The Life and Beauties of Fanny Fern. William U. Moulton
LI. JOHN BULL'S OPINION OF RUTH HALL.
LIV. "THE BEST OF MEN HAVE THEIR FAILINGS."
LV. THE MISTAKE OF A LIFE-TIME.
LVII. MRS. ZEBEDEE SMITH'S PHILOSOPHY.
LVIII. INTERESTING TO BASHFUL MEN.
LX. UNCLE BEN'S ATTACK OF SPRING-FEVER.
LXII. WHAT FANNY THINKS ABOUT SEWING MACHINES.
LXVI. MRS. SMITH'S REVERIE, WRITTEN OUT BY FANNY FERN.
LXVII. A NIGHT-WATCH WITH A DEAD INFANT.
LXVIII. A LITTLE GOOD ADVICE.—FROM FANNY FERN.
LXX. A PEN AND INK SKETCH.—BY FANNY FERN.
LXXI. FANNY'S "RULES FOR LADIES."
LXXIII. WHAT FANNY THINKS ABOUT FRIENDSHIP.
LXXVII. WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARE ANGRY.
LXXVIII. THE EARLY BLIGHT.—BY FANNY FERN.
LXXIX. THERE'S ROOM ENOUGH FOR ALL.
LXXX. THE CROSS AND THE CROWN.
LXXXII. A CHAPTER ON CLERGYMEN.
LXXXIII. FANNY FERN ON HUSBANDS.
LXXXIV. FANNY'S IDEAS ABOUT MONEY MATTERS.
LXXXV. A LETTER TO A SELF-EXILED FRIEND IN THE COUNTRY.
PREFACE.
In preparing for the press "The Life and Beauties of Fanny Fern," we have given to the reader a statement of the most prominent incidents in her eventful career, which is authenticated, not only by the testimony of her nearest relatives, but by communications from her own lips. The lives of distinguished men or women have always been accounted public property, and, in narrating that of Fanny Fern, we have confined ourselves to simple facts, leaving the fancy-pictures to be filled up by others.
In giving selections from her "Beauties," we present the reader with a bouquet of "Ferns," all freshly gathered. In so doing, we have infringed on no one's copy-right; the sketches having been copied, in every instance, from the papers to which they were originally contributed. A large proportion of them have never before appeared within the covers of a book. These latter are the very articles upon which Fanny made her reputation. We have given quotations which do justice to every variety of her versatile style. One page flashes with the keen edge of satire, another brims over with mirth, and a third is tearful with pathos.
We have shown Fanny at home, on the street, and in church, and have thus furnished a key which will unlock many of the mysteries of "Ruth Hall," and "Fern Leaves."
I.
GENIUS IN PANTALETTES.
Saral Payson Willis, the subject of this sketch, was born in Portland, Maine, July 9th, 1811. Through the negligence, doubtless, of the clerk of the town, it is not recorded that the sun stood still on the eventful morning, but old housewives tell a legend of the cocks' crowing with extraordinary shrillness in honor of this wonderful advent. She is the daughter of Mr. Nathaniel Willis, one of the most industrious and respectable citizens of Boston, now a man well advanced in years. It is scarcely necessary to add that she is sister to Mr. N. P. Willis, the brilliant essayist and poet.
Mr. Willis, senior, "commenced life" as a mechanic, and at the time of his marriage worked at the case as a journeyman printer. He afterwards published the Eastern Argus, in Portland. Meeting with reverses in that city, he removed to Boston, where he established, and for many years edited, the "Recorder," the oldest religious paper in New-England.
Mr. Willis has met with a similar experience to that of most men in his calling. He never made a fortune at publishing. At the present time, although aged and infirm, he finds it necessary to devote his failing energies to the publication of the "Youth's Companion." Yet, notwithstanding his narrow means, Mr. Willis contrived—at how great a sacrifice only parents can guess, to give his sons and daughters that education which is a poor man's noblest legacy.
II.
FANNY AT