abode, forming, in appearance, a sort of convocation of aerial ecclesiastics. A young gentleman, who lodged in an attic, and was their close neighbor, frequently entertained himself with thinning this covey of black game, by means of a crossbow. On the opposite side lived a curious old civilian, who observing from his study that the rooks often dropped senseless from their perch, or, as it may be said, without using a figure, hopp'd the twig making no sign, nor any sign being made to his vision to account for the phenomenon, set his wits to work to discover the cause. It was probably during a profitless time of peace, and the doctor having plenty of leisure, weighed the matter over and over, till he was at length fully satisfied that he had made a great ornithological discovery, that its promulgation would give wings to his fame, and that he was fated by means of these rooks to say — 'Volito vivus per ora virum.' His goose-quill and foolscap were quickly in requisition, and he actually wrote a treatise, stating circumstantially what he himself had seen, and in conclusion, giving it as the settled conviction of his mind, that rooks were subject to the falling sickness!' F BIRDS. YE birds that fly through the fields of air, Beautiful birds of the azure wing, Bright creatures that come with the voice of Spring; How ye preach of the grace of humility. Swift birds that skim o'er the stormy deep, Sweet birds that breathe the spirit of song, And surround Heaven's gate in melodious throng, TO THE FRINGED GENTIAN. THOU blossom bright with autumn dew, Succeeds the keen and frosty night. Thou comest not when violets lean O'er wandering brooks and springs unseen, Or columbines in purple drest, Nod o'er the ground bird's hidden nest. Thou waitest late and com'st alone, When woods are bare, and birds are flown, And frosts and shortening days portend The aged year is near its end, Then doth thy sweet and quiet eye I would that thus, when I shall see THE MERMAID'S SONG. COME, mariner, down in the deep with me, On a pillow of pearls thine eye shall sleep, The fishes their silent vigils shall keep; And she, who is waiting with cheeks so pale, And weeps when she hears the menacing gale, Or sighs to behold her mariner's sail Come whitening up to the shore. She has not long to linger for thee! Her sorrows will soon be o'er; For the cord shall be broken, the prisoner free; wwwwww. CONCERNING THE OBSERVATION OF THE LORD'S-DAY. SIX days the God of heaven hath allowed us for our ordinary actions; and he is no hard master that reserves but a seventh, as a tribute of the time he lends us; especially considering this day he reserves, he reserves it for our advantage more than for his own. For it is a certain truth, that we never spend any time with better husbandry, and more advantage to ourselves, than that time we spend in the service of God, and to his honor, and according to his will; and that man is very illnatured that thinks it too much to consecrate one day of seven to the special service and honor of him, that doth not only lend him the seventh to live, but the other six to his ordinary use and employments. I will acquaint you with a truth, that above forty years' experience and strict observation of myself hath assuredly taught me. I have been near fifty years a man as much conversant in business, and that of moment and importance as most men, and I will assure |