The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1866-07-20
RecOllectiOns Of Mrs. SigOurney.

The appearance of Mrs. Sigourney's
posthumous volume naturally revives
the memory of interesting incidents,
and the publication of few of them
may do something to counteract such
( false impressions as some of the I'M
worthy notices of her are likely to
produce. So pure was her character,
so superior in many respects to the
traits OF her mind and heart, that,
while writing the sketches of her life
contained in this volume, she followed
the same rules which dictated her
words and actions; she speaks of her.
self only to praise others, or to dwell
upon the beauties of nature OF the
mercies of God. Her life was one of
disinterested benevolence; and the
good results of her iabors, cares and
example, have been numerous and
great, beyond those of most persons.
The influence Of her writings is to be
added to the account, and who will at
tempt to estimate its value ? She
published more than fifty volumes;
and VINO can show a page or a word in
any of them, intended or tending to
do anything but good?
About the year 1911, when she be-
gan to live in Hartford, Mrs. Sigour-
ney, (then Miss Lydia Huntly) pre-
sented herself as a teacher of school
of girls. Slender and graceful in form,
with refined manners, a pleasing ex-
preston OF countenance, naturally
smiling lips, a soft, melodious voice, a
lively style of conversation and sim
cere and delicate interest in persons of
all classes, she soon gained the respect
and regard of a circle of young ladies
and gentlemen, then coming forward,
whose family education and previous
intercourse had prepared them, under
the old Connecticut rule of society, to
improve by association, and to receive
such impressions as her influence was
fitted to make ON such group of
friends younger than herself.
She found powerful patron in
Daniel Wordsworth, whose refined
and estimable lady was granddaugh-
ter of the Revolutionary Governor
Jonathan Trumbull; and they were the
first readers and admirers of Miss
Huntly's earliest essays i'll poetry and
prose. Mr.. Wordsworth, with his
characteristic interest in merit, exhib-
tied to his literary neighbors specimens
of Miss Huntly's neat memorter tran
scripts of the sermons of DIR. Strong,
and specimens of her compositions;
and he soon brought to the press the
first of her publications, "Aliscellane-
Gus Sketches in Prose and Verse;"
But for. his efforts her native modesty
might have prevented her publishing
anything for years, perhaps for life.
About the year 1915, she formed
literary society of the circle of young
friends before mentioned, the first
meetings of which were held at the
house of Mrs. Wordsworth, where she
then resided. The first hour was de-
voted to the reading OF selected or
original papers, and the remainder OF
the time to conversation. The society
existed several years; and among its
members were persons afterwards dis
tinguished. Mr.. Samuel q. Goodrich,
the author of numerous and most pop
ular and useful juvenile works under
the name of Peter Farley" read his
first literary composition at meeting
held one summer evening at the house
Of Mr.. Thomas Chester. He was then
clerk III store; and, having had
only school education, was almost
unable to proceed from difidence; but,
being applauded, he seemed to feel
encouraged to make new efforts, and
his books have long been read with
pleasure and profit 10y millions of chill
dren in many different languages. In
deed, he introduced the improved style
of juvenile books. Miss Huntly's lit
erary society had much influence in
extending popular associations i'll this
country.
In the year 1882, having heard that
female seminary, on new plan, had
been established in Bogota, New Ora
NADIA, by Sonora Cardenas, she ad-
dressed her a poetical epistle in favor