part, having never written one hour, without the interruption of company, or business, that I sent off my last sheet, as peevishly as Johnson sent the Finis of his Dictionary to Miller, almost vowing that I would never again touch a pen. In fact it is, as your friend says, ' She that would be a notable housewife, must be that thing only.'"

We have not touched upon the various and affecting vicissitudes which chequered the life of this lady, and the details of which, are only interesting to her immediate friends. It is only necessary to state, that she resided with her family in Maryland, from 1782 until 1790; in Philadelphia, from '90 until 1801; then in Lamberton, New Jersey, until 1805; thence they returned to Mr. Hall's paternal estate, in Maryland, where they resided until 1811; they then returned to Philadelphia, where Mr. Hall died, in 1826. All these removals were occasioned by changes of fortune. The most severe of these was that which occurred in 1805, when Mr. Hall was suddenly reduced from affluence to poverty; and being at the same time dreadfully afflicted with the gout, which at last destroyed his health, he was inca

pacitated from any efficient exertions, and his family, from that time were left to struggle with adversity. Two of her children were snatched from her in childhood, at the most interesting period of infantile beauty, a third was taken from her at the age of twenty-two-another, Dr. Thomas M. Hall, who, by his remarkable talents and acquirements, seemed destined to high distinction in the medical profession, embarked in the naval service of one of the South American states, and never was heard of afterwards, while her eldest son, after a lingering disease of several years, preceded her to the grave. The following extract from a letter to a distinguished lady in affliction, will best show the sentiments of this exemplary mother under such visitations:

"The gratification of having diverted your thoughts, for a few moments, from the sorrows in which my letter was so unfortunate as to find you involved, is quite lost in my heartfelt sympathy in your grief. Nothing, I am well assured, but a pious resignation to the will of Him who bestowed on you such blessings, could ever have supported you under the unspeakable anguish of

losing so many of your children. I once lost a lovely boy of three years old, and I thought I could never smile again, but I now know so well how much harder it is, to part with one of twoand-twenty, that I am well persuaded, all the resources of your capacious mind, your naturally buoyant spirit, your love of knowledge, and all the other resources with which you may have been surrounded, would have failed to sustain you under such repeated blows. Still, the character of the lost idol, is that which fixes the dart, or affords the consolation. The latter is the balm of your wounded spirit. Your success in the religious education of your children must speak peace to your soul. That you may long preserve and enjoy, abundant happiness, in those who are yet spared to you, is my sincere prayer."

Mrs. Hall was truly a most devoted wife and mother. She had a generous and noble spirit, and freely and fearlessly met every privation and sacrifice for those who were bound to her by the ties of blood or affection. She enjoyed the world only in the enjoyments of those for whom she lived; their pleasures, pains, and interests were

hers, and if ever she had a thought that centered in herself, she subdued it, as unworthy of the high and disinterested standard, to which she had brought all her feelings and actions. One of her oldest friends, on hearing of her decease, wrote: "Every friend to virtue and intelligence, knowing her as I did, must and will feel a deep sorrow, at the departure from this world, of so large a portion of real genius and exalted virtue, united with a richly improved mind, and above all a pious devotion to the gospel of Christ, the religion of her fathers. I have known her from her youthful days. At all times, I was delighted with her opinions, her principles, and her conversation. In prosperity and adversity, she was kind, benevolent, hospitable, and a warm hearted friend. I delight, even now she is dead, to dwell on the recollection, and to make a record in this place, of the many happy days, and weeks, and months, I have spent in her company, in her house, in her father's, and in my own father's, houses. But, my dear sir, the best friends must, and invariably will part, when it is God's will to separate us."

Mrs. Hall died at Philadelphia, on the 8th of April, 1830, aged 69.

When such a woman is taken from us, at an advanced age, and under circumstances which afford such ample testimony, that she has been called to a state of blessedness, it would be selfish to repine. We should rather be thankful that she has been spared so long; that she has been permitted to build up by her own abilities, so excellent and so durable a monument to her own talents and virtues, and has left behind her, so bright an example of Christian usefulness.