Departed-and the earth is dark below. By staring in the face of many winds, How proudly will we pass our lives together; Give me an intellectual, nobler life; Not fighting like the herded elephants, which, My own sweet love! oh! my dear, peerless wife! No voice of parent spoke Ungentle words, which now too often mar Usurping swayed with bitter tyranny That sad domain, the heart. Love's rule was free, (Ranging through boundless air, and happy heaven And earth,) when Pyrrha wed the Titan's son. there she pined, Pale as a prophetess whose labouring mind Gives out its knowledge; but her upraised eyes Then Love came-Love! How like a star it streamed And 't was as pure and almost cold a light, And felt mysterious pleasure wander through He loved: Oh how he loved! his heart was full The brave, and all to bow before its throne; O, melancholy Love! amid thy fears, Thy darkness, thy despair, there runs a vein The loved one will discover—and in vain, Else-wherefore else doth lovely woman keep And robs her bright eyes of their natural rays. Oh power of love, so fearful and so fair- Thou who dost cull from moments stolen and gone To deck the days to come-thy revellings Quick are fond women's sights and clear their powers, MRS. HEMANS. We have heard much of late regarding the rights and sphere of woman. The topic has become trite. One branch of the discussion, however, is worthy of careful notice the true theory of cultivated and liberal men on the subject. This has been greatly misunderstood. The idea has been often suggested that man is jealous of his alleged intellectual superiority, while little has been advanced in illustration of his genuine reverence for female character. Because the other sex cannot always find erudition so attractive as grace in woman, and strong mental traits so captivating as a beautiful disposition, it is absurdly argued that mind and learning are only honoured in masculine attire. The truth is, men of feeling instinctively recognize something higher than intellect. They feel that a noble and true soul is greater and more delightful than mere reason, however powerful; and they know that to this, extensive knowledge and active logical powers are not essential. It is not the attainments, or the literary talent, that they would have women abjure. They only pray that through and above these may appear the woman. They desire that the harmony of Nature may not be disturbed; that the essential foundations of love may not be invaded; that the sensibility, delicacy and quiet enthusiasm of the female heart may continue to awaken in man the tender reverence, which is one of the most elevating of his sentiments. Portia is highly intellectual; but even while arrayed in male costume and enacting the public advocate, the essential and captivating characteristics of her true sex inspire her mien and language. Vittoria Colonna was one of the most gifted spirits of her age the favourite companion of Michael Angelo, but her life and works were but the eloquent development of exalted womanhood. Madame Roland displayed a strength of character singularly heroic, but her brave dignity was perfectly feminine. Isabella of Spain gave evidence of a mind remarkably comprehensive, and a rare degree of judgment; yet in perusing her history, we are never beguiled from the feeling of her queenly character. There is an essential quality of sex, to be felt rather than described, and it is when this is marred, that a feeling of disappointment is the consequence. It is as if we should find violets growing on a tall tree. The triumphs of mind always command respect, but their style and trophies have diverse complexions in the two sexes. It is only when these distinctions are lost, that they fail to interest. It matters not how erudite or mentally gifted a woman may be, so that she remains in manner and feeling a woman. Such is the idea that man loves to see realized; and in cherishing it, he gives the highest proof of his estimation of woman. He delights to witness the exercise of her noblest prerogative. He is charmed to behold her in the most effective attitude. He appreciates too truly the beauty and power of her nature to wish to see it arrayed in any but a becoming dress. There is such a thing as female science, philosophy and poetry, as there is female physiognomy and taste; not that their absolute qualities differ in the two sexes, but their relative aspect is distinct. Their sphere is as large and high, and infinitely more delicate and deep than that of man, though not so obvious. When they overstep their appropriate domain, |