIned over IN
declining health of a daughter Icould fill pages with
such cases; for many dressmakeIs and seamstresse
are and my patients and tender tones and ear
nest interest caused them often to breathe out their
histories-ohl how sad they were But there were
always CLEANS of light, and they cheered me
In like manner our active minded reminiscent was
gradually attracted TO the popular movement for the
assertion OF Womans Rights. She was brought into
contact by her profession with great variety OF
minds Discussions on the condition of woman enlvened
her business room; failures Of banks, no DIVIDENDS
from railroads public and private dealcatons, widows,
orphans and unmarried women beggared by the dis
honesty OF men, became common topics ofconversatioh
confidence in protector was evidently losing
ground and women were beginning to see that they
must protect themselves' At length a Womsns
Rights Convention was assembled at Seneca Falls in
less This was followed by others, and the movement
was inauguratcd before the public. The brave Har-
not was among its most earnest supporters, though
preierring Human Rights as watchword 10
Woman Rights" But she was not content with
theoretical declarations bordering upon the eonnec
ton between taxation and representation she found
herself called upon to take q decided step.
I'm October, 1851, when my taxes were TO BE- PAID
il WINS necessary for lie to 90 to the Assessors room
that might have some alteration made in the bull,
nv sisters taxes being charged to me; while waiting
there for this 10 be attended to, received lesson
which thoroughly converted me 10 the belief that
taxation without representation was violation OF h-
man rghts and there made up my mind TO ve1iy my
theory by nv practice What 80 suddenly produced
ills effect pale, thin, waxy tall awkward, sImple
Irsh boy. with that vacant stare which speaks Of
tire negation and that shutting manner indicating an
errandke aspect brought into the Assessors Office
roll-he was told WHO 10 hand 10. IL vas near the
tire of an election but | did not think OF it, sad
pleasantly IL that paper to grant DECENTRALIZATION
Il received polite affirmative. Permit me to look
at il = Certainly. There to my astonlshment the
alove-described geatemaH was invested with al the
privileges Of an American citizen. Bostonian by
bith, education, and Life, paying taxes without repre-
stntation. What a striking case II would be worth