t he could not have had the chances
abroad that so many of our less-talented Americans have had.
Besides the numerous instruments I have mentioned, there is
still another (which, perhaps, in character ranks higher
than any of the others): I mean the church-organ, upon which
he also plays."

This writer, like all the others mentioned, could not refrain from
closing his letter by a very handsome reference to Mr. Lewis's
gentlemanly traits of character.

Slightly below the medium size, of graceful form, with regular,
expressive features, and thoughtful cast of countenance; always neat
in appearance; of gentlemanly, Christian deportment; genial in
manners,--so amiable, as to be almost without an enemy; of very
industrious habits; fully impressed with the beauty, the grandeur, and
the great usefulness, of the divine art, as a potent means, when
properly employed, for elevating the mind, adding to innocent
enjoyment, and as an aid to polite culture; and with a soul absorbed
in music,--all this can be truly said of Frederick E. Lewis. Not much
more can or need be said to mark him, as he is, the Christian
gentleman and the wonderfully talented musician,--one whose charming
qualities fill the measure of our highest conception of the true, the
ideal artist.

XIV.

NELLIE E. BROWN,

THE FAVORITE NEW-HAMPSHIRE VOCALIST.

"The melody of every grace
And music of her face."

LOVELACE.

"And thence flows all that charms or ear or sight;
All melodies the echoes of that voice."

COLERIDGE.

All musical tones please the ear, and affect to a greater or lesser
degree the finer senses; for as beautifully and expressively sings
Cowper, explaining this sensibility,--

"There is in souls a sympathy with sounds:...
Some chord in unison with what we hear
Is touched within us, and the heart replies."

The musical instrument, of itself lying cold and inanimate, may
become, when touched by the hand of genius, seemingly a thing of life
as the performer evolves from its board tones of melody so thrillingly
sweet, so soulful, as to awaken in the listener's breast the holiest
emotions. Even stout-hearted men have shed the tear of feeling when
listening to the tenderly touching strains of the voiceful
violin; while the musical moanings of the violoncello have caused them
to experience feelings of a tender sadness.

[Illustration: NELLIE E. BROWN.]

I saw