A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Smith, Elizabeth Oakes
SMITH, ELIZABETH OAKES,
Was born near Portland, Maine. Her maiden name was Prince, and she traces her descent, from both father and mother, to the early Puritans. Her genius began to develop itself very early; even before she could write she used to compose little stories and print them; at the age of eight she was carrying on an extensive correspondence with imaginary persons, and also keeping a journal. Yet, with all this, she was a very lively and playful child, possessing n large family of at least a dozen dolls, and also showing herself a very expert little needle woman. Her religious feelings were early excited to action, and, when a mere child, she would pass most of the night in prayer for herself or some of her relations who happened to sin against her code of morals; and occasionally she would discipline herself still farther—would fast, or inflict some bodily torture on herself—sometimes to such an extent that a fainting-fit would reveal her suflferiups to her family.
At the age of sixteen Miss Prince married Seba Smith, Esq., a lawyer and an accomplished scholar, at that time editor of the Portland Advertiser, but who is more widely known as the original Jack Downing. In 1839, Mr. Smith removed to New York, and Mrs. Smith, who had written for publication anonymously, commenced then to write under her own name; sacrificing for the sake of her children those feelings of feminine sensitiveness and delicacy which had made her shrink from publicity. She resides now at Brooklyn, Long Island, which has been her home for a number of years.
Mrs. Smith's writings consist chiefly of Poems, Essays, Tales and Criticisms, which have appeared in the different annuals and periodicals of the day. Her first published book was entitled "Riches without wings;" written for the young, but interesting to readers of all ages. In 1842 she published a novel, "The Western Captive," founded on traditions of Indian life. In 1844 "The sinless Child, and other Poems" appeared, which were very favourably received, and passed through several editions. Subsequently she wrote a tragedy called "The Roman Tribute," founded upon an incident in Roman history, when the emperor saves Constantinople from pillage by paying its price to Attila, the victorious Hun. Her next was also a tragedy, entitled, "Jacob Leisler," and founded upon the insurrection in New York in 1680. In 1848 Mrs. Smith published a prose work, called "The Salamander; a Legend for Christmas, by Ernest Helfenstein." She has, moreover written numerous tales and poems for children, and edited "The May Flower," "Tribute to the Beautiful," and "Miller's Poetry of Flowers."
In 1850 her play of "The Roman Tribute" was brought out in Philadelphia and acted with some success. However, it did not meet the favour it deserved; its general tone and sentiments expressed in it being too lofty and elevated to please the popular mind. It is, like many plays written by persons of genius, better adapted perhaps to the closet than the stage in its present state. Her tragedies have not been published.
Mrs. Smith holds, deservedly, a high rank among the writers of America. Her metaphysical and thoughtful turn of mind may prevent her from being as widely popular as some of much less natural genius and power, but will only make her more warmly admired and loved by all those who study her writings with the attention they deserve. The pure and lofty morality of her productions will always command admiration, and some of her sonnets and shorter poems are almost unequalled for their finish and play of fancy. Her conversational talents are remarkable, and those who have the privilege of her acquaintance are both charmed and instructed; her bright fancies blending with her benevolence give her words a peculiar power over the listener.