THE NOONTIDE OF HER LIFE

193 in keeping her in her room; in the second week, she had resumed all the duties of the house, and was driving all over the country with my father. But, in all her cares and duties, she was seldom without the invaluable aid of my father's grown-up daughters and nicces.

Doubtless a nature so vivacious, and a life so active, experienced reaction enough to call up reflective sentiment whenever she wrote letters; for these occasions were really among her few periods of comparative rest.

To Miss Forbes, June 20, 1823.

I have been expecting you every day for more than a fortnight; in the mean time, Dr. and Mrs. Gorham have passed a day with me, and were disappointed that they could not meet you here. I was pleased with Mrs. Gorham, but the doctor is superlative; I liked him amazingly. And I was glad to find that the unfortunate occurrences of his family did not prevent him from taking his wife to Niagara, as well as to the other curiosities of that part of the country; though I think there was rather a cloud hanging over their prospects after they got to Canandaigua, but it had passed over before they got here, and they were in good spirits. I was sorry that the doctor did not let his wife go to the mountain, which they ought to have done in the morning before they came to visit me,- for you know the afternoon is no time to look on the western view. But I took her upon Round Hill, and rode around. the town with them in the afternoon, and did all I

could to prevent their losing time while they stayed. Old Mrs. Lee came here a few days since, with her grand-daughters, from New York; and I could not help hoping, that by some accident you would hear of them and come at the same time; but now I despair of seeing you at all. I was much pleased to receive a note from you by Mrs. W., because it gave some encouragement to my hopes that you would not return to Boston without seeing us. I have feasted my eyes on the beautiful Mrs. Eliot, and think she is the queen of beauty,- in our hemisphere, at least. I never liked her husband as well as I did this time. He was exceedingly condescending and attentive to those around him. She appeared desirous to please, but her countenance indicated the melancholy reflections that had so lately had possession of her mind; you know she was the only daughter of her mother, and the subject of her idolatry.

I saw John a few days ago, and told him that you would be here soon. He is very well, and I always hear is doing well. The gentlemen on Round Hill have certainly made very great efforts, and they have been accompanied by the most wonderful success; which is not only fortunate for them, but very much so for the town. The instructors, too, all that I have known, have been of the highest order; and I think their method is greatly calculated to raise the standard of education in our country. I have enclosed an account of it, which I think exceedingly clear and intelligible, and which I believe was penned by Mr. Bancroft.

DETAILS OF HOME LIFE

195

To Mrs. Greene, Sept. 10, 1823.

MY DEAR ABBY,- You know, nothing is so unusual in my family as solitude, or, in other words, as tranquillity; and in proportion to the rareness of our blessings we prize them. I hail this hour then with peculiar gratitude, for it is a temporary exemp tion from care, from bustle, and from

a one as I cannot recollect to have experienced for more than three months. But much as present objects occupy me, I always find time and occasion to think of my dear Abby. Your last kind letter, together with Sally's, gave us much pleasure,— as do all your letters, inasmuch as they convince us of your continued health and happiness. Happiness in an unusual degree I always knew you must be in the enjoyment of, for you were always in the possession of a well-spring that cannot fail you altogether, though it may be subject to temporary checks. Disciplined feelings, with the determination to benefit others in all we do, must insure a measure of happiness.

I could get no further when an interruption stayed my hand, and my letter will have to wait another mail before it goes.

Charlotte left me some weeks ago, and Harriet came in to go to dancing-school and writing-school. I was very sorry to part with Charlotte. I believe I told you my baby was named Susan Inches; and a lovelier creature I never saw. Did I tell you in my last, that on the first of October Mr. Cogswell and Mr. George Bancroft-two professors from Cambridge were going to open a school on the plan of

a German Gymnasium; of course Joseph is to be an alumnus of the institution. It proposes to teach all that is taught in any college in the United States. I do not feel quite so much enthusiasm as to the success of their plan as many others do; but, at any rate, they will be an immense accession to our society, as they are distinguished for their learning, piety, and wisdom. If I get an opportunity, I will send you their prospectus.

Emma Forbes is staying with me, and has just observed that she wished you made one of our circle. I never can cease to deplore those I am separated from by distance and by death, however I may appear reconciled to it. Present enjoyment will always depend much on our retrospect of the past, as well as our contemplation of the future. In the former

"The few we liked, the one we loved,
A sacred band! come stealing on;
And many a form far hence removed,
And many a pleasure gone,"

must, to the thoughtful, impair the enjoyment of the present. But hope that anchor to the soul-is a partial antidote, and enlightens the gloom of melancholy reflections. For "fancy, delusive most where warmest wishes are," arrays the future in the colors of the rainbow; and we are deceived by it so gradually, that it is imperceptible to our dull senses, except it relates to some particular object,— such as a favorite child becoming profligate, or a near friend deceiving us. Perhaps the enthusiast enjoys most; for enthusiasm adds an imaginary value to every object of our

BIRTH OF MRS. GREENE'S CHILD 197

pursuit, and of course brightens our anticipations in regard to it, be it what it may. . . .

To Miss Forbes, Oct. 19, 1823.

I have written this much concerning the Gymnasium, because I knew you were interested in its progress, as well as in John. We have a clergyman now preaching for us, who has been two years in Scotland, studying with Dr. Chalmers, but I hope he is not the best specimen of that kind of education, for it was the whirlwind in comparison with the "sigh of evening gales that breathe and die."... Mr. Hentz has dined with us once since you left us; he made particular inquiries after you; he is just in that state when youth,

'Adds bloom to health, o'er every virtue sheds

A gay, humane, a sweet and generous grace,
And brightens all the ornaments of man,"

and in every respect makes him the most interesting youth that ever was. Thinks Northampton a little heaven below, and wishes for nothing so much as to make it his future residence, which, if all things go well, no doubt he will do. ...

To Mrs. Greene, Dec. 14, 1823.

It is unnecessary, my dear Abby, for me to inform you with what unmingled sentiments of pleasure and gratitude I heard of the safe arrival of your little daughter, for you must have observed by my last letter that I had given up all anticipations of such a gratification. I have a realizing sense of the joy