Nor, I should think, would any critics venture at all
to carp at it.
"The Candace and Virginie bits appear to me, as far as I have yet
seen, the best. I am very glad there is this nice French lady in it:
the French are the least appreciated in general, of all nations, by
other nations. . . . My father says the book is worth its weight in
gold, and he knows good work."
When we turn from these criticisms and commendations to the inner
history of this period, we find that the work was done in deep sadness
of heart, and the undertone of pathos that forms the dark background
of the brightest and most humorous parts of "The Minister's Wooing"
was the unconscious revelation of one of sorrowful spirit, who, weary
of life, would have been glad to lie down with her arms "round the
wayside cross, and sleep away into a brighter scene."
Just before beginning the writing of "The Minister's Wooing" she sent
the following letter to Lady Byron:--
ANDOVER, _June_ 30, 1858.
MY DEAR FRIEND,--I did long to hear from you at a time when few knew
how to speak, because I knew that you did know everything that sorrow
can teach,--you whose whole life has been a crucifixion, a long
ordeal. But I believe that the "Lamb," who stands forever in the midst
of the throne "as it had been slain," has everywhere his followers,
those who are sent into the world, as he was, to suffer for the
redemption of others, and like him they must look to the joy set
before them of redeeming others.
Pages:
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381