230 THE GARDEN. 



it beyond its common value ? I have been where 

 every chord of my heart was compelled to vibrate, 

 and every form and colour of by-gone scenes most 

 vividly represented to my tearful gaze. I found 

 myself in an assemblage, including many whose 

 looks of love are still permitted to gladden me ; 

 and, alas ! presenting many vacancies where 

 others, most deeply endeared, had passed away — 

 some to the world of spirits, and some into dis- 

 tance almost as remote. The May-blossom, that 

 in fond, annual commemoration of the day, I had 

 hidden in my bosom, bore a thorn which I had not 

 the heart to break off; for why should I not feel, 

 even bodily, the piercings of what had been to me 

 a broken reed, so far as this world's comfort is 

 concerned ? The very thorn of that withered 

 May-flower was more precious to me than all the 

 living garlands of the present spring. There are 

 many who will question the truth of this ; but 

 some there are, who, without knowing any thing 

 of me or mine, will, from individual experience, 

 acknowledge it to be unquestionable. 



The object of the meeting before me, was one 

 inexpressibly dear to my heart — the promotion of 

 poor Erin's spiritual good, through the divinely 

 appointed medium of her native tongue. I say 

 divinely-appointed : for God has declared it to be 

 so, not only in word, but by confirming signs and 

 wonders, which none might gainsay. 



