fill this page; but where shall I find matter? Our uniform life affords neither variety nor anecdote. Had I indeed the talent to dress the same sentiments in all the beautiful variety of Madame De Sévigné, I might say again and again how much we love you, and that we are proud of you; and that even at a distance you gild the evening of our lives with the sunshine and joy of youth. But you know all this already, and repetition cannot make it more true; I will, therefore, only charge you to return us that portion of our treasure which is in your keeping - your own health and happiness, bright and unalloyed.

I have received great pleasure in the beautiful specimens you have sent me of your skill and industry in drawing; and from your future improvement, I promise myself a source of delight all the rest of my life. I have placed them up against the wall. opposite my seat, that I may have the pleasure of constantly viewing them and anticipating the pleasure we shall enjoy when we come to apply your talent to a thousand useful and ornamental subjects. Your fondness for gardening and painting have ever been strong passions of mine, and we will now cultivate them together; which will add the greatest zest to my enjoyment, and lay up for you a never failing source of the most innocent delight. Everything connected with gardening, drawing, and the study of nature is virtuous, feminine, and elegant; every sentiment and feeling they excite is peculiarly becoming in a female mind: they soften and harmonize the affections, smooth all the asperities of char

acter, and even allay the bitterness of disappointment and sorrow. Let nothing, therefore, my good girl, slacken your industry in this pursuit; and be careful not to divide your attention between too many objects, as mediocrity in any accomplishment will satisfy neither me nor you.

But I had almost forgot to bestow upon you your just praise for the readiness with which you have complied with my desire to avoid large parties; they consume a great deal of time, with little pleasure, and no improvement. It is my boast to have children who know how to submit to what is right without repining.

God bless you, my dear child,

S. B.

Our subject is well carried on by a letter from Miss Sally Bard, Dr. Bard's sister, to a friend in England. The minute and interested detail is accounted for by the fact that the two families had been separated by the war, one, the Kempes, going to England, the other, the Bards, remaining in this country, while the same affection and interest in each other's affairs was kept up by letter for sixty years. These letters are now in the writer's possession, and he does not hesitate to give in full the following one as affording just such home touches of portraiture as the biographer generally finds it impossible to obtain, or, if he does, is too apt to think beneath the dignity of his subject. The marriage took place November 12, 1809.

HYDE PARK, December 18, 1809.

I ought long since, my beloved friend, to have answered your last most welcome letter: shall I say I waited to tell you my beloved Eliza has changed her name to McVickar, and though the honeymoon was over last Sunday, yet I have scarcely found time to return to my normal habits of thought and occupation. Contrary to Eliza's wishes, we had a large and consequently a gay wedding. He had a large family and many friends to be invited, and, besides, our own home circle, our vicinity to Governor Lewis, Chancellor Livingston, and Mr. Cruger's family, with many in New York who had been too kindly affectioned to her to be left out (unless we had quite a private wedding), swelled our number not only to filling our own house, but Mr. Pendleton's, William Bard's, and Mr. Johnston's. She was married on Sunday evening, the 12th of November, -a most solemn moment to those who have had her so long exclusively to themselves, and who it has been the study of her life to make happy. But then, what cause of gratitude have we in the prospect of her's and our happiness character, talents, temper, family, and fortune agreed to our fondest, our warmest expectations. My brother says he never knew a young man not much above two-and-twenty, only two months older than Eliza so excellent a scholar in the languages, and so well read and perfect a master of every subject of science and polite literature; and I can say few that I have seen equal him in a retentive memory to bring forward agreeable

things in conversation; and he has a peculiar gayety, almost sportiveness of temper, that diffuses cheerfulness all around him; and oh, with what pleasure can I add that the turn of his mind is all for domestic joys.

He was in England two years ago with his father. Oh, could we have looked forward to this day, how I should liked you to have seen the lad, and more because he is pleasing to look upon; for though a handsome face and person is of no great consequence, yet, added to better things, I always thought it very agreeable both in man and woman. I am almost ashamed of reaching nearly to the bottom of the second page on the subject of our young people, but this is their day of consequence, and in future I will be more laconic. There were ten days of dancing and festivity, when, by degrees, we sobered down to our usual habits of spending our time. Mr. McVickar's mornings are always occupied in study till twelve or one, when, if the weather is good, they walk, ride to the farm, and sometimes snow-ball each other; if not, they amuse themselves within doors with chess, battledore, or some other recreation. You know how it is in our family; every one lives in their separate apartments till dinner. The afternoons are short, but he gives them to us, reading aloud works of taste and improvement. Tea brings us all together till bed-time. The early part of the evening brother either reads while we work or plays chess with John McVickar. At eight the whist party is formed, and we have our little table at the other side of the fire, where we pass two hours very pleasantly, varied ac

cording to our humor; reading, chatting, drawing characters, writing verses, making conundrums, or anything that comes uppermost, I making myself younger, perhaps, than I ought to do, to give the young people pleasure. He does not expect to take Orders till next spring twelve-month.

Most affectionately,

S. BARD.

How truly religion went hand in hand with cheerfulness and even gayety, in this household of the olden time, is shown by the following prayer used by Dr. Bard at the ordinary evening devotions on the day on which the marriage took place. It was his custom to add something of the kind at family prayer, on all marked occasions, either of joy or sorrow.

"O, most gracious God, bless with Thy favor and protection our children, who have in Thy presence become united in marriage. May they place their hopes of happiness first in love to Thee, faith in Thy promises, obedience to Thy commands, and submission to Thy will; and next to these, in a sincere, tender, and generous friendship for each other. May these affections brighten all their prospects and joys in life; and may they always fly to these for comfort under the misfortunes or afflictions with which Thou shalt see fit to prove them. May we, their parents, enjoy, while we live, the unspeakable blessing of witnessing their virtues and happiness: and, when death approaches, may the blessed hope of meeting again in Thy presence forever, cheer our last hour, and soften the pain of parting."