ELIZABETH SMITH was born at Burnhall, in the county of Durham, Eng. in Dec. 1776. At a very early age she discovered that love of reading, and that close application to whatever she engaged in, which marked her character through life. She was accustomed, when only three years old, to leave an elder brother and younger sister to play and amuse themselves, while she eagerly seized on such books as a nursery library commonly affords, and made herself mistress of their contents. From a very babe the utmost regularity was observable in all her actions; whatever she did was well done, and with an apparent reflection far beyond her years. At the age of thirteen she became a sort of governess to her younger sisters-and from that time the progress she made in acquiring languages, both ancient and modern, was most rapid. With scarcely a ny assistance, she taught herself the French, Italian, Spanish, German, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages. She had no inconsiderable knowledge of Arabic and Persic. She was well acquainted with Geometry, Algebra, and other Vol. VI. No. 9. 33 branches of the mathematicsshe was a very fine musicianshe drew landscapes from nature extremely well, and was a mistress of perspective.She shewed an early taste for poetry of which some specimens remain. It is astonishing how she found time for all she acquired, and all she accomplished. There was a scrupulous attention to all the minutia of her sex. She made any article of dress, with as much skill as she displayed in explaining a problem in Euelid, or a difficult passage in Hebrew, and nothing which she thought it right to do, was ever neglected; for her well regulated mind, far from despising domestic avocations, considered them as a part of that system of perfection at which she aimed; an aim which was not the result of vanity, nor to attract the applause of the world. The ap probation of God and of her own conscience were the only rewards she ever sought. The modesty and simplicity of her character are justly described in a letter written since her death by her friend Thomas Wilkinson* to her mother : *Of the Society of Friends. some years before her death the Holy Scriptures were her principal study. The benefit which she derived from these studies must be evident to those who witnessed the pa At Hawkshead, where she was interred, a small Tablet of white Marble is erected to her memory, on which are inscribed the following words : "Her acquirements must be allowed to have been wonderful, but to me the most as tonishing thing is how she has done so much, for she never appeared to do any thing, and every one who saw her would tience and resignation with have been more apt to have which she supported a long supposed her indolent than in- and painful illness-the sweet dustrious; but though her attention which she always progress of improvement was shewed to the feelings of her silent as light, it was certain parents and friends, and the as time. In her knowledge heavenly composure with she was as modest as in every which she looked forward to thing else; never presuming the awful change which has to be wise on a discovery, or a removed her to another world. judicious observation. Always simple, sweet and inno cent in her demeanor, she nev. er gave herself an air of consequence for genius, learning or beauty, though she possess ed them all. In company she kept back so much, that some would be in danger of forget. ting she was there; but when called on to speak, she did it so much to the purpose, so pleasingly, and so unaffectedly, that one wished no one to speak but herself. Some might have supposed her of an absent cast, but nothing was further from her character, for her replies were the readiest I ever knew, when in formation was wanted. Her Countenance was serious, but she not unfrequently smiled, and it was the smile of complacency and peace." But the most important part of her character was her exalted piety, which seemed always to raise her above the world and taught her at sixteen years of age, to resign its riches and its pleasures al mest without regret. For Eldest She died 'IN MEMORY T OF ELIZABETH, Of Coniston. daughter of Geo. Smith, Esq. August 7th, 1806, aged 29. She possessed Great Talents, exalted Virtues, and humble Piety. This account of Elizabeth Smith has been collected from her "Life by Miss H. M Bowdler." The powers of her mind and her talents as a writer may further appear in the following 'Reflections,' which, with many others, were found among her papers after her deceasc. REFLECTIONS ON VARIOUS SUB- ONE of the most common subjects of complaint, among those who wish to show their wisdom by arraigning the whole economy of the universe, is the inequality in the distribution of the goods of this life. It is unfair, say they, that a fool should be surround ed with dignities, honours and affluence, while a wise man perhaps begs at his door. This is a mistake, arising, as false opinions generally do, from a too hasty view of the subject. Let the wisdom of the one be weighed against the exterior trappings of the other, and it will then appear that the wise man has by much the greater share of the goods even of this life, wisdom being the most valuable gift that God can bestow. It may also be proved that he is the happiest. He is of course virtuous, for true wisdom is the mother of virtue, and his wisdom and virtue will teach him to be contented with whatever lot the will of God may ordain for him. This is more than the fool in the midst of his wealth can ever attain to. He is always pursuing some new bauble; and despising all he possesses in comparison with what he wishes to obtain, and though he may riot in what he calls pleasure for a time, he never enjoys that inward satisfaction, that sunshine of the mind, which alone deserves the name of happiness. If then, honours, distinctions, and riches were given exclusively to the wise and good, what would become of the foolish and the wicked? They would lose their only enjoyment, and become much more wretched than it is possible for a wise man to be under a ny circumstances. At the same time the happiness of the wise would not increase The hand of a friend imparts inestimable value to the most trifling token of remembrance; but a magnificent present from one unloved is like golden fetters, which encumber and restrain not the less for being made of costly materials, Humility has been so much recommended, and is indeed so truly a christian virtue, that some people fancy they cannot be too humble. If they speak of humility towards GoD, they are certainly right; we cannot, by the utmost exertion of our faculties, measure the distance between Him and us, nor prostrate ourselves too low before Him; but with regard to our fellow creatures, I think the case is different. Though we ought by no means to assume too much, a certain degree of respect to ourselves is necessary to obtain a proportionate degree, from others. Too low an opinion of ourselves will also prevent our undertaking what we are very able to accomplish, and thus prevent the fulfilment of our duty; for it is our duty to exert the pow ers given us, to the utmost for good purposes; and how shall we exert powers which we are too humble minded to suppose we possess? In this particular, as in all others, we should constantly aim at discovering the truth. Though our faculties, both intellectual and corporeal, be absolutely nothing compared with the Divinity, yet when compared with those of other mortals they rise to some relative value, and it should be our study to ascertain that value, in order that we may employ them to the best advantage; always remembering that it is better to fix it rather below than a bove the truth. It is very surprising that praise should excite vanity; for if what is said of us be true, it is no more than we knew before, and cannot raise us in our own esteem; if it be false, it is surely a most humiliating reflection; that we are only admired because we are not known; and that a closer inspection would draw forth censure, instead of commendation. Praise can hurt only those who have not formed a decided opinion of themselves, and who are willing on the testimony of others to rank themselves higher than their merits warrant, in the scale of excellency. Pleasure is a rose near which there ever grows the thorn of evil. It is wisdom's work so carefully to cull the rose, as to avoid the thorn, and let its rich perfume exhale to heave en in grateful adoration of Him who gave the rose to blow. As the sun breaking forth in winter, so is joy in the season of affliction. As a shadow in the midst of summer, so are the salutary drops of sorrow mingled in our cup of pleasure. A sum of happiness sufficient to supply our reasonable desires for a long time is sometimes condensed into a little space, as light is concentrated in the flash. Such moments are given us to guess at the joys of heaven. In vain do we attempt to fix our thoughts on heaven; the vanities of this world rise like a cloud of dust before the eyes of the traveller, and obscure, if not totally conceal the beautiful and boundless prospect of the glorious country towards which we are tending. If it were the business of man to make a religion for himself, the Deist; the Theophilanthropist, the Stoic, or even the Epicurean, might be approved; but this is not the case. We are to believe what God has taught us, and to do what he has commanded. All other systems are but the reveries of mortals and not religion. The cause of all sin is a deficiency in our love of God. If we really loved Him above all things, we should not be too strongly attached to terrestrial objects, and should with pleasure relinquish them all to please Him. Unfortunately, while we continue on earth, our minds are so much An hour well spent condemns a life. When we reflect on the sum of improvement and delight gained in that single hour, how do the multitude of hours already past, rise up and say, what good has marked us? Wouldst thou know the true worth of time employ one hour. A woman must have uncommon sweetness of disposition and manners to be forgiven for possessing superior talents and acquirements. Great actions are so often performed from little motives of vanity, self-complacency, and the like, that I am more apt to think highly of the person whom I observe checking a reply to a petulant speech, or even submitting to the judgement of another in stirring the fire, than of one who gives away thousands. Happiness is a very com mon plant, a native of every soil; yet is some skill requir ed in gathering it; for many poisonous weeds look like it, and deceive the unwary to their ruin. A happy day is worth enjoying; it exercises the soul for heaven. The heart that never tastes of pleasure, shuts up, grows stiff, and incapable of enjoyment. How then shall it enter the mansion of bliss ? A cold heart can receive no pleasure even there. Happiness is the support of virtue ; they should always travel together, and they generally do so; when the heart expands to receive the latter, her companion enters of course. In some situations, if I ever do right, it is mechanically or in compliance with the deductions of reason; in others, it is from an inward sentiment of goodness, from the love of God, and admiration of the beauty of virtue. I believe it is impossible to be wicked and happy at the same time. |