CHAPTER III.

BOARDING SCHOOL.

"I would not waste my spring of youth

In idle dalliance."

Hillhouse.

At the age of fourteen occurs an important era in the life of Adaline. Her second self departs for the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima. Earnestly does she desire to accompany him, and sad indeed is the separation. The painfulness of the event, however, is much relieved by a weekly correspondence, which contributes not less to her improvement than her pleasure. Aware of her superior talent and genius, her brother feels an intense desire for their development, and is constantly urging her to application. His situation induces her to depend upon him more than ever as her counselor; while his observation and experience as a student enable him to give her much valuable information, and many useful suggestions concerning her studies.

This, however, instead of satisfying, only increases her mental thirst. She beseeches her parents to send her to the same school. Her brother joins her in the application. After much entreaty on one side, and considerable hesitation on the other, she is placed, by way of compromise, at an excellent female institute, in West Mendon, only four miles

from Lima. Here she spends several happy sessions; enjoying, in addition to the weekly visits of her brother, the society of four young ladies from the West River Valley. One of these is her cousin M.; with whom she has grown up, from earliest childhood, in the most affectionate and confiding intimacy.

But her best companions are her books, and her favorite amusements are her studies. She soon outstrips her classmates; and after a while, leaves those who, at the time of her matriculation, were far in advance, gazing after her with envy or admiration. Urging is entirely unnecessary; she has within herself sufficient stimulus. But her fond

brother has not yet measured her ambition; nor is he fully aware of the fragility of her constitution, and the constant danger of over-exertion. Every letter reiterates his exhortations; every interview adds fuel to the fire which is destined too early to consume her being. Anticipating her return to The Grove,' she writes to her sister:

"I would much rather stay and study. I love my friends well, but cannot bear the thought of quitting school so soon. I see the importance of education, and am charmed with the beauties of science. If ever I enjoy myself, it is with my books."

Soon after this we find her at home, where she remains during the summer of 1837, continuing

her correspondence with her brother, till, in the fall, she joins him at Lima. Here, though separated only by a wall, with the privilege of meeting as often as they please, yet, for mutual improvement, they write to each other every week. The brother's communications abound with incitements to study, well calculated to keep the sister's ambition on the stretch, and increase the friction which is already wearing out too fast the frail machinery of life. Her studies consist principally in a review of her former acquisitions; with the addition of French, Algebra and Intellectual Philosophy. She is a general favorite, with both faculty and students. Miss Hyde, Preceptress of the Female Department, becomes particularly attached to her; and there are many pleasing proofs of the estimation in which she is held by others.

It was at the Seminary she began her first diary. The second entry, dated "January 15, 1838," records an event over which the angels in heaven held jubilee. There was an interesting state of religious feeling in the institution, and many of its inmates became the subjects of renewing grace. Adaline, from infancy, had been taught, and not without effect, the necessity of a spiritual renovation. Now the seed, which had already germinated in her heart, suddenly burst into blooming vegetation. Gently, by pious teachers and recent converts, she was led to the Lamb of God. On the day above mentioned, "feeling no interest in books, nor incli

nation to study," she attends a prayer meeting. On entering the house, she feels "that the place is holy-consecrated by many sacred socialities, and the spiritual birth of many precious friends." Her heart sinks under the burden of its sins. An opportunity is presented; and she offers herself, with several others, as a subject of prayer. Returning to her room, Miss C. overtakes her, and enters into conversation. She seems to understand Adaline's feelings and to share them with her. "I can never forget her," writes the diarist. "I shall always cherish toward her an unspeakable gratitude and love. She hovered about me like an angel, and her words were fraught with sweetest healing." Entering her apartment, she kneels in prayer, "with such a sweet feeling of self-abasement and self abandonment, such precious views of the love of God, and such confidence in the blessed Savior," that her heart dissolves with joy. At twilight, she looks out upon the face of nature, and every object seems "radiant with smiles;" and afterward, when she lifts her eyes to heaven, the whole congregation of stars seems "ready to burst into song!" She is "at a loss what to call this strange mental phenomenon;" but adds-"whatever its name, it is very heavenly;" and then expresses the "hope that it will not vanish like the meteor, or exhale like morning dew."

And did it vanish or exhale? Was it an evanescent excitement, or a mere change of purpose or

preference? "By their fruits ye shall know them." Her subsequent humility, unwavering faith, and ardent love-the beautiful consistency of her whole character as a Christian-prove it the impartation of a new principle-the infusion of a new life-by the Spirit of God. It gave her other affections and tendencies; sanctified her ambition; hallowed all her deportment; and opened a fountain of living waters, which cheered her through the wilderness, and refreshed her in "the valley of the shadow of death."

After so clear a conversion, it may be thought strange, that the extracts from Adaline's diary, in the following pages, contain so few notices of her religious feelings. It may suffice to answer, that the diary was addressed to a brother who made no profession of religion. Though constant, and even scrupulous, in her attention to religious duties, she was a retiring and unobtrusive Christian. She thought much, read much, wrote much, talked much, on various religious subjects; but with the humility of a true disciple, she avoided unnecessary publicity; and, communing daily with God in her closet, made no ostentatious display of piety before the world.