Aubrey de Vere was born at Currah Chase, County Limerick, Ireland, in 1814. In 1851 he entered the Catholic Church, of which he remained a devout member. His verse is smooth and melodious, and his inspiration springs from his faith and his patriotism, two qualities that are noticeable in most of his writings. He died in 1902.

To his prayer St. Paul was given: St. Paul was converted shortly after St. Stephen's martyrdom, which he witnessed.

Elizabeth.

One of the most terrible punishments inflicted on political and other offenders in Russia is that of exile to the barren, weary wastes of Siberia. Banished to this country of pitiless cold, under the eye of a watchful and often cruel governor, many a noble, cultured man has pined his life away, welcoming death as a happy release.

In this wretched place there dwelt at one time a gentleman and his wife, people of education and refinement, with their daughter Elizabeth. For many years the young girl did not know the reason for their cruel fate.

But she did know that her parents lavished on her the most tender love, and that in spite of the cheerfulness they affected in her presence, there was a never ceasing grief gnawing at their hearts.

When Elizabeth was sixteen, she learned the story of her father's life and of the devotion which led her

mother to share his exile. From that time one idea alone occupied the mind of this loving, dutiful daughter, and that was how she could gain the pardon and the freedom of her dear ones.

Think of the difficulties she must encounter before she could reach the Czar, who alone could pardon them! Without money and without proper clothing, she must make her way alone on foot for hundreds of miles through vast forests, across dreary, snow-covered plains, meeting people whose language was unknown to her; and these hindrances overcome, there was a still greater, more formidable obstacle: the stern, unbending will of an all-powerful monarch. To meet and conquer these and help her on her way she had only the courage and perseverance of a pure, brave, loving heart; but putting her trust in a merciful Providence, she made ready for her journey.

Her parents urged her to abandon her purpose, for they could see in it nothing but certain failure and probable death. But in vain they pleaded, for though obedient in all other things, in this she refused to listen to them.

At last an unlooked-for opportunity arrived - an old priest who was returning to Spain, and had to pass through Russia, called at Elizabeth's home. At the girl's earnest solicitation, he consented that she should

accompany him; so, bidding a tender and tearful adieu to her parents, she turned her face toward the Russian capital, and started on her errand of love.

It was about the middle of May when Elizabeth began her eventful journey. Before it was half done, her guide, the priest, took sick and died. It was a great blow to the girl, but, undaunted, she kept on. More than once she was overtaken by a storm and drenched to the skin; at one time she met with robbers, but as she had nothing they let her go unharmed; at other times she was treated with great kindness and charity by people even poorer than she was.

At last, after many months of painful travel, Elizabeth neared Moscow, and to her delight learned that the emperor was to be there.

Footsore, penniless, and hungry she entered the city, and was forced to beg for food and shelter. Often repulsed, she finally found refuge in an inn, where the charity of the host received her. To this good man and his equally kind wife Elizabeth told her story.

Her joy was unbounded when these good people assured her that the emperor had only to hear her pitiful tale to grant the sought-for pardon. And so it proved; her story spread until it reached the monarch's ears, and an audience was granted to the girl. To him she told the object of her journey, and long before her

tale was ended her filial eloquence gained what she so much desired.

Her return to Siberia with the joyful news was different from her painful journey to Moscow. She was sent back under the protection and care of the government, and had the pleasure of finding her parents alive and well.

If you would know more of this story, you will find it in "Elizabeth, or the Exiles of Siberia," a little book written a hundred years ago by a French lady, and you may read it in English, for its pathos and beauty have so stirred the pulses of the world that it has been translated into many languages.

wastes uncultivated country. lavished: gave generously. Czar: the Emperor of Russia. undaunted fearless. repulsed : driven away.

:

Flow gently, sweet Afton.

Flow gently, sweet Afton, among thy green braes,
Flow gently, I'll sing thee a song in thy praise;
My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream,
Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream.

Thou stock dove whose echo resounds through the glen, Ye wild whistling blackbirds in yon thorny den,

Thou green-crested lapwing, thy screaming forbear,
I charge you disturb not my slumbering fair.

How lofty, sweet Afton, thy neighboring hills,
Far marked with the courses of clear, winding rills;
There daily I wander as noon rises high,

My flocks and my Mary's sweet cot in my eye.

How pleasant thy banks and green valleys below,
Where wild in the woodlands the primroses blow;
There oft, as mild evening weeps over the lea,
The sweet-scented birk shades my Mary and me.

Thy crystal stream, Afton, how lovely it glides,
And winds by the cot where my Mary resides;
How wanton thy waters her snowy feet lave,
As gathering sweet flow'rets she stems thy clear wave.

Flow gently, sweet Afton, among thy green braes,
Flow gently, sweet river, the theme of my lays;
My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream,
Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream.

ROBERT BURNS.

Robert Burns, a famous Scotch lyric poet, was born at Alloway, near Ayr, Scotland, January 25, 1759, and died July 21, 1796.

Afton: a river in Scotland. braes: a Scotch word meaning hills. birk: the Scotch form of birch. - lave: wash.