Page:An Epistle to Posterity.djvu/107

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84
AN EPISTLE TO POSTERITY

ble separation which, that war had brought about. One of the most interesting events of the early fifties had been to me the seeing her official retirement from the stage. She played Pauline in the Lady of Lyons, in which she had made her debut, ten years before, at the old Park Theatre. The house was crowded as the pretty blond woman made her graceful speech. The next most interesting event was her wedding, at the country-place of her father on Long Island, and a very gay fête it was. Her husband was an editor at Richmond, Va., a most gentlemanly and excellent person, tenderly fond, and true to her. But the sorrows of their country tore them apart, nor did they live to see the day of reconciliation, prosperity, and reconstruction.

I have often thought that some record of this service of hers should be perpetuated at Mount Vernon. I know that Miss Hamilton (afterwards Mrs. George L. Schuyler) had this very much at heart. Anna Cora Mowatt Ritchie brought this idea to the notice of the public of New York, the purchase of Mount Vernon, and she should have her picture hung in one of those now beautifully restored rooms, and the memory of Miss Anne Pamela Cunningham should be venerated.