Viewing page 171 of 309

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

304  LYDIA JANE PEIRSON.

requisition to establish a system of common schools for the general education of the people, Thaddeus Stevens, a distinguished lawyer of the state, made a masterly speech in the Legislature in favour of education. Judge Ellis Lewis, who is also distinguished for his learning and ability as a jurist, was at the time President of several literary institutions, and zealously engaged in promoting the cause of education by delivering literary and scientific lectures. About this time, a powerful production in poetry, in favour of education, made its appearance, and gave a new impetus to the cause. Judge Lewis made immediate inquiry concerning the writer of it; and ascertained that, owing to a long and sad train of misfortunes, the fair authoress, with a large family, was without a home, and in a state of great pecuniary embarrassment. He met Mr. Stevens, then a rich bachelor, in the Chamber of the House of Representatives, and suggested the propriety of raising something for the relief of so much talent and worth. With that true benevolence for which Mr. Stevens is distinguished, he authorized the Judge to purchase a suitable farm, such as the lady herself might select, and without any limit with respect to the price, to draw upon him for the amount. The lady was overwhelmed with astonishment when she received a letter from Judge Lewis, who was only known to her by reputation, apprising her of his commission. She, however, made the selection, and the Judge made the purchase, and forwarded to Mrs. Peirson the deed drawn to Thaddeus Stevens, in trust for the separate use of Lydia Jane Peirson, and her heirs and assigns for ever. It is but justice to add, that Mrs. Peirson was an entire stranger to Judge Lewis and Mr. Stevens. Neither had ever seen her."

In 1845, a volume of Mrs. Peirson's poetry was published in Philadelphia, called Forest Leaves, and in the following year, another called The Forest Minstrel. Her poems have appeared also in Graham's Magazine, and other periodicals, to which she still contributes. She writes from the heart, with an intensity of feeling, and a strength of expression, that show she has thought and suffered much. Her muse has, indeed, been disciplined in the school of sorrow; she has had little leisure for study, and her poems have been generally "written by the flickering lamp of midnight, with a weary hand, and yet more weary heart."

LYDIA JANE PEIRSON.       305

REMEMBRANCE OF CHILDHOOD.

(FROM "MY OLD LETTERS.")

THE fire is blazing on the ample hearth,
Diffusing comfort through the antique room,
And we are watching in our simple mirth
The giant shadows starting from the gloom.

With seeming menace and imperious air
They seem to beckon with their wavering hands,
And flit away. We wonder whence they are,
And seek to reason of the ghostly bands.

But at our mother's voice we leave our play,
And crowd our low seats close around her chair;
Each prompt to meet the loving smiles that play
Upon her lips and brow so purely fair.

Her beautiful white hand forsakes awhile
The task by love made pleasant for our sake,
To rest a moment, with caressing wile,
On brows that 'neath that pressure could not ache.

Her clear eyes rest with proud yet troubled joy
Upon the blue-eyed treasures at her feet;
The rosy girl, the noble-hearted boy,
The little smilers, with their prattle sweet.

All good and happy, through her pious care,
Loving and well-beloved, a blessed band,
All leaning on her love, rejoiced to share
The blessings of her voice, her love, her hand.

And, now, our father, who, the whole day long,
Had plied the art by which he earns us bread,
With glance of pleasure on his own glad throng,
Sits down to taste the feast for reason spread.
26*                   U

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-06-29 10:53:00 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-06-29 10:49:40