No adequate biography has yet been written of Miss Foley, although it is said that the daughter of Mary Howitt has contemplated such a work. This would certainly be of value, not only as showing how exceptional talent, (if not actual genius), can assert itself in spite of all limitations, but also as a tribute to a rare and aerial personality. LYDIA S. HALL. This writer was _the_ poet, _par excellence_, of the early volumes of _The Offering_; as Lucy Larcom said, “She was regarded as one of the best writers of verse while I was in Lowell.” “The Tomb of Washington,” first printed in No. 1 of the first series of _The Offering_, was thought to be a wonderful production, and was widely copied. She also wrote for that publication “Old Ironsides,” a poem widely read and quoted. She left Lowell before 1848, and went as a missionary to the Choctaw Indians, travelling on horseback a greater part of the way, across the unsettled region. From letters received from Mrs. Harvey Jones, of Compton, Cal., I am able to gather up a few scattered threads in the eventful life of this pioneer Indian missionary. Mrs. Jones says:-- “_My dear Mrs. Robinson_,--I was associated in missionary work among the Choctaw Indians with Miss Lydia S. Hall. We were together five years, and I learned to regard her as a dear friend; but in some way I have lost all trace of her. Our relations in the missionary work were very pleasant. She was some years my senior, and her riper experience and judgment were invaluable to me. Her work in the Indian Seminary was thorough, and she was regarded as the Choctaw’s friend. Of her literary work I know but little. She wrote occasionally for different periodicals. Her contributions to Woodworth’s ‘Youth’s Cabinet’ I have specially in mind.... Since I lost trace of her, I came across a poem in the _Christian Union_, entitled ‘Our Elder Brother.’ It was very rich and tender. It was signed ‘L. S. H. G.’ I did not then know of her marriage; but I said to myself, ‘That sounds like Miss Hall.’... Her nature was intense and positive, she had high ideals, and she could not always be patient towards what she considered wrong. Hers was a checkered life, from infancy to age. She was born in 1818.” In “border-ruffian” days Miss Hall lived in Kansas, and was an owner of considerable real estate. She lived on the line of emigration, was hostess of a sort of “Wayside Inn,” and was sometimes obliged to keep the peace among the lawless men who infested that part of the country. She would have no quarrelling, drinking, nor gambling on her premises. She was well able to enforce these regulations, being a woman of great courage and most commanding presence. From a newspaper article some years ago, of which I did not preserve the date, I quote the following:-- “A LOWELL FACTORY-GIRL UNITED STATES TREASURER.