Autograph Quotation (unsigned)

The first female sociologist" according to some and a feminist at a time when that word was unknown, this versatile English writer penned nonfiction, essays, poetry, novels, short stories, travelogues, economics and more and was one of the few self-supporting women writers of her age. Autograph Quotation (unsigned), 1p, 7 3/4" X 6 3/4", n.p., n.y. Very good. Mild age toning and old (not weakened) folds; tipped to similar-size sheet. Four 4-line stanzas from Martineau's 1866 poem, "The Coming of Christ in Power," the first stanza reading: "Lord Jesus, come! for still / Vice shouts her maniac mirth. / And famished thousands crave their fill / While teems (truncated) the fruitful earth." And the last stanza reads: "Come, as in days of old, / With words of grace & power! / Gather us all within thy fold, / And never leave us more." Interestingly, the phraseology of these four stanzas differs considerably from some printed versions of it. Vertically, along the right edge, a different unknown hand notes, "Composed and written by Harriet Martineau. / Given to me by Mrs. Follen." Eliza L. Follen (1787-1860) was an American abolitionist and wife of poet Charles Follen; in 1844 she wrote the introduction to the American edition of Martineau's book "Life in the Sick-Room: Essays." An intriguing Martineau text, though not signed, and with interesting provenance. (Inventory #: 40710)