_The History of the Peace_ was reprinted in Boston in the very midst
of the civil war, "at the instance of men of business throughout the
country, who believe it will do great good from its political and yet
more economical lessons, which are so much wanted." The publishers of
the _Atlantic Monthly_ appealed to her to write them a series of
articles on "Military Hygiene;" and, over-pressed as she was, she
could not refuse a request which enabled her to do much good service
for the soldiers of the North, for whom she felt so deeply. Nor were
more private tributes to the value of her efforts lacking. A set of
the _Rebellion Record_, published by Putnam, was sent to her with the
cover stamped under the title with these words: "Presented by citizens
of New York to Harriet Martineau;" and innumerable books came with
testimonies inscribed by the writers, such as that in Henry Wilson's
_Slave Power in America_, which was as follows: "Mrs. Harriet
Martineau; with the gratitude of the author for her friendship for his
country, and her devotion to freedom."[24]
[24] The highest honor yet done to her memory is the work of
our sisters and brothers across the Atlantic. A public
subscription has raised funds for a statue of Harriet
Martineau, which has been executed by Anne Whitney, in white
marble. The statue represents Mrs. Martineau seated, with her
hands folded over a manuscript on her knees. The head is
raised, and has a light veil thrown over the back of it and
falling down upon the shoulders, while a shawl is draped
partially over the figure. The eyes are looking forth, as
though in that thoughtful questioning of the future to which
she often gave herself. The statue was unveiled in the Old
South Hall, Boston, December 26th, 1883, in the presence of
many notable personages. Mrs. Mary Livermore presided, and
speeches were made by William Lloyd Garrison, Jun., and
Wendell Phillips, in the case of the last-named it was his
final speech, for he, too, six weeks after, was numbered
amongst those who are at rest. "The audience sat in silence
for a moment as the white vision was unveiled; then went up
such applause as stirred the echoes of the historic interior
in which the ceremony took place."
In the latter part of the year 1862, Harriet Martineau wrote a paper
on "Our Convict System," which appeared in the following January
number of the _Edinburgh_. It will be noted that she never wrote on
the politics of the day--the action of the Government and Opposition
of the moment--in this _Review_; her political principles were too
democratic for the great Whig organ.