The Poems were composed and committed to memory, chiefly in the night; and were committed to writing by the father and others, at their leisure.
A little garden before her window, the sun which rose and set, the winds of heaven which shook her cottage, and the ocean, whose "billowy anthem" was ever chanting at the foot of the hill, afforded the only variety to her thoughts. From these and from her bodily sufferings she draws subjects and illustrations for her Muse. She remains to this day sunk in a bed of anguish, calm and patient. The blessed Saviour, I trust, sits beside her as a "refiner and purifier of silver;" and when he perceives the work to be completed, he will doubtless withdraw the fire. I am glad that her Poems are to be published, for it is always a relief to make known our griefs; and I cannot but hope, whether the number of her admirers be great or small, that she will by these Poems secure to herself a few sympathizing friends. One I am sure she has already made; who remains, dear Sir,
Always yours.
B. C . Cutler.
(dictated.)
October 28th, 1833.
Dear Madam,
I have not strength at present to comply with your request respecting an account of the nature and progress of my protracted diseases, and of my feelings under them, which have been any thing rather than what I could wish; though at all times, in my greatest extremities, I have assuredly believed that
