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 | The boarding school, or, Lessons of a preceptress to her pupils ; consisting of information, instruction, and advice, calculated to improve the manners, and form the character of young ladies ; to which is added, a collection of letters, written by the pupils, to their instructor, their friends, and each other |  |
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To Miss MATILDA FIELDING.
Harmony-Grove.
Harmony-Grove.
DEAR MATILDA,
Notwithstanding the coldness of
the season, every heart seems to be enlivened, and
every mind exhilarated by the anniversary of the
new year. Why this day is so peculiarly marked
out for congratulations, I shall not now inquire;
but in compliance with the prevailing
custom of expressing good wishes on the occasion,
send you mine in a scribble.
Early I greet the opening year,
While friendship bids the muse appear,
To wish Matilda bless'd.
The muse, devoid of selfish art,
Obeys the dictates of a heart,
Which warms a friendly breast.
The rolling earth again has run
Her annual circuit round the sun,
And whirl'd the year away:
She now her wonted course renews,
Her orbit's track again pursues;
Nor feels the least decay.
How soon the fleeting hours are gone!
The rapid wheels of time glide on,
Which bring the seasons round.
While friendship bids the muse appear,
To wish Matilda bless'd.
The muse, devoid of selfish art,
Obeys the dictates of a heart,
Which warms a friendly breast.
The rolling earth again has run
Her annual circuit round the sun,
And whirl'd the year away:
She now her wonted course renews,
Her orbit's track again pursues;
Nor feels the least decay.
How soon the fleeting hours are gone!
The rapid wheels of time glide on,
Which bring the seasons round.
132
Winter disrobes the smiling plain,
But spring restores its charms again,
And decks the fertile ground.
The sweet returns of cheerful May
Come with a vivifying ray,
Inspring new delight:
Beclad with every various charm
To please the eye, the fancy warm,
And animate the sight.
But youth no kind renewal knows;
Swiftly the blooming season goes,
And brings the frost of age!
No more the vernal sun appears,
To gild the painful round of years,
And wintry damps affuage!
With rapid haste the moments fly
Which you and I, my friend, enjoy;
And they return no more!
Then let us wisely now improve
The downy moments, as they rove,
Which nature can't restore.
O Source of wisdom! we implore
Thy aid to guide us safely o'er
The slippery paths of youth:
O deign to lend a steady ray
To point the sure, the certain way
To honor and to truth!
Let thy unerring influence shed
Its blessings on Matilda's head,
While piety and peace,
But spring restores its charms again,
And decks the fertile ground.
The sweet returns of cheerful May
Come with a vivifying ray,
Inspring new delight:
Beclad with every various charm
To please the eye, the fancy warm,
And animate the sight.
But youth no kind renewal knows;
Swiftly the blooming season goes,
And brings the frost of age!
No more the vernal sun appears,
To gild the painful round of years,
And wintry damps affuage!
With rapid haste the moments fly
Which you and I, my friend, enjoy;
And they return no more!
Then let us wisely now improve
The downy moments, as they rove,
Which nature can't restore.
O Source of wisdom! we implore
Thy aid to guide us safely o'er
The slippery paths of youth:
O deign to lend a steady ray
To point the sure, the certain way
To honor and to truth!
Let thy unerring influence shed
Its blessings on Matilda's head,
While piety and peace,
133
Thy genuine offspring, round her wait,
And guard her thro' this transient state,
To joys that never cease!
May constant health its charms extend,
And fortune every blessing lend,
To crown each passing day:
May pleasures in succession shine,
And every heart-felt bliss be thine,
Without the least allay.
And guard her thro' this transient state,
To joys that never cease!
May constant health its charms extend,
And fortune every blessing lend,
To crown each passing day:
May pleasures in succession shine,
And every heart-felt bliss be thine,
Without the least allay.
MARIA WILLIAMS.
| The boarding school, or, Lessons of a preceptress to her pupils ; consisting of information, instruction, and advice, calculated to improve the manners, and form the character of young ladies ; to which is added, a collection of letters, written by the pupils, to their instructor, their friends, and each other | |