  1825= ——. Mrs. Preston is a native of Philadelphia, the daughter of Dr. George Junkin who in 1848 removed to Lexington, Virginia, as president of the Washington College, and remained there till 1861. She was married in 1857 to Prof. J.T.L. Preston of the Virginia Military Institute, her sister Eleanor being the wife of Colonel T.J. Jackson of the same institution. She identified herself with the South, and her “Beechenbrook: a Rhyme of the War” contains the poems, “Stonewall Jackson’s Grave” and “Slain in Battle.” Her later writings are mostly short poems, many of them religious, articles for magazines, and sketches of travel, all of which breathe forth a sweet and wise influence. WORKS.Silverwood, [novel]. THE SHADE OF THE TREES.(On the death of Stonewall Jackson, 1863, his last words being, “Let us pass over the river and rest under the shade of the trees.”) (From Cartoons. Natural Bridge, Virginia. What are the thoughts that are stirring his breast? What is the mystical vision he sees? “Let us pass over the river and rest Under the shade of the trees.” Sighs the worn spirit for respite or ease? Is it a moment’s cool halt that he asks Under the shade of the trees? Is it the gurgle of waters whose flow Ofttime has come to him borne on the breeze, Memory listens to, lapsing so low, Under the shade of the trees? Nay—though the rasp of the flesh was so sore, Faith, that had yearnings far keener than these, Saw the soft sheen of the Thitherward Shore, Under the shade of the trees;— Caught the high psalms of ecstatic delight,— Heard the harps harping, like soundings of seas,— Watched earth’s assoilÈd ones walking in white Under the shade of the trees. O, was it strange he should pine for release, Touched to the soul with such transports as these,— He who so needed the balsam of peace, Under the shade of the trees? Yea, it was noblest for him—it was best, (Questioning naught of our Father’s decrees,) There to pass over the river and rest Under the shade of the trees! FOOTNOTE: |
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