LETTER FROM THE EARL OF CARLISLE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE SOCIETY.
London, July 8, 1852.
Madam,—I should be very sorry indeed to refuse any request addressed to me from the “Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Association.”
At the same time I really should feel at a loss what to send, but as I am on the point of sending off a letter to the authoress of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, I venture to submit a copy of it to those who I feel sure must be fond of such a countrywoman.
Your very faithful Servant,
London, July 8, 1852.
Madam,—I have allowed some time to elapse before I thanked you for the great honour and kindness you did me in sending to me, from yourself, a copy of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. I thought it due to the subject of which I perceived that it treated, not to send a mere acknowledgment, as I confess from a motive of policy I am apt to do, upon the first arrival of the book. I therefore determined to read, before I wrote.
Having thus read, it is not in the stiff and conventional form of compliment, still less in the technical language of criticism, that I am about to speak of your work. I return my deep and solemn thanks to Almighty God, who has led and enabled you to write such a book.