Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-11-21

she was sincerely religious, most uutiiui W "o'
parents. whom she loved with an affection tenn
pered with great esteem, so as we were easy and
free, and never were so well pleased as when she
was with Us, nor needed we other conversation ;
she was kind 10 her sisters, and was still lmprov-
ing them by her constant course OF pletY. On,
dear, sweet. desirable child, how shall lpart with
all this goodness and virtue without the bitterness
of sorrow and reuctancy Of a tender parent =
Thy affection duty, and love to me was that OF a
friend as well as a child. Nor less dear TO thy
mother. whose example and tender care of thee
was UNPARALLELED, nor was thy return TO her less
conspicuous Oh how she nouns thy loss how
desoate hast thou left us To the grave shall
we both carry thy memory God alone (in
whose bosom thou art at rest and happy , give US
to resign thee and all our contentments for thou
indeed vert all in this world) to His blessed
pleasure Let Him be glorifed by our submis-
sion, and give us grace to bless Him for the grace
he implanted in thee, thy virtuous life, pious and
holy death, which is indeed the only comfort of
our souls, fastening through the infinite love and
mercy of the Lord Jesus to be shortly with thee
dear child, and with thee aud those blessed saints
like thee, gorfy the Redeemer OF the world to all
eternity Amen.
1t was in the nineteenth year OF her age that
this sickness happened to her, An accident con-
tributed to this disease; she had an apprehension
of it in particular which struck her but two days
before she came home, by an imprudent gentlewo-
man whom she went with Lady Falkland TO vls-
it, who after they had been good while In the
house, told them she had servant SICK OF the
small pox, (who indeed died the next day;) this
nv poor child acknowledged made an impression
on her spirits There were four gentlemen OF
quality offering to treat with me about marriage,
and freely gave her her own choice, Knowing
her discretion. She showed great indifference to
marrying at all, for truly, says she to her neither,
(the other day. were assured of your life and
nv dear fathers, never would part from you;
love YOU and this home, where we serve God,
above all things, nor shall be so happy; know
and consider the vcissitudes of the world, have
some experience of its vanites, and but for decen-
cy more than inclination, and that you judge II
expedient for me, would not change my condl-
tion, bat rather add the fortune you design me 10
my sisters, and keep up the reputation OF our fam
Iily. This was so discreetly and sincerely uttered
that it could not but proceed from an extraordna.
ry child, and one who loved her parents beyond
example.
At London, she took this fatal disease, and the
occasion of her being there was this: my Lord
Yiscouut Falkland's Lady having been our neigh
bour (as he was Treasurer of the Navy ) she took
50 great an affection to my daughter, that when
they went back in the autumn to the city, moth
ing would satisfy their incessant importantly but
letting her accompany my Lady, and staying some
time with her it was with great reluctance
complied. Whilst she was there, my Lord being
musical, when saw my Lady would not part
with her till Christmas, | was not unwilling she
should improve the opportunity OF learning OF Dig
nor Pietro, who had an admirable way both OF
composure and teaching. 1t was the end OF Feb
ruary before could prevail with my Lady to part
with her; but my Lord going into Oxtordshlre tc
stand for Knight of the Shire there she expressed
her wish to come home, being tired of the vain
and empty conversation Of the town, the theatres
the court, and trining visits which consumed SC
much precious time and made her sometimes miss
of that regular course of pety that gave her the
greatest satisfaction. She was weary of this lie,
and think went not thrice to Court all this time,
except when her mother or carried her. She
did not affect showing herself, she knew the Court
well. and passed one summer in 1t at Windsor
with Lady Tucke, one Of the Queens women OF
the bed chamber, "a most yirtuous relation o
hers y she was not fond of that glItterlng scene
now become abominably licentious. though there
was a design of Rochester and Lady Clarendon tt
have made her maid Of honour TO the Qneen as
soon as there was vacancy. But this she dc
not set her heart upon, nor indeed on anything St
rnuch as the service Of God a quiet and regular
life, and how she might improve herself IN Inc
most necessary accomplishments, and to Whlct
she was arrived at 50 great measure.
This is the little history and imperfect chatac
ter OF my dear child whose piety, virtue, and IN
comparable endowments deserve monumen
more durable than brass and marble. Precious II
the memorial of the just. Much could enlarge
on every period of this hasty account, but that
ease and discharge my overcoming passion for tn
present, so many things worthy an excellen
Christian and dutiu child crowding upon me-
Never can say enough, on dear, my dear child
whose memory is 50 precious TO mel
This dear child was born at Wotton, in the
same house and chamber in which first drew my
breath my wife having retired to my brolhe
there in the great sickness that year upon the mrs
of that month, and the very hour was born, upol
the last: viz. October.
10th. She was inferred in the Southeast en'
of the Church at Deptford, near her grandmothe
and several Of my younger children and relations
My desire was she should have been carried an'
laid among my own parents and relations al Wot
ton, where desire to be inferred myself, whel
God shall call me out Of this uncertain, transltor.
life. but some circumstances did not permit it,
Our Vicar, DR.. Holden, preached her funeral ser
mon on Phil. [ q. "For TO me to live is Christ
and to die is gain" upon which he made an aappo
site discourse, as those who heard 1t assured M
(flr grief suffered me not to be presenD conciu
ding with modest recital of her many virtues
and signal piety, so as 10 draw both tears ana al
miration from the hearers. was not altogetne
unwilling that something of this sort should D.
spoken. for the edifcation and encouragement 0
other young people.
Divers noble persons honored her funeral, SOM
in person, others sending their coaches, OF whlcl
there were six or seven with six horses, VIZ: IN
Countess of Sunderland, Earl Of Clarendon, Lor'
Godolphin, Sir Stephen Fox, Sir William Codo!
phin, Viscount Falkland, and others. There wer
distributed among her friends about sixty rings.
Thus lived, died, aud was buried the joy of m,
life. and ornament of her sex and Of my poor fam
lily God Almighty OF His infinite mercy, gran
me the grace thankfully to resign myself and all
have, or had, to his divine pleasure, and In HI
good time, restoring health and comfort to m,
family-"tesch me SO to number my days, that
may apply my heart to WISDOM" be prepared 10
my dissolution, and that into the hands OF m.
blessed Saviour may recommend my spirit! A
men.
On looking into her closet. it is incredible wha
number Of collections she had made from histo
rians, poets, travellers, &c.. but above all, devo
tions, contemplations and resolutions on these con
temptations, found under her hand in a book mos
melhodically disposed; prayers, meditaiions, ant
devotions on particular occasion, with many pref
ty letters to her contidants one to divine (no
named) to whom she writes that he would be he
ghostly father, and would not despse her for he
many errors and the imperfections of her youth
but beg of God 10 give her courage TO acquain
him with all her faults, imploring his assistance
and spiritual directions. ! well remember she hac
often desired me to recommend her to such a per