Uncle Tom's Cabin.

The following is read in the second volume of that work, which had a popular success in both worlds:

Page 10 — My father was an aristocrat. I believe that, in some earlier existence, he must have belonged to the classes of the most elevated social order, and that he had brought with him, into the present one, all the pride of his ancient caste; for that pride was inherent in him, it was in the marrow of his bones, although he was of a poor and plebeian family.

Page 128 — Evidently the words that he had sung that evening were passing through his mind, words of supplication, addressed to infinite mercy. His lips moved feebly and, at rare intervals, a word escaped. — His mind is wandering, says the physician. — No, he is coming to himself, says Saint-Claire with energy.

This effort exhausted him. The pallor of death spread over his face, but with it an admirable expression of peace, as if some merciful Spirit had sheltered him beneath its wings. He seemed like a child falling asleep from fatigue.

He remained thus for a few moments; an all-powerful hand rested upon him. But, at the moment when the Spirit was about to take its flight, he opened his eyes, illuminated by a gleam of joy, as if he recognized a beloved being, and murmured softly: “My mother!”… his soul had taken wing!

Page 200 — Oh! how dare the perverse soul penetrate this dark world of sleep, whose uncertain limits border so closely on the fearful and mysterious scenes of retribution!

Observation. – It is impossible to express more clearly the idea of reincarnation, of the origin of our inclinations, and of the expiation suffered in posterior existences, for it is said that he who was rich and powerful may be reborn in poverty. It is remarkable that this work was published in the United States, where the principle of the plurality of terrestrial existences has long been repelled. It appeared in 1850, at the time of the first spiritist manifestations, when the doctrine of reincarnation had not yet been proclaimed in Europe. Mrs. Beecher-Stowe had then gathered it from her own intuition; she saw in it the only plausible reason for innate aptitudes and propensities. The second fragment cited is indeed the portrait of the soul that glimpses the world of the Spirits at the moment of its liberation.

[1] [La case de l'oncle Tom, Volume 1 By Harriet Elizabeth Beecher Stowe, Léon Pilatte - Google Books.]