them; but the considerations which govern him are the last that
should influence a historical society under similar circumstances.
* * * * *
FANNY WRIGHT, some dozen years ago, entered into a sort of limited
partnership with one of Robert Owen's old New-Harmony associates, and
has since been known as Frances Wright D'Arusmont. They lived together a
few months, but women grow old, and these infidel philosophers are very
apt to live according to their liberties; Madame resided in Paris,
Monsieur in Cincinnati: Madame wanted more money than Monsieur would
allow, and she returned, and is now before the courts of Ohio with a
plea (of _eighty thousand words_) for property held by D'Arusmont, which
she says is hers. We know little of the merits of the case, but if there
is to be domestic unhappiness, we are content that she should be a
sufferer, whose whole career has been a warfare upon the institutions
which define the true position, and guard the best interests of her sex.
It is more than thirty years since Fanny Wright wrote her _Views of
Society and Manners in America_. The brilliant woman who lectured to
crowds in the old Park Theatre, against decency, is old now, and an
atheist old woman, desolate, is rather a pitiable object.
* * * * *
EDWARD T. CHANNING, a brother of the Rev. Dr. William Ellery Channing,
and for thirty years Professor of Rhetoric in Harvard College, has
resigned his place, and his resignation is one of the weightiest
misfortunes that has befallen this school for some time. Professor
Channing's fitness for the professorship of English literature was shown
in his admirable article upon the Poetry of Moore, in the _North
American Review_ for 1817. He has written much and well in criticism,
and is perhaps equally familiar with both Latin and English literature.
His lectures, described as eminently rich, suggestive, and practical, we
hope will be given to the press. It is intimated that Mr. George Hillard
will be his successor in the college, and we know of no man so young who
could more nearly fill his place.
* * * * *
"PUBLIC LIBRARIES," is the title of a very interesting article in the
February number of _The International_, erroneously credited to
Chambers's _Papers for the People_. The Edinburgh publisher, it seems,
took two articles from the _North American Review_, cut them in pieces
and transpos
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