who did, were entering into a covenant with God with the hope, that at some distant period their offspring might be brought into the church; and these children seldom felt that the baptismal vows taken by their parents imposed upon them any obligation to a holy life, until they had children of their own. In the revival of 1740, described by President Edwards, we do indeed find an account of the conversion of a little girl of four years of age, and of a number of other children under fourteen years. But these were considered as wonders and were not generally known at the period we are describing. In view of all the disadvantages under which the subject of these remarks labored, we may well consider her as a remarkable child.

The writer of these memoirs, though favored with a personal acquaintance with Susan, does not remember to have seen her until the age of eleven or twelve. At this time she was a blooming little girl, possessing much vivacity, though her sprightliness did not incline her to the ordinary sports of children of that age. On recalling her to mind at this distant period, as she then appeared, her cheerfulness seems to have been that resulting from true piety; love to God, and love to her fellow beings, so blended with the buoyancy and simplicity of childhood as to form a most interesting combination. She had never been taught to dance, or been present at a fashionable dinner or tea party; and yet she was refined and lovely. A little

girl accustomed to the society of a large city, will ask how this could be. I will tell her that she possessed the refinement of a cultivated intellect and the benevolence of the gospel. She was always neatly dressed, but one of her friends who knew her from a child writes thus respecting her: "She was remarkable for perfect indifference to personal ornament, and never conversed upon the subject with any interest." This indifference was very obvious during the subsequent periods of her life. It has been said that her vivacity in childhood did not incline her to the ordinary sports of children of that age; neither did it in youth. The assembly of mirth and gaiety had no attractions for her.

On one occasion, it is said, that she was urged to attend a ball in her native village with her older sis. ter. She positively but kindly refused. On her sister's return at a late hour she found Susan reading her bible; as she entered she raised her eyes and fixing them on Eliza, said with great meekness, "Sister, have you enjoyed yourself?" This affected the sister so much that she burst into tears, and it is said never afterward attended a ball.

Though educated in a retired village, her pleasures were various and of a high order. She loved rural life, and contemplated, with an exquisite relish, the works of nature; because she looked “through nature up to nature's God."

In the essay, preliminary to the English edition of

her works, there is a remark, indicating that the author did not consider her talents as brilliant. From this opinion we must dissent. In her letters, however, which furnished him with the only means of judging, we know that brilliancy was not especially conspicuous. They were mostly written amidst numerous parochial and family cares; and Mrs. Huntington justly considered the cultivation of solid and useful talent, as more particularly necessary for her sphere of action, than any other. In childhood and youth we can discover strong indications of native brilliancy. She evinced a great taste for poetry and music; and made early attempts at the composition of both. She spent much of her time in writing, when very young; and, though a very modest little girl, gave to her particular friends, when requested, many of these early ef forts of her pen, which were often shown by them as indications of early genius. She seems to have discovered this, and afterwards became very reserved with regard to them, declining entirely to show any of her attempts at poetry, and manifesting a great dread of being known to write verses at all. Frankness and simplicity were her prominent characteristics, and she seems to have been entirely free from that vanity and self-complacency, so common to children who are much commended.

Her biographer states that her education was chiefly under the paternal roof, and at the common schools in her native town. The only instruction which she received from any other source, was at a classical

school, kept in Killingworth, during two seasons. Dr. Mansfield was a man of liberal education, and well qualified to impart to his daughter the instruction which she required. But we learn from her relatives that he was in no sense her regular daily teacher. In English families it is the custom when children cannot be sent abroad, to have a regular daily school, kept by the parents or elder sister at home; but this has never been generally the custom in New England, and in the present case we know that no such advantages were enjoyed. The father of this little girl, not only had the duties of a large parish to prevent, but was obliged to work daily on his farm to aid him in the support of his family, and therefore the parental instruction which she received, must have been entirely incidental, and given chiefly as elicited by her natural inquisitiveness. In one respect she was highly favored. Her parents justly appreciated the value of mental improvement; and gave her her own time to devote to it. It has been shown above that few books for children, were circulated during the period of her childhood; but she read much in early life. The bible was her constant companion, it is believed, from childhood. Very early did she understand and revere its precepts. This she regarded as the first and best of books. She also read history, and to some extent the writings of the best English poets, and we remember to have seen some thoughts of her's in verse, on Pope's satires on women; written, we think, as

early as the age of fourteen or fifteen, and perhaps at an earlier period. We find the following letter, to one of her juvenile correspondents on reading Beattie's Minstrel.

Killingworth, March 4, 1808.

I have read the sweet little poem, whose admirable author you so much admire, and am happy that we are alike pleased with it. Some of his descriptions are inimitably charming and picturesque, and some of his observations concerning the ways of providence very just, especially when he says,

'One part, one little part, we dimly scan,' &c.

in which he is condemning us for doubting the wisdom and goodness of providence. My ideas correspond with his on this interesting subject, for I firmly believe that

'Oft from apparent ill, our blessings rise.'

All things, we are assured, work together for good to them that love God. And, as we are ignorant of the manner in which our heavenly Father is pleased to overrule events for our happiness, it is extremely reprehensible in us to be dissatisfied with any of his appointments. The prayer of the true christian is, 'Make me happy with prosperity; but, above all, give me conformity to, and contentment with, thy

will.'

I have been reading Cowper also, and love his sentiments, his expressions, and his works, entire,