Page:Sarah Sheppard - L. E. L.pdf/47

 A description of early morning :—

We are almost ashamed of the injustice of giving so few of the metaphors which sparkle on every page; but even these will show the beauty of the imagery in itself, and also its relative value as linked with all the deep and pure sympathies of humanity. This leads us to another characteristic of L. E. L.'s Poetry. Its frequent Philosophical spirit, both of an Intellectual and Moral nature. The first is evidenced in the Manner of treating her subjects. Many passages might be adduced which would illustrate the soundest principles of intellectual and technical criticism, and peculiarly exemplify those primary laws in the philosophy of human nature, association and generalization. In the Subjects themselves is this philosophical spirit yet more developed; especially in setting forth the powers and susceptibilities of the mind; most of all, of the Poetical mind. Passages might be selected which would form a history of a ’s soul, with revealings of his inner life, with manifestations of the spiritual genius that sometimes consecrates the frail shrine of human nature. Passages where the young and eager, and gifted might look on his probable future destiny, might see the vast disproportion between the fond fancies of his early dreams and the sternness of reality; might behold his lofty hopes, his noble intentions, his high aspirations glittering in the sunlight of his youthful imagination, contrasted with the shadows and darkness gathering in the distance over his exhausted energies. He might foresee the disappointments from the world's neglect or from the cold cautiousness of unappreciating friends, from the malevolence of envious foes, and, above all, from the withholden,