Year: 1873

CAROLINE tHEStbhOs


The death of Miss Chesebro', which took
place on Sunday last, at her residence near Permont
calls for the expression sncerest sorrow not ONLY
from the intimate circle Of friends with whom she was
the object Of profound attachment but from all who had
learned 20 appreciate the sterling qualities OF her
character, and the mental endowmenis WHICH
had placed her in the front rank Of American
novelists. Tt is too much 20 say 'A"'
her various works Of fiction evinced an order
OF talent even of genius which is seldom eXhlniteu ln
our native literature and which is not 10 be measured
bv the degree Of popular success which crowned her
efforts Miss Chesebr0 had ambition for the glitter
ing fame which 10 be so easily achieved by many
sensational writer's she manifested no desire for lme
date effect, did she possess the gifts to when
cheap admiration is 40 lndiscrceuy accorded ny the
facile portion OF the reading public. The excel
lenee of her productions was founded their
intense truthfuness Her pictures Of scenery ana her
sketches OF character manifest a fidelity 10 Nature
which grew out of the integrity OF her mind before
she had been disciplined In the pre-Iaphaehte schoo
which makes more account OF reality than of Invention
Nor did she lack the power OF creative Imagination 10
embollish and vtaze the fruits OF observation Inc
keenness Of her perccpve faculties was softened ana
irradiated by the tender glow OF ideal sentiment Al
though she painted lie the hOmey tnts Of common
everyday experience she could also use the colora OF he
rainbow and the setting with artistic deicacy she
was most no home in the scenes OF suffering, which
involve the OF and the elements OF pathos
but she never drew upon morbid fancy 20 give
piquancy 20 sorrow, Or hehten the tragic effect
of her descriptions. Although not addicted 20 un-
natural vivacity she possessed q vein OF subtle
humor winch often lighted up her narrative with


s sudden flashes while In general her repose OF manner
was no less remarkable than her vigor 0i denelton
Her nature was suguarly healthy. She never led
astray by fantastic images. She had deep sympathy
with the wayward and exceptional aspects OF human
aho o,Cqe no str go
ana the conflicts of opinion, but she was always
true 70 the ndber instincts OF humanity, and
never LOST faith I'm the sweetness OF Providence
and the triumph OF truth.-Aiiss Chesebro' was


native OF Canaudaigua. where she res led during the
early part her ife but recently has lived prin
cipay In the vicinity OF NewY1rk Her first attempts
a. writer we're made in the Magazines Of the day
long ago as the year 1sls. volume OF her stories and
sketches entitled Dream Land by Dayl ght," pub


shed in 1861. which followed during the next
year bv q" Isa. a Pilgrimage" and In the succeed
ing years by several novels. OF which the most
important perhaps were Victoria The World
Overcome" "Pcter Carrington," "The Foe in the
Household" and others She was frequent con-
tributor 10 HARPER Putnam the "Knicker
booker" the Atlantic" and other Magazines.
and an unfinished story rom her pen was passing
through the press Of "Lippncott" at the time or
her DEATH In her personal character Miss Chesebro
presented beautiful union OF retiring mOdesty
and dgnifed seli-respeet. She was little known IN
general society but always favOre in the domestic
circle commanding homage from men Of intellect ana
winning the cordial friendship Of OF her own
sex Her disposition cOnsiderate and just there
was so little pretension her manners little that
exacting in her temper that she happily escaped the
FREQUENT rivaries literary life. and numbered among
her warmes admirers many eminent persons whom her
generous prevented from becoming envous Of her
fame,