Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-06-05
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From the Boston Museum.
MRS. LYDIA H. SIGOURNEY.

Norwich, in Connecticut, Notwithstanding its
rough surface, and its profusion Of naked gran
ite, is one Of the most poetic of townships, Its
confused and frowning aspect is relieved and
softened by breezy woodlands, sunny slopes,
and impetuous Indian streams. ItisseIdom that
SO much picturesque beauty is found in connec-
ton with so much business, thrift and wealth.
Nature seems to have endowed the scene, not
only to nourish independence, energy, and self
reliance in her sons-to provide sites for manu-
facturies and channels for trade-but with an
exhaustless variety of landscape, ranging thro'
all the gradations of the beautiful and rural, or
the wild, rugged, and stern, she has fitted the
place to develope with aptitude and ease, a quick
mind and susceptible imagination. We can
imagine that she had this special purpose in
view, when she wrought out and heaped togeth-
er, such wild varieties of scenery within such
narrow limits.
The first planters seated themselves in mar
row valley by the side Of the little river Yantick
This part is still called THE TOVm though the
course of events has thinned its streets, and ST.
lenced its workshops; and other and younger
portions of the domain now display the cluster
ed habitatons, and the dense and busy popua-
ton, which that term usually denotes. In this
older part, there is polished and refined society ;
the standard of morals and religion is kept high !;
the household virtues are cherished almost as de-
itcs knowledge and comfort, in fair proportions,
are generally dffused, but in other respects, it is
wholly unlike our young America. A dignifed
repose is the characteristic of this valley-a
Sabbath stiffness broods over it the year round.
Here thoughtful mind fills serene dwelling
place-here can enter into companionship with
nature, and through her opening veil draw near
to the beuming throne of her Author.
This romantic spot, this dove nests graceful
ly embowered between the busy villages that
people and enrich the township, was the birth.
place, and early home Of Mrs. Sigoumey*-
Here her mind was formed and refined her re.
ligious character established, and that love Of
the wild, wonderful, and beautiful, which is a
necessary element of poetic power, implanted
and cherished into life and vigour. Can any
one conceive of locality more happily adapted
to the culture of thoughtful, aspiring mind
The whole character of Mrs. Sigourney, all her
tastes, moral and mental, how much soever
they may have been enriched and expanded
elsewhere, belong, in their origin, to Norwich.
Her poetry and her prose writings are alike
the voice, the language, the expression of her
native place--the embodiment of invisible influ-
enoes moving from the ~oenory, SoOIosy, esd
the various associations with which the first
twenty years of her life were interwoven. The
history of her mind cannot be traced with any
cearness without ascending to this fountain
head of thought and fancy.
Nor were the moral influences that gave form
and pressure to her early character, of less
genial and stimulating character. The tender
est love, the most assiduous cultivation, the ho-
lest affections and principles embosomed her
childhood, and like springs of pure water, kept
her pathway fresh and sweet. She was the on
ly child of her parents-the object in whom all
their earthly hopes, all their plans and prospects
centered. The mutual affection subsisting be.
tween them and her was intense, and somewhat
peculiar in its nature seldom is parents love
blended with SO much respect-a daughters
tenderness so sheltering and considerate. Blu
the divine appointment of circumstances whicl
had the most direct influence in developing he
talents, and bringing them to the knowledge O
her friends, was her intercourse with venerable
lady, who, from her infancy, regarded her wit
affectionate interest, and poured into her min
all the lavish experience of long and varle
life. This lady-known to all who are famiia
with Mrs. Sigourney's writings, as The Benz
factress was Madam Jerusha Lathrop, reict {
DR.. Daniel Lathrop, and daughter of the worth
Joseph TaIcot, Esq, who was Governor of Cor
necticut from 1895 to 1741 inclusive.
This lady had been gifted by nature wit
strong powers of mind, and dignity of perso
and manners that commanded universal respec
Her character had been matured, not only b
y intercourse with men of powerful intellect, bl
- by participation in great and trying SCENES
The parents of Mrs. Sgourney resided unde
her roof, and though the household was separate
she felt and manifested from the first a tende
solicitude in the welfare of their young daugf
ter. This was steadily increased, as from YET
to year, the unfolding mind of the latter CAV
promise of future richness and DEPTH The a
tachment was mutual, and before the child WI
six years of age, an endearing confidence at
N, an almost inseparable companonship was esta
Iished between her and her reverend friend.
Madam Lathrop had been bereft of husbar
and children and was laden with a weight
years when her young favorite entered upt
life; but no decay had fretted her mental pov
ers; her perceptions were lively and distinC
her judgment sound, and her memory quick al
accurate. Her life had been nearly coeval wi
the eighteenth century, and of the greater pa
of that period, her "reminiscences were full, ric
and inspiring.
Noble lady beautiful relic Of the past grac
ful historian of thy country's great transiti
era! Happy child, who sat at thy feet, admir-
the beauty and verdure Of thy numerous yea
and gathering the golden memories that dropp
from thy lips!
Methinks we stand upon that ancient thre,
hold ; we enter those low-browed, but ami
rooms; we mark /" the wood-fre cleaning up
crimson moreen curtains, gilded clock, ebo
framed mirror, and polished wainscot," but W
most engages our attention, is the venerable
cupant and her youthful companion. There
the ladv in her LARGE armchair and tho vor