PREFACE.

It was my original intention to have entitled this volume, The Wives of Distinguished Men. But great men have sometimes had bad wives; and I was unwilling to do anything to save such individuals from the oblivion they deserved. This decision was not influenced by any wish to make women appear better than they really are; but by the simple conviction that such examples could produce no salutary effect.

Even the most ordinary writer has some influence on mankind, and is responsible to his God for the use he makes of that influence. I may sin against taste I may be deficient in talent- but it shall ever be my earnest endeavor to write nothing, that can, even in its remotest tendency, check the progress of good feelings and correct principles.

The last volume of the Ladies' Family Library contained but little original writing, This was not the result of indolence, or carelessness; it was occasioned by the nature of the materials. Lady Russell's history is principally told in her own excellent letters; and it

would have been preposterous to attempt anything better. Madam Guyon's biography consisted almost entirely in successive states of mind, which it was impossible for any one but herself to describe.

In the present volume, I have compressed large books into a few pages, and have quoted sparingly. I have freely written whatever was suggested to my mind, neither seeking originality, nor avoiding it.

I have been told that I did not moralize enough, or explain my own opinions with sufficient fulness. To this I can only answer, that I am describing the minds of others, not my own. It seems to me that the beauty of biography consists in simplicity, clearness, and brevity. I wish to give faithful portraits of individuals, and leave my readers in freedom to analyze their expression.

It will doubtless be observed that there is not a large proportion of American wives in this volume. I can recollect many of my country-women, who have discharged the duties of this sacred relation in a manner worthy of the highest praise. The wife of Doctor Ramsey was intelligent and highly cultivated. She educated her children, fitted her sons for college, and copied for her husband several of his voluminous works. The companion of the patriot Josiah Quincy was an excellent and noble-spirited woman, deservedly beloved by her husband. "She entered with ardor into his political course, submitted cheerfully to the privations it induced, and encouraged him with all her

influence to risk the perils, to which his open, undisguised zeal in the cause of his country, was thought to expose him and his family." Mrs John Adams was a woman of dignified manners, kind feelings, and powerful character; her influence over her husband was so great, that he is said to have been guided by her counsels, when he would listen to no one else. But such cases as these furnish no details for the biographer, or any one strong point, on which to found a striking anecdote. I know that good wives and excellent husbands abound in every part of the Union; but it must be remembered that I could only give a sketch of those whose virtues were in print; and though there exists among us elements of female character, which, in time of need, would become sublime virtues, our national career has hitherto been too peaceful and prosperous to call them into action in a manner likely to secure a place in history. Then it must be allowed that we inherit a large share of English reserve, added to that strong fear of ridicule, which is the inevitable result of republican institutions; we are, therefore, rather shy of publicly expressing our attachments in glowing terms; in our distrust of French exaggeration, we approach the opposite extreme.

But since domestic love and virtue really have an abode with us, it matters little whether the world be informed of their full extent; it is our business to cherish, not to display them.

The subject I have chosen, and the scenes on which I have dwelt, with such obvious heartiness, will lay me open to the charge of sentiment and romance. It is true that I have something of what the world calls by these names; and I shall probably retain it as long as I live. I am more afraid of believing too little, than of believing too much, and have no inclination to sacrifice happiness to philosophy. In a word, I like superstition better than scepticism, and romance better than policy.

If this book convince one doubting individual that there really is such a thing as constant, disinterested love, which misfortune cannot intimidate, or time diminish. If it teach one mistaken votary of ambition that marriage formed from conscientious motives makes human life like a serene sky," where as fast as one constellation sets, another rises ; " — If it reveal to one thoughtless wife some portion of the celestial beauty there is in a perfect union of duty and inclination; — If it prevent one young heart from becoming selfish and world-worn; - If it make one of the frivolous, or the profligate, believe in a holy affection, that purifies those who indulge it, blesses them on earth, and fits them to be angels in heaven — then it has not been written in vain.

For the sake of national prosperity, as well as individual happiness, we shall do well not to forget these lessons.