Miss Larcom published, in 1866, the valuable collection of extracts from religious writings,--“Breathings of the Better Life.” It was received with warm welcome, and reprinted in England, without, however, being accredited to the author. It contained the passages she had discovered in her reading of many books, to which she wanted to give a wider circulation among those who might not possess the volumes. This little book represents the development of her religious thought along deeply spiritual lines. Her favorite authors are represented,--Robertson, Bushnell, Tholuck, and now and then a little poem by George Herbert, Madame Guyon, or Mrs. Browning is given. The subjects treated are characteristic of her thought: “The Kingdom within the Soul,” “The Way of Access,” “Life Eternal,” “Shadows cast over Other Lives,” “The Bearing of the Cross,” “The Fullness of Life,” “The Illuminated Gateway,” and “The Glory Beyond.” TO MR. J. T. FIELDS. BEVERLY, MASS., May 20, 1866. MY DEAR MR. FIELDS,--Before you escape for the summer, I want to bother you with a word or two about the “Breathings.” I find that people are imagining I have been very industrious this winter, by the way they talk about my new book, which they suppose is something original. I don’t want to give wrong impressions in that way, as the selections are more valuable on their own account than on mine. When it is time to announce it, can it not be described as “a compilation of brief extracts in prose and verse, from favorite religious writers,” or something to that effect. And must my name appear in full? The commonplace “Miss Larcom” I should like better than my usual staring alliteration; as less obtrusive, “L. L.” is better still. And please let the book be as inexpensive as possible, because it is my “little preach,” and I want a large congregation of poor folks like myself. My object in preparing it will be defeated, if they cannot have it. I don’t calculate upon a “paper fractional” from it for myself, so you can leave that entirely out of consideration. It has been altogether a labor of love with me. I wanted the good people to know who their best instructors are. Robertson above all, who is the true apostle of this age, within the Church. Yours sincerely, LUCY LARCOM. TO MRS. J. T. FIELDS. BEVERLY, MASS., May 26, 1866.