their opinion, than if their lives and fortunes depended on the sentiment they should at last venture, with oracular dignity to advance. Whatever may be their real idea on the subject, as truth is a trifle compared to the object of pleasing those with whom they converse, they generally contrive gently to agree with you; unless it should appear to them, on mature consideration, that their opinion, if contingencies to the number of a thousand should take place, may, at the distance of half a century, involve them in some small danger of giving offence, or of incurring a trifling embarrassment.They wear a constant smile on their countenance, and are all goodness and benevolence, if you will believe their professions: but beware; for their hearts are as dark as the abysses which constitute the abodes of the evil spirit. These crafty animals are even more reserved, cautious, timid, and serpentine in action, than in conversation. They lay the deepest schemes, and no conclave of cardinals, no combinations of conspirators, no confederacy of thieves, ever deliberated with more impenetrable secrecy. Their hearts pant with anxiety to be introduced to a family of distinction and opulence, not only because the connection gratifies them, but also because, in the wonderful complication and vicissitude of human affairs, it may one day promote their interest. But before that day arrives, their perpetual uneasiness has usually put a period to their ambition, by terminating their existence. Even if they gain their ends, after a youth and manhood consumed constant care and servitude, the pleasure is not equal to the pain, nor the advantage to the labour. Every one is ready to complain of the shortness of human life; to spend, therefore, the greatest part of it in perpetual fear, caution, suspense, and solicitude, merely to accomplish an object of worldly ambition or interest; what is it but the proverbial folly of him who loses a pound to save a penny? Give me, O ye powers! Give me health and liberty, with a competence, and I will compassionate the man of a timid and servile soul, who has at last crept on hands and knees, through thick and thin, into a stall, and seated his limbs, after they have been palsied with care, on the bench of judges or, of bishops. FROM THE DANCE OF THE CONSUMPTIVES "ANGELINA." H. KIRK WHITE. With what a silent and dejected pace Fantastic pillowed thee, and the dim night With its thick fringe thy couch? Wan traveller But bears it from the view.-O! who would shun And dark vicissitudes ?-Soon, I hope, I feel And on my lowly bed the grass green sod, That one so young, and what they're pleased to call W Withered the rose upon my maiden cheek. May thus remembrance me--they must themselves Ripe for the sickle; others, young, like me, THE ONEIDA CHIEF'S SONG. CAMPBELL. And I could weep; the Oneida chief But that I may not stain with grief For by my wrongs, and by my wrath! That fires yon heaven with storms of death And we shall share, my christian boy! To-morrow let us do or die! But when the bolt of death is hurl'd, Its echoes, and its empty tread, Would sound like voices from the dead! And by my side, in battle true, A thousand warriors drew the shaft? Ah! there in desolation cold, The desert serpent dwells alone, Where grass o'er-grows each mouldering bone, And stones themselves to ruin grown, Like me, are death-like old. Then seek we not their camp-for there The silence dwells of my despair. But hark, the trump!-to-morrow thou In glory's fires shall dry thy tears: |