New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-15
LOUISA ALCOTT.
THE RECORD OF AN UNSELFISH SOUL

LOUISA MAY ALCoTT; HER LIFE, L dId , Ano
JOURNALS. Edited by Ednah ID. cheney ioiho'
PIP. 404. Roberts Brothers
This biography of successful writer is deeply
interesting not as a study of an authors intel
lectual development, but as the story of a womans
brave, unselfsh and unremitting struggle TO
carry the burdens of a man. The remembrance
of Miss Acotts loving devotion to her philosopher
father inclines one to treat kindly as may
be his moonshine manner of bringing up family
but it is difficult patiently to consider the miseres
of sordld poverty, Of modification ana nara
physical labor which the pursuit of transcendenta
philosophy appeared to entail upon Mr.. Alcotts
womanlind. His endeavors to organize social
life on higher plane were based on fantastic
theories and an utter incapacity for practical
affairs, and the results were always toll and
suffering for wife and children. While Mr.
Alcott held philosophical conversations at low
price of admission, with small circle Of thought
full" men and women, Mrs. Alcott kept an in
tcllgence office, and cooked. scrubbed, washed
and sewed for her family. Teaching in some
form was the one thing which the husband
could do and there was little demand for in
struction on the transcendental plan. Until
Louisas earnings came into play there was little
rst and physical comfort for the poor
mother. But in candor it must he said that there
was plenty Of love- patience, sincerity and aspira-
ton in this household Mr. Alcott's nature was
sweet and kindly one his ideals were high, and the
affection and the reverence Of his wife and
daughters failed. although they suffered from
his experiments and saw the absurd side OF his
theories
There the best qualities of the English
race in Louisa Alcott, the descendant of two Of
the oldest of New-Engand families. Her life is
a record of sturdy sef-reliance, of noble endeavOr,
of ready resource, of purest unselfshness. and Of
that commonsense which is the balance wheel
of existence While still almost child she began
to earn money for the needy household; she sewed,
she taught, she even went out to service" for a
short tme-a disastrous experiment. which she
has described in one of her stories-and best and
most profitable of all. she wrote In short, so far
as fallible human nature permitted she followed
her mothers rules set for her guidance in child
hood:
Rule yourself.
Love your neighbor,
Do the duty which lies nearest you.
Mrs Alcott was wise mother and there could
have been no better teaching for the development
of character than that Louisa received at her
hands Intellectual training was another matter;
there was no systematic student life possible In
the Alcctt household. But there were great many
good old books as well much high thinking;
the girl was greedy for knowledge, and she be-
came rapid and intelligent reader. She was
in the way, too of hearing much wise talk; and
Emerson for whom she had an early enthusiasm,
was one Of her fathers closest friends
She was hardly past babyhood when she began
TO scrhhlc Little verses and at sixteen she wrote
scmc small stories. for which she afterward re-
ceiyed the enormous sum of s32. Her earlier
work WAS not well paid-possibly it was not worth
much-for how can a girl who is acting as teacher,
bousemad, cook, and mincr find time to acquire
and practise literary graces She wrote nothing,
however, that bad not a lesson IN true living.
II was not until she had nearly reached middle
arc that Little Women appeared, and straight
way brought her fortune and the love and
admiration of world of young people Now
began for her the happy experience of doing for
bcr family all that as a child she had hoped
n do: and there is touching entry in her
journal recording the payment Of debts which
had long weighed upon her independent spirit
she could die in peace Her care for her
father. mother and sisters never ceased; and to
tbc last day of her life she spent herself for
those she loved. giving them not only money, bat
personal service.
These records show what Miss Alcotts friends
have ALWAYS known, that her stories and sketches
were in most particulars transcripts OF her own
cxncricnccS ut home and outside. Perhaps she
never had faculty for purely creative work;
nerhars her unmcthodical, hapha@rd training
and her youth full of hardshps and worry had
kent it. dormant However that may he, her
successful books those in which the people,
and lows and sorrows she knew. the lessons she
had learned by hard knocks are closely repro
l,ood She had a strong vein of the dramatic
in her composition, and this helped to give vigor
and verisimitude to her stories. They sparkle
with fun. and they teach the noblest lessons;
and heartily conccding this. we may he permitted
to cav that their literary style is atrocious. But
10, ne be thankful for their hOmely wisdom and
sunny humor; these qualities are rarer than
a good English style.
Mrs. Cheney has edited her friends biography
with excellent taste and judgment. 1t is book
which all girls ought 10 read.