POEMS.

POEMS.HYMN.O Thou, Creator of my frame,Thy righteous pow’r display;May’st Thou direct my wand’ring ways,Nor let me ever stray.Thy mercy still to me impart,And thy blest spirit give;Kindly sustain my drooping hopes,And all my strength revive.Guide me by Thy protecting hand,Incline the will to thee;Endue me with Thy heav’nly grace,From earth’s allurements free.May true devotion in my breastStill fix my thoughts on heaven;While I the song of tribute raise,For every blessing given.CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE.“Be doubly blest th’ auspicious dayThe edifice was plann’d;And may immortal gifts repayThe founder’s lib’ral hand:”Angels with joy beheld it rise,To train immortals for the skies.How sweet to mark the artless throng,To hear the ingenuous youth,Raise with one voice the infant song,And learn the word of truth.“Delightful work his path to trace,Who died to save our ruined race.”“Now, Fancy, o’er life’s little spanGlances her busy eyes,And sees them bear the name of man,Industrious, good, and wise:”Bids them each useful art employ,Anticipates their future joy.With ardent zeal some students mayFrom hence arise and shine,To wipe the orphan’s tears away,And heal with balm divine;“With winning eloquence to tell,What glories in Emmanuel dwell.”Some of the little ones may liveTo adorn their country’s name;“Indulgent heav’n by them may giveFresh lustre to her fame.Some may the blessed Gospel bear,To distant lands, and plant it there.”And many to this favour’d spot,On God’s eventful day,O happy, enviable lot,Grateful shall point and say,“There—there—to us the bliss was given,To seek and find the path to heaven.”FRIENDSHIP.“Oh, give me the friend, from whose warm, faithful breast,The sigh breathes responsive to mine;Where my cares may obtain the soft pillow of rest,And my sorrows may love to recline.”Not the friend who my hours of pleasure will share,But abide not the season of grief;Who flies from the brow that is darken’d by care,And the silence that looks for relief.Not the friend who suspicious of change or of guile,Would shrink from a confidence free;Nor him who with fondness complacent can smile,On the eye that looks coldly on me.“As the mirror that’s just to each blemish or grace,To myself will my image reflect;But to none but myself will that image retrace,Nor picture one absent defect.”To myself let my friend be a mirror as true,Thus my faults from all others conceal,Nor ever when absent those foibles renew,“That from heav’n and from man he should veil.”TO MARIA.If sense and complacence their charms combine,To make each grace with double lustre shine—If mind serene, and innocently gay,Makes life compare with an unclouded day:And piety thy guide, whose gentle pow’r,To calm each thought, and brighten ev’ry hour;Then thou, Maria, much esteem’d must be,These happy traits are all combined in thee.THE SUN.Splendid orb of living light,That wakes the world from silent night,Still warm this dark opaque domain,Thou brightest of the solar train.“When the soft cooling show’r descends,And to the earth its moisture lends.”When murky clouds obscure thy way,And part exclude thee from the day,Ah, yet again wilt thou revive,And o’er the globe thy lustre give;Yet shall thy beams “from day to day,The great Creator’s power display;”And thy resistless radiant blaze,“In silent fervour muse his praise.”THE VOICE OF TIME.Did we e’er mark the budding rose,And see its fragrant sweets disclose,Observe it grow from day to day,Till full perfection crowned the spray.Then straight we see it fade apace,And lose each vivifying grace;And ev’ry balmy leaf we find,Is shortly given to the wind.Watch, then, says Time, each hour you live,Nor with ill deeds my spirit grieve;From first beginning is my birth,And for your good, ye sons of earth;O, fill the Father’s high behest,And lead the way to heav’nly rest;For all below must soon decay,And, like the rose, must pass away.In MemoryOFMRS. WILLIAM RICHARDS.Where late was gladness, when the morn arose.And cheerful musing, on the evening’s close,Serenest pleasure dwelt with gentle sway,And peaceful slumber closed the joyful day.Where now, alas! affliction’s deepest sigh,Is heard around in mournful symphony;A mother’s tears are shed in bitter wo,And in despondency her sorrows flow:While sad vibrations agitate the breast,And friendship’s voice is heard in deep distress.’Tis past—the sigh is breathed, the tear is shed,And Anna’s number’d with the silent dead.She was all goodness—gen’rous was her mind,Warm with benevolence to human kind:O’er the dark mind to pour instruction’s ray,And lead the ignorant in wisdom’s way;With patient zeal the Christian’s path to smooth,And wide diffuse the genial light of truth.One lonely bosom breathes a deeper sigh,Connected by a near, and dearer tie:With him she trod the late delightful road;For him her heart with friendly fervour glow’d.He’ll ne’er forget how many social hoursDerived new joy from her soft, soothing pow’rs.Can he upon the scenes look back unmoved,When pious converse still the hours improved;While fancy, led by hope, the theme pursued,And future happiness in prospect view’d.Fancy, where now are thy illusive dreams?Faded thy visions bright, with golden gleams;Friendship, thy hope’s, untimely fled away,Andthisthe last sad tribute we can pay.Ourlossdemands—receivesthe mournful strain,Let sounds of triumph celebrate her gain;The spirit ’scaping from its bonds of clay,Traces, with angel guides, the lucid way;Exalted notes from harps celestial rise,And kindred spirits hail her to the skies.INVOCATION TO PRAYER.Morning.To prayer, to prayer; for the morning breaks,And earth in her Maker’s smile awakes.His light is on all, below and above;The light of gladness, and life, and love;Oh, then, on the breath of this early air,Send upward the incense of grateful prayer.Evening.To prayer; for the glorious sun is gone,And the gathering darkness of night comes on:Like a curtain, from God’s kind hand it flows,To shade the couch where his children repose;—Then pray, while the watching stars are bright,And give your last thoughts to the Guardian of night!Sabbath.To prayer; for the day that God has blest,Comes tranquilly on with its welcome rest;It speaks of creation’s early bloom,It speaks of the Prince who burst the tomb.Then summon the spirit’s exalted powers,And devote to Heaven the hallowed hours!Subscribers’ NamesAllison, Mr.Allison, Miss Elizabeth,Allison, Miss Mary,Allison, Henry,Alfa, John,Alfa, Miss Victorine,Bradford, Hersey,Blake, Mrs. Ira,Burke, Miss Julia A.Brooks, Miss Margaret,Brown, T.Belknap, J.Belknap, Miss Anna,Belknap, Miss Mary,Brown, Miss Sarah B.Blackwell, S.Broom, Mr.Bosworth, Mrs. Charlotte,Bosworth, Miss Clementina,Clayton, Mrs. Mary,Clayton, Miss Emma,Covert, Miss Mary,Clarkson, Mr.Colgate, Miss Catharine,Crosby, Mrs. J.Crosby, Mrs.Clement, Miss Elizabeth,Clement, Mrs. Mary,Clement, Miss Sarah E.Clement, Miss Mary,Collins, Charles, Governor of Rhode Island.Douglass, N. A.Delaplane, Mr.Ely, Mrs. Ann,Everson, Miss,Everson, Mrs.Elliott, James,Elliott, Mrs. Elizabeth,Foster, Miss Martha C.Filby, T. E.Frances, Edward,Frances, Miss Anna,Ferris, J.Ferris, Miss Ann Eliza,Ferris, Miss Amanda,Gracie, Mrs. Anna,Gillett, Miss Mary L.Garretson, G. R.Griffin, Mrs. L.Gracie, Mrs. William,Greenoak, Samuel,Goodwin, Rev. F. J.Greenwood, Mrs.Glover, Mrs.Glover, Miss,Hamilton, Miss M. T.Hazard, Rowland R.Herriman, James, Esq.Hatfield, Mrs.Higby, Washington,Higby, Mrs. Washinaton,Hobbs, Mrs. Helen M.Hasell, Mrs.Hackett, Mrs.Hawks, Rev. Doct.Howland, Mrs. Gardenfer,Hardenbrook, Mr.Hardenbrook, Miss Mary,Hasbrook, Miss Caroline,Halsey, A.Howard, Mr.Howard, Miss Ellen,Hall, Edward,Hurlbeck, Mrs. Eliza,Hurlbeck, Miss Maria,Hadden, Mrs. David,Johnson, Rev. William,Johnson, Mrs. Mary,Johnson, Henry,Jones, Mrs. Ann,King, Mrs. John,King, Miss Ellen,Kimber, Miss Anna,King, Mr.Kissam, Dr. L. H.King, Mrs. Joseph,Lawrence, Mrs. Elizabeth,Lawrence, William A.Lawrence, Mrs. Catharine,Lawrence, Mrs. H. S.Lamberson, Judge David,Lawrence,Mrs.Effingham,Lowe, Miss Amelia,Lanius, Mrs. Henry,Limmor, William L.Lyman, Mr.Lyman, Miss Rebecca,Laidlaw, Miss Elizabeth,Mitchell, G. G.Mitchell, Mrs. M. E.Mills, Mrs. Sarah,Mitchell, Mrs. M. A.Mitchell, Wm. Augustus,Miller, Miss Mary L.Mikell, Mrs. J. C.Maxwell, Mr.Montgomery, J.Mitchell, Miss Rosalie A.Mitchell, Mrs. M. A.Nicholls, Percival,Penington, Mrs. Ann,Pell, L. H.Pell, Mrs. L. H.Prescott, W.Quarterman, Mrs. Elizabeth,Rider, James, Esq.Roe, George B.Riker, Mr.Riker, Miss Eliza,Rayburg, Miss Sarah,Reeve, Lorenzo,Sisson, Miss Caroline,Shelton, Dr. Nathan,Shelton, Dr. Jolm D.Smith, John, Esq.Sandford, William,Sandford, Mrs. William,Smith, John C. Esq.Stryker, Mrs. Elizabeth,Silliman, Miss Sarah,Smith, Mrs. Amelia T.Savage, Mrs. William,Sanford, Charles,Schoonmaker, Rev. Dr.Schoonmaker, Miss,Southgate, Miss Emma,Stevenson, Mr.Stratton, Mrs. Robert M.Torrey, Mrs. C. C.Trulock, Mrs. Eliza,Vanzandt, Mrs. L. B.Volk, Mrs. John,Vanzandt, Mrs. Mary L.Welling, Miss Victoria,Warren, A.Walkling, Mrs. Anna,Weeks, Miss Sarah Elizabeth,Wells, Mrs., of Brooklyn,Watrous, Charles L.Winter, William,Winter, Mrs. G.Notes onAlidaThe AuthorChronologySourcesParallel textThe following is a little more personal than the average Transcriber’s Note. Given the nature of the book, this may be inescapable.In classical literature, there is a form called thecento. The word does not mean a hundred of anything; it comes from the Greek word for patchwork. In its original form, the cento takes small pieces of familiar works such as the Aeneid and reassembles the segments—anywhere from a few words to two full lines—into a new text. As rearranged, the content can be anything from saints’ lives to outright obscenity.With rare exceptions,Alidacannot be called a cento. While some borrowings involve single phrases, most range from to paragraphs to entire chapters. I (the transcriber) first stumbled across the book while searching for the originals of some quoted passages inAlonzo and Melissa. This novel turns out to have been one ofAlida’s favorite sources, contributing a solid six-chapter block as well as many shorter segments. Appropriately,Alonzo and Melissawas itself pirated; its credited author did not actually write the book. Conversely, a number of other sources were formally copyrighted—sometimes in the same office where the copyright ofAlidawas filed.Only about half the sources (by rough word count) have been identified. Isolated phrases—three or four significant words—were disregarded unless they were very unusual, or from a source quoted many other times. Unidentified sources include:— most of the longer poetry— discussions of education (female and general)— religious material, probably from a then-new denomination such as Baptist or Methodist— most references to the secondary character Mr. More (apparently from a single source, possibly a subplot in some other book)If you come across a long passage that you recognize, e-mail lucy2424 at sbcglobal dot net.Alida: The AuthorOne of the few things definitely known about Amelia Stratton Comfield, the author ofAlida, is what she looked like in 1852, when her portrait was painted by David Rogers:portrait of authorThis picture has been altered to align horizontals and verticals and to highlight the two copies ofAlida(on bookcase behind subject, and in her hand); this accounts for the jagged edges. At time of preparation (mid-2010), the original was online atthe Smithsonian collection.Amelia Stratton Comfield was probably related to Southern writer and educator Catherine Stratton Ladd (1808–1899), who wrote under a number of pseudonyms—including “Alida”.Alida: ChronologyThe chronology is internally consistent: that is, the passage of time based on descriptions of seasons agrees with datable external events, even in the part of the story that draws heavily onAlonzo and Melissa. The war of 1812 began in mid-1812 and ended in December 1814; evidently the news reached New York before it reached New Orleans.1811and earlierDeath of Alida’s motherAlida goes to seminary in New York:“The season was now far advanced in autumn”1812Alida returns home:“The spring was advancing”[June 1812: War declared]Father’s birthday; Alida is sixteenFrom Alonzo and Melissa:“It was summer, and towards evening when he arrived.”“It was the beginning of autumn”“... and sung a requiem to departed summer”“... the day had been uncommonly sultry for the autumnal season”“Winter came on; it rapidly passed away.”1813“Spring advanced, and the marriage day was appointed.”“Nature was adorned with the bridal ornaments of spring”“Fleecy summer clouds ...”Theodore has not yet enlisted“... weary summer had lapsed into the fallow arms of autumn”After father’s remarriage:“the cool breezes of autumn had changed to the hoarse murmuring gales of winter”1814“the mild and salubrious breezes of spring had succeeded to the blustering gales of winter”Father’s birthday[August 1814: burning of Washington][December 1814: Treaty of Ghent][December 1814-January 1815: Hartford Convention]“... taken up their residence in the city for the winter”1815[January 1815: battle of New Orleans]War is over; celebration of peace“winter’s snow was passing from the face of nature”“verdant scenery of spring”“showers of April had cleared the atmosphere”Father’s birthdayAlida leaves for tour of New York state:“The summer was past its meridian”“The number of travellers this summer were unusually great”1816After death of Alida’s father:“at the commencement of the ensuing spring”Theodore returnsAlida: SourcesAbbreviated titles of the most frequently cited works are given here inboldface. Unless otherwise noted, the quoted edition was picked simply because it was the most readily available; it may or may not have been the edition used by the author. All [sic] notations were added by the transcriber; all brackets inAlonzo and Melissaare in the original.Sources that are used only once are identified as they occur in the text.Non-FictionKarl Bernhard, Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach:Travels through North America, during the years 1825 and 1826. Translation published 1828.“Travels”Chapters XXIV-XXVII inclusive, except the poetry, are taken from this book. See beginning ofchapter XXIVfor more information.John Warner Barber:Interesting Events in the History of the United States ...(exact title varies). First edition 1827; later editions include 1828 and 1834, with reprints of each. Details of wording point to the 1828 edition as the source.The segments dealing with the war of 1812 are quoted extensively: “Second War with Great Britain”; the battles of Queenstown, Lake Erie, Niagara and Lake Champlain; Death of Tecumseh; the Hartford Convention; “Piracies in the West Indies”.Nathaniel Dwight:Sketches of the lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. First Edition 1830; quotations from 1840 edition (reprint of 1830).“Lives of Signers”Used primarily for character descriptions. Most are applied to male characters in the novel, but one passage is inserted into a description of Dolly Madison. With one exception, all selections are taken from representatives of Northern states.Mrs. James Madison. Here quoted fromThe American Magazine of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge; the article was printed in other publications.Some parts of this article refer to the period when James Madison was Secretary of State under Jefferson.Much of the article quotes from the chapter on Dolly Madison in a longer work: American Academy of the Fine Arts (James Herring and James Barton Longacre),The National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans(no later than 1834).A sketch of the life and public services of William H. Harrison, commander in chief of the North-western army during the War of 1812, &c.Many editions from 1835 and later.Charles Phillips: Speech at Dinas Island on George Washington. Widely reprinted; the version published in the author’sCollected Speechesis different from earlier published versions quoted here.Lindley Murray:The Power of Religion on the Mind. First edition 1836; many later editions and reprints. Quotations from 1863 (the only edition available to me).Not a religious work but a collection of short biographies with character description. Except for the article on Job, attributions are too short to be certain;Alidamay have found similar phrases in a different source.Francis Smith Eastman:A history of the state of New York ...First edition 1828; later edition (with reprints) 1831. Details of wording identify the 1831 edition (or a later one) as the source.FictionDaniel Jackson/Isaac Mitchell:Alonzo and Melissa. For details, see Project Gutenberge-text 28112. Written 1804 by Mitchell; first book publication (pirated by Jackson) 1811, with many reprints. Wording inAlidadoes not consistently correspond to any of the editions used for theAlonzo and Melissae-text. Quotations are generally from 1811 except where a different edition matches the wording more closely.“A&M”By word count,Alida’s favorite source: chapters VII-XII inclusive, much of the adjoining chapters VI and XIII, most of XXXIII-XXXIV (the final two chapters), and many other passages of varying length. See beginning ofchapter VIfor more information.Regina Maria Roche:The Children of the Abbey. First published 1796, reprinted throughout the following century. Quotations from 1877.Mrs. (Mary Martha) Sherwood:The Broken Hyacinth;The Lady of the Manor.Alidamay contain other quotations from this author; most phrases are too short to be unambiguous. Mrs. Sherwood’s fiction has a strong religious element, and she seems the kind of author Amelia Comfield would have liked.Robert Folkestone Williams:Mephistophiles in England, or the Confessions of a Prime Minister. 1835.Alidaonly quotes one passage from this two-volume novel. The episode may have been reprinted in some other text, or the novel itself may have lifted it from an earlier source.Amelia Stratton Comfield:Alida.When all else fails, the book quotes itself. One passage appears three times.Periodicals and Short FictionThe New-York Weekly Magazine, Or, Miscellaneous Repository: Volume II, 1797. Reprinted as a single bound volume containing 52 8-page issues (July 1796-June 1797).“NY Weekly”Only two volumes of this periodical, and a few issues of the third, were published; only volume II was available to me. At least 30 separate pieces are quoted inAlida, so it is likely that some unidentified sources are in volumes I or III.Most essays were printed with minimal attribution, or none at all; some can also be found in other sources. “The Nettle and the Rose” also appears inThe Blossoms of Morality(1796) and inNew-York Magazine, N.S. II (1797). “On Education” is taken from the writings of Vicesimus Knox; “Detraction” is by Nathaniel Cotton.“Amelia, or the Faithless Briton”. Here quoted fromThe New-York Magazine, or, Literary Repository: Vol. VI (1795); the story also appears inThe Lady’s Weekly Miscellany(1810).“The Merchant’s Daughter”. Here quoted fromThe American Monthly Magazine, Vol. 3, 1834.“The Story of an Unfortunate Young Lady”. Here quoted fromThe Lady’s Miscellany, or, Weekly visitor...Vols. 14–15 (1811)PoetryMost poems are quoted only once, and will be identified as they appear. The author ofAlidawas obviously fond of poetry, especially obscure poems found in periodicals or privately published books.James Thomson (d. 1748):The Seasons. The work was reprinted many times. Quotations are from the 1829 Hartford edition.There exists an 1842 edition ofThe Seasonswhich also contains Bloomfield’sFarmer’s Boy(see chapter XIV). If similar collections were published earlier, this might be the source for both poems.InAlida, passages fromThe Seasonsare almost always in quotation marks.Mary (Mrs. Henry) Tighe:Psyche, with Other Poems. Quoted from 1816 London edition.Quoted works:Verses Written at the Commencement of Spring(1802);Verses Written in Sickness(1804);A Faithful Friend is the Medicine of Life.ALIDA:Parallel VersionThe prefatory material and list of subscribers have been omitted. Some long paragraphs have been broken up for easier comparison; original paragraph breaks are indented. In the source column, a set of three dots ... on a line of their own means that one or more complete paragraphs or stanzas have been skipped.In the parallel texts, passages are color-coded to show direct quotation, paraphrase, moved text and so on. No detailed explanation is given, because most readers will find it faster and easier to figure it out for yourself as you go along.Chapter VI(Alonzo and Melissasegment)Chapter XXIV(Travels in North Americasegment)Frontispiece Caption:“Optimum vitæ genus eligito nam consuetudo faciet jucundissimum.”Attributed to Pythagoras in Diogenes Laertius viii; cited inSpectator447.Title Page:IncidentsDuring the Late American War.Founded on Fact.The phrase “founded on fact” appears in the title of several ofAlida’s sources, notablyAlonzo and Melissa. The opening words ofAlonzo and Melissaare “During the late [American] Revolution...”Dedication:His Excellency,Charles Collins, Governor of Rhode-IslandCharles Collins was never Governor of Rhode Island. He was Lieutenant Governor from 1824 to 1833.CHAPTER I.La Rochefoucauld:Moral Maxims“Rien n’est si contagieuxquil’exemple; et nous ne faisons jamais degrandbiens: ni de grand maux, qui n’en produisent de semblables.”Rien n’est si contagieux que l’exemple, et nous ne faisons jamais de grands biens ni de grands maux qui n’en produisent de semblables.The ancestry of Alida was of ancient date in English heraldry, some of whom emigrated to America a short time before the revolution, and settled in the southern provinces, while her father fixed his abode in the state of New-York.NY Weekly:Essay No. IIn the calm retirement of the country, at a considerable distance from the bustle of the town, was situated his beautiful residence, which had every advantage in point of prospect that luxuriantnaturecould give whenit ismost lavish of itsbounties..... Their eyes wander with languor and indifference, over those scenes in whichnaturehas beenmost lavish of itsbeauties.Alidapage 207(chapter XXIX)The mind of its owner took particular delight inrural pleasures and amusements; indissipatinga part of his time in the innocentscenes of rustic life, and in attending to the cultivation of his estate, which was large and extensive.Like him he was fond ofrural pleasures and amusements, andto dissipatecare amid the diversifiedscenes of rustic life, afforded him satisfaction and pleasure.Alidapage 62(chapter IX)Here he would contemplate, in all their variety,the natural beauties of creation, when arrayed in its richest attire; in the inimitable splendour of the surrounding scenery;It was the beginning of autumn, and a yellow hue was spread overthe natural beauties of creation.Lives of Signers: Thornton of New Hampshireor amuse himselfin attendancetodiversified employments, some of which, as pastimes, served the two-fold purposes of recreation and amusement.where,inanattendanceon hisdiversified employments, some of which, as pastimes, served the twofold purposes of recreation and amusement....A&M(describing Alonzo)Thus his years glided on in the most harmonious tranquillity; wherehis cares were dissipatedalternately in the bosom of his family,and the “tumultsof life, real or imaginary, fleeted awayin a mutual confidence andunreserved friendship.”Therehis cares were dissipated, and thetroublesof life, real or imaginary, on light pinionsfleeted away. How different would be the scene when debarred from theunreserved friendshipand conversation of Melissa!NY Weekly:On Landscape PaintingHere he would accustom himself to rise at early dawn, anddwellwith particularpleasure onthe morning scenery. The dappled, rosy-fingered, blushing morn, arrested his attention; those mildtints that particularly express the break of day, just awakening from repose; when the curtain of the night seems insensibly withdrawn, and thevariedlandscapeexhibits itselfby degrees, whilethe colours of theatmosphereyetseemdoubtful, and thesceneimperfect to the view; whenthedarkness is not entirely fled, nor the lightof the new day is fullyseen; when coolness sits upon thehills, and the dews hang trembling upon every leaf; when the groves begin to resound with the murmurs ofwarbling melody,and the valleys echo withreverberated sounds.The poets, of all ages and all languages,have dweltwith particulardelight uponthe morning scenery, and the epithets ofthe dappled, therosy fingered, the saffron, and theblushing morn.... those chaste and reservedtints that particularly express the break of day, just awakening from repose; when the curtain of the night seems to be insensibly withdrawn, and the landscapeappears to openby degrees, whenthe colours of thesky areyet doubtful, and thelandscapeimperfect to the view; in short,when darkness is not entirely fled, nor lightdistinctlyseen....When coolness sits upon themountains, andfreshness delights the plains, whenthe dews hang trembling upon every leaf, and the insects flutter on every thorn; when the groves begin to resound with the murmurs ofthe dove,and the valliestoecho withthe twitterings from the spray....How pleasing at such a timetoadore in his works the wonders of the Creator. That period when the sun begins to diffuse his early rays, to tip the mountains with light, andthebreezes in the air mildly prognosticate thesoftblushes of the morning:how pleasing at such a timeare the feelings of anticipation to those whoadore in his works, the wonders of the Creator!Ofthat period, when the sun begins to diffuse his early rays, to tip the mountains with light, and.... thosebreezes in the airthatmildly prognosticate, the blushes of the morning....Timothy Dwight:The Conquest of Canaan(1785), as quoted inA&M“For far beyond thepageantryof power,He lov’d the realms of Nature to explore;With lingering gaze Edenian spring survey’d—Morn’s fairy splendours—Night’s gay curtain’d shade—“For far beyond thepride or pompof power,He lov’d the realms of nature to explore;With lingering gaze Edinian spring survey’d;Morn’s fairy splendors; night’s gay curtain’d shade,The high hoar cliff, the grove’s benighting gloom,The wild rose, widow’d o’er the mouldering tomb;The heaven-embosom’d sun—the rainbow’s dye,Where lucid forms appear to Fancy’s eye;The vernal flower, mild Autumn’s purpling glow,The Summer’s thunder, and the winter’s snow.”The heaven embosom’d sun; the rainbow’s dieWhere lucid forms disport to fancy’s eye;The vernal flower, mild autumn’s purpling glow,The summer’s thunder and the winter’s snow.”The Conquest of Canaan, original textBut far beyond the pride of pomp, and power,He lov’d the realms of nature to explore;With lingering gaze, Edenian spring survey’d;Morn’s fairy splendors, night’s gay curtain’d shade;The high hoar cliff; the grove’s benighting gloom;The wild rose, widow’d, o’er the mouldering tomb;The heaven-embosom’d sun; the rainbow’s die,Where lucid forms disport to fancy’s eye.The last two lines in theAlonzo and Melissaversion (“vernal flower...” and “Summer’s thunder...”) do not appear to be in Dwight’s poem.NY Weekly:On Landscape PaintingOr, when the evening approached, he would observethe twilight hour, which for a time hangs balanced between darkness and thepale rays of the western sky,communicatinga solemn pleasure to every thing around.how extatic isthe twilight hour, which, for a time, hangs balanced betweenthe dispersion ofdarkness, and thedapplings of the east; andwhich givesa solemn pleasure to every thing around!A&MWheneveningbegan tothrowher dusky mantle over the face of nature, and the warm glow of the summer sun had departed; whenthe starswere glisteningin theheavens, and the moon had already risen, shedding itspale lustreover the oppositeislands“thatappeared to float dimly among the waves,the twinkling fire-fly arose from the surrounding verdure, andillumined the meadow belowwith a thousand transientgems.”The rustling breezesplayedamong the treesof the wood, whilethe air wasfilledwith the fragrance ofvariousflowers, andthe sound ofmelodiousmusicwaswafted from theneighbouring village, renderedapparentlymoresoft andsweetby the distance.Eveninghad nowspreadher dusky mantle over the face of nature. The starsglistenedin thesky. Thebreeze’s rustling wingwasin the tree. The “stilly sound” of the low murmuring brook, and the far off water fall, were faintly heard.The twinkling fire fly arose from the surrounding verdure andilluminated the airwith a thousand transientgleams. The mingling discordance of curs and watch-dogs echoed in the distant village, from whence the frequent lights darted theirpale lustrethrough the gloom.A&M(different passage)The moon shone in full lustre, her white beams trembling upon the glassy main, where skiffs and sails of various description were passing and repassing. The shores of Long-Island and the otherislandsin the harbour,appeared dimly to float among the waves.The air wasadornedwith the fragrance ofsurroundingflowers;the sound ofinstrumentalmusic wafted from thetown,renderedsweeterby distance....The buildings on the estate consisted of a large mansion-house, farm-house, and an ancient stone cottage that stood on the margin of the water, shaded by willow trees, and surrounded by romantic scenery.Mrs. Sherwood:The Broken Hyacinth:The charmingappearance which nature threw around the place on which the mansion-house was situated, was scarcely lessinteresting in winter than in the more gay and verdant months of the summer season. The falling of the snow and hail,and the sparkling icicleshanging uponthe woodsand shrubbery, sometimesalmost conveyed the idea of enchantmentto the imagination of the spectator.The charmingcountry in which ourhouse was situated, was scarcely lesslovely when covered with snow than in the summer. The purity of the snow,and the sparkling icicleswhich hung onthe woods, almost conveyed the idea of enchantment....The view on all sides was magnificent. The bay, gently winding, glided into the river beyond, where ships, steamboats, and craft of every description, floated upon the waters, and gave interest to the appearance of several beautiful villages that were seen at a little distance in the landscape.This villa was separated about a mile from the flourishing village of ——, where the many white buildings, some of which might be called magnificent, had a remarkably pleasing and picturesqueappearance, forming a lively contrast with the evergreen trees with which they were interspersed.Lives of Signers: Hart of New JerseyThehouseof Alida’s fatherwas the seat of hospitality;—scenes of festivity would sometimes have place within its walls;—“music and mirth would occasionally echo through its apartments.” He was kind, generous, and benevolent; while his independence, assisted by a charitable disposition, enabled him to contribute largely to the happiness of others. His manners were highly pleasing, his conversation was interesting, humorous, and instructive; and, although at this time he was rather advanced in years, yet the glow of health still shone upon his cheek and sparkled in his eye; and his fine expressive countenance still gave lustre to a peculiar dignity and energy in his personal appearance.hishouse was the seat of hospitality, charity, and piety.A&M(describing Melissa)It was now many years since he had made this delightful spot his residence. He had married early in life a lady of engaging manners, and captivating beauty, who was amiable, sensible, and pious, and whose mind was a pattern of everyfemale excellence, combined with atasteand judgment thathad been properly directed by a suitable education; who had been taught to esteem no farther all the acquirements and qualities of which the human mind is capable than as they might be conducive to enable us to excel in the duties of the Christian religion,and cause us more fully to experience “the blessings of the truth.”Her mind was adorned with those delicate graces which are the first ornaments offemale excellence. Her manners were graceful without affectation, and hertaste had been properly directed by a suitable education.These parents had reared up all their family except Alida, their youngest child, who at this time was placed at a boarding-school, at the village of ——, where she was taught, in addition to the different studies belonging to a Christian education, the French and Italian languages.Their elder daughters had married, and were settled at some distance from them, and their two sons were engaged in mercantile business in New-York. It was their principal endeavour, as their thoughts often revolved in anxious solicitude for the welfare and future happiness of their children, to unite their efforts to persuade them, and inculcate in their minds all that was praiseworthy, by the immediate influence of their own example, considering that the precepts which they taught them, however wise and good, would avail but little unassisted by the aid of example.Etienne François De Vernage (1690)“Le mauvais usage que nous faisons de la vie, la dérègle, et la rend malheureuse.”Le mauvais usage que nous faisons de la vie la dérègle et la rend malheureuse.It was their first care to exercise the minds of their children, in all the important moral and religious duties; to be careful in due time to regulate their natural propensities; to render their dispositions mild and tractable; to inspire them with thelove, respect, and implicit obedience due to parents, blended with a genuine affection for relations and friends.“To endeavour to form their first ideas on principles of rectitude, being conscious of the infinite importance of first impressions, and beginning early to adhere to a proper system of education, that was principally the result of their own reflections and particular observations.”A&M(Melissa speaking)Their children wereassembled annually to celebrate the birthday of their father, together with other social friends and acquaintances, consisting chiefly of those whose beneficent feelings were in accordance with their own, in testifying their gratitude to their Creator for daily benefits, blended with a thankful cheerfulness, which is the offspring of moral excellence.once a year my father celebrates his birth day....InAlida, this is the first of three birthday celebrations held by Alida’s father.Cunningham, “Ode to the New Year, 1769” (here fromPoems on various subjects..., ed. Thomas Tomkins 1780), stz.5–6O, Thouenthronedwhere perfect day,In brightest beams ofglory, playAround thyradiantthrone;Whereangelsstrikecelestial lyres,Andseraphs glow with sacred fires,Address’d to theealone.O thou!alikewhere perfect dayIn brightrefulgentgloriesplay,Around thyawfulthrone!Whenseraphs glow with sacred fires,Whenangelstunecelestial lyres,To hymn thy praisealone!Still may thy providential care,With blessings crown thecirclingyear,Each humanillrestrain:O, may thy truth inspire my tongue,And flow through all my varying song,Andshine in everystrain.Still may thy providential careWith blessings crown therisingyear!Impendingillsrestrain!Thy wisdom guide my youthful muse!Thy sacred eloquence diffuse,Andconsecrate mystrain!Cunningham, stz. 10–11Give me the calm, the softserene,Of summer, when it gladsthe scene,And scatterspeace around;Bless’d image of thehappysoul.That does the heav’n-born mindcontrol,While conscious joys abound.Unlike its placid form,serene,When Zephyr breathing o’erthe scene,Sheds balmypeace around;Bless’d emblem of theconqueringsoul,Whose every passion knowscontroul,While conscious joys abound!That this maybemy bounteous share,Ascends my ever constant prayerTo Thee, all-perfect Mind!O, aid me in thegen’rousstrife,Through eachinconstant sceneof life,To all thy ways resign’d.That this mayprovemy bounteous share,Ascends my ever constant prayer,To thee, all perfect mind;O aid me in thearduousstrife,Through eachperplexing mazeof life,To all thy ways resign’d!CHAPTER II.“On the Death of a Friend and Schoolfellow” (here from “Poetical Essays” inGentleman’s Magazine, vol. 32, 1762), opening linesThe scenes that once so brilliant shone are past, and can return no more to cheer the pensive heart; and memory recalls them with atear; some lowering cloudsucceeds,and all the gay delusive landscape fades.Scarce rolls, alas! o’er mortal buds a year,But claims afresh the tributarytear:Soon each fair hopesome lowering cloudinvades,And all the gay delusive landscape fades.While Alida remained at the village school, surrounded by the festive scenes of childhood, and pursuing her studies with assiduous emulation, with the hope of meriting, in future time, the praises of her fond parents, an unforeseen misfortune awaited her that no human foresight could have power to arrest.The health of her mother had been long declining, and her illness at this time increased so far as to render medical assistance useless, and baffled the skill of the ablest physicians. A trial so new, so afflicting, and so grievous to her youthful mind, to lose one of her honoured parents, and to be unexpectedly summoned to her parental home to receive the last benediction of a beloved mother, and at this early period of her life to be deprived of her kind care and protection, was unfortunate in the extreme.“Baffled the skill of the ablest physicians” was a stock phrase.Every anxious solicitude and responsibility now rested alone upon a widowed father, who mourned deeply their common bereavement, while he felt conscious that all his fatherly care and caresses could never supply to Alida all the necessary requisitionsthat she had unhappily lost in so dear and interested a friend. When he observed her spirits languish, and the tear frequently starting in her eye, and her former sprightly countenance shaded with the deep tinges of melancholy, he saw that the cheerfulness and gaiety of her natural disposition had received a powerful check, which promised to be lasting.“Sprightly” is a favorite adjective inAlonzo and Melissa; by the time ofAlidait was going out of fashion.NY Weekly:Mrs. MordauntFrom this unhappy period she remained at home a long time with her father. Inkindred grief there was derived a congenial sympathy, and her society contributed in some degree to allay his sorrow, as the deep concern he felt in her welfare caused him sometimes to restrain the flow of it in her presence.... to me they were inexpressibly soothing, fromkindred grief there was derived a congenial sympathy....Self-exertion rousedhim in a measurefrom his lethargy, and by thus assuming serenity, to become in reality something more composed. Nevertheless, he would often witness the excess of anguish which had taken place in the bosom of his child, and behold her interesting face bathed in tears, and her youthful brow clouded with a sadness that nothing seemingly could dissipate.Their happiness, the education of my child, andself-exertion, rousedmefrom the lethargy of grief, and diffused a calm over my mind I never hoped to have experienced.His situation now became more sequestered than ever; he roamed in solitude, or pleased himself in ranging through silent glens in loneliness. His thoughts were absorbed in the gloomy experience of the misery of a painful separation from a dear and beloved object; he wept for her whose mildand winning graces had power to soften and illuminate the darkest shades of life, or alleviate the distressful scenes of adversity.This unidentified paragraph about Alida’s widowed father reads like the description of a young romantic hero.A&M(Alonzo reads of Melissa’s death)His mind was wholly absorbed in those gloomy reflections that scarcely admitted a ray of consolation, whenthe weekly newspaperarrived from the neighbouring village;he tookitup, hoping to find something to amuse his thoughts; heopened it to read the news of the day; he ran his eye hastily over it, and was about to lay it aside, “when the death list arrested his attention by a display of broad black lines,”and he, who had not yet become reconciled to his present misfortune, was now about to experience another equally severe.He returned, and as he was entering the door he sawthe weekly newspaperof the town, which had been published that morning, and which the carrier had just flung into the hall. The family had not yet arisen.He took upthe paper, carried it to his chamber, andopened it to read the news of the day. He ran his eye hastily over it, and was about to lay it aside, when the death list arrested his attention, by a display of broad black lines.What could equal his bitterness, his surprise and grief, when he read the disastrous news that his youngest son (who had lately gone on a foreign expedition) had died of a fever in a distant land a few weeks previous!A&MThe paper fell from his palsied hand,—a sudden faintness cameoverhim,—he fellback almostsenselessin his chair,—exhausted by excess of grief, heremained a long timein a stupifying anguish.The paper fell from his palsied hand—a sudden faintness cameuponhim—the room grew dark—hestaggered, andfell senselessupon the floor....Exhausted by excess of grief, henow layin a stupifying anguish....The tidings were so unlooked-for of the premature death of his unfortunate son, who about this time was expected to arrive in New-York. Forhim an only brother was inconsolable; and Alida, who had long been accustomed to his kindness and caresses, was overcome with a dejection that time alone could alleviate.Her father observed her affliction in commisseration with his own,—he was dejected and lonely, and the world appeared like a wilderness; nothing could lessen his present evil, or soothe his afflicted mind.A&M(same scene, author’s own voice)The former peaceful serenity of his life was materially clouded; and in his turncalamitous wohad overtaken him—the inalienable portion ofhumanity,—andthe varied and shifting scenery in the great drama of timehad brought with it disaster.mark wellthe varied and shifting scenery in the great drama of time... then say, if disappointment, distress, misery andcalamitous woe, are notthe inalienable portion ofthe susceptible bosom.A&M(later scene)His spirit was sunk in despondency, and his sensations became utterlyabsorbed in melancholy; and all the pious and philosophicalreflectionsthat he exerted himself to bring to his remembrance, could scarcely afford even a transitory consolation in this afflicting dispensation.Alonzo was too deeplyabsorpt in melancholy reflection....Tighe,Verses Written at the Commencement of Spring, stz. 12, 13 (mid-line ellipses in original)From foreign lands the tidings borne,With pain to wake a parent’sanguish,O, brother dear, beloved of all,For thee a brother’s heart mustlanguish.Haste, sweetest Babe, beloved of all!Our cheerful hours without theelanguish:Ah! hush!.... he hears no more thy call!Ah! hush!.... nor wake a parentsanguish!“Thateye of brightnessglows no more,That beaming glance in night is clouded;”On Maracaibo’s distant shore,“In death’s darkcell untimelyshrouded.”Thatlip of rosesglows no more;That beaming glance in night is clouded;Those bland endearments all are o’er,In death’s darkpall for evershrouded.Tighe,Verses Written in Sickness, stanzas3–12(of 15).Alas! for himno kindred nearIn hopes to minister relief;He sees notear of pity shed,He sees noparents’anxious grief.Alas! for himwhose youth has bowedBeneath the oppressive hand of pain;Whose claim to pity disallowed,Bids him the unheeded groan restrain.Alas! for himwho droops like me,Who mourns life’s fueled vigour flown,But finds no soothing sympathy,No tender cares his loss atone.And as still evening came on,In saddest solitude and tears,His thoughts would turn on distant home,On peaceful scenes and happier years.He thought, too, what a favour’d climeHis gallant bark had left behind;He thought how science there, sublime,Beam’d her full radiance on the mind.Though destined in a stranger’s land,Detain’d from all he held most dear,Yet one kind hand, benevolent,Was found the gloomy hours to cheer.O, how consoling is the eyeOfhim who comes to sootheour woes;O, what relief those cares supplyWhicha kind,watchfulfriendbestows.When from this hand full well he foundHow much can lenient kindness doThe generous Briton strives with careHis drooping spirits torenew.Yes, stranger, thou wast kind, humane,Withquickassistance prompt to move;To ease the lingering hours of pain,In pity’s kind endeavour strove.When sickness o’er thy pallid cheekHad stole the lustre from thine eye,When near the doubtful crisis drew,And life approach’d its latest sigh,—He moved thee to his own retreat,In his own mansion watch’d thee there;Aroundthycouchhestillremained,Thy drooping heart with hopes tocheer.For him no wakeful eye of loveResists the slumbers health would shed,Withkindassistance prompt to move,And gently prop the aching head:With delicate attention paidIn hope to minister relief,He sees nosacrifices made;He sees noMother’sanxious grief!But I, poor sufferer, doomed in vainTo woo the health which Heaven denied,Though nights of horror, days of painThe baffled opiate’s force deride,Yet well I know, and grateful feel,How much can lenient kindness do,From anguish half its darts to steal,And faded Hope’s sick smilerenew.That love which brightened gayer hours,When light youth danced to pleasure’s strain,Exerts even yet unwearied powers,The sweet support of nights of pain.Oh! how consoling is the eyeOfthe dear friend that sharesour woes!Oh! what relief those cares supply,Which watchful, active lovebestows!And these are mine! — Shall I then dareTo murmur at so mild a lot?Nor dwell on comforts still my shareWith thankful and contented thought?Though destined to the couch of pain,Though torn from pleasures once too dear,AroundthatcouchshallstillremainThe love that every pain cancheer.John Bowring:Benevolence(hymn), stz. 2, lines5–8“Peace, wing’d in fairer worlds above,”Has ta’en thy form away fromthis;Has beckon’d thee to seats of glory,To realms of everlastingbliss.Peace, winged in fairer worlds above,Shall bend her down to brightenthis,When all man’s labour shall be loveAnd all his thoughts—a brother’sbliss.James G. Brooks and Mary E. Brooks: To Cora (inThe Rivals of Este, and Other Poems, 1829), stz. 3, lines1–4So rich inpietyand worth,Too soon, alas! lamented one,Thou hast been call’d away from earth,Andheaven has claim’d thee for its own.Cora! thou wast not formed for earth:So bright thy angel beauty shone,So rich ininnocenceand worth,Thatheaven has claimed thee for its own.CHAPTER III.Thomson:Seasons: end of “Spring”“’T isby degreesthe youthful mind expands;and every day,Soft as it rolls along, shows some new charm;Then infant reason grows apace, and callsFor the kind hand of an assiduous care.”By degrees,The human blossom blows;and every day,Soft as it rolls along, shows some new charm,The father’s lustre, and the mother’s bloom.Then infant reason grows apace, and callsFor the kind hand of an assiduous care.“Delightful task, to rear the tender thought,To pour thenewinstruction o’er the mind,To breathe the enlivening spirit, and to fixThe generous purpose in the glowing breast.”Delightful task! to rear the tender thought.To teach the young idea how to shoot,To pour thefreshinstruction o’er the mind,To breathe th’ enlivening spirit, and to fixThe generous purpose in the glowing breast.The period at length arrived, when it became necessary that Alida should receive further instruction in the various branches of female literature. With this view, her father thought proper to change the place of her studies from the village school to the New-York Seminary.It was his idea that nothing afforded so pleasing a prospect as the graces of beauty, aided by wisdom and useful knowledge, and that care should be taken that the mind should first be initiated in the solid acquirements, before the embellishments of education should be allowed to take up the attention or engross the thoughts; and that the first purposes of the teacher should be directed to endeavour to cause the mental powers of the scholar to be excited, in the first place, to attain to whatever is most useful and necessary, and that suitable application and industry was the only means wherebywe may gain celebrity in any art or science, or therein arrive at any degree of perfection.“His heart glowed with paternal fondness and interesting solicitude, when he beheld the countenance of his child sparkling with intelligence, or traced the progress of reason in her awakened curiosity when any new object attracted her attention or exercised her imagination.” Delightful indeed were the sensations of a parent in the contemplation of so fair a prospect, which in some degree recalled again to his bosom some transient gleams of happiness.In spite of the quotation marks, this passage has not been identified.The season was now far advanced in autumn, and the trees were nearly stripped of their foliage; the radiant sun had in part withdrawn his enlivening rays to give place to the approaching coldness of winter, when Alida left her home, amid the innumerable regrets of her juvenile companions, to accompany her father to the city to finish her education.They journeyed in a stage-coach from the village of ——, which, in the course of a few hours, conveyed them amid the tumultuous din of the busy metropolis. The female seminary to which Alida repaired was pleasantly situated in the western part of the town, where the refreshing and salubriousbreezes of the Hudson rendered it a healthy and desirable situation at all seasons of the year.Although her father had only performed his duty in placing his child once more at school, yet it was at a greater distance from the paternal roof than formerly, and when he returned again to his residence, he felt his situation more lonely than ever, and he could scarcely reconcile himself to the loss of her society.All was novel-like in the city to Alida, where she at once saw so many different objects to excite alternately her surprise, curiosity, and risibility, and where she experienced so many different sensations, arising from the sudden transition in being removed from scenes of uninterrupted tranquillity to those of gaiety and pleasure, of crowded streets and riotous entertainments, of obsequious beaux and dashing petits maîtres, and where all appeared to her one continued scene of business and confusion, scarcely reconcileable.In the meantime her mind became engrossed by various new occupations. Among her favourite studies was the French language, which, at this period, was considered as one of the necessary appendages to female education, when scarcely any new work could be read without a regret to those who did not understand it. Music, dancing, anddrawing occupied her time alternately, and while these different amusements afforded a pleasing variety, they animated her mind anew with the powers of exertion that had been excited by early impressions—that whatever she attempted to learn, to be assiduous to learn it well, and that a mere superficial knowledge, in any science or accomplishment, was by no means desirable.All her studies and amusements had their regular arrangements, and due application gave her many advantages over those of her own age, while it expanded her mind in a greater degree, and facilitated her progress in learning, and gave more ready improvement to her understanding and native capacities.Her only surviving brother, whose name was Albert, had been a merchant in the city a number of years, and he still continued to live amid its perplexities, (although numbers had been unfortunate around him,) with as good success as could be expected at this time, on account of the restrictions on American commerce. One probable reason may be assigned why he had been more successful in his business than many others: he was guided in the management of his affairs by vigilance and industrious perseverance, and he was not only endued with the best abilities to fulfil the dutiesincumbent on his station in life, but was not remiss in the exercise of them. His manners, generally, were reserved, though he could be humorous and gay whenever occasion required; and when in convivial society, he could make one among the number of those who amused themselves in sallies of wit and pleasantry. He had acquired much useful and general information in his commerce with the world at large, which he employed at this time in various conversations on politics, as he could not be able to render himself serviceable to his country in any other way, being exempt from his childhood from performing military duty. His personal advantages were only surpassed by the superior qualifications of his mind, that had long been under religious influence and impressions.In his public and private life he fully answered the expectations of his numerous acquaintance and friends, as well as the most sanguine wishes of an anxious and affectionate father, who yet seemed disposed to indulge in melancholy reflections, while his friends kindly endeavoured, by many pious and philosophical discourses, to awaken him to a consideration of his former piety, and humble trust in an all-wise Providence, reminding him that our greatest consolation consists in resigned and devotional feelings of gratitude to our Maker, even in the severestafflictions; who, although he may have thought fit to deprive us of some, for the many remaining blessings we may still be in possession of;A&M, Prefaceand thata firm reliance on Providence, howeverouraffectionsmaybe atvariancewith its dispensations, is the onlyconsolatory sourcethat we can have recourse toin the gloomy hours ofdistress;and that such dependance, thoughoftencrossed bytroubles anddifficulties, mayat lengthbe crowned withsuccessin our most arduous undertakings, and we may again meet with unlooked-for and unexpected happiness.One thing was aimed to be shown, thata firm reliance on providence, howevertheaffectionsmightbe atwarwith its dispensations, is the onlysource of consolationin the gloomy hours ofaffliction;and thatgenerallysuch dependence, though crossed by difficultiesand perplexities, willbe crowned withvictory at last.James Montgomery: The Grave. InThe Wanderer of Switzerland(1806). Stz. 1“Afflictions all his children feel,Affliction is the Father’s rod;He wounds them for his mercy sake,He wounds to heal.”A bruised reed he will not break,Afflictions all his children feel;He wounds them for his mercy’s sake,He wounds to heal!NY Weekly:Chearfulness (first paragraph quoting Dr. Blair)The clear, calm sunshine of a mind illumined by piety, and a firm reliance upon Supreme wisdom,crowns all otherdivine blessings. Itirradiates the progress of life, and dispels the evilsattendant on ournature; it renders the mind calm and pacific, and promotes that cheerfulness and resignation which has its foundation in a life of rectitude and charity; and in the full exercise of Christian principles we may find still increasing happiness.“.... It isthe clearandcalm sunshine of a mind illuminated by pietyand virtue. Itcrowns all othergood dispositions, and comprehends the general effect which they ought to produce on the heart.”...A chearful temperirradiates the progress of life, and dispels the evilsof sublunarynature.CHAPTER IV.M. W. Beck: “The Ballot-Box” (song). Here quoted fromThe United States magazine and Democratic review, Volume 5, 1839. Last verseStill may the soaringeagle’s quenchless eye,Watch o’er our favour’d country, braveand free,Where the brightstars and stripesin honourwave,The sacred emblemsofourliberty.Let youreagle’s quenchless eye,Fixed, unerring, sleepless, bright,Watch, when danger hovers nigh,From his lofty mountain height;While thestripes and starsshallwaveO’er this treasure, pureand free,The land’s Palladium, it shall saveThe home and shrineof liberty.Interesting Events: Second WarMany disagreeable circumstances now combined to disturb the happy tranquillity of the American government. “A war had for some time existed between France and England.Americahadendeavoured to maintain a neutrality, and peacefully to continue a commerce withboth nations.Jealousies, however, arose between the contending powers with respect to the conduct of America, and events occurred calculated to injure her commerce and disturb her peace.The remote causes of the second War with Great Britain appear to have arisen fromthe war existing between that power and France.America endeavored to maintain astrictneutrality, and peaceably to continue a commerce withthem.Jealousies, however, arose between the contending powers, with respect to the conduct of America, and events occurred, calculated to injure her commerce, and to disturb her peace.“Decreeswere firstissued by the French governmentpreventingthe American flag from trading with the enemy;thesewere followed by the British orders in council, no less extensive than the former in design, and equally repugnant to the laws of nations. In addition to these circumstances, a cause of irritation existed sometime between the United States and Great Britain. This was the right of search claimed by Great Britain as one of her prerogatives. To take her native subjects,wherever found, for her navy, and to search American vessels for that purpose. Notwithstanding the remonstrances of the American government, the officers of the British navy were not unfrequently seen seizing native British subjects who had voluntarily enlisted on board our vessels, and had also impressed into the British service some thousands of American seamen.The Berlin Decree of 1806, and that of Milan, in the succeeding year, (bothissued by the French government,to preventthe American flag from trading with their enemy,) were followed by the British Orders in Council; no less extensive than the former, in the design, and equally repugnant to, the law of nations. In addition to these circumstances, a cause of irritation existed some time between the United States and Great Britain. This was the right of search, claimed by Great Britain, as one of her prerogatives. This was to take her native born subjects, wherever found, for her navy, and to search American vessels for that purpose. Notwithstanding the remonstrances of the American government, the officers of the British navy, were not unfrequently seizing native born British subjects, who had voluntarily enlisted on board of our vessels, and had also impressed into the British service some thousands of American seamen.“In consequence of the British and French decrees, a general capture of all American property on the seas seemed almost inevitable. Congress, therefore, on the recommendation of the president, laid an embargo on all vessels within the jurisdiction of the United States.In consequence of the British and French decrees, a general capture of all American property on the seas seemed almost inevitable. Congress, therefore, on the recommendation of the President,on the 22d of December, 1807,laid an embargo on all vessels within the jurisdiction of the United States.Interesting Events: Second War (quoting “Grimshaw’s Hist. U. States”)“In a moment, the commerce of the American republic, from being, in point of extent, the second in the world, was reduced to a coasting trade between the individual states. The opposition to the act in several of the states was so great that theyunanimouslydeclared against it, and individuals throughout the whole seized every opportunity of infringement;thereforeCongressthought proper torepealthe embargo law, and substituted a non-intercourse with France and England.”“In a moment, the commerce of the American Republic, from being, in point of extent, the second in the world, was reduced to a coasting trade between the individual States.” The opposition to the act in several States was so great, that they declared against it, and individuals throughout the whole, seized every opportunity of infringement.In 1809Congressrepealedthe embargo law, and substituted a non-intercourse with France and England.A&MIt was now generally expected that the session in Congress, with the decision of the president, would eventually terminate inactual hostilities.The troubles which gave rise to the disseveration of England from America had already commenced, which broke out the ensuing spring intoactual hostilities.Lives of Signers: Hancock of MassachusettsThe difficultiesthe chief executivehad to encounter were many and perplexing,The difficultieswhich hehad to encounter were many and perplexing.Lives of Signers: John Adams of Massachusettsbeing fully convinced, under existing circumstances,thatthe Americans must engage in combatafter all. Hetherefore knewit to be necessary to rouse the feelings ofthe American people,to realize, more clearly than they did, the true situation of their country, that they might be prepared forthe approachingcrisisthathe believed unavoidable.Being fully convinced ... that“they must fightafter all,” hefeltit to be necessary to rouse the feelings ofthe delegates from other colonies,to realize, more clearlyand more correctlythan they did, the true situation of their country. This he saw was indispensable,that they might be prepared forthat distressingcrisisof their political affairs, which it was obvious was approaching; andwhichheeven then, with a few others,believedwasunavoidable.Lives of Signers: John Adams of MassachusettsThisperiod was full of anxiety and danger.Theperiod was full of anxiety and danger.Lives of Signers: Gerry of MassachusettsA war was deprecated by all the leading patriots oftheday;they were fully persuadedthat it must take place; theythereforeunitedly determined to prepare for the storm in the best manner they were able.Acivilwar was deprecated by all the leading patriots ofthatday. But the measures which the British government had long pursued towards the colonies,had fully persuaded themthat it must take place.... andthey unitedly determined to prepare for the storm in the best manner they were able.Alidapage 143(chapter XVIII)Allmaterialbusiness was in a manner suspended in New-York; the face of things wore a dismal aspect, and the greater part of the community were in dismay. A heavy gloom hung over the inhabitants generally, while all their affairsappeared in a declining state, discouraging to the industry and best prospects of thepeople.Alida’s father was no friend to political controversy, yet he passed much of his time in conversing with his friends on the present affairs of America. He knew that party spirit and animosity existed more or less at this time, and that he must consequently often meet with those of oppositeopinions; yet his honest and patriotic zeal for the good of his country still remained the same.All businessof importance, at this time,was in a manner suspended in New-York; the face of things wore a dismal aspect, and the greater part of the community were in dismay; occasioned by the continuance of hostilities with Great Britain. Allappeared in a declining state, discouraging to the industry and best prospects of theinhabitants.NY Weekly:“Champagneaux” in “Anecdotes and Remains of Persons Connected with the French Revolution”.He was attached to liberty from principle; he had talents to discriminate and see into the justice of the measures of government; his retirement gave him full opportunity to reflect on them seriously, and solve them in his own mind, and see their absolute necessity, in order to maintain the honour, freedom, and independence of the American nation. Would the same wisdom in the government continue that had so nobly preserved us since our independence? But he had no reason at present to suppose otherwise, and that he who now guided the helm of affairs, was one of steady and uncorrupt principles, of stable character, altogether uninfluenced by any sinister views, and was willing to sacrifice his individual repose for the noble purpose, and with the hope of settling it again on the nation, with a firmer basis, at some future period, when the expected contest should be decided.What feelings of commotion and deep anxiety must agitate the bosom of the magnanimous hero who is labouring truly for the interest of his country, and is actuated alternately by the claims of justice and humanity, and on whom a whole community must depend for council in cases of severe emergency, when his chief satisfaction consists inpromoting the interest and welfare of that community. When the hour of exigency arrives, his mind, endued with the light of piety, feels its own littleness, his weighty thoughts are big with the impending danger that no human arm may be able to arrest.Heis the father of a numerous family; a man of unimpeached morals, andwas attached to liberty from principle, at a time, and in a country, when it was not unusual to be so, from mere speculation!Impressed with religious awe, and feeling conscious of his dependence for aid on the all-wise Disposer of events, he bends in humble supplication to implore the favour of that great and beneficent Being whose power alone can save, and in whose mighty arm alone is victory.“(All-wise) Disposer of events” was a stock phrase.The father of Alida received regular intelligence by the daily papers respecting the political excitement in New-York; besides, he made frequent visits to the city to see his several children, as one of his daughters had resided there since her marriage. There was every kind of conveyance at the neighbouring village suited to the accommodation of travellers, both summer and winter, and the rapid improvement of the town had long been a current topic of the inhabitants as well as visiters, while they praised the proprietor of the new pavilion, in his manner of conducting it, and his excellent accommodations; and it was the general opinion that in the course of a few years this would become a place of no small consideration.CHAPTER V.NY Weekly:Military Fame, stz. 1, 2O,who that sighsto join the scenes of war?If heaven-bornpityin thy bosom glow,Reject the impurpled wreath; the laurel crownCan flourish only in the scenes of wo.OThou that sigh’stto join the scenes of war,And gain the glories of the martial train;Reflect what woes surround the trophied car,What crimson tints the wish’d-for circlet stain.If tender sympathy be not unknown,If heaven-bornmercyin thy bosom glow,Reject the impurpl’d wreath, the laurel crownCan flourish only in the scenes of woe.Interesting Events: Second War (quoting “Grimshaw’s Hist. U. States”)At length it became the unhappy fate of America to be a second time involved in a war with Great Britain.“Inamanifesto of the president, the reasons of the war were stated to be the impressment of American seamen, by the British; the blockade ofthe enemy’s ports, supported by no adequate force; in consequence of which the American commerce had been plundered in every sea; and the British orders in council.”IntheManifesto of the President, the reasons of the war were stated to be “the impressment of American seamen by the British; the blockade ofher enemies, supported by no adequate force, in consequence of which the American commerce had been plundered in every sea; and the British orders in council.”Lives of Signers: Morris of New YorkThe declaration of war was a source of unavoidable regret to the good and wise president,* [*James Madison.] which affected his mind with feelings approaching to melancholy. No one possessed qualities more inclined to peace, anda wish to settleall affairs of statein a pacific manner, more than he did, if it were possible, and it could have been done without sacrificing all the dearest rights and interests of the people; and nothing but these repeated persuasions in his mind, founded on the principles of justice andhonour, caused him at length to be willing to yield to the stern necessity of decidingthe existingdifferencesby combat.The object sought and desired from the deliberations of that assembly, wasa settlementin a pacific manner, of allthe existingdifficulties....Lives of Signers: Floyd of New YorkHe possessed the qualities of a statesman in an eminent degree; he had well reflected on what he considered as inevitable. He was well versed in political science, and now only saw the realization of anticipated events, of which there had been sufficient warning. Although he had to contend with innumerable difficulties,having once formed his opinionof what was to be done,his patriotism was undeviating, and his integrity inflexible.Since his country was again brought to a lamentable destiny, he now became ardently active in its cause, and was prepared to carry to the full extent such measures of defence and resistance as should be necessary to repel every invasion of the just rights and privileges of the Americans that they had long been in possession of since their dear-bought independence, and could not therefore be willing to submit to anything like oppression, even from the mother country.Having once formed his opinions, he set himself about accomplishing his purposes....His patriotism was undeviating; his integrity inflexible....NY Weekly:On WarThisnationalcalamity, that seemed to awaken feelings of hilarity to some few among the multitude, but those of the deepest regret to so many others, wherethe partiesmust at length becomepersonally engagedandanimatedagainst each otherwith anenthusiastic ardour, and with the hopeto signalizethemselvesby their bravery—wherethe impetuosity of youthandthe experience of age are called forth in open field toexecutethe decideddiscussions ofgovernment,and to engage withpatrioticzeal in thecommon defence of their just rights and liberties; impelled with ambitiousimpulseto enlist themselves under the proud banners of their country, whilethe sound of martial musicstrikes a feeling of enthusiasm and enterprise to the bosom of the patriot.On the first appearance ofthisdreadful and destructivecalamity, the partiesmore particularly andpersonally engaged, areanimated with an enthusiastic ardour,to have an opportunityof signalizingthemselvesin it. It is then thatthe impetuosity of youth, the fervour,the experience, the sapience,of old age, are called forth in open field, toput in force thediscussions ofthe cabinet,and to engage withrealzeal in thecause of their country; it is then that every manly breast feels a warlikeimpulsethrilling the whole frame!The soundof drums, the roaring of cannon, the clangor of every speciesof martial music, rise figuratively within us....Thus, in the name and cause of honour, the youth, generous and brave, with all those who are compelled to take arms,sally forthwith the ambitious hope tobear downat onceallcontendingopposition, and give themselves no time to reflect onthe many disconsolate ones they leave behind them, that, however deeplyconcerned,can neither engageor assistin theshockingcontest; while they go forward hastily to meet the foe, andhostsareadvancing to dispute withthem the victory, and they canindulge no thoughtconcerningthose who, when the battle is over, may have tolament the loss of a father, brother, orsome other dearfriend,... wesally forth, andbear down allmortalopposition. We scarcely, in our thoughts, surveythe disconsolate many we left behind; who, thoughconcerned,are not engaged,in themurderouscontest. Flushed with the hopes of suspended victory, the insignia of triumph hanging doubtful over our heads, wholehosts advancing to dispute withus our martial prowess, weindulge no thoughtsaboutthose who lament the loss of a father,a child, a husband, abrother, orafriend.and whomournfullyawait the decisivetidings, whichperhaps is to render them for everdisconsolate; while they remaina prey to that incessantanguishwhichnaturallyawaitsthosewho have lost, in this manner, their dearest friends and relations.Stunned with the fataltidings, whichmournfullyannounce the death of an affectionate father, behold the wretched family, thedisconsolate.... A prey to that incessantgriefwhich naturallyaccompaniesthoseto whom the fatal loss happens, the worthy sire, and the tender matron, lament the eternal exit of their ill-fated son....Thick clouds were darkly pendingAbove the battle fray,And foemen were contendingFor the fortune of the day.And high in air the banner bright,Waving o’er land and sea,The potent symbol of their might,The emblem of the free.Brave hearts that stood amid the stormThat burst in fury round;With many a stern and manly form,Sunk powerless to the ground.Deep gloom had settled round them,And darkness veil’d the sky,When Freedom, with her starry train,Descended from on high.When, at her bidding, lo, a chiefAmid the throng appear’d;When, the goddess halted by his side,And thus his spirits cheer’d:“Oh, let not care oppress thee,But banish far thy fears,For, in blessing, I will bless thee,And will wipe away thy tears;“And a banner thou shalt still retain,And a hand to lead the braveTo glory and to victory,Or to the hero’s grave.”Then fear not, honoured chieftain,For yet again shall be,Your flag shall wave o’er every land,And float on every sea.What though in foreign clime it waves,Careering on the wind,Whatever shore the ocean laves,A due respect will find.And the thunders of your ships of warAlong the deep shall roll,While the canvas of your merchantmenShall sweep from pole to pole.“And now, oh gallant chief,” she cried,“Hold fast the glorious prize;The flag with blue and crimson dyed,And stars that gemmed the skies,“Have left their native spheres to shedTheir radiance o’er the field;Then while it waves above your head,To the foeman never yield.“Bright forms shall hover o’er theeIn the midst of war’s alarms;And in triumph shall restore theeTo a nation’s waiting arms.“Then on to Freedom’s stormy height,Go forth in valour and in might,And bear aloft this emblem bright,Amid the battle fray.”Now around their chief they rally,And with zeal their bosoms glow;While the hoarse cannon bellows forthDefiance to the foe.The battle rages loudly,A dreadful carnage flows;When the messenger of victoryThe clarion trumpet blows.Now clap your wings, oh Liberty,And upward take your flight;And let the gladsome tidings ringThroughout the realms of light.And bid your eagle sound her cry,Wide o’er the land and sea;For patriot arms have triumphed,And the nation still is free.Once more the song of VictoryShall spread the earth around,And the freemen on a thousand hillsRe-echo back the sound.And a banner long shall wave on high,And long your children stand,United, with a sacred tie,To guard their native land.A song called “Thick Clouds Were Darkly Pending” was popular in the Civil War years, but has not been located.CHAPTER VI.

HYMN.O Thou, Creator of my frame,Thy righteous pow’r display;May’st Thou direct my wand’ring ways,Nor let me ever stray.Thy mercy still to me impart,And thy blest spirit give;Kindly sustain my drooping hopes,And all my strength revive.Guide me by Thy protecting hand,Incline the will to thee;Endue me with Thy heav’nly grace,From earth’s allurements free.May true devotion in my breastStill fix my thoughts on heaven;While I the song of tribute raise,For every blessing given.

O Thou, Creator of my frame,

Thy righteous pow’r display;

May’st Thou direct my wand’ring ways,

Nor let me ever stray.

Thy mercy still to me impart,

And thy blest spirit give;

Kindly sustain my drooping hopes,

And all my strength revive.

Guide me by Thy protecting hand,

Incline the will to thee;

Endue me with Thy heav’nly grace,

From earth’s allurements free.

May true devotion in my breast

Still fix my thoughts on heaven;

While I the song of tribute raise,

For every blessing given.

CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE.“Be doubly blest th’ auspicious dayThe edifice was plann’d;And may immortal gifts repayThe founder’s lib’ral hand:”Angels with joy beheld it rise,To train immortals for the skies.

“Be doubly blest th’ auspicious day

The edifice was plann’d;

And may immortal gifts repay

The founder’s lib’ral hand:”

Angels with joy beheld it rise,

To train immortals for the skies.

How sweet to mark the artless throng,To hear the ingenuous youth,Raise with one voice the infant song,And learn the word of truth.“Delightful work his path to trace,Who died to save our ruined race.”“Now, Fancy, o’er life’s little spanGlances her busy eyes,And sees them bear the name of man,Industrious, good, and wise:”Bids them each useful art employ,Anticipates their future joy.With ardent zeal some students mayFrom hence arise and shine,To wipe the orphan’s tears away,And heal with balm divine;“With winning eloquence to tell,What glories in Emmanuel dwell.”Some of the little ones may liveTo adorn their country’s name;“Indulgent heav’n by them may giveFresh lustre to her fame.Some may the blessed Gospel bear,To distant lands, and plant it there.”And many to this favour’d spot,On God’s eventful day,O happy, enviable lot,Grateful shall point and say,“There—there—to us the bliss was given,To seek and find the path to heaven.”

How sweet to mark the artless throng,

To hear the ingenuous youth,

Raise with one voice the infant song,

And learn the word of truth.

“Delightful work his path to trace,

Who died to save our ruined race.”

“Now, Fancy, o’er life’s little span

Glances her busy eyes,

And sees them bear the name of man,

Industrious, good, and wise:”

Bids them each useful art employ,

Anticipates their future joy.

With ardent zeal some students may

From hence arise and shine,

To wipe the orphan’s tears away,

And heal with balm divine;

“With winning eloquence to tell,

What glories in Emmanuel dwell.”

Some of the little ones may live

To adorn their country’s name;

“Indulgent heav’n by them may give

Fresh lustre to her fame.

Some may the blessed Gospel bear,

To distant lands, and plant it there.”

And many to this favour’d spot,

On God’s eventful day,

O happy, enviable lot,

Grateful shall point and say,

“There—there—to us the bliss was given,

To seek and find the path to heaven.”

FRIENDSHIP.“Oh, give me the friend, from whose warm, faithful breast,The sigh breathes responsive to mine;Where my cares may obtain the soft pillow of rest,And my sorrows may love to recline.”Not the friend who my hours of pleasure will share,But abide not the season of grief;Who flies from the brow that is darken’d by care,And the silence that looks for relief.Not the friend who suspicious of change or of guile,Would shrink from a confidence free;Nor him who with fondness complacent can smile,On the eye that looks coldly on me.“As the mirror that’s just to each blemish or grace,To myself will my image reflect;But to none but myself will that image retrace,Nor picture one absent defect.”To myself let my friend be a mirror as true,Thus my faults from all others conceal,Nor ever when absent those foibles renew,“That from heav’n and from man he should veil.”

“Oh, give me the friend, from whose warm, faithful breast,

The sigh breathes responsive to mine;

Where my cares may obtain the soft pillow of rest,

And my sorrows may love to recline.”

Not the friend who my hours of pleasure will share,

But abide not the season of grief;

Who flies from the brow that is darken’d by care,

And the silence that looks for relief.

Not the friend who suspicious of change or of guile,

Would shrink from a confidence free;

Nor him who with fondness complacent can smile,

On the eye that looks coldly on me.

“As the mirror that’s just to each blemish or grace,

To myself will my image reflect;

But to none but myself will that image retrace,

Nor picture one absent defect.”

To myself let my friend be a mirror as true,

Thus my faults from all others conceal,

Nor ever when absent those foibles renew,

“That from heav’n and from man he should veil.”

TO MARIA.If sense and complacence their charms combine,To make each grace with double lustre shine—If mind serene, and innocently gay,Makes life compare with an unclouded day:And piety thy guide, whose gentle pow’r,To calm each thought, and brighten ev’ry hour;Then thou, Maria, much esteem’d must be,These happy traits are all combined in thee.

If sense and complacence their charms combine,

To make each grace with double lustre shine—

If mind serene, and innocently gay,

Makes life compare with an unclouded day:

And piety thy guide, whose gentle pow’r,

To calm each thought, and brighten ev’ry hour;

Then thou, Maria, much esteem’d must be,

These happy traits are all combined in thee.

THE SUN.Splendid orb of living light,That wakes the world from silent night,Still warm this dark opaque domain,Thou brightest of the solar train.“When the soft cooling show’r descends,And to the earth its moisture lends.”When murky clouds obscure thy way,And part exclude thee from the day,Ah, yet again wilt thou revive,And o’er the globe thy lustre give;Yet shall thy beams “from day to day,The great Creator’s power display;”And thy resistless radiant blaze,“In silent fervour muse his praise.”

Splendid orb of living light,

That wakes the world from silent night,

Still warm this dark opaque domain,

Thou brightest of the solar train.

“When the soft cooling show’r descends,

And to the earth its moisture lends.”

When murky clouds obscure thy way,

And part exclude thee from the day,

Ah, yet again wilt thou revive,

And o’er the globe thy lustre give;

Yet shall thy beams “from day to day,

The great Creator’s power display;”

And thy resistless radiant blaze,

“In silent fervour muse his praise.”

THE VOICE OF TIME.Did we e’er mark the budding rose,And see its fragrant sweets disclose,Observe it grow from day to day,Till full perfection crowned the spray.Then straight we see it fade apace,And lose each vivifying grace;And ev’ry balmy leaf we find,Is shortly given to the wind.Watch, then, says Time, each hour you live,Nor with ill deeds my spirit grieve;From first beginning is my birth,And for your good, ye sons of earth;O, fill the Father’s high behest,And lead the way to heav’nly rest;For all below must soon decay,And, like the rose, must pass away.

Did we e’er mark the budding rose,

And see its fragrant sweets disclose,

Observe it grow from day to day,

Till full perfection crowned the spray.

Then straight we see it fade apace,

And lose each vivifying grace;

And ev’ry balmy leaf we find,

Is shortly given to the wind.

Watch, then, says Time, each hour you live,

Nor with ill deeds my spirit grieve;

From first beginning is my birth,

And for your good, ye sons of earth;

O, fill the Father’s high behest,

And lead the way to heav’nly rest;

For all below must soon decay,

And, like the rose, must pass away.

In MemoryOFMRS. WILLIAM RICHARDS.Where late was gladness, when the morn arose.And cheerful musing, on the evening’s close,Serenest pleasure dwelt with gentle sway,And peaceful slumber closed the joyful day.Where now, alas! affliction’s deepest sigh,Is heard around in mournful symphony;A mother’s tears are shed in bitter wo,And in despondency her sorrows flow:While sad vibrations agitate the breast,And friendship’s voice is heard in deep distress.’Tis past—the sigh is breathed, the tear is shed,And Anna’s number’d with the silent dead.She was all goodness—gen’rous was her mind,Warm with benevolence to human kind:O’er the dark mind to pour instruction’s ray,And lead the ignorant in wisdom’s way;With patient zeal the Christian’s path to smooth,And wide diffuse the genial light of truth.One lonely bosom breathes a deeper sigh,Connected by a near, and dearer tie:With him she trod the late delightful road;For him her heart with friendly fervour glow’d.He’ll ne’er forget how many social hoursDerived new joy from her soft, soothing pow’rs.Can he upon the scenes look back unmoved,When pious converse still the hours improved;While fancy, led by hope, the theme pursued,And future happiness in prospect view’d.Fancy, where now are thy illusive dreams?Faded thy visions bright, with golden gleams;Friendship, thy hope’s, untimely fled away,Andthisthe last sad tribute we can pay.Ourlossdemands—receivesthe mournful strain,Let sounds of triumph celebrate her gain;The spirit ’scaping from its bonds of clay,Traces, with angel guides, the lucid way;Exalted notes from harps celestial rise,And kindred spirits hail her to the skies.

Where late was gladness, when the morn arose.

And cheerful musing, on the evening’s close,

Serenest pleasure dwelt with gentle sway,

And peaceful slumber closed the joyful day.

Where now, alas! affliction’s deepest sigh,

Is heard around in mournful symphony;

A mother’s tears are shed in bitter wo,

And in despondency her sorrows flow:

While sad vibrations agitate the breast,

And friendship’s voice is heard in deep distress.

’Tis past—the sigh is breathed, the tear is shed,

And Anna’s number’d with the silent dead.

She was all goodness—gen’rous was her mind,

Warm with benevolence to human kind:

O’er the dark mind to pour instruction’s ray,

And lead the ignorant in wisdom’s way;

With patient zeal the Christian’s path to smooth,

And wide diffuse the genial light of truth.

One lonely bosom breathes a deeper sigh,

Connected by a near, and dearer tie:

With him she trod the late delightful road;

For him her heart with friendly fervour glow’d.

He’ll ne’er forget how many social hours

Derived new joy from her soft, soothing pow’rs.

Can he upon the scenes look back unmoved,

When pious converse still the hours improved;

While fancy, led by hope, the theme pursued,

And future happiness in prospect view’d.

Fancy, where now are thy illusive dreams?

Faded thy visions bright, with golden gleams;

Friendship, thy hope’s, untimely fled away,

Andthisthe last sad tribute we can pay.

Ourlossdemands—receivesthe mournful strain,

Let sounds of triumph celebrate her gain;

The spirit ’scaping from its bonds of clay,

Traces, with angel guides, the lucid way;

Exalted notes from harps celestial rise,

And kindred spirits hail her to the skies.

INVOCATION TO PRAYER.Morning.To prayer, to prayer; for the morning breaks,And earth in her Maker’s smile awakes.His light is on all, below and above;The light of gladness, and life, and love;Oh, then, on the breath of this early air,Send upward the incense of grateful prayer.Evening.To prayer; for the glorious sun is gone,And the gathering darkness of night comes on:Like a curtain, from God’s kind hand it flows,To shade the couch where his children repose;—Then pray, while the watching stars are bright,And give your last thoughts to the Guardian of night!Sabbath.To prayer; for the day that God has blest,Comes tranquilly on with its welcome rest;It speaks of creation’s early bloom,It speaks of the Prince who burst the tomb.Then summon the spirit’s exalted powers,And devote to Heaven the hallowed hours!

To prayer, to prayer; for the morning breaks,

And earth in her Maker’s smile awakes.

His light is on all, below and above;

The light of gladness, and life, and love;

Oh, then, on the breath of this early air,

Send upward the incense of grateful prayer.

To prayer; for the glorious sun is gone,

And the gathering darkness of night comes on:

Like a curtain, from God’s kind hand it flows,

To shade the couch where his children repose;—

Then pray, while the watching stars are bright,

And give your last thoughts to the Guardian of night!

To prayer; for the day that God has blest,

Comes tranquilly on with its welcome rest;

It speaks of creation’s early bloom,

It speaks of the Prince who burst the tomb.

Then summon the spirit’s exalted powers,

And devote to Heaven the hallowed hours!

Subscribers’ NamesAllison, Mr.Allison, Miss Elizabeth,Allison, Miss Mary,Allison, Henry,Alfa, John,Alfa, Miss Victorine,Bradford, Hersey,Blake, Mrs. Ira,Burke, Miss Julia A.Brooks, Miss Margaret,Brown, T.Belknap, J.Belknap, Miss Anna,Belknap, Miss Mary,Brown, Miss Sarah B.Blackwell, S.Broom, Mr.Bosworth, Mrs. Charlotte,Bosworth, Miss Clementina,Clayton, Mrs. Mary,Clayton, Miss Emma,Covert, Miss Mary,Clarkson, Mr.Colgate, Miss Catharine,Crosby, Mrs. J.Crosby, Mrs.Clement, Miss Elizabeth,Clement, Mrs. Mary,Clement, Miss Sarah E.Clement, Miss Mary,Collins, Charles, Governor of Rhode Island.Douglass, N. A.Delaplane, Mr.Ely, Mrs. Ann,Everson, Miss,Everson, Mrs.Elliott, James,Elliott, Mrs. Elizabeth,Foster, Miss Martha C.Filby, T. E.Frances, Edward,Frances, Miss Anna,Ferris, J.Ferris, Miss Ann Eliza,Ferris, Miss Amanda,Gracie, Mrs. Anna,Gillett, Miss Mary L.Garretson, G. R.Griffin, Mrs. L.Gracie, Mrs. William,Greenoak, Samuel,Goodwin, Rev. F. J.Greenwood, Mrs.Glover, Mrs.Glover, Miss,Hamilton, Miss M. T.Hazard, Rowland R.Herriman, James, Esq.Hatfield, Mrs.Higby, Washington,Higby, Mrs. Washinaton,Hobbs, Mrs. Helen M.Hasell, Mrs.Hackett, Mrs.Hawks, Rev. Doct.Howland, Mrs. Gardenfer,Hardenbrook, Mr.Hardenbrook, Miss Mary,Hasbrook, Miss Caroline,Halsey, A.Howard, Mr.Howard, Miss Ellen,Hall, Edward,Hurlbeck, Mrs. Eliza,Hurlbeck, Miss Maria,Hadden, Mrs. David,Johnson, Rev. William,Johnson, Mrs. Mary,Johnson, Henry,Jones, Mrs. Ann,King, Mrs. John,King, Miss Ellen,Kimber, Miss Anna,King, Mr.Kissam, Dr. L. H.King, Mrs. Joseph,Lawrence, Mrs. Elizabeth,Lawrence, William A.Lawrence, Mrs. Catharine,Lawrence, Mrs. H. S.Lamberson, Judge David,Lawrence,Mrs.Effingham,Lowe, Miss Amelia,Lanius, Mrs. Henry,Limmor, William L.Lyman, Mr.Lyman, Miss Rebecca,Laidlaw, Miss Elizabeth,Mitchell, G. G.Mitchell, Mrs. M. E.Mills, Mrs. Sarah,Mitchell, Mrs. M. A.Mitchell, Wm. Augustus,Miller, Miss Mary L.Mikell, Mrs. J. C.Maxwell, Mr.Montgomery, J.Mitchell, Miss Rosalie A.Mitchell, Mrs. M. A.Nicholls, Percival,Penington, Mrs. Ann,Pell, L. H.Pell, Mrs. L. H.Prescott, W.Quarterman, Mrs. Elizabeth,Rider, James, Esq.Roe, George B.Riker, Mr.Riker, Miss Eliza,Rayburg, Miss Sarah,Reeve, Lorenzo,Sisson, Miss Caroline,Shelton, Dr. Nathan,Shelton, Dr. Jolm D.Smith, John, Esq.Sandford, William,Sandford, Mrs. William,Smith, John C. Esq.Stryker, Mrs. Elizabeth,Silliman, Miss Sarah,Smith, Mrs. Amelia T.Savage, Mrs. William,Sanford, Charles,Schoonmaker, Rev. Dr.Schoonmaker, Miss,Southgate, Miss Emma,Stevenson, Mr.Stratton, Mrs. Robert M.Torrey, Mrs. C. C.Trulock, Mrs. Eliza,Vanzandt, Mrs. L. B.Volk, Mrs. John,Vanzandt, Mrs. Mary L.Welling, Miss Victoria,Warren, A.Walkling, Mrs. Anna,Weeks, Miss Sarah Elizabeth,Wells, Mrs., of Brooklyn,Watrous, Charles L.Winter, William,Winter, Mrs. G.

Allison, Mr.

Allison, Miss Elizabeth,

Allison, Miss Mary,

Allison, Henry,

Alfa, John,

Alfa, Miss Victorine,

Bradford, Hersey,

Blake, Mrs. Ira,

Burke, Miss Julia A.

Brooks, Miss Margaret,

Brown, T.

Belknap, J.

Belknap, Miss Anna,

Belknap, Miss Mary,

Brown, Miss Sarah B.

Blackwell, S.

Broom, Mr.

Bosworth, Mrs. Charlotte,

Bosworth, Miss Clementina,

Clayton, Mrs. Mary,

Clayton, Miss Emma,

Covert, Miss Mary,

Clarkson, Mr.

Colgate, Miss Catharine,

Crosby, Mrs. J.

Crosby, Mrs.

Clement, Miss Elizabeth,

Clement, Mrs. Mary,

Clement, Miss Sarah E.

Clement, Miss Mary,

Collins, Charles, Governor of Rhode Island.

Douglass, N. A.

Delaplane, Mr.

Ely, Mrs. Ann,

Everson, Miss,

Everson, Mrs.

Elliott, James,

Elliott, Mrs. Elizabeth,

Foster, Miss Martha C.

Filby, T. E.

Frances, Edward,

Frances, Miss Anna,

Ferris, J.

Ferris, Miss Ann Eliza,

Ferris, Miss Amanda,

Gracie, Mrs. Anna,

Gillett, Miss Mary L.

Garretson, G. R.

Griffin, Mrs. L.

Gracie, Mrs. William,

Greenoak, Samuel,

Goodwin, Rev. F. J.

Greenwood, Mrs.

Glover, Mrs.

Glover, Miss,

Hamilton, Miss M. T.

Hazard, Rowland R.

Herriman, James, Esq.

Hatfield, Mrs.

Higby, Washington,

Higby, Mrs. Washinaton,

Hobbs, Mrs. Helen M.

Hasell, Mrs.

Hackett, Mrs.

Hawks, Rev. Doct.

Howland, Mrs. Gardenfer,

Hardenbrook, Mr.

Hardenbrook, Miss Mary,

Hasbrook, Miss Caroline,

Halsey, A.

Howard, Mr.

Howard, Miss Ellen,

Hall, Edward,

Hurlbeck, Mrs. Eliza,

Hurlbeck, Miss Maria,

Hadden, Mrs. David,

Johnson, Rev. William,

Johnson, Mrs. Mary,

Johnson, Henry,

Jones, Mrs. Ann,

King, Mrs. John,

King, Miss Ellen,

Kimber, Miss Anna,

King, Mr.

Kissam, Dr. L. H.

King, Mrs. Joseph,

Lawrence, Mrs. Elizabeth,

Lawrence, William A.

Lawrence, Mrs. Catharine,

Lawrence, Mrs. H. S.

Lamberson, Judge David,

Lawrence,Mrs.Effingham,

Lowe, Miss Amelia,

Lanius, Mrs. Henry,

Limmor, William L.

Lyman, Mr.

Lyman, Miss Rebecca,

Laidlaw, Miss Elizabeth,

Mitchell, G. G.

Mitchell, Mrs. M. E.

Mills, Mrs. Sarah,

Mitchell, Mrs. M. A.

Mitchell, Wm. Augustus,

Miller, Miss Mary L.

Mikell, Mrs. J. C.

Maxwell, Mr.

Montgomery, J.

Mitchell, Miss Rosalie A.

Mitchell, Mrs. M. A.

Nicholls, Percival,

Penington, Mrs. Ann,

Pell, L. H.

Pell, Mrs. L. H.

Prescott, W.

Quarterman, Mrs. Elizabeth,

Rider, James, Esq.

Roe, George B.

Riker, Mr.

Riker, Miss Eliza,

Rayburg, Miss Sarah,

Reeve, Lorenzo,

Sisson, Miss Caroline,

Shelton, Dr. Nathan,

Shelton, Dr. Jolm D.

Smith, John, Esq.

Sandford, William,

Sandford, Mrs. William,

Smith, John C. Esq.

Stryker, Mrs. Elizabeth,

Silliman, Miss Sarah,

Smith, Mrs. Amelia T.

Savage, Mrs. William,

Sanford, Charles,

Schoonmaker, Rev. Dr.

Schoonmaker, Miss,

Southgate, Miss Emma,

Stevenson, Mr.

Stratton, Mrs. Robert M.

Torrey, Mrs. C. C.

Trulock, Mrs. Eliza,

Vanzandt, Mrs. L. B.

Volk, Mrs. John,

Vanzandt, Mrs. Mary L.

Welling, Miss Victoria,

Warren, A.

Walkling, Mrs. Anna,

Weeks, Miss Sarah Elizabeth,

Wells, Mrs., of Brooklyn,

Watrous, Charles L.

Winter, William,

Winter, Mrs. G.

Notes onAlidaThe AuthorChronologySourcesParallel textThe following is a little more personal than the average Transcriber’s Note. Given the nature of the book, this may be inescapable.In classical literature, there is a form called thecento. The word does not mean a hundred of anything; it comes from the Greek word for patchwork. In its original form, the cento takes small pieces of familiar works such as the Aeneid and reassembles the segments—anywhere from a few words to two full lines—into a new text. As rearranged, the content can be anything from saints’ lives to outright obscenity.With rare exceptions,Alidacannot be called a cento. While some borrowings involve single phrases, most range from to paragraphs to entire chapters. I (the transcriber) first stumbled across the book while searching for the originals of some quoted passages inAlonzo and Melissa. This novel turns out to have been one ofAlida’s favorite sources, contributing a solid six-chapter block as well as many shorter segments. Appropriately,Alonzo and Melissawas itself pirated; its credited author did not actually write the book. Conversely, a number of other sources were formally copyrighted—sometimes in the same office where the copyright ofAlidawas filed.Only about half the sources (by rough word count) have been identified. Isolated phrases—three or four significant words—were disregarded unless they were very unusual, or from a source quoted many other times. Unidentified sources include:— most of the longer poetry— discussions of education (female and general)— religious material, probably from a then-new denomination such as Baptist or Methodist— most references to the secondary character Mr. More (apparently from a single source, possibly a subplot in some other book)If you come across a long passage that you recognize, e-mail lucy2424 at sbcglobal dot net.Alida: The AuthorOne of the few things definitely known about Amelia Stratton Comfield, the author ofAlida, is what she looked like in 1852, when her portrait was painted by David Rogers:portrait of authorThis picture has been altered to align horizontals and verticals and to highlight the two copies ofAlida(on bookcase behind subject, and in her hand); this accounts for the jagged edges. At time of preparation (mid-2010), the original was online atthe Smithsonian collection.Amelia Stratton Comfield was probably related to Southern writer and educator Catherine Stratton Ladd (1808–1899), who wrote under a number of pseudonyms—including “Alida”.Alida: ChronologyThe chronology is internally consistent: that is, the passage of time based on descriptions of seasons agrees with datable external events, even in the part of the story that draws heavily onAlonzo and Melissa. The war of 1812 began in mid-1812 and ended in December 1814; evidently the news reached New York before it reached New Orleans.1811and earlierDeath of Alida’s motherAlida goes to seminary in New York:“The season was now far advanced in autumn”1812Alida returns home:“The spring was advancing”[June 1812: War declared]Father’s birthday; Alida is sixteenFrom Alonzo and Melissa:“It was summer, and towards evening when he arrived.”“It was the beginning of autumn”“... and sung a requiem to departed summer”“... the day had been uncommonly sultry for the autumnal season”“Winter came on; it rapidly passed away.”1813“Spring advanced, and the marriage day was appointed.”“Nature was adorned with the bridal ornaments of spring”“Fleecy summer clouds ...”Theodore has not yet enlisted“... weary summer had lapsed into the fallow arms of autumn”After father’s remarriage:“the cool breezes of autumn had changed to the hoarse murmuring gales of winter”1814“the mild and salubrious breezes of spring had succeeded to the blustering gales of winter”Father’s birthday[August 1814: burning of Washington][December 1814: Treaty of Ghent][December 1814-January 1815: Hartford Convention]“... taken up their residence in the city for the winter”1815[January 1815: battle of New Orleans]War is over; celebration of peace“winter’s snow was passing from the face of nature”“verdant scenery of spring”“showers of April had cleared the atmosphere”Father’s birthdayAlida leaves for tour of New York state:“The summer was past its meridian”“The number of travellers this summer were unusually great”1816After death of Alida’s father:“at the commencement of the ensuing spring”Theodore returnsAlida: SourcesAbbreviated titles of the most frequently cited works are given here inboldface. Unless otherwise noted, the quoted edition was picked simply because it was the most readily available; it may or may not have been the edition used by the author. All [sic] notations were added by the transcriber; all brackets inAlonzo and Melissaare in the original.Sources that are used only once are identified as they occur in the text.Non-FictionKarl Bernhard, Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach:Travels through North America, during the years 1825 and 1826. Translation published 1828.“Travels”Chapters XXIV-XXVII inclusive, except the poetry, are taken from this book. See beginning ofchapter XXIVfor more information.John Warner Barber:Interesting Events in the History of the United States ...(exact title varies). First edition 1827; later editions include 1828 and 1834, with reprints of each. Details of wording point to the 1828 edition as the source.The segments dealing with the war of 1812 are quoted extensively: “Second War with Great Britain”; the battles of Queenstown, Lake Erie, Niagara and Lake Champlain; Death of Tecumseh; the Hartford Convention; “Piracies in the West Indies”.Nathaniel Dwight:Sketches of the lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. First Edition 1830; quotations from 1840 edition (reprint of 1830).“Lives of Signers”Used primarily for character descriptions. Most are applied to male characters in the novel, but one passage is inserted into a description of Dolly Madison. With one exception, all selections are taken from representatives of Northern states.Mrs. James Madison. Here quoted fromThe American Magazine of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge; the article was printed in other publications.Some parts of this article refer to the period when James Madison was Secretary of State under Jefferson.Much of the article quotes from the chapter on Dolly Madison in a longer work: American Academy of the Fine Arts (James Herring and James Barton Longacre),The National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans(no later than 1834).A sketch of the life and public services of William H. Harrison, commander in chief of the North-western army during the War of 1812, &c.Many editions from 1835 and later.Charles Phillips: Speech at Dinas Island on George Washington. Widely reprinted; the version published in the author’sCollected Speechesis different from earlier published versions quoted here.Lindley Murray:The Power of Religion on the Mind. First edition 1836; many later editions and reprints. Quotations from 1863 (the only edition available to me).Not a religious work but a collection of short biographies with character description. Except for the article on Job, attributions are too short to be certain;Alidamay have found similar phrases in a different source.Francis Smith Eastman:A history of the state of New York ...First edition 1828; later edition (with reprints) 1831. Details of wording identify the 1831 edition (or a later one) as the source.FictionDaniel Jackson/Isaac Mitchell:Alonzo and Melissa. For details, see Project Gutenberge-text 28112. Written 1804 by Mitchell; first book publication (pirated by Jackson) 1811, with many reprints. Wording inAlidadoes not consistently correspond to any of the editions used for theAlonzo and Melissae-text. Quotations are generally from 1811 except where a different edition matches the wording more closely.“A&M”By word count,Alida’s favorite source: chapters VII-XII inclusive, much of the adjoining chapters VI and XIII, most of XXXIII-XXXIV (the final two chapters), and many other passages of varying length. See beginning ofchapter VIfor more information.Regina Maria Roche:The Children of the Abbey. First published 1796, reprinted throughout the following century. Quotations from 1877.Mrs. (Mary Martha) Sherwood:The Broken Hyacinth;The Lady of the Manor.Alidamay contain other quotations from this author; most phrases are too short to be unambiguous. Mrs. Sherwood’s fiction has a strong religious element, and she seems the kind of author Amelia Comfield would have liked.Robert Folkestone Williams:Mephistophiles in England, or the Confessions of a Prime Minister. 1835.Alidaonly quotes one passage from this two-volume novel. The episode may have been reprinted in some other text, or the novel itself may have lifted it from an earlier source.Amelia Stratton Comfield:Alida.When all else fails, the book quotes itself. One passage appears three times.Periodicals and Short FictionThe New-York Weekly Magazine, Or, Miscellaneous Repository: Volume II, 1797. Reprinted as a single bound volume containing 52 8-page issues (July 1796-June 1797).“NY Weekly”Only two volumes of this periodical, and a few issues of the third, were published; only volume II was available to me. At least 30 separate pieces are quoted inAlida, so it is likely that some unidentified sources are in volumes I or III.Most essays were printed with minimal attribution, or none at all; some can also be found in other sources. “The Nettle and the Rose” also appears inThe Blossoms of Morality(1796) and inNew-York Magazine, N.S. II (1797). “On Education” is taken from the writings of Vicesimus Knox; “Detraction” is by Nathaniel Cotton.“Amelia, or the Faithless Briton”. Here quoted fromThe New-York Magazine, or, Literary Repository: Vol. VI (1795); the story also appears inThe Lady’s Weekly Miscellany(1810).“The Merchant’s Daughter”. Here quoted fromThe American Monthly Magazine, Vol. 3, 1834.“The Story of an Unfortunate Young Lady”. Here quoted fromThe Lady’s Miscellany, or, Weekly visitor...Vols. 14–15 (1811)PoetryMost poems are quoted only once, and will be identified as they appear. The author ofAlidawas obviously fond of poetry, especially obscure poems found in periodicals or privately published books.James Thomson (d. 1748):The Seasons. The work was reprinted many times. Quotations are from the 1829 Hartford edition.There exists an 1842 edition ofThe Seasonswhich also contains Bloomfield’sFarmer’s Boy(see chapter XIV). If similar collections were published earlier, this might be the source for both poems.InAlida, passages fromThe Seasonsare almost always in quotation marks.Mary (Mrs. Henry) Tighe:Psyche, with Other Poems. Quoted from 1816 London edition.Quoted works:Verses Written at the Commencement of Spring(1802);Verses Written in Sickness(1804);A Faithful Friend is the Medicine of Life.

The AuthorChronologySourcesParallel text

The following is a little more personal than the average Transcriber’s Note. Given the nature of the book, this may be inescapable.

In classical literature, there is a form called thecento. The word does not mean a hundred of anything; it comes from the Greek word for patchwork. In its original form, the cento takes small pieces of familiar works such as the Aeneid and reassembles the segments—anywhere from a few words to two full lines—into a new text. As rearranged, the content can be anything from saints’ lives to outright obscenity.

With rare exceptions,Alidacannot be called a cento. While some borrowings involve single phrases, most range from to paragraphs to entire chapters. I (the transcriber) first stumbled across the book while searching for the originals of some quoted passages inAlonzo and Melissa. This novel turns out to have been one ofAlida’s favorite sources, contributing a solid six-chapter block as well as many shorter segments. Appropriately,Alonzo and Melissawas itself pirated; its credited author did not actually write the book. Conversely, a number of other sources were formally copyrighted—sometimes in the same office where the copyright ofAlidawas filed.

Only about half the sources (by rough word count) have been identified. Isolated phrases—three or four significant words—were disregarded unless they were very unusual, or from a source quoted many other times. Unidentified sources include:

— most of the longer poetry— discussions of education (female and general)— religious material, probably from a then-new denomination such as Baptist or Methodist— most references to the secondary character Mr. More (apparently from a single source, possibly a subplot in some other book)

— most of the longer poetry

— discussions of education (female and general)

— religious material, probably from a then-new denomination such as Baptist or Methodist

— most references to the secondary character Mr. More (apparently from a single source, possibly a subplot in some other book)

If you come across a long passage that you recognize, e-mail lucy2424 at sbcglobal dot net.

One of the few things definitely known about Amelia Stratton Comfield, the author ofAlida, is what she looked like in 1852, when her portrait was painted by David Rogers:

portrait of author

This picture has been altered to align horizontals and verticals and to highlight the two copies ofAlida(on bookcase behind subject, and in her hand); this accounts for the jagged edges. At time of preparation (mid-2010), the original was online atthe Smithsonian collection.

Amelia Stratton Comfield was probably related to Southern writer and educator Catherine Stratton Ladd (1808–1899), who wrote under a number of pseudonyms—including “Alida”.

The chronology is internally consistent: that is, the passage of time based on descriptions of seasons agrees with datable external events, even in the part of the story that draws heavily onAlonzo and Melissa. The war of 1812 began in mid-1812 and ended in December 1814; evidently the news reached New York before it reached New Orleans.

1811and earlierDeath of Alida’s motherAlida goes to seminary in New York:“The season was now far advanced in autumn”1812Alida returns home:“The spring was advancing”[June 1812: War declared]Father’s birthday; Alida is sixteenFrom Alonzo and Melissa:“It was summer, and towards evening when he arrived.”“It was the beginning of autumn”“... and sung a requiem to departed summer”“... the day had been uncommonly sultry for the autumnal season”“Winter came on; it rapidly passed away.”1813“Spring advanced, and the marriage day was appointed.”“Nature was adorned with the bridal ornaments of spring”“Fleecy summer clouds ...”Theodore has not yet enlisted“... weary summer had lapsed into the fallow arms of autumn”After father’s remarriage:“the cool breezes of autumn had changed to the hoarse murmuring gales of winter”1814“the mild and salubrious breezes of spring had succeeded to the blustering gales of winter”Father’s birthday[August 1814: burning of Washington][December 1814: Treaty of Ghent][December 1814-January 1815: Hartford Convention]“... taken up their residence in the city for the winter”1815[January 1815: battle of New Orleans]War is over; celebration of peace“winter’s snow was passing from the face of nature”“verdant scenery of spring”“showers of April had cleared the atmosphere”Father’s birthdayAlida leaves for tour of New York state:“The summer was past its meridian”“The number of travellers this summer were unusually great”1816After death of Alida’s father:“at the commencement of the ensuing spring”Theodore returns

1811and earlier

Death of Alida’s mother

Alida goes to seminary in New York:

“The season was now far advanced in autumn”

1812

Alida returns home:

“The spring was advancing”

[June 1812: War declared]

Father’s birthday; Alida is sixteen

From Alonzo and Melissa:

“It was summer, and towards evening when he arrived.”

“It was the beginning of autumn”

“... and sung a requiem to departed summer”

“... the day had been uncommonly sultry for the autumnal season”

“Winter came on; it rapidly passed away.”

1813

“Spring advanced, and the marriage day was appointed.”

“Nature was adorned with the bridal ornaments of spring”

“Fleecy summer clouds ...”

Theodore has not yet enlisted

“... weary summer had lapsed into the fallow arms of autumn”

After father’s remarriage:

“the cool breezes of autumn had changed to the hoarse murmuring gales of winter”

1814

“the mild and salubrious breezes of spring had succeeded to the blustering gales of winter”

Father’s birthday

[August 1814: burning of Washington]

[December 1814: Treaty of Ghent]

[December 1814-January 1815: Hartford Convention]

“... taken up their residence in the city for the winter”

1815

[January 1815: battle of New Orleans]

War is over; celebration of peace

“winter’s snow was passing from the face of nature”

“verdant scenery of spring”

“showers of April had cleared the atmosphere”

Father’s birthday

Alida leaves for tour of New York state:

“The summer was past its meridian”

“The number of travellers this summer were unusually great”

1816

After death of Alida’s father:

“at the commencement of the ensuing spring”

Theodore returns

Abbreviated titles of the most frequently cited works are given here inboldface. Unless otherwise noted, the quoted edition was picked simply because it was the most readily available; it may or may not have been the edition used by the author. All [sic] notations were added by the transcriber; all brackets inAlonzo and Melissaare in the original.

Sources that are used only once are identified as they occur in the text.

Non-FictionKarl Bernhard, Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach:Travels through North America, during the years 1825 and 1826. Translation published 1828.“Travels”Chapters XXIV-XXVII inclusive, except the poetry, are taken from this book. See beginning ofchapter XXIVfor more information.John Warner Barber:Interesting Events in the History of the United States ...(exact title varies). First edition 1827; later editions include 1828 and 1834, with reprints of each. Details of wording point to the 1828 edition as the source.The segments dealing with the war of 1812 are quoted extensively: “Second War with Great Britain”; the battles of Queenstown, Lake Erie, Niagara and Lake Champlain; Death of Tecumseh; the Hartford Convention; “Piracies in the West Indies”.Nathaniel Dwight:Sketches of the lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. First Edition 1830; quotations from 1840 edition (reprint of 1830).“Lives of Signers”Used primarily for character descriptions. Most are applied to male characters in the novel, but one passage is inserted into a description of Dolly Madison. With one exception, all selections are taken from representatives of Northern states.Mrs. James Madison. Here quoted fromThe American Magazine of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge; the article was printed in other publications.Some parts of this article refer to the period when James Madison was Secretary of State under Jefferson.Much of the article quotes from the chapter on Dolly Madison in a longer work: American Academy of the Fine Arts (James Herring and James Barton Longacre),The National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans(no later than 1834).A sketch of the life and public services of William H. Harrison, commander in chief of the North-western army during the War of 1812, &c.Many editions from 1835 and later.Charles Phillips: Speech at Dinas Island on George Washington. Widely reprinted; the version published in the author’sCollected Speechesis different from earlier published versions quoted here.Lindley Murray:The Power of Religion on the Mind. First edition 1836; many later editions and reprints. Quotations from 1863 (the only edition available to me).Not a religious work but a collection of short biographies with character description. Except for the article on Job, attributions are too short to be certain;Alidamay have found similar phrases in a different source.Francis Smith Eastman:A history of the state of New York ...First edition 1828; later edition (with reprints) 1831. Details of wording identify the 1831 edition (or a later one) as the source.FictionDaniel Jackson/Isaac Mitchell:Alonzo and Melissa. For details, see Project Gutenberge-text 28112. Written 1804 by Mitchell; first book publication (pirated by Jackson) 1811, with many reprints. Wording inAlidadoes not consistently correspond to any of the editions used for theAlonzo and Melissae-text. Quotations are generally from 1811 except where a different edition matches the wording more closely.“A&M”By word count,Alida’s favorite source: chapters VII-XII inclusive, much of the adjoining chapters VI and XIII, most of XXXIII-XXXIV (the final two chapters), and many other passages of varying length. See beginning ofchapter VIfor more information.Regina Maria Roche:The Children of the Abbey. First published 1796, reprinted throughout the following century. Quotations from 1877.Mrs. (Mary Martha) Sherwood:The Broken Hyacinth;The Lady of the Manor.Alidamay contain other quotations from this author; most phrases are too short to be unambiguous. Mrs. Sherwood’s fiction has a strong religious element, and she seems the kind of author Amelia Comfield would have liked.Robert Folkestone Williams:Mephistophiles in England, or the Confessions of a Prime Minister. 1835.Alidaonly quotes one passage from this two-volume novel. The episode may have been reprinted in some other text, or the novel itself may have lifted it from an earlier source.Amelia Stratton Comfield:Alida.When all else fails, the book quotes itself. One passage appears three times.Periodicals and Short FictionThe New-York Weekly Magazine, Or, Miscellaneous Repository: Volume II, 1797. Reprinted as a single bound volume containing 52 8-page issues (July 1796-June 1797).“NY Weekly”Only two volumes of this periodical, and a few issues of the third, were published; only volume II was available to me. At least 30 separate pieces are quoted inAlida, so it is likely that some unidentified sources are in volumes I or III.Most essays were printed with minimal attribution, or none at all; some can also be found in other sources. “The Nettle and the Rose” also appears inThe Blossoms of Morality(1796) and inNew-York Magazine, N.S. II (1797). “On Education” is taken from the writings of Vicesimus Knox; “Detraction” is by Nathaniel Cotton.“Amelia, or the Faithless Briton”. Here quoted fromThe New-York Magazine, or, Literary Repository: Vol. VI (1795); the story also appears inThe Lady’s Weekly Miscellany(1810).“The Merchant’s Daughter”. Here quoted fromThe American Monthly Magazine, Vol. 3, 1834.“The Story of an Unfortunate Young Lady”. Here quoted fromThe Lady’s Miscellany, or, Weekly visitor...Vols. 14–15 (1811)PoetryMost poems are quoted only once, and will be identified as they appear. The author ofAlidawas obviously fond of poetry, especially obscure poems found in periodicals or privately published books.James Thomson (d. 1748):The Seasons. The work was reprinted many times. Quotations are from the 1829 Hartford edition.There exists an 1842 edition ofThe Seasonswhich also contains Bloomfield’sFarmer’s Boy(see chapter XIV). If similar collections were published earlier, this might be the source for both poems.InAlida, passages fromThe Seasonsare almost always in quotation marks.Mary (Mrs. Henry) Tighe:Psyche, with Other Poems. Quoted from 1816 London edition.Quoted works:Verses Written at the Commencement of Spring(1802);Verses Written in Sickness(1804);A Faithful Friend is the Medicine of Life.

Karl Bernhard, Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach:Travels through North America, during the years 1825 and 1826. Translation published 1828.“Travels”

Chapters XXIV-XXVII inclusive, except the poetry, are taken from this book. See beginning ofchapter XXIVfor more information.

John Warner Barber:Interesting Events in the History of the United States ...(exact title varies). First edition 1827; later editions include 1828 and 1834, with reprints of each. Details of wording point to the 1828 edition as the source.

The segments dealing with the war of 1812 are quoted extensively: “Second War with Great Britain”; the battles of Queenstown, Lake Erie, Niagara and Lake Champlain; Death of Tecumseh; the Hartford Convention; “Piracies in the West Indies”.

Nathaniel Dwight:Sketches of the lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. First Edition 1830; quotations from 1840 edition (reprint of 1830).“Lives of Signers”

Used primarily for character descriptions. Most are applied to male characters in the novel, but one passage is inserted into a description of Dolly Madison. With one exception, all selections are taken from representatives of Northern states.

Mrs. James Madison. Here quoted fromThe American Magazine of Useful and Entertaining Knowledge; the article was printed in other publications.

Some parts of this article refer to the period when James Madison was Secretary of State under Jefferson.

Much of the article quotes from the chapter on Dolly Madison in a longer work: American Academy of the Fine Arts (James Herring and James Barton Longacre),The National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans(no later than 1834).

A sketch of the life and public services of William H. Harrison, commander in chief of the North-western army during the War of 1812, &c.Many editions from 1835 and later.

Charles Phillips: Speech at Dinas Island on George Washington. Widely reprinted; the version published in the author’sCollected Speechesis different from earlier published versions quoted here.

Lindley Murray:The Power of Religion on the Mind. First edition 1836; many later editions and reprints. Quotations from 1863 (the only edition available to me).

Not a religious work but a collection of short biographies with character description. Except for the article on Job, attributions are too short to be certain;Alidamay have found similar phrases in a different source.

Francis Smith Eastman:A history of the state of New York ...First edition 1828; later edition (with reprints) 1831. Details of wording identify the 1831 edition (or a later one) as the source.

Daniel Jackson/Isaac Mitchell:Alonzo and Melissa. For details, see Project Gutenberge-text 28112. Written 1804 by Mitchell; first book publication (pirated by Jackson) 1811, with many reprints. Wording inAlidadoes not consistently correspond to any of the editions used for theAlonzo and Melissae-text. Quotations are generally from 1811 except where a different edition matches the wording more closely.“A&M”

By word count,Alida’s favorite source: chapters VII-XII inclusive, much of the adjoining chapters VI and XIII, most of XXXIII-XXXIV (the final two chapters), and many other passages of varying length. See beginning ofchapter VIfor more information.

Regina Maria Roche:The Children of the Abbey. First published 1796, reprinted throughout the following century. Quotations from 1877.

Mrs. (Mary Martha) Sherwood:The Broken Hyacinth;The Lady of the Manor.

Alidamay contain other quotations from this author; most phrases are too short to be unambiguous. Mrs. Sherwood’s fiction has a strong religious element, and she seems the kind of author Amelia Comfield would have liked.

Robert Folkestone Williams:Mephistophiles in England, or the Confessions of a Prime Minister. 1835.

Alidaonly quotes one passage from this two-volume novel. The episode may have been reprinted in some other text, or the novel itself may have lifted it from an earlier source.

Amelia Stratton Comfield:Alida.

When all else fails, the book quotes itself. One passage appears three times.

The New-York Weekly Magazine, Or, Miscellaneous Repository: Volume II, 1797. Reprinted as a single bound volume containing 52 8-page issues (July 1796-June 1797).“NY Weekly”

Only two volumes of this periodical, and a few issues of the third, were published; only volume II was available to me. At least 30 separate pieces are quoted inAlida, so it is likely that some unidentified sources are in volumes I or III.

Most essays were printed with minimal attribution, or none at all; some can also be found in other sources. “The Nettle and the Rose” also appears inThe Blossoms of Morality(1796) and inNew-York Magazine, N.S. II (1797). “On Education” is taken from the writings of Vicesimus Knox; “Detraction” is by Nathaniel Cotton.

“Amelia, or the Faithless Briton”. Here quoted fromThe New-York Magazine, or, Literary Repository: Vol. VI (1795); the story also appears inThe Lady’s Weekly Miscellany(1810).

“The Merchant’s Daughter”. Here quoted fromThe American Monthly Magazine, Vol. 3, 1834.

“The Story of an Unfortunate Young Lady”. Here quoted fromThe Lady’s Miscellany, or, Weekly visitor...Vols. 14–15 (1811)

Most poems are quoted only once, and will be identified as they appear. The author ofAlidawas obviously fond of poetry, especially obscure poems found in periodicals or privately published books.

James Thomson (d. 1748):The Seasons. The work was reprinted many times. Quotations are from the 1829 Hartford edition.

There exists an 1842 edition ofThe Seasonswhich also contains Bloomfield’sFarmer’s Boy(see chapter XIV). If similar collections were published earlier, this might be the source for both poems.

InAlida, passages fromThe Seasonsare almost always in quotation marks.

Mary (Mrs. Henry) Tighe:Psyche, with Other Poems. Quoted from 1816 London edition.

Quoted works:Verses Written at the Commencement of Spring(1802);Verses Written in Sickness(1804);A Faithful Friend is the Medicine of Life.

The prefatory material and list of subscribers have been omitted. Some long paragraphs have been broken up for easier comparison; original paragraph breaks are indented. In the source column, a set of three dots ... on a line of their own means that one or more complete paragraphs or stanzas have been skipped.In the parallel texts, passages are color-coded to show direct quotation, paraphrase, moved text and so on. No detailed explanation is given, because most readers will find it faster and easier to figure it out for yourself as you go along.Chapter VI(Alonzo and Melissasegment)Chapter XXIV(Travels in North Americasegment)

In the parallel texts, passages are color-coded to show direct quotation, paraphrase, moved text and so on. No detailed explanation is given, because most readers will find it faster and easier to figure it out for yourself as you go along.

Chapter VI(Alonzo and Melissasegment)Chapter XXIV(Travels in North Americasegment)

Frontispiece Caption:

“Optimum vitæ genus eligito nam consuetudo faciet jucundissimum.”

Attributed to Pythagoras in Diogenes Laertius viii; cited inSpectator447.

Title Page:

IncidentsDuring the Late American War.Founded on Fact.

The phrase “founded on fact” appears in the title of several ofAlida’s sources, notablyAlonzo and Melissa. The opening words ofAlonzo and Melissaare “During the late [American] Revolution...”

Dedication:

His Excellency,Charles Collins, Governor of Rhode-Island

Charles Collins was never Governor of Rhode Island. He was Lieutenant Governor from 1824 to 1833.

“Rien n’est si contagieuxquil’exemple; et nous ne faisons jamais degrandbiens: ni de grand maux, qui n’en produisent de semblables.”

Rien n’est si contagieux que l’exemple, et nous ne faisons jamais de grands biens ni de grands maux qui n’en produisent de semblables.

The ancestry of Alida was of ancient date in English heraldry, some of whom emigrated to America a short time before the revolution, and settled in the southern provinces, while her father fixed his abode in the state of New-York.

In the calm retirement of the country, at a considerable distance from the bustle of the town, was situated his beautiful residence, which had every advantage in point of prospect that luxuriantnaturecould give whenit ismost lavish of itsbounties.

.... Their eyes wander with languor and indifference, over those scenes in whichnaturehas beenmost lavish of itsbeauties.

The mind of its owner took particular delight inrural pleasures and amusements; indissipatinga part of his time in the innocentscenes of rustic life, and in attending to the cultivation of his estate, which was large and extensive.

Like him he was fond ofrural pleasures and amusements, andto dissipatecare amid the diversifiedscenes of rustic life, afforded him satisfaction and pleasure.

Here he would contemplate, in all their variety,the natural beauties of creation, when arrayed in its richest attire; in the inimitable splendour of the surrounding scenery;

It was the beginning of autumn, and a yellow hue was spread overthe natural beauties of creation.

or amuse himselfin attendancetodiversified employments, some of which, as pastimes, served the two-fold purposes of recreation and amusement.

where,inanattendanceon hisdiversified employments, some of which, as pastimes, served the twofold purposes of recreation and amusement....

Thus his years glided on in the most harmonious tranquillity; wherehis cares were dissipatedalternately in the bosom of his family,and the “tumultsof life, real or imaginary, fleeted awayin a mutual confidence andunreserved friendship.”

Therehis cares were dissipated, and thetroublesof life, real or imaginary, on light pinionsfleeted away. How different would be the scene when debarred from theunreserved friendshipand conversation of Melissa!

Here he would accustom himself to rise at early dawn, anddwellwith particularpleasure onthe morning scenery. The dappled, rosy-fingered, blushing morn, arrested his attention; those mildtints that particularly express the break of day, just awakening from repose; when the curtain of the night seems insensibly withdrawn, and thevariedlandscapeexhibits itselfby degrees, whilethe colours of theatmosphereyetseemdoubtful, and thesceneimperfect to the view; whenthedarkness is not entirely fled, nor the lightof the new day is fullyseen; when coolness sits upon thehills, and the dews hang trembling upon every leaf; when the groves begin to resound with the murmurs ofwarbling melody,and the valleys echo withreverberated sounds.

The poets, of all ages and all languages,have dweltwith particulardelight uponthe morning scenery, and the epithets ofthe dappled, therosy fingered, the saffron, and theblushing morn.... those chaste and reservedtints that particularly express the break of day, just awakening from repose; when the curtain of the night seems to be insensibly withdrawn, and the landscapeappears to openby degrees, whenthe colours of thesky areyet doubtful, and thelandscapeimperfect to the view; in short,when darkness is not entirely fled, nor lightdistinctlyseen....

When coolness sits upon themountains, andfreshness delights the plains, whenthe dews hang trembling upon every leaf, and the insects flutter on every thorn; when the groves begin to resound with the murmurs ofthe dove,and the valliestoecho withthe twitterings from the spray....

How pleasing at such a timetoadore in his works the wonders of the Creator. That period when the sun begins to diffuse his early rays, to tip the mountains with light, andthebreezes in the air mildly prognosticate thesoftblushes of the morning:

how pleasing at such a timeare the feelings of anticipation to those whoadore in his works, the wonders of the Creator!

Ofthat period, when the sun begins to diffuse his early rays, to tip the mountains with light, and.... thosebreezes in the airthatmildly prognosticate, the blushes of the morning....

“For far beyond thepageantryof power,

He lov’d the realms of Nature to explore;

With lingering gaze Edenian spring survey’d—

Morn’s fairy splendours—Night’s gay curtain’d shade—

“For far beyond thepride or pompof power,

He lov’d the realms of nature to explore;

With lingering gaze Edinian spring survey’d;

Morn’s fairy splendors; night’s gay curtain’d shade,

The high hoar cliff, the grove’s benighting gloom,

The wild rose, widow’d o’er the mouldering tomb;

The heaven-embosom’d sun—the rainbow’s dye,

Where lucid forms appear to Fancy’s eye;

The vernal flower, mild Autumn’s purpling glow,

The Summer’s thunder, and the winter’s snow.”

The heaven embosom’d sun; the rainbow’s die

Where lucid forms disport to fancy’s eye;

The vernal flower, mild autumn’s purpling glow,

The summer’s thunder and the winter’s snow.”

But far beyond the pride of pomp, and power,

He lov’d the realms of nature to explore;

With lingering gaze, Edenian spring survey’d;

Morn’s fairy splendors, night’s gay curtain’d shade;

The high hoar cliff; the grove’s benighting gloom;

The wild rose, widow’d, o’er the mouldering tomb;

The heaven-embosom’d sun; the rainbow’s die,

Where lucid forms disport to fancy’s eye.

The last two lines in theAlonzo and Melissaversion (“vernal flower...” and “Summer’s thunder...”) do not appear to be in Dwight’s poem.

Or, when the evening approached, he would observethe twilight hour, which for a time hangs balanced between darkness and thepale rays of the western sky,communicatinga solemn pleasure to every thing around.

how extatic isthe twilight hour, which, for a time, hangs balanced betweenthe dispersion ofdarkness, and thedapplings of the east; andwhich givesa solemn pleasure to every thing around!

Wheneveningbegan tothrowher dusky mantle over the face of nature, and the warm glow of the summer sun had departed; whenthe starswere glisteningin theheavens, and the moon had already risen, shedding itspale lustreover the oppositeislands“thatappeared to float dimly among the waves,the twinkling fire-fly arose from the surrounding verdure, andillumined the meadow belowwith a thousand transientgems.”The rustling breezesplayedamong the treesof the wood, whilethe air wasfilledwith the fragrance ofvariousflowers, andthe sound ofmelodiousmusicwaswafted from theneighbouring village, renderedapparentlymoresoft andsweetby the distance.

Eveninghad nowspreadher dusky mantle over the face of nature. The starsglistenedin thesky. Thebreeze’s rustling wingwasin the tree. The “stilly sound” of the low murmuring brook, and the far off water fall, were faintly heard.The twinkling fire fly arose from the surrounding verdure andilluminated the airwith a thousand transientgleams. The mingling discordance of curs and watch-dogs echoed in the distant village, from whence the frequent lights darted theirpale lustrethrough the gloom.

A&M(different passage)

The moon shone in full lustre, her white beams trembling upon the glassy main, where skiffs and sails of various description were passing and repassing. The shores of Long-Island and the otherislandsin the harbour,appeared dimly to float among the waves.The air wasadornedwith the fragrance ofsurroundingflowers;the sound ofinstrumentalmusic wafted from thetown,renderedsweeterby distance....

The buildings on the estate consisted of a large mansion-house, farm-house, and an ancient stone cottage that stood on the margin of the water, shaded by willow trees, and surrounded by romantic scenery.

The charmingappearance which nature threw around the place on which the mansion-house was situated, was scarcely lessinteresting in winter than in the more gay and verdant months of the summer season. The falling of the snow and hail,and the sparkling icicleshanging uponthe woodsand shrubbery, sometimesalmost conveyed the idea of enchantmentto the imagination of the spectator.

The charmingcountry in which ourhouse was situated, was scarcely lesslovely when covered with snow than in the summer. The purity of the snow,and the sparkling icicleswhich hung onthe woods, almost conveyed the idea of enchantment....

The view on all sides was magnificent. The bay, gently winding, glided into the river beyond, where ships, steamboats, and craft of every description, floated upon the waters, and gave interest to the appearance of several beautiful villages that were seen at a little distance in the landscape.

This villa was separated about a mile from the flourishing village of ——, where the many white buildings, some of which might be called magnificent, had a remarkably pleasing and picturesqueappearance, forming a lively contrast with the evergreen trees with which they were interspersed.

Thehouseof Alida’s fatherwas the seat of hospitality;—scenes of festivity would sometimes have place within its walls;—“music and mirth would occasionally echo through its apartments.” He was kind, generous, and benevolent; while his independence, assisted by a charitable disposition, enabled him to contribute largely to the happiness of others. His manners were highly pleasing, his conversation was interesting, humorous, and instructive; and, although at this time he was rather advanced in years, yet the glow of health still shone upon his cheek and sparkled in his eye; and his fine expressive countenance still gave lustre to a peculiar dignity and energy in his personal appearance.

hishouse was the seat of hospitality, charity, and piety.

It was now many years since he had made this delightful spot his residence. He had married early in life a lady of engaging manners, and captivating beauty, who was amiable, sensible, and pious, and whose mind was a pattern of everyfemale excellence, combined with atasteand judgment thathad been properly directed by a suitable education; who had been taught to esteem no farther all the acquirements and qualities of which the human mind is capable than as they might be conducive to enable us to excel in the duties of the Christian religion,and cause us more fully to experience “the blessings of the truth.”

Her mind was adorned with those delicate graces which are the first ornaments offemale excellence. Her manners were graceful without affectation, and hertaste had been properly directed by a suitable education.

These parents had reared up all their family except Alida, their youngest child, who at this time was placed at a boarding-school, at the village of ——, where she was taught, in addition to the different studies belonging to a Christian education, the French and Italian languages.

Their elder daughters had married, and were settled at some distance from them, and their two sons were engaged in mercantile business in New-York. It was their principal endeavour, as their thoughts often revolved in anxious solicitude for the welfare and future happiness of their children, to unite their efforts to persuade them, and inculcate in their minds all that was praiseworthy, by the immediate influence of their own example, considering that the precepts which they taught them, however wise and good, would avail but little unassisted by the aid of example.

“Le mauvais usage que nous faisons de la vie, la dérègle, et la rend malheureuse.”

Le mauvais usage que nous faisons de la vie la dérègle et la rend malheureuse.

It was their first care to exercise the minds of their children, in all the important moral and religious duties; to be careful in due time to regulate their natural propensities; to render their dispositions mild and tractable; to inspire them with thelove, respect, and implicit obedience due to parents, blended with a genuine affection for relations and friends.

“To endeavour to form their first ideas on principles of rectitude, being conscious of the infinite importance of first impressions, and beginning early to adhere to a proper system of education, that was principally the result of their own reflections and particular observations.”

Their children wereassembled annually to celebrate the birthday of their father, together with other social friends and acquaintances, consisting chiefly of those whose beneficent feelings were in accordance with their own, in testifying their gratitude to their Creator for daily benefits, blended with a thankful cheerfulness, which is the offspring of moral excellence.

once a year my father celebrates his birth day....

O, Thouenthronedwhere perfect day,

In brightest beams ofglory, play

Around thyradiantthrone;

Whereangelsstrikecelestial lyres,

Andseraphs glow with sacred fires,

Address’d to theealone.

O thou!alikewhere perfect day

In brightrefulgentgloriesplay,

Around thyawfulthrone!

Whenseraphs glow with sacred fires,

Whenangelstunecelestial lyres,

To hymn thy praisealone!

Still may thy providential care,

With blessings crown thecirclingyear,

Each humanillrestrain:

O, may thy truth inspire my tongue,

And flow through all my varying song,

Andshine in everystrain.

Still may thy providential care

With blessings crown therisingyear!

Impendingillsrestrain!

Thy wisdom guide my youthful muse!

Thy sacred eloquence diffuse,

Andconsecrate mystrain!

Give me the calm, the softserene,

Of summer, when it gladsthe scene,

And scatterspeace around;

Bless’d image of thehappysoul.

That does the heav’n-born mindcontrol,

While conscious joys abound.

Unlike its placid form,serene,

When Zephyr breathing o’erthe scene,

Sheds balmypeace around;

Bless’d emblem of theconqueringsoul,

Whose every passion knowscontroul,

While conscious joys abound!

That this maybemy bounteous share,

Ascends my ever constant prayer

To Thee, all-perfect Mind!

O, aid me in thegen’rousstrife,

Through eachinconstant sceneof life,

To all thy ways resign’d.

That this mayprovemy bounteous share,

Ascends my ever constant prayer,

To thee, all perfect mind;

O aid me in thearduousstrife,

Through eachperplexing mazeof life,

To all thy ways resign’d!

The scenes that once so brilliant shone are past, and can return no more to cheer the pensive heart; and memory recalls them with atear; some lowering cloudsucceeds,and all the gay delusive landscape fades.

Scarce rolls, alas! o’er mortal buds a year,

But claims afresh the tributarytear:

Soon each fair hopesome lowering cloudinvades,

And all the gay delusive landscape fades.

While Alida remained at the village school, surrounded by the festive scenes of childhood, and pursuing her studies with assiduous emulation, with the hope of meriting, in future time, the praises of her fond parents, an unforeseen misfortune awaited her that no human foresight could have power to arrest.

The health of her mother had been long declining, and her illness at this time increased so far as to render medical assistance useless, and baffled the skill of the ablest physicians. A trial so new, so afflicting, and so grievous to her youthful mind, to lose one of her honoured parents, and to be unexpectedly summoned to her parental home to receive the last benediction of a beloved mother, and at this early period of her life to be deprived of her kind care and protection, was unfortunate in the extreme.

“Baffled the skill of the ablest physicians” was a stock phrase.

Every anxious solicitude and responsibility now rested alone upon a widowed father, who mourned deeply their common bereavement, while he felt conscious that all his fatherly care and caresses could never supply to Alida all the necessary requisitionsthat she had unhappily lost in so dear and interested a friend. When he observed her spirits languish, and the tear frequently starting in her eye, and her former sprightly countenance shaded with the deep tinges of melancholy, he saw that the cheerfulness and gaiety of her natural disposition had received a powerful check, which promised to be lasting.

“Sprightly” is a favorite adjective inAlonzo and Melissa; by the time ofAlidait was going out of fashion.

From this unhappy period she remained at home a long time with her father. Inkindred grief there was derived a congenial sympathy, and her society contributed in some degree to allay his sorrow, as the deep concern he felt in her welfare caused him sometimes to restrain the flow of it in her presence.

... to me they were inexpressibly soothing, fromkindred grief there was derived a congenial sympathy.

...

Self-exertion rousedhim in a measurefrom his lethargy, and by thus assuming serenity, to become in reality something more composed. Nevertheless, he would often witness the excess of anguish which had taken place in the bosom of his child, and behold her interesting face bathed in tears, and her youthful brow clouded with a sadness that nothing seemingly could dissipate.

Their happiness, the education of my child, andself-exertion, rousedmefrom the lethargy of grief, and diffused a calm over my mind I never hoped to have experienced.

His situation now became more sequestered than ever; he roamed in solitude, or pleased himself in ranging through silent glens in loneliness. His thoughts were absorbed in the gloomy experience of the misery of a painful separation from a dear and beloved object; he wept for her whose mildand winning graces had power to soften and illuminate the darkest shades of life, or alleviate the distressful scenes of adversity.

This unidentified paragraph about Alida’s widowed father reads like the description of a young romantic hero.

His mind was wholly absorbed in those gloomy reflections that scarcely admitted a ray of consolation, whenthe weekly newspaperarrived from the neighbouring village;he tookitup, hoping to find something to amuse his thoughts; heopened it to read the news of the day; he ran his eye hastily over it, and was about to lay it aside, “when the death list arrested his attention by a display of broad black lines,”and he, who had not yet become reconciled to his present misfortune, was now about to experience another equally severe.

He returned, and as he was entering the door he sawthe weekly newspaperof the town, which had been published that morning, and which the carrier had just flung into the hall. The family had not yet arisen.He took upthe paper, carried it to his chamber, andopened it to read the news of the day. He ran his eye hastily over it, and was about to lay it aside, when the death list arrested his attention, by a display of broad black lines.

What could equal his bitterness, his surprise and grief, when he read the disastrous news that his youngest son (who had lately gone on a foreign expedition) had died of a fever in a distant land a few weeks previous!

The paper fell from his palsied hand,—a sudden faintness cameoverhim,—he fellback almostsenselessin his chair,—exhausted by excess of grief, heremained a long timein a stupifying anguish.

The paper fell from his palsied hand—a sudden faintness cameuponhim—the room grew dark—hestaggered, andfell senselessupon the floor.

...

Exhausted by excess of grief, henow layin a stupifying anguish....

The tidings were so unlooked-for of the premature death of his unfortunate son, who about this time was expected to arrive in New-York. Forhim an only brother was inconsolable; and Alida, who had long been accustomed to his kindness and caresses, was overcome with a dejection that time alone could alleviate.

Her father observed her affliction in commisseration with his own,—he was dejected and lonely, and the world appeared like a wilderness; nothing could lessen his present evil, or soothe his afflicted mind.

The former peaceful serenity of his life was materially clouded; and in his turncalamitous wohad overtaken him—the inalienable portion ofhumanity,—andthe varied and shifting scenery in the great drama of timehad brought with it disaster.

mark wellthe varied and shifting scenery in the great drama of time... then say, if disappointment, distress, misery andcalamitous woe, are notthe inalienable portion ofthe susceptible bosom.

His spirit was sunk in despondency, and his sensations became utterlyabsorbed in melancholy; and all the pious and philosophicalreflectionsthat he exerted himself to bring to his remembrance, could scarcely afford even a transitory consolation in this afflicting dispensation.

Alonzo was too deeplyabsorpt in melancholy reflection....

From foreign lands the tidings borne,

With pain to wake a parent’sanguish,

O, brother dear, beloved of all,

For thee a brother’s heart mustlanguish.

Haste, sweetest Babe, beloved of all!

Our cheerful hours without theelanguish:

Ah! hush!.... he hears no more thy call!

Ah! hush!.... nor wake a parentsanguish!

“Thateye of brightnessglows no more,

That beaming glance in night is clouded;”

On Maracaibo’s distant shore,

“In death’s darkcell untimelyshrouded.”

Thatlip of rosesglows no more;

That beaming glance in night is clouded;

Those bland endearments all are o’er,

In death’s darkpall for evershrouded.

Alas! for himno kindred near

In hopes to minister relief;

He sees notear of pity shed,

He sees noparents’anxious grief.

Alas! for himwhose youth has bowed

Beneath the oppressive hand of pain;

Whose claim to pity disallowed,

Bids him the unheeded groan restrain.

Alas! for himwho droops like me,

Who mourns life’s fueled vigour flown,

But finds no soothing sympathy,

No tender cares his loss atone.

And as still evening came on,

In saddest solitude and tears,

His thoughts would turn on distant home,

On peaceful scenes and happier years.

He thought, too, what a favour’d clime

His gallant bark had left behind;

He thought how science there, sublime,

Beam’d her full radiance on the mind.

Though destined in a stranger’s land,

Detain’d from all he held most dear,

Yet one kind hand, benevolent,

Was found the gloomy hours to cheer.

O, how consoling is the eye

Ofhim who comes to sootheour woes;

O, what relief those cares supply

Whicha kind,watchfulfriendbestows.

When from this hand full well he found

How much can lenient kindness do

The generous Briton strives with care

His drooping spirits torenew.

Yes, stranger, thou wast kind, humane,

Withquickassistance prompt to move;

To ease the lingering hours of pain,

In pity’s kind endeavour strove.

When sickness o’er thy pallid cheek

Had stole the lustre from thine eye,

When near the doubtful crisis drew,

And life approach’d its latest sigh,—

He moved thee to his own retreat,

In his own mansion watch’d thee there;

Aroundthycouchhestillremained,

Thy drooping heart with hopes tocheer.

For him no wakeful eye of love

Resists the slumbers health would shed,

Withkindassistance prompt to move,

And gently prop the aching head:

With delicate attention paid

In hope to minister relief,

He sees nosacrifices made;

He sees noMother’sanxious grief!

But I, poor sufferer, doomed in vain

To woo the health which Heaven denied,

Though nights of horror, days of pain

The baffled opiate’s force deride,

Yet well I know, and grateful feel,

How much can lenient kindness do,

From anguish half its darts to steal,

And faded Hope’s sick smilerenew.

That love which brightened gayer hours,

When light youth danced to pleasure’s strain,

Exerts even yet unwearied powers,

The sweet support of nights of pain.

Oh! how consoling is the eye

Ofthe dear friend that sharesour woes!

Oh! what relief those cares supply,

Which watchful, active lovebestows!

And these are mine! — Shall I then dare

To murmur at so mild a lot?

Nor dwell on comforts still my share

With thankful and contented thought?

Though destined to the couch of pain,

Though torn from pleasures once too dear,

Aroundthatcouchshallstillremain

The love that every pain cancheer.

“Peace, wing’d in fairer worlds above,”

Has ta’en thy form away fromthis;

Has beckon’d thee to seats of glory,

To realms of everlastingbliss.

Peace, winged in fairer worlds above,

Shall bend her down to brightenthis,

When all man’s labour shall be love

And all his thoughts—a brother’sbliss.

So rich inpietyand worth,

Too soon, alas! lamented one,

Thou hast been call’d away from earth,

Andheaven has claim’d thee for its own.

Cora! thou wast not formed for earth:

So bright thy angel beauty shone,

So rich ininnocenceand worth,

Thatheaven has claimed thee for its own.

“’T isby degreesthe youthful mind expands;and every day,

Soft as it rolls along, shows some new charm;

Then infant reason grows apace, and calls

For the kind hand of an assiduous care.”

By degrees,

The human blossom blows;and every day,

Soft as it rolls along, shows some new charm,

The father’s lustre, and the mother’s bloom.

Then infant reason grows apace, and calls

For the kind hand of an assiduous care.

“Delightful task, to rear the tender thought,

To pour thenewinstruction o’er the mind,

To breathe the enlivening spirit, and to fix

The generous purpose in the glowing breast.”

Delightful task! to rear the tender thought.

To teach the young idea how to shoot,

To pour thefreshinstruction o’er the mind,

To breathe th’ enlivening spirit, and to fix

The generous purpose in the glowing breast.

The period at length arrived, when it became necessary that Alida should receive further instruction in the various branches of female literature. With this view, her father thought proper to change the place of her studies from the village school to the New-York Seminary.

It was his idea that nothing afforded so pleasing a prospect as the graces of beauty, aided by wisdom and useful knowledge, and that care should be taken that the mind should first be initiated in the solid acquirements, before the embellishments of education should be allowed to take up the attention or engross the thoughts; and that the first purposes of the teacher should be directed to endeavour to cause the mental powers of the scholar to be excited, in the first place, to attain to whatever is most useful and necessary, and that suitable application and industry was the only means wherebywe may gain celebrity in any art or science, or therein arrive at any degree of perfection.

“His heart glowed with paternal fondness and interesting solicitude, when he beheld the countenance of his child sparkling with intelligence, or traced the progress of reason in her awakened curiosity when any new object attracted her attention or exercised her imagination.” Delightful indeed were the sensations of a parent in the contemplation of so fair a prospect, which in some degree recalled again to his bosom some transient gleams of happiness.

In spite of the quotation marks, this passage has not been identified.

The season was now far advanced in autumn, and the trees were nearly stripped of their foliage; the radiant sun had in part withdrawn his enlivening rays to give place to the approaching coldness of winter, when Alida left her home, amid the innumerable regrets of her juvenile companions, to accompany her father to the city to finish her education.

They journeyed in a stage-coach from the village of ——, which, in the course of a few hours, conveyed them amid the tumultuous din of the busy metropolis. The female seminary to which Alida repaired was pleasantly situated in the western part of the town, where the refreshing and salubriousbreezes of the Hudson rendered it a healthy and desirable situation at all seasons of the year.

Although her father had only performed his duty in placing his child once more at school, yet it was at a greater distance from the paternal roof than formerly, and when he returned again to his residence, he felt his situation more lonely than ever, and he could scarcely reconcile himself to the loss of her society.

All was novel-like in the city to Alida, where she at once saw so many different objects to excite alternately her surprise, curiosity, and risibility, and where she experienced so many different sensations, arising from the sudden transition in being removed from scenes of uninterrupted tranquillity to those of gaiety and pleasure, of crowded streets and riotous entertainments, of obsequious beaux and dashing petits maîtres, and where all appeared to her one continued scene of business and confusion, scarcely reconcileable.

In the meantime her mind became engrossed by various new occupations. Among her favourite studies was the French language, which, at this period, was considered as one of the necessary appendages to female education, when scarcely any new work could be read without a regret to those who did not understand it. Music, dancing, anddrawing occupied her time alternately, and while these different amusements afforded a pleasing variety, they animated her mind anew with the powers of exertion that had been excited by early impressions—that whatever she attempted to learn, to be assiduous to learn it well, and that a mere superficial knowledge, in any science or accomplishment, was by no means desirable.

All her studies and amusements had their regular arrangements, and due application gave her many advantages over those of her own age, while it expanded her mind in a greater degree, and facilitated her progress in learning, and gave more ready improvement to her understanding and native capacities.

Her only surviving brother, whose name was Albert, had been a merchant in the city a number of years, and he still continued to live amid its perplexities, (although numbers had been unfortunate around him,) with as good success as could be expected at this time, on account of the restrictions on American commerce. One probable reason may be assigned why he had been more successful in his business than many others: he was guided in the management of his affairs by vigilance and industrious perseverance, and he was not only endued with the best abilities to fulfil the dutiesincumbent on his station in life, but was not remiss in the exercise of them. His manners, generally, were reserved, though he could be humorous and gay whenever occasion required; and when in convivial society, he could make one among the number of those who amused themselves in sallies of wit and pleasantry. He had acquired much useful and general information in his commerce with the world at large, which he employed at this time in various conversations on politics, as he could not be able to render himself serviceable to his country in any other way, being exempt from his childhood from performing military duty. His personal advantages were only surpassed by the superior qualifications of his mind, that had long been under religious influence and impressions.

In his public and private life he fully answered the expectations of his numerous acquaintance and friends, as well as the most sanguine wishes of an anxious and affectionate father, who yet seemed disposed to indulge in melancholy reflections, while his friends kindly endeavoured, by many pious and philosophical discourses, to awaken him to a consideration of his former piety, and humble trust in an all-wise Providence, reminding him that our greatest consolation consists in resigned and devotional feelings of gratitude to our Maker, even in the severestafflictions; who, although he may have thought fit to deprive us of some, for the many remaining blessings we may still be in possession of;

and thata firm reliance on Providence, howeverouraffectionsmaybe atvariancewith its dispensations, is the onlyconsolatory sourcethat we can have recourse toin the gloomy hours ofdistress;and that such dependance, thoughoftencrossed bytroubles anddifficulties, mayat lengthbe crowned withsuccessin our most arduous undertakings, and we may again meet with unlooked-for and unexpected happiness.

One thing was aimed to be shown, thata firm reliance on providence, howevertheaffectionsmightbe atwarwith its dispensations, is the onlysource of consolationin the gloomy hours ofaffliction;and thatgenerallysuch dependence, though crossed by difficultiesand perplexities, willbe crowned withvictory at last.

“Afflictions all his children feel,

Affliction is the Father’s rod;

He wounds them for his mercy sake,

He wounds to heal.”

A bruised reed he will not break,

Afflictions all his children feel;

He wounds them for his mercy’s sake,

He wounds to heal!

The clear, calm sunshine of a mind illumined by piety, and a firm reliance upon Supreme wisdom,crowns all otherdivine blessings. Itirradiates the progress of life, and dispels the evilsattendant on ournature; it renders the mind calm and pacific, and promotes that cheerfulness and resignation which has its foundation in a life of rectitude and charity; and in the full exercise of Christian principles we may find still increasing happiness.

“.... It isthe clearandcalm sunshine of a mind illuminated by pietyand virtue. Itcrowns all othergood dispositions, and comprehends the general effect which they ought to produce on the heart.”

...

A chearful temperirradiates the progress of life, and dispels the evilsof sublunarynature.

Still may the soaringeagle’s quenchless eye,

Watch o’er our favour’d country, braveand free,

Where the brightstars and stripesin honourwave,

The sacred emblemsofourliberty.

Let youreagle’s quenchless eye,

Fixed, unerring, sleepless, bright,

Watch, when danger hovers nigh,

From his lofty mountain height;

While thestripes and starsshallwave

O’er this treasure, pureand free,

The land’s Palladium, it shall save

The home and shrineof liberty.

Many disagreeable circumstances now combined to disturb the happy tranquillity of the American government. “A war had for some time existed between France and England.Americahadendeavoured to maintain a neutrality, and peacefully to continue a commerce withboth nations.Jealousies, however, arose between the contending powers with respect to the conduct of America, and events occurred calculated to injure her commerce and disturb her peace.

The remote causes of the second War with Great Britain appear to have arisen fromthe war existing between that power and France.America endeavored to maintain astrictneutrality, and peaceably to continue a commerce withthem.Jealousies, however, arose between the contending powers, with respect to the conduct of America, and events occurred, calculated to injure her commerce, and to disturb her peace.

“Decreeswere firstissued by the French governmentpreventingthe American flag from trading with the enemy;thesewere followed by the British orders in council, no less extensive than the former in design, and equally repugnant to the laws of nations. In addition to these circumstances, a cause of irritation existed sometime between the United States and Great Britain. This was the right of search claimed by Great Britain as one of her prerogatives. To take her native subjects,wherever found, for her navy, and to search American vessels for that purpose. Notwithstanding the remonstrances of the American government, the officers of the British navy were not unfrequently seen seizing native British subjects who had voluntarily enlisted on board our vessels, and had also impressed into the British service some thousands of American seamen.

The Berlin Decree of 1806, and that of Milan, in the succeeding year, (bothissued by the French government,to preventthe American flag from trading with their enemy,) were followed by the British Orders in Council; no less extensive than the former, in the design, and equally repugnant to, the law of nations. In addition to these circumstances, a cause of irritation existed some time between the United States and Great Britain. This was the right of search, claimed by Great Britain, as one of her prerogatives. This was to take her native born subjects, wherever found, for her navy, and to search American vessels for that purpose. Notwithstanding the remonstrances of the American government, the officers of the British navy, were not unfrequently seizing native born British subjects, who had voluntarily enlisted on board of our vessels, and had also impressed into the British service some thousands of American seamen.

“In consequence of the British and French decrees, a general capture of all American property on the seas seemed almost inevitable. Congress, therefore, on the recommendation of the president, laid an embargo on all vessels within the jurisdiction of the United States.

In consequence of the British and French decrees, a general capture of all American property on the seas seemed almost inevitable. Congress, therefore, on the recommendation of the President,on the 22d of December, 1807,laid an embargo on all vessels within the jurisdiction of the United States.

“In a moment, the commerce of the American republic, from being, in point of extent, the second in the world, was reduced to a coasting trade between the individual states. The opposition to the act in several of the states was so great that theyunanimouslydeclared against it, and individuals throughout the whole seized every opportunity of infringement;thereforeCongressthought proper torepealthe embargo law, and substituted a non-intercourse with France and England.”

“In a moment, the commerce of the American Republic, from being, in point of extent, the second in the world, was reduced to a coasting trade between the individual States.” The opposition to the act in several States was so great, that they declared against it, and individuals throughout the whole, seized every opportunity of infringement.In 1809Congressrepealedthe embargo law, and substituted a non-intercourse with France and England.

It was now generally expected that the session in Congress, with the decision of the president, would eventually terminate inactual hostilities.

The troubles which gave rise to the disseveration of England from America had already commenced, which broke out the ensuing spring intoactual hostilities.

The difficultiesthe chief executivehad to encounter were many and perplexing,

The difficultieswhich hehad to encounter were many and perplexing.

being fully convinced, under existing circumstances,thatthe Americans must engage in combatafter all. Hetherefore knewit to be necessary to rouse the feelings ofthe American people,to realize, more clearly than they did, the true situation of their country, that they might be prepared forthe approachingcrisisthathe believed unavoidable.

Being fully convinced ... that“they must fightafter all,” hefeltit to be necessary to rouse the feelings ofthe delegates from other colonies,to realize, more clearlyand more correctlythan they did, the true situation of their country. This he saw was indispensable,that they might be prepared forthat distressingcrisisof their political affairs, which it was obvious was approaching; andwhichheeven then, with a few others,believedwasunavoidable.

Thisperiod was full of anxiety and danger.

Theperiod was full of anxiety and danger.

A war was deprecated by all the leading patriots oftheday;they were fully persuadedthat it must take place; theythereforeunitedly determined to prepare for the storm in the best manner they were able.

Acivilwar was deprecated by all the leading patriots ofthatday. But the measures which the British government had long pursued towards the colonies,had fully persuaded themthat it must take place.... andthey unitedly determined to prepare for the storm in the best manner they were able.

Allmaterialbusiness was in a manner suspended in New-York; the face of things wore a dismal aspect, and the greater part of the community were in dismay. A heavy gloom hung over the inhabitants generally, while all their affairsappeared in a declining state, discouraging to the industry and best prospects of thepeople.

Alida’s father was no friend to political controversy, yet he passed much of his time in conversing with his friends on the present affairs of America. He knew that party spirit and animosity existed more or less at this time, and that he must consequently often meet with those of oppositeopinions; yet his honest and patriotic zeal for the good of his country still remained the same.

All businessof importance, at this time,was in a manner suspended in New-York; the face of things wore a dismal aspect, and the greater part of the community were in dismay; occasioned by the continuance of hostilities with Great Britain. Allappeared in a declining state, discouraging to the industry and best prospects of theinhabitants.

He was attached to liberty from principle; he had talents to discriminate and see into the justice of the measures of government; his retirement gave him full opportunity to reflect on them seriously, and solve them in his own mind, and see their absolute necessity, in order to maintain the honour, freedom, and independence of the American nation. Would the same wisdom in the government continue that had so nobly preserved us since our independence? But he had no reason at present to suppose otherwise, and that he who now guided the helm of affairs, was one of steady and uncorrupt principles, of stable character, altogether uninfluenced by any sinister views, and was willing to sacrifice his individual repose for the noble purpose, and with the hope of settling it again on the nation, with a firmer basis, at some future period, when the expected contest should be decided.

What feelings of commotion and deep anxiety must agitate the bosom of the magnanimous hero who is labouring truly for the interest of his country, and is actuated alternately by the claims of justice and humanity, and on whom a whole community must depend for council in cases of severe emergency, when his chief satisfaction consists inpromoting the interest and welfare of that community. When the hour of exigency arrives, his mind, endued with the light of piety, feels its own littleness, his weighty thoughts are big with the impending danger that no human arm may be able to arrest.

Heis the father of a numerous family; a man of unimpeached morals, andwas attached to liberty from principle, at a time, and in a country, when it was not unusual to be so, from mere speculation!

Impressed with religious awe, and feeling conscious of his dependence for aid on the all-wise Disposer of events, he bends in humble supplication to implore the favour of that great and beneficent Being whose power alone can save, and in whose mighty arm alone is victory.

“(All-wise) Disposer of events” was a stock phrase.

The father of Alida received regular intelligence by the daily papers respecting the political excitement in New-York; besides, he made frequent visits to the city to see his several children, as one of his daughters had resided there since her marriage. There was every kind of conveyance at the neighbouring village suited to the accommodation of travellers, both summer and winter, and the rapid improvement of the town had long been a current topic of the inhabitants as well as visiters, while they praised the proprietor of the new pavilion, in his manner of conducting it, and his excellent accommodations; and it was the general opinion that in the course of a few years this would become a place of no small consideration.

O,who that sighsto join the scenes of war?

If heaven-bornpityin thy bosom glow,

Reject the impurpled wreath; the laurel crown

Can flourish only in the scenes of wo.

OThou that sigh’stto join the scenes of war,

And gain the glories of the martial train;

Reflect what woes surround the trophied car,

What crimson tints the wish’d-for circlet stain.

If tender sympathy be not unknown,

If heaven-bornmercyin thy bosom glow,

Reject the impurpl’d wreath, the laurel crown

Can flourish only in the scenes of woe.

At length it became the unhappy fate of America to be a second time involved in a war with Great Britain.“Inamanifesto of the president, the reasons of the war were stated to be the impressment of American seamen, by the British; the blockade ofthe enemy’s ports, supported by no adequate force; in consequence of which the American commerce had been plundered in every sea; and the British orders in council.”

IntheManifesto of the President, the reasons of the war were stated to be “the impressment of American seamen by the British; the blockade ofher enemies, supported by no adequate force, in consequence of which the American commerce had been plundered in every sea; and the British orders in council.”

The declaration of war was a source of unavoidable regret to the good and wise president,* [*James Madison.] which affected his mind with feelings approaching to melancholy. No one possessed qualities more inclined to peace, anda wish to settleall affairs of statein a pacific manner, more than he did, if it were possible, and it could have been done without sacrificing all the dearest rights and interests of the people; and nothing but these repeated persuasions in his mind, founded on the principles of justice andhonour, caused him at length to be willing to yield to the stern necessity of decidingthe existingdifferencesby combat.

The object sought and desired from the deliberations of that assembly, wasa settlementin a pacific manner, of allthe existingdifficulties....

He possessed the qualities of a statesman in an eminent degree; he had well reflected on what he considered as inevitable. He was well versed in political science, and now only saw the realization of anticipated events, of which there had been sufficient warning. Although he had to contend with innumerable difficulties,having once formed his opinionof what was to be done,his patriotism was undeviating, and his integrity inflexible.

Since his country was again brought to a lamentable destiny, he now became ardently active in its cause, and was prepared to carry to the full extent such measures of defence and resistance as should be necessary to repel every invasion of the just rights and privileges of the Americans that they had long been in possession of since their dear-bought independence, and could not therefore be willing to submit to anything like oppression, even from the mother country.

Having once formed his opinions, he set himself about accomplishing his purposes....His patriotism was undeviating; his integrity inflexible....

Thisnationalcalamity, that seemed to awaken feelings of hilarity to some few among the multitude, but those of the deepest regret to so many others, wherethe partiesmust at length becomepersonally engagedandanimatedagainst each otherwith anenthusiastic ardour, and with the hopeto signalizethemselvesby their bravery—wherethe impetuosity of youthandthe experience of age are called forth in open field toexecutethe decideddiscussions ofgovernment,and to engage withpatrioticzeal in thecommon defence of their just rights and liberties; impelled with ambitiousimpulseto enlist themselves under the proud banners of their country, whilethe sound of martial musicstrikes a feeling of enthusiasm and enterprise to the bosom of the patriot.

On the first appearance ofthisdreadful and destructivecalamity, the partiesmore particularly andpersonally engaged, areanimated with an enthusiastic ardour,to have an opportunityof signalizingthemselvesin it. It is then thatthe impetuosity of youth, the fervour,the experience, the sapience,of old age, are called forth in open field, toput in force thediscussions ofthe cabinet,and to engage withrealzeal in thecause of their country; it is then that every manly breast feels a warlikeimpulsethrilling the whole frame!The soundof drums, the roaring of cannon, the clangor of every speciesof martial music, rise figuratively within us....

Thus, in the name and cause of honour, the youth, generous and brave, with all those who are compelled to take arms,sally forthwith the ambitious hope tobear downat onceallcontendingopposition, and give themselves no time to reflect onthe many disconsolate ones they leave behind them, that, however deeplyconcerned,can neither engageor assistin theshockingcontest; while they go forward hastily to meet the foe, andhostsareadvancing to dispute withthem the victory, and they canindulge no thoughtconcerningthose who, when the battle is over, may have tolament the loss of a father, brother, orsome other dearfriend,

... wesally forth, andbear down allmortalopposition. We scarcely, in our thoughts, surveythe disconsolate many we left behind; who, thoughconcerned,are not engaged,in themurderouscontest. Flushed with the hopes of suspended victory, the insignia of triumph hanging doubtful over our heads, wholehosts advancing to dispute withus our martial prowess, weindulge no thoughtsaboutthose who lament the loss of a father,a child, a husband, abrother, orafriend.

and whomournfullyawait the decisivetidings, whichperhaps is to render them for everdisconsolate; while they remaina prey to that incessantanguishwhichnaturallyawaitsthosewho have lost, in this manner, their dearest friends and relations.

Stunned with the fataltidings, whichmournfullyannounce the death of an affectionate father, behold the wretched family, thedisconsolate.... A prey to that incessantgriefwhich naturallyaccompaniesthoseto whom the fatal loss happens, the worthy sire, and the tender matron, lament the eternal exit of their ill-fated son....

Thick clouds were darkly pending

Above the battle fray,

And foemen were contending

For the fortune of the day.

And high in air the banner bright,

Waving o’er land and sea,

The potent symbol of their might,

The emblem of the free.

Brave hearts that stood amid the storm

That burst in fury round;

With many a stern and manly form,

Sunk powerless to the ground.

Deep gloom had settled round them,

And darkness veil’d the sky,

When Freedom, with her starry train,

Descended from on high.

When, at her bidding, lo, a chief

Amid the throng appear’d;

When, the goddess halted by his side,

And thus his spirits cheer’d:

“Oh, let not care oppress thee,

But banish far thy fears,

For, in blessing, I will bless thee,

And will wipe away thy tears;

“And a banner thou shalt still retain,

And a hand to lead the brave

To glory and to victory,

Or to the hero’s grave.”

Then fear not, honoured chieftain,

For yet again shall be,

Your flag shall wave o’er every land,

And float on every sea.

What though in foreign clime it waves,

Careering on the wind,

Whatever shore the ocean laves,

A due respect will find.

And the thunders of your ships of war

Along the deep shall roll,

While the canvas of your merchantmen

Shall sweep from pole to pole.

“And now, oh gallant chief,” she cried,

“Hold fast the glorious prize;

The flag with blue and crimson dyed,

And stars that gemmed the skies,

“Have left their native spheres to shed

Their radiance o’er the field;

Then while it waves above your head,

To the foeman never yield.

“Bright forms shall hover o’er thee

In the midst of war’s alarms;

And in triumph shall restore thee

To a nation’s waiting arms.

“Then on to Freedom’s stormy height,

Go forth in valour and in might,

And bear aloft this emblem bright,

Amid the battle fray.”

Now around their chief they rally,

And with zeal their bosoms glow;

While the hoarse cannon bellows forth

Defiance to the foe.

The battle rages loudly,

A dreadful carnage flows;

When the messenger of victory

The clarion trumpet blows.

Now clap your wings, oh Liberty,

And upward take your flight;

And let the gladsome tidings ring

Throughout the realms of light.

And bid your eagle sound her cry,

Wide o’er the land and sea;

For patriot arms have triumphed,

And the nation still is free.

Once more the song of Victory

Shall spread the earth around,

And the freemen on a thousand hills

Re-echo back the sound.

And a banner long shall wave on high,

And long your children stand,

United, with a sacred tie,

To guard their native land.

A song called “Thick Clouds Were Darkly Pending” was popular in the Civil War years, but has not been located.

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