"Her own contributions to it are exceedingly brief; but her individuality permeates the whole work, and gives it unity. She was undoubtedly a woman of genius: but it was in her life alone—in her noble friendships, in her unselfish devotion to all bound to her by any ties—that gave her genius expression; and it is only fair, therefore, that she should attain immortality, not through the labor of her own spirit, but rather through the praise of those by whom she was so well beloved."—Virginia Vaughan in the Leader.
Life and Letters of Madame Swetchine. By Count de Falloux. Translated by Miss Preston. Fourth edition. In 1 vol. 12mo. Price $2.00.
"The 'Life and Letters of Madame Swetchine' is a companion volume to 'Madame Recamier;' and both works give us two phases of contemporary Paris life, and two characters, that, with some accidental resemblances, present strong points of contrast.
"The social influence both women exercised was good; but, when we compare the two, Madame Recamier's sinks to a much lower level. She (Madame R.) was gentle and kind, ready to sacrifice herself to any extent to advance the material influence of her friends, but she was essentially a worldly woman; whereas Madame Swetchine was 'in the world, but not of it.' She exerted an immense spiritual as well as intellectual influence on all who approached her, and raised her friends to her own level. Madame Recamier made her associates pleased with themselves, whilst Madame Swetchine taught hers to forget themselves.
"As a biography, the Life of Madame Swetchine is more satisfactory, and much better written; that of Madame Recamier is fuller of personal anecdote respecting distinguished persons, and, as a book of reference, is more valuable. We frequently meet the same people in each, and, in this respect, they serve to illustrate and explain each other."—Providence Journal.
The Friendships of Women. By Rev. W. R. Alger. Fourth edition. 1 vol. 12mo. Price $2.00.
"Mr. Alger is among our most diligent students and earnest thinkers; and this volume will add to the reputation he has fairly earned as the occupant of quite a prominent place in American literature. He deserves all the popularity he has won; for, always thoughtful, sincere, and excellent of purpose with his pen, he allows no success to seduce him into any content with what he has already accomplished. His 'Friendships of Women,' for many reasons, will have a wide circle of readers, and cannot fail to increase our sense of the worth of human nature, as it enthusiastically delineates some of its most elevated manifestations. By telling what woman has been, he tells what woman may be,—intellectually as well as morally, in the beauty of her mind as well as in the affections of her heart and the loveliness of her person."—Salem Gazette.
Sainte Beuve's Portraits of Celebrated Women. To match "Madame Recamier," "Madame Swetchine," "The Friendships of Women." In 1 vol. 12mo. Price $2.00.
"The women whose 'portraits' are given in this handsome volume are Mesdames de Sevigné, de La Fayette, de Souza, Roland, de Stäel, de Duras, de Remusat, de Krudenor, and Guizot. Most of these names will have a familiar look and sound to 'well-read' young ladies; but how many of the latter could give, without special preliminary cramming, any, even the most superficial, account of the life of any one of these women,—how she lived, what part she played in social or political life, what books she wrote, what were her excellences and faults, as well of character as of style? Those who could not, will do well to buy this book, and give it a careful reading. Besides adding to their knowledge of history, they will learn that there have been women, French women at that, who were neither butterflies nor drones, whose lives were wider than the ball-room or the nursery, who used their opportunities to become something and to do something in the world, and who still live in their writings and in the talk of cultivated men."—Hartford Courant.
The Letters of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu. Edited, with a Memoir, by Mrs. Sarah J. Hale. 1 vol. 12mo. Cloth gilt. Price $2.00.