Page:Scenes in my Native Land.pdf/248

244 at its first organization, and remained during the full course of seven years, was a daughter of the late Dr. Mason F. Cogswell, who was early called to follow her lamented father to the tomb. Her genius, her entire loveliness of disposition, and the happiness of her joyous childhood, caused the following reply to be made to a question originally proposed at the Institution for the deaf and dumb in Paris; "Les Sourd-Muets se trouvent-ils malheureux?"*

Oh! could the kind inquirer gaze Upon thy brow, with gladness fraught, Its smile, like inspiration's rays, Would give the answer to his thought.

And could he see thy sportive grace Sod blending with submission due, Or note thy bosom's tenderness To every just emotion true;—

Or, when some new idea glows On the pure altar of the mind, Observe the exulting tear that flows In silent ecstasy refined;—

Thy active life, thy look of bliss, The sparkling of thy magic eye,