A 
 
 
 
 .^' 
 
 
M E L Z I N G A 
 
 SOUVENIR. 
 
 Goethe says, one should at least every day liear a little song; read a good poem ; 
 look upon some excellent picture, and if it te possible speak a few sensible words. 
 
 NEW-YORK. 
 1845^ 
 
 V^ 
 
 
fs'.> 
 
 ^^i 
 
 W a*^ ^ SSft^:-: ^ ^ 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1844, in the Clerk'e 
 office of the District Court of the Southern District of New-York, 
 
 <"' 
 
 :? ^ 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Page. 
 
 Journal, ..-..--- 5 
 
 Letter from J. Q. Adams, - - - - - HO 
 
 Charles Fifth's Clocks. By J. Q. Adams, - - - 113 
 
 A Dream, 119 
 
 Town and Country, .----- 121 
 
 Lines on the visit of Mrs. H., .... 125 
 
 Retrospection. By J. Q. Adams, - - - - 127 
 
 An Acrostic, ..-.-.. 130 
 
 On the Death of Dr. Channing, - - - - 132 
 
 Lines after hearing Dr. — preach, ... 134 
 
 Response, -.-.-.-- 136 
 
 Dedication Hymn, ...... 138 
 
 The Ivy and the Oak, ...... 140 
 
 To the Memory of M. W., - . - - - 141 
 
 Remember me. By Hon. E. Everett, - - - 142 
 
 A Nocturnal Excursion, ..... 147 
 
4 CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 Lines written in the Album of a Lady, after the signature of John 
 
 Adams. By L. M. Sargent, - - - - 154 
 
 To the Sun-Dial. By J. Q. Adams, .... 159 
 
 Christmas Day, - - - - - - - 160 
 
 Extract, - - - - - - - 164 
 
 Notes from a Manuscript. By E. P., - - - - 166 
 
 A City Ramble, 170 
 
 Lines by H.W., .-..--- 176 
 
JOURNAL. 
 
 Guiding her palfrey along the mountain's 
 
 Side, fair Marion, with her sire, 
 
 Three knights on a pic-nic met, 
 
 All intent shrubs to bring. 
 
 The place to deck, and greet the Spring. 
 
 From the mountain they bore 
 An Indian arrow head, 
 Rescued by Walter from its ancient bed, 
 Where long it had reposed ; 
 Where deeds of valor and renown 
 2 
 
JOURNAL. 
 
 The warrior chief on game intent, 
 In mountain hunt his way had bent. 
 Along the pathway wound ; 
 Now the vine, with genial bloom, 
 Luxuriates in the rich perfume ; 
 And where vast solitudes dismay 
 Reigned with undisputed sway, 
 Now teems with life and nurture gay — 
 The grape its tendrils bind, 
 Obedient to the mountain wind. 
 
 To Melzinga's vale they sped, as when 
 Along the stream whose dashing roar 
 Awakes the echo from the shore, 
 And forms the music of the glen. 
 
 Both sire and son, with fell 
 Disease have grappled now, 
 
JOURNAL. 
 
 And o*er their brightest prospects flung 
 The Wighted hope, the withered one. 
 Young Walter and his promised bride, 
 Richly blest in nature's pride. 
 Have early proved how brief is life. 
 How brittle all its sweetest hopes. 
 To rest the neart is not in earth. 
 Or cheer its hours with firmest wealth ; 
 'Tis not in love to check the birth 
 Of poison to the smile of health. 
 
 Then far above all sensual joy, 
 Let Reason plant her banner high, 
 And Faith exult, that she may trust 
 Her treasures where the moth can't ply. 
 
 A beam divine of intellectual beauty 
 Dawns upon the soul ! 
 
JOURNAL, 
 
 Oh task me not to tell thee more ; 
 
 The stars are glimmering on the shore, 
 
 The silent night bespeaks a calm, 
 
 And still and hushed the world's alarm — 
 
 We weary, love, without thee ! 
 
 Wilt thou say 'tis dull, not worthy a thought ? 
 With neither fancy, wit, or feeling wrought, 
 How shall we such presumption treat ? 
 With shrugs and frowns, and grave grimace, 
 To thick-coming fancies we must leave the dame, 
 Bid her the needle ply, or plod through the game. 
 
 But should perchance an appreciating gleam 
 Dance in thy fancy, or delude in a dream ; 
 With magnetic springs the mind unfold, 
 " Live o'er each scene, and be what we behold," 
 
JOURNAL. 9 
 
 Then with kindred soul exalt, inspire, 
 
 Breathe through the heart, and strike the trembling 
 
 lyre — 
 Rejoice in sympathy, be firm in love. 
 And trust a ruling Deity above. 
 
 April. 
 
 The Journal droops ; the lagging Spring 
 Delays the promised budding flower ; 
 The hills are brown, and do not ring 
 With sonnets at the dawn's fresh hour. 
 
 Neighbor with converse free. 
 
 Social warmth and genial glee, 
 Dilates at length on various themes 
 As pleasant as the morning dreams 
 Of sunlit hours, when fancy reigned, 
 And o'er my life those hearts beloved 
 That now are hushed and rest with God, 
 Whose loss has sobered all my views of life. 
 2* 
 
10 JOURNAL* 
 
 The best embalment of their memoryj 
 
 Is training those fair branches 
 
 Whose culture most demands our care ; 
 
 Those mated hearts, whose souls absorbed 
 
 In sympathy profound, seeking a haven 
 
 Fair to launch their bark of Hfe, and on the 
 
 Untried Ocean trim their sails — so fraught 
 
 With pure affection and esteem, that 
 
 Faith believes their voyage of life "with 
 
 Happiest gales shall waft them on to the 
 
 Bright eternal shores, where hopes fulfilled 
 
 Shall promised blessedness insure. 
 
 How oft at eve does memory bring the 
 
 Forms of those with whom my heart has shared 
 
 Its joys, and in whose sympathy my fond 
 
 Affection rested, the interchange 
 
 Of thought and feeling too, we miss, 
 
 And deeply share their present happiness ; 
 
JOURNAL. 11 
 
 When earthly duties are fulfilled, to 
 
 Join them where the weary are at rest, 
 
 Where themes eternal shall 
 
 Employ our noblest powers, 
 
 And time shall cease to be divided into hours. 
 
 " Leave, if thou wouldst be lonely, 
 Leave nature for the crowd, 
 Seek there, for one, one only. 
 With kindred mind endowed." 
 
 * * * * 
 
 The revellers met — the waltz's maze 
 And vocal art with sweetest skill 
 Dispersed all mists, and gloomy haze 
 Dissolved in mirth and free good will. 
 
 The week thus closed, 
 The morning dawned, 
 
12 JOURNAL. 
 
 Assembled we repair 
 
 To hear the gifted preacher's voice, 
 
 To breathe the earnest prayer. 
 
 With souls devout, and hearts disposed 
 
 To grateful themes of praise, to thoughts of 
 
 Good, the mind composed, the patient 
 
 Spirit raised to contemplate creation's 
 
 Work, and all its rays dispensed 
 
 To man, of mercy and beneficence. 
 
 " Poetry hath been its own 
 
 Exceeding great reward, 
 
 Afflictions it hath soothed, 
 
 Rough paths smoothed; 
 
 Enjoyments it has refined 
 
 And multiplied — solitude endeared ; 
 
 And to the desire gave birth, 
 
 To tune the heart to innocent mirth, 
 
JOURNAL. ' 13 
 
 And to discover the good and 
 
 The beautiful, in all that surrounds us." 
 
 The gatherings of the clan were frequent — 
 
 The viol and the dance, 
 
 The timbrel and the harp, 
 
 The lover's powers and the poet's art; 
 
 All essayed to hasten on the hours, 
 
 To brighten and expand hfe's simplest flowers. 
 
 The hour of parting came, 
 
 'Tis hard to sever 
 
 The fond heart ever 
 
 From the joys of sweet companionship ; 
 
 When with another self we have communed, 
 
 The fountains of the heart unlock — 
 
 The streams gush forth of love and gratitude. 
 
 The artist's studio was visited, 
 The pencil's magic work extolled. 
 
14 JOURNAL. 
 
 The Speedwell embarks from Holland, 
 
 The noble daring of the pilgrim band ; 
 
 Elder Brester, with open book, 
 
 Uplifted eye and martyrM look. 
 
 All gathered round, meekly to implore 
 
 The aid of heaven — and from their souls ador6 
 
 That Power whose protecting arm, 
 
 Would shield them from the storm 
 
 And all their fears disarm ; 
 
 Safely land them on the distant shore 
 
 Triumphant on the ocean's bosom, 
 
 And cheer with hope to yield no more 
 
 To miscalled zeal and persecution. 
 
 ***** 
 
 Blessed Saviour, I am thine, 
 
 Let me feel that thou art mine — 
 
 Holy child of God I'd be. 
 
 Blest to live always with thee. 
 
JOURNAL. 15 
 
 Let thy Spirit form my heart, 
 All impurity depart ; 
 Let thy presence cheer my soul, 
 And thy love my life control. 
 Then in blessedness with thee. 
 Here, or elsewhere, shall we be ; 
 Let us cast all gloom away. 
 Let it be our joy to pray. 
 
 Let us serve thee. Father, Friend, 
 
 Let our souls to thee ascend ; 
 
 Let the electric fire of love 
 
 Seek a refuge for the dove. 
 
 And the olive branch of peace impart 
 
 An asylum for the pure in heart. 
 
 The rippling water and the graceful sail. 
 The misty mountain and the shady vale, 
 
16 JOURNAL. 
 
 The humid ah*, all tended to inspire 
 
 A thoughtful tone of poetic fire. 
 
 The clouds collected 
 
 And the thunder rolPd, 
 
 The rain descended, and the mountains 
 
 Frowned in majesty sublime" — 
 
 The morning followed, and the sunbeam 
 
 Dispelled and chased the mists that 
 
 Lowered on night's sable brow : 
 
 Its pensiveness had parted, 
 
 And from the eye the tear just started 
 
 Beamed again with cheerful hope. 
 
 Thou wilt be glad to meet Isabel, 
 Greet thy dear sister well : 
 The ties that bind thy young hearts 
 Are tender and deep ; 
 
JOURNAL. 17 
 
 Bright are thy eatly days, 
 
 Merry thy roundelays, 
 
 Far be the days when thou'lt weep ; 
 
 Yet tears are the mothers of virtues, 
 
 And affliction the steps we ascend to the skies — 
 
 Then treasure the lessons on life's pages imprest, 
 
 And turn to those heavens where faith never dies. 
 
 The daughter has come the circle to cheer ; 
 Welcome, thou friend of the heart. 
 Thy presence is hailed ever dear, 
 Calm pleasure thou dost ever impart. 
 How soon the sunshine of youth is o'ercast, 
 The shadows lengthen as we pass on 
 From hour to hour, no lingering in the 
 Sands of the glass — 'twere best 
 To leave the poetic flower. 
 And sweeten the current of life 
 3 
 
18 JOURNAL. 
 
 With smiles and joyous glee, 
 
 Banish pensive images, musing, 
 
 And flee away with sombre images. 
 
 Care worn, melancholy visages, 
 
 Are only suited for cells and cloister. 
 
 Telling beads and pate?^ noster ; 
 
 But all this time thy sun descends, 
 
 And what report do the hours bear 1 
 
 Does the recordins^ ano^el mark the 
 
 Smallest space of time improved ? 
 
 Dost thou guard the issues of thine heart 1 
 
 Are all the sands diamond sparks 
 
 That dazzle as they pass ? 
 
 " As in water, face answereth to face, 
 
 So the heart of man to man." 
 
 Brighter than jewels rare. 
 
 Or dew-drops on the ambient air, 
 
 Is the sympathy that flows 
 
JOURNAL. t9 
 
 From heart to heart, when in 
 
 Bewilderment of dehght, we find 
 
 Kindred spirits, congenial mind : 
 
 'Tis too great a bliss to last — 
 
 When found, one ever wings its flight 
 
 To lasting regions of delight, 
 
 And leaves its mate to mourn. 
 
 ***** 
 
 " The clouds drop fatness," 
 
 The earth shall rejoice, 
 
 The time of the singing of birds hath come ; 
 
 The flowers shall spring. 
 
 The green trees bring 
 
 The load of blossoms and fruit. 
 
 " The clusters of grapes sent out of 
 Babylon, implore favor for the 
 Exuberant leaves of the vine ; 
 
20 JOURNAL. 
 
 For had there been no leaves, 
 You had lost the grapes." 
 
 May ^h. 
 Not one thouglit this fair page to- adorn ^ 
 The arrivals were frequent on yesterday's morn, 
 From the East and the South 
 They all clustered around the old hall ; 
 The old and the young, the grave and the gay, 
 The boys and the birds, the infant and all. 
 Assembled, their devotions to pay 
 At the shrine of the Hudson, whose fair bay 
 Is reflected, with magical beauty, 
 In glass all portraying the artistical duty 
 To represent nature, in the verdure of spring ; 
 To paint every flower, each blossom to bring 
 To perfection — each shrub as reflected. 
 And gild every joy of the heart is expected. 
 With lover-like tints and hopes ambrosia. 
 To expand the buds of the grand magnolia^ 
 
JOURNAL. 21 
 
 The hearts-ease and tuhp, the rose and the lily, 
 The sweet blooming violet and modest enemony» 
 
 * # * * 
 
 The laughter-loving dames have departed — 
 We must retire, while unbroken hearted, 
 To repair the ravages of mirth — 
 Eleven strikes, around the hearth 
 I leave the glowing embers. 
 For May still shivers 
 
 With the recollection of her former fevers» 
 Sunshine and showers alternate 
 Play, and bo-peep keep 
 With obedient clouds 
 Whose pleasure 'tis to weep. 
 * * * % 
 
 In the garden I rambled. 
 The sweets were assembled — 
 The fish and the birds, 
 
 3* 
 
^o. 
 
 JOURNAL. 
 
 The plants without number 
 
 Their names too encumber 
 
 My memory oft with distraction invest ; 
 
 And whether grave or in jest 
 
 Enforced the reflection 
 
 And proposed for inspection, 
 
 The beauties of nature 
 
 Displayed to my view. 
 
 But where turns not the eye 
 
 To the wonders on high, 
 
 When night with her worlds 
 
 Bespangles the sky. 
 
 And the moon her bright crescent displays. 
 
 'Tis then we feel how limited 
 
 Our knowledge, and how boundless the 
 
 Creator's power ; in adoration rapt. 
 
 We seek for signs and symbols to express 
 
 Our feeble sense, of the presence that fillis 
 
JOURNAL. 23 
 
 All space, and onward tends to the perfection 
 
 Of creation. 
 
 Enlarge the powers thou hast given 
 
 To man, and with ennobling culture let 
 
 Him train his mind to themes that will 
 
 Exalt and raise him to thyself, the fountain 
 
 Of all knowledge, love supreme and blessedness, 
 
 That passes the belief of finite beings. 
 
 Let their harps be strung anew, and 
 
 All their strings be tuned to melody. 
 
 The Bobolinkum's evening song thrilled 
 Through the woods, and on the ear resounded 
 With sweeter melody than prisoned 
 Songsters ; each bird now seeks the retired 
 Bough, and with wearied wing reposes till 
 The morn aojain calls forth their strains of 
 Melody and hymns of praise ; let not the 
 
24 JOURNAL. 
 
 Voice of man alone be wanting, to send 
 Forth the notes of grateful joy. 
 
 The shades of evening closer draw, 
 
 The moon her narrow crescent gleams upon 
 
 The water, the roseate hue is reflected 
 
 In the Hudson's placid mirror. 
 
 For all the mercies of the day, with gratitude 
 
 O'erflow our hearts, and with the brightest 
 
 Beams of thankfulness, let our evening 
 
 Prayer ascend. 
 
 ***** 
 
 Oh, for sympathies divine. 
 
 May I feel that thou art mine ; 
 
 Guide my spirit, fill my heart. 
 
 Let me love thee as I ought. 
 
 Fill my soul with joy supreme, 
 
 Sanctify each waking dream ; 
 
JOURNAL. 35 
 
 Let not distrust banish ,. 
 
 From thy presence ever vanish 
 
 Each dissembling fear — 
 
 Let me feel that thou art near. 
 
 Exalt, ennoble, and refine 
 
 The hearts thou formed for love divine* 
 
 Let not low pursuits engage 
 
 The noble beings thou hast made ; 
 
 From strength to strength impart 
 
 The power to purify the heart. 
 
 From star to star let bliss extend 
 
 From world to world that has no end ; 
 
 Wisdom from thy self impart, 
 
 To know thee, as alone thou art. 
 
 Cleave the rock, and let the waters flow, 
 
 From duty to be happier than we know. 
 
 Let it be our meat and drink 
 
 Thy will to do, while on the brink 
 
26 JOURNAL. 
 
 Of life we pass the valley through. 
 
 Draw from the picture gallery 
 
 Painted by memory. 
 
 Let the strings vibrate — 
 
 May all the notes penetrate ; 
 
 Happily thankful, let the notes ascend 
 
 To thee, the source, the fountain and the end. 
 
 May 21. 
 
 Welcome a well known guest. 
 
 Who with varied powers 
 
 Gives wings to the hours — 
 
 Instruction imparts. 
 
 With hilarity's art. 
 By Dryden and Pope the breakfast is graced — 
 At the close of the meal to the garden they haste ; 
 
 And with congenial powers 
 
 Beguile the fleeting hours. 
 " Where op'ning roses breathing sweets diffuse, 
 And soft carnations shower their balmy dews ; 
 
JOURNAL.. 27 
 
 Where lilies smile in virgin robes of white, 
 
 The thin undress of superficial light : 
 
 And varied tulips show so dazzling gay,. 
 
 Blushing in bright diversities of day. 
 
 Each painted floweret, in the stream below, 
 
 Surveys its beauties, whence its beauties grow ; 
 
 Here aged trees embowering walks compose. 
 
 And mount the hill in venerable rows.'* 
 
 There oft retired the Ionian bard peruse — 
 
 Astonished that his cultivated muse 
 
 No higher themes than fabled woes could dare,. 
 
 The warrior's battles and the charms of fair. 
 
 We miss not much the intercourse that flows 
 
 From casual meetings ; how few who know 
 
 The method to impart, for mind the culture, ^ 
 
 And for warmth the heart. 
 
 To books, those silent solacers, we're driven — 
 
 To comfort us on earth, and form for Heaven. 
 
28 JOURNAL. 
 
 R. views with a jealous eye his brother's fame ; 
 
 D. is not sick — luxury and ease his aim — 
 
 S. sarcastically sweet he calls, 
 
 F. is bustling busy in the halls. 
 
 H. is made to stir the people up. 
 
 Then prithee, friend, what are thy deserts, 
 
 And why thus unappreciated thy worth 1 
 
 The world to folly and the love of lucre given, 
 
 Does not devote the zeal it should to heaven ; 
 
 Thy sense and talent not rated as they should. 
 
 To all intents and purpose, by the good. 
 
 Then let the sweets of life thy mind presage, 
 
 And prune away the shoots that now engage j 
 
 Good humor will the gloom dispel, 
 
 And teacJi the blessed wisdom of judging well. 
 
 The few assembled to meditate awhile 
 On subjects lofty, and on themes divine. 
 
 May 23, 
 
 May 24. 
 
JOURNAL. 29 
 
 To raise their thoughts from earth to heaven, 
 
 Thanks to return for mercies given, 
 
 And supphcate for full suppHes 
 
 Of spiritual food, and aims beyond the skies. 
 
 ON NAMING A HALL. 
 
 To designate the halls where crowds shall meet 
 In council or devotion, to complete 
 The honor paid his fame has won, 
 We'll call it by the name of Washington ! 
 These hills have echoed to his well earned fame, 
 Each heart reveres and venerates his name. 
 To future ages we will hand the theme 
 Dear to each mind ; and pleasing as the dream 
 Of cherished forms, his partners in the toil 
 3 
 
 May 25. 
 
30 JOURNAL. 
 
 Of war were here in duty found, 
 
 Each sacred relique to the heart is bound. 
 
 The memory vibrates with reverential fear. 
 
 Fihal affection drops the grateful tear ; 
 
 By a nation cherished as her honorM son, 
 
 The cypress and the laurel form the wreath he won, 
 
 * * * * 
 
 The full heart would expand 
 From memory's band, and o'erflow with flowers, 
 Joyous were the hours 
 When, with sympathy met. 
 They strove to forget 
 That time had wasted their flowers. 
 Along the bank of life they parted ; 
 And o'er the summer of their days 
 "Were their hearts united. 
 He's dead ! She'll ne'er behold him more — 
 She'll seek him in the bowers above, 
 
JOURNAL. 31 
 
 And there perfected will be their love ! 
 In robes of white, with hymns of praise, 
 The anthems to His name they'll raise. 
 With garlands of celestial flowers 
 We'll sanctify the passing hours ; 
 Then in perfect strains of bliss 
 We'll dedicate such happiness. 
 
 1: * * * 
 
 We steamed and railed, till our welcome 
 Warm hearted, was shown by the cordial glow 
 That from the city of love should ever flow ; 
 The sun shone bright, and busy sounds 
 Were heard around. 
 
 To Laurel Hill, we visited the mansions 
 Of the dead, and gathered flowers — 
 They've bloomed where the dead repose 
 And in peace have rescued their sorrows 
 And their woes from this world's haunts — 
 
32 JOURNAL. 
 
 Their spirits soar aloft, and in brightest 
 
 Gems arrayed, will waft, their harps displayed ; 
 
 Borne above the jars and strife 
 
 That agitate this mortal life,. 
 
 They hail us from the realms of day. 
 
 Sister spirits, come away — 
 
 We'll haste with joy to brighten gems 
 
 That shine immortal in those realms, 
 
 Where bliss and peace forever dwell, 
 
 Eternal joys no tongue can tell ; 
 
 Then tune our harps to sweetest sound. 
 
 And modulate their strains around. 
 
 'Twill emulate our souls anew, 
 
 To contemplate this pensive view. 
 
 With stream and gently sloping hill — 
 
 Obedient to the sculptor's will. 
 
 The monumental urn, 
 
 Bespeaks affliction stern. 
 
JOURNAL. 33 
 
 That severed from the parent stems 
 The cherished, brightest gems 
 Of hopes and joys the highest given, 
 To train the human heart for heaven. 
 
 Next day we visited the Carey mansion, 
 And admired the taste, both rare and chaste, 
 Of sculpture and of painting, the stately 
 Abbess, and the tragic Fanny, the shell 
 Girl, and the marble boy ; no crouching 
 Venus, or Diana bold, or rare Apollo — 
 But specimens modest and select. 
 Refreshed the eye. 
 
 After our tea. Lord A. was announced, 
 With gracious manners, and discreetest skill ; 
 On various themes he spake, at home on all. 
 From the Capitol the sage returned, 
 3* 
 
34 JOURNAL* 
 
 His hands with papers filled, with plans his 
 Head — after dining, we accompanied 
 Him to the grounds at the President's house 
 Where music, and gay forms the scene adorned. 
 From the President a deputation came 
 Our party inviting, to ascend and view 
 The paintings of Heily, the American 
 Artist, sent by Louis Philippe to copy 
 The form of Washington, to adorn the 
 Versailles gallery — the king asserting, 
 " That none but an American could 
 Paint Washington." The east room and green we 
 Then observed, space and splendor ! but ah, 
 How desolate ! no home adornments, no 
 Domestic traits to cheer the heart, or animate 
 The mind, refresh with little tokens of repose, 
 And all the treasury of love disclose. 
 
 June 2DlJi. 
 
 Visited the house and the senate, the 
 
JOURNAL. 
 
 35 
 
 Library of thirty-five thousand volumes, the colossal 
 
 Statue of Washington, the Baptism of 
 
 Pocahontas, by Chapman, the miniature 
 
 In perfection of Victoria, by Freeman. 
 
 Heard Mr. Adams speak in the House, 
 
 All rude disorder and wild confusion, 
 
 All but the reporters were deafened 
 
 By the din. 
 
 Then to the patent office 
 
 Where ingenuity has tasked her 
 
 Fullest powers, most skilfully to portray 
 
 With nicest touches, and extremest a,rt. 
 
 All models, displayed with scientific 
 
 Skill. Treaties, and jewels, of diamond's 
 
 Fac-similies, the largest known — by the 
 
 Queen of Portugal possessed. 
 
 Animals of all sorts, birds with bright and downy wings, 
 
 And rarest keepsakes, the gift of kings. 
 
36 JOURNAL. 
 
 Two guns by the Bey of Tunis to Jefterson 
 
 Presented, one with coral and silver inlaid, 
 
 The other in richest gold arrayed. 
 
 The value three thousand and five, 
 
 A costly morsel from the royal hive. 
 
 Our names we signed in the book of state, 
 
 Then took our leave at the noble gate. 
 
 Oh diplomacy ! oh politica ! the thread bare 
 
 Reputation spare — to draw the veil, forbear, forbear, ! 
 
 Turn my heart to quiet scenes. 
 
 For purest joys give me the means, 
 
 And let all mental pleasures flow 
 
 From streams, that conflicts never know. 
 
 'Tis rare to find things not overrated, 
 
 'Tis still more rare if not misstated ; 
 
 Give me the judgment to suspend 
 
 All sentence, that would lead me to condemn. 
 
JOURNAL, 37 
 
 Dost thou not think it savors of evasion 1 
 Thou in the friendship of the world art 
 Better versed than I, 'tis a painful 
 Subject, but alas ! I fear, the shadow's 
 More than the substance bear, evasion 
 And delusion, lead one on, and end 
 Too often in dissimulation. 
 I would that thy hopes had better food ; 
 Learn wisdom from the shifting scenes of 
 Life, and study well the science to be good. 
 
 ON SEEING MADEMOISELLE E DANCE FOR THE 
 
 BENEFIT OF THE ORPHANS' ASYLUM. 
 
 Fanny bright and graceful creature ! 
 Beauty beams in every feature ; 
 Thy motions are all harmonious, 
 Would thy hopes were glorious ; 
 
3S JOURNAL. 
 
 Thy touching gracefulness wins upon the heart, 
 And for thy best good, would the hope impart 
 That all thine efforts here, may yet result in good, 
 Purify thy heart, and let thy soul seek 
 Spiritual blessings, for the Orphans thou 
 Hast danced this night — is not that a prayer? 
 May tenfold treasures to thy bosom be returned, 
 Let those who have had line upon 
 Line, and precept upon precept, 
 Beware they judge thee not. 
 
 PASSING UP THE HUDSON 
 
 June 23th. 
 
 Ye towering hills whose graceful slope 
 Down to the water's edge, whose outline bold 
 Marked by the silvery evening sky, 
 Fringed with the lofty pine or graceful 
 
JOURNAL. 39 
 
 Hemlock — the dashing boat cutting her 
 Rapid course through the parted waves with 
 Roaring foam, contrast in bold relief with 
 The graceful sweeping sail, a villa partly 
 Hid, and part revealed, deep in the 
 Embowering wood ; the sparks, like falhng 
 Stars, quenching their brief light in the Hudson's 
 Bosom ; " The weary sun hath made a golden 
 Set, and gives token of a goodly day to-morrow." 
 
 July it?i. 
 
 The day has dawned, that marked the freedom 
 Of the nation ; years have passed when 
 With high hopes, and lofty purposes the 
 Heroes of the olden time, resisted. 
 Fought, and bled, and conquered too ; 
 Their sons but little know the fathers' conflicts 
 In those times, that tried the souls of men. 
 
40 JOURNAL. 
 
 On this day it was, two of the sages* 
 
 Sank to rest, and with the meed in view, 
 
 " AVell done, good and faithful servants," 
 
 They bowed their heads in bright exchange of worlds. 
 
 July 8th. 
 What are the beneficial effects 
 Of Herschel's discoveries 1 The ocean 
 Is navigated with much greater 
 Certainty, the latitude and longtitude 
 Are more accurately calculated. 
 With lofty purpose he estimated 
 The distance of the brilliant stars, 
 And for the mariner gave certain laws 
 To guide him when tossM upon the ocean's 
 Bosom, teaching the power to direct his course 
 With skilfulness and superior force. 
 
 * Adams and Jefferson. 
 
JOURNAL, 41 
 
 July 9th. 
 
 Oh life ! thou art a varied scene 
 Of bliss to-day and grief to-morrowj 
 
 Bright spots are woven in between 
 From happiness too briefly borrowed. 
 
 A BIRTH DAY. 
 
 Dear girl, my hopes for thee are sparkling in my mind, 
 
 With meek devotion thy mother would implore 
 
 Each virtue, science, and hope adore 
 
 For thy development and content, 
 
 And to thy Creator raise 
 
 The notes of gratitude, the hymn of praise. 
 
 Remembering in the season of thy youth 
 
 The fount of wisdom and the source of truth, 
 5 
 
42 JOURNAI,. 
 
 Let thy steps be early led. 
 And immortal hopes be fed 
 ^With manna spiritual and divine. 
 Thy best affections to refine. 
 Each wish control, and joy impart 
 Rich haiTest for the pure in heart. 
 May every grace of woman's mind 
 From thee the richest culture find. 
 Till thou, with every virtue blest, 
 Shall flourish in thy soul possest. 
 Then raised above all earthly joy 
 Thy noblest powers will employ. 
 I ask for thee, the noblest wealth, 
 Contentment, competence and health ; 
 But discipline must come from thy Father's hand 
 Above, and let the little flowering band 
 All bloom around, expand 
 
JOURNAL. 43 
 
 In bright perfection's hour, 
 And renew with magic power 
 From day to day, in genial star 
 Each blessed aim discerned afar, 
 To lead them on their heavenly way 
 When dawns for them eternal day. 
 
 Oh loneliness I love thee not ! 
 
 Banish from my lowly cot 
 
 Disquieting thoughts, 
 
 That with them bring 
 
 The fears that spring 
 
 From altered forms and dreams of life. 
 
 Silent and sad the evening lyre, 
 I trim my taper, light my fire ; 
 The quiet empress of the night 
 Sheds her tranquil sober light 
 
 July Uth. 
 
44 JOURNAL. 
 
 On all the world around, 
 And o'er the mountain casts a hue 
 As deep, as broad, as lovely too 
 As oa the river's brink. 
 
 *' Thou hast taught me, silent river ! 
 Many a lesson deep and long ; 
 Thou hast been a generous giver, 
 I can give thee but a song. 
 
 *' Oft in sadness and in ilhiess 
 I have watched thy current glide, 
 'Till the beauty of its stillness 
 Overflowed me like a tide. 
 
 " And in better hours and brighter, 
 When I saw thy waters gleam, 
 I have felt my heart beat lighter 
 And leap onward with thy stream. 
 
JOURNAL. 4S 
 
 " Not for this alone I love thee, 
 Nor because thy waves of blue> 
 From celestial seas above thee, 
 Take their own celestial hue. 
 
 " Friends, my soul with joy remembers,. 
 How like quivering flames they start — 
 When I fan the living embers 
 On the hearth-stone of my heart. 
 
 " 'Tis for this,, thou silent river ! 
 That my spirit leans to thee, 
 Thou hast been a generous giver, 
 Take this idle song from me.^'* 
 
 The holy Sabbath morn ! 
 
 This day it was that Christ rose from the 
 
 * Longfellow. 
 5* 
 
 July llth. 
 
46 JOURNAL. 
 
 Dead, and became the first fruits of them that slept. 
 
 And upon this world of night, 
 
 Burst this bright and beaming light 
 
 Which found the world in gloom ! 
 
 That spoke to ages then unborn, 
 
 And cast a radiance around the tomb 
 
 'Till then, unknown before. 
 
 * 5f. * * 
 
 With solitude opprest, breathed the wish 
 
 A friend to meet, 
 
 The look of interest and delight 
 
 That met our unexpected sight, 
 
 Cheered and refreshed the mind ; 
 
 And then with sympathy so fraught. 
 
 The trusting spirit was fully taught 
 
 The needed aid to claim ; 
 
 It came spontaneous from the heart-, 
 
 To raise the mind with useful art 
 
 Its fondest hopes to hail. 
 
JOC^RNAL. 47 
 
 To persevere in duty's path, 
 
 To tax with mental skill the mart^ 
 
 And let the numbers flow. 
 
 In exercise let genius find 
 
 Congenial warmth, and answering mind 
 
 In blessedness to live. 
 
 Lovely, lovely, blooming weather — 
 Beauteous are the tints that gather 
 Around the torch of youth. 
 But when life is wasted, 
 And its hours have tasted 
 The fruits of soberness and joy j 
 'Tis then we gather its lingering roses, 
 And in such hopes the heart reposes 
 To catch the falhng leaves of life. 
 Be calm, my soul, and cheer the way 
 That leads, unto eternal day. 
 
 Juhf 18. 
 
4S JOURNAL. 
 
 " Delightful praise like summer rose 
 That brighter in the dew drop glows." 
 
 RAMBLING. 
 
 Thou saidst he was behind the age ! 
 " Berkeley's theory of vision was condemnec 
 As a philosophical romance, and now 
 Forms an essential part of every theory 
 Of optics. Fonteneirs history of oracles 
 In his youth, it was censured for impiety, 
 But the centenarian lived to see it regarded 
 As a proof of his respect for religion. 
 Petrarch kindled a line of light through his 
 Native land. 
 
 Rollin is only a compiler of history. 
 But races yet unborn will be enchanted 
 
JOURNAL. 49 
 
 By that man, in whose works the heart 
 Speaks to the heart — whom Montesquieu 
 Calls the bee of France. 
 The Addisons, the Fontenells and Feyjoos, 
 Who taught England, France and Spain, 
 To become a reading people^^while their 
 Fugitive page, with sweetness imbues 
 Every uncultivated mind, like the 
 Perfumed mould taken up by the 
 Persian swimmer, *' it was but a piece 
 Of common earth, but roses were planted 
 In my soil, and through my pores 
 Their odors have deliciously penetrated. 
 The infusion of sweetness I have retained, 
 Otherwise I had been but a lump of eartho" 
 
 Evelyn first taught his countrymen how to 
 Plant, then to build, and having taught 
 Them how to he u^seful without doors, 
 
60 JOURNAL. 
 
 He attempted to divert and occupy 
 
 Them within, by his treatises on 
 
 Paintings, medals, libraries. 
 
 Inquire how the fleets of Nelson 
 
 Have been constructed — they can tell 
 
 You it was with the oaks, which the genius 
 
 Of Evelyn planted. 
 
 " We slowly commemorate the intellectual 
 
 Character of our own country ; let 
 
 Monuments be raised, let medals be struck ! 
 
 They are sparks of glory which might be 
 
 Scattered through the next age ! 
 
 There is a singleness and unity in the 
 
 Pursuits of genius, which are carried on 
 
 Through all ages, and will forever connect 
 
 The nations of the earth. 
 
 The immortality of thought exists for man. 
 
 Let the intellectual chain of power 
 
 Be carried on from mind to mind. 
 
JOURNAL, 51 
 
 The book of Telemachus, says Madam deStael, 
 
 Was a courageous action, to insist 
 
 AVith such ardor on a sovereign's duties 
 
 In a voluptuous reign — disgraced Fenelon 
 
 At the court of the fourteenth Louis, but the author 
 
 Raised a statue for himself in all hearts." 
 
 Jxihj 20th. 
 
 All earthly habitations are dull, 
 
 Pilgrims of earth we linger here, 
 
 Until thy voice shall call us home. 
 
 Peaceful heavenly dove. 
 
 Let thy banner over us be love ! 
 
 Thoughts are flowers, let them bloom 
 
 When night is o'er. 
 
 And when our spirits then shall pour 
 
 Into thy bosom our love. 
 
52 JOURNAL. 
 
 Let those wreathes by fancy drest, 
 
 Emblems of our faith express, 
 
 And holiness to thee ! 
 
 Let our minds with upward spring, 
 
 From thy fulness ever bring 
 
 The needed strength and aid. 
 
 Till all thy will performed, 
 
 In adoration we shall find 
 
 The harvest of the Eternal Mind. 
 
 Oh for society to feast the mindj 
 The craving wants of the soul combine, 
 To raise the heart above the themes 
 That agitate these mortal dreams. 
 To cultivate our highest powers 
 And elevate our happiest hours. 
 With hopes immortal and sublime, 
 That will not cause us to repine. 
 
 July Uth. 
 
JOURNAL. 53 
 
 Those words convey 
 
 Sympathy and balm to the mind, 
 
 That needs strength and stimulants, 
 
 And blessed encouragement administered 
 
 By the voice of a friend. 
 
 A bruised reed thou wilt 
 
 Not break ; the smoking flax not quench ; 
 
 The tendrils of the heart thou'It bind with love. 
 
 And breathe through all its pores acceptance. 
 
 ON VISITING A CEREUS TOO LATE. 
 
 July25tk. 
 
 Visited the Cereus, but the flower had bloomed, 
 And the progress of time had its beauties entombecf, 
 Its radiant rays of purest white 
 Had closed again in endless night. 
 6 
 
54 JOURNAL. 
 
 How short the glories of the day 
 When hasting on their mortal way, 
 Who shall with strictest skill impart 
 The wisdon to improve the heart 1 
 
 Its lasting treasures shall endure 
 Beyond all thrones, where all is pure, 
 Where flowers of endless perfume rise 
 In mcense through the ascending skies. 
 
 I 
 Let noblest themes our minds employ 
 To lead the heart to endless joy, 
 All low pursuits to banish. 
 To purest love our lives devote. 
 
 Immortal interests to promote, 
 Complete the work intrusted to our care- 
 And in immortal honor bear 
 The burden of the day. 
 
JOURNAL. 55 
 
 July 27tL 
 In a solitary drive to the Grange, 
 Where primitive simphcity and goodness of heart 
 Contrast with others of cultivated art; 
 When next we changed the scene 
 And to Neathwood came — where 
 Statues and paintings, Dianas and fawns, 
 Embellished with flowers, and garnished with lawns ; 
 The mansion displayed with dehcate skill, 
 Refreshed by the fountain and cooled by the rill, 
 And cheered with hospitality's glow, 
 Sportive humor and the confiding flow 
 Of social converse. 
 
 But must not forget that at home we left 
 The little man in gray at chess. 
 The mountain views he had before enjoyed. 
 With artist taste, he skilfully portrayed 
 The distant prospects, and the home that made 
 All hearts seem dear — and now we welcome 
 
56 JOURNAL. 
 
 The merry group assembled here, 
 
 The gambols and the sports of childhood's glee. 
 
 * * * * 
 
 The baptismal water hath bathed thy brow, 
 And on thy infant face doth beam the smile 
 Of peace — of such little ones he said, 
 " Suffer them to come to me, for of such 
 Are the kingdom of heaven.*' 
 
 Many hearts this day have been refreshed 
 In prayer, many pointed to the way 
 That leads to life eternal. 
 How fares it with the pastor 1 Do no 
 Remembrances cling around his heart, 
 With thoughts of country and of home ? 
 Will not returning health and brightened 
 Powers, restore the wish to minister again ; 
 None since thou left hath raised our minds 
 
JOURNAL. 
 
 57 
 
 So high, or with us dwelt in such communion — 
 Lead us where the springs are deep, the 
 Pastures full of nourishment divine. 
 
 July 28th, 
 Peaceful was the morning scene,^ 
 The harvest ripe for the sickl«. 
 The reaper with sturdy arm and glowing- 
 Heart, bound in sheaves the yellow grain, 
 Birds with renewed melody poured 
 Forth their matin songs of gladness. 
 " Oppressive on my bosom weighs the feeling 
 Of thoughts that language cannot shape aloud." 
 
 July 31s/, 
 A social circle on the verandah met. 
 And from the voice tuned to melody 
 We listened to the tale of fiction. 
 
 6* 
 
58 JOURNAL. 
 
 ON THE DEATH OF THE DUKE OF ORLEANS. 
 
 The silent shaft of death has pierced a 
 Noble brow ! the nation mourns ! in thy 
 Wisdom thou hast rebuked the hopes of France, 
 Around her head hath bound the cypress wreath. 
 In the midst of life and health the summons 
 Came — no note of preparation, no 
 Parting word ; fatal was the blow that 
 Severed from the throne, the son, the heir, 
 The future monarch. Instructed by Thy 
 Dispensations, may the pilgrims of 
 Earth learn wisdom ; let rumors 
 Of war be heard no more ; battles cease ; 
 And sobered nations, learn the arts of peace. 
 
 Oh that we had a Christian 
 
 Minister ! one who with tender love and 
 
 Holy zeal, should speak the words of peace 
 
JOURNAL. 59 
 
 x4.nd faithfulness ; whose ministrations 
 Of the sacred rites would touch our hearts, 
 And with the vital flame illuminate 
 Our lives, with sympathy fraternal cheer 
 Our pilgrim course, and lead us on our way 
 Rejoicing, the young to guide, the aged 
 To support and bless. His mind with 
 Knowledge filled, his heart with peace. 
 To him we'd give our confidence 
 And sympathy ; and with the tender 
 Ties of earth we'd bind his heart. 
 
 Aug. 2d. 
 " Now night has shed her silver dews around, 
 And with her sable wings embraced the ground." 
 Why do we gaze along the trees ? 
 No long lov'd form advances, all is silent, 
 The ripple of the water's hushed, the 
 Groves are still, the youth in distant groups 
 
60 JOURNAL. 
 
 Their plans arrange, and with gay visions 
 By fancy drest, anticipate the coming hours. 
 
 THE BIRTH-DAY. 
 
 Aug. Alh. 
 The birth-day party passed in glee and 
 
 Merriment sincere — the dance, the wahz, the 
 
 Goodly cheer, the pleasant manner, and the 
 
 Queenly maid, with bridal anniversaries. 
 
 Entwined the scene with memories 
 
 Drawn from holy cells, deep in the heart. 
 
 The hopes that dawn for these rising stars are 
 Fervent, and a blank is left, to be 
 Filled up by wisdom deeper than our own. 
 *' On a sudden, I thought the clouds parted — - 
 I saw Venus and her chariot, drawn 
 
JOURNAL. 61 
 
 By two doves, in all the radiance of beauty, 
 
 The gayety of youth, softness and irresistible 
 
 Grace." Dear Annette ! I would, for thee, desire 
 
 All to which thy nature can aspire. 
 
 The truest wisdom, and the deepest bliss 
 
 Are found in modest virtue : 
 
 " Her ways are ways of pleasantness, 
 
 And all her paths are peace." 
 
 Aug. 6th. 
 
 It is idle to take up my pen ; the 
 
 Events of the week have not favored 
 
 Reflection ; fears and hopes alternate 
 
 Play around the heart, various are the 
 
 Rainbow tints that paint the horizon. 
 
 " Thick as the humming bees that hunt the golden dew 
 
 In summer's heat on tops of lilies feed, 
 
 And creep within their bells to suck the balmy seed." 
 
 What is not a task 1 Whose numbers flow 
 
62 JOURNAL. 
 
 HarmoDionsly 1 Whose wit exhilarates ? 
 Whose sense refines, whose confidence rewards? 
 Whose love expands, whose tenderness shall melt 
 The heart, wiiose piety shall raise the hopes 
 To heaven 1 'Tis fancy all ! 'till stern reality 
 Asserts her power, and images ideal 
 Fade away. 
 
 Two northern knights called to inspect a 
 Sketch. Alas, we fear thy haggard cheek and 
 Weary look, ill denote peace or health ; 
 With all this world can give, thou appeareth 
 Restless, disease seems doing its certain 
 Work. We grieve to see thee thus, yet thy 
 AYaywardnesss forbids sympathy, or the 
 Kindly arts of life to soften sorrow 
 Or mitigate such woe. 
 Wilt thou be borne to the blest abodes above, / 
 
JOURNAL. 63 
 
 Where angels dwell ? where loftier themes than 
 Earth employ shall rapturously enchant 
 Thy quickened vision — where doubt shall 
 Cease, and sin be done away ? 
 Where these cold hearts shall glow, 
 These tears shall cease to flow ; 
 The veil removed that shadows now these 
 Hearts, the love of God shall nourisli — old things 
 Be past away ; there shall be no night there, 
 " Neither hght of the sun, for the Lord giveth 
 Them light, they shall see his face, and his 
 Name shall be in their foreheads. 
 There is a river of pure water, clear 
 As crystal. I saw no temple, for the 
 Almighty and the Lamb are the temple 
 Thereof." 
 
 Atig. 17 th. 
 Have you nothing to say of the visit? 
 
64 JOURNAL. 
 
 Of judgment and prudence so wise ! 
 Or mountain clad in varied mist, 
 Or the panoramic view with chasing 
 Clouds or spots of sunshine 1 
 Nought of the bat with mystic wing, 
 Rapid flight, and graceful swing? 
 That baffled aU attempts at capture ; 
 Ladies covering their hair, 
 And lords with battledoors made war — 
 With brooms and shingles all upright, 
 Poor sightless bird to kiU or fright^ 
 And banish from the gay saloon. 
 Where he had chanced to take a peep, 
 Seeking for a pleasant station 
 Where he might catch the ruling fashion. 
 " Thy pen runs wild. In truth it does, 
 But beaten paths are dull and old, 
 And various is the mood as the aspen's 
 Trembhng leaf. 
 
JOURNAL. 65 
 
 The retired evening hour, the sun is 
 
 Sinking Hke a ball of fire, behind the 
 
 Western hill — 'tis gone, many eyes that 
 
 Watched its parting rays will never mark 
 
 Its rising, the roar of the water, 
 
 The stroke of the oars, the hum of the insects, 
 
 The cricket and katydid, the song of the 
 
 Locust, the children's glee, the kitten's 
 
 Gambols, all proclaim 
 
 Rejoicing hearts and cheerful aims. 
 
 Will-o'-the-wisp and Jack-o'-the-lanthorn 
 Endeavoured to light, on her plodding way. 
 The toiling boat, whose superstitious 
 Hands, viewed with faint hearts 
 The magic light, and around 
 Them gazed with fearful eyes. 
 7 
 
66 JOURNAL. 
 
 What tales does history relate, 
 But storms of passion jars of state 1 
 Of poets, what have been the themes 
 But idle toys and useless dreams 1 
 When fiction dips her potent pen 
 In cells where meditation loves to dwell, 
 What are the scenes her pencil draws 
 But landscapes spread with fatal flaws, 
 Or portraits that would raise the blush "? 
 
 THE REGATTA. 
 
 The scene was gay — the boats with graceful sweep. 
 
 Dressed with their waving pennants, 
 
 Danced on the bright blue deep. 
 
 Forms most fair, graced the " Emerald" 
 
 And the " Seadrift." Some pleasant converse 
 
JOURNAL. 67 
 
 Then ensued, cheered and refreshed, 
 Though brief the space of time, it proved the 
 Force of sympathy, and thought congenial. 
 Friendship's chain shall endure forever ! 
 And ceaseless ages still proclaim, forever. 
 
 * * * * 
 
 One might as well say an altar was less 
 Sacred for having many worshippers. 
 The evening passed far better than we feared. 
 An unexpected presence gave interest 
 To the scene, and springs elastic to the mind. 
 Could genial influences even be 
 Exerted, how far from inert would the 
 Temple be, strive from apathy to free 
 The channels of the mind. 
 Of magnetic influence the theme discussed, 
 This leads to sacred trust in sympathy 
 Of mind ; to feel the power and strength one 
 Would reveal. 
 
63 JOURNAL. 
 
 Away with the heartless forms of hfer. 
 Its stiffened modes, its useless glare 
 Awake the notes now borne on high, 
 The sacred wish, the earnest prayer. 
 
 What is friendship ? How rare it is to find 
 A friend to whom with confidence and 
 Sympathy we can unbind our hearts, the 
 Load of prisoned thoughts that crowd and swell 
 The memory, and recollections 
 Fond, that fill the eye and bid the bosom 
 Heave the unobtrusive sigh ; but all is 
 Well ! the pilot at the helm, sleeps not ; the 
 Watchful and the Omnipotent the constant 
 Vigil keeps. 
 
 Time with unwearied wing speeds on, and 
 Marks the progress that we daily make 
 
JOURNAL. 69 
 
 Along the path of virtue. 
 With needless care tax not thy mind, 
 Thou canst not make one hair white or black. 
 Behold the lilies of the field ! 
 They toil not, neither do they spin, 
 Yet Solomon in all his glory 
 Was not arrayed like one of them. 
 Then cast thy burthen on the Lord, 
 He careth for thee, he loveth thee ! 
 This, is friendship. 
 
 The passages thou hast praised 
 
 We read o'er with pleasure ; 
 
 Would that the sense and the measure 
 
 Had been more to thy taste. 
 
 In such companionship we take delight. 
 
 Thy visits few and far between 
 
 Are spots of sunshine rarely seen. 
 
 7* 
 
70 JOURNAL. 
 
 Thy gracious manner cheers the mind, 
 
 Thy wit expands, thy sense refines. 
 
 May sympathy enrich thy heart, 
 
 And all the joy that flows from art 
 
 And science ever blend 
 
 In rays around thy chosen friend. 
 
 Let gentleness attune her mind 
 
 And lofty thoughts engage, combine 
 
 And influence such fond devotion, 
 
 As thou wilt pay to thy selection. 
 
 When thouglit and feeling agitate the breast, 
 
 'Tis friendship's part to cheer, and from the 
 
 Overflowing soul draw sympathy divine, 
 
 To animate and raise the heart to sources 
 
 Of composure, that blend with holiness 
 
 And pure emotion, to train the soul 
 
 From earthly care and softly breathe the fervent prayer, 
 
 That rests in peace with purest feeling, 
 
JOURNAL. 7i 
 
 O'er all the senses gently stealing, 
 And lead us on to hope for power 
 To gild with bliss the passing hour. 
 
 FROM MARY. 
 
 Come, dear mother, to see me swing, 
 Witliout thee, 'tis no joy to bring 
 From far and wide those simple pleasures ; 
 Thy smile can cheer, thy sympathy can bless, 
 And on my childish head bestow caress. 
 
 Oh grant me skilr to cheer tlie heart 
 
 With sympathy profound, 
 
 And with the mantle of repose 
 
 Tlie briglitest hopes disclose. 
 
 Let ray spirit soar aloft, 
 
 Winged by the messengers of thought. 
 
72 JOURNAL. 
 
 In such seasons of the heart's content, 
 
 The cloud that lingers on the mountain, 
 
 The pearl that slumbers in the fountain, 
 
 The bird with wet plumage and ruffled wing, 
 
 Chanticleer to usher the morning in ; 
 
 All proclaim the power on high, 
 
 To paint the blush of morning dye, 
 
 To form the circles of the heart. 
 
 And elevate the powers of art, 
 
 To train the mind to simple pleasure, 
 
 And tune the heart in joyful measure, 
 
 In adoration for the mercies given 
 
 To prepare the soul for heaven. 
 
 We seek employment for those hours. 
 Furnished with immortal powers 
 To cluster around this heart-bound spring, 
 To wend the way with lofty wing. 
 
JOURNAL. 
 
 For all thy pleasure wait 
 In every duteous state. 
 
 To seek thy smile thou wilt approve 
 And sanctify our hearts with love. 
 'Tis thy approval gilds the scene 
 With rays shed from the morning- beam. 
 And dews distilled in evening hours, 
 To dedicate those transient flowers. 
 Still cherished and loved by thee, 
 They'll bloom and bless eternally. 
 
 Teach us witlr eloquent emotion, 
 Fervent faith and pure devotion. 
 To educate these minds for heaven, 
 With all the powers that thou hast given ; 
 And let our faithfulness proclaim, 
 The tender love and lofty aim. 
 
74 JOURNAL. 
 
 To weave the web of finest feeling, 
 From the treasures of the heart stealing, 
 Tiiose moments, that animate and raise 
 The soul in antliems, and hymns of praise. 
 
 What loftier purpose, nobler aim, 
 Can we desire or thou still claim, 
 Than worship of the Holy One ! 
 Twill purify these hearts from sin, 
 Strengthen the virtues of the soul, 
 'Twill animate these languid hours. 
 To dedicate to thee their powers. 
 And from the cells of holy meditation, 
 Draw the deepest, purest revelation. 
 
 To gain thy favor which is life. 
 
 To emulate with holy strife, 
 
 The deeds of old, the saints from far 
 
JOURNAL. 
 
 To contemplate each constellation, 
 'Till thou reveal with confirmation 
 Strong as holy writ — the purpose of creation ! 
 
 Sinful, suffering man, why wert thou 
 
 Created ? why ushered into life 1 
 
 To do thy Maker's will ! 
 
 Thy feeble powers — thy earth-bound mind — 
 
 Thy sensual taste — thy limited capacity, 
 
 Where will they lead thee ? 
 
 Oh rescue from low desire. 
 
 And fill the mind with ethereal fire. 
 
 Pilgrim cease thy vain petition 
 
 And bless the terms of thy condition. 
 
 That thou wert born to soothe and bless ; 
 
 To mitigate thy brotlier's lot, 
 
 To raise his mind and cheer his cot. 
 
76 JOURNAL. 
 
 To soften sorrows gently shed, 
 To watch beside the suffering bed. 
 To point with faithful zeal 
 To scenes 'twill fill the heart to feel, 
 To contemplate the wondrous plan, 
 To elevate, and save the man ! 
 
 A MORNING SCENE. 
 
 What painter can portray 
 
 Such tints of heavenly hue? 
 
 Whose pencil catch the glimpse 
 
 Now sparkling with the dew ? 
 
 Brief are its beauties, 
 
 The rain descends ! 
 
 But still more brief the shower, 
 
 The cloud-capped mountains 
 
 Smile again, drest by the sunbeams power. 
 
* JOURNAL. 77 
 
 Calmness reigns ! the sun's withdrawn, 
 
 The sombre hue prevails ; 
 
 Meet emblems of the shifting scenes of life, 
 
 Now in smiles, now in sorrow ; 
 
 « 
 Let our hearts from these symbols borrow 
 
 Lessons wise and rare, 
 
 Pictures sketched by fancy's hand 
 
 Dance before the memory, 
 
 Gilded tints from mortal bands 
 
 Speak from the heart's treasury. 
 
 * * * * 
 
 October 2d. 
 The feverish dream of life will soon be o'er. 
 Our days pass as a tale that is told, 
 As we move on from shore to shore, 
 The magic forms seem gliding on ; 
 Deluded souls why cling to sin, 
 Why with every change d'ye bring 
 8 
 
^ 
 
 JOURNAL. • 
 
 The senseless sounds of folly? 
 The notes of woe too soon ye*Il hear 
 For talents wasted, time misspent* 
 *Tis wisdom then to turn the heart 
 And with the fatal phantoms part. 
 Mould the life, guide the man, 
 And with discretion mark the plan 
 That leads to life eternal. 
 
 * * * * 
 
 Those silvery clouds so clear, so bright. 
 Now they vary in perfect light, 
 Seem to my soul so joyous ; 
 Oh let the shadows as they pass, 
 Reflected in life's changing glass. 
 Bring feeling, thought and gladness. 
 My heart is full, too full for mirth, 
 I cannot paint its treasure ; 
 The thoughts are wild, not bound to earth 
 
JOURNAL. 79 
 
 Or clad in sober measure, 
 
 *Tis not of time or sense I ween. 
 
 My spirit clings to thine, 
 
 And in the realms above 
 
 Thy heart will clasp to mine. 
 
 There where purity and love do dwell. 
 
 The ceaseless anthems swell. 
 
 Here the faith has been betrayed. 
 
 But there, in spotless robe arrayed 
 
 The seraphs we behold ! 
 
 They strike their harps of sweetest sound 
 
 And leave these pilgrims groveling round 
 
 This impotent display, 
 
 Then turn, my soul, oh turn away 
 
 And seek thy life above. 
 
 'Tis a fair world but 'tis frail, 
 
 Trust not thy treasure here, 
 
 *Twill pierce thee to the heart it rested on, 
 
 Then brace thy mind with holy fear. 
 
80 JOURNAL. 
 
 *' We have in our breasts a heaven full of 
 
 Constellations, there is in our hearts an 
 
 Inward spiritual world that breaks like 
 
 A sun upon the clouds of the outward world, 
 
 That inward universe of goodness, beauty 
 
 And truth, we are less astonished at 
 
 The incomprehensible existence of 
 
 These transcendental heavens, because 
 
 They are always there, we foolishly 
 
 Imagine we create, when we merely 
 
 Perceive them." 
 
 Bright stars light us on our way. 
 
 And turn the twilight into perfect day. 
 
 " Do you find no consolation near. 
 
 Rise and seek it higher like the bird 
 
 Of paradise, who, when his feathers are 
 
 Ruffled by the storms, rises higher where- 
 
 None exist." 
 
JOURNAL. 81 
 
 *' No emotion remains the same, but the 
 Newborn are sweeter — nothing fades, 
 The growing plant throws off its leaves 
 In harvest, but it blossoms again, 
 And at length is a perfect tree. 
 Man has many springs but no winter." 
 Beautiful thoughts, rich as rare. 
 Oh could you with my bosom share 
 The peace and strength ye should impart ; 
 " Upon the church-yard of the whole earth 
 Should this universal epitaph be placed : 
 Here lie the beings who in life knew not 
 What they would have." 
 Build upon the rock of faith, then let the 
 Floods descend and the winds blow. 
 It resists them all, firm and erect it 
 Weathers out the storm, the angel of the 
 Lord sustains it, his bow of promise will 
 8* 
 
82 JOURNAL. 
 
 Never be withdrawn, the colors fade not, 
 Eternal in the heavens, doubt not his care, 
 His supporting arm sustains the weak, the 
 Trusting, •' the wind he tempers to the shorn lamb," 
 And to the tempest of the soul cries 
 
 Peace, be still ! 
 
 * * * * 
 
 October Uth. 
 
 Cherish thy mother ! she hath borne for thee 
 Pain, and grief, and sorrow ; 
 The morning's dawn, and the midnight 
 Lamp, have marked her watchfulness. 
 Small attentions are cordials to the heart. 
 
 Oct. 29lh. 
 
 Look not for the harvest here, 
 
 Weeds do spring 
 
 And ill plants bring 
 
 Their blossom and seed. 
 
 But genial fruit must come 
 
 From celestial shores and heavenly home, 
 
JOURNAL. 83? 
 
 Where taint nor blight, nor promised hours 
 
 Are shaded by the nightly showers 
 
 Of deep despondency, then clear away 
 
 Unholy mists and night-dew shades. 
 
 Then spring again with holy light, 
 
 When morning bursting on the sight 
 
 With gladness fills the mind. 
 
 The autumnal tints with varied dyes 
 
 Speak in tones of changing powers, 
 
 Resistless as the passing hours 
 
 That wend their flight with rapid wing, 
 
 And hasten on Time's ceaseless spring ; 
 
 That bears us on to those bowers. 
 
 Preparing by the heavenly powers. 
 
 Where sinless hearts shall meet. 
 
 Where robes whiter than the snow adorn,. 
 
 Or fleecy trains then wrap the forms 
 
 Of ransomed ones above». 
 
84 JOURNAL. 
 
 MY FATHER'S BIRTH DAY. 
 
 Nov. lOth. 
 When all thy tender care I think of, 
 ** Memory swells with many a proof 
 Of recollected love." 
 And when thy watchfulness I speak of, 
 My heart full justice to thy memory does. 
 
 Refined and purified I see thee now, 
 Immortality has clad thy noble brow 
 With wreaths eternal, and o'er thy 
 Chastened spirit has shed the dews 
 Of life divine. 
 
 " I love to set me on some steep 
 That overhangs the billowy deep. 
 
JOURNAL. 85 
 
 And hear the waters roar ; 
 I love to see the big waves fly, 
 And swell their bosoms to the sky 
 
 Then burst upon the shore. 
 
 What lov'st thou V 
 
 I love to muse on God's vast love — 
 Unite the serpent with the dove — 
 To mark the bow of peace. 
 Bid sorrow smile and anguish cease, 
 In converse with a friend, 
 Delight such joys to blend. 
 To read affection in the eye. 
 And hopes immortal in the sky. 
 With everlasting love ;• 
 Such holy influences adore, 
 And on thy thirsting soul implore 
 The blessing from above. 
 
86 JOURNAL. 
 
 Where are the hearts that held us dear ? 
 Where are the arms that pressed us here 1 
 
 Beneath the sod 
 
 They rest with God, 
 Immortal hopes reveahng. 
 Be still, mj soul, all thy fears concealing. 
 
 His love is ever present. 
 
 His power omnipotent ! 
 Whom have we in heaven but thee 1 
 Upon the earth there's none we desire beside thee. 
 
 Riches and grace thou'lt give, 
 
 And with thee let us ever live, 
 
 These hopes imploring ; 
 
 Pleading thy promises, 
 
 Thine attributes adoring ; 
 
 Comfort thy children here. 
 
 Forsake not these little ones, 
 
 For of such are thy kingdom. 
 
JOURNAL. 87 
 
 Bless thou the hoary head, 
 , Support thou the dying bed, 
 Leave not thy saints comfortless, 
 Bind up the contrite heart — 
 Bid all its fear depart, 
 Castiixg its care on God alone. 
 
 Jwie 2\iU 
 
 A peevish shower, an April day, 
 
 The fashion of this world passeth away. 
 
 The places that know us, shall know us no more, 
 
 The friends who now love us, shall weep as before. 
 
 Then treasure the sparks of affection that gleam, 
 
 And gather the roses on life's varying stream. 
 
 Come, thou sparkling wit and gems of thought, 
 
 With fancy filled and feeling wrought. 
 
 Thy influence shed, thy power resume, 
 
 My mind to elevate and illume. 
 
88 JOURNAL. 
 
 We seldom weep, when thought and feehng rush 
 
 To the heart, and sympathy deep, 
 
 "With friends communing and loved ones meet, 
 
 Then the pearls of nature's forming ; 
 
 The mind and heart fondly adorning 
 
 Force their way, suffuse the eye. 
 
 Steep the heart in ecstacy ; 
 
 Breathe the prayer, stir the soul. 
 
 Seek the influence and control 
 
 Of devotion's kindliest power. 
 
 Often at the midnight hour. 
 
 SPRING. 
 
 How beautiful it is I oh had I the 
 Power to paint the scene ! 
 
 April 25fft. 
 
JOURNAL. I 
 
 The mountains parted 
 
 With the silvery wave between. 
 
 The birds with songs now welcome in the spring, 
 These treasures from the bosom of nature bring. 
 The sail, the boat with splashing oar 
 Awakes the echo from the neighboring shore, 
 The mirrored wave reflecting as it flows — 
 Along the bank in vernal beauty glows 
 Trees just budding and starting into life, 
 Mountains brown with every beauty rife. 
 The scene is tranquil, holy to the view, 
 The lawns are sparkling with the evening dew ; 
 Breathe upon our hearts this cheerful calm, 
 And free our spirits from the world's alarm. 
 
 Fe6. 22. 
 The anxious mother moves through the house 
 With noiseless step and thoughtful brow* 
 9 
 
90 JOURNAL. 
 
 Another day has dawned upon the world, 
 The mantle of repose is lifted from the earth. 
 
 Some awake to sin and wretchedness. 
 Some to pain and watchfulness, 
 Some to toil and sadness. 
 Some to praise and thankfulness. 
 
 In some lone cave the miner toils 
 From day to day — the pleasant light 
 Of heaven shines not on him ; 
 With patient toil his delving onward goes, 
 His weary heart is pressed with woes. 
 And penury's stern hand has filled him 
 With life's cares. 
 
JOURNAL. 91 
 
 ADDRESSED TO A FRIEND GOING TO SEA. 
 
 Ah, dear Mary ! the full heart swells, 
 When on the hp the word of parting dwells, 
 And tears full and fast, from gushing 
 Fountains, steep the heart in fond regret. 
 
 Though wandering far and severed. 
 Our spirits still in sympathy meet, 
 We'll kneel and worship at the throne 
 In communion deep and sweet. 
 
 There united, let faith and penitence 
 
 Bind our hearts, till meeting in the home of love, 
 
 We dwell in harmony. 
 
 And join the anthems of the blest above. 
 
92 JOURNAL. 
 
 YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 A fancy sketch my pen employs, 
 
 Now first in verse related ; 
 
 Two children met, their sires had long been friends 
 
 In battle tried, they had heard the cannon 
 
 Roar, and met the enemy face to face. 
 
 The peace concluded, that to their arms and 
 
 Country brought freedom and victory, 
 
 Full oft they shared the joy of retrospection, 
 
 And with shouldered crutch would fight 
 
 Their battles o'er, and show how fields were won^ 
 
 Years had passed, their heads were silvered 
 O'er by time's relentless hand, their friendship 
 Still endured, and brightly burned upon 
 The altar of their youthful days. 
 
JOURNAL. 93 
 
 The young friends parted, not before the 
 
 Mutual interest had endeared 
 
 The hours passed in companionship 
 
 So highly prised, although it was in 
 
 Childhood. 
 
 She to the wilderness, where oft her parents 
 
 To beguile of sorrow, and rei^erse of fortune, 
 
 Would climb the rock, for fruit or flowers, 
 
 Tempt the stream to catch the speckled trout. 
 
 In woods she'd boil the maple sap, or with 
 
 The Indian in the forest, braid the 
 
 Straw and weave the basket. 
 
 Or in tuneful numbers turn her wheel. 
 
 Then mounted on palfrey gray, descend the 
 Bank, and with an aged matron, ail 
 Intent her solitude to sweeten, would 
 Ramble through the wood, gather flowers 
 9* 
 
94 JOURNAL. 
 
 Richly spread hy nature's hand, or ford the 
 Dashing stream, when with raised feet to keep 
 Them from the river's brink, the aged steed 
 Would nearly swim across the stream. 
 
 The loved one of her sire — the child whose 
 Every wish he'd watched, anticipated 
 All her youthful fancies, and had in her 
 With parental fondness realized his 
 Cherished expectations ; whene'er they met, 
 His arms expanded to receive her, she 
 Rushed to their fond embrace, and on his 
 Bosom hushed her childish fears, she 
 Filled his heart, and was his only daughter. 
 
 Her mother sickened, and oft in the 
 Silent midnight watch, while cup or potion 
 Warmed for her relief, would the prayer 
 
JOURNAL. 95 
 
 On bended knee ascend, and with 
 
 Devotion from the heart implore the 
 
 Agency divine, to cheer and bless ; it 
 
 Came — the sainted mother sank to rest in 
 
 Her aged parents' fond embrace, 
 
 And left her child their warmest love to claim. 
 
 The old man wept — but sorrowed not as 
 
 Those bereft of hope. The Christian's brightest 
 
 Joys were his — for she whose loss he mourned, 
 
 Had led the way to immortality. 
 
 Her life had been of peace and love, 
 
 And preparation for the blessed above. 
 
 A year elapsed ! to the altar the 
 Maid was led, and then to former scenes 
 Returned, where her early childhood had 
 Been passed ; there advanced to manhood's 
 Full estate, she met the youth whose early 
 
96 JOURNAL. 
 
 Fancy she had captivated ; their minds 
 Were cast in sympathetic mould, their 
 Features bore resemblance to each other ; 
 As sister would a brother love, they held 
 Each other dear ; their christian hopes 
 United them, and with interest deep 
 And true, they meditated in such sweet 
 Esteem, lie cheered her feeblest hours, and 
 When intelligent delight her countenance 
 Illumined, in his it was reflected. 
 
 He married, and early death divided 
 The hearts so firmly knit together ; 
 On his virtues she still delights to dwell — 
 His sympathy and interest, a loss 
 Most deeply is deplored, but a re-union 
 In realms above, where heart meets hearty 
 Unwounded by reserve or chilled by 
 
JOURNAL. 97 
 
 Sleight, or killed by cold neglect or blighted 
 Fancy, will expand and bloom, perfected 
 In eternity. 
 
 Oct. U(h. 
 The bride had left her forest home, 
 The dew drops on the willow hung ; 
 The midnight stars in silent glee, 
 Had sung in brilliant jubilee. 
 The sails unfurled, the anchor weighed, 
 The silent note of time betrayed 
 That wandering thoughts were stealing o'er 
 The form we shall behold no more, 
 Till days and months with weary pace, 
 The heart's remembrance shall efface. 
 And all those scenes so dearly loved. 
 Shall rise and be referred to God. 
 
 * * * * 
 
 " A change came o'er the spirit of my dream — " 
 
98 JOURNAL. 
 
 Disease^had numbed the faculties, and 
 Sorrow with her leaden hand had pressed 
 Our hearts, 'twas calm and quiet. 
 Pleasure's glow was pale and sickly, 
 The measured step and tranquil eye 
 Turned to those scenes that never die, 
 Speak of the treasures God has given 
 To raise the wounded soul to heaven. 
 
 A VISIT TO A CONSERVATORY 
 
 Delicate Julia raised her head, 
 *' Mama we must go out, she said." 
 Mama agreed, 'twas sad to stay 
 Within the house the live long day. 
 At the word, the chariot drove up. 
 
JOURNAL. 99 
 
 The ladies arrayed in bonnet and plume, 
 Prepared to enjoy each fragrant perfume, 
 The Conservatory displaying skilful taste 
 Where the tendrils are twined, and the sweets 
 run to waste. 
 
 The cammilias and daphnes, lily and rose, 
 And all the exotics that ever compose 
 These choice retreats of odour and fancy. 
 To beguile the retirement of every Miss Nancy, 
 
 Heard of the poor little invalid, 
 Who is led to believe 
 That warmer suns and milder skies 
 Will health restore to seeking eyes. 
 
 But oh prepare, my lovely friend, 
 To meet thy sure, thy certain end. 
 
100 JOURNAL. 
 
 Hope with delusive smile, thy friends beguile 
 
 To listen to their prayer, that thou mayst live 
 
 To bless them with thy love. 
 
 We perceive that thou art really ill, 
 
 And little hope remains, that thou wilt live 
 
 To smile again in health. 
 
 Mayst thou be filled with immortal wealth, 
 
 Cheered and solaced on thy way 
 
 By meek-eyed piety. 
 
 No church without a bishop ! 
 No state without a king ! 
 No poets in America 
 This doleful change to ring. 
 
 Her rivers flow, her mountains rije, 
 Her valleys swell in sweet surprise. 
 
JOURNAL. 101 
 
 *Tis the roaring of John Bull I hear, 
 He fills my mind with wondrous fear. 
 
 That after all his pious care, 
 
 His feeble offspring to prepare 
 
 For life's noble duties, 
 
 They should pour forth such feeble ditties. 
 
 Brother Jonathan can fight, 
 
 But alas, alas, he cannot write — 
 
 In the field of battle, alack, alack, 
 
 He's^^en cast the furious bull flat upon his back. 
 
 ** 'Tis only the dregs of Europe that we see," 
 So I should suppose by the buzzing of the bee. 
 Such lordly strides, such noble airs. 
 To grace our fields, and deck our fairs. 
 10 
 
}0'Z JOURNAL. 
 
 Such condescension ne'er was seen 
 To draw the friendly line between, 
 Such gracious smiles, when pleased I trace. 
 Dispel the awful thunders of his face. 
 
 This fondest hope I cherish in my heart, 
 That all his noble sons will soon depart. 
 Leaving these wilds their native sons to charm 
 And all those harmless critics thus disarm. 
 
 TO WHOM SHALL WE GO 
 
 Where for consolation seek 
 When earth retires 
 And hope expires 1 
 Poor shalered bird ! 
 With dripping plumage 
 
JOURNAL. ID3 
 
 And wounded wing, 
 
 Whither, oh whither will ye bring 
 
 Your heart's delight. 
 
 The evening primrose 
 
 And the morning light 
 
 Will note your beauties 
 
 And hymns of praise, 
 
 That you to your benign Creator raise. 
 
 Without his notice not a sparrow falls — 
 
 The heavens are spangled with balls, 
 
 Denoting wisdom and power supreme. 
 
 Let us read as written with a sun-beam 
 All the love from God to man — 
 The eternal source of joy. 
 Teeming with every plan 
 To ennoble and to bless ! 
 
104 JOURNAL. 
 
 Thy hairs are numbered, 
 Why doubt his care 1 
 He feeds the raven, paints the lily, 
 Bids the bud unfold ; and to the 
 Troubled bosom whispers peace. 
 
 "HONOR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER." 
 
 Are these the children thou nourish'd at thy breast, 
 To promote whose welfare thou hadst unquiet rest 1 
 Are these the beings thou fondled in thine arms. 
 Whose sobs thou hushed, and still'd their false alarms. 
 
 Affection's streams descend, nor upward run, 
 Our life is wasting, declining is oiir sun. 
 Their babes in turn will claim their tender care. 
 Parental love inspire, and all those joys prepare. 
 
JOURNAL. 105 
 
 Cherish the parents who have given you rest — 
 
 *' Honor thy father, and thy mother honor," 
 
 *Tis the first command with promise given, 
 
 It blesses while on earth, and then prepares for heaven. 
 
 THE MOTHER'S PRAYER. 
 
 Her prayers for the child of her love 
 Were in season and out of season, 
 Oh succour him ! Thou hast tried his heart 
 With adversity ; with prisons thou hast 
 Visited him — friends have failed. 
 Hearts grown cold, but God is a present 
 Help in every time of trouble, and 
 Doth not willingly afflict the children 
 Of men. 
 
 Let him hold fast his integrity with 
 10* 
 
106 JOURNAL. 
 
 His life ; let thy rod and thy staff comfort 
 Him ; let thy love be to him the pillar 
 Of cloud by day, and of fire by night. 
 
 Attended a lecture on the Planetarium. 
 
 «' The heavens are the work of thy fingers, 
 
 The moon and the stars that thou hast ordained." 
 
 Heard the motion of the planets explained, 
 
 Their relative size, position, and order, 
 
 The inhabited state of Saturn's border. 
 
 Supposed to exceed in intellectual wit 
 
 The earth's inmates, as far as its size 
 
 Surpasses our planet — 
 
 Saturn having four moons, the earth but one. 
 
 Has the Savior visited all those worlds 
 "With the same benevolent intent? 
 Are these myriads of intelligences . 
 
JOURNAL. 107 
 
 To communicate and exchange 
 
 In thought and feeUng, all united 
 
 As the children of the most High., to shine 
 
 As stars in the firmament of God 1 
 
 Assist us to sustain and embrace 
 This ennobling contemplation. 
 Let it expand our minds with 
 Electrifying power, animate 
 And spiritualize every renewed 
 Effort, till from glory to glory all 
 Shall be revealed. 
 
 Heard Mr. B. on the wants of the age — 
 He would break the fetters custom has 
 Imposed, free the mind and the life 
 From the chains of fashion, break the 
 
 Feb. mn. 
 
108 JOURNAL. 
 
 Icy bands and iron cleats — let heart 
 
 And intellect, and faith be free. 
 
 Loose him and let him go, the Savior 
 
 Said of Lazarus — let us have the liberty 
 
 Of the children of God, the freedom wherewith 
 
 Christ hath made us free. 
 
 Give us great thoughts and noble purposes, 
 
 Leave us not to grope in the dark, or 
 
 Grovel in th€^ dust — but let the light of 
 
 Day illumine our patli, and the sun of 
 
 Righteousness prep are our faith. 
 
 Joined with the in rich repast. 
 
 Discoursed of the Catholics and religious fasts. 
 She would sternly reform the present age, 
 Strike out the dandy and insert the sage. 
 With powerful arm and resistless will. 
 Command the bounding billows to be stilL 
 
JOURNAL. 109 
 
 The good old paths have all pursue, 
 Annihilate with frowns all things new ; 
 The young command with hirch and rod 
 To honor their parent and adore their God. 
 Setting the injunction still apart, 
 My son, my son, give me thy heart. 
 
TO MRS. C. A. D. W. 
 
 QuiNcy, 30/71 October, 1841, 
 My father's birth-day. 
 
 My Dear Niece: 
 
 I HAVE delayed acknowledging the receipt of 
 your volume of journal and correspondence of my 
 dear sister, your revered mother, until I should have 
 read it entirely through, a practice which I always observe 
 in reading a collection of letters. I have found it indispen- 
 sable for the preservation of any deep interest in the topics 
 to which they relate. Letters written in the domestic inter- 
 course of fiimilies are necessarily much diversified as to 
 the subjects upon which they are written, as to circum- 
 stances to which they relate, to the incidents which they 
 record, and to the state of mind, of health, and of temper 
 with which they are composed. Strangers, or even mem- 
 
LETTER. Ill 
 
 bers of the family of the writer, who after a lapse of years 
 read several of them in immediate succession, can scarcely 
 enter into the spirit with which they are animated but by 
 reading few of them at once, and by alternately laying by 
 and taking up again the book. 
 
 Thus have 1 read yours, and there is at this day no 
 other person living, who can feel a tythe of the interest 
 with which it has affected me. 
 
 The writers are all of them among the dearest, tender- 
 est and most affectionate relatives whom I have enjoyed 
 upon earth — a father, a mother, an only sister whom I 
 ever knew, and her beloved husband. With a part of my 
 sister's journal I had long been familiarly acquainted, as 
 during her first residence in England, she had been in the 
 constant habit of sending a copy of it to me, then a stu- 
 dent at Cambridge, and afterwards at Newburyport. 
 
 Your father's letters I had never before seen, but have 
 now read them with much pleasure. The 17th letter, writ- 
 ten on the 20th of June, 1787, at Madrid, afforded me 
 peculiar amusement, by recalling to my mind an histo- 
 
113 LETTER. 
 
 rical incident in the life of Charles V., after his abdica- 
 tion of the throne. 
 
 The account of his mode of life in his retirement, and 
 of his death made a deeper impression upon my mind 
 than the history of all his wars and all his intrigues, and 
 the lesson that he learnt by the fruitless attempt to bring 
 the striking of clocks into unison, wrought with such 
 power upon my imagination, that many years since, I 
 worked it up into a versified tale ; of which, in the hope 
 that it may afford you some amusement, I enclose here, 
 with a copy. 
 
 I thank you for the dedication of your book, and for 
 the separate copy of each of the two engraved prints. 
 
 The portrait of my sister is a memorial upon which 
 I can never look but with pleasure, which it is but 
 just should be reflected upon her daughter. 
 I am, my dear niece, your 
 
 Affectionate uncle, 
 
 JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 
 
CHARLES THE FIFTH'S CLOCKS. 
 
 With Charles the Fifth art thou acquainted, reader t 
 Of Ferdinand and Isabel the grandson, 
 In ages past of Europe's realms file leader 
 
 Among the mightiest of all ages, one. 
 
 Spain, Germany, his sceptre swayed. 
 
 With feet victorious over France he trod, 
 
 Afric' and Italy his laws obeyed. 
 
 And either India trembled at his nod. 
 
 Well, reader, this same monarch mighty, 
 
 Like many of his stamp before, 
 
 Down to the latest of the set 
 
 Whose names I leave in blank as yet. 
 11 
 
114 
 
 And with Napoleon you may fill, 
 
 Or Alexander, as you will ; 
 
 Charles seated upon all his thrones. 
 
 With all his crowns upon his head, 
 
 Built piles on piles of human bones 
 
 As if he meant to reig-n the sovereign of the dead. 
 
 He kept the world in uproar forty years 
 
 And waded bloody oceans through. 
 
 Feasted on widows' and on orphans' tears, 
 
 And cities sacked and millions slew. 
 
 And all the pranks of conquering heroes playM 
 
 A master workman at the royal trade, 
 
 The recipe approved time out of mind, 
 
 To win the hearts of all mankind. 
 
 But heroes too get weary of their trade ; 
 
 Charles had a conscience, and grew old, 
 
 The gout sometimes an ugly visit paid, 
 
 A voice within unwelcome stories told. 
 
CHARLES THE FIFTh's CLOCKS. 115 
 
 That heroes just like common men 
 
 One day must die, and then 
 
 Of what might happen Charles was sore afraid. 
 
 Of Charles's wars, needhttle here be said, 
 
 Their causes were ambition, avarice, pride, 
 
 Despotic empire o'er the world to spread. 
 
 Revenge on Francis, who proclaimed he lied^ 
 
 And chiefly Luther's heresies to quell. 
 
 To prove the wrong of Reformation 
 
 With fire and sword, and desolation. 
 
 And save the souls of Protestants from hell ; 
 
 But when the humor came to save his own, 
 
 Charles stripp'd off all his royal robes — 
 
 Dismissed his double globes — 
 
 Cast down his crowns — descended from his throne, 
 
 And with St. Jerome's monks retired to die alone. 
 
 Charles had a maggot in the mind, 
 
 Restless, that needs must be of something thinking. 
 
116 
 
 And now to keep his spirits from sinking, 
 
 Employment often at a loss to find, 
 
 Much of his time he spent in prayer ; 
 
 In penance for his evil deeds, 
 
 In saying masses and in telling beads. 
 
 In self chastisement, till he bled, 
 
 A drop for every ton of others shed ; 
 
 And much his little garden claim'd his care 
 
 In planting cabbages and plucking seeds ;, 
 
 But these were simple occupations. 
 
 And Charles, so long in Empire's toils immers'd. 
 
 So deep in all their intricacies veijs'd, 
 
 Some pastime needed, full of complications. 
 
 So long his study had been mariy 
 
 His sport, his victim, man of flesh and blood, 
 
 That now with art mechanic he began 
 
 To fashion manikins of wood ; 
 
 Soon he became a skilful mechanician 
 
CHARLES THE FIFTh's CLOCKS. 117 
 
 And made his mimic men with so much art, 
 They made St. Jerome's Friars start 
 And think their royal master a magician : 
 Leagued with the mother of all evil, 
 Like Dr. Faustus, soul bound to the Devil, 
 At last the fancy seized his brain 
 Of perfect instruments for keeping time. 
 Watches and clocks he made, but all in vain. 
 He never could succeed to make them chime. 
 With choice chronometers he lin'd his cell ; 
 No two at once would ever ring the bell. 
 Now mark the moral of my tale. 
 Which flash'd in sunbeams upon Charles's soul ; 
 When he whose chisel could prevail 
 Man's outward actions to control. 
 So that his puppets seem'd as good 
 As living men, though made of wood , 
 Yet ever baffled found his skill 
 
 11* 
 
118 CHARLES THE FIFTh's CLOCKS. 
 
 To mould two watches to his will. 
 
 He smote his bosom with a sigh 
 
 Exclaiming what a dolt was I, 
 
 " By force constraining men to think alike, 
 
 And cannot make two clocks together strike." 
 
 J. Q. A. 
 1823. 
 
A DREAM. 
 
 Ella, dreamed a sketch of bewitching beauty, 
 
 Which she cannot paint in cold reahty. 
 
 She was in a vessel borne o'er the briny 
 
 Deep, and thou didst follow in a tiny 
 
 Barque frail and shell-like. 
 
 Tossed on the foamy billow. 
 
 Rocked on the ocean's pillow. 
 
 Thou hadst but one companion, an aged 
 
 Moor, with whiten'd locks ; with graphic 
 
 Skill didst guide the artist pencil and 
 
 Sketch'd the scene — it seem'd to her like Prospero, 
 
 They landed and were transported where 
 
120 A DREAM. 
 
 Alternate light and darkness gleamed. 
 
 She view'd thy pencil's work enchanted. 
 
 With glowing fancy on her ruby lips 
 
 Thou press'd a kiss — she lov'd thee 
 
 In her heart of hearts ; 
 
 As she paints it now, it is cold and colorless, 
 
 But when she slept it was warm and glowing. 
 
TOWN AND COUNTRY. 
 
 We love the mighty stir of the great city ; 
 
 Its busy sounds, its notes of industry^ 
 
 Are all to us of pleasant interest. 
 
 We gaze upon the pressing throng, and all 
 
 Their various purposes of life in 
 
 Review are brought before us ; the struggles, 
 
 Fond hopes, and disappointments, with the schemes 
 
 Of wild ambition — and fashion's 
 
 Votaries not a few, parade the canvass. 
 
 But in the hall of science, where intellect 
 And talent captivate, and accomplished 
 Minds portray the sources of true wisdom,. 
 
122 TOWN AND COUNTRY. 
 
 'Tis our deepest joy to listen to tlie 
 Councils of their admonition, to 
 Hear those heavenly themes discussed 
 With meek humility, and the onward 
 Path of virtue dressed with cheering flowers. 
 
 Far in ourselves retired, deep thoughts 
 
 Within our bosoms spring. 
 
 More than all else desire purity of 
 
 Heart, and love that fills the eternal mind, 
 
 Ceaseless implore aid from above, and 
 
 Direction seek to fulfil the purposes 
 
 Of life. Rejoicing on thy way, let science 
 
 Guide thee to her peaceful cell, and 
 
 Contemplation elevate thy mind 
 
 To stores of knowledge, and the deep 
 
 Springs of mental beauty, which will invigorate 
 
 Thy powers, and forth will spring a harvest 
 
TOWN AND COUNTRY. 123 
 
 Of celestial fruit, to satisfy the 
 Cravings of the immortal mind when 
 Things of earth shall cease to impede 
 And clog the wings that soar aloft 
 Amid the aspirations of the blest. 
 
 There was a sympathy united us 
 Unseen by mortal eye, and love, 
 Tender and deep, cheer'd and refined 
 Our inmost hours. 
 Their memory remains to us a 
 Vision of loveliness ; could we entwine. 
 With recollections of them aught but 
 Of blessings, when to us they were the 
 Guardian angels that point to heaven 
 As the scene of all enduring blessedness, 
 And the perfection of our exalted 
 Nature, that with beings unnumbered 
 
124 TOWN AND COUNTRY. 
 
 We shall praise and serve the Father. 
 Clouds will be beneath us, and onward 
 Tend each purpose of creation still to 
 Raise the soaring spirit from star to star 
 Of glory. The buds will bloom unfolded, 
 And the quenchless flame still upward 
 Tend, to renew itself forever. 
 
LINES 
 
 WRITTEN ON THE VISIT OF MRS. H. 
 
 With her children all around her, 
 Here she sits at the lovM home altar. 
 Unmoved by thought, untouched by care, 
 We freely breathe the mountain air. 
 
 When wafted to times long past, 
 Companion of my childhood's hour ! 
 In sport we culled life's opening flower. 
 The buds were fresh and pure. 
 
 No chill or blithe our friendship knew. 
 But hand in hand the virtues grew, 
 And ripened into fruit. 
 And now the branches all are fair, 
 12 
 
126 ON THE VISIT OF MRS. H. 
 
 Polished with culture still and rare, 
 And teeming with delight, 
 As years advance and time unfolds 
 The prospect to our view. 
 
 Gently descending the vale of life, 
 May each solace and emotion 
 Brighter prove, angelic scenes unfold, 
 And visions full of immortality 
 Burst upon the soul. 
 
 Ah, then still undivided on 
 Friendship's altar let the flame ascend. 
 And when all is changing 
 Let me find my friend. 
 
RETROSPECTION. 
 
 When life's fair dream has passed away 
 
 To three score years and ten, 
 Before we turn again to clay 
 
 The lot of mortal men, 
 'Tis wise a backward eye to cast 
 
 On life's revolving scene. 
 With calmness to review the past 
 
 And ask what we have been. 
 
 The cradle and the mother's breast 
 Have vanish'd from the mind, 
 
 Of joys the sweetest and the best. 
 Nor left a trace behind. 
 
1^ RETROSPECTION. 
 
 Maternal tenderness and care 
 Were lavished all in vain — 
 
 Of bliss, whatever was our share 
 No vestiges remain. 
 
 Far distant like a beacon light 
 
 On ocean's boundless waste, 
 A single spot appears in sight 
 
 Yet indistinctly traced. 
 Some mimic stage's thrilling cry, 
 
 Some agony of fear, 
 Some painted wonder to the eye. 
 
 Some trumpet to the ear. 
 
 These are the first events of life 
 That fasten on the brain, 
 
 And through the world's incessant strife 
 Indelible remain. 
 
RETROSPECTION. 129 
 
 They form the link with ages past 
 
 From former worlds a gleam ; 
 AVith murky vapors overcast, 
 
 The net work of a dream. 
 
 J. Q. A. 
 
 Quincy, Sept., 18iO. 
 
 m* 
 
AN ACROSTIC. 
 
 I N all the vast abodes of thought, 
 
 'er all the springs of mind I seek, 
 H onor and wisdom I invoke, when 
 N ear thy image I behold ! 
 
 Q uenched not, is the lustre of thine eye, 
 U pon thy brow meek justice sits. 
 
 1 nscribed upon my heart, 
 N e'er to be effaced by time, 
 
 C ould all the recollections of the past 
 
 Y ield, this would still remain. 
 
 A round her memory dear to us all 
 
 D ost cling remembrances 
 
 A 11 powerful — tender and 
 
 M ost sweet, and lasting as the 
 
 S oul's immortality. 
 
Amid the cares of state, the jar of worlds, 
 
 The conflicts of deep feeling. 
 
 Thou wilt grant some moments to sympathy 
 
 And unite in blest communion 
 
 And deep affection, with one 
 
 Who treasures up the remembrance 
 
 Of our hearts dear companions, 
 
 Whom the grave cannot separate. 
 
 O'er whom death has no dominion, 
 
 But whose love yields recollections 
 
 To be unfolded in eternity* 
 
ON THE DEATH OF DR. CHANNING. 
 
 Oct. bth. 
 Rejoice, ye saints, rejoice in light, 
 For to your circle ever bright 
 Is added one most fair. 
 From earthly woes a soul's released, 
 A spirit freed from care. 
 
 Purity and love his mind possessed, 
 With every virtue blest, 
 Each grace adorned his life. 
 Then strike again your living lyre, 
 And from the source of holy fire 
 
ON THE DEATH OF DR. CHANNING. 133 
 
 Celestial anthems raise. 
 
 He lived, he toiled in virtue's cause, 
 
 And sang his Maker's praise. 
 
 Weep not for him, he's joined his home above, 
 The aspirations of his heart were love 
 And sanctity ; no dross defiled the 
 Temple pure, the offerings rose devout ; 
 The man was holy and walked with God. 
 
LINES 
 
 AFTER HEARING DR. PREACH. 
 
 ** Remember me," the Savior said, 
 Then bowed his meek and lowly head. 
 Remember thee 1 Oh Lord, we will, 
 Love and obey, and serve thee still. 
 
 In the dark watches of the night. 
 When silence reigns and nought is bright. 
 We'll think of all thou doth for us, 
 And humbly place in thee our trust. 
 
 Hoping thou wilt ever bind 
 
 In wreaths of joy this trusting mind. 
 
LINES. 135 
 
 With gracious hopes our souls inspire, 
 Then cling to thee with warm desire. 
 
 Elevate our hearts, unite us to thyself, 
 Fill us with thy immortal wealth, 
 Banish all despondency. 
 And let us live, still trusting thee. 
 
RESPONSE. 
 
 Right — remember Him, 
 And He'll remember thee ; 
 Your eye shall ne'er grow dim, 
 Nor shall your strength decay. 
 
 He'll not forget you when 
 He makes his jewels up ; 
 The Lamb who once was slain, 
 With bliss will fill your cup. 
 
 And when the shining ones 
 Shall bow before his throne, 
 
RESPONSE. J 37 
 
 He'll bid you join their songs 
 And own you as his own. 
 
 Through all eternity, 
 Your song and joy shall be — 
 The Lamb of Calvary 
 Lives to remember me. 
 
 p. s. 
 
 n 
 
DEDICATION HYMN. 
 
 What though no stately dome arise, 
 With costly pomp and sacrifice ; 
 To thee the grateful heart we bring, 
 Refreshed from thy eternal spring. 
 
 The ofF'ring thou'lt accept and bless, 
 Crown our weak efforts with success, 
 And let our trusting faith record 
 The progress of thy love and word. 
 
 Impress thy law upon our hearts. 
 And give the joy thy faith imparts ; 
 
DEDICATION HYMN. 139 
 
 *Tis blessedness to be with thee — 
 From doubt O set us wholly free ! 
 
 Prom earth to heaven still point the way ; 
 We serve thee best when we obey ; 
 Then hasten with thy blessing, Lord, 
 Calm every fear, and spread thy word ! 
 
THE IVY AND THE OAK. 
 
 On the Ocean of Life we embark, 
 But the world is cold and stern ; 
 The blighted blossoms droop and fade ; 
 The tendrils of the heart essay in vain 
 Its smiles to win — 'tis motionless 
 At pity's call : on nobler motives 
 Set thy mind, and soar above 
 Its fleeting treasures, 'twill pierce 
 Thee to the heart if rested on — 
 Then plant thine anchor in the skies. 
 
 March 25, 1842. 
 
TO THE MEMORY OF M. W. 
 
 Yes, thou art gone, yet still we linger here I 
 
 Faithful to thy Father's will ; 
 
 We feel thy loss ! the lore of God prevailed 
 
 O'er thy whole heart, and filled thy soul with 
 
 Faithful zeal. 
 
 Let us still kneel in spirit at the throne 
 
 Where angels worship. May the cares of earth 
 
 Prepare our minds for rest above. 
 
 Where thy spirit waits for those thou left on 
 
 Earth to mourn thy loss, and seek thee in the skies. 
 
 la'^ 
 
REMEMBER ME. 
 
 IN IMITATION OF MRS. OPIE's " FORGET THEE ! NO !" 
 BY THE HON. E. EVERETT. 
 
 Yes, dear one, to the envied train 
 
 Of those around, thy homage pay, 
 But wilt thou never kindly deign 
 
 To think of him that's far away 1 
 Thy form, thine eye, thy angel smile, 
 
 For weary years I may not see ; 
 But wilt thou not, sometimes, the while, 
 
 My sister dear> remember me. 
 
 But not in fashion's brilliant hall, 
 
 Surrounded by the gay and fair,. 
 
REMEiMBER ME. 143 
 
 And thou, the fairest of them all, 
 
 Oh, think not, think not of me there ! 
 
 But when the thoughtless crowd is gone. 
 And hushed the voice of senseless glee, 
 
 And all is silent,, still, and lone, 
 And thou art sad — remember me. 
 
 Remember me — but loveliest, ne'er, 
 
 When, in his orbit fair and high. 
 The morning's glowing charioteer 
 
 Rides proudly up the blushing sky ; 
 But when the waning moonbeam sleeps 
 
 At midnight on the lonely sea. 
 And nature's pensive spirit weeps 
 
 In all her dews — remember me. 
 
 Remember me, I pray — but not 
 In Flora's gay and blooniing hour^ 
 
144 REMEMBER ME. 
 
 When every brake has found its note, 
 And sunshine smiles in every flower — 
 
 But when the fading leaf is sear, 
 And withers sadly from the tree, 
 
 And o'er the ruins of the year 
 
 Cold autumn sighs — remember me. 
 
 Remember me — but choose not, dear, 
 
 The hour when, on the gentle lake. 
 The sportive wavelets, blue and clear, 
 
 Soft rippling to the margin, break • 
 But when the deaf 'ning billows foam 
 
 In madness o'er the pathless sea, 
 Then let thy pilgrim fancy roam 
 
 Across them, and — remember me. 
 
 Remember me — but not to join, 
 
 If haply some thy friend should praise^ 
 
REMEMBER ME. 14^ 
 
 'Tis far too dear, that voice of thine, 
 
 ■ To echo what the stranger says. 
 They know us not ; but shouldst thou meet 
 
 Some faithful friend of me and thee. 
 Softly sometimes to him repeat 
 
 My name, and then — remember me. 
 
 Remember me — not, I entreat, 
 
 In scenes of festal week-day joy, 
 For then it were not kind nor meet, 
 
 My thought thy pleasure should alloy ; 
 But on the sacred, solemn day. 
 
 And dearest, on thy bended knee. 
 When thou for those thou lov*st dost pray, 
 
 Sweet spirit, then — remember me. 
 
 Remember me — but not as I 
 On thee for ever, ever dwell, 
 
146 REMEMBER ME. 
 
 With anxious heart and drooping eye, 
 
 And doubts 'twould grieve thee should I tell ; 
 
 But in thy calm, unclouded heart, 
 Whence dark and gloomy visions flee, 
 
 Ah ! there, my sister, be my part. 
 And kindly there — remember me. 
 
A NOCTURNAL EXCURSION. 
 
 We must mount our Pegasus, 
 
 (A horse or a ship with nine wings,) 
 
 And on to Parnassus. 
 
 The night it is stormy and dark, 
 
 The stars are not twinkling, 
 
 The moon she is missing, 
 
 And we fear to get out of the track, 
 
 Hope goes before, tier visions impart 
 All that can strengthen our plan — 
 Our golden swords we wave, 
 Our station take amid the brave ; 
 
148 A NOCTURNAL EXCURSION. 
 
 When lo our foes the monsters rave, 
 
 We refuge take in yon dark cave, 
 
 A hermit there we found ; 
 
 A sage of other days, 
 
 His mossy couch, his humble cell, 
 
 His- limpid drink from yonder weU, 
 
 His silvery locks, his noble form 
 
 Seem bent with age, and now the storm 
 
 Of passions deep. 
 
 Beneath his brow had ceased to keep 
 
 Their wonted vigil. 
 
 Years had passed since with the 
 
 World he'd ceas'd to mingle ; 
 
 He rov'd in forest, glade or dingle, 
 
 And sought to draw from the neighboring stream 
 
 Refreshment for his evening meal. 
 
 He pity took on our lone state, 
 
 And all he had he freely gave— 
 
A NOCTURNAL EXCURSION. 149 
 
 OfFerhig to the traveller faint 
 
 His couch, his cheer, his recollections of the past ; 
 
 All drawn with graphic skill 
 
 From memory's deep and holy fount. 
 
 His tales were of the olden time, 
 
 When youth and health. 
 
 Beauty and wealth, 
 
 His ardent gaze attracted. 
 
 The friends he loved. 
 
 The bride he won, 
 
 His hopes distroyed 
 
 Had nigh his brain distracted. 
 
 But resignation now 
 
 His breast had visited, 
 
 And the allotments wise 
 
 Though deeply tried, his love and faith 
 
 14 
 
150 A NOCTURNAL EXCURSION. 
 
 Had triumphed ; the follies^ 
 Of his youth he'd felt, 
 And wisely turned his 
 Thoughts within, there to 
 Seek his happiness. 
 
 With calm desires 
 
 He now aspires 
 
 To worship in the spirit ; 
 
 His sorrows are assuaged, 
 
 His passions lulled 
 
 In mild repose. 
 
 And all he seeks, 
 
 Or asks for now, 
 
 Is dismissal from the scene 
 
 Of former conflict. 
 
 The patient waiting 
 
 For the call to come 
 
 And be at rest. 
 
A NOCTURNAL EXCURSION. 151 
 
 We left him thus, 
 
 He kindly gave his benediction, 
 
 And implored all needed aid 
 
 To guard and keep us on our way. 
 
 " The iron tongue of time, told three upon the drowsy 
 
 ear of night." 
 Already weary we dismissed 
 Our steeds, and resolved most wisely 
 No farther then to ti-avel. 
 The day then dawned, 
 And the realities of life 
 Once more surrounded us ; 
 We justly concluded to 
 Waste time no more, 
 But on with the business of life, 
 To cook and to bake, and to brew, 
 And with poets and hermits 
 Have no more to do. 
 *Tis more than enough, adieu, adieu. 
 
LINES 
 
 " Blessed are they who mourn. 
 For they shall be comforted." 
 
 Send down thy Spirit, Lord, 
 Upon these hearts sincere, 
 Lighten the burden by thy word 
 And banish every fear. 
 
 Cherish the buds of promise given. 
 Nor spend thy hfe in grief; 
 Thy hopes will bloom anew in heaven. 
 Thy sorrows find relief. 
 
 Then cheer thy mind with God's best gift, 
 The power to improve 
 
LINES. 153 
 
 Thy faculties for him, 
 Who all thy life hath mov'd. 
 
 Let lofty hopes and meek desires 
 Thy mind still freshness bring, 
 Till on thee dawn with heavenly choirs, 
 The everlasting spring. 
 
 Nov. 2Ut, 1841. 
 
 14 
 
LINES 
 
 WRITTEN IN 1823, IN THE ALBU3I OF A LADY, AFTER THE 
 SIGNATURE OF JOHN ADAMS. 
 
 BY L- M. SARGENT. 
 
 High o'er the Alps in Dauphin^ 
 
 There lies a lonely spot, 
 So wild, that ages roll'd away 
 
 And man had claim'd it not. 
 For ages there the tiger's yell 
 Bay'd the hoarse torrent as it fell. 
 
 But there the mountain beast, dismay'd, 
 
 No more in peace shall roam, 
 For man, unsocial man, hath made 
 
 That wilderness his home ; 
 
LINES. 155 
 
 And convent bell, with note forlorn, 
 Is heard at niidnight, eve, and morn. 
 
 For now, amid the " Grand Chartreuse," 
 
 Carthusian monks reside, 
 Whose lives are passed from man recluse, 
 
 In scourging human pride ; 
 With matins, vespers, aves, creeds. 
 And crosses, masses, prayers and beads. 
 
 When thither men of curious mood, 
 
 Or pilgrims bend their way ; 
 To view this Alpine solitude. 
 
 Or heaven-ward bent to pray. 
 St. Bruno's monks their album bring, 
 Inscribed by poet, priest and king. 
 
 Since pilgrim first with holy tears, 
 Inscribed that tablet fair. 
 
156 LINES. 
 
 Time on its flood, some thousand years, 
 
 Hath roll'd like billows there. 
 What countless names its pages blot, 
 By country, kindred, long forgot ! 
 
 There chaste conceits, and thoughts divine, 
 
 Unclaimed and nameless stand, 
 Which like the Grecian's waving line, 
 
 Betray some master's hand. 
 And there St. Bruno's monks display,* 
 With pride the classic lines of Gray. 
 
 While pilgrim ponders o'er the name, 
 
 He feels his bosom glow, 
 And deems it nothing less than fame, 
 
 To write his own below, 
 
 * When Gray visited the " Grand" Chartreuse the monks presented their 
 album, in which he wrote a beautiful ode, wliich is inserted in his "vs'orks. 
 
LINES. 157 
 
 So in this album fain would I, 
 Beneath a name that cannot die. 
 
 Thrice happy book, no tablet bears 
 
 A loftier name than thine ; 
 Still followed by a nation's pray'rs, 
 
 Through lingering life's decline. 
 Still honor'd as when erst obeyed,^ 
 That trembling hand an empire swayed. 
 
 Not thus among the patriot band, 
 
 That name enroU'd we see ; 
 No falt'ring tongue, no trembling hand, 
 
 Proclaim'd an empire free ! 
 Lady, retrace those lines and tell, 
 If in thy heart no sadness dwell ! 
 
 And in those fading, struggling lines** 
 Oh see'st thou nought sublime ? 
 
158 LINES. 
 
 No tott'ring pile that half inclines, 
 
 No mighty wreck of Time 1 
 Sighs not thy gentle heart to save 
 The sage, the patriot from the grave ? 
 
 If thus, ah then recall thy sigh, 
 
 Unholy 'tis and vain ; 
 For saints and sages never die. 
 
 But sleep to raise again. 
 Life is a lengthened day, at best. 
 And in the grave tired travellers rest. 
 
 Till with his trump, to wake the dead, 
 
 The appointed angel flies ; 
 Then heaven's bright album shall be spread, 
 
 And all who sleep shall rise, 
 The blest to Zion's hill repair. 
 And write their names im, mortal there ! 
 
TO THE SUN-DIAL, 
 
 UNDER THE WINDOW OF THE HALL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
 OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 BY JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 
 
 Thou silent herald of Time's silent flight ! 
 
 Say, could'st thou speak, what warning voice was thine 1 
 Shade, who can'&t only show how others shine ! 
 
 Dark, sullen witness of resplendent light 
 
 In day's broad glare, and when the moontide bright 
 Of laughing fortune sheds the ray divine, 
 Thy ready favours cheer us — but decline 
 The clouds of morning and the gloom of night. 
 
 Yet are thy counsels faithful, just and wise. 
 They bid us seize the moments as they pass — 
 
 Snatch the retrieveless sunbeam as it flies, 
 
 Nor lose one sand of life's revolving glass — • 
 Aspiring still, with energy sublime, 
 By virtuous deeds to give eternity to Time. 
 
CHRISTMAS DAY. 
 
 No morn was ever ushered in 
 
 With brighter streaks of light, 
 
 Cerulean clouds were tinged with gold, 
 
 The damask and the white 
 
 Were blended, through the arch of heaven. 
 
 Rejoice, rejoice, the Christians cry. 
 The anniversary of Christ has comCj 
 The shouts of joy reach to the sky, 
 This day the Saviour's born. 
 Each lisping child is early imig/it 
 With joy to hail the day, 
 
CHRISTMAS DAY. 161 
 
 The treasured gift, the rhymed thought, 
 Are all arrayed in hope's blest ray. 
 
 No selfish joy possess'd that generous breast. 
 That freely offered, bled, and died, 
 The sacrifice at once complete. 
 The sinful race of mortals rescued 
 From evil power, and all its force defied. 
 
 O'erfiow my heart, with love supreme to God, 
 
 And adoration to his Son, 
 
 The heavenly host of seraphs loudly sung 
 
 When mortals were redeemed 
 
 And all their sins atonedo 
 
 Glorious, yet awful hour ! 
 The lamp of-d^y stood still, 
 The heavens were veiled in clouds of wo ; 
 Silence, solemn, and unbroken, revealed 
 15 
 
162 CHRISTMAS DAY. 
 
 The power, of man's repeated guilt, 
 
 That drew from the celestial world, 
 
 God's only precious Son — on earth to be a wanderer, 
 
 He had not where to lay his liead, 
 
 No home received the heavenly stranger, 
 
 Unaided by a mortal hand, alone, 
 
 He trod the path of duty. 
 
 Yet not alone, for God was with him. 
 
 But when accomplished once his mission, 
 
 The bliss the glory of redeemed souls 
 
 Tuned with sweet harmony the heavenly lyre. 
 
 Forgiven, restored, and elevated man 
 
 Again lays claim to all his Maker's love. 
 
 The Lamb proclaimed glad tidings of great joy. 
 
 No more shall faith and sorrow plead in vain, 
 The Almighty ear is open ; ready stands 
 Our Father, calling to his erring children, 
 Return, return, give not your hearts to earthly 
 
CHRISTMAS DAY. 163 
 
 Rest ; raise, oh raise that suppliant eye 
 
 To heavenly scenes of joy, that never, never die. 
 
 Father, thy face we'll seek, thy aid implore 
 
 Feebly at times ; but thou, to whom our 
 
 Weakest hours are known, rememberest we 
 
 Are dust, and must to dust return ; 
 
 But from the tomb the soul shall rise immortal, 
 
 Conscious of her powers, and dwelling 
 
 In the sunshine of thy love. 
 
EXTRACT 
 
 FROM MEMOIRS OF MRS. INCHBALD BY BODEN. 
 
 I admired Madam de Stael much ; she talked to me the 
 whole time ; so did Miss Edgeworth whenever I met her 
 in company. These authoresses suppose me dead, and 
 seem to pay a tribute to my memory. But with Madam de 
 Stael it seemed no passing compliment ; she was inquisi- 
 tive as well as attentive, and entreated me to explain to 
 her the motive why I shunned society 1 Because, I re- 
 plied, I dread the loneliness that will follow. ** What, 
 will you feel your solitude more when you return from 
 this company, than you did before you came hither?" 
 '• Yes." " I should think it would elevate your spirits. 
 
EXTRACT. 165 
 
 Why will you feel your loneliness more ]" " Because 
 I have no one to tell that I have seen you ; no one to de- 
 scribe your person to ; no one to whom I can repeat the 
 many encomiums you have passed on my ' simple story ;' 
 no one to enjoy any of your praises but yourself." *' Ah,, 
 you have no children ;'* and she turned to an elegant 
 young woman, her daughter, with pathetic tenderness. 
 She then so forcibly depicted a mother's joys, that she 
 sent me home more melancholy at the comparison of our 
 situations in life, than could have arisen from the conse- 
 quences of riches or poverty. I called by appointment 
 at her house two days after ; I was told she was ill. 
 The next morning, my paper explained her illness. You 
 have seen the death of her son in the papers ; he was 
 one of Bernadotte's aids-de-camp ; the most beautiful 
 young man that ever was seen, only 19: a duel with 
 sabres, and the first stroke literally cut off his head !' 
 
 Neckers' grandson ! 
 
 Letter to Mrs. Phillips. 
 
 15* 
 
NOTES FROxM A MANUSCRIPT. 
 
 BY E. P. 
 
 You inquire my opinion of Madam de Stael. I wish I 
 could send you my " Germany;" you might judge whether 
 or not I priied it, there are little stars enough to replenish 
 the zodiac, if there should ever be need of it. 
 
 i am never disposed to be philosophical or critical when 
 speaking of her merits, and can employ nothing but the 
 language of feeling. She speaks of the human heart like 
 one who has deeply felt, and mourned and rejoiced. 
 
 To Madam de Stael I cannot help applying the sub- 
 stance of one of her own remarks on the subject of novel 
 reading. I find in her writings all that I iP-,yself have 
 
NOTES FROM A MANUSCRIPT. 167 
 
 felt, those interior sentiments which had been nourished in 
 the retirement of my own heart, laid bear to inspection, 
 and it sometimes produces an emotion of melancholy ; 
 I feel as if the sanctuary had been violated, I more than 
 once closed the book with tears in my eyes, exclaiming al- 
 most audibly, oh tell me no more ! This it is to write 
 from nature. 
 
 We have philosophers enough, the world is overrun 
 with them, but our philosophers do not feel, or those who 
 feel do not philosophize. 
 
 After all the exigencies of life are satisffed, does there 
 not remain to some of us a superfluity of soul, which the 
 cares of life cannot, must not, ought not to exhaust ; with- 
 out prudence the world would not go on, and if there were 
 nothing in it but prudence, who would wish to live in it ; 
 by prudence I mean a comprehensive name for all those 
 ordinary qualities by which the solid interests of society are 
 securedj,but not polished — 'iiot endeared, not hallowed,. 
 
168 NOTES FROM A MANUSCRIPT. 
 
 Oh Still maj enthusiasm and poetry, her eldest child, 
 and all the rest of her blessed kin, gild and delight, and 
 cheer the rugged path of our life ! 
 
 I could often wish, if the wish were not a murmur, that 
 my heart had been formed without these strange and fear- 
 ful tendencies, this deep disgust for things that are ordi- 
 nary, and therefore proper, this desire to possess such an 
 affection as was never yet granted to a mortal, and could 
 not be enjoyed in safety. 
 
 I am so sensible of the demands of my own nature, that 
 until I meet with a beino^ whose commandinor talents shall 
 awe, while his gentleness wins, I shall continue to sail, 
 like the Arabian bird throuj^h the fields of ether feeding 
 upon nutmegs, but never alighting. Whenever I find a ge- 
 nius I will pay him the liomage of my admiring heart. 
 
NOTES FROM A MANUSCRIPT. 169 
 
 It is desirable in an intellectual and perhaps in a mora 
 view, that we should at particular periods of life devotel 
 ourselves with great assiduity to some new and interesting 
 study, no matter whether it be a language or a science, 
 and this for the purpose of arousing the soul from its 
 slumber, and preventing it from sitting down in compla- 
 cency or apathy upon its acquisitions. To study a new 
 science obliges us to examine the boundaries of the old 
 ones which we have already attained, and it appears to 
 me impossible to kindle a new light in the mind, without 
 adding to the brightness of those that are already burning. 
 
A CITY RAMBLE. 
 
 Visited the poetess, her ardent mind 
 
 Enquires why comes he not 1 
 
 To cheer my heart, console my lot. 
 
 His pure exalted soul 
 
 Is raised beyond control. 
 
 With a friend conversed 
 Oh rare and true, are such 
 Noble qualities as meet in you. 
 
 Mrs. fresh and fair, 
 
 In beauty deck'd with jewels rare, 
 
 Good humor'd smiles, with cheerful heart ; 
 
A CITY RAMBLE. 171 
 
 Angelic stores of wit impart, 
 And lustre shed 
 On gilded roof or lowly bed. 
 Why has slumbered thus my pen 
 When folly stalks abroad with men ! 
 
 But one hour I must not omit : 
 
 'Twas fill'd with genial thought and wit. 
 
 Emblem 'twas of passing scenes, 
 
 The Muses' stores were all unlocked, 
 
 The shepherd and the flock 
 
 Rambled at will — and Sympathy 
 
 Joyed to find herself reflected. 
 
 Thus in a world of our own, 
 
 With images ideal, 
 
 Substantial joys all real, 
 
 We glide along gently 
 
 On the current of time, and mark the throng 
 
172 A CITY RAMBLE. 
 
 Whose busy notes fill up the silence, 
 And people the desert with images. 
 
 *' Can I walk down Broadway 
 With this pink bonnet so gay ?" 
 Said a sober divine to his friend ; 
 I'll try not to smile 
 My thoughts to beguile^ 
 Then 'twill soon have an end. 
 
 The way was long, the dresses fine, 
 
 Sparkling wit and face divine 
 
 Elated the party with gas ; 
 
 And in the midst of sage reflection, 
 
 They would now and then turn to admire the lass. 
 
 The bows and the graces, 
 The moustached grimaces, 
 
A CITY RAMBLE. 173 
 
 With ringlets and sunbeams, 
 Gay colors and day dreams, 
 The time was beguiled and seemed short. 
 
 I know not when I've received such 
 
 Attention, said he. 
 
 The world seems so gracious. 
 
 All in good glee, 
 
 The beaux that I meet smile approval. 
 
 When W. W. left his post. 
 
 As sick of folly as any ghost, 
 
 He said to me, beware of traps. 
 
 Coal pits, delusions, and gay pink hats. 
 
 Whene'er I walk abroad to meditate 
 
 On awful sins, humbugs of the day, 
 
 Or to pick up pins, 
 
 I do remember me of his sage advice 
 
 To guide my steps in halls so nice. 
 16 
 
174 A CITY RAMBLE. 
 
 Whene'er I prattle with the ladies, 
 Or talk with fond mammas of babies, 
 I ne'er forget my thoughtful friend, 
 Who warned me of the approaching end. 
 And cased my mind in armor bright, 
 To shun the darkness, use the light. 
 Our walks through life will useful prove, 
 It as companion we take the muse. 
 Out thoughts to elevate, our wishes raise 
 To themes of rapture, notes of praise. 
 For recreation too is given 
 To cheer the heart, and form for heaven. 
 
 Next Dr. then we met, 
 
 His cordial manner, warm regret, 
 Banished all distrustful thought, 
 And to our fancy fully brought 
 The joy from genial spirits fraught. 
 
A CITY RAMBLE. 175 
 
 Down the way so broad we walked, 
 His arm we took ; we cheerly talked, 
 He gave us many a gracious look, 
 Absolving without bell or book. 
 
 Father then stepped in, 
 
 We were suprised to find us in such company ; 
 It gave us joy their fond regard to mark, 
 And raised our minds, soaring with the lark. 
 
LINES BY H. W. 
 
 Canst thou, wilt thou divme aright, 
 A reason why like Melzinga is 
 Delicious rose at early hght 
 When morn doth first its petals kiss 1 
 
 Just like a rose at morn's first dawn, 
 Profuse of odor and rich of tint, 
 Delightful Melzinga is I pray, 
 Why is it so 1 Why, there's ****** 
 
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