The Pilgrims of New England: A Tale of the Early American SettlersWebb, J. B., Mrs. (Annie)
History
The Pilgrims of New England: A Tale of the Early American Settlers
Webb, J. B., Mrs. (Annie)
Pilgrims (New Plymouth Colony) -- Fiction
Hitherto, her mother had been her only instructor in this most refined
and refining of all human pleasures; but now she found an able and very
ready teacher in Roger Williams: and it was a matter of astonishment to
her father when he observed the rapid progress she made both in the
science and the practice of music, from the time the interesting
stranger undertook to give her lessons. His deep, manly voice
harmonized perfectly with her sweet tones; and they often brought tears
to the eyes of Helen, and called forth a sigh from the breast of
Rodolph, as they sang together some ancient English ballad, or united
their voices in the chants and anthems that were dear to the hearts of
the exiles, and recalled days of youth and happiness long passed away,
and never to return.
Edith's bower was the usual scene of these domestic concerts; and there
the long, sweet summer evenings glided away in happiness, that the
'queen of that bower '--as Henrich had named her--had never known since
the last evening that she spent there with her brother. She began to
wonder why she had hitherto associated none but melancholy ideas with
the lovely spot; and to find that it was possible to feel even gay and
light-hearted while surrounded by Henrich's flowers, and looking on
Fingal's grave. How strange it seemed--and yet, how pleasant! A new
existence seemed opening before Edith's soul; and life no longer
appeared a dreary pilgrimage, which duty alone could render
interesting. The powers of her mind also received a fresh impulse from
the society of the cultivated Englishman, and was drawn out in a manner
as agreeable as it was new. Roger had brought from his native land a
collection of books, which, though small in number, seemed to Edith a
perfect library; and all were offered for her perusal. Several of them
were, of course, on controversial and doctrinal subjects; and these she
was able to understand and to appreciate: but among these graver and
more abstruse treatises, were some of a more attractive nature--some
volumes of foreign travel, and ancient legends, and heart-stirring
poetry, in which the soul of Edith reveled, as in a garden of new and
fragrant flowers.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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