The factory now was at the height of prosperity; there was only one larger in all that part of the country, and Daniel Anthony was looked upon as a wealthy man.

He was much criticised for allowing his daughters to teach, as in those days no woman worked for wages except from pressing necessity; but he was far enough in advance of his time to believe that every girl should be trained to self-support.

In 1837, writing to Guelma at boarding-school, he urges her to accept the offer of the principal to remain through the winter as an assistant: I am fully of the belief that shouldst thou never teach school a single day afterwards, thou wouldst ever feel to justify thy course....

Thou wouldst seem to me to be laying the foundation for thy far greater usefulness.

Thy remaining through the winter, must, however, be left solely to thyself, as it would be of little avail for thee to stay and not be contented.