Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-06-18

exclaiming that there was an awful thundcrgust
rising, and that the clouds were black as mid
night
gently drew her to my bosom," saws Mrs.
Davidson, "and after had soothed her agitation,
she seated herself at my feet, in my lap, and
gazcd at the rising storm. AS the thunder roll
led, she clung closer TO my knees and when
the tempest burst in all its fury felt her trem.
bic. passed my arms round her, but soon
found it was not fear that agitated her Her
eyes kindled as she watched the warning ele-
ments, until extending her hand, she exclaimed,
"Thc lightning plays along the sky,
The thunder rolls aud bursts from hight
Jchovals voice amid the storm
heard-mcthinks see his form,
As riding on the clouds of even,
He spreads his glory DER the heaven
Between the age of seven and eight:
we have spoken of the buoyancy of Marga-
rets feelings, and the vivid pleasure she recei-
we'd from external objects she entered, however
but little into the arnuscments of the few chill
dren with whom she associated, nor did she take
much delight in their society she was conscious
of difference between them and herself, but
scarce knew in what it consisted. Their sports
seemed to divert for while, but soon wearicd
her, and she would fly to book, or seek the
conversation of persons of maturer age and
mud. Her highest pleasures were intellectual
She seemed to live in world of her creation,
surrounded by the images OF her own fancv.-
Her own childish amnscments had originality
and freshness, and called into action the mental
powers, 80 as TO render them interesting to per
sons of all ages. Ii at play with her little dog or
kitten, she would carry on imaginary Dialogues
between them; always ingenious, and some
times oven brilliant. II her doll happened to
be the play,hing OF the moment. it was invested
with character exhibiting knowledge of histo.
ry, and all the powers Of memory which a child
can be supposed to exercise. Whether it was
Mary Queen Of Scots, or her rival, Elizabeth
or the simple cottage maiden, each character was
maintained with propriciy. In telling stories
Gan amusement all children are fond of.) her.
were always original, and of kind calculated
TO elevate the minds of the children present
giving them exalted views Of truth, honor, and
integrity and the sacrifice Of all selfish feel.
ln"s TO the happiness of others was illustrated
in the heroine Of her story.
This talent for eXtelnporaneous story te]lino
Increased with exercise, until she could carry on
a narrative for hours together: and in no,Lino
was the prccocty Of her inventive powers moro
apparent than in the discrimination and ind,id.
unity herfc itious charact RS; tho CONSISTENCY
with which they were sustained; the graphic
force OF her descriptions tho elevation of he,
sentiments, and the poetic beauty of her ina.
gerry.
This early gift caused her to be sought by
some OF the neighbors who would lead her un.
consciously into an CScrion of her powers.
Nothing was done by her from vanity or a dis.
post, to "show Off" but rho would become rx
cited by their attention and the pleasure they
seemed to derive from her variations. When
thus excited, whole evening would be occupied
by one Of her stories; and when the servan,
came TO take her home, she would observe, in
the phrascoogy of the magazines, the story &c
be continued in our next"
At ten years of age:
During this visit to New York she was the
life and delight of the relatives with whom she
resided, and they still retain lively recollection
ofthe intellectual nature of her sports among
her youthful compani and of the surprising
aptncss and fertile invention displayed by her il
contrlvng new ,urces of amusement. She hat
a number of playmatcs, nearly of her own age
and one OF her projects was to get up dramatic
entertainment for the qualification of themselves
and their friends. The proposal was readys a
greed to provided she would write the play
This she readily undertook, and indeed devised
and directed the whole arrangements, though
she had never been but once to a theatre, ant
that on her previous visit to New York. IIel
little companions were all busily employed, un
der her directions, preparing dresses and equip.
mens robes with trains were fitted out for tho
female characters, and quantities of paper ant
tlnsel were consumed in making caps, helmets
spears, and sandals.
After four or five days had been spent in ,hcs,
! preparations, Margaret was called upon to pro.
duce the play. sob :" she repled,' have no
written it yet."-"But how is this do vol
make dresses first, and then write the play t,
suit them r'-"Oh ~ replied she gaily, ",ht
writing of the play is the easiest part Of the pre-
paratlon it will be ready before the dresses
And in fact, in two days she produced the drama
1.-The Tragedy of Ale,hia." 1t was not yer,
voumlnous, TO be sure, but it contained within
it sufficient OF high character, and astoundin!
and bloody incident, to furnish ont a drama G
five times It's size. A king and queen of Eng
land resolutly bent upon marrying their daugll
ter the Princess Alethia, to the Duke OF Or
mond. The princess most perversely and dolor
ously in love with mysterious cavalier who flo
ures at her fathers court under the name of 81
Percy Lennoy, but who, in private truth, is tn
Spanish king, Rodrigo, thus obliged to mantai
an ncognto OH account OF certain hostilities be
tween Spain and England. The odous nup,a
Vi tic princess WIN Inc Duke OF OrInOnd pro
coed she is led, a submissive victim, to the al
tar is ON the point of plcdging her rrevocabl
word when the priest throws offhs sacred ROBE
discovers himself to be Rodrigo, and plunges
dagger into the bosom Of the king Alethia il
santly plucks the dagger from her fathers bo
: som, throws herself into Rodrigo's arms, an
: kills herself Rodrigo flies to cavern, renour
ces England, Spain, and his royal throne, an
devotes hmselfto eternal remorse. The ouce
ends the play by a passionate apostrophe to tn
spirit of her daughter, and sinks dead on til
floor.
, The little drama lies before us, a curio,
! specimen ofthe prompt talent of this most niger
ious child, and by no means more ncongruo,
: in its incidents than many current dramas
! veteran and eXpernced play wrghts.
i The parts were now distributed and SOC
learnt; Margaret drew out pay-bill, in the
trcal style, containing list Of the dramatis pc
SOMA, and issued regular tickets of admission
: The piece went off with universal applause
@ Margaret figuring, in long train, as the prince
!. and killing herself in style that would not ha
$ dIsgracel an experienced stage heroine.
n Margaret was now ten years of age. IN