favorably noticed,
she was as sensible as ordinary girls, and never imagined herself a
genius. Since then, there is not an 'ism' in America that she has not
taken up and run into the ground; I have met her in every stage, from
the coat and pantaloons of the Bloomer ten years ago to the hoopless old
maid I saw yesterday going into Dodworth's Hall with the last spiritual
paper and a spirit photograph in her hand. Not a literary man or woman
do I know, who has not some crotchet in his or her brain, and who does
not in some way violate the harmonies of life at least once an hour. Be
content as you are: be satisfied to live without seeing yourself in
THE CONTINENTAL MONTHLY, or any other monthly under the sun!'

'John,' I said, 'I am surprised, I am astonished at the view you take of
the case. I don't desire that publishers should be tormented into their
graves; and if they are all as fat and rosy as the two we met the other
day, I think you can dismiss all fears on that score. Moreover, I
believe the world to be better for every book that is written, however
insignificant it may be. The days of the corsairs and giaours, romantic
robbers, and devout murderers, are over: our young ladies and our
servant girls see no fascination in the pages of 'Fatherless Fanny,'
'The Foundling,' or 'The Mysteries of Slabtown.' Arthur's stories and
ten thousand others of the same class have taken their place, and
commonplace as they may often be, have brought a healthier influence
into action. No book written with an honest heart is lost; no poem or
essay, however poor, fails to reach some mark. The printed page that to
you or me looks so barren and poor, may carry to some soul a message of
healing; may to some eyes have the light of heaven about it. And to how
many aimless lives, writing has given a purpose which otherwise never
might have entered it! John, I believe in writing, and this baby shall
be taught to put his ideas into shape as soon as he is taught anything!
I never wish him to settle down in the belief that he is a genius and
can live on the fact; but he shall write if he can, and publish too, if
any one will do it for him. If not, we will have a private printing
press of our own, and get up an original library for our descendants.'

'A genuine woman's answer,' said John; 'only one point in it touching
upon my argument.' Here the baby opened his blue eyes wide. 'There!'
said John; 'just for the present your life has a purpose, an