Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 5.

The extravagant phrases employed in all these verses indicate the literary style of the day, and by no means prove that the poetess was lacking in strict veracity, even when she calls her Father ‘Chief of the Bards,’ and her friend the ‘Glory of our Isle.’

Some paraphrases of the Psalms followed the verses already quoted, upon receiving which her Father wrote to her as follows:—

‘With the Advantages of my liberal Education at School and College I have no reason to think but that your Genius in Writing would have excelled mine. But there is no great Progress or Improvement made in anything but by Use and Industry and Time. If you diligently improve your stated and some vacant Hours every Day or Week to read your Bible, and other useful Books, you will sensibly grow in Knowledge and Wisdom, fine Thoughts and good Judgment from Year to Year. . . . But as to a Poetical Flight now and then, let it be with you only a thing by the by. At your leisure and spare Hours you may indulge your Inclinations this way. But let them not break in either upon the daily Hours of secret Reading or Devotion. So shall you consecrate your Heart and Life, your Muse and your daily Works to the Honour of Christ in the Way of your own Salvation.’

In addition to her poetical effusions Mr. Turell enumerates,

In Prose many things, among them “Some essay to write her own life,” which begins with Thanksgivings to God for distinguishing her from most in the World by the Blessings of Nature, Providence and Grace, which she specifies and enumerates in the following manner:—

1. I thank God for my Immortal Soul, and that Reason and Understanding which distinguishes me from the lower Creation.

2. For my Birth in a Christian Country, in a Land of Light, where the true God and Jesus Christ are known.

3. For pious and honourable Parents, whereby I am favour'd beyond many others.