Her figure was tall and, when young, slight and graceful. She was an excellent horsewoman, and rode fearlessly and well, but suffered a good deal from delicacy of constitution, and was liable to severe nervous attacks, which often hindered her from joining her sisters in their different pursuits. When young she had a profusion of soft flaxen hair. Finery in dress was always avoided, but she was slow in adopting the costume worn by the Friends. She first laid aside all ornaments, then chose quiet colours for dresses, and had them made with perfect simplicity.
We must say something of Mrs. Fry’s mental powers. Old Byrom, in one of his quaint humours, tells us that,—
“Tall men are oft like houses that are tall,
The upper rooms are furnished worst of all.”
In many cases it may be as he has said; and not only in regard to men, but also in reference to women. Here, however, we have a splendid exception—one who was a cedar in the Lebanon of intellect, as well as in that of flesh and blood. In natural talent, she was quick and penetrating, and had a depth of originality very uncommon. She was not exactly studious, yet her “upper rooms” were well furnished.
Her moral character is not difficult to describe. As a child, though gentle and quiet in temper, she was self-willed and determined. In a letter, written before she was three years old, her mother says:—“My dove-like Betsey scarcely ever offends, and is, in every sense of the word, truly engaging.” As she grew older, what at first seemed obstinacy, became finely tempered decision; and what was not unlike cunning, ripened into uncommon penetration. Enterprise and benevolence were predominant traits in her character. While she believed that domestic duties had the first and greatest claims; she overflowed with sympathy for suffering humanity. Utter unselfishness was the secret of her power.
SECTION II.
AMELIA WILHELMINA SIEVEKING.
“An actual life, that speaks for itself with that force of conviction which pierces like a purifying fire to the conscience, and demands of everyone who hears its voice, an answer, not in words, but in deeds.”
Dr. Wichern.
WOMAN'S RIGHTS.