My leisure hours are mostly employed in holding a sort of literary
_chit-chat_ with some favourite author or editor; but I am never
more agreeably entertained than at your _Evening Fire-side_, by
the various topics there introduced and discussed. The Essayist
_remarks_ the pride, extravagance, and vices, which at present
prevail, and _teaches_ us that these are unworthy of rational
beings, and that their opposites, humility, prudence, and virtue,
with the exercise of charity and forbearance, can alone ensure us
felicity. The Agriculturist descants on the improvement of the soil,
the rearing of flocks and herds, and the enviable pleasures of rural
occupations. The Mechanic sets forth the superior advantages of some
new invention; while the man of science communicates the result of
ingenious experiments in the particular branches of knowledge which
have engaged his attention. And last, though not less a favourite
than the rest, is the Bard, whose title to poetic inspiration is not
unfrequently evinced by his giving
----"_to airy nothing
"A local habitation and a name_."
While thus highly amused and instructed myself, I am unable, being
of humble capacity, to contribute in return to the edification of
others, unless by occasionally communicating what I may chance to
glean in the course of some of my _literary_ peregrinations. As this
may not be unacceptable, I send you, as a token of my good will, and
desire for the prosperity of your interesting Miscellany, a _scrap_
of American poesy, which, though published a few years since in some
of the public journals, it is believed will be new to many of your
readers. The writer is a young lady of Virginia, by the name of
HENNING, who thus modestly speaks of a production, which, it must be
admitted, is alike creditable to herself, her sex and country:--"The
subject which I have selected, has already employed the talents of
an eminent poet, (_Akenside_,) and as he has gathered in the rich
harvest which it presented to the sickle of his genius, I must, like
Ruth of old, be content to collect the scattered ears, not however
expecting the same result to my employment as that which attended my
fair-famed predecessor."--Your friend,