CHARLES JAMES SPRAGUE, a son of the preceding, has also written verses in a delicate vein of sentiment. One of these is entitled THE EMPTY HOUSE. "This house to let!"-so long the placard said, I went across to see If it were dull, or dark, or comfortless, The parlor was a pleasant little room; The chambers snug and light, The kitchen was quite neat and cheerful too, My mind was somewhat in a thoughtful mood, I sat me down to moralize awhile Upon the silence there. How many changing scenes of life, thought I, Joy's ringing laugh and sorrow's smothered moan, Here in this parlor, jovial friends have met Ripe ale has foamed, and this old rusty grate Here stood the sofa, whereupon has wooed Here hung the clock that timed the last caress, These chambers might relate a varied tale, Some crusty bachelor has here, perhaps, Some phrensied Culle desperately sought Some modest girl has here unrobed the charms Some bride has tasted here the sweets of love,And curtain lectures, too. This little studio has seen the toil Of some poor poet's brain, His morn of hope, his disappointed day, ́ Or else some well paid preacher has wrought out Or some old bookworm trimmed his lamp, to read And what are they to whom this was a home? Who gathered here around the social board, How many distant memories have turned Recalling errors and reviving joys That cannot be forgot! Young love may here have heaved its dying sigh, And what are they who next will fill this void Will this become a home of happy peace, In sober thought, I left the silent house, And when I passed next week, upon the door LYDIA H. SIGOURNEY. LYDIA HUNTLEY, the daughter and only child of Ezekiel Huntley and Sophia Wentworth, was born at Norwich, Conn., September 1, 1791. Her father, who bore a part in the war of the Revolution, was a man of worth and benevolence. His wife possessed those well balanced, unobtrusive virtues of character which marked the New England lady of the olden time. Among the happiest influences attending the childhood of their daughter, was the cultivated society of Madam Lathrop, the widow of Dr. Daniel Lathrop, and the daughter of the Hon. John Talcott, of Hartford, who held for a succession of years the office of Governor of Connecticut. Mr. Huntley, having charge of her estate, resided with his separate family under her roof, and in that fine old mansion their child was born. Her precocity was exhibited in reading fluently at the age of three, and composing simple verses at seven, smooth in rhythm, and of an invariable religious sentiment. As she grew older, she profited by the society of the distinguished visitors who sought the hospitable home; and received in addition every advantage of education which could then be obtained. When Miss Huntley was fourteen, she had the misfortune to lose her venerable friend, who died at the ripe age of eighty-nine. She continued her studies until her nineteenth year, when she put into execution a plan she had long contemplated, of engaging in the work of instruction. Associating herself with her most intimate friend, Miss Ann Maria Hyde, who sympathized warmly in her scheme, a school was opened for young ladies, and conducted with great success for two years. In 1814 Miss Huntley was induced to commence a select school at Hartford, under the auspices of influential relatives of her early friend, Mrs. Lathrop. Removing to that city, she became an inmate in the mansion of Mrs. Wadsworth, the widow of Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth, a lady of high intellectual and moral· worth. It was at the suggestion, and under the auspices of a son of this lady, Daniel Wadsworth, Esq., who had known Miss Huntley from her infancy, that a selection from her writings appeared in 1815. Moral Pieces in Prose and Verse, the title of Miss Huntley's volume, affords a good indication to its contents, almost all of the short poems which it contains having a direct moral purpose in view. The prose essays are introduced by the remark, that they were addressed to "a number of young ladies under her care," and the writer, throughout the volume, seems to have had her vocation of teacher in view. A poem on General St. Clair, "neglected and forgotten by his country, poor and in obscurity, on one of the Alleghany mountains," shows the sympathy with patriotic and national topics which has characterized her entire literary career. The volume was well received, and led to the author's engagement as a contributor to various periodicals. In the summer of 1819 Miss Huntley became the wife of Mr. Charles Sigourney, a thoroughly In 1822 Mrs. Sigourney published Traits of the Aborigines, an historical poem, in five cantos. A collection of her miscellaneous poems was made about the same time in London, under the title of Lays from the West. In 1824 she published a volume in prose, A Sketch of Connecticut Forty Years Since. These were followed in rapid succession by Letters to Young Ladies and Letters to Mothers, a collection of poems* and of prose tales, and Poetry for Children. In 1836 Zinzendorff and Other Poemst appeared. The opening and chief production of the collection introduces us to the beautiful vale of Wyoming, and after an eloquent tribute to its scenery and historic fame, to the missionary Zinzendorff, doubly noble by ancestral rank and self-sacrificing labor, engaged in his missionary exertions among the Indians. We meet him striving to administer consolation by the couch of the dying chief; beneath the widespreading elm addressing the multitude on the subject of his mission, the welfare of their souls; at his quiet devotions in his tent, watched by assassins who shrank back from their purpose as they saw the rattlesnake glide past his feet unharming and unharmed, so calin and absorbed was the good man in his duty, the messengers of death returning to the grim savage prophet who had sent them on their errand, with the reply, that the stranger was a god. The poem closes with the departure of Zinzendorff at a later period from the infant city of Philadelphia, and an eloqnent tribute to missionary labor, combined with an exhortation to Christian union. The remaining poems are descriptive of natural scenery, commemorative of departed friends, versifications of scripture narratives, or inculcative of scripture truth. A warm sympathy with missionary effort, and with philanthropic labor of every description, is manifest in all. In 1841 Pocahontas and Other Poems appeared. The Pocahontas is one of the longest Philadelphia 1884, 12mo., pp. 288. + New York, 12mo., pp. 800. New York, 12mo., pp. 284. (extending to fifty-six stanzas of nine lines each) and also most successful of the author's productions. It opens with a beautiful picture of the vague and shadowy repo-e of nature, which the imagination conceives as the condition of the New World prior to the possession of its shores by the Eastern voyagers. We have then presented the landing at Jamestown, and the worship in the church quickly raised by the pious hands of the colonists. The music which formed a part of their daily service of common prayer attracts the ear of the Indian, and thus naturally and beautifully brings Powhatan and his daughter on the scene. The rescue of Captain Smith is but slightly alluded to, the writer preferring to dwell upon the less hackneyed if not equally picturesque scenes before her, in the life of her heroine. We have her visit of warning to the English, her baptism, reception in England, marriage, quiet domestic life, and early death, all presented in an animated and sympathetic manner, frequently interrupted by passages of reflection in Mrs. Sigourney's best vein. The remaining poems are similar in character to the contents of the volumes already noticed. Pleasant Memories of Pleasant Lands, published in 1842,* is a volume of recollections in prose and poetry, of famous and picturesque scenes visited, and of hospitalities received during an European tour in 1840. The greater portion of the "Memories" are devoted to England and Scotland. The poems are descriptive, reflective, and occasionally in a sportive vein. During this sojourn in Europe, two volumes of Mrs. Sigourney's poems were published in London. Among the peared in 1816. In 1848 a choice edition of the author's miscellaneous poems was published, with illustrations from the pencil of Darley. In 1850, the death of her only son, and, with the exception of a daughter, only child, a youth of much promise, at the early age of nineteen, was followed by the publication of The Fuded Hope, a touching and beautiful memento of her severe bereavement. Mrs. Sigourney has since published, The Western Home, and Oher Poems, and a graceful volume of prose sketches entitled, Past Meridian. Mrs. Sigourney has been one of the most voluminous of American female writer, having published from forty to fifty different volumes.* Her most successful efforts are her occasional poems, which abound in passages of earnest, well expressed thought, and exhibit in their graver moods a pathos combined with hopeful resignation, characteristic of the mind trained by exercise in self-knowledge and self-control. They possess energy and variety. Mrs. Sigourney's wide and earne t sympathy with all topics of friendship and philanthropy is always at the service of these interests, while her com:nand of versification enables her to present them with ease and fluency. INDIAN NAMES. "How can the red men be forgotten, while so many of our states and territories, bays, lakes, and rivers, are indelibly stamped by names of their giving?" Ye say they all have passed away, That their light canoes have vanished That 'mid the forests where they roamed "Tis where Ontario's billow Like Ocean's surge is curled, Where strong Niagara's thunders wake Rich tribute from the west, Ye say their cone-like cabins, That clustered o'er the vale, • The following is a complete list of the titles of Mrs. Sigourney's works, in the order of their publication:-Moral Pieces in Prose and Verse; 1815. Biography and Writings of A. M. Hyde; 1816. Traits of the Aborigines: a Poem: 1822. Sketch of Connecticut: 1824. Poems; 1827. Biography of Females; 1929. Biography of Plous Persons: 1882. Evening Readings in History. Letters to Young Ladies. Memoir of Phebe Hammond. How to be Happy; 1833. Sketches and Tales. Poetry for Children Select Poems. Tales and Essays for Children. Zinzendorff and Other Poems: 1834. History of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus; 1835. Olive Buds; 1886. Girl's Reading Book. Letters to Mothers: 1883. Boy's Reading Book; 1889. Religious Poems, Religious Souvenir, an annual, edited by Mrs. Sigourney. for 1839 and 1840. Pocahontas and Other Poems: 1841. Pleasant Memories of Pleasant Lands. Poems: 1842. Child's Book. Scenes in My Native Land: 1844. Poems for the Sea. Voice of Flowers. The Lovely Sisters; 1845. Myrtis and Other Sketches, Weeping Willow; 1846. Water Drops; 1847. Illustrated Poems; 1848. Whisper to a Bride: 1849. Letters to Pupils; 1950. Olive Leaves. Examples of Life and Death; 1851. The Faded Hope. Memoir of Mrs. Harriet Newell Cook: 1852. The Western Home and Other Poems. Past Meridian. Sayings of the Little Ones, and Poems for their Mothers; 1854. But their memory liveth on your hills, Old Massachusetts wears it, Your mountains build their monument Ye call these red-browel brethren Crushed like the noteless worm amid Ye drive them from their fathers' lands, Ye see their unresisting tribes, With toilso:ne step and slow, Think ye the Eternal's ear is deaf? Think ye the soul's blood may not cry POETRY. Morn on her rosy couch awoke, And mirth and music drank the dews "Oh, speak no ill of poetry, For 'tis a holy thing." The sun in noon-day heat rose high, I saw a weary pilgrim toil Unpitied and unblest, Yet still in trembling measures flowed "Oh, speak no ill of poetry, For 'tis a holy thing." "Twas night, and Death the curtains drew, 'Mid agony severe, While there a willing spirit went Home to a glorious sphere, Yet still it sighed, even when was spread The waiting Angel's wing, "Oh, speak no ill of poetry, For 'tis a holy thing." JAMESTOWN CHURCH. Yet, 'mid their cares, one hallowed dome they reared, To nurse devotion's consecrated flame; And there a wondering world of forests heard, First borne in solemn chant, Jehovah's name; First temple to his service, refuge dear From strong affliction and the alien's tear, How swelled the sacred song, in glad acclaim: England, sweet mother! many a fervent prayer There poured its praise to Heaven for all thy love and care. And they who 'neath the vaulted roof had bowed Tinting the pavement with a glorious shade, Now breathed from humblest fane their ancient chime: And learned they not, His presence sure might dwell With every seeking soul, though bowel in lowliest cell? Yet not quite unadorned their house of prayer: The rhododendron, and the snowy thorn, High priestess of the flowers, whose censer fills the air. Might not such incense please thee, Lord of love? Thou, who with bounteous hand dost deign to show Some foretaste of thy Paradise above, To cheer the way-worn pilgrim here below? Bidd'st thou 'mid parching sands the flow'ret meek Strike its frail root and raise its tinted cheek, What groups, at Sabbath morn, were hither led! From castles in the air hurled ruthless down, LIFE'S EVENING. "Abide with us, for it is now evening, and the day of life is The bright and blooming morn of youth O Thou, whose being hath no end, Behold the noonday sun of life Doth seek its western bound, Abide with us, we pray. Dim eve draws on, and many a friend Can gild the dreary vale of death, THE EARLY BLUE-BIRD. Blue-bird! on yon leafless tree, Strik'st thou not too bold a strain? Spring's a maid of mirth and glee, Ask her, if when storms are long, JONATHAN MAYHEW WAINWRIGHT; EDWIN C. HOLLAND. TALK WITH THE SEA. I said with a moan, as I roamned alone, By the side of the solemn sea,— I have lost, with an amethyst bright, To solace my drooping mind, For I'm sad and grieve, and ere long must leave Then the Sea answered, "Spoils are mine, From many an a. gosy, An pearl-drops sleep in my bosom deep, "When I musel before, on this rock-bound shore, She hath gone to her rest in the churchyard's breast When her cheek to mine was pressed, That could lighten the darkest b. east!' JONATHAN MAYHEW WAINWRIGHT. J. M. WAINWRIGHT was born at Liverpool, England, February 24, 1792. His father, an Englishman by birth, had settled in America after the Revolution and married a daughter of Dr. Mayhew, the celebrated clergyman in Boston of that era. His residence in England, at the time of his son's birth, was not permanent, and the family not long after returned to America. The future Bishop graduated at Harvard in 1812, and subsequently was Tutor of Rhetoric and Oratory in that Institution. He early chose the Ministry of the Episcopal Church as his calling. When minister at Hartford, Ct., in 1819, he published Charts, ad ipted to the Hymns in the Morning and Evening Service of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and afterwards, in 1828, issue a volume of Music of the Church, and again, in 1851, in conjunction with Dr. Muhlenberg, The Choir and Family Psalter; a collection of the Psalms of David, with the Canticles of the Morning and Evening Prayer of the Episcopal service, arranged for chanting. He was always a devoted lover of music. When Malibran visited America, she sang on several occasions in the choir of Grace Church, with which Dr. Wainwright was long connected as pastor, in New York. His employments in the official duties of his church were various. He left New York for a time to be Rector of Trinity Church, in Boston. When he was chosen Provisional Bishop of New York in 1852, he was connected with Trinity Parish in the city. He would have been elected to that office in the previous year had he not cast his own vote against himself. He was indefatigable in the duties of his Bishopric during the severe heats of 1854, and in the autumn of that year, September 21, he died, prostrated by an attack Dr. Wainwright was engaged in a defence of Episcopacy, in a controversy with the Rev. Dr. Potts of the Presbyterian Church of New York, which grew out of a remark let fall by Rufus Choate, at the annual celebration of the New England Society, in New York, in 1843, in which the orator complimented a people who had planted a state without a king, and a church without a bishop." At the dinner which followed, Dr. Wainwright, an invited guest, took exception to the saying, and was challenged to the controversy by Dr. Potts. 66 His The discourses published by Dr. W. were few. In 1829 he published a thin octavo of Sermons on Religious Education and Filial Duty. social influence was great. Courtly and easy in his manners, and taking part in the active interests of the day, he was universally known, and a general favorite in the city in which he resided. He assisted in the formation of the University of the city of New York. His reading in the Church services was much admired, his voice being finely modulated, with a delicate emphasis. As a preacher his style was finished in an ample rhetorical manner. Hail to the heroes whose triumphs have brightened Long shall their valour in battle that lightened, Live in the brilliant escutcheons of fame: Dark where the torrents flow, Where fortune has destined Columbia to reign,) There, on its raging tide, Shall her proud navy ride, |