ed up into enthusiasm, and a graceful dignity that
marked every action, while it seemed only a necessary part of herself,
forcibly reminded one sometimes of the heroines of the ancient
Scriptures. So in her youthful years, before her eyes were fully
opened to the vision, and before to the sound of the clanging timbrel
her voice responded to the triumph song of the children of Israel,
might have looked the prophetess, Miriam.

No contrast could be stronger than that presented by sweet Anne
Bernard. Light colored hair fell in graceful curls around an oval and
perfectly regular face, of the most delicate complexion. So thin, so
almost transparent was the skin, that the veins seemed hardly hidden,
and a very slight emotion was sufficient to suffuse it with a tint
that needed to fear no rivalry with the rose. No heaven could be bluer
than the soft eyes that seemed "to love whate'er they looked upon,"
and whether dimmed with the tear of pity, or flashing with mirth,
revealed a pure, but not a timid spirit. But among features which all
were beautiful, if one could be called more beautiful than another, it
was the mouth, and white as snow were the regular and perfectly formed
teeth which the crimson lips concealed. Her figure was rather below
than above the ordinary height, and its roundness indicated the
most perfect health. Let not this description be deemed a picture of
romance. Those acquainted with the beautiful daughters of New England
will acknowledge its truth, or, at least, confess, it errs not on the
side of exaggeration.

The intermediate time between the arrival of the company and the
serving up of dinner, was spent by them in such conversation as
usually takes place on occasions of the kind. Somebody has said, that
two Americans cannot meet without talking politics, but we can vouch
for the fact, that although Mr. Armstrong, the doctor, and divine were
federalists, and the Judge a democrat, having spent several of his
early years in France, where he was supposed to have imbibed his
sentiments, not a word on the subject was uttered. A reference or two
was made to the minister's discourse; the flourishing condition of the
country and its prospects adverted to; and some items of domestic
news and village anecdotes narrated. Such was the conversation of the
elders: as for what passed between the young people, we know there was
some laughing, but have forgot what they talked about. We regret this
irreparable loss, and