d by those
to whom fortune has been more indulgent. Their struggle with obstacles
in the way of improvement, and final triumph over them, is an invaluable
preparation for the rude conflicts of life; their ingenuity is quickened
by the hourly necessity of expedients to meet emergencies, and the many
trials which are unavoidable in their circumstances, and which must be
met with energy and resolution, give habits of patient endurance, and
noble courage.

From all the accounts which we have of her, Sarah must have been a most
engaging child. Gentle and affectionate in disposition, and persuasive
and winning in manners, there was yet an ardor and enthusiasm in her
character, combined with a quiet firmness and perseverance, that ensured
success in whatever she attempted, and gave promise of the lofty
excellence to which she afterwards attained. All who have sketched her
character notice one peculiarity--and it is one which commonly attends
high merit--her modest unobtrusiveness.

She was very fond of little children, and easily won their affections;
but showed little disposition even in childhood, to mingle in the sports
of those of her own age. This arose from no want of cheerfulness in her
bosom; but from a certain thoughtfulness, and fondness for intellectual
exercises which were early developed in her character.

Her principle, as well as her fondness for her mother, led her never to
shrink from what are termed domestic duties, but her heart was not in
them as it was in study and meditation. An illustration of this trait
was recently related by her brother. Sarah was repeating some lines on
the death of Nancy Cornelius, which attracted the attention of her
mother, who asked her where she had learned them. With some hesitation
the child confessed that she had composed them the day before, while
engaged in some domestic avocation, during which her unusual
abstracedness had been noticed. Her early poetical attempts evince
uncommon facility in versification; and talent, that if cultivated might
have placed her high in the ranks of those who have trod the flowery
paths of literature; but hers was a higher vocation; and poetry, which
was the delightful recreation of her childhood, and never utterly
neglected in her riper years, was never to her anything _more_ than a
recreation.

Her effusions at the age of thirteen are truly remarkable, when we
consider the circumstances under which they were written. One, which is
given