The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1867-10-04
GAIL HAMILTON.

The non de plume Of Mary Abigail
Dodge, taken from her sobriquet Of Gail
and the village of her nativity, is so much
better known than her own name, that we
should obscure Der identity by placing the
latter at the head of our sketch. she is
simply Gail Hamilton to all the literary
world, and such shall she be in these col
umns. She was born in The little town of
Hamilton, Massachusetts, AMI after OBJ
tanning the severe and thorough education
which girls in that section more than any
other receive, she followed the irresistible
New England destiny, and became a
school teacher. During those years she
read with aVidity everything she could lay
her hand on-read with the indispensable
appetite Rousseau describes as his ia the
cOnJeSSionS-until her mind was stored
with mental treasures gathered from every
source. Quitting her course Of humble
instruction in the rural neighborhood, she
went to Washington IS goveruess in the
family Of Gamaliel Bailey, the publisher
OF the National Era, and first manifested
disposition to write by contributing
small essays to that popular anIi-slavery
journal. Mr.. Bailey perceived her abil-
ity and her generous promise, and encour
aged her to continue. None of her efforts
were elaborate; though such as they were.
they met with considerable favor. After
returning home she furnished some very
clever essays on various subjects TO the
Boston Congregationslst, which attracted
the attention of Tcknor & Fields, who
soon secured her for the Atlantic.
The Congregaiionalist, through one Of
its editors, Charles A. Richardson, is en-
titled TO the credit of fairly introducing
this racy and somewhat rafting. but all
ways genial and excellent writer to the
public. Since her connection with. the
Atlantic, which began about 1860, she
has hardly written for any other publca-
ton, but she has done a deal Of work,
and, what is more, done it veil, too, hav-
ing published seven volumes of essays in
as many years. Her New Atmosphere,
was revelation of souud sense, capital
humor. and telling saure upon the false
education ofyoung women Of the present
day, and the Inconsistency of parents and
guardians respecting the all important
question of matrimony.
Gail Hamilton is no longer young, but
girlish looking for her years, petite in per-
son, light haired aud blue eyed-a fair
type of The New England tlonde-quite
shy before strangers, shrinking from be
ing lion;zed, with a sensitiveness almost
morbid; with pleasant, expressive face
unfortunately marred by the defect OF
the Countess of Hanham), and-full, rich,
constant stream Of talk for those she re-
CARDS as her friends. She has travelled
very little, having never gone abroad. and
having made but two trips West deserv-
ing OF the name. She is decidedly learned
for woman, being good Greek and Lat
In scholar, sufficiently conver>ant with
French 10 read il with facility. and abe
TO speak aud write German with entire
correctness and fluency. Her private
letters, according to her correspondents
are superior TO her published writings
Astounding in freshness, sparkle and point.
Few authors ID this country have
stronger, terser, and director style thar
Gail Hamilton, whose reputation abroad
as well as at home is we'll deserved.