Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 2.

[p. 101] writer, said he owed his literary style to a familiarity with its admirable English. Some parts of it were republished in 1844 and 1845, with additions, in two small books, called the ‘Flowers for Children.’ They are the best books for little children that I have ever known. The stories are short, direct, wholesome, and admirably told. Unfortunately they are now out of print. The ‘Juvenile Miscellany’ began with a subscription list of eight hundred and fifty, a large number in these days, and, we are told with pride, ‘continued to increase.’

It was in this year, 1826, that Alexander painted Maria's portrait, which she sent to her sister, Mrs. Preston, writing, ‘I hope you will like it. There is a glow and enthusiasm about it which belongs to the author of “Hobomok,” rather than to L. M. Francis.’¹

Another letter, about this time, also to her sister, with whom she maintained an intimate and confidential correspondence, spoke thus of her literary reputation and social success: ‘The “Miscellany” is very kindly received. It seems as if the public was resolved to give me a flourish of trumpets, let me write what I will. If I were not vain, I should be a prodigy. Indeed, I have been too much caressed of late by a flattering world. Valuable gifts, jewels, beautiful dresses pour in upon me, invitations beyond acceptance, admiring letters from all parts of the country. The world seldom smiled so graciously on one so little worthy of its notice.’

It certainly is safe to say that rarely has a young author, altogether unheralded, without social distinction, personal beauty, or wealth, been so overwhelmed with admiration and devotion, and it is remarkable that her head was not completely turned, and that she was only ‘a little vain,’ and that when the summons came to relinquish these plaudits of a smiling world for the sake