The mental flower-garden, or Instructive and entertaining companion for the fair-sex. Containing, a variety of elegant poetical pieces --pleasing and admonitory letters --cards of compliment --devotional poems --dialogues --writing-pieces --English grammar in verse; and some sketches of female biography: : to which is added, a short but sure guide to an accurate pronunciation (which may save some young ladies a blush in company.) / By D. Fraser, teacher in New-York: author of the Young gentleman and lady's assistant, Columbian monitor, Select biography, &c. ; [Four lines of verse] ; (Copy-right secured)

THE MENTAL FLOWER-GARDEN.

LINES, addressed to the FAIR-READERS of the FLOWER-GARDEN:

1.

MENTAL pleasure here you'll find, Pleasures that adorn the mind; Transient are the joys of sense, They no solid bliss dispense.

2

Wisdom with assuaging pow'r Sooths us in affliction's hour, Brings a balm that gives relief, To the care-worn heart of grief.

3.

When in the female form is seen Beauty with complacent mien, Combin'd with sense and innocence, Resistless is their influence.

4.

Oh! be it yours sweet maids to know Joys that from pure reflection flow; This truth impress upon your heart, That virtue must our bliss impart.

AMERICAN MUSE.

TO PHILENIA: Occasioned by reading her Poem, entitled, "the Virtues of Nature."

IN former days, as ancient poets feign, A strange contention fill'd th' etherial plain, What goddess, fairest in angelic eyes, Should o'er her bright compeers in beauty ••ise, In make and motion high above the rest, Sov'reign of hearts and queen of love ••ss'd.

All wakeful discord the event improv'd, And the whole sex a gilded apple mov'd. O'er the ••••est plain the frivolous bauble roll'd. "To the first fair," inscrib'd in gems and gold. Who had the fairest face fit object then, For universal war of gods and men.

2.

A higher theme has now all hearts inclin'd, Not whose the fairest form, but brightest mind! And hark! how loud the mental contest rings! Apollo's hand has set the tuneful strings: PHILENIA's verse, his living lyre divine Admits, and calls upon the sacred nine, To name the fair pre-eminent in song, To wh••s•• mild voice the dulcet notes belong.

3.

T•• su••h enchantress he'll consign a lyre, The bright 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ial of superior fire; 〈…〉〈…〉 chords the di••p••s•• clear, 〈…〉〈…〉, s••all 〈…〉〈…〉 ••ar. Extatic air••, that hymn the m••rning r••y, The la••k's full nose, and linnet's lighter lay, Shall emulate PHILENIA's song in vain, Her heavenly harp sublime and seraph strain. And hence shall bigot pride contest no more The sexes equal claim to Classic lore.

4.

Mean is the man who never can bestow A leaf of laurel to a female brow; When sterling sense and tuneful diction join'd Are the twin offspring of a female mind. From Albion's cliffs what tides of music flow, When heart-struck Seward pours the plaint of woe, When Carter's modulated numbers roll, And Moore and Akin moralize the soul.

5.

O woman, favorite of the smiling skies! Be thy just rights asserted by the wise! To thy fair fame impartial, they shall find Genius is not to any sex confin'd;

Bound by no Salick law, to nature true, "Shall give to merit what is merit's due."

The foregoing elegant lines were written a few years since, by a gentleman who holds a dignified office in the state of Massachusetts.

ODE TO A YOUNG LADY ON DRESS.

1.

SURVEY, my fair, that lucid stream, Adown the smiling valley stray; Would art attempt or fancy dream To regulate its winding way?

2.

So pleas'd I view thy shining hair In loose dishevelled ringlets flow; Not all thy art, not all thy care, Can there one single grace bestow.

3

Survey again that verdant hill, With native plants enamell'd o'er, Say, can the painter's utmost skill Instruct one flower to please us more?

4.

As vain it were, with artful die, To change the bloom thy cheeks disclose; And, oh! may Laura, ere she try, With fresh vermilion paint the rose!

5.

Hark! how the wood-lark's tuneful throat Can ev'ry study'd grace excell; Let art constrain the warbling note, And will she Laura please so well?

6.

Oh! ever keep thy native ease, By no pedantic law confin'd; For Laura's voice is form'd to please If Laura's words be not unkind.

[Shenstone.]

THE NATURAL BEAUTY.

1.

WHETHER Stella's eyes are found Fix'd on earth or glancing round,

If her face with pleasure glow, If she sigh at other's woe, If her easy air express, Conscious worth or soft distress, Stella's eyes, and air, and face, Charm with undiminish'd grace.

2.

If on her we see display'd Pendant gems and rich brocade, If her chintz with less expense, Flows in easy negligence, Still she lights the conscious flame, Still her charms appear the same; If she strikes the vocal strings, If she's silent, speaks, or sings, If she sit, or if she move, Still we love, and still approve.

3.

Vain the casual transient glance, Which alone can please by chance, Beauty which depends on art, Changing with the changing art, Which demands the toilet's aid, Pendant gems, and rich brocade. I those charms alone can prize, Which from constant nature rise, Which nor circumstance, nor dress, Can ever make or more or less.

[Dr. Johnson.]

A CHARACTER.

OH! born to sooth distress, and lighten care; Lively as soft, and innocent as fair; Blest with that sweet simplicity of thought, So rarely found and never to be taught; Of winning speech, endearing, artless, kind; The loveliest pattern of a female mind; Like some fair spirit from the realms of rest, With all her native heaven, within her breast:

So pure, so good, she scarce can guess at sin, But thinks the world without like that within; Such melting tenderness, so fond to bless, Her charity almost becomes excess! Wealth may be courted, wisdom be rever'd, And beauty prais'd, and brutal strength be fear'd; But goodness only can affection move; And love must own its origin to love. [Miss Aikins.]

"Give me leave to present you with the PROGRESS of LIFE:—I have never seen it in print, but have heard it was, many years ago, written by the Countess of Winchester; and I know you esteem every production that does credit to our sex."

THE PROGRESS OF LIFE.

1.

HOW gaily is our life begun, Our first uncertain race: Whilst yet the sprightly morning's sun, With which we first set out to run, Enlightens all the place!

2.

How smiling the world's prospect lies, How tempting to go through! Not Canaan to the Prophet's eyes, From Pisgah, with a sweet surprise Did more inviting shew▪

3.

How promising the book of fate, 'Till thoroughly understood! Whilst partial hopes such lots create, As may the youthful fancy treat, With all that's great or good.

4.

How soft the young ideas prove, That wander through the mind! How full the joy; how free the love; That does that early season move, Like flowers the western wind!

5.

Our sighs are then but vernal air, But April drops our tears; Which, swiftly passing, all grows fair, Whilst pleasure compensates our care, And youth each vapor clears.

6.

But, hark! too soon, alas, we climb, Scarce feeling we ascend The gently rising hill of time, From whence, with grief, we see that time, And all its sweetness end.

7.

The die now cast, our fortune's known, Fond expectation past; The thorns which former days had sown, To crops of late repentance grown, Through which we toil at last.

8.

Then every care's a driving harm, Which helps to bear us down; Which faded smiles no more can charm, But ev'ry tear is winter's storm, And ev'ry look a frown.

9.

'Till with succeeding ills opprest, For joys we hop'd to find By age too, rumpl'd and undrest, We gladly sinking down to rest— Leave following crowds behind.

The INVITATION—

By Mr. Barclay.

1.

AWAKE, my fair, the morning springs, The dew-drops glance around; The heifer lows, the blackbird sings, The echoing vales resound.

2.

The simple sweets would Stella taste, The breathing morning yields; The fragrance of the flow'ry waste, And freshness of the fields:

3.

By uplands, and the green-wood side, We'll take our early way, And view the valley spreading wide And opening with the day.

4.

Nor uninstructive shall the scene, Unfold its charms in vain; The sallow brown, meadow green, The mountain and the plain.

5.

Each dew-drop glistening on the thorn, And trembling to its fall; Each blush that paints the chief of morn, In fancy's ear shall call:

6.

"O ye in youth and beauty's pride, Who lightly dance along; While laughter frolics at your side, And rapture tunes your song!

7.

What though each grace around you play, Each beauty blooms for you; Warm as the blush of rising day, And sparkling as the dew:—

8.

The blush that glows so gaily now, But glows to disappear; And quiv'ring from the bending bough, Soon breaks the pearly tear!

9.

So pass the beauties of your prime, That e'en in blooming die; So, shrinking at the blast of time, The treach'rous graces fly."

10.

Let those my Stella, slight the strain, Who fear to find it true; Each fair, of transient beauty vain, And youth as transient too!

11.

With charms that win beyond the sight, And hold the willing heart, My Stella waits their highest flight, Nor sigh when they depart.

12.

Still graces shall remain behind, And beauties still control; The graces of the polished mind! And beauties of the soul!

THE VIOLET.

1.

SERENE is the morning, the lark leaves his nest, And sings a salute to the dawn; The sun with his splendor embroiders the east, And brightens the dew on the lawn: Whilst the sons of debauch to indulgence give way, And slumbers the prime of the hours; Let Eve's blooming daughters the garden survey, And make their remarks on the flowers.

2.

The gay gaudy tulip observe as ye walk, How flaunting the gloss of its vest! How proud! and how stately it stands on its stalk, In beauty's diversity drest: From the rose, the carnation, the pink, and the clove, What odours incessantly spring! The south wafts a richer perfume to the grove, As he brushes the leaves with his wing.

3.

A part from the rest, in her purple array, The violet humbly retreats; In modest concealment she peeps on the day, Yet none can excel her in sweets: So humble, that (tho with unparalelled grace She might e'en a palace adorn) She oft in the hedge hides her innocent face, And grows at the foot of the thorn.

4.

So beauty, ye fair ones, its doubly refined, When modesty heightens its charms; When meekness divine adds a gem to the mind, The heart of the suitor it warms. Let none talk of Venus, and all her proud train, (The graces that wait at her call;)

'Tis meekness alone, which the conquest will gain; This violet surpasses them all.

W—

ON BEAUTY.

1.

ENCHANTING nymph, of heavenly birth▪ Celestial BEAUTY, sent on earth To smooth our toils, our cares, our strife, And gild the gloom that saddens life: Thine empire countless millions own, And every clime reveres thy throne.

2.

If e'er I bow'd before thy shrine, And hail'd thy power with rites divine, Oh blest enchantress deign to tell In what consists thy magic spell? Is it an eye, whose sparkling rays Eclipse the diamond's fainter blaze? A check that shames the vernal rose? A breast that vies with mountain snows? A mouth that smiles with matchless grace, Like pearls within a ruby case?

3.

These may our warmest passions fire, And kindle every fierce desire, But Love, upheld by these alone, Must soon resign his tottering throne, And holds a poor precarious sway, The short-lived tyrant of a day; Or e'en to form a nymph complete, If all the various charms could meet, That each divided bosom warm, And every throbbing pulse alarm; Yet these were vain, unless with these Were join'd the secret power to PLEASE:

4.

That nameless something—undefin'd— That soft effusion of the mind! Which sweetly smiles in every face, To every motion lends a grace;

And when their beauty points a dart, Impels, and guides it to the heart. In vain the stealing hand of time May pluck the blossoms of their prin••▪

5.

Envy may talk of bloom decay'd, How lilies droop, and roses fade, But constancy's unalter'd truth, Regardless of the vows of youth; Affection that recals the past, And bids the pleasing influence last, And still preserve the lover's flame, In every scene of life the same: And still with fond endearment blend, The wife, the sister, and the friend.

THE BIRD's NEST.

1.

THE other day, as CLARA fair, Resolv'd to taste the rural air, To view what blooming smiles adorn, The vernal splendours of the morn; Chance onward led that pleasing way, My CLARA seem'd inclin'd to stray. Transported thus, the fair to find Intent for walk, I quickly join'd.

2.

In meditation as we went, CLARA observ'd two birds intent, To build with parents care their nest, Which to secure,—they seem'd distrest, The crested mate, with bill full fraught, Seem'd to display a husband's thought; And brought materials, nature lent, To fabricate their tenement.

3.

We stopp'd to view the anxious pair, Contrive their house, with wonderous care. See, CLARA, see! I then exprest, What various things compose the nest;

What different parts, connected join, To make the whole both firm and fine.

4.

So should the soul of every maid, With different beauties be array'd; Virtue should guard the tender fair, From man's deceptive, flattering snare; Prudence direct her wavering youth, To teach her feet the path of truth; And modesty, in outward mien, Should speak the harmless soul within.

5

Honor protect her virgin heart, From every low, insidious art; And soft good nature ever roll, Its tender impulse in her soul: And when these excellencies join'd, Display a CLARA's lovely mind, The composition soon would prove, A nest of harmony and love.

A.

A FEMALE CHARACTER.

1.

THE charms of Sophia let envy compare, And envy must own her the first of the fair; The beauty of person time injures we find, No charms can be lasting but those of the mind; Good nature, good sense, and fair virtue and truth, She holds by a tenure not bounded by youth:

2.

The wrinkles of age when beheld on the wise, Only prove they are ripening apace for the skies; There beauty will bloom, nor be injur'd by time, And virtue must flourish in that happy clime.

3.

'Tis PERFECTION alone admission there gains, Where love can be constant without marriage chains; There streams of pure pleasure perrenial shall flow, And Sophia unchang'd—will be what she is now.

THE WINTER OF AGE.

DEAR Fanny let's roam, while soft wanton gales; Blithe zephyrs disport upon Dee's limpid stream; Devoid of all guile, to repeat our fond tales, For pleasing is converse, where love is the theme.

2.

O think my fair maid, that in life's budding spring, In love 'tis the duty of all to engage; That thence blooming summer may happiness bring, To cherish the cold hoary winter of age.

3.

Pomona, choice fruits may abundantly yield, Gay Flora, spread carpets of roses around, Or Ceres benign, o'er the yellow clad field, Make autumn's kind harvest diffusive abound.

4.

But these nought avail, if in life's budding spring, In tender affection we fail to engage; That thence blooming summer may happiness bring, To cherish the cold hoary winter of age.

5.

On Dee's flow'ry margin, where ruddy fac'd health, Convenes every morning her syl••an levee, I envy not pomp, nor the splendor of wealth, Content with my fortune, possessing but thee.

6.

Let love then, dear Fanny, in life's budding spring, Our fondest regard to each other engage, That thence blooming summer may happiness bring, To comfort the cold hoary winter of age.

G.

THE LILY OF THE VALE.

1.

THE fragrant lily of the vale, So elegant and fair, Whose sweets perfume the fanning gale, To Phebe I compare.

2.

What tho on earth it lowly grows, And strives its head to hide; Its sweetness far outvies the rose, That flaunts with so much pride.

3.

The costly tulip owes its hue, To many a gaudy stain;

In this we view the virgin white, Of innocence remain.

4.

See how the curious flor••st's hand Repairs its humble hea•• And to preserve the charming flower, Transports it to its bed:

5.

There, while it sheds its sweets around, How shines each modest grace; Enraptured, how its owner stands, To view its lovely face.

6.

But pray fair Phebe—now observe, The inference of my tale, May I the florist be—and thou, My lily of the vale.

THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE.

1.

I HAVE heard—and indeed I begin to believe, That woman's great pleasure is man to deceive▪ That each turn of her eye is directed by art, And that language sincere never flows from her heart

2.

I have heard—and indeed I have frequently seen, That a man is no more than a supple machine, In the hands of a woman of spirit and skill, Who can turn him about with the breath of her will

3.

I have heard—I have seen—but I hope I can say That I have not yet felt a soft conqueror's sway; With the sex I am ready to romp free as air, But to take one for life—that's another affair.

4.

Thus on woman young Colin delivered his mind, And laugh'd loud at those who in wedlock were join'd But his firm resolution 'gainst the conjugal state, Were light before Nancy, they all wanted weight.

5.

To his Nancy he listen'd one evening so long, While she threw out her voice in a sensible song; That he rose the next morning determin'd to wed, To his Nancy by love, far from liberty led.

VERSES ON MISS B—.

1.

HAIL! charmer, than rose more fair, Her face is Beauty's throne; Of lovely, sweet, and graceful air, Her charms can yield to none.

2.

Hail, virtuous maid, quite free from care, In her peace reigns confest; No troubles, discontent, or fear, Assails her pious breast.

3.

Not puff'd with hateful pride her mind, Of unaffected mien; She's condescending, gentle, kind, Mild, prudent, and serene.

4.

Retire ye foolish slaves to dress, Who paint before you're seen; Ye dare not look her in the face, For graceful, modest mien.

A NEW-YEAR's GIFT, addressed to the LADIES.

1.

ALL vain terrestrial beings are, As aptly to decay; These precepts study, oh! ye fair▪ And while Sol shines, make hay.

2.

Boast not of Beauty's slender power, Altho it decks your face; At best 'tis but a slender power, That must to time give place.

3.

The sparkling lustre of your eyes, May dim, perhaps, too soon; Fate clouds around the morning skies, And life goes down at noon.

4.

Repentance real, ne'er can be, Within the silent grave; Then think, ye fair! what 'tis to be In misery a slave.

5.

'Tis virtue best your time approves, It gives the bosom peace;

It plants content that never ••ove••▪ With joys that never cease.

6.

It yields the soul a soo••hing balm, And shields it safe from fright; 'Tis proof against the worst of harm, That happens day or night.

7.

To heaven may all your pray'rs ascend, To J—, be their drift; And rank him ever as your friend, Who gives this New-Year's gift.

H.

THE FEMALE FRIEND.

1.

GIDDY girls who up and down, Flutter through the tattling town, Flittering here, and fluttering there, While you for distinction stare; Think while flatt••rers round you crowd, In your praise profuse and loud, Think that in their pointed eyes, Danger, lurking danger lies.

2.

Giddy girls, who in their dress, Follow fashion to excess, And with ev'ry aid from art, Drest, for admiration start••: Think how often circles bright, While appearance breathes delight, Round a room by scandal tost, Female characters are lost.

3.

Giddy girls, I do not mean, Urg'd by envy, urg'd by spleen, What you pleasure call to blame, Spleen and envy I disclaim: But as human life's a race, While you run from place to place, Let reflection guard your hearts, 'Gainst all bane bewitching arts.

4.

Giddy girls with wildness gay, Do not turn from truth away; To a female friend sincere, Lend, O! lend a list'ning ear; Trust me, while your charms you spread; By the hopes of conquest led, You may in a luckless hour, Lose your heart defending power.

THE LOVELY TWINS.

1.

TO say they're pretty, blooming, fair, Or praise their brilliant features, To celebrate each shape and air, And swear they're "lovely creatures."— Are words of course, spontaneous fruit, Which science yields to beauty; Nay, often, the uncultur'd brute Thus pays his awkward duty.

2.

But when through their enchanting eyes And animated faces, The man of sterling sense descries, Their polish'd mental graces, When he attentive hears them speak, In pure melliffluent measure, Mild admiration glows his che••k, His soul dissolves in pleasure!

3.

With timid eye on either face, Alternately he gazes, The facinating charms of Grace* 1.1 His raptur'd fancy praises: But while he breathes in am'rous style, He finds his wishes vary— And then, perhaps, a fleeting smile, Attaches him to Mary.* 1.2

4.

In vain his tongue essays its art, His eyes its tranquil glan••es, For ah! his pa••pi••ating heart Is lost in pleasing trances! The fair one by his frequent sighs His wishes may discover, And read in his responsive eyes, The fond respectful lover!

RHAPSODY ON MISS MARY —.

O! EARLY plant of tender years! Beauty that blooms at once, and bears Discretion mixt with sprightly wit, And innocence, with taste polite, A cheerful yet discerning mind, And dignity with softness join'd; When these assembled charms are seen All in the compass of sixteen, Maturer age, abash'd, declares, Wisdom is not the growth of years: No! 'tis a ray that darts from Heaven, Perfection is not taught, but given: Polly, consummate from her birth, In artless charms, and native worth, Has all the virtues years enjoy, With all the graces that destroy.

VERSES, Written by an American Gentleman, after his arrival in London.

DISTANT, far distant from his native soil, Far from his friend, his parent and his love; Here let the wand'rer pause awhile from toil, And check his fancy that delights to rove: Delights to ponder o'er the transcient scene, Luxuriant fancy! wilt thou never rest?

Still dost thou shew me what I might have been, Still dost thou harrow up this hapless breast.

2.

My soul unmindful of a parent's care, Niggart of duty, gave not e'en a part; The best of fathers yielded to the fair, While she engross'd and seiz'd on all my heart. Adieu ye scenes where joy and pleasure reign'd! Where love and duty shar'd the pleasing theme▪ Friendship sincere, and passion too, unfeign'd, What are ye now? What are ye but a dream?

3.

Yet may these hours perhaps again appear, Yet may indulgent heaven again restore, My friend, my parent, and my Anna dear, And joy inhabit this sad breast once more. While o'er my pensive pillow, tedious roll, The ling'ring nights that usher the dull day; Officious hope still rises at my soul, Points to the future path, and leads the way.

4.

She bids me shun the dissipated hour, The venal beauty, and the lewd embrace; She bids me yield to Virtue's godlike power, And tears the mask from Pleasure's syren face. Yes, I will follow thee, thou lovely guide! Thou source of joys below and joys above! Let thoughtless scoffers all around deride, Assist me friendship duty, and my love.

R. D. J.

ON THE MARRIAGE OF MISS S—, TO MR. H—.

1.

YE solemn pedagogues, who teach, A language by eight parts of speech, Can any of you all impart A rule to conjugate the heart? Grammarians, did you ever try To construe and expound the eye? And from the syntax of the face, Decline its gender and its case?

What said the nuptial tear that fell From fair Eliza, can you tell? And yet it spoke upon her cheek As eloquent as tear could speak.

2.

Here at God's altar as I stand, To plight my vows and yield my hand, With fault'ring lips while I proclaim The cession of my virgin name, Whilst in my ears is read at large, The rubrick's stern unsoften'd charge, Spare me, the silent pleader cries Ah! spare me! ye surrounding eyes! Usher'd amidst a blaze of light, Whilst here I pass in public sight, Or kneeling by a father's side, Renounce the daughter for the bride:

3.

Ye sisters to my soul so dear, Say can I check the rising tear? When at this awful hour I cast My mem'ry back on time that's past; Ungrateful were I to forbear This tribute to a father's care; For all he suffer'd, all he taught; Is there not due some tender thought? And may not one fond tear be given To a dear saint that rests in heaven?

4.

And you to whom I now betroth In sight of Heaven my nuptial oath, Who to a most respectful birth, True honor join and native worth, If my recording bosom draws One sigh, misconstrue not the cause; Trust me, tho weeping I rejoice, And blushing, glory in my choice.

C.

EPIGRAM ON A LADY.

1.

YE graceless wits, who neither praise The Ladies nor the Lord; Behold a nymph who well may stand An angel on record.

2.

No railing rake, nor flatt'ring fop, Attends her chaste levee, No scandal twice or thrice refin'd, Adds sweetness to her tea.

3.

She ne'er upon her sex's faults, A fruitful theme did preach; Nor wound the lovely excellence That she could never reach.

4.

Her tongue might more reform the age, Than lectures once a week; And so it would—but ah! the day!— Poor Celia cannot speak.* 1.3

Notes

• * 1.1

  Names of the Lad••.
• * 1.2

  Names of the Lad••.
• * 1.3

  She was deaf and dumb.