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VOTIVE WREATHS.

In the present number of the Messenger, we had de

signed weaving a simple chaplet for the grave of the gifted, in recurring to the death, so distressing and untimely, of Mrs. Jane Tayloe Worthington. But in the following tri

butes to her memory, this grateful and affecting office has

been much more touchingly performed than by any eulo. gium that we can bestow. Our correspondents have indeed well expressed the general burst of grief occasioned by the loss of so much genius and worth. We must be permitted to mingle our sorrows with theirs that another star has been extinguished from the little cluster of the

Pleiades.

Mrs. Worthington, like the lamented L. E. L., was one

Al

of those tranquil and benignant spirits, that sometimes walk the earth to show us how lovely is human nature, when guided by faith and softened by sensibility. though cut off in the spring-time of life, with a future full of bright and joyous anticipations, she has left behind her, in the pages of the Messenger, many glowing traces of her exalted ministry. These we shall learn to value with a

Oh then! a good-deed offering let us weave To lay, with spring-buds, on thine early grave.

And, when the sweet spring-time again returning With its young flowers makes bright the place of gloom,

Then let our fond hearts, to behold thee yearning,
Look forward to the world to which thy tomb
Was but the portal :-where-thy cross laid down,
So meekly borne on earth-thou wear'st the crown!
Thine earthly lyre hath ceased its tuneful ringing,
Yet still its echoes linger in thy home;
While thou, in numbers yet more rapt, art singing

Amid the white-robed, round the eternal throne. Thine heavenly harp breathes now no note of pain, And sister-spirits bend to catch its strain.

Joy for the ransomed spirit! thanks! that one more grave

May shed around a light of holiness To cheer and sanctify, to strengthen, save, And guide us as we onward still would press:

higher interest, while of the deplored one, we may say, in For, as of old, from out the heavenly home

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Are angel-voices still heard, saying “come."*

Farewell!" a little while," and we shall meet thee

Where, 'mid green pastures, silent waters flow, And with the watch-word of our faith shall greet thee,

And see thy smile though hidden from us now. We feel, while gazing at the path thou hast trode, "Bless'd are the pure in heart, for they see God!" MATILDA FREEMAN DANA.

Boston, Mass.

MRS. JANE TAYLOE WORTHINGTON.

"Ah! 'tis sad to speak of genius gone,
Of gifts departing from the goal they won,
Of those whose inspiration strong and true,
Tints for the many, dreams that haunt the few,
The glance that sees the rainbow in the sky,
And paints its glories ere its colors die,
They of the earnest thought, the spirit stern,
The mind that nobly grasps what others learn,
The pure in heart, the steadfast and the true,
Alas! one more is lost of those who were so few !"

The above lines were written on the death of the they now apply most sadly to her own. He died poet Campbell, by Mrs. J. T. Worthington; and when the days of life's autumn were fast speeding on. She had scarce entered the summer of her years.

* Rev. ii., 12.

"Gone while her step amid life's flowers was lightest To sleep the dreamless slumber of the dead."

Her thoughts still live, though the hand that traced them has lost its cunning, and the mind which made its brief dwelling so bright, hath sought its far off home of glory. Its rays still linger to brighten a world dark indeed without the light with which genius gilds it. How many a weary hour is winged by the joy their beautiful thoughts bring us, and how many a fainting soul cheered by the songs of those birds of Paradise, ever the first to leave us for a brighter shore. In the contemplation of their works we feel that we are immortal, that the ties which link us with angels are stronger than those "which are of the earth earthy." Much of her poetry has been published in the periodicals of the day, but much rarely beautiful has never been given to the public. She has been justly styled the Hemans of America. She strung again the lyre left by this gifted woman hanging so sadly on the willows-but alas! once more are its full chords hushed-its music on earth is o'er-but in heaven a sweeter song 'tis theirs to sing-and they there have "found fulfilled the fairest thoughts they only dreamed before."

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All must live to sorrow, but all are not forgotten when they die. They live in the words which have written themselves immortal--and "being dead yet speak." We owe to them almost all that remains

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to us of the mighty past, and for all the dearest The mighty mystery, the wondrous wire,

Stretching from shore to shore, from clime to

elime,

Conveys its freighted thoughts on wings of fire,

And mocks the power of distance and of time.

APPEAL OF IRELAND

TO MATERNAL ENGLAND, IN 1847.

Oh, England! Mother, we must call on thee

But mightier thou, through Time's eventful change, In this, our dire extremity of wo!

To search the annals of a former day, Through the deep ocean of the past to range, And bear each jewel from her depths away:

The fall of Empires, and the "Pomp of Power,"
Thou dost engrave upon the glowing page,
Compress the past into a fleeting hour,

And make a moment of a rolling age!

Imperial Rome, enslaved by sordid lust,
Though lost forever to the brave and free,
Rises in beauty from its crumbling dust,

And owes its Immortality to thee.

Waked by the power of the Pen to life,

Heroes and bards appear in ghostly train, Once more Achilles meets the deadly strife, And Homer sings his noble deeds again.

Thus o'er thy swelling wave, Eternal Time!
The might of wisdom of a former age,
In history's prose, or in the rounded rhyme,
Is borne triumphant in the magic page!

And not for these, alone, art thou designed,
The thoughts of human wisdom to impart,
To trace the follies of a little mind,

Or paint the glowing visions of the heart,

But higher objects, oh, Immortal Pen!

Must fill the measure of thy destinyThe vehicle of thought from God to men, The tongue of great Omnipotence to be!

For traced by Inspiration's fingers, thou

Canst point to where the holy Prophets stood, Again we look on Sinai's burning brow,

And hear the law fresh from the lips of God!

Thou, gilded with the light of fervent faith,
Canst cheer with hope the humble sufferer's
gloom,

Soothe the dark moments of approaching death,
And shed a ray of light across the tomb !

Bright arch between omnipotence and man!
Methinks thy kind assistance has been given
The gloomy darkness of the grave to span,

And lift the hopeless wanderer to heaven!

CARRIL,

Look from thy fulness on our abject need!
Give to our sons the refuse crumbs that fall
From thy luxuriously appointed boards.
Turn not away, but hear the stifled cries
Of agonizing thousands. Bow thine ear,
For voices choking in the utterance
Of Death's last shriek, sound faint and low,
Amid the mirthful echoes of thy halls.

And thou! young mother of a royal line!
Hast thou no thought of Ireland? Canst thou feel
A mother's love, and yet forbear to turn
To those who claim thy succor as their right?

Is there no spring of mercy in thy heart,
Or does the stricken rock refuse to yield
Compassion's gracious drops to us alone?
Look on thy babes, in lavish plenty nursed,
Then turn to ours and hear the pitying moans,
The gasping cries, the long-drawn shiv'ring shrieks
Which tell that welcome death has come at last.

Before thee, rampant Life sits, crown'd with flow'rs,
Around the festal board-whilst in our homes
Grim Death triumphant waves his sceptred arm,
And Famine reels among the yawning graves,
Where fester'd corses, all uncoffin'd lie.

Canst thou not feed the starving from thy hoard
Of needless luxuries? Give but the gems
That sparkle in thine ears, (unseemly show
At such a time,) and they will purchase bread
For starving innocents!

Oh! crowned Queen!
Bethink thee of the Holy One above!
Who placed the regal sceptre in thy hand,
And bound the chain of Duty on thy heart!
Thou, too! must stand before the judgment seat,
And bare thy bosom to his searching eyes.
Bethink thee of the solemn enquiry,
Where are thy people? which must pierce thine ear,
And probe thy heart at the dread bar of God!
Not Cain, the fratricide, did tremble more
At the dread summons of a righteous Judge,
Than thou wilt tremble on thy day of doom,
If thou withholdest succor from thine own!
We are thy subjects! thou didst draw from us
The means of wasteful luxury-so long
As our hard hands could gather up the pence
That duty bound us to award to thee !

Queen of a mighty realm! and can it be
That those whose counsels sway thy youthful mind
Can harden thee against our hapless race!
Oh! heed them not. They cannot teach aright
Who would unknit the ties that God hath bound!

HISTORY OF VIRGINIA.

*

habitants, [January 1st 1776,] a party of sailors and marines landed and set fire to the nearest houses. The party was covered by [December 9th, 1775.] A little before a heavy cannonade from the Liverpool frisunrise, Captain Fordyce, at the head of gate, two sloops of war and the governor's sixty grenadiers of the fourteenth regiment, armed ship, the Dunmore. A few were who, six abreast, led the column, advanced killed and wounded on both sides. A printalong the causeway. The alarm being given ing press had been removed from Norfolk in Woodford's camp, a small guard at the some time before this, on board the governbreast-works began the fire; others hastened or's ship, and according to his bulletin, pubfrom their tents and regardless of order kept lished after this affair, it was only intended up a heavy fire on the head of the British to destroy that part of the town next the column. Fordyce though received so warm-water. The provincials, however, strongly ly in front, and flanked by a party posted on prejudiced against the place, made no ata rising ground to his right, rallied his men tempts to arrest the flames as they spread and marched up to within twenty yards of from house to house. After four-fifths of the breast-work, when he fell pierced with the town were destroyed, Col. Howe, who many bullets. His followers now retreated, had waited on the convention to urge the galled by the fire of a handful of riflemen necessity of completing the destruction, reunder Colonel Stevens, but being covered by turned with orders to that effect, which were the artillery of Dunmore's fort, they were not immediately carried into execution. Thus pursued. Every British grenadier was killed, fell the most populous and flourishing town and the whole number of the enemy's killed in Virginia. Its rental, [1775,] amounted to and wounded, amounted to about one hun- $44,000 and the total loss was estimated at dred. Four officers were killed and one $1,300,000. wounded and made prisoner. Woodford's Dunmore continued to carry on a predatotroops suffered no loss. This was the first ry warfare on the rivers, burning houses and scene of revolutionary bloodshed in Virginia. plundering plantations. The convention On the night following this action, the roy- having raised six additional regiments, Conalists evacuated their fort, and lord Dunmore gress doubtless misled by the machinations took refuge on board of one of his vessels. of a cabal, agreed to take the six new regiCol. Howe, with five or six hundred North ments of Virginia on continental establishCarolina troops, now joined Woodford and ment, thus passing by the two first, so as to assumed command of all the provincials at exclude Colonel Henry from the chief comthe Great Bridge. Col. Henry now saw mand, to which he was best entitled. Woodford, who had refused to acknowledge convention, however, interfering, the two his command, submitting himself to an officer older regiments were admitted into the conof no higher rank and of another colony. tinental line; but here again unrelenting The provincials under Howe took posses-envy procured commissions of brigadier gension of Norfolk. Dunmore's fleet being now eral for Colonel Howe and Colonel Andistressed for provisions, upon the arrival of drew Lewis. Colonel Henry now declined the Liverpool man-of-war from England, a the commission tendered him by Congress flag was sent on shore to enquire whether and resigned that which he held under the the inhabitants would supply his majesty's convention. Il treatment drove him, as it ship. Being answered in the negative and had driven Washington, from the army. The the ships in the harbor being continually an- troops encamped at Williamsburg knew how noyed by a fire from the quarter of the town to appreciate their loss; they immediately. lying next the water, Dunmore determined went into mourning and being under arms to dislodge the assailants by burning it. waited on him at his lodgings. In their adPrevious notice having been given to the in- dress they deplored his withdrawal, which * Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. 1, pp. 68-69. This author was with Woodford in this expedition. Bark, vol. 4. p. 86. The Bland Papers, vol. 1, pp. 38-39. Richard Kidder Meade, father of Right Rev. William Meade, was present at the affair of the Great Bridge.

VOL. XIII-82

The

deprived them at once of a father and a commander, but applauded his just resentment at a glaring indignity. Henry closed his reply in these words:"I am unhappy to

part with you. May God bless you and give the American States waved from the capitol. you success and safety and make you the June 12th, the Bill of Rights prepared by glorious instrument of saving our country." Mr. Jefferson, (who was at this time in PhilHenry dined on that day with the officers at adelphia,) was adopted and on the 29th, a the Raleigh tavern and in the afternoon they constitution, mainly composed by George proposed to escort him out of town. The Mason. This gentleman, the author of the soldiers, however, now assembled tumultu- first written constitution in the world, was ously and unwilling to serve under any other pre-eminent for his enlarged views, profound commander, demanded their discharge. Col. wisdom, extensive information and the pure Henry, therefore, found it necessary to re- simplicity of his republican principles. As main a night longer in Williamsburg and a speaker he was earnest and impressive, but visiting the barracks in company of Colo- devoid of all rhetorical grace. nel Christian and other officers, he employ- Patrick Henry, Jr., was elected the first ed his eloquence in allaying the commo- republican governor of Virginia, he receiv tions which had arisen. Love and admira- ing 60 votes and Thomas Nelson 45. The tion for Henry pervaded the whole army and salary was fixed at £1000 per annum. The the great body of the people. In March he first council appointed under the constituwas addressed by ninety officers at Kemp's tion consisted of John Page, Dudley Digges, Landing, at Suffolk and at Williamsburg, John Tayloe, John Blair, Benjamin Harriupon the indignity offered him, whose elo- son of Berkeley, Bartholomew Dandridge, quence had first taught them to resent op- Thomas Nelson and Charles Carter of Shirpression and whose resolution had first led ley. Mr. Nelson on account of his infirm them forward to resist it. This indignity old age declining the appointment, his place they attributed to envy. It seemed to them was supplied by Benjamin Harrison of Branindeed an effort to fetter and retard in his don. [7th of June, 1776,] a resolution in upward flight the republican eagle, whose favor of a total and immediate separation adventurous wing had launched into the from Great Britain was moved in Congress storm, while others sate crouching in their by Richard Henry Lee* and seconded by nests mute and thunderstruck. Immediate- John Adams. [June 28th,] a committee ly upon his return to Hanover, Mr. Henry was was appointed to prepare a declaration of returned a delegate to the Convention. This independence. The members of the combody assembled in the capitol at Williamsburg, mittee were Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, [6th of May, 1776.] Edmund Pendleton Benjamin Franklin and Robert R. Livingswas elected president. This eminent man, ton. Richard Henry Lee, the mover of the born in Caroline county, [1741,] had over- resolution, had been compelled by the illcome the disadvantages of a defective edu-ness of Mrs. Lee to leave Congress on the cation by study and good company. In day of the appointment of the committee. person he was spare, his countenance no- Mr. Lee's place was filled by Roger Sherble. With a vigorous judgment he united man. The declaration of independence was indefatigable application and thus became a adopted, [4th of July, 1776.] It was comprofound lawyer and consummate states- posed mainly by Mr. Jefferson. † The Virman. A zealous churchman, he never lost ginia delegates who subscribed it were his veneration for the hierarchy. His man- George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, Thomas ners were graceful and dignified. As a Jefferson, Benjamin Harrison, Thomas Nelspeaker he was distinguished by a melodi- son, Jr., Francis Lightfoot Lee and Carter ous voice, a distinct elocution, fluency, vigor, Braxton. urbanity and simplicity. *

May 15th the convention unanimously adopted resolutions instructing the Virginia

Thomas Nelson, Jr., son of Hon. Wil

* 1 Writings of Jefferson, p. 10.

+ Sce copy of original draught of the Declaration, Ib.,

delegates in Congress to propose to that PP. 16-22 and fac simile of the MS. appended to vol. 4.

body to "declare the United Colonies free and independent States." On the next day a feu de joie was fired and the Union flag of • Wirt's Life of Henry.

There is preserved at Shelly, in Gloucester county. Virginia, seat of Mrs. Mann Page, a daughter of General Nelson, a fine portrait of him, taken while he was a student at Eton, by an artist named Chamberlin, London, 1754. I was informed by Mrs. Page that her father never afterwards would consent to sit again for a portrait and that

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