Part 6 (1/2)

Through the kind suggestions of Mrs Botta, I was asked to give talks on literary matters at the house of one of New York's most influential citizens This I enjoyed i-rooms were too s Women's Christian association, to the library there, and later I decided to engage the church parlours in Doctor Howard Crosby's Church, Fourth Avenue and Twenty-second Street, New York When I realized htened Ten lectures had been advertised and some not written!

On the day for my first lecture the rain poured down, and I felt sure of a failure My sister ithof carriages up and down the avenue ”Therehow es meant to me As I went tireeted with cordial applause My sister took a seat beside land” My hands trembled so visibly that I laid netic touch with those beforeoccupied only one hour, and afterwards I was surrounded by New Haratulated me warmly There were reporters sent fro their pencils expectantly They gave correct and complimentary notices, and my success was now assured

Mr James T Fields not only advised his New York friends to hear ratified Mr

Fields told father that I had a re the best in the city My father had felt very deeply, even to tears, the sharp, narrow and adverse criticism of one of his associates who considered that I unsexed ly against encouraging me in such unwomanly behaviour

I was a pioneer as a lecturer on literature quite unconsciously, for I had gone along so gradually that I did not realize it--taken up and set down in a new place with no planning on my part

Invited by many of the citizens of Hanover, New Haive an,” the Irish novelist, for the purpose of purchasing a new carpet for the Congregational Church, I was surprised to feel again the same stern opposition; I was not pered to accept the large recitation hall of the Scientific School It was crowded to the doors and the college boys climbed up and swarrain, was bought, put down, and ell for years

Now came a busy life I was asked to lecture in htful homes Had a class of ave an idea of the newest books

Doctor Holland gave azine--_Scribner's Magazine_; and I was honoured by a request from the editors of the _Galaxy_ to take the ”Club Roo him soon after at a dinner, he said with his characteristic drawl: ”Awful sole to be funny every month; worse than a funeral” I started a class in my own apartment to save ti books as they were published, but whose constant engagements gested to the best publishers to send me copies of their attractive publications which I would read, condense, and then talk thelad to aid me Their books were piled on my piano and tables, and many were sold I want to say that such courtesy was a rare co per table, and neverthe war sufferers, and keeping our bodies li, this plan would not find patrons

I was often ”browsing,” as they call it, at the Mercantile Library At first I would sit down and give the na At last I was allowed to go where I liked and take what I wanted I sent a pair of handsome slippers at Christmas to the man who had been my special servitor He wrote me how he admired them and wished he could wear theo fro to satisfy my seldom-satisfied needs He added that several of the errand boys had become permanently crippled from over-exertion I then understood why he had et the books asked for in very large libraries Once I was replying to an attack on Miss Elizabeth Stuart Phelps's style by Miss Dodge, well known under the pen naave this order: ”Coe--and please hurry” After intolerable waiting, two boys appeared looking very weary, bearing the e

In ed my friends to ask questions in an off-hand way, and to co to all Onebeyond--outside of--ourselves, which achieved great results with small exertion Not by any means was it a bit of shoemakers'

wax in the seat of one's chair (as Anthony Trollope put it) Talent must work hard and constantly for development I said: ”Genius is inspiration; Talent is perspiration” I had never heard that definition and thought it was mine Of late it has been widely quoted, but with no acknowledgment, so I still think it is mine Are there any other claimants--and prior to 1880?

There were many questions and decided differences of opinion At last one lady said: ”Please give us exaenius rather than talent” As she spoke, the door opened, and in walked Mrs Edmund Clarence Steduished-looking woman, Mrs William Whitney I was a little embarrassed, but replied sweetly, ”Sheets and Kelley,” h in which I joined

Dr John Lord once told me he had a similar shock He spoke of ”Westford and Oxain could he get it correctly, try as he would Neither his twist nor mine was quite as bad as that of the speaker who said: ”I feel within enius [continued Lady Henrietta], whether it is artistic, or literary, or spiritual, is soenius described as knowing by intuition what other people know by experience

Soence and knowledge, tells you these things, and you just can't help expressing them in your own particular ith brush, or pen, or voice, whatever your individual instrument may be

From _Patricia_ by Hon Mrs ROBERT HAMILTON

It was a pleasure to see that my theory of Genius was the sa book _Patricia_ I have enough collected on that subject to give me shi+vers of amazement as I read the mass of testimony The mystery of Inspiration has always enthralled s ”at home,” dinners and luncheons, that I decided to reciprocate and be surely at hos These affairs were very inforladly entertained us by their accomplishments

Champney the artist, sent after blackboard and chalk, and did wonderfully clever things Some one described a stiff and stupid reception where everyone seemed to have left theht their best Mrs Barnard, wife of President Barnard of Coluive three lectures in her parlour I could not find the time, but her house was always open to e When called to Colu fro too conservative and deep in set grooves His plans waked up the sleepers and brought constant ih almost entirely deaf, he was never eous I used to dine with theh which he could hear quite well

He delighted in discussion of current events, historical matters, politics of the day, and was apparently well informed on every question Unlike Harriet Martineau, who always put down her truhted in a friendly controversy with anyone worthy of his steel He fought with patience and persistence for the rights of woained his point, but died before Barnard College was in existence Every student of Barnard ought to realize her individual indebtedness to this great educator, regarding him as the champion of women and their patron saint

[Illustration: PRESIDENT BARNARD OF COLUMBIA COLLEGE]

He was blessed in his home life Mrs Barnard was his shi+eld, sunshi+ne, and strength

Studio, 1271 Broadway, corner 32d Street

April 8, 1887