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“You have Autographs, in America, I understand, Mr. Howard.”

“Both autographs and collectors,” I replied.

“Really! Perhaps you are a collector yourself?” continued the lady, with an indescribable expression, half interest, half disappointment.

“No–merely a humble admirer of the labors of others.”

“Then,” added the lady, more blandly, “perhaps you will be good-natured enough to assist me.”

And, after a suspicious glance toward the spot where Lady Holberton and Mr. T—- were conversing together, she adroitly placed herself in a position to give to our conversation the privacy of a diplomatic tete-a-tete.

“Could you possibly procure me some American autographs for my collection? I find a few wanting under the American head–perhaps a hundred or two.”

I professed myself ready to do any thing in my power in so good a cause.

“Here is my list; I generally carry it about me. You will see those that are wanting, and very possibly may suggest others.”

And as the lady spoke she drew from her pocket a roll of paper as long, and as well covered with names as any minority petition to Congress. However, I had lived too much among collectors of late to be easily dismayed. The list was headed by Black Hawk. I expressed my fears that the gallant warrior’s ignorance of letters might prove an obstacle to obtaining any thing from his pen. I volunteered however to procure instead, something from a Cherokee friend of mine, the editor of a newspaper.

{Black Hawk = Black Hawk (1767-1838), an American Indian (Sac) chieftain, defeated by the U.S. Army in 1832, whose “Autobiography” (1833) became an American classic.}

“How charming!” exclaimed Miss Rowley, clasping her hands. “How very obliging of you, Mr. Howard. Are you fond of shooting? My brother’s preserves are in fine order–or perhaps you are partial to yachting–“

Bowing my thanks for these amiable hints, I carelessly observed that the letter of the Cherokee editor was no sacrifice at all, for the chief and myself were regular correspondents; I had a dozen of his letters, and had just given one to Mr. T—-. This intelligence evidently lessened Miss Rowley’s excessive gratitude. She continued her applications, however, casting an eye on her list.

“Perhaps you correspond also with some rowdies, Mr. Howard? Could you oblige me with a rowdy letter?”

{rowdies = in the mid-nineteenth century, an American slang term for backwoodsmen or other rough and disorderly types}

I drew up a little at this request; my correspondents, I assured the lady, were generally men of respectability, though one of them was of a savage race.

“No doubt; but in the way of autographs, you know, one would correspond with–“

The sentence remained unfinished, for the lady added,

“I wrote myself to Madame Laffarge, not long since. I am sorry to say Lady Holberton has two of hers; but although an excellent person in most respects, yet it cannot be denied that as regards autographs, Lady Holberton is very illiberal. I offered her Grizzel Baillie, two Cardinals, William Pitt, and Grace Darling, for one of her Laffarges; but she would not part with it. Yet the exchange was very fair, especially as Madame Laffarge is still living.”

{Madame Laffarge = Marie Lafarge (1816-1853), French woman convicted in 1840 for poisoning her husband; later pardoned. Grizzel Baillie = Lady Grizel Baillie (1665-1746), Scottish poet. William Pitt = either William Pitt “the Elder” (1708-1778) or William Pitt “the Younger” (1759-1806), both British Prime Ministers. Grace Darling = Grace Darling (1815-1842), English heroine and lighthouse keeper’s daughter, famous for her rescue of castaways in 1838.}

I bowed an assent to the remark.

“And then she herself actually once made proposals for Schinderhannes, to a friend of mine, offering Howard, the philanthropist, Talma, William Penn, and Fenelon for him–all commonplace enough, you know–and Schinderhannes quite unique. My friend was indignant!”

{Schinderhannes = German bandit chief, executed in 1803. Howard = John Howard (1726-1790), English philanthropist and prison reformer. Talma = Francois Talma (1763-1826), popular French playwright. William Penn (1644-1718), Quaker founder of Pennsylvania. Fenelon = Francois Fenelon (1651-1715), French Archbishop and writer}