EARLY LIFE--RESIDENCE IN CANADA.

Mankind take an interest in the history of those who, like
themselves, have encountered the trials and discharged the duties of
life. Too often, however, publicity is given to the lives of men
splendid in acts of mighty mischief, in whom the secret exercises of
the heart would not bear a scrutiny. The memoirs are comparatively few
of those engaged in the humble and useful walks of active benevolence,
where the breathings of the soul would display a character much to be
admired, and more to be imitated.

As the celebrated Dr. Buchanan has observed, that if you were to
ask certain persons in Christian countries, if they had any
acquaintance with the _religious_ world, they would say "they had
never heard there _was_ such a world;" so, while the external
conduct of individuals is made the subject of much critical remark,
the religion of the heart, the secret source of action, too frequently
escapes unnoticed and unexplored.

It is only when the career of life is closed, that the character
is completely established. On this account memoirs of the living are,
in few instances, read with much interest; but when the soul has
departed, and the body sleeps in dust, it may prove useful to
survivors to examine the principles which led their departed friend to
a life of honorable benevolence, and to a peaceful end.

Such considerations as these, and the urgent request of many
respectable individuals, have induced the preparation of the following
sketch of the life and writings of Mrs. ISABELLA GRAHAM, whose
character was so esteemed, and whose memory is so venerated by all who