dor. During the winter she read "Josephus," "Charles the Fifth," "Charles Twelfth;" read over "Shakspeare," and various other works in prose and poetry; she particularly liked "Addison," and read almost every day a portion of the "Spectator." Her ardent love of literature seldom interfered with her social dispositions, never with her domestic affections; she was ever the life and joy of the home circle. Great demands were made on her feelings about this time, by two extraordinary domestic events,—the marriage and removal of her elder sister, her beloved friend and companion, and the birth of another, the little Margaret, so often the fond subject of her poetry. New and doubtless sanative emotions were called forth by this last event. The lines entitled "On the Birth of a Sister," were written about this time; and "The Smile of Innocence," marked, we think, by more originality and beauty, were written soon after, and, as the previously mentioned ones were, with her infant sister in her lap. What a subject for a painter would this beautiful impersonation of genius and love have presented!
The last three most beautiful stanzas, which we here quote, must have been inspired by the sleeping infant on her lap, and they seem to have reflected her soul's image, as we have seen the little inland lake catch and give back the marvelous beauty of the sunset clouds.
'Tis one far dearer to my soul;
It is a smile which angels might
Upon their brightest list enroll.
