х STANZAS. I WOULD not have thee deem my heart Which earthly passion ne'er alloys. To Him who makes my pathway bright. I would not chain to mystic creeds The beauteous path to heaven that leads I would not have that spirit rove One moment from its heavenward way. I would not that my heart were cold Of things within the world to come,- For I have left the dearly loved, The home, the hopes of other years, And early in its pathway proved Life's rainbow hues were formed of tears. I shall not meet them here again, Those loved and lost, and cherished ones, But perfect in the world above, Through suffering, wo, and trial here, Shall glow the undiminished love Which clouds and distance failed to sear; But I have lingered all too long, Thy kind remembrance to engage, And woven but a mournful song, Wherewith to dim thy page. I WOULD NEVER KNEEL. I WOULD never kneel at a gilded shrine I would never fetter this heart of mine There are haughty steps, that would walk the globe, I would scorn to bow to their jewelled robe, Or the beam of their coin-lit suns. But I'd bow to the light that God has given, The only light save that of Heaven That should free-will homage find. ✈ LUCRETIA MARIA DAVIDSON.* THE premature death of Miss Davidson is another warning to those who are rejoicing in the bright promise of early genius, how soon the frost may wither their hopes. Like the "Flower-of-an-hour" was her brief blossoming; and though the memorials of her extraordinary talents remain, yet we feel these are very inadequate to convey the impression which her living presence must have excited. Who can imagine truly what the fruit would have been by merely examining a petal from the half-opened bud? Lucretia Maria, second daughter of Dr. Oliver and Margaret Davidson, was born at Plattsburgh, on Lake Champlain, Sept. 27th, 1808. Her parents were then in indigent circumstances, and to add to their troubles, her mother was often sickly. Under such circumstances the little Lucretia would not be likely to owe her precocity to a forced education. The manifestations of intellectual activity were apparent in the infant, we may say; for at four years old she would retire by herself to pore over her books, and draw pictures of animals, and soon illustrated these rude drawings by poetry. Her first specimens of writing were imitations of printed let * A selection from her MS. was made after her decease, and a volume published—“ Amir Khan and other Poems"--with a "Biographical Sketch." By Samuel F. B. Morse ters, but she was very much distressed when these were discovered, and immediately destroyed them. The first poem of hers which has been preserved, was written when she was nine years old. It was an elegy on a Robin, killed in the attempt to rear it. This piece was not inserted in her works. The earliest of her poems which has been printed was written at eleven years old. Her parents were much gratified by her talents, and gave her all the indulgence in their power, which was only time for reading such books as she could obtain by borrowing; as they could afford no money to buy books, or to pay for her instruction. Before she was twelve years old, she had read most of the standard English poets-much of history, both sacred and profane-Shakspeare's, Kotzebue's and Goldsmith's dramatic works, and many of the popular novels and romances of the day. Of the latter, however, she was not an indiscriminate reader-many of those weak and worthless productions, which are the élite of the circulating libraries, this child, after reading a few pages, would throw aside in disgust. Would that all young ladies possessed her delicate taste and discriminating judgment! When Lucretia was about twelve years old, a gentleman, who had heard of her genius and seen some of her verses, sent her a complimentary note, enclosing twenty dollars. Her first exclamation was- Oh, now I shall buy me some books!"-But her dear mother was lying ill-the little girl looked towards the sick bedtears gushed to her eyes, and putting the bill into her father's hand, she said—“Take it, father; it will buy many comforts for mother; I can do without books." It is no wonder that her parents should feel the deepest affection for such a good and gifted child. Yet there will always be found officious, meddling persons, narrow-minded, if not envious, who are always prophesying evil on any pursuits in which they or theirs cannot compete. These meddlers advised that she should be deprived of pen, ink, and paper, and rigorously confined to domestic pursuits. Her parents were too kind and wise to follow this counsel; but Lucretia, by some means, learned that such had been given. Without a murmur she resolved to submit to this trial; and she faithfully adhered to the resolution. She told no one of her intention or feelings, but gave up her writing and reading, and for several months devoted herself entirely to household business. Her mother was ill at the time, and did not notice the change in Lucretia's pursuits, till she saw the poor girl was growing emaciated, and a deep dejection was settled on her countenance. She said to her one day,-" Lucretia—it is a long time since you have written any thing." The sweet child burst into tears, and replied "O mother, I have given that up long ago.' Her mother then drew from her the reasons which had influenced her to relinquish writing-namely, the opinions she had heard expressed that it was wrong for her to indulge in mental pursuits, and the feeling that she ought to do all in her power to lighten the cares of her parents.-Mrs. Davidson was a good, sensible woman; with equal discretion and tenderness she counselled her daughter to take a middle course, resume her studies, but divide her time between these darling pursuits and the duties of the household. Lucretia from thenceforth occasionally resumed her pen, and soon regained her quiet serenity and usual health. Her love of knowledge grew with her growth, and strengthened by every accession of thought. "Oh!" said she one day to her mother-"Oh! that I only possessed half the means of improvement which I see others slighting! I should be the happiest of the happy!" |