She was, he said, a fair and lovely child
As ever parent could desire to see,
Or seeing, fondly love; of manners mild,
Affections gentle, even in her glee,
Her very mirth from levity was free;

But her more common mood of mind was one Thoughtful beyond her early age, for she

In ten brief years her little course had run,Many more brief have known, but brighter surely

none.

Though some might deem her pensive, if not sad, Yet those who knew her better, best could tell How calmly happy, and how meekly glad

Her quiet heart in its own depths did dwell: Like to the waters in some crystal well,

In which the stars of heaven at noon are seen, Fancy might deem on her young spirit fell

Glimpses of light more glorious and serene Than that of life's brief day, so heavenly was her mien.

But though no boisterous playmate, her fond

smile

Had sweetness in it passing that of mirth; Loving and kind, her thoughts, words, deeds, the while

Betrayed of childish sympathies no dearth:

She loved the wild flowers scattered over earth,
Bright insects sporting in the light of day,
Blithe songsters giving joyous music birth

In groves impervious to the noontide ray ;All these she loved as much as those who seemed more gay.

Yet more she loved the word, the smile, the look,

Of those who reared her with religious care; With fearful joy she conned that holy book, At whose unfolded page full many a prayer, In which her weal immortal had its share,

Recurred to memory; for she had been trained, Young as she was, her early cross to bear;

And taught to love with fervency unfeigned, The record of His life whose death salvation gained.

I dare not linger, like my ancient friend,
On every charm and grace of this fair maid;
For, in his narrative, the story's end

Was long with fond prolixity delayed;
Though fancy had too well its close portrayed
Before I heard it. Who but might have
guessed

That one so ripe for heaven would early fade

In this brief state of trouble and unrest;

Yet only wither here to bloom in life more blest?

My theme is one of joy, and not of grief;
I would not loiter o'er such flower's decay,
Nor stop to paint it, slowly, leaf by leaf,

Fading and sinking to its parent clay :
She sank as sinks the glorious orb of day,

His radiance brightening at his journey's close,

Yet with that chastened, soft, and gentle ray

In which no dazzling splendour fiercely glows, But on whose mellowed light our eyes with joy

repose.

Her strength was failing, but it seemed to sink So calmly, tenderly, it woke no fear;

'T was like a rippling wave on ocean's brink, Which breaks in dying music on the ear, And placid beauty on the eye: no tear

Except of quiet joy in hers was known, Though some there were around her justly dear, Her love for whom in every look was shown, Yet more and more she sought and loved to be alone.

One summer morn they missed her she had been

As usual to the garden arbour brought, After their matin meal; her placid mien

Had worn no seeming shade of graver thought,

C

Her voice, her smile, with cheerfulness were

fraught,

And she was left amid that peaceful scene A little space; but when she there was sought, In her secluded oratory green,

Their arbour's sweetest flower had left its leafy screen!

They found her in her chamber, by the bed Whence she had risen, and on the bedside chair, Before her, was an open Bible spread;

Herself upon her knees. With tender care They stole on her devotions, when the air

Of her meek countenance the truth made known: The child had died! died in the act of prayer!

And her pure spirit, without sigh or groan, To heaven and endless joy from earth and grief had flown.

SONNET.

EMILY TAYLOR.

MOTHER, revere God's image in thy child!
No earthly gift thy parent arms enfold;
No mortal tongue as yet the worth hath told
Of that which in thy bosom, meek and mild,
Rests its weak head. O, not by sense beguiled

Gaze on that form of perishable mould;
Though first by thee it lived, on thee it smiled,
Yet not for thee existence must it hold,
For God's it is, not thine. Thou art but one
To whom that happy destiny is given,
To see an everlasting life begun,

To watch the dawnings of the future heaven, And to be such in purity and love

As best may win it to that life above!