Elizabeth Whitman, she could not have described them with more graphic
truth.

The Hon. Pierrepont Edwards, to whom was given the preference and
precedence above referred to, and who is made to assume in the chapters
of the novel the name of "Sanford," was the son of Rev. Jonathan
Edwards, president of Princeton College, New Jersey. His maternal
grandmother was Esther, the second daughter of the Rev. Solomon
Stoddard, and sister to the paternal grandmother of Elizabeth Whitman,
the wife of Rev. Samuel Whitman before mentioned. A Mr. Burt has by some
been identified with this "Sanford," the rival of "Boyer," yet without
the least pretension in history to authenticity. Nor can we place much
reliance upon the letters here introduced as his in point of
originality, as there is sufficient reason for believing that these are,
for the most part, of the author's invention, founded upon the current
reputation of his after years. And we may be happy in so considering
them, since they would betray a character, even in earliest manhood, too
depraved and debased for honorable mention, although his errors were no
doubt altogether beyond the palliation of a woman's pen. Yet we would
fain look at him, in youth at least, as undebauched and uncorrupt,
however stained may be the record of his manhood.

Between him and Elizabeth Whitman there was, notwithstanding, over all
and under all, a close affinity of spirit; and there is no question,
aside from the frailties and objections which the writer of the romance
has introduced, that there was a marriage of the soul, superseding all
after ties which worldliness and depravity might have consummated, that
overshadows sin, and may not pass into our reckoning. Not only such a
marriage, but one, though secret, actually sanctioned by the laws of the
land, she is known to have declared a fact previous to her death.