Pierced through the destined victim, where his arm, For farther service, the unpitying throng The tower was stored with weapons, to the chief Aim'd the keen quarrel, taught the cross-bow's use To the English was the fight, though from above Transfix'd. The death-fraught cannon's thundering roar In dreadful harmony. THE OLD MAN'S COMFORTS: AND HOW HE GAINED THEM. "You are old, Father William," the young man cried, "The few locks that are left you are gray; You are hale, Father William, a hearty old man, Now tell me the reason, I pray." "In the days of my youth," Father William replied, "I remember'd that youth would fly fast, And abused not my health and my vigour at first, "You are old, Father William," the young man cried, "And pleasures with youth pass away; And yet you lament not the days that are gone, "In the days of my youth," Father William replied, "I remember'd that youth could not last; I thought of the future, whatever I did, That I never might grieve for the past." "You are old, Father William," the young man cried, "And life must be hastening away; You are cheerful, and love to converse upon death! "I am cheerful, young man," Father William replied; "Let the cause thy attention engage; In the days of my youth I remembered my God! Robert Cannabill. { Born 1774. Died 1810. THIS Scottish poet, chiefly known for his exquisite songs in the Scottish dialect, was born at Paisley, on 3d June 1774. He received a very limited education, and was early put to the occupation of weaving, where he began his song writing. He is also the author of some poems, but they are far inferior to his songs. A volume of his poems and songs was published in 1807, and was highly successful. Meeting some disappointment in issuing another volume, his mind, which had been previously weakened by consumption, gave way, and in a fit of depression he drowned himself, on 17th May 1810. THE BRAES O' GLENIFFER. KEEN blaws the wind o'er the braes o' Gleniffer,' Then ilk thing around us was blithesome and cheery, And naething is seen but the wide spreading snaw. Yon cauld sleety cloud skiffs alang the bleak mountain, John Leyden. Born 1775. Died 1811. A DISTINGUISHED oriental scholar, was born at Denholm, in Roxburghshire, in 1775. He was of humble parentage, but by his prodigious power of mind and intense application he raised himself to a position of high eminence. He was ordained to the church; but his tastes inclining to oriental literature, he qualified himself in five months for the post of surgeon, and in that capacity he was put on the Madras establishment, where he prosecuted his oriental studies. He was afterwards appointed a judge at Calcutta. He died August 28th, 1811. His chief poems are his "Scenes of Infancy," and some ballads. ODE TO AN INDIAN GOLD COIN. SLAVE of the dark and dirty mine! What vanity has brought thee here? So bright, whom I have bought so dear? The jackal's shriek bursts on mine ear Where cane-tufts shadow all the wild, By Esk or Eden's classic wave, Where loves of youth and friendships smiled, Uncursed by thee, vile yellow slave! Fade, day-dreams sweet, from memory fade! Revives no more in after-time. Far from my sacred natal clime, I haste to an untimely grave; The daring thoughts that soared sublime Are sunk in ocean's southern wave. Slave of the mine! thy yellow light Gleams baleful as the tomb-fire drear. A gentle vision comes by night My lonely widowed heart to cheer: Her eyes are dim with many a tear, Her fond heart throbs with many a fear! For thee, for thee, vile yellow slave, To roam in climes unkind and new. Dark and untimely met my view— A wanderer's banished heart forlorn, Of sun-rays tipt with death has borne ? To memory's fond regrets the prey; Walter Savage Landor. Born 1775. BORN at Ipseley Court, Warwickshire, on 30th January 1775, of an ancient family, he was educated for the army, but his republican views caused him to decline supporting the monarchy in this way. He succeeded to the family estate about 1805, and in 1806 raised a troop at his own expense to support the Spaniards in their first insurrection. In 1815 he took up his abode in Italy, where he resided for many years. poems were published in 1795, and the last in 1858. His prose writings especially his "Imaginary Conversations," are by far the finest of his compositions, although steeped in the bitter tone of the old mocking Paganism. THE MAID'S LAMENT. I LOVED him not; and yet, now he is gone, I feel I am alone. Landor's first I checked him while he spoke; yet could he speak, For reasons not to love him once I sought, And wearied all my thought |