’Tis by this act, for _well I know_, That sighing lovers gain relief, When aw’d by friend with frowning brow, The whispering quill doth soothe the grief. ’Tis by this art I now direct My counsel to thy minor years, Treat not my candour with neglect, But give it all the right it bears. And ne’er forget the solemn truth, While coasting on life’s dangerous sea, That gray experience writes for youth And sets up _Beacons_ by the way. True friends are jewels rich and rare, The sweetest cordials found in life, To ease the anxious mind from care, And check the seeds of growing strife. But ah Maria! few there be Who can define that word _a friend_. Then lock the heart, keep safe the key, And firmly on thyself depend. Beware, my lovely girl, beware, Of those we most are prone to trust, The flattering tongue that speaks most fair, _Too often_ proves the most unjust. Never check the humane tear that flows When funeral knells invade the ear; But learn to feel for other’s woe And aid their sorrows with a tear. And when thou seest the ancient die Or think on [67]Halsey’s hasty doom, This useful lesson learn thereby, Make sure those joys beyond the tomb. Never let ill-boding pensive care, Ever check the taste of harmless joys; While we rejoice that you’re the care Of her whom we so highly prize. On future hopes your parents gaze, And wish the wish’d for prospect nigh; When native and acquired lays Shall soothe them in soft melody. But should I never see that day, Nor hear the music of thy voice, For _thee_ Maria, will I pray, And hope to meet, where _saints rejoice_. 1830–1897. REMINISCENCES AND LETTERS. HARRIET WADSWORTH (MRS. KILBOURN)—HER REMINISCENCES. Harriet Wadsworth was in a class of little girls taught by Miss Sally Pierce in 1830 and 1831. This class was a preparatory one to the Academy. The pupils were thoroughly drilled in arithmetic and spelling. The latter was studied from a dictionary. Davol’s speller was also used. There were as many as one hundred and twenty pupils at one time. Every family in the village took pupils as boarders, four occupying one room. Miss Catlin was drawing teacher.