given him to save and not destroy. I am very sure that thy wife, if she have a good heart, is of my opinion." What could I say in answer to this angel? for in truth I was tempted to believe her one. It is very certain that, had I not been married and happy, whilst defending the liberty of the Americans, I should have lost mine to Polly Leighton. The impression made on me by this charming young woman, was of so different a nature to that which I had experienced in the brilliant whirlpool of the world, that, for a while, she banished from my mind all ideas of concerts, balls, and entertainments.

INSCRIPTION FOR A CHIMNEY BOARD.
HERE lie entombed

the ashes, earthly parts and remains,
of a bright and aspiring genius,
who, in his youth,

discovered some sparks

of a brilliant and volatile nature;
but was, in maturity,

of a steady and grateful disposition,
and diffusive benevolence.

Though naturally of a warm temper,
and easily stirred up,

yet was he a shining example
of fervent and unreserved benignity.
For, though he might have been
the most dangerous and dreadful
of enemies,

he was the best and kindest
of friends;

nor did he ever look cool

even upon his foes,

though his fondest admirers
too often turned their backs upon him.
Oh! undeserving and invidious times,
when such illustrious examples
Are thus wantonly made light of,-
such splendid virtues

thus basely blown upon.

Though rather the promoter of a cheerful glass, in others,

and somewhat given to smoking,

yet he was never seen in liquor,
which was his utmost abhorrence;

raking, which ruins most constitutions,
was far from spoiling his,

though it often threw him into inflammatory disorders. His days, which were short,

were ended by a gentle and gradual decay; his substance wasted and strength consumed. A temporal period was put to his finite existence, by his being seized with a cold,

in one of the warm days

of the fatal month of May. His loss and cheering influence is often and feelingly regretted by his friends,

who erected this monument in memory

of his endearing virtues.

THE FASHION OF THE WORLD PASSETH AWAY.

LET us only think of the changes which our own ideas and opinions undergo in the progress of life. One man differs not more from another, than the same man varies from himself in different periods of his age; and in different situations of fortune. In youth, and in opulence, everything appears smiling and gay. We fly as on the wings of fancy; and survey beauties wherever we cast our eye. But let some more years have passed over our heads, or let disappointments in the world have depressed our spirits; and what a change takes place! The pleasing illusions that once shone before us; the splendid fabrics that imagination had raised; the enchanting maze in which we once wandered with delight, all vanish, and are forgotten. The world itself remains the same, but its form, its appearance, and aspect, is changed to our view; its fashion, as to us, hath passed away.

While our opinions, and ideas are thus changing within, the condition of all external things is, at the same time, ever changing without us, and around us. Wherever we cast our eyes over the face of nature, or the monuments of art, we discern the marks of alteration, and vicissitude. We cannot travel far upon the earth, without being presented with many a striking memorial of the changes made by time. What was once a flourishing city, is now a neglected village. Where castles and palaces stood, fallen towers and ruined walls appear. Where the magnificence of the great shone, and the mirth of the gay resounded, there,

as the prophet Isaiah describes, "the owl and the raven now dwell, thorns come up, and the nettle and the bramble grow in the courts."-When we read the history of nations, what do we read but the history of incessant revolution, and change? We behold kingdoms alternately rising and falling; peace and war taking place by turns; princes, heroes, and statesmen, coming forth in succession on the stage, attracting our attention for a little, by the splendid figure they make, and then disappearing and forgotten. We see the fashion of the world "assuming all its different forms, and, in all of them, passing away." Blair.

INSERTED IN THE ALBUM OF A FRIEND.

SOLOMON says, "Wherefore I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came unto me.

"I preferred her before sceptres and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her: neither compared I unto her any precious stone, because all gold in respect of her is as a little sand, and silver shall be counted as clay before her..

"I loved her above health and beauty, and chose to have her instead of light; for the light that cometh from her never goeth out, for she is the brightness of the everlasting light; the unspotted mirror of the power of God, and the image of his goodness."

We need not wonder at the enraptured language of Solomon, when speaking of wisdom, especially at a moment when the whole understanding was divinely

D

illuminated; and when, in the vision of light, he was permitted to see beyond all sublunary things. I know not, my dear friend H, that I can wish thee anything more substantially good, than that, with Solomon, thou mayest supplicate the great Giver of every good and perfect gift, that so the object sought by him, may become the ardent and continual wish of thy heart. To be thus clothed would elevate thee to a dignity far surpassing what monarchs can bestow; it would introduce thee, even in this life, to the great and good amongst thy fellow creatures, and finally insure thy admission into the society of the just of all generations, when time shall be no more.

D. H.

TWENTY YEARS.

THEY tell me twenty years are past
Since I looked upon thee last,

And thought thee fairest of the fair,

With thy sylph-like form and light brown hair.

I can remember every word,

That from those smiling lips I heard ;

Oh how little it appears

Like the lapse of twenty years.

Thou art changed! in thee I find

Beauty of another kind;

Those rich curls lie on thy brow,
In a darker cluster now;
And the sylph hath given place
To the matron's form of grace;