At this time the long, severe mental and physical strain of years began to be felt in her one weak spot, and the old trouble with her back asserted itself.

From every quarter came urgent appeals for her assistance.

At first she answered: "If New York calls a constitutional convention for next spring, this will be a capital winter to strike heavy blows for freedom and equality such as we shall not have for a long time to come.

I am ready just as soon as the armies can be marshaled and equipped." But later she wrote: It is being forced upon me that nature orders me to stay quietly at home this winter and it may be that it is to enable me to get a greater literary culture than I possibly could, amidst the hurry and bustle of continual meetings.

Somehow I can not philosophize away a shrinking from going into active work.