if she had
not written a line, we have stated only the barest truth; yet reason
sufficient, why we of this generation should know more of her life and
genius.

Lydia Maria Francis, afterwards Mrs. Child, was born in Medford, Mass.,
1802. Her education was obtained in her native town, with the advantage
of only one term in a private seminary. Her first book, "Hobomok,"
appeared in 1821, followed in 1823 by another novel, "The Rebels." These
gave her a good degree of popularity. In 1827 she established "The
Juvenile Miscellany," "pioneer to a long line of children's magazines."
In 1828 she was married to David Lee Child, and they made their home in
Boston. Within a very few years she wrote and published "The Frugal
Housewife," "The Mother's Book," "The Girl's Own Book," "The History of
Women," and the "Biographies of Good Wives."

Then, while all around her were heard the murmurs of popular praise and
approval, and while in addition to the appreciation of countless humbler
readers, she was winning commendation from the highest literary
authorities,--in 1833 she "startled the country by the publication of
her noble 'Appeal in behalf of that class of Americans called
Africans.'" Mr. Whittier says: "It is quite impossible for any one of
the present generation to imagine the popular surprise and indignation
which the book called forth, or how entirely its author cut herself off
from the favor and sympathy of a large number of those who had
previously delighted to do her honor." And he continues: "Social and
literary circles, which had been proud of her presence, closed their
doors against her. The sale of her books, the subscriptions to her
magazine, fell off to a ruinous extent. She knew all she was hazarding,
and made the great sacrifice, prepared for all the consequences which
followed."

She said in the preface: "I am fully aware of the unpopularity of the
task I have undertaken, but though I expect ridicule and censure, I do
not fear them. A few years hence the opinion of the world will be a
matter in which I have not even the most transient interest, but this
book will be abroad on its mission of humanity, long after the hand that
wrote it is mingling with the dust. Should it be the means of
advancing, even one single hour, the inevitable progress of truth and
justice, I would not exchange the consciousness for all Rothschild's
wealth or Sir Walter's fame." "Thenceforward," says Mr. Whittier again,
"her life was a b