THE OLD ORDER CHANGETH

383 unlike our dear Stephen Brewer, I feel that I can most readily appropriate to him that place in my heart which was so warmly devoted to our lost son-in-law, whose affectionate attentions and many kindnesses will never be forgotten by me. I believe' all our friends are as much pleased with Mr. Delano as we are, and in addition to liking him, it is most pleasant to be able to like all his brothers and sisters..

In October of 1843, my mother parted with her youngest child, Catherine Robbins, who accompanied her husband to China, within a month after her marriage.

I cannot help recalling here that, within a few weeks after our return to Northampton, after parting with "the lamb of our flock," the first sounds. reached us of the coming of the railroad to Northampton. Every morning we were wakened at five o'clock with the sound of the tramping of horses through the Main Street, that carried the parties of workmen on the road. Vaguely we prophesied the changes that would come to our village, and talked together when we met, of the possibilities of the future. I remember a beautiful, moonlight evening, when we walked in the rural street that is now so changed, and talked neither wisely nor too well of the future of our town. Mr. Ellis and Gertrude and Caroline Clapp were of the number. I forget the others. It never seemed to occur to any of us that we, our homes, our old trees, our society, were not eternal fixtures there; and we

spoke of the probable new-comers as forming a society of their own, while we remained as we were, happy and undisturbed in our old customs and rural habits.

The homes and trees have disappeared; and of all that little group none are dwellers by those mountains; but, though most of them are plying "their daily task with busier feet" in the dusty streets of far-off cities, is not the bond of goodfellowship between them the stronger, and do they not "a holier strain repeat," for having passed their youth in sight of these mountains, and in the society of the nobler types of character that lived in those simple times? Let us not look back and say that those days were better than these. us rather rejoice that, where hundreds once enjoyed that beautiful valley, it is now a blessing to thousands; and that, though Nature has often been defaced by Art since that happy time, the mountains still stand firm, and also the memories of those high-toned men and women who fixed an early impress on all around them.

Let

To Miss Hannah Stearns, Northampton, April 28, 1844. MY DEAR HANNAH,- I cannot, by any effort I am capable of, express to you adequately how much I have felt for you since I have heard of your great affliction. I had, when M's marriage occurred, thought much of the promise you had before you of increased enjoyment. I never dreamed that the interposition of death could oppose an obstacle to your anticipations. I have heard nothing but the

TRIBUTE TO MISS STEARNS

385

fact, and feel very desirous to know all that relates to it. The death of your sister is among the deepest mysteries of Divine Providence; and were it not for the faith which instructs us that infinite love and infinite wisdom overrules the events of our destinies here, we might, in our short-sightedness, distrust the idea altogether. Let us then rejoice that all that is not placed within our control is under Heavenly direction. I am continually asking myself, "How is Mrs. S supported under this great trial?" And then, "How can my dear Hannah be reconciled? for it must have been unexpected."

When you can, do let me hear from you; and likewise how Mr. sustains himself. He is the greatest sufferer, with all his newly-formed and fervent hopes cut off. And I have heard much of his enthusiastic attachment; and so wisely as it was bestowed, we must all approve and admire his judgment as well as his well-directed sympathies. Let us be grateful that we are not wholly of dust, but that there is a spirit within us which can never taste of death; and that, after such a devotedly useful, intellectual, and pure life as was your sister's, we have the assurance that she will reap an inheritance of glory, honor, and immortality. Her friends can have none but the kindest remembrance of her. And her good example is a fountain of treasures that will be stored in the memory of those who have known and loved her, and felt the infusion of her spirit to be a blessing to them.

Spring has again returned to us, and spread in her

at we

way a freshness and a glory which I feel to be a perpetual ministration of love to my heart,— a whispering of joys that never decay, which comes in the song of birds, in the sweet perfume of flowers, combined with the most perfect verdure I ever saw at this season. So that the beauty which surrounds us would be all that we could desire, and all could enjoy, were it not contrasted with the sadness of this life's experience; the multiplied sorrows and disappointments Heaven has found necessary for our discipline. When a mother loses an infant from her arms, we are all anxious to know how she will bestow the faculties and the time so tenderly engrossed. But I am, from my own experience of sorrow, most anxiously engaged in finding a way to appropriate those thoughts and affections which, in their exercise, did not require our immediate care, but were combined with all our plans and anticipation. This void made in my heart by the death of my much-valued child is still unfilled, and though I am from habit accustomed to it, I am never insensible to it; and I am sure she is more constantly in my thoughts than my living children are who are absent. This is a great source of pleasure which you will enjoy, and one which proves the value of an intellectual life such as was your sister's.

Give my love to your mother; tell her my heart is furnished largely with sympathy for those who have lost a good daughter.

Your very affectionate and sympathizing friend, ANNE JEAN LYMAN.

ON THE GIFT OF A PURSE

To Mrs. Greene, Northampton, Aug. 30, 1844.

387

MY DEAR ABBY,- We were very glad, some ten days ago, to see Mary Howe, and with her to get good intelligence of yourself and all your household, together with all our other friends in Cincinnati. I have likewise to thank you for your kind remembrance of me in a purse, which will be of the highest value to me as a proof of love. You may remember Cowper's lines on a similar occasion, and I will give them here in case you do not:

"Gold pays the worth of all things here,

But not of love,- that gem's too dear
For richest rogues to win it.

I therefore, as a proof of love,
Esteem your present far above
The best things kept within it."

It is pleasant to know that some of the best things in this life cannot be purchased with money, and are not diminished by the lack of it. My thoughts are often turned to your little circle; which I have the more pleasure in, now that I know Catherine as grown to maturity. You have heard of the death of Charlotte's son, who was nine months old. They have had a great deal of suffering during the last two months of its life. Little Anne is a very lovely child; and, as might be expected, is doted upon by her parents. Her father will take great pains and have great pleasure in her education, she is so very susceptible. Since they went to Cabotville they have not been here. I have been there once, and mean to go again soon, if something imperious does not prevent.