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the transcendentalists the enthusiasm of emancipated thought was paramount, while the abolitionists followed the vision of emancipated humanity.
The lightning flash which illuminated the heaven of the poets and philosophers fell also on the fetters of the slave, and showed them to the thinking world as a disgrace no longer to be tolerated by civilized peoples.
I recall my first years of life in Boston as nearly touched by the sense of the unresolved discords which existed in its society.
My husband was much concerned in some of the changes of front which took place at this time.
An ardent friend both of Horace Mann and of Charles Sumner, he shared the educational views of the first and the political convictions of the second.
In the year 1845, having been elected to serve on the Boston School Board, Dr. Howe instituted so drastic a research into the condition of the public schools as to draw upon himself much animadversion and some ill-will.
Horace Mann, on the other hand, characterized this work as ‘one which only Sam Howe or an angel could have done.’
Dr. Howe and Mr. Mann, during their travels in Europe, had become much interested in the system of training, new at that time, by which deaf-mutes were enabled to use vocal speech, and to read on the lips the words of those who addressed them.
Soon after his return from
Houghton and Mifflin Company, 1899.
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