Visions of the Inferno were strongly impressed on my childish imagination.

It was thought, in those days, that firm faith in hell and the devil was the greatest help to virtue.

It certainly made me very unhappy whenever my mind dwelt on such teachings, and I have always had my doubts of the virtue that is based on the fear of punishment.
Perhaps I may be pardoned a word devoted to my appearance in those days.
I have been told that I was a plump little girl, with very fair skin, rosy cheeks, good features, dark-brown hair, and laughing blue eyes.

A student in my father's office, the late Henry Bayard of Delaware (an uncle of our recent Ambassador to the Court of St.James's, Thomas F.
Bayard), told me one day, after conning my features carefully, that I had one defect which he could remedy.

"Your eyebrows should be darker and heavier," said he, "and if you will let me shave them once or twice, you will be much improved." I consented, and, slight as my eyebrows were, they seemed to have had some expression, for the loss of them had a most singular effect on my appearance.