never
using his shrewdness to the disadvantage of his fellow-men.

LYDIA MARIA CHILD.

BY OLIVE E. DANA.

This is an age of biography. We have the two-volumed "Lives and
Letters," and the brief and popular biography, with many of varying
length and value between the two. And the contents of these two are
outlined for us, again and again, in magazines and newspaper sketches.
The histories of famous men and women are told and retold. It is the
public's own fault if there is not a more general interest in, and a
better knowledge of, the work of the notable characters of the century
than ever before. This implies, also, a certain familiarity with the
great movements of reform and philanthropy, and with the literature of
the time. Some, however, who had a large share in the noblest work of
this century, are less known, and less brought into notice, than we
should expect. Among such is Mrs. L. M. Child. Her letters, published in
1880, were prefaced by a brief memorial sketch by the poet Whittier, and
contained in an appendix the tribute of Wendell Phillips. An account of
her life-work, written by Susan Coolidge, appeared in the "Famous Women"
series. But her life, in many aspects, might profitably have the
attention of this younger generation, who know little either of her
antislavery work or of her literary attainments or fame. In both these
departments her work seems like that of a pioneer. She helped to clear
the way for the antislavery leaders,--Garrison and Higginson, Curtis and
Lowell and Whittier. And in a similar manner she led the way into those
paths where, for two or three decades, the woman-author has been so
conspicuously advancing,--where her success has been so brilliant and
varied. As to her literary genius, in the words of Whittier, "It is not
too much to say that half a century ago she was the most popular
literary woman in the United States." And again, "It is not
exaggeration to say that no man or woman of that period rendered
more substantial service to the cause of freedom, or made such a
doing it." And when we add that her benevolence and 'great renunciation'
in philanthropy--unobtrusive as they were--give her a valid claim to
lasting remembrance, that the originality, insight, and force of
character manifest in her letters, place them among the most valuable
and suggestive of the letters of women, and that her truth, beneficence,
and devotion would have made her life and character memorable