The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-12-14
For the GRIND Haven News.
LAMONT, Dec. 8, 1859.


Mr.. EDIToR:-I have never thought
TO appear in your paper as a correspond
emit" or contributor" and even now
take il for granted that am an unwel-
come visitor" but, asking pardon for
troubling you on this occasion, l beg
leave herewith to make a few brief re-
marks in reply to L. ]. b., of Grand
Rapids-not, however, without much
fear and trembling, lest my prose be sub
.ject TO the same unmerciful criticism rs
my pretended "poetry."
In the first place, permit me to say that
never for once thought myself poetess,
nor classed my little efforts at verse-mak-
ing among real poetry. l have not
claimed the appellation of the "Poetess
of the Valley" and was quite surprised
TO read that compliment from an unknown
source-though l acknowledge such ex-
pressions always encourage me to write.
l can endure encouragement with heart
felt gratitude, and gather from them
strength; but confess that the ungen-
tlemanly remarks of L. j. B. fell upon my
spirit like Goals Of fire. / did not deserve
them-they were unkind.
l know no "strict rules" no cart" Of
poetry. Since early childhood my tho'ts
have dubbed up from the hidden foun-
tains Of my soul like gushing waters
unstudied, untaught and unpublished. God
has given me these feelings; they are in
terwoven with my life, and they must
"out" or should die. My hcart-throbs
have been moved with the bitterest dregs
of real life sorrows, and when my bosom
has been too full of its own pent up emo
tions they have gushed forth in words
and found way to the public. Not that
have desired to crush into print" 10
"face a frowning world" &C., nor that l
have had the remotest idea Of the "pos-
sbility of brilliant future'-far from it.
l only write because I can not help 1t
without the means of long and diHigent
study"
1t is not necessary that my efforts be
printed; and l have often resolved never
to publish another line. Many of my
compositions are thrown into the fire as
soon rs written, and Isupposc they might
as well all share the same fate-such a
disposition of them would answer the pur-
pose of their author as well. L.. J. B. is
not aware aOhen and how | write; and
perhaps it does not become me to say
that my pen is only taken up at late hours
Of the night, when honest people should
be a-bed and asleep, and then I'm obliged
to scrbble AT lightning speed, for want Of
strength and time. "The Pilgrims" was
written at midnight hours-not for prais.
es nor puffs, but to help little in the
cause for which our newly organized AS.
ISOLATION assembled. Many typographi.
cal errors added to its already rough ap-
pcarance causing many anxieties on the
part of the writer, who knew il was but
poor thing at the most.
Perhaps am making too much of 9
, little; but when did true woman evel
submit TO an injustice without at least al
effort to defend herselfl / hope it may
not be considered egotistical il add thai
some of my poor heart-songs have beer
privately commended by authors of high
reputation, and il is partly owing to such
cpistles of encouragement and sympathy
that my pen has been made to say more
than otherwise should have permitted il
| w w. DuI w nob OapSOO VI SONO'
t notoriety." shall live and die in my
. own little sphere of labor, and have nc
, living name, except what the angels may
! give me in that new life beyond.
| / trust that Mr.. l.. J. B. will continue
r to use his very talented pen to the goot
of the world at large; but / do hope he
, may not again descend so much from hi:
dignity and high position as a critic and
: an author, and condescend to notice sucl
t poor worm as 1 am. If he really de
sires to do me good let him send me
rules and suggestions, by "privatc con-
veyance," q havnt a jealous husband)
} and III profit by them with all due hui
milty. Let me further add that if he
is the "BATEs" whose poetry graces tho
columns of the Eagle, / have often ad
mircd his productions, and hope for him
} wreath Of undying fame. l love the
soul of song-I care not where l find it
l would give more for little stray line o.
song, glowing with beauty and sweetness