The Old Homestead (Classic Reprint)

Download or read book The Old Homestead (Classic Reprint) written by Mrs. Ann S. Stephens and published by Forgotten Books. This book was released on 2015-07-11 with total page 440 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from The Old Homestead In presenting another book to the public, I find it necessary to say, that the scenes described in the first portion are laid some years back, when the city institutions were directed by the Board of Aldermen and Assistants, and when every office - even to the Medical Board - was a direct political appointment. Many of the scenes through which I have led the characters of my story, owe nothing, whatever, to the imagination. They have been painful realities. Wishing to blend some benefit to humanity with any power to confer amusement which my writings may possess, I have introduced imaginary characters into real scenes, witnessed in some instances by my own eyes, while in others I have the authority of one who died a martyr to his labors in these very institutions, and is now an angel in heaven. If the truth in this book serves to draw popular attention to the solemn trust imposed in these city charities, my first object will be accomplished; for the great popular heart of America is full of just aspiration, and I would gladly turn it benevolently toward institutions where so much of human misfortune and misery are concentrated. I am not one of those who contend that women should ever become law-makers, save in the household and social life; but it is their peculiar duty to feel for the suffering, and every true woman inherits the feeling as an intuition which leaves the word duty far out of sight. It is her province to feel, to think, to act for the poor, and even beyond that, it is perfectly feminine to suggest. In this privilege of modest suggestion, if we could but understand it, lies an influence more beautiful and potent than the power we evoke. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.