ient; his wife was one of those rare women--seen nowhere more often
than in the South--who, to a cultivated mind and polished manners, add
the more homely accomplishments of a good housewife. It is years since
she laid aside the weary cares of her plantation home, and entered on
the higher duties of another life; but her gentle words are still as
fresh in my memory, her kindly image as warm in my heart, as on that
autumn day, when she placed her hand in mine for the last time, and
spoke the last 'God bless you' which was to fall on my ears from her
lips on this side of the grave. She was a perfect woman--a faithful
mistress, a loving wife, a devoted mother. Anticipating every want of
her husband, cheerfully instructing her children, overseeing every
detail of her household, meting out the weekly allowance of the negroes,
visiting daily the cabins of the sick and the infirm, and with her own
hand dispensing the soothing cordial or the healing medicine,--or, when
all medicine failed, bending over the lowly bed of the dying, and
pointing him to the 'better home on high,'--she was a ministering
angel--a joy and a blessing to all about her. She wore no costly silks,
no diamonds on her fingers, or jewels in her hair; but she was arrayed
in garments all rich and beautiful with human love. She knew
nothing--cared nothing--about the right or the wrong of slavery; but
cheerfully and prayerfully, never wearying and never doubting, she went
on in the lowly round of duties allotted her, leaning lovingly on the
arm of the GOOD ALL-FATHER, and looking steadfastly to HIM for guidance
and support. And, truly, she had her reward. 'Her children rose up and
called her blessed; her husband, also, and he praised her.'

Supper was soon over, when my hostess rose and conducted me to the
library. That apartment was in an L, detached from the mansion, and
communicating with it by a covered passage way. It was plainly
furnished, but had a cosy, homelike appearance. Its four walls were
lined with books, some standing on end, some resting on their sides, and
some leaning negligently against each other; and over the massive centre
table were scattered open volumes, old newspapers, and unfinished
manuscripts, in most delightful confusion. A half dozen old-fashioned
chairs straggled about the floor, as if they did not know exactly what
to do with themselves, and a score of old worthies--their faces white as
chalk, and their long hair and beards powdere