I am not the first, nor will I be the last, to track down the contributions of those whose histories and work have been forgotten. In 1861, the prolific writer, feminist, and transcendentalist, Caroline Wells Healey Dall, better known as Mrs. Dall, wrote Historical Pictures Retouched: a Volume of Miscellanies. In this volume, Dall wrote studies of over forty women, ranging from those of ancient times to her own contemporaries who were not given the importance they deserved.
Such a work of research was to be expected from a woman who wrote such diverse works as the history of Egypt, women’s rights, children’s books, novels, biographies, travel books, Atlantic Monthly articles, and a forty-five volume journal spanning seventy-five years.
Born in Boston in 1822, Dall was well-educated and encouraged by her father to write. In 1844, she married Charles Dall, a missionary who worked among the poor in numerous locale and later India. A troubled man, subject to severe depression, her husband proved more a burden to her than a help. They had two children and for most of her life, she struggled in poverty. Like many women writers of the time, her publications provided needed income to support the family.
Many of her writings have a strong feminist stance. Although a member of women’s rights groups and a strong advocate, she was considered arrogant and difficult by her fellow women righters and chose instead to write vociferously in support of the cause. A Unitarian, she was a close friend of Margaret Fuller and a fellow transcendentalist.
The following excerpt, with its still relevant message, is taken from one of Caroline Dall’s older works Essays & Sketches written in 1849.
“On Truth”
Have you not observed that they who complain oftenest and most loudly of the idle words men speak, are they who give these idle words their currency, who endorse falsehood for the many by accepting it themselves? Stand among the throng of men. Look at the beauty of Absolute Truth. Listen to the Gospel, as it denounces whisperers and meddlers in other men’s matters. See how far the image of God, impressed upon your race, is perverted by willful misdoing. Are you not moved to question, ‘How can this people escape the judgment to come? What may be done to correct this evil?’ Do you ever ask, does anybody ever ask, “What can I do to lessen it?’
What is it to be true? It is not only to speak no lies, but to think no unjust thought. To listen to no presumptive criticism. To refuse to whispering malice, the support of what may have been your own well-founded conjecture. To speak no word in jest, that earnest may repeat, and in speaking falsify. To act with a motive and to an end, in the face of the whole world; your own eye fixed on God, no matter whose is on you. Always for your own highest good, and in that, for the highest good of all.
Nations must be regenerated through single men. It is true man does not create, but rather is created by, the exigencies of his time; yet, if you see that truth clearly which other men refuse to acknowledge, upon you rests the responsibility of its development.
A false principle is advocated in your hearing, but you do not dare to strip it in the speaker’s sight. A false word is spoken, of your enemy or your friend. In the first instance, it flatters your prejudice; in the second, to deny it would be to offend a stronger than yourself. A false report is devised. The holiest of earth’s ties furnishes matter for ingenious jesting. You know that the reputation, the happiness of another lies in your hands, but you withhold the word that might secure both, because your own ends may be served, or the idle fancy of an idle moment gather strength from the unrebuked insinuation. Your child begs for an indulgence; your friend solicits a favor; to relieve yourself from importunity you promise both. You are pressed for information; your vanity is flattered; you suggest what you do not know. You call it a suggestion, and the seeming caution gives it more authority than the boldest assertion. You mingle with an idle circle, and powers which were given you for a blessing you turn into a curse. The gossip of that circle is a temptation to your imagination. It was too dull of itself to live, but, retouched by your lively fancy and kindled by the fresh interest you bring to it, it is carried farther and farther on its evil way.
Caroline Dall’s Works
The following are all available online.
Sherry Williams or the Danger of Being Religious in a Land of Slavery 1847 A tract illustrating the injustice of the law in Maryland.
Essays & Sketches 1849
Speech of Caroline Healy Dall to the New England Women’s Rights Convention, May 27, 1859
Historical Pictures Retouched 1860 Sketches of women from antiquity to her present.
Women’s Rights Under the Law 1861 A review of the laws.
Woman’s Rights to Labor, or Low Wages and Hard Work 1861
Sunshine: A New Name for a Popular Lecture on Health 1864
A Practical Illustration of a “Woman’s Rights to Labor” 1869 with Maria Elizabeth Zakrzewska
The Bible Story Told for Children 1866 From the time of Abraham to Jesus Christ
The College, the Market and the Court 1867 An analysis of how male dominated society hampers women’s achievements and a call for coeducation.
On the Way, or Patty at Mount Vernon 1870 Children’s book about a trip to Mt. Vernon.
The Romance of the Association: One Last Glimpse of Charlotte Temple and Eliza Wharton 1875 A critique of two popular novels of the day
From Baltimore to Washington 1878 Children’s book about traveling between these two cities
My First Trip, or Letters Home from Colorado, Utah and California 1881 A travelogue of her trip out west.
What We Really Know about Shakespeare 1885 A review of the history
Sordello: A History and a Poem 1886 Critique of Robert Browning’s Poem
Otis, The Story of an Old House 1892 The story of George Otis’ house in Boston
Barbara Fitchie 1892 Her research and verification of the story of Barbara Fitchie waving the American flag as Stonewall Jackson marched by her house.
Margaret and Her Friends 1895 Her view of the origin and nature of American transcendentalism.
Alongside: being notes suggested by “A New England Boyhood” by Doctor Edward Averrer Hale 1900 Thoughts about her own girlhood
Memorial to Charles Henry Appleton Dall 1902 her review of her husband’s life and work as a missionary in India.
Learn more about Caroline Dall
Caroline Dall by Spencer Lavan and Peter Hughes
Caroline Dall – Author and Women’s Right Activist
Daughter of Boston: The Extraordinary Diary of a Nineteenth Century Woman – Caroline Healy Dall Prudence L Steiner 2006 Harvard Review
Her papers an be found at Schlesinger Library, Radcliff Institute and at the Massachusetts’ Historical Society
She who has been as generous as just in passing her own judgment, need never fear the judgment of others.
Caroline Wall Healey Dall
Are you surprised at how prolific nineteenth century women writers were?
I welcome your thoughts and comments.