The sun., 1883-12-16

OF thirty well-known American women and
additional interest is impaired to 1t from tho
fact that these short histories are written by
the subjects themselves For example: Mrs.
Stowe writes about Mrs. Rose Terry Cooke |:
Mrs. Cooke repavs the compliment by writing
about Mrs. Stowe: and SO on until the life Of
zach has been described by some other one OF
the thirty At first the thirty subjects OF these
biographies hung back. but when assured that
they could chose their dearest friends to write
about them. they consented. II any one has
been led to believe that spirit o. rivnlry exists
between the ladies Of the pen. he will not hold
ais opinion Ave minutes after reading this
book. The spirit Of mutual admiration that
pervades these pages 10 beautiful.
Mrs. Louise Chandler Moulton. In interview
ing Miss Louisa NJ. Alcott for the purposes Of
this sketch. questions her in the spirit Of
Boswell addressing DR.. Johnson In this
Same spirit she relates that the author Of
Little Women" never had a study; any
corner will answer to write in" She Is not
particular as to pens. ink. and paper. and an
old atlas on her knee is all the desk She cares
for" Often in the dead waste and middle Of
the night she plans whole chapters. and o
dozen plots course through her brain at tho
same time. But after all. she Is dependent
upon her surroundings. She cannot write in
Concord. In this dull town" as she calls 1t.
her pen won't work. So she HES her to Boston.
hires quiet room. and shuts herself UP in
It," waiting for an cast wind OF inspiration"
which never fails to come. These inspiring
east winds have been worth to Miss Alcott. in
round figures. 100000. a snug sum for o wo-
man to make in twelve years by her pen.
Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton writes OF Miss
Susan B. Anthony. whom she sums up as the
most upright. COURAGEOUS. self-sacrifcing
maGnRnimouS human being" she has ever
known. And yet Mrs. Stanton has known
women to refuse to take her extended hand
without vouchsahng explanation" and.
worse and worse. women to whom she pre-
sented handsomely bound copies OF the His
tory OF Woman Suffrage return it unnoticed."
Others. quite as rude. keep 1t without one
word Of acknowledgment" In taking broad
view OF her friend Susan. Mrs. Stanton can
only liken her to the Dorc column in Grecian
architecture-so simple. SO grand she stands.
free from every extraneous ornament support
Ing her one vast idea" Even when her friends
have made her presents Of money to buy little
personal ornaments with she has accepted
with that end in view. but SO given over Is she
to her "one vast idea" that she has entered it
In her account book as money received for
she cause" and go little axtravagant is she
chat for several years she bought nothing for
herself but two inexpensive brooches a m uch-
uoeueu Whtcu. buu pair OF culIS 10 matCn
point-lece collar presented by a friend"
Mrs. Spofford. who writes Of her friend Miss
Mary L. Booth. the editor OF Ha,per's Bazar. de-
scribes her as being as Manv-sded as IA
cettsd jewel. To man Of business she is mere
ly woman OF business: but to tho poet she s
full OF answering vibrations She values beauty
In every form. betraying the fact in her deep
and intelligent love OF nature. in passion for
flowers. gems. and perfumes and in an intense
delight and thorough knowledge of music
Warm In her affections. quick in her feelings.
cool In her judgments. untiring in her ener-
kies. imperious in her will. and almos. timid
In her selt-distrust in spite OF her achievement.
her character is singular combination OF
strength on which you can rely and tender
ness you would protect. while there is q Ger.
tain bounteousness Of nature about her. like the
overflowing sweetness and spice Of a full
blown rose. All these qualities are held within
bounds by the shy and suffering modesty that
will make it impossible for her to read these
lines.' Then Mrs. Spofrord proceeds to de-
scribe the appearance Of her friend: In per-
son. Miss Booth Is majestic and commanding
being taller and larger than women usually
are. Her dress is simple to plainnsss when
about her business. but rich and becoming
otherwhere. for she has the weakness of other
women about rare old lace and cashmeres that
rs perfect as sculpture. and sparkle with quaint
and costly rings and her skin. OF infantile deli
cacy and rose-leaf color. her dimples.- her
straight short nose. her soft brown eyes. and
her prematurely siivered hair worn rolled over
cushions. give her striking appearance that
approaches beauty"
Irs. Frances Eodsson Burnett Is euoR1s6
BY her friend and neighbor. Miss Elizabeth
Bryant Johnston. Her early struggles are
touched upon. and we follow her from her wild
life In the South through her career until as q
popular novelist she has an establishment OF
her own in Washington. where on every Tues
day in the week during the season, she
receives the rich and great OF the capital.
Her home is one OF luxury. though not OK
travagance. filed with works Of art. hand
some hangings. and interesting bric-a- brac."
1t is also n homo free from the iron rule OF
conventonality." Mrs. Burnett's workroom is
known as the "den." and there early each
morning she sits herself at her table and
writes until noon. II she is In happy men,
tai frame. the hours are not needed and tho
sentences flow freely from her pen." II called
upon to discriminate to the characteristics
of this eminent woman" Miss Johnston
would call personal courage the most
distinguishing" She is delicate in her
womanly instincts. and modest in valu-
Ing her literary achievements. Socially
not ambitious OF display. and right feminine
In all her pleasures and associations. yet pos.
sessing coolness In an emergency which 10
not generally female attribute" Mrs. Bur-
nett IL fond OF dress. and has an honest
delight in u new gown" She fancies working
In dainty lace. adjusting bows on robe or hat,
and Is apt. as far as possible. to give her per-
sonal attention to all such details In physique.
Mrs. Burnett lis decidedly of English type.
we'll formed. graceful;" usually she reiolces in
excellent health. She is II blonde OF rich tint
with dark blue-gray eyes that are full OF vary
Ing expression. So intense do they sometimes
become that they have been described ms
black. Her head is shapely and we'll poised
nose straight and finely cut nostrils thin and
sensitive. while the firm chin and decisive
mouth arc full OF character" In this sketch
Miss Johnston has endeavored not needles sly
to intrude upon the sacred precincts OF home p
but. II she had yielded to the temptation and
related incidents known to her this brave.
hearted woman OF genius would. indeed ap.
pear what she is-a heroine In real life"
Mira Snanorl lsny of Mra To- ro,l 4,