Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/386

Rh I left Emerson with an unmingled sentiment of gratitude for what he has been to me. I may perhaps see other more beautiful and more perfect forms, but never shall I see his equal again.

During my stay in Concord I again enjoyed my intercourse with the intellectual Elizabeth H., who is possessed of great depth of feeling and knowledge; I also again saw Mrs. Channing, the younger sister of Margaret Fuller, now looking ten years older; so much had sorrow, for the tragical fate of her highly-gifted sister, weighed upon the young wife and mother.

I made another excursion from Boston, in company with the kind Miss P., to visit a seminary for teachers at West Newton, established by Horace Mann, as well as to greet once more and see Lydia Maria Child, who now resides in the neighbourhood of the seminary. I was present at a lesson in the institution, at which from fifty to sixty young girls, who are preparing themselves for instructors, were present. One of them ascended the lecturer's chair, the others being seated on benches in the large, light, airy hall. The subject of the lesson was the form of government of the United States, in which she examined the others. The young teacher was handsome, with every appearance of a gentlewoman, and with an extremely agreeable deportment and manner. When she descended from her elevated seat the others were encouraged to criticise her observations, or to point out any particulars in which she appeared to be in error. Several voices were raised in observation, one remarking that she had left the chair without any sign of acknowledgment to her audience. The young girl who next took her place had a very different manner, was not so handsome, nor had so much perhaps of the gentlewoman about her, but she was more ardent, more decided, and was evidently possessed of more than usual abilities. The subject of her lesson and examination was geographical