Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-12-28
MARGARET MILLER DAVIDSON.

Among the deaths mentioned IN Inc jour
nails, ie tina, of Mss Margaret M iller David-
son, which took place at Saratoga Springs
in the 18th year Of her age. She was the
sister of Lucretia M. Davidson, whose n'-
erary remains have been published ana
were deemed so extraordinary, that one OF
the mos, eminent authors ofthe age thought
them worthy Of a notice from his pen 10
the Quarterly Review. Margaret the
youngest sister. whose death has recently
occurred, was if possible, more extraor'
binary person than the elder poetess.--
Her intellectual powers showed indications
Of astonishing strength and maturity. at an
uge when she was scarcely out Of her infancy
When she was but FIVE years old she learn
cd 10 write OF her own accord. and IN
secret, by copying the printed characters
in books and the first use she made OF the
art was to commit to paper The verses
which che even then composed. She OBJ
served, however, the greatest reserve in
regard 10 her writings, and il was only by
accident that her mother, in discovering
little hoard Of literary treasure, found that
che had learned to write, and at that ten.
der age had already become on author.
The following lines were written q, the
age Of nine years. We question whether
the annals of literary composition can show
any thing produced at that age. equal to
them in merit, in proprety and beauty Of
thought, versifcation, and command Of
language.
would fly from the city, would fly from its care,
TO my own native plants and my flowers 80 fair,
To The cool grassy shade and the rvulet bright.
Which reflects the pale moon 10 its bosom OF light.
Again would view the old cottage so dear,
Where spor,cd babe, v,,i,ou' fear:
would leave This great city, as b. illiani and gay,
For pep m, home on This fair summer day.
have friends whom love, and would leave with
regret.
But the love Of nv home, Of, Ills ienderer vet.
There a sister reposes, unconscious in death
Twas there she first drew, and there Welded her
breath.
father love is away from now,
Oh could ! but print sweet Kiss on ms brow,
Or smooth The grew locks 10 my fond heart dear,
How quickly would vanish each trace Of tear.
Attentive | listen 10 pleasures gay call,
But my own happy home cit is dearer than ALL
Her moral faculties were nntolded with
the same prematurity as her intellectual.
She is described to US as one Of the most
conscientious, RICH, minded ard affectiona' e
Of human beings, overlooking with the
kinJest and most generous sympathies.
A shade of melancholy, however. al
ways seemed to res, upon her mind, as if q
presen,iment Of her early fate was continu
ally present. Her bodily and nervous or
ganization were extremely delicate. A
strain Of fine music produced upon her the
most remarkable effect; it made her trem'
BILE and weep, and sometimes seemed
almost to stop the circulation in her veins
She died Of the consumption, early, aud
as it seemed, fully riponod. both in hc
stage Of our being that world Of SUBTLE
essences, larger knowledge and deepe
emotions.
The following is the last thing sh'
wrote. 1t is addressed to her mother, ant
seems to have been composed in the pros
pect of approaching dissolution:
Oh mother, would The power were mine
To wake The strain thou ov'st TO hear,
And breathe each trembling ut ". born though
Within thy iondly listnIng ear,
A, when in days of heal h and glee,
My hopes and fances wandered free.
But, mother. now shade hath past
Alhwart my brightest visions here;
cloud Of darkes; gloom hath wrapt
he remnant OF my brief career
No song, no echo, can | win,
The sparkling foun, hath dried within,
The Torch Of oar,hi, hone burns dim
And fancy spreads her wings no more,
And oh, how vain aud trivial seem
The pleasures that priced before;
My soul with trembling Steps and slow,
Is struggling on through doubt and strife;
Oh, may il prove, as time rolls on,
The pathway 10 eternal life
Then when my cares and fears are DER,
III sing thee, as in "days Of yore."
I said that hope has passed from earth,
'rwas but 10 fold her wings in heaven.
To whisper Of the souls new birth,
or sinners saved and sins forgiven;
When mine are washed in tears away,
Then shall my spirit swell my lay;
When God shall guide my soul above.
BY The soft chords Of Heavenly love-
When lie vain cares Of earth depart,
And tuneful voices swell my heart
The. shall each word, each note I raise,
Burst Nr,h in pealing hymns ofprase,
And all aot offered at His shrine,
Dear molser, will place on thine.
SARATOGA SPRINGS, November. 1888.
()NE Ar -HAVn