Chapter III: Part 3

It has lost all its attraction since the voice of its author is mute, for who can repeat it as he did--the pithy preliminary remarks on the great poet's morals--the short Cameronian cough--the melodious trail of the tongue--and the frequent intrusion of explanatory notes, which the uninspired could not always distinguish from the poem itself, all these things are departed and passed away, and the verses sleep as quietly as the dust of the poet. Two other occasional converts scarcely deserve notice--one of them was saved from thorough conviction by the well-timed exaltation to a neighbouring precentorship, and the other has returned to his seat in the kirk, since the dark-eyed daughter of an adjacent Cameronian gave her hand, and it was a white one, to one of the chosen who was laird of an acre of peat-moss--and I have not heard of any other damsel of the covenant having caused him to relapse.

SHEPHERD'S DOG.

(From the London Sportsman's Cabinet.)

This dog is the most timid, obedient, placid, serene and grateful in the creation. He seems studiously conscious of the purposes for which he was formed, and is never so perceptibly gratified, as when affording the most incessant proofs of his unsullied integrity.--Instinctively prone to industry, he is alive to the slightest sensation of his employer, and would rather double and treble the watch line of circumspection, than be seen indulging in a state of neglectful indolence.--The breed is propagated and preserved with the greatest respect to purity in the northern parts of the kingdom of England, as well as in the highlands of Scotland, where, in the extensive tracts and uncultivated wilds, their services exceed description.

Constitutionally calm, patient, and philosophic, the sheep dog seems totally lost to every appearance of novelty, and insensible to every attraction beyond the protection and indefatigable preservation of the flock committed to his charge.--In the most sequestered and remote spots, dreary wilds and lofty mountains, almost inaccessible to man, this dog becomes an incredible and trusty substitute; for once initiated in the ground-work of his office, he soon acquires a perfect knowledge of the extent of his walk, as well as every individual of his flock: and will as regularly select his own, and disperse intruders, as the most faithful and attentive shepherd in existence. This becomes the more extraordinary to the contemplative mind, when it is recollected what immense flocks are seen to cover the downy hills of Hants and Wilts, as far as the eye can reach, without control; and to know that by a single signal from the shepherd, this faithful, sagacious animal, replete with energy, vigilance, and activity, will make his circle, so as to surround a flock of hundreds, and bring them within any compass that may be required.

The sheep dog is so completely absorbed in what seems to be the sole business and employment of his life, that he does not bestow a look, or indulge a wish, beyond the constant protection of the trust reposed in him, and to execute the commands of his master; which he is always incessantly anxious to receive, and in fact is invariably looking for by every solicitous attention it is possible to conceive.--Inured to all weathers, fatigue and hunger, he is the least voracious of the species, subsists upon little, and may be justly considered truly emblematic of content. Though there is the appearance of a somniferous indolence in the exterior, it is by no means a constitutional mark of habitual inability; on the contrary, the sagacity, fidelity, and comprehensive penetration of this kind of dog, is equal to any other, but that there is a thoughtful or expressive gravity annexed to this particular race, as if they were absolutely conscious of their own utility in business of importance, and the value of the stock so confidently committed to their care.

Amidst the infinity of cases so constantly issuing from the press, in which proofs almost incredible are authentically adduced of the courage, sagacity, fidelity, gratitude, and self-denial of different kinds of dogs, many are to be found appertaining to this particular race; if they are not so numerous as some other sorts, it may be fairly attributed to the little proportional chance they have (from their remote and sequestered employment) of displaying those powers in an equal degree with dogs more engaged in the bustle of human society.

Dr. Anderson (in his translation from Dr. Pallas) introduces the following instance of sagacity in a shepherd's dog, which he considers truly astonishing; and it will create no surprise with those who are in the least acquainted with their perfections.

"The owner himself having been hanged some years ago for sheep stealing, the following fact, among others, respecting the dog, was authenticated by evidence upon his trial. When the man intended to steal any sheep, he did not do it himself, but detached his dog to perform the business. With this view, under pretence of looking at the sheep with an intention to purchase them, he went through the flock with the dog at his feet, to whom he secretly gave a signal, so as to let him know the individuals he wanted, to the number of ten or twenty, out of a flock of some hundreds; he then went away, and at a distance of several miles sent back the dog by himself in the night time, who picked out the individual sheep that had been pointed out to him, separated them from the flock, and drove them before him by himself, till overtaking his master, to whom he relinquished them."

The shepherd's dog rather shuns than seems anxious to obtain the caresses of strangers, of whom he always appears to be shy and suspicious; it being remarkable, that when refreshing upon a journey with the flock, he seldom reposes but close to the feet or body of his master; who well knows if he but deposits his coat or his wallet, and gives the animal the accustomed signal; when the sheep are at pasture, he may absent himself for hours, and at his return find the whole as safe and regular as if it had been under his own inspection. Although it is already observed, these dogs afford no evident external proof of quick conception, or rapid execution (except in all matters relative to the flock, to which their every faculty appertains) yet their sagacity and fidelity is found equal to every other branch of the species, when necessarily brought into useful action.

"In the month of February, 1795, as Mr. Boulstead's son, of Great Salkeld, in Cumberland, was attending the sheep of his father upon Great Salkeld's common, he had the misfortune to fall and break his leg.--He was then at the distance of three miles from home, no chance of any person's coming, in so unfrequented a place, within call, and evening very fast approaching: in this dreadful dilemma, suffering extreme pain from the fracture, and laying upon the damp ground at so dreary a season of the year, his agitated spirit suggested to him the following expedient: Folding one of his gloves in his pocket handkerchief, he fastened it round the neck of the dog, and rather emphatically ordered him "home."--These dogs, trained so admirably to orders and signals during their attendance upon the flock, are well known to be under the most minute subjection, and to execute the commands of their masters with an alacrity scarcely to be conceived.

Perfectly convinced of some inexplicable disquietude from the situation in which his master lay, he set off at a pace, which soon brought him to the house, where he scratched with great violence at the door for immediate admittance. This obtained, the parents were in the utmost alarm and consternation at his appearance, but more particularly when they had examined the handkerchief and its contents. Instantly concluding beyond a doubt, that some accident had befallen their son, they did not delay a moment going in search of him; and the dog, apparently conscious the principal part of his duty was yet to be performed, anxiously led the way and conducted the agitated parents to the spot where their son lay overwhelmed with pain, increased by the awful uncertainty of his situation.--Happily this was effected just at the close of day, when being immediately removed, and the necessary assistance procured, he soon recovered, and was never more pleasingly engaged than when reciting the sagacity and gratitude of his faithful follower, who then became his constant companion."

* * * * *

The instances of intelligence in the shepherd's dog are recorded in all books treating of the manners and habits of the dog tribe. One more may be mentioned from a recent publication. It is given for the purpose of stimulating the American farmer to possess himself of one of the breed as soon as possible.--Speaking of the "Currack of Kildare," the author says, "The commonage is stocked by a prescriptive proportion, attached to the adjacent farms: every sheep owner has a particular raddled mark; the shepherd's dogs are so trained, that if a sheep, with a strange mark, comes on his master's front, the dog will single him out and worry him off."--See Statistical Survey of the County of Kildare, by T. J. Rawson, Dublin, 1807. p. 121.

J. M.

_The new steam ship Robert Fulton._--This ship is intended to ply as a regular packet between New York and New Orleans. She is said to be, in every respect, one of the finest vessels ever built in that city. A communication in the Gazette gives the following description of this beautiful vessel:

"This ship is a splendid piece of naval architecture--the most perfect model I ever beheld, and does great credit to her builder, Mr. Eckford. She is upwards of 750 tons, of a very great length, rigged with lug sails; has three kelsons, (the centre one large enough for a ship of the line,) together with bilge ways, and the whole secured and bolted in a very extraordinary manner, perhaps the most so of any vessel ever built. Her frame timber and plank are of live oak, locust, cedar, and southern pine, copper bolted and coppered.

"She will afford accommodation for more than 200 persons, is fitted up with high and airy state rooms, thoroughly ventilated by means of sky lights the whole length of the cabin, which is very extensive. Her after cabin is neatly arranged for the accommodation of ladies, and separated by means of folding doors, in the modern style. She has also a range of births fore and aft, together with a commodious fore cabin. And what adds to the greatest comfort and security of all, her engine and other machinery are completely insulated and unconnected, as it were, with the other part of the ship. In the centre, lengthwise, is a kind of well-hole, or square trunk, made both fire and water proof; no possible accident, therefore, by the bursting of the boiler, can reach either of the cabins. This trunk or well-hole being enclosed by very thick plank, caulked and leaded, may be inundated with water at pleasure, without any inconvenience to the passengers.

"The furnace is also completely surrounded by the continuation of the boiler, so that no part of the fire can ever come in contact with the wood. There is a space of about 9 or 10 inches filled in with materials, non-conductors of heat, which answer the double purpose of excluding the heat from the cabin, and at the same time deadening the disagreeable noise of the engine. She is also provided with a leather hose, similar to those used by our fire engine companies in this city, which will enable the hot or cold water to be conveyed to any part of the ship, and furnishing at the same time the great conveniency to the passengers of a warm or cold bath, at pleasure. Her engine was constructed by Mr. Allaire, and is supposed to be the most powerful and most exact piece of workmanship ever turned out in this country; and her boiler is said to be the largest ever known to have been made in this or any other country. Take her all in all, she certainly presents a spectacle altogether _unique_."

MISCELLANY.

_Public Lands._--The highly important bill, for changing the mode of disposing of Public Lands, so that hereafter they shall be offered for sale in half quarter sections, the minimum price to be one dollar and twenty-five cents, and all to be paid in cash, has _passed both Houses of Congress_, by great majorities, and now wants only the signature of the President to become a law.--This bill is to take effect from the 1st of June next.

From a late London paper it appears, that a new and easy method has lately been discovered, in England, of preventing the destruction of the young turnip plants by the fly, and for which the discoverer was rewarded with 200 guineas. It is merely to sow about 2 _lbs._ of radish seed on every acre of turnip land, with the turnip seed; the fly, preferring to feed on the radish plants, will, in such case, leave the turnip plants unmolested.

One of the most effectual methods of preventing the ascent of insects on fruit trees, in the spring, is to draw a streak of tar round the body of the tree; but the surface of this soon becomes incrusted by the warmth of the atmosphere, and then the insects are enabled to pass this barrier. To remedy this, mix a proportion of oil with the tar, which will prevent the hardening of the exterior for a considerable length of time; and when the effects of the oil are dissipated, let the exterior be again softened with oil.--This plan is certainly one of the most efficacious for preventing insects from ascending the bodies of fruit trees.

_The scab in sheep._--The shepherds, in Spain, cure this disease with an ointment made of the trunk and roots of the juniper, by breaking them in small pieces, and infusing them in water. The sheep of this country are, however, but little liable to the scab.

It is a fact well ascertained, that when apple trees are in bloom, if the _farina_ be gathered from the blossoms of a tree bearing sour fruit, and scattered on those of a tree bearing sweet, the apples produced from these blossoms will partake of the flavour of both trees. In this way the flavour of fruit may be changed for the better--a matter worthy of note, though perhaps not very profitable in practice.

From Munich, Germany, we learn that Dr Vogel has announced the important discovery, that sulphuric acid, diluted with a certain proportion of water, and then applied to saw dust, to old linen, to paper, &c. will change these substances into gum and saccharine matter. M. Chaptal, somewhere in his book on chymistry, has ventured to offer his opinion, very modestly however, that even the chemical art of making gold (the great secret of the philosopher's stone) will yet be discovered--that chymists will yet be convinced that all matter is the same, only different modifications.

_Calculation of the Period of a Second Deluge._--According to the calculations of the learned astronomer of Bremen, M. Olbers, after a lapse of 83,000 years, a comet will approach to the earth in the same proximity as the moon; after 4,000,000 years it will approach to the distance of 7,700 geographical miles, and then, if its attraction equals that of the earth, the waters of the ocean will be elevated 13,000 feet, and a deluge will necessarily ensue! after a lapse of 220,000,000 years, it will clash with the earth.

During the late inundation of the Rhine, a hare, dislodged by the water took refuge in a tree. One of the boatmen who were traversing the inundated country, in canoes, to pick up the sufferers, observed the hare, steered for the tree, and without making his boat fast, climbed hastily up to seize the poor animal. The hare perceiving his danger, sprang from the tree into the boat, which was put in motion by the leap of the hare, and floated down the stream, leaving the boatman in his place upon the tree, in the disagreeable necessity of watching the rise of the waters.

The Rhetorical Society at Cortryk, in the Netherlands, has lately offered a gold, and a silver medal, as a prize for a poem of 100 lines, and an epitaph of 12 lines, upon Kotzebue.

From a London paper we have the following advertisement--A _new species of man_. Among the wonders of nature none have exceeded this extraordinary phenomenon--a man covered with scales, that rattle at the touch, is now in exhibition at the public rooms, 23, Bond Street. Physicians and natural philosophers will find an extensive field open for their inquiries.

By another of a late date it appears, that in Dublin a _steam coach_ is advertised to commence running between that city and Belfast, on the 1st Feb. and is to run from one city to the other, and return every day. It is calculated to run at the rate of about 13 Irish (equal to about 20 English) miles an hour. It is to carry the mail between the two cities. It is calculated that it will be found a safer mode of conveyance for passengers than carriages drawn by horses. The whole weight of the carnage and apparatus is estimated at about 4 tons.

_Fires._--A letter from St. Thomas, of the 2d March, mentions that the whole city of Ponce, in Porto Rico, with the exception of one church, was destroyed by fire on the 27th of the preceding month. On the 1st of January last, a fire broke out at Smyrna, which consumed 1500 buildings. On the night of the 2d March, a spacious hotel in Lexington, (Ken) was consumed--loss estimated at 40,000 dollars.

From Pittsburg, it appears that a part of the vast beds of coal in the hills surrounding that place, has been on fire for about 25 years past; that the fire has, until lately, remained in a smouldering state, but has at length got vent, and that during the night it now exhibits the appearance of flame like a volcano. It is apprehended that much of the valuable material of coal, in the vicinity of that place, will probably be consumed before the fire will become extinguished.

At Canton, the imports from the U. States, for the last season, are stated at 7,414,000 dollars, in specie, and 2,693,011 dollars, in merchandize; exceeding that of the English Company three or four millions.

Congress have passed a law for taking another census of the United States. The enumeration to commence on the first Monday of August next, and to be completed in six months thereafter. Accounts of manufacturing establishments, and of the numbers is employed therein, are to be duly noted.

_A Check to Intemperance._--The select men in Bedford, (Mass.) have posted up, at the tavern in the town, a list of the names of persons notoriously addicted to drunkenness, and forbidden the sale of liquor to them, under penalty of the laws of that state against intemperate drinking.

The steam-boat Swift, rigged as a brig, is to depart from New York, _for Rio de Janeiro_, on the 5th of May--is now advertising for freight and passengers.

The grand jury of Putnam county, (Geo.) lately presented, as a grievance existing there, (and probably not less there than in many places elsewhere) the practice, indulged in by the bar of villifying, without sufficient cause, the characters of suitors and witnesses. They request the aid of the court in discountenancing insolence of this kind.

From a late Petersburgh, (Va.) paper, we have the following account of part of the remains of the formidable confederate tribes of Indians, found in Virginia when Sir Walter Raleigh first ascended St. James' river, at the head of which confederacy was Powhattan, the father of the celebrated Pocahontas. These remains are a few of the tribes of the Nottoways, to which tribe Powhattan belonged, the Panunkies and a few of the Mattahonies. Of the Nottoways, says the account, only 27 now remain, at the head of which is a woman, styled their queen, of the name of Edie Turner, of the age of about 60, and said to be quite intelligent, though illiterate. She is comfortably situated in a cottage, with the necessaries of life about her, and her share of the lands, (about 7000 acres, on Nottoway river,) tolerably well cultivated. The language of her tribe is only spoken by her and two others. It is said to be of Celtic origin, and as harmonious and expressive as the Erse, Irish, or Welch.

_'Benefit of Clergy.'_--Paper was not made earlier than the fourteenth century--and printing in the century following. The art of reading made a very slow progress. To encourage it in England, the capital punishment of death was remitted if the criminal could read, which is termed 'Benefit of Clergy.' Yet so small an edition of the Bible as 600 copies translated into English in the time of Henry VIII. was not wholly sold off in three years.

_Nugæ Antiquæ._--Before A. D. 1545, ships of war in England had no port-holes for guns; they had only a few cannon placed on the deck.

There is no mention of writing in the time of Homer. Ciphers, invented in Hindoostan, were brought into France from Arabia about the end of the tenth century.

_Respiration in Frogs._--It appears from a series of curious experiments, performed by M. Edwards, that frogs, toads, and lizards, are preserved alive and in health under water for weeks, by means of the air contained in the water, which they abstract, not by the lungs but by the skin.

_Chinese Alphabet._--The Chinese have 11,000 letters in use, and in maters of science they employ 60,000, but their articulate sounds do not exceed thirty.

_Method of rendering Glass less brittle._--Let the glass vessel be put into a vessel of cold water, and let this water be heated boiling hot, and then allowed to cool slowly of itself, without taking out the glass. Glasses treated in this way may, while cold, be suddenly filled with boiling hot water without any risk of their cracking. The gentleman who communicates the method, says, that he has often cooled such glasses to the temperature of 10°, and poured boiling water in them without experiencing any inconvenience from the suddenness of the change. If the glasses are to be exposed to a higher temperature than that of boiling water, boil them in oil.

POULTRY.

From the European Magazine.

SIR--As the following account, together with the few observations I have made on the management and feeding of fowls, may prove acceptable, and afford some useful hints to many among the numerous readers of your entertaining and widely-circulated miscellany, you will oblige me by giving them a place in your work.

I procured two pullets of the black Spanish kind, which were hatched in June, 1818, and fed them constantly myself twice a day, alternating their food, that is, I gave them corn in the morning, and in the afternoon boiled potatoes mixed with _fresh_ bran, but I never allowed them to take a _full meal_ of corn. They had a small orchard to range in, where, in the course of the day, they occasionally picked up worms and other insects; and, I have observed that poultry of all kinds eagerly seek for animal food even after they have satiated themselves with corn: indeed, I conceive a portion of animal food essentially requisite to preserve them in a healthy state.

The above-mentioned pullets began to lay about the middle of November, and continued to do so till within the last ten days, when they began to moult their feathers, having produced _three hundred and sixty-seven eggs much larger and finer than those of the common fowl_. Seven eggs weigh 1 pound avoirdupois, so that I have been furnished with the astonishing weight of more than 53 pounds of nutritious and wholesome food from _two hens_. They were never _broody_, nor shewed a disposition to sit at any time during the whole season, and I understand this property is peculiar to this species of fowl: it is, however, an advantage than otherwise, as the common kinds can incubate their eggs, and foster their young.

G. C. JENNER.

_October 14th, 1819._

_Ancient Advice to Parents._

TEACH CHILDREN

Obedience, } and they shall {bless thee.
Modesty, } {not be ashamed.
Gratitude, } { receive benefits.
Charity, } {gain love.
Temperance,} {have wealth.

Prudence, } and {Fortune will attend
{them.
Justice, } {they will be honoured
{by the world.

Sincerity, } {own hearts will not
{reproach them.
Diligence, } and their {Wealth will increase.
Benevolence, } {Minds will be exalted.
Science, } {Lives will be useful.
Religion, } {Death will be happy.

_Comfortable Discovery._--"Laugh and grow fat" was the grand ancient specific for long life--"every sigh and groan drove a nail into our coffins," whilst a contrary excitation of the risible organs drew one out.--Truly every generation groweth wiser, and we may live to witness ocular proofs that pain is merely an alleviator of indigestion, and the repudiation of a limb, under the doctor's saw, a pleasant and exhilarating morning exercise; in short, what may we not expect after reading the following:

A French surgeon has published a long dissertation on the beneficial influence of groaning and crying on the nervous system. He contends that groaning and crying are the two grand operations by which nature allays anguish; and that he has uniformly observed, that those patients who give way to their natural feelings, more speedily recover from accidents and operations, than those who suppose that it is unworthy a man to betray such symptoms of cowardice as either to groan or to cry. He is always pleased by the crying and violent roaring of a patient during the time he is undergoing a surgical operation, because he is satisfied that he will thereby so sooth his nervous system, as to prevent fever and ensure a favourable termination.--From the benefit hysterical and other nervous patients derive from crying or groaning, he supposes that "by these processes of nature," the superabundant nervous power is exhausted, and that the system is in consequence rendered calm, and even the circulation of the blood diminished. He relates a case of a man, who, by means of crying and bawling, reduced his pulse from 120 to 60 in the course of two hours. That some patients often have a great satisfaction in groaning, and that hysterical patients often experience great relief from crying, are facts which no person will deny.

As to the restless hypochondriacal subjects, or those who are never happy but when they are under some course of medical or dietetic treatment, the French surgeon assures them that they cannot do better than groan all night and cry all day. By following this rule, and observing an abstemious diet, a person will effectually escape disease, and may prolong life to an incredible extent.

_Oats 1000 years old._--In the highest point of a field, a mile south from Forfar, Scotland, there was a druids' place of worship, consisting of a circle of large stones, with one (the largest) in the middle. The field was fallowed last year, and this temple trenched, from which a very great quantity of stones were turned up. Nothing particular, however, appeared, except a few bones that went to dust. The field this year was sown with barley, and this trenched part with the rest: so far as this trench extended, there are considerable quantities of oats, of various kinds, sprung up among the barley, the seeds of which must have remained there more than 1000 years. Without the trenched ground there is not a head of oats to be seen. Orders have been given to preserve these oat plants.

_State of the Rain Guage in Philadelphia._

January, 1 inch 40-1/100
February, 2 68
March, 5 70

_Longevity._--In the parish of Acton, Middlesex, still exist the lineal posterity of the famous Bishop Cranmer, who was burnt at the stake by order of Queen Mary, nearly 300 years ago. One of them, an old lady, named Whytell, has completed her 112th year, and retains her intellectual and bodily faculties to a surprising extent.

_West's Painting._--The Earl of Egremont has purchased the celebrated easel study of "_Death upon the Pale Horse_;" painted by Mr. WEST; one of the most sublime productions of modern art.

MARRIED,

In Hebron, Connecticut, the celebrated LORENZO DOW, to Miss LUCY DOALBEAR, of Montville.

At Harrisburg, Dr. PHINEAS JENKS, a member of the House of Representatives, from Bucks County, to Miss AMELIA, only daughter of the late governor Snyder.

_Deaf and Dumb Marriage._--Nov. 20, 1819, a singular marriage was solemnized at Kirkheaton, near Huddersfield, between Joshua Barker and Mary Moorehouse. The man being deaf and dumb, could not repeat the necessary forms of the marriage ceremony; but this difficulty was obviated in an ingenious manner; as he was able to read, the book was presented to him, and he traced the words over with his finger.

DIED,

On the 4th instant, in Tewksbury, near New Germantown, (N. J.) FREDERICK PICKLE, aged 100 years. When he was 94 years of age, he cut with a cradle 500 sheaves of rye in a day. At 97 he went into the woods and split 100 chesnut rails in less than a day. He was regular and temperate in his habits, and enjoyed good health until within about a year before his death. His widow is 90, and they have lived in the marriage state 70 years.

TIME.

I saw him hasting on his way,
And mark'd his lightning flight,
Where'er he mov'd, there stern decay
Spread its destructive blight.
Rapid the gloomy phantom hied,
Envelop'd in the storm--
His eyes shone out in sullen pride,
And fearful was his form.

I saw him grasp the Warrior's wreath,
Won in the gory fray--
The laurel withering sunk in death,
Its beauty fled away,
That wreath was stained with bloody dew,
Unhallowed was its bloom--
It met the phantom's chilling view,
And bow'd beneath its gloom.

I saw him pass by Beauty's bower,
And listen to her lay;
Around the spot was many a flower
Blooming its summer day;
With icy heart the spectre came,
Her lovely form compress'd;
She met his lurid eye of flame--
The tombstone tells the rest.

On Youth's warm brow his hand he prest,
'Twas cold as mouldering clay--
He laid his hand on Manhood's breast,
The life-pulse ceas'd to play.
His fell siroc o'er Nature passed,
And low she drooped her head--
Her blossoms withered in the blast,
And all her verdure fled.

FLORIO.

[_Hudson Whig._

WINTER EVENING'S AMUSEMENT FOR JANE AND ME.

In summer days I till the ground,
And tug and toil and get my bread--
No interval can there be found,
Between my labour and my bed,
My wife declines to knit by night,
And I to read by candle-light.

But when the south receives the sun
Beyond the equinoctial line--
When all my summer work is done
Substantial pleasures then are mine,
Then Jane begins to knit at night,
And I to read by candle-light.

I'm then content, and never sigh,
Nor fly from home some bliss to find;
And Jane is pleased as well as I,
It so completely feasts her mind,
To sit her down to knit by night,
And hear me read by candle-light.

For when I read she always hears,
And what she hears, she tries to scan;
When ought to her obscure appears,
Then I explain it if I can,
O how she loves to knit by night
And hear me read by candle-light!

But when she drops a stitch, and gapes,
Soon gapes again, and nods her head,
I close my book, and say, perhaps
'Tis time, my dear, to go to bed--
So knit again to-morrow night,
And hear me read by candle-light.

[_Olive Branch._

YOUTH AND OLD AGE.

Days of my youth! ye have glided away;
Hairs of my youth! ye are frosted and gray;
Eyes of my youth! your keen sight is no more
Cheeks of my youth! ye are furrow'd all o'er;
Strength of my youth! all your vigour is gone;
Thoughts of my youth! your gay visions are flown.

Days of my youth! I wish not your recal;
Hairs of my youth! I'm content you should fall;
Eyes of my youth! ye much evil have seen;
Cheeks of my youth! bathed in tears have ye been;
Strength of my youth! why lament your decay;
Thoughts of my youth! ye have led me astray;

Days of my age! ye will shortly be past;
Pains of my age! yet awhile ye can last;
Joys of my age! in true wisdom delight;
Eyes of my age! be religion your light;
Thoughts of my age! dread ye not the cold sod;
Hopes of my age! be ye fixed on your God!

CURE FOR TROUBLE.

BY S. OSBORNE.

Ben Brisk a philosopher was,
In the genuine sense of the word;
And he held that repining, whatever the cause,
Was unmanly, and weak, and absurd.

Tom Tipple, when trouble intruded,
And his fortune and credit were sunk,
By a too common error deluded,
Drown'd trouble, and made himself drunk.

But Ben had a way of his own,
When grievances made him uneasy;
He bade the blue devils begone!
Brav'd trouble, and made himself--_Busy_.

When sorrow imbitters our days,
And poisons each source of enjoyment,
The surest specific, he says,
For trouble and grief, is--_Employment_.

LINES,

Inscribed to William Willtshire, Esq.

Heaven's noblest attribute! a richer gem
Than ever deck'd the monarch's diadem,
Art thou sweet mercy! yet alas, how rare,
Amid this world of crime, thy triumphs are!
How dimly burns thy pure etherial fire!
How seldom does its warmth the clay wrapt heart inspire!
Yet, now and then, upon the path of time,
It blazes forth with dazzling ray sublime;
Sheds o'er this vale of tears it's heaven lit flame;
And throws a halo round the human name.
See! on the desert's verge, those wasted forms,
Which life's expiring spark but feebly warms;
Wore down by pain, toil, care, and wretchedness,
And clad in squalid misery's abject dress:
And mark the hectic flush, the broken sigh,
And the wild glance that lights each sunken eye--
The thrilling pulse of hope--the withering fear
That checks the quick throb in its full career--
The eager, half form'd question, and the start,
As if the accents shook the bursting heart--
"Oh! Heavens! and will he come, and shall we be
Restor'd once more to life, and liberty?
Or must we in our galling bonds remain?--
But hush!--hark!--Lo a horseman on the plain!"
'Tis he! he comes, he pities, succours, saves
The captives from their chains, the dying from their graves.
Thine, Willtshire, was the deed; and oh! to thee
Is due the tribute of the brave and free!--
Noble, and generous! round thy brow shall twine
A fairer wreath, a laurel more divine,
Than that which e'er the blood stain'd hero wore:
Or science' sons in proudest moment wore.
And when the sculptur'd bust, the burnish'd urn,
The victor's trophies shall to dust return:
When gone are all that wealth and power bestow;
Thy fame, undimm'd, shall shine--thy worth shall brighter glow.

N.

[_N. Y. Evening Post._

ON INTEMPERANCE.

----"But, at last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an
adder."--Prov.

O, Take the maddening bowl away!
Remove the poisonous cup!
My soul is sick--its burning ray
Hath drunk my spirit up:
Take--take it from my loathing lip
Ere madness fires my brain;
Take--take it hence! nor let me sip
Its liquid death again.
O dash it on the thirsty earth,
For I will drink no more:
It cannot cheer the heart with mirth
That grief hath wounded sore;
For serpents wreath its sparkling brim,
And adders lurk below:
It hath no soothing charms for him
Who sinks oppress'd with wo.
Say not, "Behold its ruddy hue--
O press it to thy lips!"
For 'tis more deadly than the dew
That from the Upas drips;
It is more poisonous than the stream
Which deadly nightshade leaves:
Its joys are transient as the beam
That lights its ruddy waves.
Say not "It hath a powerful spell
To sooth the soul of care;"
Say not, "It calms the bosom's swell
And drives away despair!"
Art thou its votary?--ask thy soul--
Thy soul in misery deep--
Yea, ask thy conscience if the bowl
Can give _eternal sleep_!
Then, hence, away! thou deadly foe
Of happiness the whole;
Away--away!--I feel thy blow,
Thou _palsy_ of the soul!
Henceforth I ask no more of thee,
Thou bane of Adam's race,
But to a heavenly fountain flee,
And drink the _dews of grace_.

FOR THE RURAL MAGAZINE.

HOPE.

For we have not a high priest who cannot be touched
with the feeling of our infirmities: but was in all
points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Heb. iv. 15.

When gathering clouds around I view,
And days are dark, and friends are few,
On him I lean, who, not in vain,
Experienc'd every human pain,
He sees my wants, allays my fears,
And counts and treasures up my tears.

If aught should tempt my soul to stray,
From heavenly virtue's narrow way,
To fly the good I would pursue,
Or do the sin I would not do,
Still he who felt temptation's power,
Shall guard me in that dangerous hour.

If wounded love my bosom swell,
Deceiv'd by those I priz'd too well,
He shall his pitying aid bestow,
Who felt on earth severer wo;
At once betrayed, denied, or fled,
By all that shar'd his daily bread.

When vexing thoughts within me rise,
And, sore dismay'd my spirit dies,
Yet he who once vouchsaf'd to bear,
The sickening anguish of despair,
Shall sweetly sooth; shall gently dry,
The throbbing heart, the streaming eye.

When sorrowing o'er some stone I bend,
Which covers all that was a friend,
And from his voice, his hand, his smile,
Divides me--for a little while--
Thou, Saviour see'st the tears I shed,
For thou didst weep o'er Lazarus dead.

And O, when I have safely past,
Through every conflict--but the last,
Still, still unchanging, watch beside,
My painful bed--for thou hast died;
Then point to realms of cloudless day,
And wipe the latest tear away.

A. B. C.

TO MY WIFE,

_On the Anniversary of her Wedding-day which was also her
Birth-day._

BY SAMUEL BISHOP.

"Thee, Mary, with this ring I wed"--
So, fourteen years ago, I said.--
Behold another ring!--"for what?"
"To wed thee o'er again?"--Why not?
With that first ring I married youth,
Grace, beauty, innocence, and truth;
Taste long admir'd, sense long rever'd,
And all my Molly then appear'd.
If she, by merit since disclos'd,
Prove twice the woman I suppos'd,
I plead that double merit now,
To justify a double vow.
Here then to-day, (with faith as sure,
With ardour as intense, as pure,
As when, amidst the rites divine,
I took thy troth, and plighted mine,)
To thee, sweet girl, my second ring
A token and a pledge I bring:
With this I wed, till death us part,
Thy riper virtues to my heart;
Those virtues, which before untried
The wife has added to the bride:
Those virtues, whose progressive claim,
Endearing wedlock's very name,
My soul enjoys, my song approves,
For Conscience' sake, as well as love's.
And why?--They shew me every hour,
Honour's high thought, Affection's power,
Discretion's deed, sound Judgment's sentence,
And teach me all things--but repentance.

THE ICELANDER'S SONG.

From a MS. Volume of Poems, by Mr. G. RATHBONE.

The southern may talk of his meads crown'd with flow'rs,
Where the gale, breathing incense, unceasingly flies;
He may vaunt the rich hue of his rose-tangled bowers
Or the sapphire and gold of his bright sunny skies;
But it is not a theme that will light up emotion
In an Icelander's breast; since his pride and his boast
Are his hoar-cover'd mountains, that frown on the ocean,
Lit up with the ice-blink that girdles the coast.

When the winter of night darkles round him all dreary,
And his snow-bosom'd hills mourn the absence of day,
With a heart void of care, and with limbs seldom weary,
He launches his bark in pursuit of his prey;
Rough is his bed, and uneasy his pillow,
When far off in ocean he rambles from home;
Blithe scuds his boat, as her prow cleaves the billow
Of the gem-spangled brine, with its ridges of foam.

Dear is the dawn of the fork'd northern light,
That illumines old Hecla's broad cone with its rays;
And dearer its splendour, increasingly bright,
When the peaks of the ice-bergs appear in the blaze:
Brightly it plays on his dart's glossy pride,
When it flies, steep'd in spray, on the snake's scaly crest,
To bury its point in the whale's finny hide,
Or flesh its curv'd barb in the sea-lion's chest.

Dear is the summer of day, when the fountains,
Unfetter'd and free, pour the bright crystal stream;
Dear is the cataract's leap in the mountains,
When sparkling at night in the moon's silver beam;
Dear are the shoals where the sea-horse is bounding,
With his icicled mane and his eyeballs of fire;
But dearer than all, is the comfort surrounding
The wife of his choice, and the hearth of his sire.

TO THE SNOW-DROP.

Joyous Herald of the Spring,
Pretty snow-drop, hail!
With thee, modest trembler, bring
Summer's balmy gale.

Com'st to tell us Winter's fled?
Bright informer, hail!
Welcome guest, why hang thy head.
Why thy cheek so pale?

Dost thou droop thy head in wo,
Poor glory of an hour?
Since not the Summer's heat shall glow
For thee, thou short-liv'd flow'r

Thou art only come, alas!
To tell us spring is near;
Like a fleeting shade to pass,
Droop, and disappear.

Thus some son of Virtue may,
Tread his bright career,
Guide by mild Religion's ray,
Erring Mortals here:

Ere his Winter toils are done,
Or Summer hopes arise,
Sinks he, youth and vigour gone,
Points to heav'n--and dies.--HELEN.

* * * * *

PHILADELPHIA,
PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY
RICHARDS & CALEB JOHNSON,
_No. 31, Market Street_,
At $3.00 per annum.

* * * * *

GRIGGS & DICKINSON--_Printers, Whitehall_.