CHAPTERS FROM A LIFE.
I.
By Elizabeth Stuart Phelps,
Author of "The Gates Ajar," "The Madonna of the Tubs," etc.
Has it not been said that once in a lifetime most of us succumb to the particular situation against which we have cultivated the strongest principles? If there be one such, among the possibilities to which a truly civilized career is liable, more than another objectionable to the writer of these words, the creation of autobiography has long been that one.
Yet, for that offence, once criminal to my taste, I find myself hereby about to become indictable; and do set my hand and seal, on this day of the recall of my dearest literary oath, in this year of eminent autobiographical examples, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five.
"There is ——, who has written a charming series of personal reminiscences, and —— ——, and ——.
"You might meet your natural shrinking by allowing yourself to treat especially of your literary life; including, of course, whatever went to form and sustain it."