Page:Margaret Fuller Ossoli (Higginson).djvu/186

168 though then possessed of but about $500 in the world. Such acts of sisterly devotion were common things with her; and this is mentioned only to show out of what patient self-denial the “Dial” was born.

Four months later she was compelled to lay down her task; her own statement of circumstances being as follows, in a letter to Mr. Emerson, and briefly indorsed by him “Margaret Fuller — March, 1842. Stop the ‘Dial!

“,—I requested Miss Peabody to write to you, but, after looking over her letter, I want to add some lines myself. I hoped they would get at these particulars before you returned from New York, that you might hear them on your way and not be teased as soon as you arrive at your quiet home, but you came earlier than I had expected. Yesterday I found myself so unwell, and really exhausted, [while] letters received from the family made my stay here so uncertain, that I wrote the little notice with regard to the possibility of suspending the ‘Dial’ for a time, feeling that I must draw back from my promise that I would see to the summer number; but this morning after J. Clarke and Miss P. had at last the means of almost entirely examining the accounts, they give me the result you find in her letter to you, which makes it impossible for me to go on at all.

“I could not do it, in future, if I have the same burden on me as I have had before, even as well as I have done. There is a perceptible diminution of my strength, and this winter has been one of so severe