The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-15


and attractive, she seemed fitted to adorn the
circle in which she moved and her natural dis
| position was aversc to the sobricty which char
acterizes even the young among religiously-ds-
| pOsed Quakers. She returned home however
resolved to give up the world. to display her
accomplishments only to the dear home group,
and TO devote portion of her time exclusively
to the benefit of the poor within the precincts
of Earlham.
A lovely little boy had frequently attracted
her attention when she had been rambling
about, seeking wild flowers and gradually win.
ming his confidence she began to give him a
! few lessons in the alphabet-sometimes seated
under one Of the broad old trees in the park,
sometimes in the school-room devoted to the
Education of her own little brothers The pa
rents of the child were delighted, and in the
exuberance of their gratitude that so fine lady
was teaching their boy, told others, till by-and-
| by the class increased, and finally Elizabeth's
charity school became so popular that her pu-
pills amounted to sixty or seventy. These she
taught herself, without any assistance yet found
time to pursue her own studies with avid;ty.
During the ensuing summer, the seven sisters
travelled into Wales with their father. They
were joyful party. Catharine dignifed Sc.
date, yet afable, was ever at her fathers side,
his friend and companion. Rachel and Eliza
beth, closely united with deep and warm aztec
tons, enjoyed delightful interchange of SEN
timent and dwet with pleasure on the beauti-
fnl scenery unfolding daily before them. For
the latter, nature had peculiar charms-her
interest in art was comparatively Indifferent;
her taste was pure, but not highly cultivated;
and in her enthusiastic admiration of the works
Of God she recognised no divine inspirations in
the results of genius.
To the girls, this journey was perpetual
enjoyment-every day varied by new scenes
and associations Scenes of historic interest,
studied in the schOol-roOm, were now before
them, distinct and real, and often, after visiting
some old castle, the record of by.gone days,
| they would gather together in the evening, and
recall again and again the memories to which
| it had given rise. In some of the most romap-
tic parts of Wales this was peculiarly the case.
The seven sisters would congregate in the par
lor of a rustic little inn, situated in the cool
mountain regions and seated over q bright
| turf fire, would dwell upon the incidents Of the
day with a zest only experienced by those who,
| for the first time, are gathering knowledge
| from actual observation. Sometimes an old
Welsh harper would add to the interest of
these social evenings and the sisters, ever
ready to please, would sing in return, English
ballads and songs, till the fathers voice would
warn them of the hour of rest.
| Ii was during this time they paid visit,
long afterward remembered by Elizabeth A
descendant of BarclayOf Ury cousin to both
their parents was living in quiet retirement
in a beautiful little cottage at Colebrook Dale; ;
and here the party arrived after pleasant but
wearisOme day The hostess was maiden
lady, possessing singular beauty, and elegance
of manner; her eyes were strikingly brilliant
and remarkable for their power of expression
Her figure was small, but perfect She was of
the old school, and had retained many of its
forms and dignties; her politencss was genu-
ine but somewhat formal. Even her costume
partoOk in a measure of the ancient regime
she retained the pointed bodice and long black
hood worn by our ancestors, which gave much
character to her appearance. To Elizabeth,
she was a person rich in attractions; she had
early renounced the world and its fascnations,
having left Bath where her mother and sister
resided to dwell in this quiet and congenial
retreat in Wales.
To the girls the visit was pleasant, from its
contrast with the scenes through which they
had been passing They took a general inter
est in everything connected with their hereto
fore unknown cousin. and were charmed by
beth entreated her father for permission to re-
main few days they were surprised at her
willingness to give up the pleasures of travel
ling, for what they considered an inactive re-
pose. The indugent parent however, con-
| scented, and they left her to her choice. one Of
the four laughngly remarking, that she was
the Lost Pleiad,o since they were no longer
seven. "And she is the brightest star in our
constellation" said Catharine, after they had
hidden her good bye!
With her cousin Elizabeth remained some
time every day becoming more and more at
tached to her.
Among the Quakers residing in the neigh
| borhood, she found many persons suited to her,
both in taste and principle. A similarity of
feeling prevailed among them, and their pleas
urcs were simple and refined. That she some
times wearied Of the sameness, and longed to
minge with the world is true but the inhu-
ences around her were 50 gentle, that her bet .,
ter impulses were mperceptbly strengthened
and aspirations for h CHER good than the world
affords were often felt. Her mornings were
devoted to selfculture drive in the old-fash-
toned pony chaise was varied occasionally by a
ride on horseback and in the afternoon, she
would visit with her cousin; for beloved and
admired she was the object Of much kindly
visits, as is often the case in social gatherings
among the Quakers, silence solemn and pro-
found succeeded the desultory conversation of
the supper table. Ii was broken in upon by
the voice Of woman addressing the company
with great feeling on the concerns of the soul
then turning to Elizabeth, she said" And
| thou shalt be q light TO the blind speech to the
dumb and feet to the lame"
The young girl was powerfully impressed.
This was the second intimaton implying that
the dedication Of her life was required for some
great and important work. She pondered long
and deeply upon this; her heart expanded and
her whole being seemed to partake Of the ex-
altation of her thoughts. Her sweet face was
irradiatsd, and her manner chastened and dig
nifed
Soon after this event, she returned home
but q change had come upon her She as
serted her entire concurrence in the doctrine of
the inward light, and the guidance of the Holy
Spirit The study Of the Bible occupied much
Of her time, and eventually she declared her.
self decided Quaker. By gradual degrees
she smpfed her dress, threw aside her scarlet
riding habit refraincd from music and dancing,
smoothed out her faxen curls, and finally con-
cealed them beneath the close cap and hand
kerchicf usually worn Many bitter struggle
these sacrifices cost her but TO her itwas the
way of the Cross and however iDexpedient it
may have appeared to others, it was perhaps
the only way by which she could dcterminately
renouncc the world In the review Of this pc
Rod of her life in after years, she had reason
to believe that her sphere Of usefulness, as
woman, had been greatly enlarged. by adbering
to a society in which she might labor conspicu-
ously. without being remarked for singnlarity.
Her mind was now at rest. She had chosen,
and perhaps in her choice decided wisely.
A quiet season Of mental rcposc followed stri-
kinaly in contrast with her former state OF UNI