“Professor Stowe, then a comparatively young man, was also present, and contributed his share to the conversation. He is the best Biblical scholar I ever knew. In recent years he has published his ‘History of the Books of the Bible’ a work of great learning and great utility. His first wife, a New England lady, quite handsome and interesting, also attended the reunions. His present wife, then Miss Harriet Beecher, was just beginning to be known for her literary abilities. Two or three years after this time, I published in the Cincinnati Chronicle what, I believe, was her first printed story. I had heard her read at Miss Pierce’s school, In Litchfield, Connecticut, her first public composition. It surprised every one so much that it was attributed to her father, but was in fact only the first exhibition of her remarkable talents. In the reunion I speak of, she was not distinguished for conversation, but when she did speak, showed something of the peculiar strength and humour of her mind. Her first little story published in the Chronicle immediately attracted attention, and her writings have always been popular. Notwithstanding the world wide renown of ‘Uncle Tom’s Cabin,’ her real genius and characteristics were as much exhibited in her short stories as in her larger books.” “There was no boarding-house connected with Miss Pierce’s school, and as it brought many young ladies into the place, they were obliged to be distributed in the families of the town. It was ever a great object with Miss Pierce to secure places for her pupils in the best families, who should have a good influence in forming their characters. Mrs. Beecher was already celebrated for her success in this respect, her scholars at East Hampton were perfectly under her influence through life. Some of them had even followed her to Litchfield. Miss Pierce was therefore very desirous she should take some of the young ladies into her family and this she did.”[46] Written after the wedding of Mr. Mason and Miss Betsey Burr, by Miss C. E. Beecher: Gray twilight now, fair harbinger of night. Sprinkled with orient pearl her tresses light, When gods and goddesses in state, Assembled on Olympus’ pate, Great Jupiter, Lord of the sky, In a great chair erected high, After his nod and shake of hair, Did thus his high bequest declare. Tomorrow night, ye gods ye know, A famous wedding is below, When lovely Betsey’s fate is given, Into the hands of solemn Stephen. I’ve puzzled long my royal brains, In trying different ways & means, By which we all might present be, The ceremony great to see.