Are sweeter than that echo of the tone

From the dark ocean thou dost make thine own!

Ever to thee

That murmur of the sea

Hath a supreme and voice-coercing spell,
Which haunts thee, hollow Shell,

Even as, 'mid music's wonders, hearts will sigh
For simpler song-some home-bred melody.

There!-from the earth,

Lone Shell, I cast thee forth!

Seek, once again, beneath the ocean foam,

Thine unforgotten home

Drink in, for aye, the music which the surge Over the drowned doth make-a low, sad dirge!

OUR VICAR.

BY J. FORBES DALTON, ESQ.

'Twas in the glorious summer's prime,

The merry birds were singing,

Our village all kept holiday,

And the old church bells were ringing, When our vicar brought, from o'er the hills, His young and lovely bride,

There was not such another one

In all our country side.

my friends!"

"Thank ye! God bless you all,
He cried, as the chaise drove by,
Waving his hand to all alike;

There was gladness in every eye,
As we wished him joy-and joy he had
Through many a happy year;
And I'm sure his joy was a joy to us,
And the gentry far and near.

For he was not like some good priests,
Who, perhaps, may act aright,
But seem to simple folk to keep
Their talent out of sight.
He loved society, and gained
All hearts where'er he went;
Yet, with his family at home,
Was cheerful and content.

And, though the rich man called him friend,

And bade him to his feast,

He'd talk familiar with the poor,

Nor scorn the very least.

A kind word ever, from his lips,

Would cheer the labourer's heart,

When worn with toil. Few rich men think

How much kind words impart !

To some it seems an easy thing
To give the poor relief;

But cold, reproachful charity

Oft fills their hearts with grief.

Not such was his! His generous soul Was backward to condemn,

And what he would that men should do To him, he did to them.

Blessing and blest, he lived with us,
And every Sabbath day

Our church was crowded, for we loved
To hear him preach and pray.
"The pleasant paths of righteousness
He taught his flock, and trod.
And so we verily believe

He now is with his God.

'Twas on the anniversary

Of our Redeemer's death That our good vicar placidly

Breathed forth his latest breath.

And, as it passed his lips, he told
His children weeping by,

"A Christian's triumph this, my dears, On such a day to die!"

And so to Heaven the spirit fled
That watched our happy vale,

And now we find the Bible truth,