en should understand that their home-life is the most
important, and give to it their devotion and love.

CHAPTER XVI.

AN EARLY DEATH.

"Grieve not that I die young--is it not well
To pass away ere life hath lost its brightness?
Bind me no longer, sisters, with the spell
Of love and your kind words. List ye to me:
Here I am blessed, but I would more be free--
I would go forth in all my spirit's lightness.
Let me depart!

"Ah, who would linger till bright eyes grow dim,
Kind voices mute, and faithful bosoms cold?
Till carking care, and toil, and anguish grim,
Cast their dark shadows o'er this fleeting world,
Till fancy's many-coloured wings are furled,
And all, save the proud spirit, waxeth old!
I would depart!

"Thus would I pass away--yielding my soul
A joyous thank-offering to Him who gave
That soul to be, those starry orbs to roll.
Thus--thus exultingly would I depart,
Song on my lips, ecstasy in my heart.
Sisters--sweet sisters--bear me to my grave;
Let me depart!"--Lady Flora Hastings.

We may be sure that Grace Darling's friends greeted her birthday with
the old fashioned, but significant wish, "Many happy returns of the
day." She had become exceedingly dear to them, and they wanted to keep
her with them. Life is not too bright at any time, but it becomes dark
indeed when our friends die. There are some lives that seem necessary,
not only to their own immediate circle, but to the world at large, and
there are many who desire that they may live long. It was so in the
case of our heroine. Wherever she appeared, she stirred men's hearts
to deeds of heroism and courage, and the world seemed to need her stay
in it. Moreover, for her own sake it appeared desirable that she
should linger in a state in which she received so much honour, and was
so greatly and universally beloved. As yet, she scarcely knew how
sincerely she was appreciated, and how much good her simple
unselfishness and devotedness had done. Had she lived until the
shadows of old age crept on her, and she who had helped others needed
help herself, then indeed she would have known how tenderly the people
of England had enshrined her in their hearts. They wished it. It is a
deeply-seated belief that long life is a blessing, and that to die
early is a misfortune. The belief, popular as it is, may be a mistaken
one; but it dwells in almost all hearts, and it wou