Chapter 21: closing scenes, 1870-1889.
- Literary labors. -- complete list of published books. -- first reading tour. -- Peeps behind the curtain. -- some New England cities. -- a letter from Maine. -- pleasant and unpleasant readings. -- second tour. -- a Western journey. -- visit to old scenes. -- celebration of seventieth birthday. -- congratulatory poems from Mr. Whittier and Dr. Holmes. -- last words.
Besides the annual journeys to and from Florida, and her many interests in the South, Mrs. Stowe's time between 1870 and 1880 was largely occupied by literary and kindred labors. In the autumn of 1871 we find her writing to her daughters as follows regarding her work :--
I have at last finished all my part in the third book of mine that is to come out this year, to wit “ Oldtown Fireside Stories,” and you can have no idea what a perfect luxury of rest it is to be free from all literary engagements, of all kinds, sorts, or descriptions. I feel like a poor woman I once read about,--Who always was tired,and of whom it is related that in her dying moments,
'Cause she lived in a house
Where help was n't hired,She folded her hands
With her latest endeavor,
Saying nothing, dear nothing,
Sweet nothing forever.
