Transcriber’s Note Words in italics are marked with _underscores_. Words in small capitals are shown in UPPER CASE. Please also see the note at the end of the book. THE CAIRN. [Illustration: Decoration] THE CAIRN A GATHERING OF PRECIOUS STONES FROM MANY HANDS. [Illustration: Decoration] LONDON: GEORGE BELL, 186, FLEET STREET. 1846. [Illustration: Decoration] TO THE READER. My “Cairn” is principally raised by the hands of many friends whose honoured names are now with the dead, whose kind sympathies have cheered my checquered existence, and whose intercourse has often corrected and enlightened my mind, leading it to seek in occupation a refuge from painful feeling. These contributions, together with original thoughts, and the gleanings of my own reading, I presume to offer to the public; with the hope that where criticism finds ample cause to condemn, my acknowledged weakness may plead for indulgence. Several pages bear the record of memories associated with those dear to me, and of events long past. I presume to believe, that the perusal of the “Cairn,” cannot injure, and may not fruitlessly occupy or amuse an idle hour. A SOLDIER’S DAUGHTER. [Illustration: Decoration] CONTENTS. Page Joy and Sorrow 1 Anne of Austria 2 Maternal Love 2 Anecdote of Cardinal d’Estrées 3 The Cemetry at Pisa 3 Lady Vane 4 Benevolence 5 Woman’s Pride 5 Sir Walter Raleigh 5 Poverty 6 Atheism 6 Detraction--_Montesquieu_ 6 Temper 7 Set forms of expression--_Philips_ 7 Henri Quatre 8 A Parliament Heel 9 On a new-born Child--_Sir W. Jones_ 9 Speech of Mr. Cuffe 9 Woman’s Devotion 10 Savage the Poet 11 A Fable--_The Hon. Henry Erskine, late Lord Advocate of Scotland_ 11 Poverty 17 Charity twice blessed 18 Portrait of Charles I. 18 The Ballad 19 On a Lady not celebrated for cleanliness--_The late Lord Chancellor, The Lord Erskine_ 19 Lady M. W. Montague 20 Inscrutable Providence 20 The Mother of the Cagot 21