Divine Original, with an equal birth-right of immortal growth, she regarded rather their aspirations than their accomplishments. And this was the source of her marvellous influence. Those who had never thought of their own destiny, nor put faith in their own faculties, found in her society not so much a display of her gifts, as surprising discoveries of their own. She revealed to them the truth, that all can be noble by fidelity to the highest self. She appreciated, with delicate tenderness, each one's peculiar trials, and, while never attempting to make the unhappy feel that their miseries were unreal, she pointed out the compensations of their lot, and taught them how to live above misfortune. She had consolation and advice for every one in trouble, and wrote long letters to many friends, at the expense not only of precious time, but of physical pain.

"When now, with the experience of a man, I look back upon her wise guardianship over our childhood, her indefatigable labors for our education, her constant supervision in our family affairs, her minute instructions. as to the management of multifarious details, her painful conscientiousness in every duty; and then reflect on her native inaptitude and even disgust for practical affairs, on her sacrifice, in the very flower of her genius, of her favorite pursuits, on her incessant drudgery and waste of health, on her patient bearing of burdens, and courageous conflict with difficult circumstances, her character stands before me as heroic."

It was to this brother that Margaret wrote as follows:

'It is a great pleasure to me to give you this book; 11*

VOL. II.

both that I have a brother whom I think worthy to ' value it, and that I can give him something worthy to 'be valued more and more through all his life. Whatever height we may attain in knowledge, whatever 'facility in the expression of thoughts, will only enable us to do more justice to what is drawn from so deep a source of faith and intellect, and arrayed, oftentimes, in the fairest hues of nature. Yet it may not be well 'for a young mind to dwell too near one tuned to so 'high a pitch as this writer, lest, by trying to come into 'concord with him, the natural tones be overstrained, 'and the strings weakened by untimely pressure. Do 'not attempt, therefore, to read this book through, but 'keep it with you, and when the spirit is fresh and ear'nest turn to it. It is full of the tide-marks of great 'thoughts, but these can be understood by one only who has gained, by experience, some knowledge of these 'tides. The ancient sages knew how to greet a brother 'who had consecrated his life to thought, and was never 'disturbed from his purpose by a lower aim. But it 'is only to those perfected in purity that Pythagoras can 'show a golden thigh.

'One word as to your late readings. They came in a 'timely way to admonish you, amidst mere disciplines, 'as to the future uses of such disciplines. But systems ' of philosophy are mere pictures to him, who has not 'yet learned how to systematize. From an inward 'opening of your nature these knowledges must begin to be evolved, ere you can apprehend aught beyond their beauty, as revealed in the mind of another. 'Study in a reverent and patient spirit, blessing the day 'that leads you the least step onward. Do not ride 'hobbies. Do not hasten to conclusions. Be not coldly

'sceptical towards any thinker, neither credulous of his 'views. A man, whose mind is full of error, may give 'us the genial sense of truth, as a tropical sun, while it 'rears crocodiles, yet ripens the wine of the palm-tree.

"To turn again to my Ancients: while they believed ' in self-reliance with a force little known in our day, 'they dreaded no pains of initiation, but fitted them'selves for intelligent recognition of the truths on which 'our being is based, by slow gradations of travel, study, 'speech, silence, bravery, and patience. That so it may 'be with you, dear hopes your sister and friend.'

A few extracts from family letters written at different times, and under various conditions, may be added.

'me.

'I read with great interest the papers you left with The picture and the emotions suggested are 'genuine. The youthful figure, no doubt, stands portress at the gate of Infinite Beauty; yet I would say to 'one I loved as I do you, do not waste these emotions, 'nor the occasions which excite them. There is danger ' of prodigality, of lavishing the best treasures of the 'breast on objects that cannot be the permanent ones. It is true, that whatever thought is awakened in the 'mind becomes truly ours; but it is a great happiness to owe these influences to a cause so proportioned to our 'strength as to grow with it. I say this merely because 'I fear that the virginity of heart which I believe 'essential to feeling a real love, in all its force and 'purity, may be endangered by too careless excursions ' into the realms of fancy.'

เ

'It is told us, we should pray, "lead us not into temp

6

6

"“tation ;" and I agree. Yet I think it cannot be, that, 'with a good disposition, and the means you have had 'to form your mind and discern a higher standard, your 'conduct or happiness can be so dependent on circumstances, as you seem to think. I never advised you: 'taking a course which would blunt your finer powers ' and I do not believe that winning the means of pecu'niary independence need do so. I have not found that it does, in my own case, placed at much greater disad'vantage than you are. I have never considered, either, 'that there was any misfortune in your lot. Health, good abilities, and a well-placed youth, form a union ' of advantages possessed by few, and which leaves you 'little excuse for fault or failure. And so to your bet'ter genius and the instruction of the One Wise, I com'mend you.'

( It gave me great pleasure to get your last letter, for 'these little impromptu effusions are the genuine letters. 'I rejoice that man and nature seem harmonious to 'you, and that the heart beats in unison with the 'voices of Spring. May all that is manly, sincere, and pure, in your wishes, be realized! Obliged to 'live myself without the sanctuary of the central rela'tions, yet feeling I must still not despair, nor fail to 'profit by the precious gifts of life, while "leaning 6.66 'upon our Father's hand," I still rejoice, if any one can, in the true temper, and with well-founded hopes, secure a greater completeness of earthly existence. "This fortune is as likely to be yours, as any one's 'I know. It seems to me dangerous, however, to med'dle with the future. I never lay my hand on it to ' grasp it with impunity.'

Of late I have often thought of you with strong ' yearnings of affection and desire to see you. It would seem to me, also, that I had not devoted myself to you 'enough, if I were not conscious that by any more atten'tion to the absent than I have paid, I should have 'missed the needed instructions from the present. And 'I feel that any bond of true value will endure necessary 'neglect.'

'There is almost too much of bitter mixed in the cup 'of life. You say religion is a mere sentiment with you, 'and that if you are disappointed in your first, your 'very first hopes and plans, you do not know whether 'you shall be able to act well. I do not myself see 'how a reflecting soul can endure the passage through life, except by confidence in a Power that must at last 'order all things right, and the resolution that it shall 'not be our own fault if we are not happy, that we 'will resolutely deserve to be happy. There are many 'bright glimpses in life, many still hours; much worthy 'toil, some deep and noble joys; but, then, there are 'so many, and such long, intervals, when we are kept 'from all we want, and must perish but for such 'thoughts.'

-

You need not fear, dear, my doing anything 'to chill you. I am only too glad of the pure happi'ness you so sweetly describe.

ness you so sweetly describe. I well understand what 'you say of its invigorating you for every enterprise. 'I was always sure it would be so with me, that ' resigned, I could do well, but happy I could do excel'lently. Happiness must, with the well-born, expand