* * * * *

PART III.

The life of the third Mrs. Judson.

CHAPTER I.

Remarks on her Genius—­Her Early Life.—­Conversion.—­
Employments—­Tales and Poems—­Acquaintance with Dr.
Judson.—­Marriage.—­Voyage to India—­Biography of Mrs. S.B. 
Judson.—­Poem written off St. Helena—­Poem on the Birth of an
Infant.—­Lines addressed to a Bereaved Friend—­Letter to her
Children.—­Prayer for dear Papa.—­Poem addressed to her
Mother.—­Her Account of Dr. Judson’s last Illness and Death, 321

CHAPTER II.

Reflections on the Death of Emily C. Judson—­The Delicacy of her Constitution and her Final Malady—­Her Sufferings at Rangoon, and the Good Effect upon her Health of a Removal to Maulmain—­Precarious State of her Health—­Her Resignation—­Death of Dr. Judson—­Decides to Leave Burmah, and Returns to her Maternal Home, in Hamilton.  N.Y.—­Her death—­The Traits of her Character—­Domestic Attachments—­Her Missionary Life and Literary Labors, 357

PART I.

Life of Mrs. Ann H. Judson,

FIRST WIFE OF

Rev.  Adoniram Judson, D.D.

CHAPTER I.

Mrs. Judson’s birth, education, and conversion.

When an individual attains a position of eminence which commands the admiration of the world, we naturally seek to learn his early history, to ascertain what indications were given in childhood of qualities destined to shine with such resplendent lustre, and to discover the kind of discipline which has developed powers so extraordinary.  But in no researches are we more apt to be baffled than in these.  Few children are so remarkable as to make it worth while, even to a parent, to chronicle their little sayings and doings; and of infant prodigies—­though there is a superstitious belief that most of them die early, which is expressed in the adage—­

    “Whom the Gods love, die young,”

those that live commonly disappoint the hopes of partial friends, who watched their infancy with wonder and expectation.

There are certain qualities, however, which we shall rarely miss even in the childhood of those who attain eminence by a wise employment of their talents and acquirements.  These are:  firmness of purpose, industry and application, and an ardent, and sometimes enthusiastic temperament.  These qualities were possessed in no common degree by Ann Hasseltine, the subject of this memoir.  She was born in Bradford, Massachusetts, on the 22d of December, 1789.  In a sketch which she has given of her life, between twelve and seventeen years of age, we find evidence of an active, ardent, and social disposition, gay and buoyant spirits, persevering industry, and great decision of character.