Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/748

Rh An interesting occasion in her life occurred in connection with a visit of General La Fayette to this country in 1825. His services in the cause of American Independence, in upholding the constitutional liberty in France and his mingled gallantry and sentiment early gave him prominence and fame, and made him an idol of the American people.

All this feeling Mrs. Willard had nobly imbued in the verses with which she celebrated this distinguished visitor's coming to her school in Troy. The young women of her school sang this poem before General La Fayette, who was affected to tears by this reception, and at the close of the singing said: "I cannot express what I feel on this occasion, but will you, madame, present me with three copies of those lines to be given by me as from you to my three daughters?"

Emma Willard was a woman of loftiest patriotism, and her "National Llymn" deserves at least equal appreciation with Doctor Smith's "Columbia." Her prose displays uncommonly strong mental powers and endowments. She published a large book or treatise on the motive powers which produce a circulation of the blood, which gained her great praise both at home and abroad. In 1849 she published "Last Leaves From American Llistory," giving a graphic account of the Mexican War, and later appeared her "History of California" and a small volume of poetry.

In Emma Willard's case the promise of the Psalmist, "That the righteous shall bear fruit in old age," was splendidly realized. To the close of her long and useful life she maintained her youthful vivacity, her enthusiasm of spirit and her power of work. Every Sunday evening she gathered around her hospitable board her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as her friends, and heard them repeat passages of Scripture. This was a habit of many years. Beautiful were those family reunions, but the most beautiful