My free access to her private manuscripts has given to me many papers, relating to Woman, never intended for publication, which yet seem needful to this volume, in order to present a complete and harmonious3 view of her thoughts on this important theme. I have preferred to publish them without alteration4, as most just to her views and to the reader; though, doubtless, she would have varied5 their expression and form before giving them to the press.
It seems right here to remark, in order to avoid any misapprehension, that Margaret Ossoli’s thoughts wore not directed so exclusively to the subject of the present volume as have been the minds of some others. As to the movement for the emancipation6 of Woman from the unjust burdens and disabilities to which she has been subject oven in our own land, my sister could neither remain indifferent nor silent; yet she preferred, as in respect to every other reform, to act independently and to speak independently from her own stand-point, and never to merge7 her individuality in any existing organization. This she did, not as condemning8 such organizations, nor yet as judging them wholly unwise or uncalled for, but because she believed she could herself accomplish more for their true and high objects, unfettered by such organizations, than if a member of them. The opinions avowed9 throughout this volume, and wherever expressed, will, then, be found, whether consonant10 with the reader’s or no, in all cases honestly and heartily11 her own,—the result of her own thought and faith. She never speaks, never did speak, for any clique12 or sect13, but as her individual judgment14, her reason and conscience, her observation and experience, taught her to speak.
I could have wished that some one other than a brother should have spoken a few fitting words of Margaret Fuller, as a woman, to form a brief but proper accompaniment to this volume, which may reach some who have never read her “Memoirs,” recently published, or have never known her in personal life. This seemed the more desirable, because the strictest verity15 in speaking of her must seem, to such as knew her not, to be eulogy16. But, after several disappointments as to the editorship of the volume, the duty, at last, has seemed to devolve upon me; and I have no reason to shrink from it but a sense of inadequacy17.
It is often supposed that literary women, and those who are active and earnest in promoting great intellectual, philanthropic, or religious movements, must of necessity neglect the domestic concerns of life. It may be that this is sometimes so, nor can such neglect be too severely18 reprehended19; yet this is by no means a necessary result. Some of the most devoted20 mothers the world has ever known, and whose homes were the abode21 of every domestic virtue22, themselves the embodiment of all these, have been women whose minds were highly cultured, who loved and devoted both thought and time to literature, and were active in philanthropic and diffusive23 efforts for the welfare of the race.
The letter to M., which is published on page 345, is inserted chiefly as showing the integrity and wisdom with which Margaret advised her friends; the frankness with which she pointed24 out to every young woman who asked counsel any deficiencies of character, and the duties of life; and that among these latter she gave due place to the humblest which serve to make home attractive and happy. It is but simple justice for me to bear, in conjunction with many others, my tribute to her domestic virtues26 and fidelity27 to all home duties. That her mind found chief delight in the lowest forms of these duties may not be true, and it would be sad if it were; but it is strictly28 true that none, however humble25, were either slighted or shunned29.
In common with a younger sister and brother, I shared her care in my early instruction, and found over one of the truest counsellors in a sister who scorned not the youngest mind nor the simplest intellectual wants in her love for communion, through converse30 or the silent page, with the minds of the greatest and most gifted.
During a lingering illness, in childhood, well do I remember her as the angel of the sick-chamber, reading much to me from books useful and appropriate, and telling many a narrative31 not only fitted to wile32 away the pain of disease and the weariness of long confinement33, but to elevate the mind and heart, and to direct them to all things noble and holy; over ready to watch while I slept, and to perform every gentle and kindly34 office. But her care of the sick—that she did not neglect, but was eminent35 in that sphere of womanly duty, even when no tie of kindred claimed this of her, Mr. Cass’s letter abundantly shows; and also that this gentleness was united to a heroism37 which most call manly36, but which, I believe, may as justly be called truly womanly. Mr. Cass’s letter is inserted because it arrived too late to find a place in her “Memoirs,” and yet more because it bears much on Margaret Ossoli’s characteristics as a woman.
A few also of her private letters and papers, not bearing, save, indirectly38, on the subject of this volume, are yet inserted in it, as further illustrative of her thought, feeling and action, in life’s various relations. It is believed that nothing which exhibits a true woman, especially in her relations to others as friend, sister, daughter, wife, or mother, can fail to interest and be of value to her sex, indeed to all who are interested in human welfare and advancement39, since these latter so much depend on the fidelity of Woman. Nor will anything pertaining40 to the education and care of children be deemed irrelevant41, especially by mothers, upon whom these duties must always largely devolve.
Of the intellectual gifts and wide culture of Margaret Fuller there is no need that I should speak, nor is it wise that one standing42 in my relation to her should. Those who knew her personally feel that no words ever flowed from her pen equalling the eloquent43 utterances44 of her lips; yet her works, though not always a clear oppression of her thoughts, are the evidences to which the world will look as proof of her mental greatness.
On one point, however, I do wish to bear testimony45—not needed with those who knew her well, but interesting, perhaps, to some readers into whose bands this volume may fall. It is on a subject which one who knew her from his childhood up—at home, where best the heart and soul can be known,—in the unrestrained hours of domestic life,—in various scenes, and not for a few days, nor under any peculiar46 circumstances—can speak with confidence, because he speaks what he “doth know, and testifieth what he hath seen.” It relates to her Christian47 faith and hope. “With all her intellectual gifts, with all her high, moral, and noble characteristics,” there are some who will ask, “was her intellectual power sanctified by Christian faith as its basis? Were her moral qualities, her beneficent life, the results of a renewed heart?” I feel no hesitation48 here, nor would think it worth while to answer such questions at all, were her life to be read and known by all who read this volume, and were I not influenced also, in some degree, by the tone which has characterized a few sectarian reviews of her works, chiefly in foreign periodicals. Surely, if the Saviour’s test, “By their fruits ye shall know them,” be the true one, Margaret Ossoli was preeminently a Christian. If a life of constant self-sacrifice,—if devotion to the welfare of kindred and the race,—if conformity49 to what she believed God’s law, so that her life seemed ever the truest form of prayer, active obedience50 to the Deity,—in fine, if carrying Christianity into all the departments of action, so far as human infirmity allows,—if these be the proofs of a Christian, then whoever has read her “Memoirs” thoughtfully, and without sectarian prejudice or the use of sectarian standards of judgment, must feel her to have been a Christian. But not alone in outward life, in mind and heart, too, was she a Christian. The being brought into frequent and intimate contact with religious persons has been one of the chief privileges of my vocation52, but never yet have I met with any person whose reverence53 for holy things was deeper than hers. Abhorring54, as all honest minds must, every species of cant55, she respected true religious thought and feeling, by whomsoever cherished. God seemed nearer to her than to any person I have over known. In the influences of His Holy Spirit upon the heart she fully51 believed, and in experience realized them. Jesus, the friend of man, can never have been more truly loved and honored than she loved and honored him. I am aware that this is strong language, but strength of language cannot equal the strength of my conviction on a point where I have had the best opportunities of judgment. Rich as is the religion of Jesus in its list of holy confessors, yet it can spare and would exclude none who in heart, mind and life, confessed and reverenced56 him as did she. Among my earliest recollections, is her devoting much time to a thorough examination of the evidences of Christianity, and ultimately declaring that to her, better than all arguments or usual processes of proof, was the soul’s want of a divine religion, and the voice within that soul which declared the teachings of Christ to be true and from God; and one of my most cherished possessions is that Bible which she so diligently57 and thoughtfully read, and which bears, in her own handwriting, so many proofs of discriminating58 and prayerful perusal59. As in regard to reformatory movements so here, she joined no organized body of believers, sympathizing with all of them whose views were noble and Christian; deploring60 and bearing faithful testimony against anything she deemed narrowness or perversion61 in theology or life.
This volume from her hand is now before the reader. The fact that a large share of it was never written or revised by its authoress for publication will be kept in view, as explaining any inaccuracy of expression or repetition of thought, should such occur in its pages. Nor will it be deemed surprising, if, in papers written by so progressive a person, at so various periods of life, and under widely-varied circumstances, there should not always be found perfect union as to every expressed opinion.
It is probable that this will soon be followed by another volume, containing a republication of “Summer on the Lakes,” and also the “Letters from Europe,” by the same hand.
In the preparation of this volume much valuable assistance has been afforded by Mr. Greeley, of the New York Tribune, who has been earnest in his desire and efforts for the diffusion62 of what Margaret has written.
A. B. F.
BOSTON, May 10th, 1855.
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pertained
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| 关于( pertain的过去式和过去分词 )； 有关； 存在； 适用 | |
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inaccessible
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| adj.达不到的，难接近的 | |
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harmonious
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| adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的 | |
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alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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emancipation
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| n.（从束缚、支配下）解放 | |
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merge
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| v.(使)结合，(使)合并，(使)合为一体 | |
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condemning
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| v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的现在分词 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地 | |
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avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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consonant
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| n.辅音；adj.[音]符合的 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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clique
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| n.朋党派系，小集团 | |
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sect
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| n.派别，宗教，学派，派系 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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verity
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| n.真实性 | |
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eulogy
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| n.颂词；颂扬 | |
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inadequacy
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| n.无法胜任，信心不足 | |
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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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reprehended
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| v.斥责，指摘，责备( reprehend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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diffusive
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| adj.散布性的，扩及的，普及的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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shunned
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| v.避开，回避，避免( shun的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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wile
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| v.诡计，引诱；n.欺骗，欺诈 | |
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confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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heroism
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| n.大无畏精神，英勇 | |
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indirectly
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| adv.间接地，不直接了当地 | |
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advancement
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| n.前进，促进，提升 | |
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pertaining
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| 与…有关系的，附属…的，为…固有的(to) | |
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irrelevant
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| adj.不恰当的，无关系的，不相干的 | |
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42
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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43
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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utterances
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| n.发声( utterance的名词复数 )；说话方式；语调；言论 | |
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testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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48
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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49
conformity
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| n.一致，遵从，顺从 | |
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50
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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51
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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52
vocation
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| n.职业，行业 | |
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53
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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54
abhorring
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| v.憎恶( abhor的现在分词 )；（厌恶地）回避；拒绝；淘汰 | |
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55
cant
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| n.斜穿，黑话，猛扔 | |
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56
reverenced
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| v.尊敬，崇敬( reverence的过去式和过去分词 )；敬礼 | |
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diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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discriminating
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| a.有辨别能力的 | |
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59
perusal
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| n.细读，熟读；目测 | |
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60
deploring
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| v.悲叹，痛惜，强烈反对( deplore的现在分词 ) | |
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61
perversion
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| n.曲解；堕落；反常 | |
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diffusion
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| n.流布；普及；散漫 | |
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