And the quiver'd Coranna, or Bechuan,
Hath rarely cross'd with his roving clan :
A region of emptiness, howling and drear,
Which man hath abandon'd, from famine and fear;
Which the snake and the lizard inhabit alone,
With the twilight but from the old hollow stone;
Where

grass, nor herb, nor shrub takes root,
Save poisonous thorns that pierce the foot;
And the bitter melon, for food and drink,
Is the pilgrim's fare by the salt-lake's brink 1:
A region of drought, where no river glides,
Nor rippling brook with osier'd sides,
Where reedy pool, nor massy fountain,
Nor shady tree, nor cloud-capp'd mountain,

· In the extensive tracts of arid, uninhabitable desert, which occupy so large a portion of the interior of southern Africa, there is found growing a species of wild melon, nauseous and bitter to the taste, but capable of assuaging, in some degree, the cravings of thirst and hunger. I met with some of this fruit while crossing the Great Karroo, an extensive desert tract, within the boundaries of the colony; but it is said to be much more abundant in the immense desert of Kalleghany, (or Challaheugah, as Mr. Thompson has it,) on the north of the Orange River, insomuch that the roving bands of Bechuan marauders, and Coranna huntsmen, who sometimes cross the wilderness, are able to subsist for weeks together solely upon this vegetable. In the midst of those desolate regions, large lakes or reservoirs of native salt are frequently found; formed apparently by the heavy rains, which, falling once perhaps in three or four years, wash into hollow places the saline particles with which the neighbouring soil was impregnated. During the long droughts which ensue, the water is exhaled, and the dry crystallized salt remains, white as a frozen lake in the bosom of the dry parched land. One of those salt lakes visited by Mr. Thompson, in the country of the Bushmen, is described by him as being apparently from 30 to 40 miles in circumference. A smaller one near Algoa Bay, which I have myself visited, and which has been often de. scribed, supplies a great part of the salt used in the colony for culinary purposes.

Is found to refresh the aching eye,
But the barren earth, and the burning sky,
And the blank horizon round and round,
Without a living sight or sound,
Cell to the heart, in its pensive mood,
Chat this - is Nature's solitude.

And here, while the night-winds round me sigh, And the stars burn bright in the midnight sky, As I sit apart by the cavern'd stone, Like Elijah at Horeb's cave alone, And feel as a moth in the mighty hand That spread the heavens and heav'd the land, A “ still small voice” comes through the wild (Like a father consoling his fretful child), Which banishes bitterness, wrath, and fear, Saying, “ Man is distant, but God is near!”

PRINGLE.

A PERSIAN PRECEPT.

FORGIVE thy foes ; - not that alone;

Their evil deeds with good repay ;
Fill those with joy who leave thee none,

And kiss the hand uprais'd to slay.

So does the fragrant Sandal bow

In meek forgiveness to its doom ;
And o'er the axe, at every blow,
Sheds in abundance rich perfume !

KNOWLES.

I Job iv. 19.

THE RHINE.

'Twas morn; and beauteous on the mountain's brow,

Hung with the heavy clusters of the vine, Stream'd the blue light, when on the sparkling

Rhine We bounded, and the white waves round the prow: In murmurs parted. Varying as we go,

Lo! the woods open, and the rocks retire, Some convent's ancient walls, or glist’ning spire, 'Mid the bright landscape's track unfolding slow. Here dark, with furrow'd aspect, like Despair, Frowns the bleak cliff - there, on the woodland's

side, The shadowy sunshine pours its streaming tide ; Whilst hope, enchanted with the scene so fair,

Would wish to linger many a summer's day,
Nor heeds how fast the prospect winds away.

BOWLES.

THE PRIMROSE.

WELCOME, pale Primrose! starting up

between Dead matted leaves of ash and oak, that strew

The every lawn, the wood, and spinney through, Mid creeping moss and ivy's darker green ;

How much thy presence beautifies the ground: How sweet thy modest, unaffected pride Glows on the sunny bank, and wood's warm side.

And where thy fairy flowers in groups are found,

The school-boy roams enchantedly along,

Plucking the fairest with a rude delight; While the meek shepherd stops his simple song,

To gaze a moment on the pleasing sight; O'erjoy'd to see the flowers that truly bring The welcome news of sweet returning spring.

CLARE.

THE DROUGHT.

HOSEA ii. 21, 22.

1

What strange, what fearful thing hath come to pass?
The ground is iron, and the skies are brass ;
Man on the withering harvest casts his eye,
“ Give me your fruits in season, or I die;"
The timely fruits implore their parent earth,
“ Where is thy strength to bring us forth to birth?”
The earth, all prostrate, to the clouds complains
“ Send to my heart your fertilising rains ;"
The clouds invoke the heavens-collect, dispense
Through us your quick’ning, healing influence;"
The heavens to Him that made them raise their moan,
“ Command thy blessing, and it shall be done.”
The Lord is in his temple: hush'd and still,
The suppliant universe awaits His will.

He speaks; and to the clouds the heavens dispense,
With lightning speed, their genial influence;
The gathering, breaking clouds pour down the rains,
Earth drinks the bliss through all her eager veins;
From teeming furrows start the fruits to birth,
And shake their riches on the lap of earth ;
Man sees the harvests grow beneath his eye,
Turns, and looks up with rapture to the sky;

All that have breath and being now rejoice;
All Nature's voices blend in one great voice,
“ Glory to God, who thus himself makes known!”
- When shall all tongues confess Him God alone?
Lord ! as the rain comes down from heaven,

the rain
Which waters earth, nor thence returns again,
But makes the tree to bud, the grass to spring,
And feeds and gladdens every living thing,
So may thy word, upon a world destroy'd,
Come down in blessing, and return not void;
So

may it come in universal showers, And fill earth's dreariest wilderness with flowers,

With flowers of promise, fill the world within Man's heart, laid waste and desolate by sin; When thorns and thistles curse the infested ground, Let the rich fruits of righteousness abound; And trees of life, for ever fresh and green, Flourish, where trees of death alone have been; Let truth look down from heaven, hope soar above, Justice and mercy kiss, faith work by love; Nations new-born, their fathers' idols spurn; The Ransom'd of the Lord with songs return; Heralds the year of jubilee proclaim ; Bow every

knee at the Redeemer's name; O'er lands with darkness, thraldom, guilt, o'erspread, In light, joy, freedom, be the Spirit shed; Speak Thou the word: to Satan's power say, “Cease,” But to a world of pardon'd sinners, “ Peace.” - Thus, in thy grace, Lord God, Thyself make

known; Then shall all tongues confess Thee God alone.

J. MONTGOMERY