_Noble Deeds of Woman. 2 vols. Philadelphia: Carey, Lea and
Blanchard._
These are two neat little volumes devoted to a theme of rich interest.
From the Preface, or rather from the date and place of date of the
Preface, we may form a guess that the work was originally published in
London, and that the present edition is merely a reprint. There is
nothing in the title-page or in the body of the book indicative of its
derivation. But be the "Noble Deeds of Woman" English or American, we
recommend them heartily to public attention.
The content-table is thus subdivided: Maternal Affection--Filial
Affection--Sisterly Affection--Conjugal
Affection--Humanity--Integrity--Benevolence--Fortitude. Under each of
these separate heads are collected numerous anecdotes in the manner of
the Brothers Percy. Of course it will be impossible to speak of them
as a whole. Some are a little _passés_--for the most part they are
piquant and well selected--a few are exceedingly entertaining and
_recherchés_. From page 139, vol. i, we select one or two paragraphs
which will be sure to find favor with all our readers. We rejoice in
so excellent an opportunity of transferring to our columns a document
well deserving preservation.
During the late war between the Turks and the Greeks, some American
ladies, touched by the hardships and sufferings of the latter people,
presented them with a ship containing money, and various articles of
wearing apparel, wrought by their own hands; an offering which, under
their forlorn situation, must have been highly acceptable to the
unfortunate Greeks.
The letter of Mrs. Sigourney, of Hartford, Connecticut, to the Ladies'
Greek Committee of that place, to accompany the contributions prepared
for the Archipelago, was as follows:
"United States of America, March 12, 1828. The ladies of Hartford, in
Connecticut, to the ladies of Greece.
"Sisters and Friends,--From the years of childhood your native clime
has been the theme of our admiration: together with our brothers and
our husbands we early learned to love the country of Homer, Aristides,
of Solon, and of Socrates. That enthusiasm which the glory of ancient
Greece enkindled in our bosoms, has preserved a fervent friendship for
her descendants. We have beheld with deep sympathy the horrors of
Turkish domination, and the struggle so long and nobly sustained by
them for existence and for liberty.
"The communications of Dr. Howe, since his return from your land, have
made us more intimately acquainted with your personal sufferings. He
has presented many of you to us in his vivid descriptions, as seeking
refuge in caves, and, under the branches of olive trees, listening for
the footsteps of the destroyer, and mourning over your dearest ones
slain in battle.
"Sisters and friends, our hearts bleed for you. Deprived of your
protectors by the fortune of war, and continually in fear of evils
worse than death, our prayers are with you, in all your wanderings,
your wants and your griefs. In this vessel (which may God send in
safety to your shores) you will receive a portion of that bounty
wherewith He hath blessed us. The poor among us have given according
to their ability, and our little children {197} have cheerfully aided,
that some of you and your children might have bread to eat, and
raiment to put on. Could you but behold the faces of our little ones
brighten, and their eyes sparkle with joy, while they give up their
holidays, that they might work with their needles for Greece; could
you see those females who earn a subsistence by labor, gladly casting
their mite into our treasury, and taking hours from their repose that
an additional garment might be furnished for you; could you witness
the active spirit that pervades all classes of our community, it would
cheer for a moment the darkness and misery of your lot.
"We are inhabitants of a part of one of the smallest of the United
States, and our donations must therefore, of necessity, be more
limited than those from the larger and more wealthy cities; yet such
as we have, we give in the name of our dear Saviour, with our
blessings and our prayers.
"We know the value of sympathy--how it arms the heart to endure--how
it plucks the sting from sorrow--therefore we have written these few
lines to assure you, that in the remoter parts of our country, as well
as in her high places, you are remembered with pity and with
affection.
"Sisters and friends, we extend across the ocean our hands to you in
the fellowship of Christ. We pray that His Cross and the banner of
your land may rise together over the Crescent and the Minaret--that
your sons may hail the freedom of ancient Greece restored, and build
again the waste places which the oppressor hath trodden down; and that
you, admitted once more to the felicities of home, may gather from
past perils and adversities a brighter wreath for the kingdom of
Heaven.
"LYDIA H. SIGOURNEY,
"Secretary of the Greek Committee of Hartford, Connecticut."