unsarpassed, after three-quarters of a century eminent for its literary activity and excellence.
It is characteristic that the sisters—though well knowing, by its want, the worth of money —were comparatively indifferent to pecuniary recompense. The delight of composition, the joy of finding they were doing good to the young, and the approval of many contemporaries, whose name and fame they had admired, without ever thinking they should know and be known by them, was a priceless recompense.
The "Hymns for Infant Minds" was a still higher effort of genius. Brecognised as among the best writers for the young, from the time of its publication and great success, constant literary work was engaged in by both the sisters. It was a beautiful trait that each esteemed the other better than herself. No such feeling as rivalry was at all possible in such lovely natures, so elevated by grace and truth. Somehow, the world was led to ascribe rather the higher attributes to Jane. It arose from their supposing many of her sister^s best poems to be hers. But in a careful analysis it would be very difficult—and surely where each is so excellent, needless—to assign any superiority. The elder was permitted to live out a long and most complete life; the younger died in the zenith of her power; and it may be that the loving reverence, both of relatives and readers, so hallowed her memory, that the survivor, for a time, was overshadowed by the radiance of her fame.
