568 THE LESSON DREAM. BY W. WALLACE DAVIS. WHEN the shades were coming Over vale and hill; When the busy humming Of the world was still, And upon the wood-side Sang the whippoorwill; When the stars were peepingPeeping clear and bright, Like lovers' eyes when keeping Vigils through the nightThen my closing eyelids Somnus did invite. In my sleep, I pondered Over land and sea- Soon thy form grew lighter, All the features wore; Thy voice grew softer, sweeter, In rhapsody of metre, Then this lesson learned I- To harmonize this life: POETRY. Might to me be given, Might become my bride, Might be sent to bless me Clinging to my side. "GOD MUST BE MERCIFUL TO KINGS." ("Last Days of the Emperor Alexander," by Dumas.) BY M. H. FORTUNE. A NATION weeps-he heeds them notThe monarch of the Russias wide Has laid him down to die amid The emblems of his regal pride. Rich velvets of imperial hue Fall round his couch in many a fold, And kingly splendor all is there, In brilliant tints and burnished gold. But what avail the gorgeous rooms, Or fringing gold that decks his bed, Or what avails, though thousands weep, But to the humble, lowly priest, Ah! list the words he uttered then: "God must be merciful to kingsThey need it more than other men." Yes, here is truth! the poorest one Who toils amid the laboring band The sleepless nights, the weary days, DISTRUST.-A SONNET. BY MARY G. WELLS. WHY wilt thou wrong, with jealous doubts and fears, My haughty spirit will not brook delay. BALLAD. BY J. E. CARNES. DARKLY fatal, O Havana! Was thy green and fertile shore; Sadly shall thy name's sweet music Seem unto us evermore. Gallant forms were grouped upon thee, Doomed to death, yet on each visage Earth was gorgeous to their vision, Rich her summer robe was wrought And from all thy groves of orange Bland perfumes thy breezes brought. Castle, tower, and fragrant garden Lay in summer's brightest hue, And the bending heaven above them Seemed to wear its calmest bluc. Spread before them smiled the ocean, Sadly gazed their thought beyond it, One last look at earth's green vesture, Are besprinkled with their blood. One last dream of friends and kindred, Darkly fatal, O Havana! Was thy green and fertile shore; Sadly shall thy name's sweet music Seem unto us evermore! THE SLEEPER WHO IS DREAMING. Inscribed to Oliver Oakwood. BY MRS. A. F. LAW. BEND softly o'er the sleeper, for she dreameth of the past, And, 'neath its spells of cloudless joy, her fevered pulse bounds fast! Bend softly! From her parted lips unconscious murmurs steal, And these low whispers, gently breathed, time's secrets now reveal. With tuneful voice she blends their names-the faithless and the true Uniting close the severed wreath which love once round them threw. VOL. XLV.--49 Oh! wherefore doth she revel thus 'mid glowing scenes of yore? In one short moment she will wake to weep-and dream no more! The present brings no blissful hours-around it all is dimWhile echo syllables the notes of sorrow's mournful hymn. Peace, peace to thee, fair slumberer! From fickle love and grief, Within sleep's pure and blest embrace thou fain wouldst find relief; Her dewy breath with lulling power is wafted o'er thee now, And with her lips she presseth still thy pale and anxious brow. Alas! not all her winning charms can ease thy yearning heart; For see! beneath those folded lids the quiv'ring tear-drops start; Life's masquerade hath wearied thee-thy bosom heaveth high, And from the source of thrilling thought ascends a troubled sigh. Thou'rt parting with the spirit-strains which gave thy visions birth, And once again thy soaring mind must captive bend to earth. Ah! child of clay, this world for thee will yield no tranquil joy; Its treasures rare, its wealth of bliss, are mixed with base alloy! And Mem'ry, with deep anguish fraught, will darken every hour, While Passion's féll and withering blight will fade Hope's budding flower. I would that I might win for thee unbroken, calm repose, Or, by some magic, deck thy path with colors of the rose! Though vain the wish-I yet may breathe affection's fer vent prayer, That in the healing balm of Heaven thy soul may largely share. And, when thou leav'st this earthly bourn, there seek thy rest, poor dove, And fold thy weary pinions in a home of peace and love: EROS. BY R. T. CONRAD. YOUNG holy Love! It riseth o'er the heart, Its heart-founts, clear as rills in Eden bowers, Wake, as they leave their paradise of flowers, Wierd melodies, else mute, in this wild world of ours. Each other's, and all God's! The sacred vow Till age, like moonlight, silvers o'er their days. Its hues are with immortal radiance blent; They melt-but 'tis in light: Heaven claims the love it lent! TO HER WHO UNDERSTANDS IT. BY ADALIZA CUTTER. BELOVED One, at this quiet eve, Ere sinks yon trembling star to rest, One little song for thee I'll weave, Of love-thoughts glowing in my breast. I'll open all this full, warm heart, That thou its inmost shrine can see, With all its folded leaves apart, Where nestle such sweet thoughts of thee. I sit alone, and yet I seem To see thee linger by my side, As in some pleasant, quiet dream Spirits of loved ones round me glide. My hand is gently clasped in thine, I listen to your loving tone; I feel your warm lips pressed to mine, And feel that I am not alone. At first I strove to keep my heart And that we soon must breathe farewell: I knew that on life's solemn main I strove in vain. Go bid the bird Go bid the flowers, by soft winds stirred, Go bid the bright stars cease to shine, As well as bid this heart of mine Oh, were it wise to shun the flowers Because their beauty fades so soonTo wish there were no summer hours Because it is not always JuneTo turn away from the blue sky, That shines so gloriously fair, Because, to dim the sun's bright eye, Dark threatening clouds are sometimes there? No-rather cull the flowers that bloom, And wear them, though for one brief day; Their fragrance may dispel our gloom, K'en when their beauty fades away. Thoughts of the calm blue summer skies, The rich green leaf, the sweet wild-flower, Will come to us when storms arise, And cheer full many a wintry hour. E'en thus will thought of thee, sweet friend, Though scenes more fair, though friends more dear One boon I ask without one fear- Oh, let me meet thy bark once more- (Oh, heed my best, my holiest prayer,) Attended by some angel band, Oh meet me there-oh, mect me there! A FAREWELL TO SUMMER. BY ELSIE GREY. FAREWELL, bright Summer! Ay, I call thee bright, SONNET.-THE APPROACH OF WINTER. FAREWELL now to the glories of the year! Is now but all too mute. Ere long will pass The vehement north-wind, conscious of his might, Over the dead-cold land, and on my glass The fingers of the fresh brown Autumn's fate will write SONNET.-IN MEMORY OF "AMELIA. BY G. WALLINGFORD CLARKE. YE heavenly spirits who preside o'er song, Ne'er will ye cease to grieve-for in your bowers No more that voice shall ring, whose tuneful powers Thrilled with such ecstasy the list'ning throng. Yet, mourned enchantress of the lyre, as long As thy loved stars illume, and dewy flowers With fragrance fill the vales, soft falling showers Refresh the earth, and snow-clad mountains strong Lift their pale pinnacles to pierce the skies, Thy lays shall live in all their native bloom, And as a household word thy name be known. Oh! songstress of the soul, with tearful eyes, Whilst sounds in fancy's ear thy harp's deep moan, I place this cypress wreath-this tribute on thy tomb! Materials.-A strip of French canvas, No. 14, 51⁄2 inches wide; half an ounce each of five shades of green Berlin wool; 36 yards of straw beading; quarter of a yard of wide green glacé silk, to match with one of the darker shades of wool; sarsnet to line the same; a piece of stout cardboard; 11⁄2 yard of fancy straw trimming an inch wide; and 11⁄2 yard of satin ribbon to match the silk. THESE baskets are at once among the prettiest and the most useful of the day. They are generally made of plain straw, instead of Berlin-work; but the latter has so elegant an appearance that we are sure our friends will think it well repays them for the little extra trouble. It is to be understood that the lower part alone is done on canvas; the upper part is a bag of silk; the joining of the two is concealed by a piece of wide fancy straw laid on. Narrow canvas is to be used for the bags in preference to a strip of the same width cut from a broader piece, because the selvages add so much to the strength of the basket. Work across the width, first from right to left and then from left to right, so that the straw beading need not be cut at the end of the rows. The pattern contains 20 rows. Begin with the darkest shade, and change at the 5th, 9th, 13th, and 17th; at the commencement of the next pattern (the 21st row), resume the darkest shade. 1st row.-Hold one end of the straw beading over two threads of the canvas, and work thus: 6 stitches taken across the straw in a straight line; consequently, across two upright threads of canvas, but not crossing any in the width; miss 3 threads, 12 stitches, miss 5 threads, 4 stitches, miss 3 threads, 2 stitches, miss 9 threads, 2 stitches, miss 11 threads, 10 stitches, miss 3 threads, 6 stitches. [In future rows, it will be understood that threads are missed, and that s signifies stitches.] miss 2d.-Worked the reverse way. 4 s, miss 7, 6 s. miss 7, 8 s, miss 9, 4 s, miss 5, 4 s, miss 3, 8 s, 7, 4 8. 3d.-6 s, miss 3, 10 s, miss 3, 6 s, miss 3, 6 s, miss 7, 2 s, miss 3, 2 s, miss 5, 12 S, miss 3, 6 s. 4th.-16 s, miss 7, 4 s, miss 7, 2 s, miss 3, 12 s, miss 3, 20 s. 5th.-20 s, miss 3, 8 s, miss 3, 6 s, miss 9, 2 s, miss 9, 14 s. 6th.-6 s, miss 3, 10 s, miss 3, 2 s, miss 11, 2 s, miss 13, 4 s, miss 3, 10 s, miss 3, 6 s. 7th.-4 8, miss 7, 16 s, miss 9, 2 s, miss 8, 2 s, miss 3, 2 s, miss 5, 2 s, miss 5, 6 s, miss 7, 4 s. 8th.-6 s, miss 3, 8, s miss 11, 6 s, miss 3, 8 s, miss 7, 14 s, miss 3, 6 s. 9th.-20 s, miss 11, 2 s, miss 3, 2 s, miss 5, 6 s, miss 3, 2 s, miss 5, 16 s. 10th.-14 s, miss 5, 10 s, miss 3, 2 s, miss 3, 2 s, miss 3, 6 s, 22 s. 571 11th.-6 s, miss 3, 10 s, miss 11, 2 s, miss 9, 2 s, miss 3, 4 s, miss 5, 12 s, miss 3, 6 s. s, miss 3, 4 s, miss 5, 48, miss 7, 4 s. 12th.-4 s, miss 7, 8 miss 9, 8 s, miss 7, 6 s, 13th.-6 s, miss 3, 12 s, miss 5, 2 s, miss 3, 2 s, miss 7, 6 s, miss 3, 6 8, 10 8, miss 3, 6 s. 14th.-20 s, miss 3, 12 s, miss 3, 2 s, miss 6, 4 s, miss 6, 16 s. 15th.-14 s, miss 9, 2 miss 3, 20 s. 8, miss 9, s, miss 3, 8 s, 16th.-6 s, miss 3, 10 s, miss 3, 4 s, miss 13, 2 s, miss 11, 2 s, miss 3, 10 s, miss 3, 6 s. 17th.-4 s, miss 7, 6 s, miss 5, 2 s, miss 5, 2 s, miss 3, 2 s, miss 3, 2 s, miss 9, 16 s, miss 7, 4 s. 18th.-6 s, miss 3, 14 s, miss 7, 8 s, miss 3, 6 s, miss 11, 8 s, miss 3, 6 s. 19th.-16 s, miss 5, 2 s, miss 3, 6 s, miss 5, 2 s, miss 3, 2 s, miss 11, 20 s. 20th.-22 s, miss 5, 6 s, miss 3, 2 s, miss 3, 2 s, miss 3, 10 s, miss 5, 14 s. This completes one pattern, and must be repeated as often as desired for the size of the basket. Cut out in cardboard an oval, pointed at both ends, about 12 to 14 inches long, and 3 to 5 wide. Cover this with silk on both sides, and sew the straw-work all round it, having previously added a silk bag to the canvas. The cardboard should be sewed in very strongly, and the seam may be covered with straw beading. The handle, which is made of the fancy straw, should be stiffened with a bit of wire ribbon, and firmly sewed on the centre of each side of the basket. The fancy straw is also to be put round the top of the canvas to conceal the joining of it with the silk. KNITTED ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS. CONVOLVULUS. FOUR needles are required. Take some pale yellow split wool, and cast on six stitches on each of two needles, and three stitches on the third needle, knit two plain rounds. 3d round.-Knit one, make one, knit one, make one, knit two, make one, knit one, make one, knit two, make one, knit one, make one, knit two, make one, knit one, make one, knit two, make one, knit one, make one, knit one, knit two, plain rounds. 6th. Take a deeper shade of yellow; knit two, make one, knit one, make one, knit four, make one, knit one, make one, knit four, make one, knit one, make one, knit four, make one, knit one, make one, knit four, make one, knit one, make one, knit two, knit three plain rounds; take white wool and knit one more round. 11th.-Knit three, make one, knit one, make one, knit six, make one, knit one, make one, knit six, make one, knit one, make one, knit six, make one, knit one, make one, knit six, make one, knit one, make one, knit three, knit three plain rounds with white, then take pale blue (half twist silk may be introduced with good effect), knit one moro plain round. 15th.-Knit four, make one, knit one, make one, knit eight, make one, knit one, make one, knit eight, make one, knit one, make one, knit eight, make one, knit one, make one, knit eight, make one, knit one, make one, knit four. Take a deeper shade of blue, knit three plain rounds. Take a still deeper shade, and knit two rounds. Cast off very loosely. The flower thus finished will be found divided into five stripes, by the increase stitches. Take a piece of wire, and sew it as neatly as possible along the edge of the top of the flower as far as the first stripe, turn down both ends of the wire. Take a second piece, and sew it from the first to the second stripe, turn down the ends, and contrive the same for the third, fourth, and fifth stripes. Sew down all the ends of wire two by two, on the wrong side of the flower. Sew up the side left open. The right side of the knitting will be the inside of the flower. Cover the lower end of the flower with fine herring-bone stitches to form a small calyx; tie up five bits of yellow wool, not split, with a knot at the top of each; fix them on a bit of wire to make the stamen, and place them in the centre of the flower, and cover the stem with green wool. BUDS. Cast on four stitches in pale green wool. 1st row.-Purl. 2d.-Make one, knit one, repeat through the row. 3d.-Purl. 4th.-Knit plain. 5th.-Purl. 6th.-Make one, knit two, repeat through the row. 7th.-Purl. 8th. Use two threads of blue wool, together with two green, and knit the row, putting the wool twice round the needle. Gather all the stitches with a rug needle, then cut a small round of card, prick four holes in the centre, put two pieces of wire crosswise through the four holes, twist the wire tight under the card, and cover the little card with green or blue wool, as if winding it. Cover this with the knitted piece for the bud. Sew up the open side, gather together the stitches of the open part, and cover the stem with green wool. |