The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-03-16
MISCELLANEOUS.
From The N. Y. Commercial Advertiser.


MARGARET MILLER DAVIDSON
Often is it the lot Of the living to mourn
the young and fair; but seldom do we weep
for a flower which, having faded SO early,
leaves SO rich perfume-such refreshing
fragrance--as the subject of this imperfect
sketch.
Margaret Miller Davidson was born in
Plattsburgh, and was aged little more than
two years at the time Of the death OF her
sister, the lamented authoress of Amir Khan
In her childhood she exhibited thoughtful
ness OF character and reflective mind, which
to strangers seemed beyond her years. Yet,
far from melancholic in her temperament, her
buoyancy, light fancy, and sparkling gaiety
were the charm Of that freside around which
her dearest affec tons always centred.
II is not surprising that, in family so dis
finguished in at least two Of its members,
particular points Of difference and resemblance
were confounded and therefore, in very
interesting notice Of Miss Davidson, which
appeared some weeks since, one or two cir
cretia have been ascribed to the early days Of
her younger sister. There was enough Of
remarkable incident in the brief existence of
both, to make it desirable to keep the exact
record; and while there was nothing exceed
ing belief, it is true that, from infancy up in
dubtable proof was afforded to that poetic
ardor which is indeed true poesy; not so
much, however, by extraordinary attainments,
as by the precious development Of her mental
powers in general.
As early as the workings Of her mind can
be traced, she seemed to give promise of" the
genius in judgment and reasoning, that en-
abled her to give that attention to subject
which kept il steady in the mind till it could
be surveyed on all Sides" as well as g a talent
Of the Imagination which bounded from
earth to heaven and from heaven to earth, IN
a moment" We know not that it is common
for poets to possess these two qualities, but
while the poetic remains Of Miss Davidson
plainly discover the latter, her taste for meta
physical writings, the ease with which she
weighed arguments, and grasped process of
reasoning, Justify her friends in the conclu-
sion, that in the former quality she was not
deficient
1t is not our intention to describe the mental
lineaments of this lovely being. We would
leave this pleasure TO ADLER hands, but it is
natural and human 10 desire TO know what
were the first emanations of the poet. Though
trained as she had been, "under the eye" OF
fond parents, with mother who from infancy
had shared every thought, and whose heart
was completely interviewer with her own, 1t
is still difficult to speak with accuracy Of her
first introduction to the muse. 1t is known
that she read well at four, and joined letters
in writing legibly, at six and then her favo-
80 thnxx L M
Of the Seasons she committed to memory,
and her childish voice might be heard repeat
ing page after page, as other children repeat
their nursery ditties. Her language, from the
time when she began to speak, was invaria-
bly, appropriate, and her articulation distinct
and many other "reminiscences of her child
hood show that her power Of comparison
was unusually accurate at very early pc
Rod.
The subject of her first poetic effusion,
which has been preserved, was row Of
poplars, to which as they waved in the wind,
before the window at which she was standing,
she called her mothers attention in rhyme
and that unknown to herself. Her mother,
struck with the mellihuence Of the language,
copied as she repeated the lines. This was
at five wears. Another oral effusion followed
soon after, as she sat at her mothers feet,
resting her head on her lap, listening to a
thunder storm. The following ode was COM
posed, and by herself transcribed into her
commonplace book, in her eighth year.
Roll on, roll on bright orb Of day
Roll on, thou beanteous queen Of event ...
Ye stars that ever twinklng play,
And sweetly grace the arch of Heaven.
Roll on, until thy Gods command
Shall rend the sky, and tear the earthl
Till he stretch forth his mighty hand,
And check the voice Of joyous mrth.