The Thistle waved her bonnet blue,
The Harp her wildest war-notes threw,
The Red Rose gained a fresher hue,
Busaco, in thy heraldry.

Hail, gallant brothers! Wo befall
The foe that braves thy triple wall!
Thy sons, O wretched Portugal!
Roused at their feats of chivalry.

THE TWO OWLS AND THE SPARROW. Two formal Owls together sat, Conferring thus in solemn chat : "How is the modern taste decayed! "Where's the respect to wisdom paid? "Our worth the Grecian sages knew ;

They gave our sires the honour due: "They weighed the dignity of fowls, "And pried into the depth of Owls.

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Athens, the seat of learned fame,

"With general voice revered our name;
"On merit, title was conferred,
"And all adored the Athenian bird."

'Brother, you reason well," replies
The solemn mate, with half-shut eyes;
'Right,-Athens was the seat of learning,
"And truly wisdom is discerning.

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'Besides, on Pallas' helm we sit,

"The type and ornament of wit;

"But now, alas! we're quite neglected,
"And a pert Sparrow's more respected."

A Sparrow, who was lodged beside,
O'erhears them soothe each other's pride,
And thus he nimbly vents his heat:
"Who meets a fool must find conceit.

D

"I grant, you were at Athens graced,
"And on Minerva's helm were placed ;
"But every bird that wings the sky,
"Except an Owl, can tell you why.
"From hence they taught their schools to know
"How false we judge by outward show;
"That we should never looks esteem,
"Since fools as wise as you might seem.
"Would ye contempt and scorn avoid,
"Let your vain-glory be destroyed:
"Humble your arrogance of thought,
"Pursue the ways by Nature taught;
"So shall you find delicious fare,
"And grateful farmers praise your care:
"So shall sleek mice your chase reward,
"And no keen cat find more regard."

THE DESTRUCTION OF SENNACHERIB.

THE Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold,
And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold;
And the sheen of their spears was like stars on the sea,
When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee.
Like the leaves of the forest when Summer is green,
That host with their banners at sunset were seen :
Lake the leaves of the forest when Autumn hath blown,
That host on the morrow lay withered and strown.

For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast,
And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed;
And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill,
And their hearts but once heaved, and for ever grew still!

And there lay the steed with his nostril all wide,
But through it there rolled not the breath of his pride:
And the foam of his gasping lay white on the turf,
And cold as the spray of the rock-beating surf.

And there lay the rider distorted and pale,

With the dew on his brow, and the rust on his mail;
And the tents were all silent, the banners alone,
The lances unlifted, the trumpet unblown.

And the widows of Ashur are loud in their wail,
And the idols are broke in the temple of Baal;
And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword,
Hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord!

THE BUNDLE OF STICKS.

A GOOD Old Man, no matter where,
Whether in York or Lancashire;
Or on a hill, or in a dale,

It cannot much concern the tale;
Had children very much like others,
Composed of sisters and of brothers:
In life he had not much to give,
Save his example how to live;

His luck was what his neighbours had,
For some were good, and some were bad;
When of their father death bereft 'em,
His good advice was all he left 'em.
This good old man, who long had lain
Afflicted with disease and pain,
With difficulty drew his breath,
And felt the sure approach of death.
He still had lived an honest life,
Kind to his neighbour and his wife;
His practice good, his faith was sound,
He built his hope on Scripture ground;
And knowing life hangs on a breath,
He always lived prepared for death.
He trusted God, nor feared to die-
May it be thus with you and I!
Nor let us hope to die content,
Unless our life be wisely spent.

He called his children round his bed, And with a feeble voice he said: "Alas, alas, my children dear, "I well perceive my end is near; "I suffer much, but kiss the rod, "And bow me to the will of God. "Yet ere from you I'm quite removed, "From you whom I have always loved; "I wish to give you all my blessing, "And leave you with a useful lesson; "That when I've left this world of care, "Each may his testimony bear, "How much my latest thoughts inclined, "To prove me tender, good, and kind! "Observe that faggot on the ground, "With twisted hazel firmly bound." The children turned their eyes that way, And viewed the faggot as it lay; But wondered what their father meant ; Who thus expounded his intent :"I wish that all of you would take it, "And try if any one can break it." Obedient to the good old man, They all to try their strength began : Now boy, now girl, now he, now she, Applied the faggot to their knee;

They tugged and strained, and tried again,
But still they tugged and tried in vain :
In vain their skill and strength exerted;
The faggot every effort thwarted;
And when their labour vain they found,
They threw the faggot on the ground.

Again the good old man proceeded, To give the instruction which they needed : "Untwist," says he, "the hazel bind, "And let the faggot be disjoined." Then stick by stick, and twig by twig, The little children and the big,

Following the words their father spoke, Each sprig and spray they quickly broke:

"There, father!" all began to cry,
"I've broken mine!-and I!—and I!"

Replied the sire : ""Twas my intent

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My family to represent!

"While you are joined in friendship's throng, My dearest children, you'll be strong! "But if by quarrel and dispute,

"You undermine affection's root, "And thus the strengthening cord divide, "Then will my children ill betide: "E'en beasts of prey in bands unite, "And kindly for each other fight; "And shall not Christian children be "Joined in sweet links of amity? "If separate, you'll each be weak; "Each, like a single stick, will break; "But if you're firm, and true, and hearty, "The world, and all its spite, can't part ye." The father, having closed his lesson, Proceeded to pronounce his blessing: Embraced them all, then prayed and sighed, Looked up, and dropped his head—and died!

APPLICATION.

And thus, my countrymen, should you,
And I, and all, be firm and true.
If Christian faith and love combine us,
And sweet affection's cord entwine us;
We need encourage no dejection,
Secure in the Divine protection :
In prosperous days we'll bless our God,
And when he smites, we'll kiss the rod.

THE AFRICAN.

WIDE Over the tremulous sea,

The moon spread her mantle of light, And the gale, gently dying away, Breathed soft on the bosom of night. Ꭰ ?