True Womanhood

The object of the work-Miss Hessel's mental and moral features-Local and domestic influences--Melton Mowbray-At a Boarding School in Leeds- Reminiscences of her school-days by a fellow-pupil-Death of her eldest sister-Noble purposes.

THE writer first became acquainted with the subject of this memoir in November 1838. The occasion was one of mournful interest. Death had invaded her father's house and smitten the first-born-her beloved and highly-gifted brother John. She was then but nine years old, having been born on April 10th 1829. Circumstances prevented the renewal of acquaintance till the summer of 1855. The girl had now become a tall, well-proportioned woman. Her features identified her as the sister of his lamented friend, and it required little intercourse to satisfy him that there was more than a physical resemblance. An elevation of sentiment, refinement of taste, and copiousness of choice language, characterized both. To these she added a charming frankness. Rumour had pronounced her gifted, but personal acquaintance convinced him that "the half had not been told."

It will naturally be expected that he was desirous to maintain this renewed acquaintance. In the following

spring she resided for nearly four weeks under his roof, and thus opportunity was afforded for intimate knowledge. His first impressions were amply confirmed. Amiability, disinterestedness, generosity, and artlessness, were eminently conspicuous, and her aptitude for domestic duties indicated the just views she entertained of their relation to social comfort.

The design of this book, however, is not to erect a monument to the departed, much less to magnify her virtues, but to furnish such a record of her character, aspirations, and attainments, as may animate our daughters to aspire to excellencies which will qualify them to adorn and bless the world. Miss Hessel's chief excellencies were such as lie within the reach of all. She owed much, doubtless, to original endowment, but more to self-culture. Few educated persons were less indebted to preceptors. In common with most young people she was the subject of foolish notions, and injudicious habits. Happily, as she approached womanhood, she discovered and endeavoured to remedy them. Soliciting divine assistance, she resolutely determined to attain the nobility of a true woman, and she succeeded. It would have required a sagacity more than ordinary to discern the woman of five and twenty in the girl of fifteen.

The man of science can analyze the ingredients entering into the composition of a plant, but where is the moral chemist who shall tell us all that has contributed to the formation of any human character? Facts are not wanting, however, to enable us to form a sufficiently accurate estimate of the influences operating upon Miss Hessel's youth, and to ascertain the peculiarities of her mental and moral nature.

Her reflective powers were early developed. Often

YOUTHFUL CHARACTERISTICS.

might she have been seen wandering in the neighbouring lane wrapped in deep thought. What could those bright objects be above, which we call stars? How could the Almighty always have existed? Why was evil permitted, and why, in particular, were so many vexations allowed to cross her path? How could the permission of such facts accord with infinite benevolence? These were some of the questions which taxed and troubled that young brain. As a natural consequence she eagerly thirsted after knowledge. Unfortunately she had access to but few suitable books. Had she been supplied at this period with a literature adapted to her requirements, the growth of her powers would no doubt have been materially promoted. A large social as well as personal benefit would be conferred, if those who have interesting and instructive books lying useless on their shelves, would send them on a temporary visit to young persons similarly circumstanced to Eliza Hessel.

Inquisitiveness was associated with intense susceptibility. The sigh of the storm she regarded as celestial music. As her slender form staggered under its violence, she would exultingly repeat—

"O! I love the winds when they spurn control,

For they suit my own bond-hating soul;

I like to hear them sweeping past,
Like the eagle's pinions, free and fast;
But a pang will rise with sad alloy,
To soften my spring and sink my joy,

When I think how dismal their voices must be
To a mother who hath a child at sea!"

It cannot surprise us that her broodings often stirred the profoundest depths of her soul. Imagine a girl of sixteen pacing the long garden walks in the cold moon

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True Womanhood: Memorials of Eliza Hessel