THE CAMPAIGN IN SEPTEMBER. 187 



that speaks so plainly of the fading year, that 

 we are saddened in spite of ourselves. But 

 when through all experiences she has kept a 

 young heart, it will often show itself in a spright- 

 liness, a spring-like, youthful manner, just as 

 many days in September remind you of May. 

 Thus the lady past her prime, that in the ordi- 

 nary stock novel is so generally sneered at, may 

 be a most gracious, lovely personage. The 

 memory of her trials and temptations in youth, 

 the struggles and burdens of middle age on one 

 hand, give her the broadest, deepest charity for 

 those still passing through these ordeals ; while 

 on the other, with strength undiminished, as 

 yet, she can stay the tottering steps of age with 

 a peculiar and sympathetic tenderness. The 

 graces of her mind and character are like the 

 flowers of autumn. There is no longer the 

 growth of immature foliage and wood, but all 

 the strength of the plant goes into rich and 



