débutant. This may be considered, on the whole, Mrs. Kirkland's best production, without disparaging its successors.
In 1842, Mr. and Mrs. Kirkland returned to New York, where Mr. Kirkland became proprietor of a journal of a religious and literary character, the editing of which was in accordance with his views and tastes. Mrs. Kirkland now engaged in that profession which we think more deserving of honour than mere literary pursuits; she became teacher and guide of a select school for young ladies, whom she received into her own family. She did not, however, abandon her pen, and in 1845 appeared "Western Clearings," a series of stories founded on her reminiscences of life in the West. These had before appeared in "Annuals," written for the occasion and without connection, and can only be judged separately, as clever of their kind; some are very charming, and some highly humorous; we would instance "The Schoolmaster's Progress" as among the latter, and "Half-Lengths from Life" as an excellent specimen of Mrs. Kirkland's sensible and just mode of thinking, and her happy manner of describing character.
The sudden death of her husband devolving on Mrs. Kirkland the whole care of her children, called forth her energies as an author in a new manner. She became editor of a monthly periodical, published in New York, called "The Union Magazine." in 1848, this was transferred to Philadelphia, and is now known as "Sartain's;" she still continues one of its editors.
In 1848, Mrs. Kirkland visited the Old World; she has recorded her impressions in a work entitled "Holidays Abroad," a pleasant volume. Beside her natural gifts, Mrs. Kirkland is a woman of highly cultivated mind; and from her extensive opportunities for reading and observation, we may reasonably hope for some work from her pen superior to any she has yet given the public.
KLOPSTOCK, MARGARET, or META,
Whose maiden name was Moller, was born in Hamburg, March 19th., 1728. In 1751, the famous Frederic Gottleib Klopstock became acquainted with this enthusiastic German maiden. The story of their courtship and marriage has been told by the lady herself, in some charming letters addressed to Richardson the novelist, author of "Sir Charies Grandison."
Mrs. Klopstock died in childbirth, and the poor bereaved husband and father was left desolate! In a letter to a friend, Klopstock describes the manner of her death and their last parting. After having prayed with her for a long time, he said, as he bent over her, "Be my guardian angel, if God permits." "You have ever been mine," she replied. And when with stifled voice he again repeated, "If God permits, be my guardian angel!" she fixed her eyes upon him full of love, and said, "Ah, who tffould not be your guardian angel!"
Just before she died, she said, with the serene smile of an angel, "My love, you will follow me!"
Some time after her decease, Klopstock published her writings, which are, "Letters from the Dead to the Living;" "The Death of Abel," a tragedy; and several small poems. Her husband says that these were written entirely for her own amusement, and that she always blushed and was very much embarrassed whenever he found her writing, and expressed a wish to see what she had done. He
