relationship to them became so well and favourably known, that she discarded the timid disguise, and adopted ever after as a signature in the Rose, the initials “M. E. L.” In all other publications, I believe, it was expanded into her full name.
Several brilliant and beautiful effusions now continued to increase her reputation. Among others, “The Lone Star” was admired by every one, so that for a long time the authoress herself, when she was mentioned in her native city, received generally the name of “The Lone Star.” “The Blind Negro Communicant” gave her something of a national fame, and was copied into religious and other newspapers in every part of the country.
Miss Lee’s incessant aspirations after perfection in every accomplishment, were in nothing more signal than in her studied efforts to acquire a correct style of writing. For many years she published no poem before exhibiting it to the literary friend of her early youth. His criticisms were always unsparing; each questionable phrase, or halting line, or ambiguous rhyme, was faithfully pointed out, and surprising often were the patience, talent, and ingenuity, with which, in availing herself of his suggestions, she surmounted every difficulty and remedied every defect.
To prose composition she devoted as much attention as to poetical. Many prefer her writings in the former department, and an edition of them would no doubt prove alike acceptable to the public and honourable to her name. Her style is characterized by graceful ease and well chosen expressions.
About this time she prepared a volume for the Massachusetts School Library, entitled “Social Evenings, or Historical Tales for Youth.” The publishers have declared it to be one of the most popular and useful on their list. The style is at once chaste and vivacious, the topics are selected from a wide range of national histories, indicating a great amount of reading, the poetical illustrations, chiefly by the writer herself, are numerous and beautiful, the pathos is genuine, the characters are marked, and the whole structure of the work exhibits talents of a high order. Eight evenings are supposed to be occupied by a little youthful circle in listening to an experienced friend, who reads to them the successive tales. Each “Evening” is preceded by some animated, descriptive scene, involving throughout the book a separate narrative thread of affecting interest, thus serving to vary the attention, to make the necessary transitions from subject to subject, and to combine the different parts into one harmonious whole.
In the mean time, her literary labours and successes were advancing in every direction. As she was desirous of maintaining for herself an honourable independence, she supplied continual contributions to several widely circulated magazines. The journals and annuals for which she wrote were Graham’s Magazine, Godey’s Lady’s Book, New Orleans Miscellany,
