A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Hale, Sarah Josepha
HALE, SARAH JOSEPHA,
Is author of the work, "Woman's Record," from which much of the matter in this volume is taken. From a brief account of her writings, which appeared in the Lady's Book, in 1850, we select the following particulars; premising that her maiden-name was Buell, and her birth-place, Newport, a pleasant village nestled among the green hills of New Hampshire:—"By the death of her husband, David Hale, a young lawyer of distinguished abilities and great excellence of character, Mrs. Hale was left the sole protector of five children, the eldest then but seven years old; it was in the hope of gaining the means for their support and education that she engaged in the literary profession. 'Northwood,' a novel in two volumes, was hef first published work; (a little volume of poems had been previously printed for her benefit by the Freemasons, of which fraternity Mr. Hale had been a distinguished member.) 'Northwood' was issued in Boston, December, 1827, under the title of 'The Book of Flowers.'
"Early in the following year, Mrs. Hale was invited from her home in the 'Old Granite State' to go to Boston and take charge of the editorial department of 'The Ladies' Magazine,' the first periodical exclusively devoted to her sex which appeared in America. She removed to Boston in 1828, and continued to edit the Ladies' Magazine until 1837, when it was united with the Lady's Book in Philadelphia, of the literary department of which work she has over since had charge.
"Mrs. Hale continued to reside in Boston, after she became editor of the Lady's Book, for several years, while her sons were in Harvard College. In 1841 she removed to Philadelphia, where she now resides.
"Besides 'Northwood,' which was re-printed in London under the title of "A New England Tale,' and well commended in several English journals, her published works are, 'Sketches of American Character;' 'Traits of American Life;' 'Flora's Interpreter,' (this also has been re-printed in London;) 'The Ladies' Wreath, a selection from the Female Poets of England and America;' 'The Way to Live Well, and to be Well while we Live;' 'Grosvenor, a Tragedy;' 'Alice Ray, a Romance in Rhyme;' 'Harry Guy, the Widow's Son, a Story of the Sea'—(the two last were written for charitable purposes, and the proceeds given away accordingly;) 'Three Hours, or the Vigil of Love, and other Poems,' published in 1848; 'A Complete Dictionary of Poetical Quotations, containing Selections from the writings of the Poets of England and America.'
"Mrs. Hale has also edited several annuals, and prepared a great number of books for the young."
A few words respecting the influences which most probably caused Mrs. Hale to become the chronicler of her own sex are here given from her own pen:—"I was mainly educated by my mother, and strictly taught to make the Bible the guide of my life. The books to which I had access were few, very few, in comparison with the number given children now-a-days; but they were such an required to be studied—and I did study them. Next to the Bible and The Pilgrim's Progress, my earliest reading was Milton, Addison, Pope, Johnson, Cowper, Bums, and a portion of Shakspere. I did not obtain all his works till I was nearly fifteen. The first regular novel I read was 'The Mysteries of Udolpho,' when I was quite a child. I name it on account of the influence it exercised over my mind. I had remarked that of all the books I saw, few were written by Americans, a?d none by women. Here was a work, the most fascinating I had ever read, always excepting 'The Pilgrim's Progress,' written by a woman! How happy it made me! The wish to promote the reputation of my own sex, and do something for my own country, were among the earliest mental emotions I can recollect. These feelings have had a salutary influence by directing my thoughts to a definite object; my literary pursuits have had an aim beyond self-seeking of any kind. The mental influence of woman over her own sex, which was so important in my case, has been strongly operative in inclining me to undertake this my latest work, 'Woman's Record,' etc. I have sought to make it an assistant in home education; hoping the examples shown and characters portrayed, might have an inspiration and a power in advancing the moral progress of society."