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volume written by Lady Holbertonprinted but not publishedrelating its
past history from the date of its discovery in the library of Lord G…； her
grandfather； to the present day； passed from hand to hand； and this review
of its various adventures of course only added force to the congratulations
offered upon the acquisition of this celebrated autograph。
｛pine = pineapple。 Newtown pippin = a green； tart； tangy American
apple； originally from Long Island； a favorite of George Washington and
Thomas Jefferson； bonne bouche = a tasty morsel （French）｝
While the company were succeeding each other in offering their
homage to the great album； my attention was called off by a tap on the
shoulder from a friend； who informed me that Miss Rowley； a very clever；
handsome woman of a certain age； had expressed a wish to make my
acquaintance。 I was only too happy to be presented。 After a very gracious
reception； and an invitation to a party for the following evening； Miss
Rowley observed：
〃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。
〃Nomerely 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
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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 headperhaps 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 orderor 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。
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〃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 himall commonplace enough； you
knowand 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｝
I ventured to excuse Lady Holberton by suggesting that probably at the
time her stock of notabilities was low。
Miss Rowley shook her head； and curled her lip； as if she fancied the
lady had only been seeking to drive a hard bargain。
〃On one point； however； I have carried the day； Mr。 Howard。 Lady
Holberton is not a little proud of her Vidocq； but I have obtained one far
superior to hers； one addressed to myself so piquant and gallant too。 I
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called on the dear old burglar on purpose to coax him into