Fragments, in prose and verse

Preface

JL HE favour with which memoirs and letters are (generally received by the public, has encouraged the production of a great many biographical works, written on very different principles, and which must be perused with very different feelings. The delight, with which every friend of science and virtue reads the life of Sir William Jones, of Dr. Beattie, of Mr. Covvper, or of Mrs. Carter, can furnish no excuse for publications, in which some of the most vicious characters that disgrace the present times, are dragged into notice to disgust or to corrupt succeeding generations. For such an insult on the principles and the taste of the reader, no apology can be offered ; but when the character that is brought before the public is really deserving of esteem, the feeling heart will view with indulgence the partial fondness of surviving friendship, which endeavours to save from oblivion the object of its affection, and to stre^v a few flowers on the humbletomb of departed virtue.

The following pages will not be found to contain a single sentence which can give pain to any human being ; and though noticing in this collection was written with a view to publication, yet as the delicacy which always shrunk from observation cannot now be wounded by praise or blame, it is, I hope, allowable to remove the veil wluch an excess of modest reserve threw over uncommon merit.

The Young Lady, whose talents and virtues are here pointed out to the reader, was little known in the World. Her short life was spent in retirement, and it affords no incidents to awaken curiosity ; but it offers an example, which may be useful to all her sex, and particularly to the younger part of it ; and I am encouraged to hope, that her writings naay not be uninteresting to readers of a very different description.* I have only noticed such circumstances in her " short and simple annals," as seemed necessary to explain her letters, and to shew the progress of her improvement in different branches of science. The use which she made of learning, and the effect which it produced on her conduct in life, may be collected.

* See Letter XII. from the Rev. Dr. Ranpolph to Mrs. Smith, in the Appendix.

from many parts of the following work, which will prove that every acquisition in science only increased the humility of her natural character ; while extensive reading, and deep reflection, added strength to her conviction of those great truths of revealed religion, which in life and in death supported her through every trial, and which can alone afford consolation to the parents and friends who live to mourn her loss.

1*

ADVERTISEMENT.

Xn compliance with what appears to be the general wish, the names of the persons mentioned in the Fragments are inserted in this edition ; and witli a grateful sense of the indulgence with which this little work has been received by the public, I have ventured to replace several passages in Miss Smith's letters, which have hitherto been omitted. Some letters with which I have lately been favoured by the lady to whom they are addressed, will probably be considered as a valuable addition to this collection ; and I flatter myself that anecdotes which were thought too trifling for publication when the name of the author was concealed, may now appear interesting, as contributing to throw light on a character which must be esteemed in proportion as it is known. To the younger part of my own sex, who admire the talents of my lamented friend, and wish to follow her steps in the paths of science, I beg leave to point out the following observations, extracted from a late excellent publication.

[ viii ]

" Against learning, against talents of any kind, nothing can steady the head, unless you fortify the heart with real Christianity. In raising the moral edifice, we must sink deep in proportion as we build high. We must widen the foundation, if we extend the superstructure. Religion alone can counteract the aspirings of genius, can regulate the pride of talents. And let such women as are disposed to be vain of their comparatively petty attainments, look up with admiration to those contemporary shining examples, the venerable Elizabeth Carter, and the blooming Elizabeth Smith. I knew them both, and to know was to revere them. In them let our young ladies contemplate profound and various learning, chastised by true christian humility. In them let them venerate acquirements which would have been distinguished in an University, meekly softened, and beautifully shaded, by the gentle exertion of every domestic virtue, the unaffected exercise of every feminine employment."

Calebs in search of a Wife.

MISS SMITH'S LIFE, &c.

Miss Elizabeth smith was born at

Burnhall, near Durham, (the beautiful residence of her paternal ancestors,) in Dec. 1776. Some particulars relating to the early part of her life may be learnt from a letter written soon after her death by her afflicted mother to the Rev. Dr. Randolph, in consequence of his request that she would inform him of such circumstances with regard to the gradual progress of her daughter's mind, as had not come under his own observation.* I will only mention here a few particulars} ■which seem necessary to explain her writings.

When I first saw Miss Smith, in the summer of the year 1789, she was only in her thirteenth year, and

* See Appendix. Letter I.

her extreme timidity made it difficult to draw her int« conversation ; but even then I saw many proofs of very uncommon talent. We were frequently together during the three following years, either at Piercefield, where Mr. and Mrs. Smith then resided, or at Bath, where Miss Smith and her sisters were often with us. At that time Elizabeth astonished us by the facility with which she acquired information on every subject. She excelled in every thing that she attempted. Music, Dancing, Drawing, and Perspective were then her chief pursuits, and she succeeded in all ; but even at that early age her greatest pleasure seemed to be reading, which she would pursue with unwearied attention, during so many hours, that 1 often endeavoured to draw her away from her books, as I feared that such close application might injure her health. She was then well acquainted with the French and Italian languages, and had made considerable progress in the study of Geometry, and some other branches of the mathematics. At every period of her life she was extremely fond of poetry. The following fragment is dated in June 1792.

I

The Sun, just rising from his wat'ry bed. Shook from his golden locks the briny drops ; The Earth her many-colour'd mantle spread. And caught the crystal on her flow'rets' tops ; While nature smil'd, to see her rising crops With brighter beauty glow, and richer hues ; As novvr the night her sable chariot stops. Each drooping flow'r, refresh'd with morning dewSj Lifts its gay head, and all around its fragrance strews':

II

So fair the morn, when Emma, fairer still, Left the lone cottage, now her sole reti-eat ; And wander'd musing- o'er the neighb'ring hill. With downcast eyes, wbicii weeping look'd more sweet, Down to the vale she turn'd her trembling feet ; There, in the middle of a shady wood, O'erhung with trees, which branch to branch did meet. Glided a gentle stream, where, as it stood. Each bougti its image shew'd in the clear glassy flood.

III

Here paus'd the Nymph, and on the hank reclin'd, 'Neath a large oak fann'd by each gentle gale ; She swell'd the brook with tears, with sighs the wind. And thus her melancholy fate 'gan wail . And ye who read her sad and mournful tale. Oh ! drop one tender sympathetic tear ! Think that the best of human kind is frail. Nor knows the moment when his end is near ; But all sad Emma's hapless fate must fear.

IV

*' How fair each form in youthful fancy's eyes, *' Just like the tender flow'rs of blooming May ; " Like them in all their beauty they ai-ise, " Like them they fade, and sudden die away. *• We mourn their loss, and wish their longer stay, *' But all in vain ; — no more the flow'rs return, •" Nor fancy's images divinely gay ! *' So pass'd my early youth ; then in its turn " Each fancied image pleas'd ; for each at times I bum .

V

*' How charming then o'er hill and vale to stray, *' When first the sun shot forth his morning beam ; " Or when at eve he hid his golden ray, ■"To climb the rocks, and catch the last faint gleam ;

\^ MISS smith's life.

** Or when the moon imbrued in blood did seem, *' To watch her rising from the distant hill, " Her soft light trembling on the azure stream, " Which gently curl'd, while all beside was still ; *' How would such scenes my heart with admiration fill !