STAB SATURDAY SUPPLEMENT.

AUCKLAND, N.Z., SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1885.

RANDOM SHOTS.

[By Zamiel.]

Some write, a neighbour's name to lash. Some write-vain thought!—for needful cash, t3ome write to please the country clash. And raise a din. 3For me, an aim I never fash— I write for fun. •

SIR George Gkey stands high in the esti mation of "Zamiel" as an able, earnest, and unselfish politician — in brief, no colonial politician stands, or deserves to staud, so high, not only in my humble -esteem, but al&o in the esteem of all who -are able to recognise and appreciate noble qualities of head and heart. Still, there are spots npon the sun, and bonus Homerus aliqitando dormitat. And I must say that, Toy his motion in the House on Monday evening, the grand old man rather made a departure troin tnose enlightened and cor rect principles which hare hitherto been unto him as a guiding star amid the mazes of political life. He asked the House to record its deliberate opinion that the Pre mier of the colony should neither be solici tor to a bank nor cbairmaa of a commer cial concern ; and he backed up his request by an address which was moderate ia tone, persuasive in style, and so comprehensive in ita scope aa to border on the irtelevant. T3ut all the skill and eloquence of the ■worthy leader of the uppositiou could not "make the worse appear the better rea son," or convince hon. members that they had a right to meddle with the business connections of the Premier, whoever he may be. That the House took a proper view of the question may be seen by any one who looks at it from a purely democra tic standpoint. In a land where there are no her-ditary titles and estates, it is not expeciei that a governing class will be fiund who shall be mere "drones" of tociety, aud follow no business or profes sion ot use to the community. It should be our highest boast that all our politicians pre men who are honourably filling other spheres of usefulness, and our aim should tie to ei.counge that class to tnter the arena oi public life ; for whatever may be the temptation to individuals to mould the law to suit their interest;', the conflicting interest* of others will always correct any wrong tendency, aud "class" legislation— more far-reaching ii its consequences and more dete-table in its nature than personal corruptness—will thus be avoided.

But it is a degrading assumption to sup pose that all, or even a majority, of our legislators are corrupt; and more than that ■was assumed by the motion under notice, which imputed corrupt motives to the man who of all others hid been chosen to hold the helm of State. The comparison drawn between the case of judges and that of the Premier is nut a fair one, for reasons ■which are Eelf-evident. Mr Montgomery (spsnt .remnant of flatulence though he usually is) brought the proposition very near to a TediKlio ad absurdam, by suggesting that it be made to apply to every Minister of tae Crown. The result of carrying out the principle to its logical issue would be to -create a governing class, who in the absence of a cultured aristocracy would necessarily ba political "loafers"—pro fessional politicians, whose sole idea of government would be several thousands a year, conjoined with the " perquisites" of •office; tbus introducing into the colony a class which has become the baoe of Ameri can public life. No, sir George, a rightly modelled democracy should sternly set its face against the creation of such a ciaes ; should encourage every honest toiler to aspire to the h'ghest position ia the land ; should believe in the dignity of all work ; and should hope to find even lawyers possessed of

" Will, conscience, honour, honesty, And things of that description." I give you every credit for wishing to con serve the rights of the people—only on this occasiou you took the wrong method of -doing so !

X X

Happiness is a state which must be tested by comparison, and regulated by capacity. Some of the most entrancing situations to ■one man are sheer misery to another, and in the vicissitudes of one man's life, there is the comparative ease of the cool frying. •pan to the unredeemed torture of the fire. Wherefore these philosophical truisms, O " Zamiel," I hear some reader say. Have patience, my friend ; they arise most natur ally from a little scone of which I was the Other day au uninvited witness. It hap pened in oae of those situations which small politicians and oracles delight ia— the rows of bottles and bright glasses in trout, and the attentive vendor of "liquid poison " ready to obey the slightest wish of Ilia customers. In the corner stood a knot 01 gossippers, with a well-kaown City "Councillor as a central figure. It was ac •this moment that " Zamiel," in ee-irch of pabulum for his weekly budget -of nothing more, rest assured, my dear but suspicious ■critic -dropped in. The discussion exciting the mental capacities of tne group was the fertile one of terrestriat and celestial happi ness, and their deliberations seemed to ba greatly aided by seasonable applications to ■.ponderous pewters, which stood in a row on the counter. " Well," exclaimed the Councillor, at length, with the air of a man who has fully made up his mind, and is about to deliver a ponderous judgment; •• well, if heaven is only as happy as tee are here, I shall be satisfied with it." The sentiment was irresistible; and slowly raising their beakers, the disputants drained them to the dregs, and silently withdrew.

Three parsons, it teems, witnessed (and 'why not?) the exciting football match of Saturday last between the Auckland "" Reps" and the Selected Twenty-two; and in such good company the writer of these ''lines might also have been observed—that is, if any one were sharp enough to pierce Ills cloak of anonymity, which he finds shields him as effectually from objection able approaches as did the "invisible coat" of Jack the Giant-killer. If not observed. 1 was at least observant, and must record my high admiration of the gallant play of tue team wbo are to do battle for Auckland in the Mouth. I also observed, but did not ■admire the quality of the ground, which had, a friend inlorined me, lately undergone the process known as " top-dressing." This process seems designed to create a lot of hills and hollows, and this mnst decidedly ■add variety to cricketing when that sport -commences. I had previously thought, in my ignorance, that a cricket and football ground should approximate the smooth level surface of a billiard table; but an initiation into the mysteries of " top-dress ing" has opened the eyes of my under standing. A sarcastic friend also pointed out that the main drain was about two

feet too deep, and its cons.rumors had apparently determined to do nothing to hinder the operation of the grand law that water seeks ita own level ! Uu this matter, I speak not with authority; but if what I am told be true, I have got the secret of Auckland's supremacy in the football and cricket fields, and it is this - Our players, by practising on a slushy and bumpy piece of ground, acquire a proficiency at these games, which is sought in vain by the " carpet knights" who play on well-kept lawns; and no matter on what ground they meet their antagonists, our men have a preat advantage. This is the foundation of " Zamiel's" straight tip for the comiue football tour, which tip is—Lay your money on a certainty by backing Auckland against all comers 1

XXX

One of the corner stones of the Salvation Army, in giving his experience as well as advice the other evening, told among other things an attractive s'ory of his appeal to a fellow workman to abandon profanity. The pith of the narrative was that the Salvationist bad given the user of great oaths a shilling, on the promise that he would quit swearing. It would seem that this story was not altogether au unvarnished tale, or at least a coirespondeut would have folks believe so, and thinks the best way to give them his revised version is by appeal ing to " Zamiel." He says : " The Salva tionist was a carpenter, and the other work man a bricklayer. The Salvationist offered the shilliog and a bargain was struck ; but a careful ransacking of the Salvationist's pockets produced only sixpence, which he handed over, Noon tkne came, when our Salvation man asked our swearing man If he wouldn't shout two bottles of hop beer with the sixpence. Tis needless to com ment—he got his hop Deer, and bricky still swears."

X x

Speaking oE the Army reminds me that its aggressions have broken into the pleasant frivolities of fashion's favourite lesorr, Waiwera. The better half of a somewhat noted legal luminary, who, ac cording to current notions, has gone the race ot pleasure's unsatisfying rounds, was brought into the fold during Mrs Hampson's southern mission, and is tireless in her ad miration not only of that worthy lady but of the Army, and other kindred agencies for the reformation of the world. Having her victims entirely at her mercy, hemmed in by the "long wash of Austra lasian seas," she lost no opportunity, in season or out of season, of Dressing those inquiries about their spiritual health, which form the stock-in-trade of the professional revivalist. In the conver sion of her dear partner in life, more over, she had a theme on which she grew most eloquent and pathetic. " Cook at him ! Think what he was, and what he is, and all through the influence of that dear Mrs Hampson." Now this was some what rough upon the old gentleman, but he bore it with that meekness which every wise benedict comes, sooner or later, to recognise as the embodiment of true philosophy—a patience •which some agree able moments spent in the "shades " where the masculine portion of the little popula tion do often assemble, rendered not wholly unendurable. But a number of the visitors who had gone down with the idea of spend ing "a hi^h old time" resented these untimely reminders of their exceeding sin fulness as quite outside the "bill of fare," and when an Australian bookmaker who was enjoying the New Zealand tour in company with a lady well known on the Australian stage, chanced one day to take his seat beside the Evangelistic Elijah, something like a scene endued. It is said that—driven by conscience doubtless - several guests considerably curtailed their Intended stay, while the convivialities after the worthy lady's departure, were a melan choly commentary upon her well-meant but rather misdirected efforts.

Of course, Branchman Moore was guilty of most repreiensible conduct in using strong language to the man who stood on the hose, and wanted to argue tbe point be fore moving off ir. What Moore should have done, was to have laid down the nozzle, placed his hand ia a gentle and brotherly manner upon Slbley's shoulder, saying, " I beg ten thousand pardons for the liberty I am taking, but, if you will not feel annoyed, may I ask you kindly not to persist in standing on the hose ? I have every reason to fear that the 'de vouring element' may possibly require checking in this quarter, and, as you will cercerve, sir, the water requires to flow freely. Pray forgive me for interfering with your movements-no offence intended, I assure you." Then he should have spent a few minutes in quoting at length, ia a mild and conciliating way, the instructions issued to memhers of the Fire Brigade. Thus wonld all this trouble have been avoided, and the rales of polit«ness ad hered to, at the mere trifling cost of a house or so more or less. For it must be ad mitted, since Constabulary ethics state so, that house-burning is a trifle to heart-burn ing caused by rough language. Some people, however, assert that this view of the case has poly been put forward by the I'epartmeut in consequence of Mr Moore having been guilty of the "scandalurn mag natum"in usingsimilarforcible language to " a mimbor of the foorce " as he used to Sibley. It may be so—who knows ?

During the last week or ten days my mind has been seriously exercised upon the subject of school holidays. # Seeing that the teachers had managed to work up some virtuous indignation anent the Board's intentions, and, anxious to establish my reputation as a champion ot popular rights and privileges, 1 determined to throw my self heart and soul into their cause. The conditions, as the Spiritualists say, were eminently favourable. By means of a course of visitations at Salvationist services I had managed to so thoroughly disorganise the critical faculty of the mind, and to irritate and inflame the brain tissues that I was ready for any forlorn hope, and able to work up a perfect frenzy of fervour, zeal, and excitement on the shortest pos.-ible notice. I felt competent to rant with Garrard, to declaim with Dargaville, and even to condole with i»ick Feltus on the unimaginable woes of the progeny of old colonists. Still, as it turned out, there were some things I conld not do. When I came to consider the teachers' case, to scan their arguments, to ponder upon their hard worked, ill-paid, and harshly-treated cm dition, I found that, like the Yankee, I couldn't "enthuse" worth a cent. In short, there was more idle twaddle and silly "bunkum " than I conld force myself to swallow. When I came to review the case I discovered that, exclusive of single days and saints' days, this unfortunate class of people .enjoy at the public expense seven weeks and three days of

recreation each year, and that the Board simply proposed to reduce the number to six weeks. What other class of people in the community are similarly well circum stanced ? None ! The teachers alone, who work five days a week, each working day being of five hours' duration, have this in dulgence. Verily, the mental attrition must be severe and the physical labour exhaustive that can demand such frequent and such lengthy respites from toil.

'I here are omer ways of regarding the question. The parents complain with much reason that the-e extended holidays interrupt unduly the education of their children, giving them time to forget a great part of what they have learnt, and un settling their habits by affording them time and opportunity to roam about the streets. I see that the teachers allege that any curtailment of the holidays must be detrimental to the moral and physical welfare of both teachers and scholars. This alarms me. I never dreamt that the moral welfare of either class was involved ia the matter at all, and, if a lowering of the standard of morality would result from the reduction of the holidays by eight days, what a fearful state of things would be brought about by the curtail ment of three weeks more. Per contra it follows that the best way to raise the standard of morality is to increase the number of holidays. Ergo, in order to obtain the ultima thule of moral perfection let teachers and scholars make the whole year one unbroken round of holidays. I hope this last suggestion wH replace me in that " sympathetic accord" with the teachers which my lack ot enthusiasm may have impaired or interrupted.

All the good deeds of my life have been rewarded ; love for the whole human race pervades me ; I am actually bubbling over with anxiety to tell of my good fortune. 1 haven't had my house burnt down and re ceived the insurance; haven't got the first favourite in a £2000 sweep; neither have I had a big fortune left me—oh, no ! But some good angel, no aoubt charmed with "Zamiel's" efforts to please in his struggles to record all the interesting gossip of the town (so dearly loved by all iriils), has sent him a ticket (for which thanks a thousand times), wherein is stated "Admit ' Zaraiel' to Jfaradise (Signed) T.K." (an earthly paradise, of course). Surely such bli=s was unlooked for, and, therefore, I suppose it is all the more valuable. My adoration of the angelic being who sent that card is above that foolish love of ordinary lovers—it is beyond all expression ; and I'll accept the invitation directly she alters the ticket to "admit two," and agrees to bear me company.

X X

Trouble has arisen between tbe Newton Congregationalism and the Salvationists, and the former have discovered a sudden and hitherto unimportant use for the room in which the sensational evangelists have sometimes held their meetings. The public have been assured that there is "nothing tbe matter," but I know upon good authority that such is not the case, and, confiden tially of course, I have determined to let my readers into the secret. On a recent evening, the youths of the church were holding a quiet little meeting in the ante room, when they were alarmed by strange noises in the schoolroom, which was in darkness-. The occasional sound of a fall ing form and constant indications of shuf flingsomewhere near caused an investigation to be made. One teacher applied his ear to the key-hole, and was astonished to hear excited voices giving utterance to such exclamations as "I've got him," "I tee the pearly gates," " He is passirjg near me," and so on, in the same strain. A candle was obtained, and held to a broken pane of glass at the window, when a chorus of voices was heard declaring that the " gates were ajar " and " the light of thu spirit was shining on them." Closer in spection showed that the floor was covered with human forms crawling about in all directions, while several were hanging on to pegs on the wall and making frantic en deavours to reach the roof. Explanations followed, and it transpired that the sup posed burglars were Salvationists >•• creep iog for Jesus." That is the reason why the Congregationalists have refused to per rnitthe Salvationists to use their school again.

The career of the youth Greville i.ewi'B in Auckland, and his subsequent sudden departure for Sydney, afford but another instance of the fate of numbers of fas>t youths who are sent to the colonies to better their condition. Arriving from .Eng land by an emigrant vessel some three years ago, .Lewis a: once developed into a " masher "of tbe moat approved type. Al ways well-dressed accordiog to the fashions of the day, and usually resplendent in striking jewellery and bright ties, he made his way into good society, and, strangely enough, found a place in the heart of more than one susceptible maiden. He was a devoted admirer of the terpsichorean art, and consequently was well-known in local ball-rooms. Fast living and extravagance led him into debt, and with that happy nonchalance that characterises most of those who draw largely upon the resources of their neighbours, he grew indifferent to his position, and allowed himself to sink deeper and deeper into debt. Apart from his mode of living, Lewis had good pros- Eects, having served the greater period of is articles to the satisfaction of his employer. His disappearance is not the only one that has occurred of late, reports being current concerning the levanting of two clerks in local departments of the public service. x y x For cool i.mpudcnca and unblushing effrontery, commend me to a woman in Auckland who shall be nameless. Having certain calls to make, and findiug it desir able to take her child with her, _ she was puzzled in mind as to how to obtain certain articles of dress which she required for it. Her parse did not permit of the appar ently necessary expenditure, and she hit upon a decidedly mean expedient which temporarily relieved her from the difficulty under which she was labouring. Sending to a neighbouring clothiog establishment, she was soon supplied with a variety of the articles she required to choose from. Select ing those most suitable, she robed her ofi spring, aod the calls were duly -nade. On her return, she packed up the whole of the goods and despatched the parcel back to the shop, with tbe message that the things would not suit. The proprietor of the establishment had, however, casually re cognised Ws property, and now looks upon himself aa a victimised individual, with a right to compensation. XXX' wThe efforts ol the chairman of the Har- Dour Board to convert that body into a

"S>ar Chamber" one do not appear to meet with the appreciation of the mem bers. At almost every meeting) the worthy C.B.S. delivers himself of a little homily on the wickedness of imparting any of the secrets of the board to the scribes of the press, and the members look at each other with a hypocritical air of offended righteousness that, to use a vulgar phrase, would make a " cow laugh," What I cannot understund is that the Harbiur Board should have so many hole-and-corner meetings and secret consultations on purely public business, wheu the City Council can discuss ail its matters openly and fairly. A little more publicity and less secrets should be the aim of the Harbour Board chair man if he would keep pace with the times.

Stolen kisses are said to be the sweetest, but their sweetness is often of brief dura tion. That joyful palpitation of the youth ful heart which follows the meeting of lips n.ay frequently be very speedily banished, and in the most romantic fashion. Tue young lady may, for instance, have a deci ded objection, and may reward her amorous companion with a sounding box on the ears, or she may press toe services of some friend, or father, cr big brother, in the same good cause, and the vigorous application of a walking-stick or shoe lea'her may induce the young fellow who haa so lar offended the young lady's f^eline^ to realise that there is often a corresponding bitterness following the very sweetest of all stolen kisses. But to proceed with my story. One evening last week, a young swell stepped into a certain hotel not quite a hundred miles from Queen-street, and see ing a young lady behind the bar, he called for a drink and was supplied. He appar ently was not aware that the lady was the wife of the proprietor, who was standing in an adjacent room, or else what happened would never have taken place. The young swell did not satisfy his tnirst and depart, but entered iDto conversation with the lady and he soon became remarkably attentive. The landlord kept his eye on his customer, but did not quite expect that he would be called upon to hurry his exit. Suddenly the young swell bent over the counter and bestowed a sounding kiss on the cheek of the landlord's wife, greatly to her d'sgust. She called for her husband, but that inter esting individual was already on the spot. Catcaing the uufortuoaie customer by the collar of his coat and by the slackest part of his nether garments, he ran him out into the street in a most ignominious fashion. The young fellow showed fight, throwing oft' his coat and calling upon the landlord to defend himeelf. The latter did not prove in the least backward, fie accepted the invitation, to the intense amusement of a small cowd which had congregated, and two or three tough rounds followed in which the wounded dignity of the offended hus band was somewhat healed by the severe beating which he bestowed on his antagon ist, who eventually slunk away amid the jeers of the onlookers, and has not been heard ot since. Moral: Do not kiss another man's wife—when the other man's there.

XXX

Whatever may be the failings or short comings of the Hon. Mr JOick, reckless ex travagance is about the last thing that can be urged against him. He has the proverbial Scottish instinct for keeping a firm hold upon the " bawbees," and not being accessible to the seductions of the world, the flesh, and the devil which or dinarily beset younger and frailer Ministers, he is disposed to regard with, a keen eye all items of expense connected with the Civil Service. I know that he may go with per fect safety to some of our local bodies for a character for rigid economy, if not cheese paring pwnuriousness. The Hospital Com mittee of Management has received, at his hands, practical lessons upon the value of the shillings and pence that it can never forget, but the hospital stall, and patients complain that tbe information has been imparted at their expense. It is shrewdly conjectured tbat JMr Dick's hasty assent to the Committee's recommendation for the dismissal of Dr. McKellar was stimulated by the belief that ;i cheaper man could begot. At any rate, it was the statement of this surmise which led the Mayor at a recent meeting to give a capital illustration of Ministerial close fistedoess. He said that at the time the city was scared at the introduction of small-pox by one of the mail boats, the Board of Health worked with unremitting energy to remove the threatened danger, daily meetings being held, no trouble being spared, and every possible precaution being taken. When, at last, the disease had been stamped out, and the city once more breathed freely, the Government, as in duty bound, were called upon to recoup the Board's expenses, whicn nappened to be but the c >st of a minute-book. In due time camo the answer, which stated, with approved official circumlocution, that the Lion fllr Dick had deemed it right to repudiate the liability, as the Government had plenty of minute-books in stock at Wellington, and that the Board should have made application for one. Ac cordingly, the members of the Board paid for the minute-book out of their own pockets, and the letter from the Govern ment rein ims 10 attest Mr .Dick's fruga lity.

An amusing incident happened in con nection with the sudden departure o! Greville Lewis. One of his creditors was a dapper little corn Mission agent, whose soul had expanded under the Influence of the youth's troubles, and who .had been generous enough to lend him £30, or there abouts. Only a few days before his de parture, Lewis called upon this friend, and desired a further advance, bat the other had already "smelt a rat," and was sus picious. He referred to the previous in debtedness in terms that were not con ciliatory, and wound up by asking his debtor it he had nothing which he could sell. i.ewis cogitated briefly, and drew out a valuable gold chronometer,at the sight of wbich his friend's eyes glistened. Says the money -lendei , "You owe me £30; n<«w I'll take the. watch and allow you the diS.rence," at the same time rustling some crisp bank paper in his hand. Lewis, thinking he was about to get the further advance of £10, handed over the " ticker," and took the notes. JUi-i feeling, when he examined the paper and found two £1 notes instead of two £s's, may possibly be imagined, but can scarcely be described. The biter was bitten.

There is an originality and innocence about the young lady teachers of our public schools, which is really quite refreshing. Very recently one of the dear creatures was granted several weeks holidays to permit tier to get a new set of teeth "properly fixed," while, on another occasion, the School Committee was asked to excuse

Miss Blauk's absence, because " she had to attend to her husband's interests," which meant, I subsequently learned, that she hud been married, and wished to spend the honeymoon at a pleasant country place, which I could, but must not name. But the«e interesting casea are quite thrown in the shade by the lady teachers of a certain city Fchool, who very lately sent ia an application to the com mittee for a couch, some easy chairs, a wa»h stand, and half-a-dozen other articles of furniture, which they pleaded "were very badly wanted." The misfortune was that they did not send a minute descrip tion of the articles required, neither did they stae the exact purposes for wnich they were wanted. Must, the couch be a "spring" one? andhowis it to be covered with pink, or blue, or black, or pompadour? and how do they want the legs—turned ot straight? anil where is this couch to be placed ? and who is to tit upon this couch ? Are the gentlemen teachers excluded from the comfortable Fitting accommoda tion which the couch would afford ? and can gentlemen and ladies occupy it at the same time ? Uecauae, if so, you know, dear girls, school work would b ? greatly impeded, of courae, if that couch is wanted " for ornament only," or '• for young ladies only." no doubt you c<n have it for asking, but first you must assure the Committee on these im portant points.

SELECTED POETRY.

TOTTERING AGE.

['To outward things the eye may bo dim, the ear deaf, and tho touch dull; but there are lights that die not away with the dying sun beams, there are sounds which ceaso not when theßingingof birds is silent. How calm, how happy, how reverend, beaeath unollended Heaven, is the old age. Walk on tho mountain, wandor down the valley, enter the humble cot, the scarcely l«ss humble cnurch, and you will know how sacred a thing is the hoary lmir that lies on the temples o£ him who, during his long journey, forgot not his Maker, and who fuels that his old age shall be renewed into immortal youth."—Pkofessor Wilson.]

Somo poets sing ot youth and Spring, And Nature's budding page. But few there be who Bing with glee The calm delights o£ age.

Yet age hath sweets and soul retreats. And many a kindly nod, And tranquil views, whose Heavenly hues Reflect the smiloa of God.

The chilling breeze blows through the trees And si rews the yellowing leaves. So, in life's wain, pass pleasures vain, And ago new light receives.

The silver hairs which weakness wears My deepest thought roveros. For they are signs, when strength declines. Of life beyond our years.

I ne'er despise the old man's signs. Nor scorn the hoary head; For who may know, those footsteps slow May be an angel's tread.

The heart may feel, though shadows steal Across the t-otterer*s way; The sweets of flowira. from Eden's bowers, As earthly flowers decay.

John Blabkmak.

LONGING.

From the German op Schiller.

Handsome aa angel wreathed in heavenly halo. Handsome beyond all other youths was he; Tender his look, like sunlight bright and mellow. Shot from the mirror of the summer sea.

And his kisses! Oh divine sensations! Like two licking cloven tongues of flame. Like the thrilling harp'a sublime pulsations. Rising to geek the heaven from whence they came.

Spirit ran to spirit—darting—hurling— Quivered lips and cheekn, and moltan blushed ; Soul in soul blent,|earth and Heaven whirling Round the love-drowned pair in chaos ru3hed.

He is gone—in vain with deep misgiving Breathe I siurhs into the distance dim! He is gone—and all toe bliss of living In " alas " wails sadly after him ! M.H., Auckland, 1833,

SUNRISE.

The raven -wings of night have swiftly fled, Too timorous to behold Aurora's face; ■Jfon stars, which through the fathomless pro found Dart their benignant rays, and twinkling, seem Like diamond-points amid th' ethereal blue. Are lost- o ershaded by the growing day. And those same clouds that in Cimmerian gloom With awful grandeur hid the silent orbs Of heaven, now stand in majesty sublime Which far outshines the pomp of midnight hour. As Nature, for a world to gaze, unfolds Her painted canvas dipt in colours bright. And soon the furthest western clouds bave>

caught The fair reflection, or above can sea The rising ring of light. The varying hues On various forms strike the astonished eye. Can any look upon a scene like this, With which can scarce compare a world on fire. And not be raised a moment io behold. In radiant lines, the penmanßhip of Heaven, And with the Infinite commune awhile 1

Are not the thoughts of the Etornal Mind Here writ in gold and given to finite man ? Who may not riae, aa if on seraph's wipgg. And entering the celestial temple fall Before the throne, to worship Him whose power From out th' abysmal depths of space haa winged With lightning speed, the countless starry train. And from these works of might utill condes-

cends— Oh! wondrous love—to hear earth's children pray.

•W. K.

WHAT IS LIFE ?

A little crib beside the bed, A little face above the Bpraad; A little frock behind the door, A little Bhoo upon tne floor.

a. little lad with dark-brown hair, A little blue-eyed face, and fair, a little lane that leads to school. A little pencil, elate, and rule. . "I

A little blithesome, winsome maid, A little band witbin his laid; A little cottage, acres four. A little old-time household store.

A little family «athered round, A little turf-heaped, tear-dewed mound; A little added to his soil; A little rest from hardest toll.

A little silver in his hair. A little stool and easy chair, A little night of oarth-lit eloora, A little cortege to tne tomb.

Musical: how much lies in that? & musical thought is one spoiceu by a mind that has penetrated into the utmost heart of the thing ; detected the inmost mystery of it, namely, the melody that lies hidden ia it, the inward harmony of coherence which is its soul, whereby it exists, and has a right to be, here in this world. All in most things, we may say, are melodious ; naturally utter themselves in song. The meaning of song goes deep. Who is there / that, in logical woids, can express the effect on us ? A kind of inarticulate unfatho able speech, which leads us to the edge ' Infinite, and lets us for moments r fhaX.—Carlyle.