Woman of the Century/Mary Abigail Dodge

DODGE, Miss Mary Abigail, author, widely known by her pen-name. "Gail Hamilton," born in Hamilton, Mass , in 1830. She received a thorough education, and in 1851 became instructor in physical science in the high school in Hartford, Conn. She was next a governess in the family of Dr. Gamaliel Bailey, of Washington, D. C., and was a regular contributor to his journal, the "National Era." In the years 1865 to 1867, inclusive, she was one of the editors of "Our Young Folks." Since 1876 she has lived principally in Washington. She has contributed much to prominent magazines and newspapers, and the name "Gail Hamilton" attached to an essay is a guarantee that it is full of wit and aggressiveness. Her published volumes include "Country Living and Country Thinking" (1862), "Gala-Days" (1863). "A New Atmosphere" and "Stumbling Blocks" (1864), "Skirmishes and Sketches" (1865). "Red-Letter Days in Apple-thorpe" and "Summer Rest" (1866), "Wool-Gathering" (1867), "Woman's Wrongs, a Counter-irritant." (1868), " Battle of the Books" (1870), "Woman's Worth and Worthlessness" (1871), "Little Folk Life" (1872). "Child World" (2 vols.. 1872 and 1873), "Twelve Miles from a Lemon" (1873). "Nursery Noonings" (1874), "Sermons to the Clergy" and "First Love is Best" (1875), "What Think Ye of Christ?" (1876), "Our Common-School System " (1880), "Divine Guidance, Memorial of Allen W. Dodge," (1881), "The Insuppressible Book" (1885), and "A Washington Bible Class" (1891). In 1877 she contributed to the New York "Tribune" a notable series of vigorous letters on civil service reform. Miss Dodge commands a terse, vigorous, direct style. She cuts through shams and deceits with an easy and convincing blow that leaves no room for doubt. Her essays are countless and cover almost every held of comment and criticism.