Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-05-10
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Poetic Gleanings-Ae. /.

some OF the most pleasant 0Our6 OF
the late winter were passed in reading
poems by Virginia ladies.
have gleanings enough for several
communications, and think useful
purpose would be served by their pub
licafion. Tie present article IL q study
of Mrs. Preston writings, whose grace
full pen adorns the critical department
Of some literary journals, wherein she
freely gives ber mind about books and
their authors. And now 1t is proposed
to let her have glimpse of what may
be said about her work AZ writer.
Twenty years ago her mission was
something of an enigma to the friend
literary endeavOrs, or to what she was
aiming at in the studious exercise of
her remarkable talents.
With him it was q perplexing inquiry,
What ends could be served by her work,
seemingly SO remote from centres of lite
rary influence and so retired in its sphere?
With poetic intuition she seems to have
realized that such questions would be
awakened, and she disposes of them In
this pleasant way -
"Within the vale
Are mates Of mine, for whom the lark
- y
My quiet cooings in tho leafy dark;
For THEM-nOt THEE-I fill our nested grove.
Keep thou thine ear for lark and nightingale"
In summer 1t looks as if the beautiful
rain would he in vain that falls upon
the rocky wilderness after painting the
"Bow in the Cloud :" but when we pass
down neighboring vale, and see what
q blessing the pure rivulet becomes that
has gathered up the rain, we find DOth-
ing elsewhere that could have been
more conducive to the pleasure of those
charming retreats
Historical incidents, in which SO
many of our people participated-local
home scenery familiafstO thousands of
Valley residents-society events-the ia
vorite themes of social circles-f1reside
aud domestic annals, have opened up
opportunities to gain the attention OF
many readers.
The writer can now see that Mrs.
Preston, almost unk nOwn to herself and
we'll nigh imperceptibly to most others
outside the "nested grove" has become
literary power in imparting tone to
whatever is elevated and pure in the
culture of very many of our intelligent
younger people.
No one has ever read "SilverwOod,"
"Beechen Brook "sUld Song aud New"
and the shorter poems that have been
published through hout the world in lead
ing secular aud religious periodicals,
without receiving permanent tmpres
siops for the better
In childhood and youth her home was
pervaded by most propitious influences.
DR. Junkin, one of the remarkable men
If his time for force of intellect and
moral cOura. q, was one of the most
faithful judicious. and pains taking of
fathers, while the mother was y model
of all domestic virtues. Under their
care, Mrs Preston's heart and intellect
were happily nurtured. In her own
home The surroundings are of the most
helpful character, and much of her best
work has been wrought in the midst of
homely duties conscientiously attended
to. From sources SO pure, impressions
of the most beneficeDt character are to
| be looked for; hence it is good work
to attempt all that il practicable towards
encouraging a studious acquaintance
with her writings in prose aud verse.
Some one in popular NV York
| Weekly has drawn q contrast between
Mrs Preston aud George Eliot. and
Justly, too, in Mrs Preston's favor. as
TO their aims and ultimate hopes. Who
ever becomes imhued with the spirit of
Mrs Preston's pure and elevated wri-
tings, feels that 1t is precious thing to
live, and that human life may attain a
glorious destiny. Out of very many
examples, illustrating the life giving
tendency of her teachings, I would Sc
| lect her
CHISEL WORK.