LIFE WORK of CORA L..V.RICHMOND
(P.558) CHAPTER XV. LITERARY
WORK
It would be unfair to our subject to turn
from
the consideration of her literary labors with out presenting to our
readers
specimens of her published work as a lecturer and writer at different
periods
of her life.
We here present some of the thoughts that
were given through her lips in childhood, which were written out by her
father, edited and published by him long years ago. We feel. that our
readers
will take a deep interest in these few excerpts from Mr. Scott's diary,
as it would be impossible for a child of twelve years, in her normal
state,
to give utterance to any such ideas as are contained herein. Our
readers
will notice the beautiful language and the dignified expressions of
thought
advanced, indicative of a mind well trained in the schools of logic,
capable
of thinking for itself, and advancing its ideas in logical
order.
The first is an article written in September, 1852, under inspiration.
Our subject was then twelve years of age, entitled:
"Sunset in Autumn,"
"The last rays of the setting sun linger lovingly among the trees,
and gild the domes of the distant mountains;
then swiftly change,
leaving the western sky aglow with a flame of splendor.
"The birds warble their vesper songs,
then quickly seek their nests.
The breezes sigh for a moment under the leaves and grasses,
then die away,
murmuring faintly, Rest, rest.'
"The lake, in whose placid bosom is mirrored each tint of the sky,
slumbers quietly in its bed of forest trees,
whose gorgeous foliage sweeps gracefully along the shore like the folds
of a crimson curtain.
All Nature seems hushed to sweet repose,
save when the whippoor will breaks the calm stillness
with his melodious complainings.
"Man alone pauses not;
filled with unrest and mad pursuits of ambition, he struggles on.
Yet, in such an hour as this,
how is the mind invited to regions of higher thought!
"The earth and heaven seem blent together,
and on the wings of the twilight fair forms appear,
soft voices seem to whisper of peace.
We seem to be near the abodes of the angels,
and to blend our hearts with theirs in solemn songs of praise.
"The earth and lake and sky,
the birds and fields and forests,
the stars and voiceless depths of space,
seem pervaded by a solemn presence encompassing and overruling all."
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