She joined the body of the 'Abolitionists,'
and as a result was attacked from all sides with the utmost fury,
for the Northern States stood solid against abolition. But she
remained unmoved in her opinion, and when in 1862 the great Civil
War broke out, her writings were the means of educating public
opinion. It was largely due to her that this country did not foolishly
support the secession of the Southern States from the Union.
During a period of five years she was a complete invalid, and some
of her best books, including her well-known stories for children,
_Feats on the Fiord_ and _The Crofton Boys_, were written in that
time.
After her recovery her life was busier than ever. She wrote articles
for the daily papers, but her chief pleasure lay in devising schemes
for improving the lot of her poorer neighbours. She organized evening
lectures for the people, and founded a Mechanics' Institute and a
building society.
During her life-time she was the acknowledged leader on all moral
questions, especially those which affected the lives of women.
"It has always been esteemed our special function as women," she said,
"to mount guard over society and social life--the spring of national
existence."
CHAPTER IX: _Balmoral_
It was in Balmoral Castle that the husband and wife most loved to
be with their children. Here they could lead a simple life free from
all restraints, "small house, small rooms, small establishment.
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