Letters of Lydia Maria Child, with a biographical introduction by John G. Whittier and an appendix by Wendell Phillips.

198 LETTERS.
radiant throughout with poetic light.... That wonderful glorification of the juggler's exhibition made
me so wild with delightful excitement that my soul
heard the music, saw the transfiguring light of the
setting sun, and went leaping through the dance with
Fedalma. It is an immortal picture in my gallery
for the other world.
TO FRANCIS G. SHAW.
WAYLAND, February 11, 1869.
DEAR FRIEND OF OLD TIMES AND OF ALL TIMES:
To-day I am sixty-seven years old. Living out of
the world as I do, and keeping few holy-days, I have
formed the habit of consecrating this day in my small
way. When I feel like praying, I pray; and I generally do on this.anniversary, so full of memories of
the past, and of aspirations for the future, stretching
into the eternal world. I look at the photographs of
mnay intimate friends always with a swelling heart,
but for the purpose of recalling everything pleasant
associated with them, not to indulge in mourning for
those who are separated from me by time, distance,
or change of existence.
A few nights ago, after the sun had set, the broad
sheet of ice on the meadows was all roseate and
glowing with the reflected light. I strive to realize
this in the state of my own soul. My sun is setting,
and the ice of age is gathering around me, but light
from above and warm flushes of memory fall on the
wintry landscape and make it beautiful....
I formerly thought that the New Church opened
for us a view of the eternal city with its gold and
precious gems. It was a pleasant vision, and it did
much to help the growth of my soul; but happy as