of the Author from painful recollections. They are the fugitive effusions of a mind "smit with the love of sacred song," and mostly written to beguile the weary moments of sorrow of their poignancy, when fond recollection dwelt too feelingly on scenes of past bereavement. Separated from the scenes of juvenile enjoyments, and the society of loved relations, and called in succession to mourn the loss of three lovely infants, the Author had recourse to the muse, and once more strove to wake the echoes of a harp that had long hung on the willow. Nor was the effort vain: consolation has visited her heart, and the sensations of agonizing grief have mellowed into a pensive, pleasing resignation. Should the perusal of these trifles, in any measure tend to produce a similar effect on the mind of the reader, her highest ambition will be gratified. Mendon, New-York, RELIGION RECOMMENDED TO YOUTH, LETTER I. "Oh how shall I thy goodness tell, MY DEAR JULIA, January 1, 1814. To a heart constituted to feel its greatest bliss in the mutual interchange of tender sensibilites, the correspondence of an affectionate friend is cordial and consolatory; and amidst the gloom of separation from the scenes of my youth, and the companions of my juvenile years, the kind letters I have received from my distant friends, have kindly stepped between me and mis fortune, and impressed the Iris of hope on the dark clouds of despondency. Yours, my young friend, has been a most interesting and philanthropic employment: you have kindly endeavoured to sooth a heart almost broken with disappointment, at a period when consolation was most necessary, when soothing was most grateful. When my fond bosom was bursting with the pangs of recent separation from a dear and only child, in whom my affections centred, my dear young friend has endeavoured to pour the oil and wine of affection and friendship into my wounded heart, and to assuage, at least, the sorrows that even friendship had not power to heal. Ever grateful to my dearest Julia for her affectionate attentions, I feel myself under peculiar obligations to continue the correspondence, in such a manner that my dear girl may derive lasting advantage therefrom. With this view, I have proposed, at the commencement of the present year, to commence a series of letters to you; and if more experience have enabled me to assume the office of a mentor, you shall receive my most careful monitions. And may that Almighty Being, who is ever ready to assist the weakest efforts of his children towards the improvement of the talents he has bestowed, inspire my pen with an energy not its own, that I may be the feeble instrument of impressing correct sentiments on the understanding of my friend, and confirming her heart in the love and practice of virtue. I have seen much of the instability of what the world calls happiness, and at an early period of life, have become, in some measure, detached from its vain allurements. My fond heart has felt many a bitter pang, to see all my offspring snatched from my arms by the relentless hand of death. Thrice have I been called to attend the obsequies of a dear and only child, one of whom was particularly endeared to me by uncommon sprightliness, and early indications of superior genius. Judge, then, if I have not drunk deep of the cup of affliction. But though the conflict is severe, it is not fatal : there is a balm to sooth the wounded heart-this balm is religion. While her right hand extends the anchor of hope for the children of sorrow to lean upon, her left is pointed to the skies, in assurance that there is a bliss prepared for her real followers, which shall endure to the remotest period of eternal duration. It was the allotment of Divine Providence that I should be tenderly educated, by parents who delighted to gratify my early wishes. Possessing a taste for literature, with opportunities to cultivate and improve it; surrounded by tender friends, who, to use the language of an eminent poet, "Suffered not the winds of |