Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-10-19
A NOTED AUTHOR.
Some Interesting Passages In
the Life of Augusta J. Evans,
the AuIhOr of "BeuIah.s
mrl,.uir.n in Rnstnn HArnld

ElLeNHt IN bohtou noTdius
OF successful novels published by
Mr.. j. q. Derby, THE Minister'S
Wooing," by Harriet Beecher Stowe,
was the first. His next success was
"Beulah," by Augusta j. Evans. 0ne
day Miss Evans called at Mr.. Derby'S
Office and lett the manuscript, which
he took home and read to his family,
who all thought it well worth publish
ing. Mr.. George Ripley, who read"
for him on salary, as we'll as for
other houses, also pronounced favor.
ably on the book, aud 1t was no sooner
published than its success was made.
Few novels have ever reached larger
sale. To show that what one pub
Usher thinks good is not necessarily
thought well Of by another, might
mention that "Beulah" was rejected
by D. Appleton 4 Co., their reader,
j. w. Palmer, of the Baltimore Ex-
change, having pronounced against it.
The first review Of the book that ap
peared was from his pen and was con-
demnatory; the second appeared in the
old Courier and Inquirer Of this city,
and was written by its editor, Mr..
Spaulding, afterward editor OF The
Times, who praised it IN the strongest
terms.
Soon after this review appeared, Mr.
Spaulding wrote to Mr.. Derby, and
asked him who was the author Of this
book, and il it would not be possible
for him to meet her. He had found a
kindred soul, aud was impatient to
meet in the field. Mr.. Derby ans
swered that the lady was Southerner,
but that she was then in New York,
and he would convey Mr.. Spaulding's
wishers to her and give him answer.
| Miss Evans who was staying at the
st. Nicholas Hotel, expressed her
willingness to meet Mr. Spiulding and
Mr.. Derby brought him up and intro.
duced him. The acquaintance ripened
into friendship, and the friendship in
to something more, for it was not Ions
before the Northern editor and South
ern novelist were emerged to be mar
ried.
In the meantime the civil war brok,
out. Miss Evans was secessionist o
the strongest type, and Mr.. SpauldinI
was as strong for the Union. His 20
litical feelings, however, did not inter
, fere with his private friendships, an,
an oppOrtunity offering he wen
! South to be married To his sur
. prise, he found that his promise,
bride no longer felt the same regar,
for him. The gulf between them wa
impossible, so they parted Each mar
.. ried later on. Miss Evanl
now Mrs. Wilson, lives i
. her beloved Switzerland. Spaulding
no more. He died soon after hi
marriage. While the war was raSin
Miss Evans wrote another move
} called "Macaria," which was pub
: lished 10 Richmond, Va. A copy O
A this was sent by the author to MI
4 Derby, who was then temporarily GU
Of the publishing business. H,
however, continued his interest /
I this author. and he took the book
Mr.. j. b. Lippincott to see if h
would not publish it, Mr. Lippin
colt at once agreed TO, and promise
4 the author the usual ton per cent roy
atty, though by law she was not on
( titled to anything, her book havin
n been published in the Confeieracy.
! While the plates we're being mad,
Michael DoOlady, Of this city, a book
: seller Of practical methods, got hol
o Of a copy Of "Macaria,' and was gel