The Boarding School; Lessons of a Preceptress to Her Pupils / Consisting of Information, Instruction and Advice, Calculated to Improve the Manners and Form the Character of Young Ladies. To Which Is Added, a Collection of Letters, Written by the Pupils to Their Instructress, Their Friends, and Each Other.

by Hannah Webster Foster

Early I greet the opening year,

While friendship bids the muse appear,

To wish Matilda blest.

The muse, devoid of selfish art,

Obeys the dictates of a heart,

Which warms a friendly breast.

The rolling earth again has run

Her annual circuit round the sun,

And whirl’d the year away;

She now her wonted course renews,