THE RANDALL FAMILY l6l
father, when the sudden death of my sister, under cir- cumstances not a little shocking and calculated to scatter for a time, if not confuse, the train of ideas, caused me to suspend it. But, as my thoughts reassemble themselves and pursue their flight once more along their accustomed courses, I have prepared a rough draft without regard to final pohsh, thinking that the subject, at least, may please you, whatever you think of the treatment. If the tribute seems a warm one, it is also hearty, and I hereto append it for your perusal.
[Here follows " The Old Ship-Master," which is too long to be here repeated, but which, with its companion piece, "The Unbroken Lawn," is given in full among the "Mis- cellaneous Poems."]
In a sentence extracted by your mother from a letter of your brother Henry, the expression occurs — " more precious because our own." So will most people say. If universally true, then my eighteenth stanza —
" Thou wast not mine ; no claim of kindred drew Applause from prejudice ; the gift is free. I'm glad 'tis so ! As by the summer rain
The fields are freshened, so my heart by thee ; And, if my mind hath aught in thee admired, 'Twas thy benignant character inspired — "
will be in error, and your relationship to me, of course, will be inferior to a natural one. I am better satisfied, however, with my own sentiment.
I see Mary Wells frequently. She inquires kindly after you, and I take much pleasure in her society. She is a good illustration of a class of persons that never grow old. I can scarcely imagine why so fine a woman was never married, — a warm, genial, frank, faithful, affectionate
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