The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-22
For the National Era.
STORY OF A LIFE,
CHAPTER 1.-THE Home.

. utW uOIIc WIS In LOnuOn. the
house was commodious and elegant, but yet a
great contrast to the homestead at Earlham,
and her thoughts often reverted to the wooded
parks the antique and ruined old church by
the waterfall, and the beautiful lawns she had
left. But most of all she missed the compan-
ionship of her sweet sisters. By her marriage,
she was not only introduced into new ,sircum.
stances. but into new associations. The liberal
hospitality of her husband was dispensed to
large circle. Her loneliness and amiability.
her winning manners and dignifed demeanor,
woa for her many heart-warm friends in whom
she found much congeniality With her father
in-law she formed an enduring friendship; he
was an old man, with the freshness of youth,
and entered into all her plans with an enthu-
schools, in dispensing aims he was her warm
coadjutor, and her proud and happy husband
sympathized in her many devices for ameliOra-
ting the wretchedness by which she was sur
rounded
London was unlike the London she had WIS.,
tied in her early girlhood. She now looked be-
meath the surface, and found the under-cur-
rent stagnant and unhealthy In her measure
were onerous and she deemed it inconsistent
w booti aOt mum tuCHu OiLlc
belonged to them; consequently, these were
never neglected. But her wealth and position
enabled her to do good in many channels. OF
spare moments, she had none each was appro-
pfiated and the amount thus accomplished
was wonderful to herself She read with her
husband, performed faithfully her household
duties, gave sisters overs ght to the young
brother, who had become an inmate of her
house, and vet found time to dispense her del
icate charities to the sick and infirm, and look
occasionally into the work-houses of the great
metropolis truly she was becoming light to
the blind.
Eight years of uninterrupted prosperity pass
ed rapidly away, several lovely children had
been added to her family, when her generous
friend, the father of her husband, was removed
by death from those who loved and esteemed
him with no common affection. This was
severe stroke to both, but wisely ordained, per-
haps, to prepare them for an affecting event
ere long to follow.
Plashet House, the former dwelling of her
father-in-aw was delightful country resi-
dence, not so spacious as Earlham but lovely
and cheerful in its surroundings; the lawn was
not as extensive, nor the trees so old, the
grounds were not so tastefully laid out or wa
tered but to Elizabeth and her husband, now
removing there it was pleasant change from
the noise and hustle of London. To one so
alive to all the sweet influences Of nature, its
calm tranquility was indeed grateful, and it
seemed almost like renewal of her own child
ish days, to linger with her little flock in the
park or garden, teaching them to read from
the book of nature unfolding leaf by leaf its
sublime yet simple mysteries, as she found their
young minds capable of grasping the subjects
presented. With cOuntenance irradiated by
intelligence she taught them reverence for the
Creator, by explaining to them the wonders Of
the heavenly bodies the structure Of an insect
exemplifed His power and wisdom, and in the
development of a flower was inculcated a les
son of dependence upon Him. She served her
Maker by the fulflment of lifes daily duties,
and her heart often poured out its libaton OF
thankfulness for the blessings around her.
Her existence was perpetual hymn Of praise.
Sometimes, during these intervals of rclaxa-
ton, she would take the Irish gardener, whose
affection for her was deep yet respectful the
old nurse, and the little ones with their bas-
kets and trowels, to gather wild flowers, of which
she was great admrer for the purpose of
transplantIng into her own garden plots. Wild
Engish daisies, the yellow buttercup, the blue
violet and the pale primrose, enamelled the
lawn, and their morning and evening incense
was refreshment and delight both to herself
and her children. They would weave garands,
and, decking themselves like little fairies, come
laden to the mother with matin offerings Of
floral gifts. Is it marvel that her maternal
heart overfiowed with deep emotions of graft
tude?
From these scenes Of pure and innocent en-
joyment, she was recalled TO Earlham, TO
watch by the bedside of dying father Ten.
derby and devotedly attached TO him, with rev.
erence for his many virtues remembering his
indulgent fondness she was for the time al
most overwhelmed by the conviction that
his hours on earth were numbered, and she
fastened to him, her heart torn by contend.
ing emotions, fervently desiring to bow submis-
sNely to the Almighty dispensation, yet feel
ing an almost utter inability to say, "Thy will
De done" The Borrowing household received
her with mournful pleasure. Many changes
1ad taken place within the last few years.
me beloved eldest brother had been married
~ a iady OF rather uncommon endowments OF
person, disposition, and talent; but o painful
i ii'ness had cut her off from existence in the
.ioom OF youth and beauty The sad heart Of
.ne widowed mourner was shrouded in grief
ye' having sought consolation in the Divine
P aa OF the Word Of Life he now stood in
soo" y, caimness, anticipating the stroke 50
Ca ~ uePrse the family Of its honored head
to- "";., was yet single, fulfilling her du-
a oes WIN an almost motherly tenderness, and
oneering ner fathers hours Of anguish by pre-
c,ous words Of consolation and hone Rachel
,he beloved sister 80 near the age Of Elizabeth
had endured deep heart trial whose h;t,sr''
ness was known only TO herself, and merriam,
impaired in the anguish of keen disappo;nt.