rafters and ungraceful pulpit, but to me they had a charm, which all the gilding and velvet in the world cannot inspire; for from the rude beams were re-echoed the voices of heartfelt piety and fervent prayer, and from the pulpit however misshapen, descended words of consolation and encouragement, expressions of love, joy, and hope, and promises of future felicity. Though no cushioned seat nor curtained wall was spread before me, I had the delight of beholding happy countenances lighted up by a clear conscience and a pure heart; and though no pealing organ swelled its notes in accompaniment, those strains of praise rose as loudly and as sweetly, because they were the tones of sincerity. A short farewell and a kind look dissolved the meeting. SCENE FROM AN UNPUBLISHED PLAY. DICK, solus. Ar-if a viper coiled upon her doorstep- That cuts up feeling into curves and angles. Her forehead white-so is a sheet of paper- But take her in the whole, form, voice, and motion, To crutch her poor rheumatic soul upon, Yes a pleasant evening, 1st BORE. What have you here to eat? I am not hungry, But I might taste a pie; I am not thirsty, DICK. But I might drink to please these honest fellows; We're out of victual and we 're out of wine, 2d BORE. Lend me a book, I mean to sit a little, -d. DICK. Here's Worcester's Walker's Johnson's Dictionary; Open at Ass-a very fitting subject. 3d BORE. I saw your very worthy grandmother DICK. A short time since; she seemed extremely hearty. O, what a blessing such a woman is ! In all the circle of domestic love There is no greater— No, there is no greater Just as you say-a most eternal blessing. 4th BORE. I'll take a nap-you'll wake me in an hour, Or two at farthest-so I'll shut the door. [Goes into the bedroom.] DICK. And I will lock it. Sleep till bed-bugs wake you. [Locks the door.] 5th BORE. Come boy, let's have a game or two of chequers Before we try the chess, and then backgammon, Or else a little whist-just run along And order up some claret and some oysters. DICK. My board is broken and my foot is lame. 6th BORE. I think of making something of a call, And so I'll take my coat and waistcoat off, Wait a few hours until the rest are gone And I will read you something I have written. [Cry of fire.] FIVE BORES. O, there's a row-good night-we 'll call again. [Exeunt five Bores.] DICK, solus. Go, blessed boobies, and the devil singe you- TOM. Ah, soft Lothario, with thy lady cheek, Does the new coat sit close about the waist? And when you're hanged for stealing, men will say TOм. Why, man, you 're biting as a seedling radish. Том. I only now remember Some general hints about your evil habits, But only rather slovenly and careless For rank, that you was like a serpent's rattle, That makes some noise, though very near the tail— That as to money, save the bills you owed, DICK. Now, fellow, I will mash thee to a pumice, TOM. Hold a moment It was all stuff-I never saw the woman; And laughed to see it catch-so keep your beating STANZAS. STRANGE! that one lightly whispered tone Than all the sounds that kiss the earth, But Lady, when thy voice I greet, I look upon the fair blue skies, And nought but empty air, I see; Ten thousand angels spread their wings The lily hath a softer leaf, Than ever western wind hath fanned, That little hand to me doth yield O lady! there be many things That seem right fair, below, above. A LETTER FROM LUKE LOCKFAST. New York, June 28, 1830. SALVE! my dear Editor-I have not seen you for two months; and, in the same line, vale !—I shall probably never see you again. How farest thou, and our four brethren? Yet why do I ask? for when, and how, can I be answered by you? I received by the post, a day or two since, your fifth Number. As my absence from Cam. since last term is probably not generally known at College, still less beyond it, it will not be understood that you mean merely my apparition, by the Luke you introduced into your Notes and Notices,' as present at an editorial meeting. Make this point clearer in the next edition. It is strange-but during the whole of that very evening of the 25th of May, the evening of your meeting, I remained in a profound stupor, from my spirit having absented itself, in order to be with you. (What shocking Alexandrines you put into the poor soul's mouth!) Do you know whether this stupor is usually experienced by persons, whose spirits have been known to appear in a different locality from that of their bodily presence? Ah, why do I continue to ask you questions, which you will have no opportunity of answering? Together with the Number, I received a whole bundle of the letters, which you seem to have been despatching, in all directions, at intervals of two days, ever since vacation, inquiring the causes of my absence, and supplicating my return. That return, dear friend, will never be; the cause of that absence you cannot divine. I AM IN LOVE. (!!! Ed.) On the 9th day of last vacation, a memorable day to me, as I was passing through Tremont Street, I think they call it, the street in which two large, stone-fronted buildings stand over against each other, one, I believe, a theatre, and the other a hotel,-just as I was passing between these two noble buildings, at a quarter before five in the afternoon (and a blue-skyed and mellow-lighted afternoon it was)-I met a lady-a young lady---a girl, perhaps I should call her. I am thus particular as to time and place, because you will be willing to read any details I may be silly enough to take pleasure in recording; and this epistle is meant for your eye |