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The complete works of N.P. Willis

Willis, Nathaniel Parker (1806-1867)
  
[book-plate]
  
[title page]
  
[acknowledgements]
  
[acknowledgements]
  
[preface]
  
CONTENTS.
  
[acknowledgements]
  
THE AUTHOR OF PENCILLINGS BY THE WAY, TO THE READER OF THIS EDITION.

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PENCILLINGS BY THE WAY.
 1. 
LETTER I.
 2. 
LETTER II.
 3. 
LETTER III.
 4. 
LETTER IV.
 5. 
LETTER V.
 6. 
LETTER VI.
 7. 
LETTER VII.
 8. 
LETTER VIII.
 9. 
LETTER IX.
 10. 
LETTER X.
 11. 
LETTER XI.
 12. 
LETTER XII.
 13. 
LETTER XIII.
 14. 
LETTER XIV.
 15. 
LETTER XV.
 16. 
LETTER XVI.
 17. 
LETTER XVII.
 18. 
LETTER XVIII.
 19. 
LETTER XIX.
 20. 
LETTER XX.
 21. 
LETTER XXI.
 22. 
LETTER XXII.
 23. 
LETTER XXIII.
 24. 
LETTER XXIV.
 25. 
LETTER XXV.
 26. 
LETTER XXVI.
 27. 
LETTER XXVII.
 28. 
LETTER XXVIII.
 29. 
LETTER XXIX.
 30. 
LETTER XXX.
 31. 
LETTER XXXI.
 32. 
LETTER XXXII.
 33. 
LETTER XXXIII.
 34. 
LETTER XXXIV.
 35. 
LETTER XXXV.
 36. 
LETTER XXXVI.
 37. 
LETTER XXXVII.
 38. 
LETTER XXXVIII.
 39. 
LETTER XXXIX.
 40. 
LETTER XL.
 41. 
LETTER XLI.
 42. 
LETTER XLII.
 43. 
LETTER XLIII.
 44. 
LETTER XLIV.
 45. 
LETTER XLV.
 46. 
LETTER XLVI.
 47. 
LETTER XLVII.
 48. 
LETTER XLVIII.
 49. 
LETTER XLIX.
 50. 
LETTER L.
 51. 
LETTER LI.
 52. 
LETTER LII.
 53. 
LETTER LIII.
 54. 
LETTER LIV.
 55. 
LETTER LV.
 56. 
LETTER LVI.
 57. 
LETTER LVII.
 58. 
LETTER LVIII.
 59. 
LETTER LIX.
 60. 
LETTER LX.
 61. 
LETTER LXI.
 62. 
LETTER LXII.
 63. 
LETTER LXIII.
 64. 
LETTER LXIV.
 65. 
LETTER LXV.
 66. 
LETTER LXVI.
 67. 
LETTER LXVII.
 68. 
LETTER LXVIII.
 69. 
LETTER LXIX.
 70. 
LETTER LXX.
 71. 
LETTER LXXI.
 72. 
LETTER LXXII.
 73. 
LETTER LXXIII.
 74. 
LETTER LXXIV.
 75. 
LETTER LXXV.
 76. 
LETTER LXXVI.
 77. 
LETTER LXXVII.
 78. 
LETTER LXXVIII.
 79. 
LETTER LXXIX.
 80. 
LETTER LXXX.
 81. 
LETTER LXXXI.
 82. 
LETTER LXXXII.
 83. 
LETTER LXXXIII.
 84. 
LETTER LXXXIV.
 85. 
LETTER LXXXV.
 86. 
LETTER LXXXVI.
 87. 
LETTER LXXXVII.
 88. 
LETTER LXXXVIII.
 89. 
LETTER LXXXIX.
 90. 
LETTER XC.
 91. 
LETTER XCI.
 92. 
LETTER XCII.
 93. 
LETTER XCIII.
 94. 
LETTER XCIV.
 95. 
LETTER XCV.
 96. 
LETTER XCVI.
 97. 
LETTER XCVII
 98. 
LETTER XCVIII.
 99. 
LETTER XCIX.
 100. 
LETTER C.
 101. 
LETTER CI.
 102. 
LETTER CII.
 103. 
LETTER CIII.
 104. 
LETTER CIV.
 105. 
LETTER CV.
 106. 
LETTER CVI.
 107. 
LETTER CVII.
 108. 
LETTER CVIII.
 109. 
LETTER CIX.
 110. 
LETTER CX.
 111. 
LETTER CXI.
 112. 
LETTER CXII.
 113. 
LETTER CXIII.
 114. 
LETTER CXIV.
 115. 
LETTER CXV.
 116. 
LETTER CXVI.
 117. 
LETTER CXVII.
 118. 
LETTER CXVIII.
 119. 
LETTER CXIX.
 120. 
LETTER CXX.
 121. 
LETTER CXXI.
 122. 
LETTER CXXII.
 123. 
LETTER CXXIII.
 124. 
LETTER CXXIV.
 125. 
LETTER CXXV.
 126. 
LETTER CXXVI.
 127. 
LETTER CXXVII.
 128. 
LETTER CXXVIII.
 129. 
LETTER CXXIX.
 130. 
LETTER CXXX.
 131. 
LETTER CXXXI.
 132. 
LETTER CXXXII.
 133. 
LETTER CXXXIII.
 134. 
LETTER CXXXIV.
 135. 
LETTER CXXXV.
 136. 
LETTER CXXXVI.
 137. 
LETTER CXXXVII.
 138. 
LETTER CXXXVIII.
 139. 
LETTER CXXXIX.
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LETTERS FROM UNDER A BRIDGE
  
PREFACE.
 1. 
LETTER I.
 2. 
LETTER II.
 3. 
LETTER III.
 4. 
LETTER IV.
 5. 
LETTER V.
 6. 
LETTER VI.
 7. 
LETTER VII.
 8. 
LETTER VIII
 9. 
LETTER IX.
 10. 
LETTER X.
 11. 
LETTER XI.
 12. 
LETTER XII.
 13. 
LETTER XIII.
 14. 
LETTER XIV.
 15. 
LETTER XV.
 16. 
LETTER XVI.
 17. 
LETTER XVII.
 18. 
LETTER XVIII.
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DASHES AT LIFE WITH A FREE PENCIL.
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PART I; HIGH LIFE IN EUROPE, AND AMERICAN LIFE.
  
PREFACE.
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LEAVES FROM THE HEART-BOOK OF ERNEST CLAY
 1. 
CHAPTER I.
 2. 
CHAPTER II.
 3. 
CHAPTER III.
 4. 
CHAPTER IV.
 5. 
CHAPTER V.
 6. 
CHAPTER VI.
 7. 
CHAPTER VII.
 8. 
CHAPTER VIII.
 9. 
CHAPTER IX.
  
THE MARQUIS IN PETTICOATS.
  
“BEAUTY AND THE BEAST;” OR, HANDSOME MRS. TITTON AND HER PLAIN HUSBAND.
  
BROWN'S DAY WITH THE MIMPSONS.
  
MR. AND MRS. FOLLETT; OR, THE DANGERS OF MEDDLING WITH MARRIED PEOPLE.
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THE COUNTESS NYSCHRIEM, AND THE HANDSOME ARTIST.
 2. 
II.
  
MY ONE ADVENTURE AS A BRIGAND.
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WIGWAM versus ALMACK'S.
 1. 
CHAPTER I.
 2. 
CHAPTER II.
  
MISS JONES'S SON.
  
LADY RACHEL.
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THE PHANTOM-HEAD UPON THE TABLE.
 1. 
CHAPTER I. SHOWING THE HUMILIATIONS OF THE BARRIERS OF HIGH-LIFE.
 2. 
CHAPTER II. SHOWING A GENTLEMAN'S NEED OF A HORSE.
 3. 
CHAPTER III. SHOWING WHAT MAKES A HORSE-STEALER A GENTLEMAN.
 4. 
CHAPTER IV.
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GETTING TO WINDWARD.
 1. 
CHAPTER I.
 2. 
CHAPTER II.
  
THE WIFE BEQUEATHED AND RESUMED.
  
A REVELATION OF A PREVIOUS LIFE.
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AMERICAN LIFE.
  
COUNT POTT'S STRATEGY.
  
THE FEMALE WARD.
  
TWO BUCKETS IN A WELL.
  
LIGHT VERVAIN.
  
NORA MEHIDY; OR, THE STRANGE ROAD TO THE HEART OF MR. HYPOLET LEATHERS.
  
THE PHARISEE AND THE BARBER.
  
MRS. PASSABLE TROTT.
  
THE SPIRIT-LOVE OF “IONE S — .”
  
MABEL WYNNE.
  
THE GHOST-BALL AT CONGRESS HALL.
  
BORN TO LOVE PIGS AND CHICKENS.
  
THE WIDOW BY BREVET.
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THOSE UNGRATEFUL BLIDGIMSES.
  
THE STORY.
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DASHES AT LIFE WITH A FREE PENCIL.
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PART II; INKLINGS OF ADVENTURE, AND LOITERINGS OF TRAVEL.
  
PREFACE.
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PEDLAR KARL.
 2. 
II.
 3. 
III.
 4. 
IV.
 5. 
V.
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NIAGARA — LAKE ONTARIO — THE ST. LAWRENCE.
 1. 
NO. I. — NIAGARA.
 2. 
II. — LAKE ONTARIO.
 3. 
III. — THE ST. LAWRENCE.
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THE CHEROKEE'S THREAT.
 2. 
II.
 3. 
III.
 4. 
IV.
 5. 
V.
 6. 
VI.
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F. SMITH.
 2. 
II.
 3. 
III.
 4. 
IV.
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EDITH LINSEY.
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PART I. FROST AND FLIRTATION.
 2. 
II.
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PART II. LOVE AND SPECULATION.
 2. 
II.
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PART III. A Digression.
 2. 
II.
 3. 
III.
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PART IV. SCENERY AND A SCENE.
 2. 
II.
 3. 
III.
 4. 
IV.
 5. 
V.
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SCENES OF FEAR.
 1. 
No. I. THE DISTURBED VIGIL.
 2. 
No. II. THE MAD SENIOR.
 3. 
No. III. THE LUNATIC'S SKATE.
  
INCIDENTS ON THE HUDSON.
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THE GIPSY OF SARDIS.
 2. 
II.
 3. 
III.
 4. 
IV.
 5. 
V.
 6. 
VI.
 7. 
VII.
 8. 
VIII.
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PART II.
 2. 
II.
 3. 
III.
 4. 
IV.
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PART III.
 2. 
II.
 3. 
III.
  
TOM FANE AND I.
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LARKS IN VACATION.
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CHAPTER I. DRIVING STANHOPE PRO TEM.
 2. 
II.
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CHAPTER II. SARATOGA SPRINGS.
 2. 
II.
 3. 
III.
 3. 
CHAPTER III. MRS. CAPTAIN THOMPSON.
  
A LOG IN THE ARCHIPELAGO.
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THE REVENGE OF THE SIGNOR BASIL.
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PART I.
 2. 
II.
 3. 
III.
 4. 
IV.
 5. 
V.
 6. 
VI.
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PART II.
 2. 
II.
 3. 
III.
 4. 
IV.
 5. 
V.
  
LOVE AND DIPLOMACY.
  
THE MADHOUSE OF PALERMO.
  
MINUTE PHILOSOPHIES.
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LOITERINGS OF TRAVEL.
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LADY RAVELGOLD.
 1. 
CHAPTER I.
 2. 
CHAPTER II.
 3. 
CHAPTER III.
 4. 
CHAPTER IV.
 5. 
CHAPTER V.
 6. 
CHAPTER VI.
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PALETTO'S BRIDE.
 1. 
CHAPTER I.
 2. 
CHAPTER II.
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VIOLANTA CESARINI.
 1. 
CHAPTER I.
 2. 
CHAPTER II.
 3. 
CHAPTER III.
 4. 
CHAPTER IV.
 5. 
CHAPTER V.
 6. 
CHAPTER VI.
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PASQUALI, THE TAILOR OF VENICE.
 1. 
CHAPTER I.
 2. 
CHAPTER II.
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THE BANDIT OF AUSTRIA.
 2. 
CHAPTER II.
 3. 
CHAPTER III.
 4. 
CHAPTER IV.
 5. 
CHAPTER V.
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OONDER-HOOFDEN, OR THE UNDERCLIFF. A TALE OF THE VOYAGE OF HENDRICK HUDSON.
 1. 
CHAPTER I.
 2. 
CHAPTER II.
  
THE PICKER AND PILER.
  
KATE CREDIFORD.
  
FLIRTATION AND FOX-CHASING.
  
THE POET AND THE MANDARIN.
  
MEENA DIMITY; OR, WHY MR. BROWN CRASH TOOK THE TOUR.
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THE POWER OF AN “INJURED LOOK.”
 1. 
CHAPTER I.
 2. 
CHAPTER II.
 3. 
CHAPTER III.
  
BEWARE OF DOGS AND WALTZING.
  
THE INLET OF PEACH-BLOSSOMS.
  
THE BELLE OF THE BELFRY; OR, THE DARING LOVER.
  
PASSAGES FROM AN EPISTOLARY JOURNAL. KEPT ON A LATE VISIT TO ENGLAND.
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MY ADVENTURES AT THE TOURNAMENT.
  
PRINCIPAL DAY.
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SKETCHES OF TRAVEL.
 1. 
CHAPTER I. LONDON.
 2. 
CHAPTER II. THE STREETS OF LONDON.
 3. 
CHAPTER III. LONDON.
 4. 
CHAPTER IV. LONDON.
 5. 
CHAPTER V. LONDON.
 6. 
CHAPTER VI. LONDON.
 7. 
CHAPTER VII. ISLE OF WIGHT — RYDE.
 8. 
CHAPTER VIII. COMPARISON OF THE CLIMATE OF EUROPE AND AMERICA.
 9. 
CHAPTER IX. STRATFORD-ON-AVON.
 10. 
CHAPTER X. VISIT TO STRATFORD-ON-AVON — SHAKSPERE.
 11. 
CHAPTER XI. CHARLECOTE.
 12. 
CHAPTER XII. WARWICK CASTLE.
 13. 
CHAPTER XIII. KENILWORTH.
 14. 
CHAPTER XIV. A VISIT TO DUBLIN ABOUT THE TIME OF THE QUEEN'S MARRIAGE.
 15. 
CHAPTER XV. CLOSING SCENES OF THE SESSION AT WASHINGTON.
 16. 
CHAPTER XVI. THE INAUGURATION.
 17. 
CHAPTER XVII. WASHINGTON IN THE SESSION.
 18. 
CHAPTER XVIII. WASHINGTON AFTER THE SESSION.
  
THE FOUR RIVERS. THE HUDSON — THE MOHAWK — THE CHENANGO — THE SUSQUEHANNAH.
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DASHES AT LIFE WITH A FREE PENCIL.
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PART III; EPHEMERA.
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FROM SARATOGA.
  
MOORE AND BARRY CORNWALL.
  
THE CLOISTER.
  
THE CABINET.
  
THE CABINET.
  
THE CABINET.
  
THE CABINET.
  
THE CABINET.
  
A HUMBUG FAME.
  
AFTER THE OPERA.
  
AFTER THE OPERA. A FEW GRAVE REMARKS WHILE SUPPER IS COMING.
  
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
  
OLE BULL'S NIAGARA. (AN HOUR BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE.)
  
SUPPER AFTER THE OPERA.
  
BREAKFAST ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.
  
BEHIND THE CURTAIN.
  
WHO ARE THE UPPER TEN THOUSAND?
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THE WEST IN A PETTICOAT.
 1. 
CHAPTER I.
  
LETTER TO FANNY FORESTER.
  
[section]
  
ARGUMENT FOR SEDAN CHAIRS.
  
BACHELOR BOB'S DISCOVERIES.
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LECTURE ON FASHION: DELIVERED BEFORE THE NEW YORK LYCEUM,
  
NOTE.
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POETICAL WORKS OF N. P. WILLIS.
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SACRED POEMS.
  
PREFACE.
  
THE HEALING OF THE DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS.
  
THE LEPER.
  
DAVID'S GRIEF FOR HIS CHILD.
  
THE SACRIFICE OF ABRAHAM.
  
THE SHUNAMITE.
  
JEPHTHAH'S DAUGHTER.
  
ABSALOM.
  
CHRIST'S ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM
  
BAPTISM OF CHRIST.
  
SCENE IN GETHSEMANE.
  
THE WIDOW OF NAIN.
  
HAGAR IN THE WILDERNESS.
  
RIZPAH WITH HER SONS, (The day before they were hanged on Gibeah.)
  
LAZARUS AND MARY.
  
THOUGHTS WHILE MAKING THE GRAVE OF A NEW-BORN CHILD.
  
ON THE DEPARTURE OF REV. MR. WHITE FROM HIS PARISH WHEN CHOSEN PRESIDENT OF WABASH COLLEGE
  
BIRTH-DAY VERSES.
  
TO MY MOTHER FROM THE APPENINES
  
LINES ON LEAVING EUROPE.
  
A TRUE INCIDENT.
  
THE MOTHER TO HER CHILD.
  
THIRTY-FIVE.
  
A THOUGHT OVER A CRADLE.
  
CONTEMPLATION.
  
ON THE DEATH OF A MISSIONARY.
  
ON THE PICTURE OF A “CHILD TIRED OF PLAY”
  
A CHILD'S FIRST IMPRESSION OF A STAR
  
ON WITNESSING A BAPTISM.
  
REVERY AT GLENMARY.
  
THE BELFRY PIGEON.
  
THE SABBATH.
  
DEDICATION HYMN.
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POEMS OF PASSION.
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THE DYING ALCHYMIST.
  
PARRHASIUS.
  
THE SCHOLAR OF THEBET BEN KHORAT.
  
THE WIFE'S APPEAL.
  
MELANIE.
  
LORD IVON AND HIS DAUGHTER.
  
TO ERMENGARDE.
  
THE PITY OF THE PARK FOUNTAIN.
  
“CHAMBER SCENE.”
  
TO A STOLEN RING.
  
TO HER WHO HAS HOPES FOR ME.
  
THE DEATH OF HARRISON.
  
“SHE WAS NOT THERE.”
  
FAIL ME NOT THOU!
  
SPIRIT-WHISPERS.
  
TO M — FROM ABROAD.
  
SUNRISE THOUGHTS AT THE CLOSE OF A BALL.
  
TO A FACE BELOVED.
  
UNSEEN SPIRITS.
  
BETTER MOMENTS.
  
THE ANNOYER.
  
ANDRE'S REQUEST TO WASHINGTON
  
DAWN.
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THE LADY JANE, AND OTHER POEMS.
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THE LADY JANE, A NOVEL IN RHYME.
  
AN APOLOGY
  
TO HELEN IN A HUFF.
  
CITY LYRICS.
  
TO THE LADY IN THE CHEMISETTE WITH BLACK BUTTONS.
  
THE LADY IN THE WHITE DRESS,
  
THE WHITE CHIP HAT.
  
YOU KNOW IF IT WAS YOU.
  
UNSEEN SPIRITS.
  
LOVE IN A COTTAGE.
  
THE DECLARATION.
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TORTESA, THE USURER,
 1. 
ACT I.
 2. 
ACT II.
 3. 
ACT III.
 4. 
ACT IV.
 5. 
ACT V.
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BIANCA VISCONTI; OR THE HEART OVERTASKED.
 1. 
ACT I.
 2. 
ACT II.
 3. 
ACT III.
 4. 
ACT IV.
 5. 
ACT V.

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previous sectionA CHILD'S FIRST IMPRESSION OF A STAR The complete works of N.P. Willis
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A CHILD'S FIRST IMPRESSION OF A STAR

She had been told that God made all the stars
That twinkled up in heaven, and now she stood
Watching the coming of the twilight on,
As if it were a new and perfect world,
And this were its first eve. She stood alone
By the low window, with the silken lash
Of her soft eye upraised, and her sweet mouth
Half parted with the new and strange delight
Of beauty that she could not comprehend,
And had not seen before. The purple folds
Of the low sunset clouds, and the blue sky
That looked so still and delicate above,
Filled her young heart with gladness, and the eve
Stole on with its deep shadows, and she still
Stood looking at the west with that half-smile,
As if a pleasant thought were at her heart
Presently, in the edge of the last tint
Of sunset, where the blue was melted in
To the faint golden mellowness, a star
Stood suddenly. A laugh of wild delight
Burst from her lips, and putting up her hands,
Her simple thought broke forth expressively —
“Father! dear father! God has made a star!”
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