The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-08-12

every field and lane and house and shop was
familiar to my eye. The birds in the trees
seemed singing her name over and over. and
the wild roses in the hedges seemed breathiny
for her gazed down her iayorite walks. half
cheating myself with the hope that should
see her strolling under the green shadows with
her lovely little friend LUcH and her beautiful
greyhound, Mayfower.
| looked longingly over toward Aberleigh
and sighed, that she who had made those love
ly rural scenes the haunts Of charmed fancy
and places of quiet, of delight, and reireshment
for thousands, could herself roam over them
and rejoice in them no more
knew when we were near on To Miss Nit
fords home, by our eHcountering a group of
her picturesque protegeS. the gipsies, who were
lounging on the turf at the entrance of lane
summing Themselves careless lazv-looking
set of vagabonds, who scarcely deigned to turn
their faces towards us as we passed. though
one dusky damsel fired up at us with her
cleaning eyes, from the ambush of her black
struggling locks.
We were panied TO find Miss Milford, who
has been in feeble state of health for some
years past, suffering from an attack of illness
more than usually severe, yet she did not look
ill---her fine expressive face was lit with pleas
ant smiles, and she retained her kind sympa-
thetc manner and cheerful charming spirits
to the full Miss Milford talks delightfully."-,
with graphic descriptions Of places and persons,
free dashes at character, and rich delicious
humor which you relish like a dainty flavor
She has the joyous outgushing laugh of child
and her kindly eyes flash from under her noble
brow and snowy soft hair, with all the viyacty
of girlhood.
No complaining could have been half so
pathetic rs her cheerful resignation, when she
was told that she must not go with us to ride,
a pleasure to which she had been looking for
ward. Feeling that she had over-exerted her
self in conversation, we left her for an hour or
two. while we visited Strathheld -Say, the no
BILE country seat of the Duke of Wellington,
and drove through the extensive and beautiful
grounds. The park is one of the finest in Eng
land, but the house is neither grand nor pic
turesque.
1t was with real anguish at my heart that |
parted with Miss Milford that evening The
excitement of the morning had worn off and
she looked pale and sad grieved to leave
her with only her maid and man servant, de-
voted though they be--feeling that she whose
heart was so rich in tenderest affections, should
have the near love and anxious care of at least
a sister or brother ever about her steps My
lips quivered painfully under her parting kiss,
though receiving it as the bencdiction of one OF
Gods angels. | never shall forget the deep
melodious fervor of her God bless you,o he.
slowed on her wel-bcloved friend, Mr. F., nor
her last smile cast on us both, as she stood in
her door, looking after us as we drove away.
Yet | was much comforted in my sadness
by the thought that ever while England
boasts a pure literature and a vrtuous people
| while her quiet country lanes stretch out their
lovely vlstas of greenery, while her hawthorn
hedges blossom through the pleasant land, will
the name of Mary Russell Milford be cherish
ed and revered
would not have you suppose that Miss Nit
ford leads a solitary or duh life. | ann happy
to say that many OF the nobility, as well as her
countless literary friends, honor themselves by
showing her every possible attention and kind
ness. Adieu, GRACE GREENWOOD.