Oblivion's dark mysterious hand
Her wandering hours calls o'er;
I go to join the silent band

That people Lethe's shore.

What bear I, from thy bosom, earth,
But what to me belongs;-
The first glad gush of infant mirth,
The young heart's joyous songs;
The reverend form now lowly laid,
The young and beauteous head;
These are my right,-the price I paid,
The living for the dead.

The living for the dead! I gave
Thousands of fair young things,
Born close beside the silent grave,
Time's yearly offerings.

And though to many a mourner here
My sojourn hath brought pain;
Perhaps some may grieve for the old year,
And wish it back again!

THE HOLLY, OR HOLY TREE.

TRADITION says, it sprang up in perfection and beauty beneath the footsteps of Christ when he first trod the earth.

SERVANTS.

It was an observation of Elwes, the noted miser, that if you keep one servant, your work will be done; if you keep two, it will be half done; and if you keep three, you will have to do it yourself.

THE AUTUMN OF LIFE.

A PHRASE fraught with meaning, and suggesting the gravest reflections-bringing in review the

elasticity of youth and vigorous manhood as contrasted with the sober bearing of declining years: yet if the progress of medical and chemical science can obviate one of these symptoms, and stay in a manner the swift hand of time, such results must change the current of sad reflection, and be productive of the highest gratification.

A HOSPITABLE INVITATION.

"COME in out of the wet," as the shark said to the young nigger, when he took him into his victualling office.

NATIONAL PARADOXES.

SOMEBODY once remarked, that the Englishman is never happy but when he is miserable; the Scotsman is never at home but when he is abroad; and the Irishman is never at peace but when he is fighting.

cence.

A LADY'S TOILETTE.

ESSENTIAL requisites for a lady's toilette, humbly recommended to our fair readers.-A fine eyewater-Benevolence. Best white paint - InnoA mixture, giving sweetness to the voice -Mildness and Truth. A wash to prevent wrinkles -Contentment. Best rouge-Modesty. Pair of most valuable ear-rings-Attention. A universal beautifier-Good-humour. A lip-salve - Cheer

fulness.

AMPLY PROVIDED FOR.

Two sailors were sitting one day on the gunwale of their ship, drinking grog, when one said to the other, "This is meat and drink, Jack :" he happened at that moment to fall overboard, when his

H

facetious companion coolly said, "and now you've got washing and lodging, Tom."

SWIFT once attempted, in a humorous mood, to prove that all things were governed by the word led. Said he, "Our noblemen and drunkards are pimp-led; physicians and pulses are fee-led; their patients and organs are pil-led; and a new married man and ass are brid-led; and an old married man and pack-horse are sadd-led; cats and dice are ratt-led; swine and nobility are sty-led; a coquette and a tinder-box are spark-led.”

THIEVING CHIVALRY.

IN Spain there may be truly enough said to be "honour even among thieves," the Spanish robbers generally giving their victim a certificate of his having been plundered, which effectually protects him from any further molestation.

THE GREAT ESSENTIAL.

THERE never did, and never will exist, anything permanently noble and excellent in a character which was a stranger to the exercise of resolute self-denial.

BURIAL OF THE LAST BARON.

HEAVY as a beating billow

Rung the deep cathedral chime,
Shaking every churchyard pillow
With the peal of mortal time.

Gray and huge St. Cuthbert's trembled
Through his skeleton of stone,

Every hollow knell resembled

Huge St. Cuthbert's inmost groan.

Round his hoary turrets waving
Stalwarth oaks like willows hung,
Rending their green locks and raving
The sad cypresses among.
Haggard elms and sable larches
Threw a death-glare on the ground,
Lofty pines with leafy arches
Stood like ruin'd aisles around.

Hark! the dismal trumpets braying
Echo through the chancel drear,
Bloodhound's whine and charger's neighing
Tell the chieftain's hearse is near.

Gloom without, where tree and tower
Mixing frowns together loom;
Gloom within, where shadows lower
Dark as palls on shrine and tomb.
Through the chequer'd oriel gleaming
Scarce the wintry sun is seen,
Fitful lamps on statues beaming
Give them still a ghastlier mien.
Hung with roofy darkness over
Yon tall pile its crest doth rear,
Gazing calm at Death above her.
The Last Lady rests her here.
On her arm a Cherub sleepeth
In the likeness of a child,
At her feet a Pity weepeth
Soft almost as if she smiled.

Lay the bier down: crosswise on it
Lay the pennon, lance, and sword;
Plumed helm and pearled bonnet
Place to speak him Knight and Lord.

Gauntlets, mail, and shield, beside him;
Greaves, and gold spurs, at his feet:
'Twas in such garb he did pride him
Foe or lady fair to meet.

Glistening pale before the altar
Six tall tapers feebly burn,
Where the cowled quire doth falter
Hymn and burial prayer in turn.

Mourn around him, ye bold yeomen!
Squire, and page, and damoselle !
For your rights, against all foemen,
Christ's good soldier, he fought well.

Mourn him gallant and high-hearted!
Flower of chivalry and grace!
Mourn him and his line departed,
The Last Baron of his race!

MISS WILBERFORCE.

WHEN Mr. Wilberforce was a candidate for Hull, his sister, an amiable and witty young lady, offered the compliment of a new gown to each of the wives of those freemen who voted for her brother; on which she was saluted with a cry of "Miss Wilberforce for ever!"-when she pleasantly observed, "I thank you, gentlemen; but I cannot agree with you, for really I do not wish to be Miss Wilberforce for ever!"

THROW PHYSIC TO THE DOGS.

THE following words, it has been well said, are deserving to be written in letters of gold, like those over the principal gate of Athens, in the days of her pride and glory. 66 Keep thy feet dry-thy