"Never a student, but a great reader. R. W. E. gave me Goethe's works at fifteen, and they have been my delight ever since. My library consists of Goethe, Emerson, Shakespeare, Carlyle, Margaret Fuller, and George Sand. George Eliot I don't care for, nor any of the modern poets but Whittier; the old ones–Herbert, Crashaw, Keats, Coleridge, Dante, and a few others–I like."
"Never a student, but a great reader. R. W. E. gave me Goethe's works at fifteen, and they have been my delight ever since. My library consists of Goethe, Emerson, Shakespeare, Carlyle, Margaret Fuller, and George Sand. George Eliot I don't care for, nor any of the modern poets but Whittier; the old ones–Herbert, Crashaw, Keats, Coleridge, Dante, and a few others–I like."
She gives this account of the beginning of her literary career:–
"This gem ['The Robin'] my proud mother preserved with care, assuring me that if I kept on in this way I might be a second Shakespeare in time. Fired with this modest ambition, I continued to write poems upon dead butterflies, lost kittens, the baby's eyes, and other simple subjects till the story-telling mania set in; and after frightening my sisters out of their wits by awful tales whispered in bed, I began to write down these histories of giants, ogres, dauntless girls, and magic transformations till we had a library of small paper-covered volumes illustrated by the author. Later the poems grew gloomy andsentimental, and the tales more fanciful and less tragic, lovely elves and spirits taking the places of the former monsters."
"This gem ['The Robin'] my proud mother preserved with care, assuring me that if I kept on in this way I might be a second Shakespeare in time. Fired with this modest ambition, I continued to write poems upon dead butterflies, lost kittens, the baby's eyes, and other simple subjects till the story-telling mania set in; and after frightening my sisters out of their wits by awful tales whispered in bed, I began to write down these histories of giants, ogres, dauntless girls, and magic transformations till we had a library of small paper-covered volumes illustrated by the author. Later the poems grew gloomy andsentimental, and the tales more fanciful and less tragic, lovely elves and spirits taking the places of the former monsters."
Of her method of work she says:–
"I never had a study. Any pen and paper do, and an old atlas on my knee is all I want. Carry a dozen plots in my head, and think them over when in the mood. Sometimes keep one for years, and suddenly find it all ready to write. Often lie awake and plan whole chapters word for word, then merely scribble them down as if copying."Used to sit fourteen hours a day at one time, eating little, and unable to stir till a certain amount was done."Very few stories written in Concord; no inspiration in that dull place. Go to Boston, hire a quiet room and shut myself up in it."
"I never had a study. Any pen and paper do, and an old atlas on my knee is all I want. Carry a dozen plots in my head, and think them over when in the mood. Sometimes keep one for years, and suddenly find it all ready to write. Often lie awake and plan whole chapters word for word, then merely scribble them down as if copying.
"Used to sit fourteen hours a day at one time, eating little, and unable to stir till a certain amount was done.
"Very few stories written in Concord; no inspiration in that dull place. Go to Boston, hire a quiet room and shut myself up in it."
The following letter gives her advice to young writers:–
To Mr. J. P. True.
Concord, October 24.Dear Sir,–I never copy or "polish," so I have no old manuscripts to send you; and if I had it would be of little use, for one person's method is no rule for another. Each must work in his own way; and the only drill needed is to keep writing and profit by criticism. Mind grammar, spelling, and punctuation, use short words, and express as briefly as you can your meaning. Young people use too many adjectives and try to "write fine." The strongest, simplest words are best, and noforeignones if it can be helped.Write, and print if you can; if not, still write, and improve as you go on. Read the best books, and they will improve your style. See and hear good speakers and wise people, and learn of them. Work for twenty years, and then you may some day find that you have a style and place of your own, and can command good pay for the same things no one would take when you were unknown.I know little of poetry, as I never read modern attempts, but advise any young person to keep to prose, as only once in a century is there a true poet; and verses are so easy to do that it is not much help to write them. I have so many letters like your own that I can say no more, but wish you success, and give you for a motto Michael Angelo's wise words: "Genius is infinite patience."Your friend,L. M. Alcott.P. S.–The lines you send are better than many I see; but boys of nineteen cannot know much about hearts, and had better write of things they understand. Sentiment is apt to become sentimentality; and sense is always safer, as well as better drill, for young fancies and feelings.Read Ralph Waldo Emerson, and see what good prose is, and some of the best poetry we have. I much prefer him to Longfellow.
Concord, October 24.
Dear Sir,–I never copy or "polish," so I have no old manuscripts to send you; and if I had it would be of little use, for one person's method is no rule for another. Each must work in his own way; and the only drill needed is to keep writing and profit by criticism. Mind grammar, spelling, and punctuation, use short words, and express as briefly as you can your meaning. Young people use too many adjectives and try to "write fine." The strongest, simplest words are best, and noforeignones if it can be helped.
Write, and print if you can; if not, still write, and improve as you go on. Read the best books, and they will improve your style. See and hear good speakers and wise people, and learn of them. Work for twenty years, and then you may some day find that you have a style and place of your own, and can command good pay for the same things no one would take when you were unknown.
I know little of poetry, as I never read modern attempts, but advise any young person to keep to prose, as only once in a century is there a true poet; and verses are so easy to do that it is not much help to write them. I have so many letters like your own that I can say no more, but wish you success, and give you for a motto Michael Angelo's wise words: "Genius is infinite patience."
Your friend,
L. M. Alcott.
P. S.–The lines you send are better than many I see; but boys of nineteen cannot know much about hearts, and had better write of things they understand. Sentiment is apt to become sentimentality; and sense is always safer, as well as better drill, for young fancies and feelings.
Read Ralph Waldo Emerson, and see what good prose is, and some of the best poetry we have. I much prefer him to Longfellow.
"Years afterward," says Mr. True, "when I had achieved some slight success, I once more wrote, thanking her for her advice; and the following letter shows the kindliness of heart with which she extended ready recognition and encouragement to lesser workers in her chosen field:"–
Concord, Sept. 7, 1883.My Dear Mr. True,–Thanks for the pretty book, which I read at once and with pleasure; for I still enjoy boys' pranks as much as ever.I don't remember the advice I gave you, and should judge from this your first story that you did not need much. Your boys are real boys; and the girls can run,–which is a rare accomplishment nowadays I find. They are not sentimental either; and that is a good example to set both your brother writers and the lasses who read the book.I heartily wish you success in your chosen work, and shall always be glad to know how fast and how far you climb on the steep road that leads to fame and fortune.Yours truly,L. M. Alcott.
Concord, Sept. 7, 1883.
My Dear Mr. True,–Thanks for the pretty book, which I read at once and with pleasure; for I still enjoy boys' pranks as much as ever.
I don't remember the advice I gave you, and should judge from this your first story that you did not need much. Your boys are real boys; and the girls can run,–which is a rare accomplishment nowadays I find. They are not sentimental either; and that is a good example to set both your brother writers and the lasses who read the book.
I heartily wish you success in your chosen work, and shall always be glad to know how fast and how far you climb on the steep road that leads to fame and fortune.
Yours truly,
L. M. Alcott.
Roberts Brothers, Miss Alcott's publishers for nearly twenty years, have collected all her stories in a uniform edition of twenty-five volumes. They are grouped into different series according to size and character, from her novels to "Lulu's Library" for very small children, and may be enumerated as follows:–
Novels(four volumes).–Work, Moods, A Modern Mephistopheles, Hospital Sketches.
Little Women Series(eight volumes).–Little Women, An Old-Fashioned Girl, Little Men, Eight Cousins, Rose in Bloom, Under the Lilacs, Jack and Jill, Jo's Boys.
Spinning-Wheel Stories Series(four volumes).–Silver Pitchers, Proverb Stories, Spinning-Wheel Stories, A Garland for Girls.
Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag(six volumes).–My Boys, Shawl-Straps,Cupid and Chow-Chow, My Girls, Jimmy's Cruise in the Pinafore, An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving.
Lulu's Library(three volumes).
Many of these stories were originally published in various magazines,–the popular "St Nicholas," for which Miss Alcott wrote some of her best things in her later years, the "Youth's Companion," and others. Her works have been republished in England; and through her English publishers, Messrs. Sampson Low and Company, of London, she has reaped the benefit of copyright there, and they have been translated into many languages. Her name is familiar and dear to the children of Europe, and they still read her books with the same eagerness as the children of her own land.
This extract from a letter written by the translator of Miss Alcott's books into Dutch will show how she is esteemed in Holland:–
"Miss Alcott was and is so much beloved here by her books, that you could scarce find a girl that had not read one or more of them. Last autumn I gave a translation of 'Lulu's Library' that appeared in November, 1887; the year before, a collection of tales and Christmas stories that appeared under the name of 'Gandsbloempje' ('Dandelion'). Yesterday a young niece of mine was here, and said, 'Oh, Aunt, how I enjoyed those stories! but the former of "Meh Meh" I still preferred.' A friend wrote: 'My children are confined to the sickroom, but find comfort in Alcott's "Under the Lilacs."' Her fame here was chiefly caused by her 'Little Women'and 'Little Women Wedded,' which in Dutch were called 'Under Moedervleugels' ('Under Mother's Wings') and 'Op Eigen Wieken' ('With Their Own Wings'). Her 'Work' was translated as 'De Hand van den Ploey' ('The Hand on the Plough')."
"Miss Alcott was and is so much beloved here by her books, that you could scarce find a girl that had not read one or more of them. Last autumn I gave a translation of 'Lulu's Library' that appeared in November, 1887; the year before, a collection of tales and Christmas stories that appeared under the name of 'Gandsbloempje' ('Dandelion'). Yesterday a young niece of mine was here, and said, 'Oh, Aunt, how I enjoyed those stories! but the former of "Meh Meh" I still preferred.' A friend wrote: 'My children are confined to the sickroom, but find comfort in Alcott's "Under the Lilacs."' Her fame here was chiefly caused by her 'Little Women'and 'Little Women Wedded,' which in Dutch were called 'Under Moedervleugels' ('Under Mother's Wings') and 'Op Eigen Wieken' ('With Their Own Wings'). Her 'Work' was translated as 'De Hand van den Ploey' ('The Hand on the Plough')."
How enduring the fame of Louisa M. Alcott will be, time only can show; but if to endear oneself to two generations of children, and to mould their minds by wise counsel in attractive form entitle an author to the lasting gratitude of her country, that praise and reward belong toLouisa May Alcott.
TERMINUS.It is time to be old,To take in sail:The god of bounds,Who sets to seas a shore,Came to me in his fatal rounds,And said, "No more!No farther shootThy broad ambitious branches, and thy root;Fancy departs: no more invent,Contract thy firmamentTo compass of a tent.There's not enough for this and that,Make thy option which of two;Economize the failing river,Not the less revere the Giver;Leave the many, and hold the few.Timely wise, accept the terms;Soften the fall with wary foot;A little whileStill plan and smile. And, fault of novel germs,Mature the unfallen fruit."
TERMINUS.
It is time to be old,To take in sail:The god of bounds,Who sets to seas a shore,Came to me in his fatal rounds,And said, "No more!No farther shootThy broad ambitious branches, and thy root;Fancy departs: no more invent,Contract thy firmamentTo compass of a tent.There's not enough for this and that,Make thy option which of two;Economize the failing river,Not the less revere the Giver;Leave the many, and hold the few.Timely wise, accept the terms;Soften the fall with wary foot;A little whileStill plan and smile. And, fault of novel germs,Mature the unfallen fruit."
As the bird trims her to the gale,I trim myself to the storm of time;I man the rudder, reef the sail,Obey the voice at eve obeyed at prime:Lowly faithful, banish fear,Right onward drive unharmed;The port, well worth the cruise, is near,And every wave is charmed.Emerson.
As the bird trims her to the gale,I trim myself to the storm of time;I man the rudder, reef the sail,Obey the voice at eve obeyed at prime:Lowly faithful, banish fear,Right onward drive unharmed;The port, well worth the cruise, is near,And every wave is charmed.
Emerson.
LOUISA M. ALCOTT'S WRITINGS.
Miss Alcott is really a benefactor of households.–H. H.
Miss Alcott has a faculty of entering into the lives and feelings of children that is conspicuously wanting in most writers who address them; and to this cause, to the consciousness among her readers that they are hearing about people like themselves, instead of abstract qualities labelled with names, the popularity of her books is due.–Mrs. Sarah J. Hale.
Dear Aunt Jo! You are embalmed in the thoughts and loves of thousands of little men and women.–Exchange.
These books are for sale at all bookstores, or will be mailed, post-paid, on receipt of price, to any address.
LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY,Boston.
LOUISA M. ALCOTT,
HER LIFE, LETTERS, AND JOURNALS
Edited by EDNAH D. CHENEY.
WithPortraitsand View of theAlcott Homein Concord.One vol. 16mo. Uniform with "Little Women."Price, $1.50.
Mrs. Cheney has allowed this popular author to tell the story of her early struggles, her successes, and prosperity and life work, in her own inimitable style, gracefully weaving the daily record of this sweet and useful life into a garland ofimmortelles, in a manner at once pleasing and within the comprehension of the thousands of readers and admirers of Miss Alcott's books. It might truly be called the biography of "Little Women."
A most fascinating as well as a deeply pathetic book. The story,–the long, hard struggle for money to keep the household in comfort, and the well-earned success coming, alas, too late to save her health,–is delightfully told in her own words, from letters and journals, so that we have the bright, the witty, and the always charming personality of the children's author before us from the first page to the last. We have to thank Mrs. Cheney that she hid not from us the hard, grinding toil, nor spared us the record of one discouragement in the life so interesting to us; for in this narrative we have a valuable lesson for the young writer of our day.–The Epoch.One who knew Miss Alcott well says: "Nobody can read of the struggles of the Alcott family, and of the tender yet resolute heroism with which Miss Alcott met and relieved them, without being touched to tears by the pathos and reality of the picture. Louisa Alcott was not a member of any church; but her belief in God, her loyalty to conscience, her fidelity to duty, her rescue of the Alcott family from its peculiar perils, place her among the women saints of the century, and it will be hard to find any one of her sex who has more faithfully responded to the duties of the position in which God had placed her."–Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.Louisa May Alcott is without a rival as a writer for the young. The millions who have read her stories–and been made better by the reading–will want this book that they may get near the inner life, the fruitful source of their entertainment and profit. They will see that purity, simplicity, love, earnestness, and patience were so interwoven with her genius that her stories were the natural outgrowth of her beautiful character. The book needs no commendation from us. Every reader of her stories will be glad to know that they may now become intimately acquainted with that beautiful life which is here brought out of its long cherished seclusion.–Saturday Evening Herald.
A most fascinating as well as a deeply pathetic book. The story,–the long, hard struggle for money to keep the household in comfort, and the well-earned success coming, alas, too late to save her health,–is delightfully told in her own words, from letters and journals, so that we have the bright, the witty, and the always charming personality of the children's author before us from the first page to the last. We have to thank Mrs. Cheney that she hid not from us the hard, grinding toil, nor spared us the record of one discouragement in the life so interesting to us; for in this narrative we have a valuable lesson for the young writer of our day.–The Epoch.
One who knew Miss Alcott well says: "Nobody can read of the struggles of the Alcott family, and of the tender yet resolute heroism with which Miss Alcott met and relieved them, without being touched to tears by the pathos and reality of the picture. Louisa Alcott was not a member of any church; but her belief in God, her loyalty to conscience, her fidelity to duty, her rescue of the Alcott family from its peculiar perils, place her among the women saints of the century, and it will be hard to find any one of her sex who has more faithfully responded to the duties of the position in which God had placed her."–Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.
Louisa May Alcott is without a rival as a writer for the young. The millions who have read her stories–and been made better by the reading–will want this book that they may get near the inner life, the fruitful source of their entertainment and profit. They will see that purity, simplicity, love, earnestness, and patience were so interwoven with her genius that her stories were the natural outgrowth of her beautiful character. The book needs no commendation from us. Every reader of her stories will be glad to know that they may now become intimately acquainted with that beautiful life which is here brought out of its long cherished seclusion.–Saturday Evening Herald.
LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY,BOSTON.
"Sing, Tessa, Sing!" cried Tommo."Sing, Tessa, Sing!" cried Tommo, twanging away with all his might.–Page 47.
"Sing, Tessa, Sing!" cried Tommo, twanging away with all his might.–Page 47.
AUNTJO'S SCRAP-BAG: Containing "My Boys," "Shawl-Straps," "Cupid and Chow-Chow," "My Girls," "Jimmy's Cruise in the Pinafore," "An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving." 6 vols. Price of each, $1.00.
LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY,BOSTON.
LOUISA M. ALCOTT'S STORY-BOOKS.
A CHRISTMAS DREAM.A CHRISTMAS DREAM.
A CHRISTMAS DREAM.
LULU'S LIBRARY.
A COLLECTION OF STORIES BY "AUNT JO"
With Illustrations byJESSIE MCDERMOTT.
3 vols. 16mo. Cloth. Price, $1.00 per volume.
LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY,BOSTON.
NOVELS AND STORIES
BY
LOUISA M. ALCOTT.
WORK.A Story of Experience. With Illustrations bySol Eytinge.
This story relates, in many of its most important features and incidents, to actual experiences of its author; and in "Christie" we find the views and ideas of Miss Alcott herself expressed in such a way as to make them most interesting and valuable.
MOODS.A Novel.
Although this story was originally written at a time when its author's powers and years were far from fully matured, it was in its first form indicative of great power. It was revised and partly rewritten after she had attained a full maturity, and after actual experience with life had broadened and rounded out her mental vision, so that it now stands as the first-born and dearest to her heart of her novels.
AMODERN MEPHISTOPHELES. A Story.
This story was written for the "No Name Series," in which it originally appeared, and consequently was intended to be disguised
It is a surprise that Miss Alcott could have written this volume; not that it is inferior, but that it varies from her usual tone and theme so much. Yet her plot is ingenious, and there is dramatic design well worked out. As we read, knowing now who the author is (the story was first published anonymously), we recognize the grace of her style and the art of her workmanship. Its tone and, above all, its lofty moral purpose are hers. Plots differ, appearances are changed; but some of the deep traits of the true nature of Miss Alcott are in the book. Being dead she yet liveth.–Public Opinion.
HOSPITALSKETCHES, and Camp and Fireside Stories. With Illustrations.
These stories and sketches were written at the time of the Civil War, in which the author took part as a nurse in one of the hospitals, and show some of the many minor side scenes that help to make up that great conflict.
Four volumes. 16mo. Cloth. $1.50 per volume.
Sold everywhere. Mailed, post-paid, on receipt of price by the publishers,
LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY,Boston.
"'I'm not hurt, all right in a minute"'I'm not hurt, all right in a minute,' he said, sitting up, a little pale and dizzy, as the boys gathered round him, full of admiration and alarm."–Page 2
"'I'm not hurt, all right in a minute,' he said, sitting up, a little pale and dizzy, as the boys gathered round him, full of admiration and alarm."–Page 2
LITTLE MEN;Or, Life at Plumfield with Jo's Boys.
Price, $1.50.
LITTLE BROWN, AND COMPANY,Boston.
WALTON RICKETSON, SCULP.WALTON RICKETSON, SCULP.
WALTON RICKETSON, SCULP.
JO'S BOYS, AND HOW THEY TURNED OUT. A sequel to "Little Men." With a new portrait of "Aunt Jo." Price, $1.50.
Little, Brown, and Company,Boston.
POPULAR STORY BOOKS.
Susan Coolidgehas always possessed the affection of her young readers, for it seems as if she had the happy instinct of planning stories that each girl would like to act out in reality.–The Critic.Not even Miss Alcott apprehends child nature with finer sympathy, or pictures its nobler traits with more skill.–Boston Daily Advertiser.
Susan Coolidgehas always possessed the affection of her young readers, for it seems as if she had the happy instinct of planning stories that each girl would like to act out in reality.–The Critic.
Not even Miss Alcott apprehends child nature with finer sympathy, or pictures its nobler traits with more skill.–Boston Daily Advertiser.
THENEW YEAR'S BARGAIN.A Christmas Story for Children. With Illustrations byAddie Ledyard. 16mo. $1.25.
WHATKATY DID.A Story. With Illustrations byAddie Ledyard. 16mo. $1.25.
WHATKATY DID AT SCHOOL.Being more about "What Katy Did." With Illustrations. 16mo. $1.25.
MISCHIEF'STHANKSGIVING,and other Stories. With Illustrations byAddie Ledyard. 16mo. $1.25.
NINELITTLE GOSLINGS.With Illustrations byJ. A. Mitchell. 16mo. $1.25.
EYEBRIGHT.A Story. With Illustrations. 16mo. $1.25.
CROSSPATCH.With Illustrations. 16mo. $1.25.
AROUND DOZEN.With Illustrations. 16mo. $1.25.
ALITTLE COUNTRY GIRL.With Illustrations. 16mo. $1.25.
WHATKATY DID NEXT.With Illustrations. 16mo. $1.25.
CLOVER.A Sequel to the Katy Books. With Illustrations byJessie Mcdermott. 16mo. $1.25.
JUSTSIXTEEN.With Illustrations. 16mo. $1.25.
INTHE HIGH VALLEY.With Illustrations, 16mo. $1.25.
AGUERNSEY LILY; or, How the Feud was Healed. A Story of the Channel Islands. Profusely Illustrated. 16mo. $1.25.
THEBARBERRY BUSH,and Seven Other Stories about Girls for Girls. With Illustrations byJessie Mcdermott. 16mo. $1.25.
NOTQUITE EIGHTEEN.A volume of Stories. With Illustrations byJessie Mcdermott. 16mo. $1.25.
Sold by all booksellers. Mailed, post-paid, on receipt of price, by the publishers.
FOOTNOTES:[1]For further particulars of the Alcott genealogy, see "New Connecticut," a poem by A. B. Alcott, published in 1887. I am also indebted to Mr. F. B. Sanborn's valuable paper read at the memorial service at Concord in 1888.[2]For particulars of the genealogy of the May families, see "A Genealogy of the Descendants of John May," who came from England to Roxbury in America, 1640.[3]For the Sewall family, see "Drake's History of Boston," or fuller accounts in the Sewall Papers published by the Massachusetts Historical Society.[4]Written at eight years of age.[5]Emerson in Concord. By Edward Waldo Emerson.[6]"Philothea" was the delight of girls. The young Alcotts made a dramatic version of it, which they acted under the trees. Louisa made a magnificent Aspasia, which was a part much to her fancy. Mrs. Child was a very dear friend of Mrs. Alcott, and her daughters knew her well.[7]A fine bas-relief owned by Mr. Emerson.[8]Betsey Prig was a pet name for her sister, as she herself was Sairey Gamp.[9]This was a family joke as Mrs. Alcott always ended her instructions to her children "in case of fire."][10]This is the poem prefixed to the chapter.[11]See Shawl Straps, p. 179.[12]This poem was first published anonymously in "The Masque of Poets," in 1878.[13]In Spinning-Wheel Stories.[14]Under the Lilacs.[15]Under the Lilacs, page 78.[16]Gardener's Daughter.[17]This interesting picture is in the possession of her sister.
FOOTNOTES:
[1]For further particulars of the Alcott genealogy, see "New Connecticut," a poem by A. B. Alcott, published in 1887. I am also indebted to Mr. F. B. Sanborn's valuable paper read at the memorial service at Concord in 1888.
[1]For further particulars of the Alcott genealogy, see "New Connecticut," a poem by A. B. Alcott, published in 1887. I am also indebted to Mr. F. B. Sanborn's valuable paper read at the memorial service at Concord in 1888.
[2]For particulars of the genealogy of the May families, see "A Genealogy of the Descendants of John May," who came from England to Roxbury in America, 1640.
[2]For particulars of the genealogy of the May families, see "A Genealogy of the Descendants of John May," who came from England to Roxbury in America, 1640.
[3]For the Sewall family, see "Drake's History of Boston," or fuller accounts in the Sewall Papers published by the Massachusetts Historical Society.
[3]For the Sewall family, see "Drake's History of Boston," or fuller accounts in the Sewall Papers published by the Massachusetts Historical Society.
[4]Written at eight years of age.
[4]Written at eight years of age.
[5]Emerson in Concord. By Edward Waldo Emerson.
[5]Emerson in Concord. By Edward Waldo Emerson.
[6]"Philothea" was the delight of girls. The young Alcotts made a dramatic version of it, which they acted under the trees. Louisa made a magnificent Aspasia, which was a part much to her fancy. Mrs. Child was a very dear friend of Mrs. Alcott, and her daughters knew her well.
[6]"Philothea" was the delight of girls. The young Alcotts made a dramatic version of it, which they acted under the trees. Louisa made a magnificent Aspasia, which was a part much to her fancy. Mrs. Child was a very dear friend of Mrs. Alcott, and her daughters knew her well.
[7]A fine bas-relief owned by Mr. Emerson.
[7]A fine bas-relief owned by Mr. Emerson.
[8]Betsey Prig was a pet name for her sister, as she herself was Sairey Gamp.
[8]Betsey Prig was a pet name for her sister, as she herself was Sairey Gamp.
[9]This was a family joke as Mrs. Alcott always ended her instructions to her children "in case of fire."]
[9]This was a family joke as Mrs. Alcott always ended her instructions to her children "in case of fire."]
[10]This is the poem prefixed to the chapter.
[10]This is the poem prefixed to the chapter.
[11]See Shawl Straps, p. 179.
[11]See Shawl Straps, p. 179.
[12]This poem was first published anonymously in "The Masque of Poets," in 1878.
[12]This poem was first published anonymously in "The Masque of Poets," in 1878.
[13]In Spinning-Wheel Stories.
[13]In Spinning-Wheel Stories.
[14]Under the Lilacs.
[14]Under the Lilacs.
[15]Under the Lilacs, page 78.
[15]Under the Lilacs, page 78.
[16]Gardener's Daughter.
[16]Gardener's Daughter.
[17]This interesting picture is in the possession of her sister.
[17]This interesting picture is in the possession of her sister.