Year: 1859

you observed it already on earth, and must
know it better still in that blessed society
where men and womea commune rs angels
before the face of God. Eveniu your native
land, which friend and eountryman Of mine
calls The promised land of woman, and Of the
child and where the women are indulged
aud left fancy-free certainly more than in
any other couhtry on earth, it is not so.--
There, even there, indulgence has not yet
becUme justice, and the love for women not
reverence 10 ber mission, so as to command
a training for her mind and opportunities
for its development corresponding to that
misunderstanding and opportunities which
alone can make her acquire her full worth.
Nor has she yet been propitiated so far in
any country on earth, though superior Ha-
lures have, in almost oil countries, shown
the worth and influence she is capable of.


'Of her situation in my own land, with
reference to our laws aud social customs,
have drawn picture in the work under the
name OF The -Four Sisters and which /
dedicate to you; then 10y men such as you,
and to you congenial, / should wish my
work to be judged It's bitter parts must





OF a selfish kind. The patriarchal bonds
which keep back the growth of woman's
mind and social life in Sweden, aud which
sometimes amount to the most crushing ty-
ranny, have Shadowed forth in these pages,
often with heavy heart.


But have done it for love for the NOR
al growth and worth Of my people. in strong
faith aud hope that when its noble spirit
came to look facts in the face, and knew the
suffering ad debascment, or the bitterness
OF spirit arising from this state of things,
1t will rise and carry out, in the liberation
OF woman, the noble motto Of our present
king. IrMM and Justice


My people was the first among the Scan
diDavian nations to liberate its slaves, when
the blessed voice of the Redeemer was
heard in the North, proclaiming the broth
erhood OF all men and the freedom in the
father, God. Certainly it cannot long be
one OF the last to liberate the loving CON-
panIon OF mau, aoomaa, from state Of
tutelage and bondage, which other Chris
tian countries have already shaken off for
her. More than this liberation do not at
present hope for. But when the day will
come, when the sons of the earth will bet
ter know their true welfare, they will give
much more still to her who is to he the
Mother and first teacher; in fact the in
spring Egeria of the future generations,
the coming Man! From your heavenly
home, my friend, methnks see you smiling
down, Amen.


Since we parted on American shores,
the homes of my country have drawn near
er to those of your land in sympathy and
love, their noble hearts, their beautiful life;
and am happy to know that have Some
part in this, though only as the well who
give back the images of the flowers and
stars looking down in her mirror.


Your noblest poets and prose-wrfers
begun to be translated in my native tongue
'Uucle Toms Cabin has been read passion
ately by rich and poor, in the palaces and
cabins of my land; Longfellow's poems are
translated by a agracetul Swedish muse; and
Washington Irviugs w 0lferrs Roost' is
uow read in our daily papers throughout
the land, with that peculiar pleasure and
charm awakened by this delightful writer
EVER young, ever pure writing as no 9th
er, romantic interest with classical purity
and elegance, beloved by all classes, read III
all laUds.


Even your books, my friend, are spread
ing in my country, and are this moment
helping my brother-in-law to bnild house
and plant garden for his Summer resi-
dence.


AT my parting with you, promised to
give the right of publication in America OF
a work of mine to friend of yours, whose
generous spirit even l had learned to know
aud to appreciate. In now giving my
-Four Ssers' in the hnads of the publisher
| am conscious that lntruSt to him the
work, which, of all my writings, has the
deepest root in my own life and conscious
ness--a work which sacred duty command
ed me to write. Aud am happy to fulfill
my engagements To him and a wish of yours
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