" She is indeed a charming conception, full of what
is called character, and what is masculine in her nature is toned down
by such a delightful sweetness and kindness of disposition as makes
her perfectly fascinating. I cannot forgive you for smothering her so
prematurely. No _dramatis person?_ could afford the loss of such
a character. But I will not bore you with criticism, of which you have
had quite enough. I must thank you, however, for giving Tom Gordon a
guttapercha cane to perform his flagellations with.
I congratulate you on the brilliant success of the work, unexampled
even in this age of authorship; and, as Mr. Phillips informs me,
greater even in the old country than in ours. I am glad you are likely
to settle the question and show that a Yankee writer can get a
copyright in England--little thanks to our own government, which
compels him to go there in order to get it.
With sincere regard, believe me, dear Mrs. Stowe,
Very truly yours,
WM. H. PRESCOTT.
From Liverpool, on the eve of her departure for America, Mrs. Stowe
wrote to her daughters in Paris:--
I spent the day before leaving London with Lady Byron. She is lovelier
than ever, and inquired kindly about you both. I left London to go to
Manchester, and reaching there found the Rev. Mr. Gaskell waiting to
welcome me in the station. Mrs. Gaskell seems lovely at home, where
besides being a writer she proves herself to be a first-class
housekeeper, and performs all the duties of a minister's wife.
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