Co Bereaved Mothers. THIS simple Tribute to the Memory of a beloved child, was prepared from the desire to preserve in manuscript form, for surviving children, a memorial of their departed sister. The relief, which, in its progress, was afforded by giving expression to feelings awakened by the bereavement, led to a more free utterance of the heart than was at first contemplated. At the suggestion of friends, the writer has been induced to make selections from the manuscript, and, with some changes and additions, to present them in this form; not because it is assumed that there was anything peculiar in the life of the child, but simply in the hope of affording to other suffering hearts some slight consolation. Her deep interest in the experience of mothers, who have drank of this same bitter cup, and in the perusal of what on this subject has fallen in her way, is the ground of this hope. Little incidents are taken from the original narrative which may seem trivial to any but a mother. And the child's imperfect language is sometimes retained, as being more natural. vi TO BEREAVED MOTHERS. Hints are casually thrown out with regard to the treatment of children, in the wish that they may prove of some little assistance to the young and inexperienced mother. Copious extracts are also made from the poetry collected in the memorial, as, from her own experience, the writer has learned its peculiar power of sympathy. In transferring from the manuscript such portions as lift the veil from her own heart, she has been influenced by the earnest desire which, in her grief, she has felt, for a more full expression of the heart of others under such a bereavement. And for obvious reasons, these reminiscences and reflections do not cease with the afflictive event, but are continued through the changing seasons of the first year of grief. The preparation of this mournful Tribute has proved a sweet solace to the writer; and if it shall be the means of soothing any wounded heart, or of leading it to the true source of consolation, it will abundantly reward A BEREAVED MOTHER. My Broken Bad. I had a precious gift from heaven;— It was a bud of promise sweet, I Adorned with beauty rare. gave it sunshine and the air; 'Twas watered by the dew; I watched it as each coming day Unfolded beauties new. From its deep heart there ever breathice, A Paradisal sweet. It was a bright, celestial bud, For our cold clime unmeet. There was a fragrance not of earth, And with a thrill of ecstasy, |