“I have the honour to be,
“With respect,
“Yours &c.
“J. Harrington.”
THE disorder of Maria was fatal and rapid—but I hasten to the last scene of her life—it has, though I was young, made an impression on my mind that time can not efface. I went to her, as she was seated on the bed—virtue and harmony were blended in her aspect—she was serene and composed—and her mein, while it expressed a consciousness of superior worth and dignity, exhibited in our view, a striking picture of the grandeur of the human soul—patient though afflicted—of a spirit broken, and borne down by severe distress, yet striving to surmount all, and aspire to heaven. In what words shall I paint to you, my dear Myra, her heroism and greatness of mind? “Weep not for me,” said she, perceiving my emotion—“Death has nothing shocking to me—I have familiarized myself to his terrours—I feel the gradual decay of mortality; and waiting with confidence in the Father of Mercy, I am prepared to resign this mortal breath—I resign it in firm assurance of the soul’s blessed immortality—Death I view as freeing me from a world which has lost its relish—as opening new scenes of happiness—But a few moments,” continued she, clasping my hand, “and the scene of life is closed forever—Heaven opens on my soul—I go where all tears shall be wiped away—I welcome death as the angel of peace.”—She uttered these words with a placid smile of resignation—her head sunk down on the pillow—and the next minute she was an angel.
“SOUL of the universe!” exclaimed my father-in-law—“there flew the gentlest spirit that ever animated human dust—Great were thy temptations—sincere thy repentance. If some human infirmity fell to thy lot, thy tears, dear shade, have washed out thy guilt forever!”
LETTER XL.
Mrs. Holmes to Myra.
Belleview.
HAVING presented you with several observations on Seduction, I think it will not be mal apropos to consider the question in another point of view, and discover how a woman may be accessary to her own ruin—It is hardly worth while to contend about the difference between the meaning of the terms accessary and principal. The difference, in fact, is small; but when a woman, by her imprudence, exposes herself, she is accessary; for though her heart may be pure, her conduct is a tacit invitation to the Seducer.