PORTRAITURE. PROLOGUE. To cherish the memory of the virtuous dead, is the obvious duty of the living. To portray their characters, and preserve their works, is one of the best services we can render to mankind. The rec ord of their various experiences is the most precious legacy they have left the world, and the present is the trustee of the future. The following pages have long been ready for the press, but various circumstances have hitherto delayed their publication. Difficulties still exist, which would seem to justify further postponement; but the urgency of friendship forbids; and it would be ingratitude to disregard the benevolent importunity of those, who, for more than three years, have awaited the promised memorial of one they so dearly loved and now so deeply mourn. In discharging this delightful duty to humanity and the memory of a sainted friend, the writer has endeavored to present, as far as possible, a fair transcript of the original. He has aimed, however, at an exhibition-less of her outer than of her inner life-less of the incidents of her history, than of the habitudes of her soul. He has labored to develop the hidden elements of her character-the motives and impulses which controlled her conduct-the thoughts and feelings, tastes and fancies, joys and sorrows, hopes and fears, which colored the various current of her being. Her own literary "etchings and sketchings," in the sacred privacy of the diary and correspondence with congenial souls, were deemed the best exponents of her mental and spiritual qualities. From these, therefore, the writer has drawn most of his material, inserting only here and there so much of his meaner metal as was necessary to weld the golden links together. Whatever the imperfections of the painting, it is hoped that the qualities which it reveals of the original will amply reward the inspection. The gayety of her spirit, blended with the sweetest gentleness-the elegance of her taste, attempered with the severest judgment-her ardent love of truth— her ambitious pursuit of knowledge-the energy and strength of her intellect-the brilliancy and grasp of her imagination-the variety and extent of her literary acquirements-the purity and depth of her moral principles-the integrity and harmony of her whole character-properly perceived and appreciated, cannot fail to awaken admiration, and captivate the heart. Her transit was brief, but brilliant. All who ever knew her intimately still love her memory and lament their loss. Her life was a benediction to the world; and in the sad recollection of their bereavement, her friends gather their sweetest consolation from her grave. NASHVILLE, May 1, 1851. |