Page:Over the river, and other poems.djvu/32

26 had. There is none that can ever fill her place ; but there is light and hope 'just beyond the veil.' There is a new attraction 'over the river.' "

The memory of " Nancy Priest " is still kept as green as on the day of her death in many " hearts and homes," outside as well as within the bounds of the family circle ; and the mention of her name calls up tender and grate ful feelings in thousands of bereaved ones, who have derived consolation and strength in their griefs, from her best-known poem, " Over the River." Notices of the press, private letters, and oral communications, in great number, have expressed the general sorrow for her early departure, and the warmest sympathy with her stricken friends.

This imperfect Memoir may be fitly closed by the fol lowing extract from an article in " The Congregation- alist," dated Nov. 3, 1870 :— "Our readers will have noticed that Mrs. Wakefield (who wrote the beautiful lines with the above-named title) has recently passed away by death. As nearly as we recollect the facts, these lines were first published to the world some fifteen years ago; and, what is remarkable in them, they have such a charm for the people as to keep them in constant circulation ever since. It may be doubted whether a single week has transpired, in the last ten years, when these verses might not have been picked up from one or