her
particular walk of literature, which we never expect to see filled up!
Her loss to her own people is immense; she was a golden light between
the Christian and the Jew; respected and admired alike by both, she drew
each in charity closer to the other; she was a proof, living and
illustrious, of Jewish excellence and Jewish liberality, and loyalty,
and intelligence. The sling of the son of Jesse was not wielded with
more power and effect against the scorner of his people, than was her
pen against the giant Prejudice.

We have dwelt more than may be thought necessary on Grace Aguilar's
championship of her own people, because _that_ distinguishes her from
all other female authors of our time; and when writing of the "fold of
Judah," there is a tone of feeling in all she has published which
elevates and sustains her in a remarkable manner. In conversation, the
mention of her people produced the same effect. Sometimes she seemed as
one inspired; and the intense brightness of her eyes, the deep tones of
her voice, the natural and unaffected eloquence of her words, when
referring to the past history of the Jews,--and the positive radiance of
her countenance when she spoke of the gathering of the tribes at
Jerusalem, could never be forgotten by those who knew this young Jewish
lady. In time, as we have said, her own people estimated her as she
deserved. She received a very beautiful address from some of the "women
of Israel" before she left this country for Germany. Among her works of
a more general nature, "Home Influence" is perhaps the most popular; and
its sequel, "The Mother's Recompense," though only lately published, was
written as far back as the year 1836. "The Vale of Cedars" is a tale of
Jewish faith and Jewish suffering, founded on singular facts that came
to her knowledge through some of her own people: the arrangement of the
story was difficult, as it is always difficult to embellish what is
simple and dignified, without destroying its effect and beauty--but, as
we have said, whenever Grace touched upon her own people, she wrote and
spoke as one inspired; she condensed and spiritualized, and all her
thoughts and feelings were steeped in the essence of celestial love and
truth. We are persuaded that had this young woman lived in the perilous
times of persecution, she would have gone to the stake for her faith's
sake, and died praying for her murderers. And this heroism was not only
for the great trials of life;