thought, a delicacy of expression, a tenderness of sentiment, and an appreciation of melody rarely to be met. She had a fine fancy, a quick imagination, a quiet and unobtrusive humor, and underlying all a foundation of thorough and unwavering thoughtfulness. Her writings are marked by grace, ease, and refinement, and evince not only a catholic but a classical taste. Her heart as well as her mind, is apparent in her compositions; and soul, as well as intellect, permeates and gives character to her productions.
But the genius of Lucretia Davidson has been acknowledged by writers greatly distinguished in literature, not only in this country but in England. Robert Southey, one of the most brilliant critics and accomplished poets, wrote in praise of her productions years ago, in the "London Quarterly Review." With a fullness of expression, creditable to his heart as well as to his understanding, he said: "In these poems there is enough of originality, enough of aspiration, enough of conscious energy, enough of growing power, to warrant any expectations, however sanguine, which the patrons and the friends and parents of the deceased could have formed."
It is not our intention to write a biography of Lucretia Davidson. This has, as will be seen by referring to the appendix at the close of this volume, already been done. so fully and successfully, by a distinguished pen,—that of Miss Sedgwick,—as to leave little for any one else to do. We purpose, therefore, to add only a few simple
