“ In spare hours from numerous duties she greedily devoured every work of fiction that came in her way. She became the wife of Prof. Francis H Smith in 1853, and considers herself to be peculiarly blessed in being able to reside still in the University of Virginia, her beloved native place. After the Civil War was over, she took up her pen for the real and earnest literary work of her life. Besides original articles, her translations from the German for leading periodicals and publishing houses form in themselves a long list. ”

“ Harrison gave to his children the valuable idea that education is not finished with the school curriculum, but is a thing of eternal progressiveness. Private tutors were freely engaged for the children. They studied Latin, German, French and Italian. ”

“ Her translations from other German writers are "Lieschen" "The Fairy of the Alps," "The Bailiffs Maid." "Cold Elsie," "Old Ma'am-selfe’s Secret," "The Owl House." "The Lady With the Rubies," "Serapis," "The Bride of the Nile," "Lace," by Paul Lindau, and others. She is thought by eminent critics to have an especial gift for translating German poetry, as for instance her "Chidhe" in the "Overland Monthly." She is one of those writers who have power to please children. Some of her books for children are translations from the German or adaptations from the French. ”