to Hartford to pursue her studies in a school which had been recently
established by her sister Catherine in that city.




CHAPTER II.

SCHOOL DAYS IN HARTFORD, 1824-1832.


MISS CATHERINE BEECHER.--PROFESSOR FISHER.--THE WRECK OF THE ALBION
AND DEATH OF PROFESSOR FISHER.--"THE MINISTER'S WOOING."--MISS
CATHERINE BEECHER'S SPIRITUAL HISTORY.--MRS. STOWE'S RECOLLECTIONS OF
HER SCHOOL DAYS IN HARTFORD.--HER CONVERSION.--UNITES WITH THE FIRST
CHURCH IN HARTFORD.--HER DOUBTS AND SUBSEQUENT RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT.
--HER FINAL PEACE.

The school days in Hartford began a new era in Harriet's life. It was
the formative period, and it is therefore important to say a few words
concerning her sister Catherine, under whose immediate supervision she
was to continue her education. In fact, no one can comprehend either
Mrs. Stowe or her writings without some knowledge of the life and
character of this remarkable woman, whose strong, vigorous mind and
tremendous personality indelibly stamped themselves on the sensitive,
yielding, dreamy, and poetic nature of the younger sister. Mrs. Stowe
herself has said that the two persons who most strongly influenced her
at this period of her life were her brother Edward and her sister
Catherine.