Litchfield enquirer., 1876-08-10

tovermuch fond of guy attire. As grew in years these trifing things sank to their proper level, insomneh that l was minded l to give away all of my rich apparel: but I as took it down from hooks and nails, each Gown and Petticoat, each Ribbon isaud Fan. did so recall some scene of my ltphst life through which the unchanging Ipodness of god had led me. that 1t was borne Tn npnn me that these very Gowns and Petficoats that. had once served the
 cause Of folly and of pride might now
 make reparation for their past uselessness
 by telling the history of what they had
 witnessed. It has therefore been, and stih is. my desire that an aliegoryb be set forth by some one that hath wit thereto, whereby these Gowns shall be in figure
 talk, and that in an edifying and comeiie
 manner, of what they have seen. have thought of leaving this duty to my dear Ehusband, but fear me that his kindness of heart which he hath toward me would cause him to-deal too gently with my nu- merous faults and shortcomings Lest I1t be thought that the figure of Dress be too mean and trivial an one with which to set forth divine and moral things, I would here make two selections from the Psalms to show that such figures do hold an hon. Ourable part in the public service of Di- I vine praise: At His right hand our eyes hehold -.''- The Queen arrAyed in purest Gold; tt ~ .s | The World admires her heavenly Dress, Her Robe of Joy and Righteousness
 Alsoe.
 | 'Girded with Truth and cloathed with Grace, My Priests, my ministers, shall shine; .. 7 4 Not Aaron in his costly dress
 Made all appearance so divine.'
 The thought hath likewise sprung up l within me how that as these silken threads had long survived the humble caterpillars that spun them, so they would also be more lasting than my own life, and that these faded fabrics might, when I had long lain in the dust, still tell of the. Goodness of God, even as also the ashes of roses do for long years survive and of the sweet scent of the flower that, living, blossomed but for day."
 These, then, were the Ashes of Roses, and as read the record that followed, the old brocades and loves blossomed again in all their sweetness and tender colors. Had I the pen of John Bunyan, the quaint ldea of the allegory which my great-aunt conceived should be carried out; but cannot bear to mar these sim- pie records by any change, only in places undermining the spelling, and abridging the memoirs when at times they have seemed unnecessarily profuse. The pa per first in order was untitled,
 MY PINK PADUsAY AND LUTEsTRING PET
 In the spring of the year 1775, being then fifteen years old, my father judging my education to be complete. did, in to- ken of his satisfaction, give me silk gown of rich fabric anu genteel figure. The outer and upper part of the attlre was pink Padusay round-gown, with Q lace frill about the neck, which was cut low and square, and about the sleeves, which reached but to the elbow, where they were met by pair of long embroi- dered ,gloves. This round gown was open Tn front over a petticoat of pink and white striped lute-string. had also embroi- dered hose and red high-heeled slippers, and a pointed pink satin hat. with white ostrich feather three-quarters of yard in length; but my father would on no ac- count allow that should patch my face or powder my hair. My interior adorn- ssment was nnk for this period. much be- hind my outer, for had been we'll in- structed in needle-work, and that of all sorts. Icould both speak and write French with ghbuess, could dance becomingly, play upon the spinet, and was much prais, ed for my gift Tn singing; but, indeed, my skill in this latter branch was not so much owing to the great talent of my singing master, Consider Dillaway. He was the chorister at our meeting house, and it was owing to the respect and consideration that felt for him, rather than to any zeal fo, s&-.,. l,ok ok miry weather nor sickness of body could keep me from the Lords house. I sang treble; and when there were parts to be carried alone, such as, ...-.
 "Let virgin troops soft timbrels bring,
 And some with graceful motion dance, q-t.F And some with graceful motion dance ..
 Let instruments of various strings,
 With orgsns joined, His praise advance
 His praise advance" despite the jealous and envious talk of the other singers.
 He played also at times upon the bass though quite young, wore his dark hair combed straightiy back, without curl or powder, and tied simply with black rib bon. His linen also was very plain, scarcely admitting of two ruffies, and he never wore aught gayer than q claret-col- ored coat. Yet was there something sin gularly attractive in the youth, albeit the outward plainness of his attire was a cor rect symbol of his inward gravity: and when he sang, his clear young voice. so innocent and brave and true that it seem- ed the soul of the young man that was singing. .s3q. ;ta st ST. -,.. =.
 .s "Ye people all with one accord
 Clap hands and much rejoice;
 5 srrs<1 Be glad, ana sing unto the Lord
 With sweet and pleasant voice." there was somewhat in the song that car ried me away more than any preaching I ever heard, somewhat not. of command, nor yetlof entreaty, though it wrought up- on me in spite of myself, making me to sing Tn answer to it, when, from perversi- ty and mere despite of maiden willfulness, } have closed my lips, determined to be silent. thet thus the song might be spoil ed and he be angered with me-. It was as though great witchcraft wrought upon me, and made me sing with all my might, until the tip of the feather on my head. gear trembled like the wing of bird that is singing its heart away.
 So the days passed for me, and mean time the great storm of the Revolution burst upon us. My father had not been at the battle of Bunker Hill. but he be- longed to the militia, and one day rode out with him from Roxbury to Cambridge to sec Washington take command of the troops. That evening my father told me .thath should now remain permanently with the Continental army. My mother had died several years previous. I was two young to be left in. charge of the house and of my little brother Obadias, and it was concluded that, as passing was still allowed to and from Boston, I should go to the city and remain under the care of my fathers sister, my amt Phylie Kimpban o. ..s5. 1i
 She was 8 vehement Tory. and it seenl- ed strange to me that she should charge herself with the children of her rebellious brother; but "hlood is thicker than wat CT. and we. presently received from her. a most cordial letter of welcome. Leaving Roxbury was my first sorrow. It was not alone parting from my father, for there also was Consider Dillaway. went once, more 10 the meeting house. but my eyes