(On L): The Holy feast of Easter was injoind. / to bring Chrst's Resurrection to our mind ./ (On R): Rise then from Sin as he did from the Grave ./ that by his Merrits he your Souls may save. // The Desire / From my Beginning may the Almighty Power. / Blessings bestow in never-ceasing Shower. / Oh! may I happy be and always blest! / Of evr'y Joy, of evr'y Wish possess'd! / May Plenty dissipate all Worldly Care / And smiling Peace bless my revolving Years. ADVISE / Learn to contemn all Praise betimes / For flattery is the Nurse of Crimes / With early Virtue plant thy Breast / The specious Arts of Vice detest', / VIRTUE / Virtue's the chiefest Beauty of the Mind / The noblest Ornament of Human Kind / Virtue's our Safeguard and our guiding star / That stirs up Reason when our Senses err / On / Death at a Distance we but slightly fear. / He brings his Terrors as he draws more near: / Through Poverty, Pain, Slav'ry, we drudge on, / Death / The worst of Beings better please than none / No Price too dear to purchase Life and Breath, / The heaviest Burthen's easier borne than Death / (In a leaf cartouch): Susanna Gellett / May the 7 / 1800 //.

Maker

Gellett, Susanna

Date made

1800

Origin

England

Stitches

Cross, Satin, Counted Satin, Stem

In Bolton & Co.

No

Foundation Cloth

Wool

Embroidery Thread

Silk

Predominent Motif

Sampler is divided into six horizontal sections by repeating geometric and floral cross bands. Centrally placed at the top, is an angel with a trumpet. At the bottom a wide section with a red brick house, steps and a lawn, flanked by trees, birds, flowerpots, a woman on the left and a man with a dog on the right. A cross band above the house, blue above and white below, depicts the sky and clouds. Meandering flower and leaf border all four sides.

Inscription

(On L): The Holy feast of Easter was injoind. / to bring Chrst's Resurrection to our mind ./ (On R): Rise then from Sin as he did from the Grave ./ that by his Merrits he your Souls may save. // The Desire / From my Beginning may the Almighty Power. / Blessings bestow in never-ceasing Shower. / Oh! may I happy be and always blest! / Of evr'y Joy, of evr'y Wish possess'd! / May Plenty dissipate all Worldly Care / And smiling Peace bless my revolving Years. ADVISE / Learn to contemn all Praise betimes / For flattery is the Nurse of Crimes / With early Virtue plant thy Breast / The specious Arts of Vice detest', / VIRTUE / Virtue's the chiefest Beauty of the Mind / The noblest Ornament of Human Kind / Virtue's our Safeguard and our guiding star / That stirs up Reason when our Senses err / On / Death at a Distance we but slightly fear. / He brings his Terrors as he draws more near: / Through Poverty, Pain, Slav'ry, we drudge on, / Death / The worst of Beings better please than none / No Price too dear to purchase Life and Breath, / The heaviest Burthen's easier borne than Death / (In a leaf cartouch): Susanna Gellett / May the 7 / 1800 //.

Length Without Frame

17 1/4"

Width Without Frame

12 3/4"

Historical Owner

#T.51-1938 Bequest of Mrs. H. A. Longman

Owner

Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Owner Private

Fitzwilliam Museum