Lydia Maria Child, Letters of Lydia Maria Child
John Greenleaf Whittier, Wendell Phillips, Harriet Winslow Sewall, Ed.

[55] and buttercups. I imagine that placing the mere name in the hand of the somnambulist is no criterion at all. It ought to be some Ms. bearing an impress of the author's sentiments and thoughts. I will copy for you what the Rev. Mr. Kent said when some fragmentary portions of one of my letters to the “Courier,” in manuscript, were given to him in a sealed and blank envelope, without the person who gave it knowing who was the writer. It was a portion of my last letter, about the circulation of the blood of the human frame. On touching it, Mr. K. (whose state is said to be similar to--'s) said: “The impression of this letter is pleasant-exceedingly so. Yet it seems somewhat disconnected. (It was in fragments.) The writer is of a very happy disposition; purely and truly religious, without being sad or sombre; full of benevolence and philanthropy; very enthusiastic and poetical; has written poetry; mind quite philosophical, more so than one so poetic and romantic would be supposed to be; great delicacy and depth of feeling. My impression is that the letter was written by a woman, but there is so much strength of intellect in it, that it may have been written by a man. Would not like to say certainly that it was written by a woman, but my feeling is strong that it was so. The mind is good, very good; perhaps not first-rate, that is, not a giant, but very good, and very far above mediocrity. The person could not be guilty of a base action. Strong in her own integrity, very social, very lively, and fond of the approval of friends. A phrenologist would say that love of approbation was quite prominent. Very industrious and persevering; charitable, and very kind-hearted. A reflecting mind; reflects much and profoundly; is inclined to ”