pects, and will be looked to by future historians as a mine from which to gather facts relating to the early days of this section of the County.

Mr. Bailey did intend writing a history of Dutchess County, but his advancing years, and other difficulties of a physical nature, have deterred him from the work. He has expressed to us his regrets that he did not, ten years ago, make a systematic canvass of the County, with that end in view. Knowing his industry and capabilities, we can but join in the regrets which he has expressed.

The fact is, we are drifting along with scarcely an effort to preserve from fast approaching oblivion the thousands of interesting facts, recollections, and reminiscences of the past, relating to our county, which are attainable now, but which in a few years more will be utterly lost. How many have passed away within the decade just closed, whose memories could recall incidents of three and four score years past, which would have been of great value to the historian; but they are gone, and with them is buried the knowledge they possessed. Our county is rich in material, and under a master hand would yield a fund of authentic historical incidents that would make a book of

surpassing interest and value. We hope the historical researches begun this year by a gentleman in one of our neighboring towns, will result in the publication of a full and reliable history of the county.

The photographic portrait of Mr. Bailey, which forms a frontispiece, is an admirable one, and will be so accepted by all who know him. The engravings are mostly from "Lossing's Field Book of the Revolution," published by the Harper Brothers, New York, to whose kindness we are indebted for the privilege of using the same. They add very much to the interest of the book.

Fishkill Standard Office, October, 1874.

J. W. S.

oetry.

THE MONTHS OF THE YEAR.

JANUARY.

Lakes and rivers now are frozen,
Icy fetters bind in chains;
Earth in winter's garb reposing,
Winter now triumphant reigns.

FEBRUARY.

Storms are raging, blustering, blowing;
Snow in whirling eddies fly,
But the days are longer growing—
Seasons brief, they soon pass by.

MARCH.

Storm and sunshine intervening,
Sullen Winter yields at last,
To his Arctic den retreating,
Driven by the Southern blast.

APRIL.

Vernal season now approaching,

Mildly do the zephyrs play,

Light upon the night encroaching,

Lengthens out the beams of day.

MAY.

Cattle in the pastures grazing,

Fields are looking fresh and green,

Man his great Creator praising

For the balmy days of Spring.

JUNE.

Busy season now arriving,

Weeds in great profusion grow, Farmers in their cornfields driving, Strong they wield the spade and hoe.

JULY.

Laborers in the fields are toiling
Through the long and listless day;
In the West dark clouds are lowering,
Raindrops wet the new mown hay.

AUGUST.

Early morn the dew drops shining,
Hanging on the bushes low,
Lovers in the shades reclining,

Love does in their bosoms glow.

SEPTEMBER.

Orchards now their boughs are bending,
Filled with fruitage rich and rare,
Choicest blessing thick descending,
Fills all hearts with thankful prayer.

OCTOBER.

Leaves now from the trees are falling,
Cool and frosty is the morn,
Farmers to their cribs are hauling
Golden ears of Indian corn.

NOVEMBER.

Autumn hues the landscape blending,
O'er the face of Nature spread-
Gloomy, dreary days portending-
Birds to warmer climes have fled.

DECEMBER.

Ah! the closing year reminds us
Of the changing scenes of life—
Friends whose ties were of the kindest,

Have left this world of woe and strife.