A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Sherwood, Mrs.

4121127A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography — Sherwood, Mrs.

SHERWOOD, MRS.,

Has written many books, and always with a worthy purpose. In the character of the Lady of the Manor she has, perhaps unconsciously, given us the key to her own. Like that good lady, Mrs. Sherwood, resides in the south of England; she is the widow of an English officer, and passed several years with her husband in India. Since his decease, which occurred when she was in the prime of life, Mrs. Sherwood has found her chief occupations and pleasures in her own home, instructing her children and writing works to assist in the Christian instruction of the young. The titles of her books show for whom they were prepared. "Little Henry and his Bearer" was her first literary production. Then followed "The History of John Martin," "The Fairchild Family," "The Infant's Progress," "The Indian Pilgrim," "Victoria Anzoomund," "Birthday Present," "Errand Boy," "The Young Foresters," "Juliana Oakley," "Erminia," "Emancipation," and a number of other stories. Her largest and most important work, however, is "The Lady of the Manor," in four volumes. Its design is to teach the doctrines of the Church of England to young females; and whatever opinion we may entertain as to the utility of the religious novel, we must confess that this author is entitled to our warmest esteem as a woman of sincere piety, who has laboured long and earnestly in the highest and holiest cause that can occupy a female pen—the advancement of Christ's kingdom on earth. In her literary claims Mrs. Sherwood is excelled by many living writers of her own sex; as a Christian, few could be found worthy to rank as her equal. Her works have been widely circulated in America.