In all the utterance of this love of silent contemplation, however, there are discoverable frequent references to the Divine Author of the works of creation and providence ; associations of His attributes with the sublime and beautiful of nature; and revealings of His thoughts, in the floral poetry of earth, and the starry poetry of heaven.

The poem, in which the apostrophe to Solitude occurs, contains the following happy illustration of the soul in gloom, and soul in glory.

"Embosomed, latent in this nightly veil,
The modest rose hangs drooping in a dale;
At this Cimmerian hour, no glowing hue

It boasts, to charm the wand'ring gazer's view;
No fragrance loads the ambient, courting breeze,
That, with enamor'd wing, around it plays;

But, folded close within its leafy cell,

Nor charm, the sight; nor sweetness, feasts the smell:

The lily and the thistle dare to vie,

Nor fear distinction from the baffled eye.

"But when the opening dawn dispels the shades,
And light and life o'er nature's aspect spreads,
How shall its crimson beauties, smiling fair,
Unfold; its sweetness fill the neighboring air!
No longer then its charms obscurely lie,
And humble-tinted flow'rs no longer vie ;

But, by each gladden'd sense superior own'd,

It stands, the blooming pride of all around.

"Thus, when the veil of mortal night's withdrawn,

Lo! day, celestial day, with kindly dawn,

UNFOLDS THE SOUL, then lighted up of God,

And bids its radiant beauties smile abroad."

To intellectual improvement, the cultivation of the social sympathies, and the acquirement of personal accomplishments, were added, throughout the course of studies in Mr. Morse's school, religious instruction and devotional exercises. From her earliest years, in all her discipline

of mind and heart, there had been "poured upon" Mary Anna "the continual dew" of the divine blessing. And thus it was, that, by "the healthful spirit of God's grace," she could so "truly please" him. The solemnity and obligation of her baptismal vows she habitually realized; and, especially after she received the apostolic blessing, in "the laying on of hands" in Confirmation by the Bishop, availing herself of the means divinely instituted for the renovation and salvation of the soul, she felt and manifested the power of God's heavenly grace, and daily increased in his Holy Spirit more and more, until she came unto his everlasting kingdom.

Lovely and attractive in her budding childhood, she became lovelier and more attractive, as she daily developed into maturity of form and feature, until she mingled in the scenes of domestic and social intercourse, no longer the charming girl, but the captivating woman.

In the autumn of the year 1785, she returned from New Haven to Great Barrington. And the family circle there, and various groups of friends and companions, in and around her native village, delighted in her engaging society, which proved to be, for all who had the benefit of it, an unfailing fountain of enjoyment, ever unperturbed, pure, and refreshing. To this, her correspondents, in their letters to her, frequently refer, with much emotion. But, as she now took part in a new scene of life, the account of that, HER WOMANHOOD, is deferred to the next chapter.

III. HER WOMANHOOD.

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For softness she, and sweet attractive grace."

MILTON.

IN the interval between the conclusion of her academic studies and her marriage, she spent her time amid the occupations and pleasures of her happy home, with an occasional excursion, for a few days, to some neighboring town or village. But this seven years' interval constituted that era in her life, when she was to illustrate those eminent qualities, that adorn the female character with some of its chief perfections, and loveliest attributes.

It was a stage in her existence as a woman, which afforded precious opportunities, for maturing, under the eye of fond parents, and in an intelligent and affectionate domestic circle, both her mental culture and her moral discipline. And in a woman's life, this intermediate state between the girl and matron, (a state peculiarly favorable for her acquiring that household experience so essential to her future comfort in conducting family affairs, and also for ripening her mind and character under genial home influences,) little as it is appreciated by the giddy multitude, is always an important, and not unfrequently a fatal, climacteric. Properly regarded, it is the glad vernal season, when the air is balmiest, and days are loveliest, and nature speaks of hope and joy.

Then it is, that the grown daughter and sister may be

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come the radiant centre of a family's blessedness. Her mother's comfort, like a ministering angel, she may alleviate cares, assuage sorrows, and contribute those thousand little, nameless, daily and hourly assiduities, which regale a mother's heart with a continual feast. Her father's joy, she has it in her power to create for him a world of unspeakable happiness, by her demeanor and conversation, her very port and air, her tones of voice, and the varying expression of her amiable countenance; her smile, her glance, her sparkling thoughts, her tender feelings, the sweetness of her temper, and the devout af fections of her soul. And brothers and sisters, as they look on such an ornament and blessing of their home, and interchange with her their pledges of endearment, may well indulge the sentiment of one who duly valued Mary Anna's relation to him in the domestic circle, when he exclaimed, on giving utterance to his mingled feelings of love and admiration, "I say it with a degree of modest pride: I am your brother."*

As a daughter and a sister, she was aware of the deep interest of her relation, at home, to all by whom she was there surrounded. A participation in domestic duty, the reading of choice books, with society, occasional excursions, attention to the instructive drama of real life, habitual reflection on its vicissitudes, epistolary correspondence, innocent recreations, benevolent enterprises, and the cultivation of religious emotions and practical piety, were her usual daily round of occupation, and her admirable discipline for usefulness and happiness in the various situations which she was destined to occupy. Oh, that they, who,

* Samuel Whiting, in a letter dated July 14th, 1785, and already quoted, page 94.

with a prurient restlessness, are eager to rush, unmatured, from the studies of the school-girl to the duties of the wife and mother, would but pause, to look at such a daughter and sister as MARY ANNA WHITING, and see her path strewed with pleasures, as various and fragrant as the tints and perfumes of the flowers with which she would adorn herself, and associated with invaluable lessons of practical wisdom, and wholesome preparatives for entering into new and important relations in life.

Little do they think of the refined delights they lose forever, who rashly and inconsiderately forfeit their natural franchise, at the most cloudless and cheerful season of their existence; and hurry into the midst of stern realities in conjugal and domestic life, unqualified to discharge many of its imperative duties, and wholly unprepared to encounter its trials, endure its cares, and taste of its many and afflictive sorrows.

At her native village, amid the mountains of Berkshire, and at the family fireside there, Mary Anna's chief occupation was the performance of filial and sisterly offices of love; and her chief pleasure, the indulgence of amiable sympathies, and the cultivation of devout emotions of the heart. And the results of her pleasing and profitable employment, were manifested, more and more, in the formation of her character.

As her personal charms developed, and her mental powers matured, she became the object of very general notice, and great admiration. "When I first became acquainted in the family of Dr. Whiting," says a near connection,* eminently qualified, both by nature and education, duly to estimate her character, "his daughter MARY

*The Hon. David Sherman Boardman, of New Milford, Conn.