to commune with the spirits of departed days, and to catch a fresh enthusiasm from their deathless shades. We celebrate to-day no idle tradition-the deeds of no fabulous race; for we tread in the scarcely obliterated footsteps of an earnest and valiant generation of men, who dared to stake life, and fortune, and sacred honor, upon a declaration of rights, whose promulgation shook tyrants on their thrones, gave hope to fainting freedom, and reformed the political ethics of the world. The greatest heroes of former days had sought renown in schemes of conquest, based on the love of dominion or the thirst for war; and such had been the worship of power in the minds of men, that adulation had ever followed in the wake of victory. How daring then the trial of an issue between a handful of oppressed and outlawed colonists, basing their cause, under God, upon an appeal to the justice of mankind and their own few but valiant arms. And how unmeasurably great was he, the fearless commander, who, after the fortunes and triumphs of battle were over, scorned the thought of a regal throne for a home in the hearts of his countrymen. Amidst the rejoicings of this day, let us mingle something of gratitude with our joy-something of reverence with our gratitude-and something of duty with reverence. Let us cultivate personal independence in the spirit of loyalty to the state, and may God grant that we may always be able to maintain the sovereignty of the state, in the spirit of integrity to the union. Thus shall still be shed imperishable honors upon the American name-thus perpetuated, through all coming time, the heritage which has been bequeathed to us by our fathers. Whatever shall be the fate of other governments, ours, thus sustained, shall stand for ever. As has been elsewhere said, nation after nation may rise and fall, kingdoms and empires crumble into ruin, but our own native land, gathering energy and strength from the lapse of time, shall go on and still go on its destined way to greatness and renown. And when thrones shall have crumbled into dust, when scepters and diadems shall have been long forgotten, till Heaven's last thunder shall shake the world below, the flag of the republic shall still wave on, and its stars, its stripes, and its eagle, shall still float in pride, and strength, and glory, "Whilst the earth bears a plant, Or the sea rolls a wave." Ex. LVIII.-THE THREE BEATS. G. W. PATTEN ROLL-roll!-How gladly swell the distant notes, With plumes low-stooping, on their winding way, "Tis this which gives to mirth a lighter tone, Roll-roll!" What is it that ye beat ?" "We sound the charge!-On with the courser fleet!- 'Tis this which feeds the fires of fame with breath, Fatigued with slaughter, pauses o'er the slain, Roll-roll!" Brothers, what do ye here, With your dull march and low funereal song?" I saw him fall! And, as he lay beneath his steed, one thought, Ex. LIX.-OLD IRONSIDE S. O. W. HOLMES. AYE, tear her tattered ensign down! Rioungs And many an eye has danced to see And burst the cannon's roar;— Shall sweep the clouds no more! Her deck, once red with heroes' blood, Oh! better that her shattered hulk Ex. LX.-ROYAL IGNORANCE. As want of candor really is not right, On kings behold it breakfast, dine, and sup- Why will the simple world expect wise things, Look on their poverty of education! Jove-like, to shake the pillars of creation! They scorn that little useful imp called mind, WOLCOT. Pride their companion, and the world their hate; Sometimes, indeed, great kings will condescend An instance take:-A king of this great land, Did visit Salisbury's old church so fair: An Earl of Pembroke was the monarch's guide; Incog. they traveled, shuffling side by side; And into the cathedral stole the pair. The verger met them in his blue silk gown, And humbly bowed his neck with reverence down, Low as an ass to lick a lock of hay: Looking the frightened verger through and through, And with his eye-glass-" Well, sir, who are you? What, what, sir ?-hey, sir ?" deigned the king to say. 66 I am the verger here, most mighty king: In this cathedral I do every thing; Sweep it, an't please ye, sir, and keep it clean." "Hey? verger! verger!-you the verger ?-hey?" "Yes, please your glorious majesty, I be," The verger answered, with the mildest mien. Then turned the king about toward the peer, "He's a poor verger, sire," his lordship cried: 66 Sixpence would handsomely requite him.” "Poor verger, verger, hey?" the king replied: Now to the lofty roof the king did raise "An't please your majesty," with marveling chops, In Salisbury that will reach so high." "Not mop, no, no, not mop it," quoth the king"No, sir, our Salisbury mops do no such thing; They might as well pretend to scrub the sky." Ex. LXI.-INDIAN TRADITION OF THE ORIGIN OF MAIZE. LONGFELLOW. HOMEWARD weeping went Nokomis, Sorrowing for her Hiawatha, Fearing lest his strength should fail him, And behold! the young Mondamin, And his strong heart leaped within him, Like a ring of fire around him |