New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-06-06
ELIZABETH STUART PHELPS.
F,ou The Boston Herald.

From The Boston Herald
Mr. Phelps became pastor OF the Pine Street Con
rTegatlOnal CbuIch ~ Boston in 1872, and bis
gifted daughter was horn in this CITY Oh August 81
1871 Miss Phelps may trace her literary talents TO
three distinct sOurccs-her mothers fatner, Pro
lessor Moses Stuart who was regarded AZ the most
eminent Biblical critic of his age, aud VINO was for
MANY years professor of sacred literature at An,
dover; her father, who IS the anthor OF seV9T i
popular books Oh practical piety, II Guiding he
Still Hour" widely circulated volume ana her
mother, who. under tie name of H. Trussta," an
nnapran OF Stuart, wrote several admirable tales
of New England life. faithful pictures Of character
and often delightfully."- humorous. Among Them was
"Ihe Sunny Side" Mrs. Phelps died when her
daughter was eight years Old, and also lelt q son
three wears Younger Young she was Mt the time,
Miss Phelps nature had been strongly impressed
by her mothers influence In private letter she
wrote: % can conceive of few things more
stimulating to - woman than gifted mother
unless indeed il lie the scholarly standard
and patient instruction Of such father as my own.
Miss Phclps's imaginative faculties were encouT-
aged by all her surroundings, ana az the age when
children are usually entertained win morning
deeper than Mother Goose" ana nursery tales, hhe
and her brother would spend the evening hour
listening TO their mother reading from the old Eng
sl poets ava telling them stories from he classics
At school she found 1t easy to learn, ald her lessons
cost her little effort, except IN arithmetic fsycho-
ogy became her faYOrIte study. aud she took deep
interest in English literature, Latin and the fine
arts. She says that, win the exception OF NTeek
aud the higher mathematics, they pursued the same
curriculum of their brothers in college.
She finished her schOOl-le al the age OF nine
teen but her literary activity had begun tine year
before she entered the institute, III the shape oil
various newspaper contributions. Tier trSt great
rDpular success was The Gales AJar" which at
once gave her an international reputation. IN
edition Of 10000 WAS specify exhausted; the ne
maud continued undated, ana tho book sfili has
large and steady sale. III England IFS clTcnlatloh
rivalled that In America. lt was brought out by
various publishers, and was also printed III cheap
popular editions ~ Sd. a copy. IL was also trans
lated INTO French and German and Dutch. The
Gates Ajar" was preceded BY ten taking juvenile
books published from 1854 to 1867 proof OF
-lst tgrafF n
Story of Avis" WAS published. Ihis book has been
the subject of mauy diverse critcism- lew, II any
OF when have denied its power, the greai question
having been on the truth OF It's conclnsion'- MlSs
Phelps herself regards the book more aiiecuOnattlY
than any Of its predecessors and holds 10 De htr
best. She believes she has grown beyond her
earlier wOrRs.
In Andov~r her study is not in her fathers house,
for 8. @ has learned. she says, like the ministers
whOstudv in thercpurChes or the carpenters who go
10 their benches the value of workshop out Oi The
house" Therefore, for several years past, SHE has
had her 81 udy an old building next door, one OF
tue oldest at the hull; low-waIled chamber WIN
picturesque and tasteful fltIhct-pictures. drapt-
res, books. easy chairs, tables, ana a 1ainmock
swung from large beams III tie ceiling. MS build"
ing has Just teen Sold and moved away IN sections.
to make room Tor a large house building Tor anew
professor. Miss Phelps now has hor study tenn
pOIarily III a brown house down Man-st., below
3he college yard but will probably Gulld q new one
Miss Phel pss constant companion in her study is
"Daniel Deronda," bright, active lllle Diuo
Skye and King CHARLES teIricT. lie 10 a remarkably
handsome fellow, viewed by the standard ol beauty
SET for his race though called blue Skye he Is by
no means sky-bluc. but dark and rich brown;
DOGS are Miss Phelps's special pete. and Daniel
DerOnda" IL chIvalrOusly devoted to ms mistress
He has been known to attack approaching dogs OF
Newfoundland size, when lie thought then intent
toward her was evil. Miss Phelps formerly had Il
dog named " Hanemanu," for whom she had u
great fondness As "Daniel DerOnda" was named
IN testimony Of her admiration for George Eliot 50
"Halnemann'-" name was token OF her faith III
homeopathy. She once humorOusly stated her creed
as summed up III the three terms: " Heaven, hOm9-
Opathy and wOmanB rights"
For several years she has spent her Summers in
East Gloucester, where she has butt quaint little
cottage in q charming spot close 10 the waters edge
Mt the mouth of gorge opening in the Wild rocky
shore of Gloucester barbOr. AT her Gloucester home
the nights are not quiet as at AndOver for the
fishermen 20 out early TO their nets, but her kind
ness and labOrB of Ove among them have been ap-
preciated and they respond with glad Willingness
to her requests for quietness. They lift their dOres
INTO the water talk together Whispers
and row 80 softly that the dip Of their oars is
scarcely heard. With her intense love for the sea
she has o thorough liking for seafaring people,
whom she regards as the kiEdliest, NEST large
hearted and honest class of folk. Cape Cod boy
once told her that there were two things sailor
would do to defend a fair lady and fine ship.