Grace Darling | Page 6

and sympathise with
that which is sorrowful--then they should get at least a good part of
their education out of doors, among the mountains and rocks, and by
the ever-changing sea. There was nothing artificial about the life of
Grace Darling. It was free, natural, and real. And if the women of the
next generation are to be strong and healthy in mind and body, they
should be taught to despise, rather than to covet, the dissipations, the
shams and frivolities, the dress and fashion, of modern society. Another
thing is morally certain, and it is, that Grace Darling had not read many
novels. The effect of doing this is to make girls dream, rather than do.
Their imagination takes flight into lofty regions, and they fancy
themselves doing a vast number of heroic actions, but it is not such
girls who would be found ready to act promptly in the emergency. Less
of that which is superficial, and more of that which is natural and true,
is wanted in these days to make noble women.
It is to be hoped that the consideration of this life will aid in the
development of all sterling qualities, and that women will rise from its
persual with a stronger determination than ever to become unselfish,
useful, and devoted. Are there not lives yet to be saved? Are there no
wrecks as awful as those which are caused by ships crashing among
rocks, or stranding upon dangerous sands? These are days of
civilisation and culture, of the multiplication of schools, and extension
of churches. But no reflective observer can pass along the streets
without seeing perilous places, which, though they never were marked
on any wreck chart, have been the means of luring hundreds to
destruction. There is work enough for all willing hands, and the women
of Great Britain can do no unimportant part of it. Only let them be true
to themselves, and to the higher instincts which God has planted within
them. Only let them be faithful to duty, and prompt to perform any
good task that lies before them, whether it be small or great, and they
will be worthy to take their places by the side of the Farne Isles
Heroine; and of them also the Judge will say, "They have done what
they could."

CHAPTER II.
ANCIENT NORTHUMBRIA.
"Honour be with the dead! The people kneel Under the helms of
antique chivalry, And in the crimson gloom from banners thrown, And
'midst the forms in pale, proud slumber carved Of warriors on their
tombs. The people kneel Where mail-clad chiefs have knelt--where
jewelled crowns On the flushed brows of conquerors have been set--
Where the high anthems of old victories Have made the dust give
echoes. Hence, vain thoughts! Memories of power and pride, which
long ago, Like dim processions of a dream, have sunk In twilight
depths away. Return, my soul! The Cross recalls thee!"--Mrs. Hemans.
Every part of our little island home has its history. The land is small,
but the changes among the inhabitants, and the achievements of its
heroes, have redeemed it from triviality, and made it among nations
great and important. The deeds Englishmen have done, the afflictions
they have suffered, the victories they have won, and the results that
they have brought about, conspire to make every county famous for
something. In one, the ashes of martyrs have consecrated the ground. In
another, the introduction of some special art or industry has been its
elevation. Another was the birthplace of some great man, whom the
world delighted to honour. Yet another was the scene of some great
battle, where the bones of the vanquished whitened in the sun. And yet
another is historic, because upon its soil the lovers of freedom have
stood, firm as English oaks, and contended, not for their own rights
only, but also for those of their sons and daughters. But few parts of the
land have such thrilling stories to tell as that of Northumbria. Border
ballads innumerable have been written, and there are old stones, dark
rocks, and picturesque glens, that are ever singing their songs of the
olden and far-away days, and singing them so that no pen can
reproduce them. If they could but speak a language that we could
understand, what crowds of eager students would gather about them,
what hosts of world-weary people would rest and listen! How many
romantic maidens and resolute youths would drink inspiration from
them! But we know a little of what was sinned and suffered,

commenced and completed there, in the North of our land, and though
it is not a hundredth part of what might be told, it is yet enough to fill
us with thoughts of God's care and goodness, and to stir us up to