The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-11-26
mrs. NsmaAs And the "piisfin, "a.


AT the late meeting of the Cape Cod Associa-
ton, Rev. Charles Brooks being called on, spoke
as follows:
Mr.. Chairman-In replying to your call, l have
thought it might not be unnteresting 70 state me
cause and occasion Of the writing OF that popular
little poem on the Landing Of the Pilgrim "a
thers," by Mrs. Hemans. During short and &C.
lightfu stay at her house in Dublin, Ireland, In
July, 1884, had a long conversation with ner.
She expressed deep interest in the United States
and said that she had been better understood In
Massachusetts than in England. She uttered with
deep feeling her profound gratitude to Professor
Norton of Cambridge for the delicate and efficient
manner in which he had commended her to the
American public for the generosity with which
he had published, at his own risk, beautiful edl
ton Of all her works. and then sent his appreciation
of her in that substantial and unequivoca form,
which admits Of no misconstruction, -pounds sty.
ling. This patronage stimulated her to efforts,
which, otherwise, she would not have made.
She told me, that Of the many strangers and for
egners, who had visited her within the last three
years, she had been most gratifed with the Ameri-
cans, and named one or two signal examples.
She was as truthful in her words as she was pure
in her thoughts and in thought no angel was
purer. In her conversation she was simple and
glowing, and seemed without effort to throw the
prismatc solors of her own idea upon every object
she touched. was struck with her deep sense Of
justice when she spoke Of her sister spirits Joanna
Eailie, Caroline Bowles, Mary Milford Letta
Landon and Mary Hewitt. She never spoke Of
them as rivals or competitors, but as friends and
companions.
| told her that, as member of the Old Colony
Pilgrim Society, had right to thank her, in
| their name for her true and touching little poem
on the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers. "Well,"
said she, should you like to know how l came
to write it?" "Certainly I should" was my re-
ply,
umes at the book store and brought them home,
and as laid them on the table my eye was at
tracted by their envelope, which proved to be eight
pages Svo, Of an address delivered at Plymouth on
| some anniversary. There was no title page and
| no date. The excellence of the paper and the
beauty Of the type first attracted my attention but
how this stray fragment got to Ireland could
| never ascertain. l began to read, and l found it
contained entire description Of the fact of land
| ing, and so beautiful was the painting, and 80
thrilling the fact, that could not rest I'LL had
thrown them in verse took off my bonnet, seized
my pen, and having read and re.read the story,
| caught the fire from this transatlantic torch, and
began to write, and before was aware, had fin
| ished my poem"
| then told her how much we valued the lines
for their nuthfulness and spirit and hoy | had
stood with thousand persons in the Pilgrim
sung with them her exquisite hymn. At this re.
mark tear stole into her eye. But" said l,
my dear madam, there are two lines Of that poem
which the descendants of the Pilgrims prize above
the rest" "Ah which are they?" | began to
repeat, "They left unstained what there they
found {" 90, yes" said she, interrupting me has
tily, and then recting the next line, Freedom ID
worship God" Yes" l replied, Freedom ID
worship God" Then raising her voice, her eye,
at the same time beaming with religious enthus
asm, she exclaimed, " 1t is the truth there which
| makes the poetry"
Yes, Mr.. Chairman, it is the truth there yhicl
makes the poetry-for, so true is that poem to tn,
facts and feelings Of the case, that this fortunate
lady has connected her name forever with tn,
shore of Plymouth and the landing of our fathers
yes, so long as the breaking waves dash high OF
that stern and rock bound coast" to chant thei
ocean dirge at the grave of the Pilgrim, SO lonI
shall be joined in the sacred requiem the name o
Felicia Hemans
When about to say farewell to this charming
lady, she took my hand and said: When yo
next meet your Pilgrim society present them M
heartfelt thanks for their fattering partialiI
towards me, and tell them that wish each one 9
them prosperity and happiness"
Unfortunately, Mr.. Chairman have not bee
able to meet with our Pilgrim Society since tina
event, and therefore avail myself of this opportu
nifty, the most proper that could happen, to dis
charge my long cherished, well remembered, re
ligious trust.