HARRIET MARTINEAU: ‘Autobiography.’ * * * * * [Sidenote: Appearance of MS.] I have seen the original manuscript of one of the ‘Political Economy Tales.’ The writing has evidently been done as rapidly as the hand could move; every word that will admit of it is contracted, to save time. “Socy.,” “opporty.,” “agst.,” “abt.,” “independce.,” these were amongst the abbreviations submitted to the printer’s intelligence; not to mention commoner and more simple words, such as “wh.,” “wd.,” and the like. The calligraphy, though very readable, has a somewhat slipshod look. Thus, there is every token of extremely rapid composition. Yet the corrections on the MS. are few and trifling; the structure of a sentence is never altered, and there are but seldom emendations of even principal words. The manuscript is written (in defiance of law and order), on both sides of the paper. MRS. FENWICK MILLER: ‘Harriet Martineau.’ * * * * * [Sidenote: Fluctuations of mind about work.] The fluctuations of mind which I underwent about every number of my work, were as regular as the tides. I was fired with the first conception, and believed that I had found a treasure. Then, while at work, I alternately admired and despised what I wrote. When finished, I was in absolute despair; and then, when I saw it in print, I was surprised to see how well it looked. HARRIET MARTINEAU: ‘Autobiography.’ * * * * * [Sidenote: George Eliot on ‘The Crofton Boys.’] What an exquisite little thing that is of Harriet Martineau’s--‘The Crofton Boys!’ I have had some delightful crying over it. There are two or three lines in it that would feed one’s soul for a month. Hugh’s mother says to him, speaking of people who have permanent sorrow, “They soon had a new and delicious pleasure, which none but the bitterly disappointed can feel--the pleasure of rousing their souls to bear pain, and of _agreeing with God silently_, when nobody knows what is in their hearts.” MARIAN EVANS: _Letter to Mrs. Bray_, 1845. ‘George Eliot’s Life,’ edited by J. W. Cross. * * * * * [Sidenote: Carlyle on ‘Deerbrook’.] How do you like it [Deerbrook]? people ask. To which there are serious answers returnable, but few so good as none. THOMAS CARLYLE: _Letter to Emerson_, 17th April, 1839. * * * * * [Sidenote: On ‘The Hour and the Man.’]