A

SHORT ACCOUNT

OF THE

AUTHOR.

WHEN we have perused the works of an author with sensations of pleasure, still more, should we have derived improvement from them; we naturally wish to become acquainted with the history of one to whom we have been thus indebted. Any attempt to gratify such a desire regarding the author of "The Decision," &c. appears to be almost venturing on forbidden ground. The genuine modesty of her character, made her wish to remain unknown as the author of those works, till fully conscious she was about to depart from

this world, and to enter upon that eternal state, to the contemplation of which it had been her constant endeavour to lead the thoughts and the hearts of her readers. When at length she released her friends from their promise of secrecy, her motive for doing so was at the same time made known; but she certainly never thought of any Memoir of herself appearing before the public; and, as there can be no reference made to any private papers or letters, it is only a very short and imperfect outline that can be attempted.

The author of "The Decision" (the only name by which she was known during the publication of her works) was the fourth daughter of Robert Kennedy, Esq. of Pinmore, in the county of Ayr, and Robina, daughter of John Vans Agnew, Esq. of Barnbarrow, in the county of Galloway. She was born at Pinmore, in the year 1782; but accompanied her parents at an early age to the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, and in Edinburgh she chiefly resided during the remainder of her life.

At an early period she was remarked to be of an inquiring turn of mind, and to have much observation. She was fond of reading, learnt rapid

ly all that was offered to her mind, and, excepting in music, which she never studied, easily obtained a knowledge of those languages and acquirements which usually belong to female education.

For drawing she had a peculiar talent, which she cultivated at different times with much pleasure to herself, but with little assistance from others. Figures were her favourite study; and the engravings accompanying her different little works were taken from original drawings of her own.* She was in every respect a most unassisted author; and in no department of her works was she indebted to another. She corrected for the press herself; and the only instance in which another was employed, a number of errors in the printing were allowed: this was only in the first editions of two little tracts.

She received from an eminently pious and most amiable mother the advantages of a religious education, which was afterwards considered by her as one of the greatest blessings heaven can bestow. While enjoying this peculiar blessing, and regularly taken to the house of God, it was by the preaching of the Gospel that divine light

The drawings for "Dunallan" and "Philip Colville" have been supplied for the present edition of the works.

first shone into her young mind, and awakened her from the false security of a natural state, to earnest enquiry after salvation and eternal life. In the use of those means, which God has appointed for the obtaining of spiritual knowledge, her mind was enlightened, and that wondrous change was accomplished in her, without which, our Lord has taught us, none can 66 enter the kingdom of God." As her character opened and expanded, her spiritual light and knowledge advanced. She studied the word of God, and the doctrines of the Gospel, with that seriousness and deep attention, which an enquiring mind devotes to a subject viewed as the most important of all others, and of the deepest interest. Thus made acquainted with the highest source of enjoyment to an immortal mind, and having experienced nobler pleasures than any this world can offer, she did not expose the devotion of her heart to the cooling influence of worldly society, to which no duty called her; and it is almost unnecessary to say, that she early ceased to join in any of the gay amusements of life-in her works she has fully expressed her opinions on this subject. She possessed an uncommonly active mind, and was generally engaged in following out some

particular subject in her own thoughts, which she frequently mentioned when conversing with her intimate friends, to ascertain whether they had ever considered the subject, and whether their sentiments were in unison with her own. The unassuming modesty of her manners, the sweet and mild cheerfulness of her temper, the vein of humour which often enlivened the domestic circle, though seldom ever seen beyond it, the upright sincerity, the perfect simplicity of her character, united to the superiority of her mind and piety, all formed her to be a delightful companion, and endeared her to the hearts of her friends in no common measure. Of her information, genius, and mental powers, those can judge who read her works; but the peculiar excellencies of her private character were known only to her intimate friends, and by those whose comfort was most dependent upon her, and who, in mourning her early and unexpected removal from this world, feel that a large measure of their earthly happiness is withdrawn for ever.

Though mentally very active, personal activity was not her particular gift, and perhaps she may have been considered by some Christians not sufficiently zealous in this respect, when she de