Sampler, Mary Halbert, English, Medium: silk embroidery on linen foundation Technique: embroidered in cross and eyelet stitches on plain weave foundation; patches of cotton, 'Motto./ Letters were first designed to instruct and bless mankind/ Seize pupils seize the present fleeing hour/ Improve the passing moment as it flies/ Youth will soon be past man is a flower/ Whose bloom soon fades alas how soon he dies./ Virtue and truth when are combined/ Refine the manners form the mind/ And when with industry they meet/ The female character is complete/ Mary Halbert sampler wrought in Westmoreland/ July 31st in the year of our Lord 1817. A Hart Instructress./ The needle and pen teach wisdom.', Westmoreland, England, 1817, embroidery & stitching, Sampler