Page:Women worth emulating (1877) Internet Archive.djvu/95

Rh Martineaus, the Gurneys, and, later on, Bishop Stanley and his family. In such a circle, there was everything to stimulate the development of mind and give a bias to genius; and the young mistress of Dr. Alderson's house was soon as distinguished among her intellectual friends for her talents, as she was beloved for the sweetness of her temper and disposition.

Although she did not apparently contemplate becoming an authoress, it was known by her intimate friends that she had a gift of poetic expression; and many sweet stanzas and some charming songs of her composition were circulated among her friends. In after-years she was destined to be known and celebrated as a writer both in prose and verse, of works admirable for purity, pathos, and sound morality. In an age when woman's genius has gained great triumphs in the highest departments of literature, some of the poems of Amelia Opie have retained their place as true expressions of genius. And one is just now, in this time of war and carnage, singularly touching:—

THE ORPHAN BOY.

Stay, lady, stay, for mercy's sake,

And hear a helpless orphan's tale,

Ah! sure my looks must pity wake,

'Tis want that makes my cheek so pale.

Yet I was once a mother's pride,

And my brave father's hope and joy;

But in the Nile's proud fight he died,

And I am now an orphan boy.