The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-05-21
Frances Sargent 0sgood.

The death of this gifted writer, which
we briefly announced in Yesterdays Trib-
une, will be heard with sincere regret.
Probably no female poet in This country
has been read and cherished by her own
sex with a regard so familiar aud aIec-
tionate. She owed her popularity to no
studied effort TO win the public ear-to
no new and skiIfnl tricks of authorcrah
but to the entirely natural and impnl-
sive play Of her fancy aud feeling, which
made her verse seem, as it really was,
the true ulterance of a joyous, sensitive
and sympathetic natnre. Gifted with a
fine ear Tor the mere melody Of language,
and with heart susceptible TO the most
delicate shades Of emotion, she rarely
wrote, even on chance aud careless
themes, without touching the Keynote
of some other heart. This it is, which
has created for her a circle of admirers
who gave her, while living, sincere and
grateful appreciation, such as an author
is seldom blessed with.
Her life, like that Of most authors,
contains no remarkable incdeuts. Her
father, Mr.. Joseph Locke, was a mcr-
chant of Boston, but her earlier years
were spent for the most part in the viii
lage of bingham, where her first essays
in poetry were made As girl, under
the name Of Florence, she coniribu>
ted many poems to a Juvenile Miscclla,
ny, edited by Mrs. Child, who at once
appreciated and encouraged the promise
they gave. She became acquainted, in
the year 1884, with Mr. Osgood, the ar
tist, who, as he painted her portrait, won
at the same time her heart. They were
married soon ailerward and went to Lon.
don, where Mr.. Osgood remained four
years, in the exercise of his profession
During his absence, Mrs. Osgoods
powers rapidly matured, aud her eontri-
buttons TO different periodicals were no.
iiced and admired Among the English
writer's with whom she became acquaint-
ed, were Eliza Cook and the Hon. Mrs.
Norton. In the year 1850, volume of
her poems was published in London, un-
der the title of "a Wreath Of Wild
Flowers from New England. " After
her return to the United States, Mrs.
Osgood resided principally in this city,
where much of her time was devoted TO
literary labor. She published very
beautiful volume on the Language OF
Flowers, as well as two or !hree illustra-
ted souvenirs, in addition to her contri-
buttons to the Magazines. Among the
latter are number Of prose stories, light,
graceful and meodous in language, yet
lacking the charm of her idcile yersili-
cation.
The last and most complete edition Of
her works was issued few months ago
by A. Hart, Philadelphia, in one superb
ly illustrated volume. Her health which
had been delicate for some years past,
began to give way last Summer, during
the absence Of Mr., Osgood in California.
rs Winter set in, her illness assumed
the form of pulmonary consumption
she faded from day to day with grad
ual decline, which two or three months
ago predicted lis termination. Mr. Os-
good returned early in February, with
restored health aud a good share of Cali
ifornia wealth, and the promises Life held
ont to her seemed faircr than ever al the
moment she as ssnalched away from their
fulilment. 1t is some consolation to
her friends to know that her end was
calm, resigned and happy. She was a
bout thirly.seven years of age, and leaves
two daughters Of the ages of ten and
twelve.
As writer, Mrs. Osgood enjoyed
while living, the full measure of her fame.
The Characteristic beauties Of her poems
were very generally appreciated, while
the careless freedom Of her words were
interviewer with subtle aud exquisite ca
dences of sound, that the critical reader
forgot her want Of constructive power.
We do not think that more severe study
would have enabled her TO accomplish
better or more lasting things. Her ma
ture foupd its appropriate expression,
and any reaching after the higher forms
of Poetry would have checked that child
like spirit which was It's greatest charm.
Some OF our present female writer's may
be awarded loficr honors, but no one,
we think, will win a wider circle of
friends, or leave behind her a more cher
lshed memory.--N. j. Tribune.
No MoRE CHINEsE IN CALIFORNIA.
Tao. o.Kouaug, Emperor OF China, has
heard of the discovery of gold in Cali
c,rnia and is determined that his subs