Page:Poems of home and country (IA poemsofhomecount01smit).pdf/19



following letter from Dr. illustrates many elements which have made his life so greatly a blessing to others:—

In accordance with your request for a familiar outline of my life, noting its chief events and the trend of my poetical writings, I send the enclosed, as the experience of one who courted the Muse partly for personal satisfaction, but chiefly from an earnest desire to promote patriotic sentiment and Christian living as he had opportunity. It has been a source of enjoyment, and, I hope, has been a comfort to others.

I count it to have been a happy lot, and, possibly, an inspiration to my choice of a profession, that I was born under the sound of the Old North Church chimes, in Boston. I understand, from veritable family records, that the modest event occurred on the 21st day of October, 1808. I confess to a little touch of satisfaction that I am permitted, in my social retirement, to count "Discovery Day," as we now style the arri-