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النشر الإلكتروني

OUR NATIVE SHIPS.

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be done; talents unexercised, capacities' undeveloped,' a human life thrown away-wasted as water poured forth in the desert. Birds and flowers, ye are gods to such a mockery of life!

3. Who can describe the fearful void3 of such an existence, the yearnings for object, the self-reproach for wasted powers, the weariness of daily life, the loathing of pleasure, of frivolity, and the fearful consciousness of deadening life—of a spiritual paralysis which hinders all response' to human interest—when enthusiasm ceases to arouse, and noble deeds no longer call forth the tear of joy; when the world becomes a blank, humanity a far sound, and no life is left but the heavy, benumbing weight of personal hopelessness and desolation.

4. Happier far is the toiling drudge who coins body and soul into the few poor shillings that can only keep his family in a long starvation; he has hope unceasingly to lighten him, a duty to perform, a spark of love within that can not die; and wretched, weary, and unhuman as his life may be, it is of royal worth-it is separated by the immeasurable distance of life and death from the poor wretch who is cursed for having no work to do.

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1 Ca påc'i ties, those powers by which we are enabled to receive instructions; talents; ability to do or to receive.- Un de vel' oped, not brought out; hidden.- Void, emptiness.— Yearn' ings, strong desires.— Frivol' i ty, lightness; fondness for vain and foolish pursuits. Pa rål' ysis, loss of power; palsy; inability to move the limbs. Response', answer; interest in a thing.-En thủ' si asm, an ardent zeal with respect to some object or pursuit.- Drådge, one who labors hard without thought.— Fleet, swift.-"Ca rèer', course; way." Gål' lant, noble ; brave; generous.

2. The Indian wave, with luring1 smiles,
Swept round them bright to-day;
And havens of Atlantic isles

Are opening on their way;
Ere yet these evening shadows close,
Or this frail song is o'er,

Full many a straining mast will rise
To greet a foreign shore.

3. High up the lashing northern deep,
Where glimmering watch-lights beam,
Away in beauty where the stars
In tropic brightness gleam,
Where'er the sea-bird wets her beak,
Or blows the stormy gale,
On to the water's furthest verge1
Our ships majestic sail.

4. They dip their keels in every stream
That swells beneath the sky;

And where old ocean's billows roll,
Their lofty pennants fly:

They furl their sheets in threatening clouds

That float across the main,

To link with love earth's distant bays,

In many a golden chain.

J. T. FIELDS

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26. THE AUTHOR OF "SWEET HOME."

SI sit at my window here in Washington, watching the

"As I sit at my window, and the destiny or party, I meet

often with strange contradictions in this eventful life. The most remarkable was that of John Howard Payne, author of

'Lur' ing, winning; enticing; attractive.-2 Hà' vens, ports; harbors; places where ships may float securely, without danger from storms.—3 Trop' ic, belonging to that portion of the earth where it is always warm. Verge, edge; border. Pån'nants, flags; banners.• Furl (ferl), to draw up; to fold and fasten.- Des' ti ny, fate; for tune. Often (¿f′ fn).—'Con tra dic' tions, things opposite.

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'Sweet Home.' I knew him personally. He occupied the rooms under me for some time, and his conversation was so captivating, that I often spent whole days in his apartments.

2. "He was an applicant for office at the time-consul' at Tunis-from which he had been removed. What a sad thing it was to see the poet subjected to the humiliation of officeseeking! In the evening, we would walk along the street. Once in awhile we would see some family circle so happy, and forming so beautiful a group, that we would stop, and then pass silently on.

3. "On such occasions he would give a history of his wanderings, his trials, and all the cares incident to his sensitive3 nature and poverty. 'How often,' said he, once, 'have I been in the heart of Paris, Berlin, and London, or some other city, and heard persons singing, or the hand-organ playing "Sweet Home,” without a shilling to buy the next meal, or a place to lay my head.

4. "The world has literally sung my song until every heart is familiar with its melody. Yet I have been a wanderer from iny boyhood. My country has turned me ruthlessly' from office; and in old age I have to submit to humiliation for bread.' Thus he would complain of his hapless lot. His only wish was to die in a foreign land, to be buried by strangers, and sleep in obscurity.

5. "I met him one day, looking unusually sad. 'Have you got your consulate ?" said I. 'Yes, and leave in a week for Tunis; I shall never return.' The last expression was not a political faith. Far from it. Poor Payne! his wish was realized—he died at Tunis. Whether his remains have been brought to this country, I know not. They should be; and, if none others would do it, let the homeless throughout the world give a penny for a monument to Payne. I knew him, and will give my penny for an inscription like the following:

'Côn' sul, a person appointed by a government to represent it, or act for it, in a foreign country.- In'ci dent, befalling; happening to.'Sên' si tive, easy to feel, or to perceive. Lit' er al ly, strictly; to the letter. Ruthlessly (roth' les ly), without pity or mercy.- Hu mil i à'tion, act of humbling; state of being abased. Con' su late, office of a consul. In scrip' tion, that which is written or marked on something.

66 HERE LIES

J. HOWARD PAYNE,

THE AUTHOR OF SWEET HOME,'

A WANDERER IN LIFE; HE WHOSE SONGS WERE

SUNG IN EVERY TONGUE, AND FOUND

AN ECHO IN EVERY HEART,

NEVER HAD A HOME.

HE DIED

IN A FOREIGN LAND."

HOME, SWEET HOME.

6. 'Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
Still, be it ever so humble, there's no place like home;
A charm from the skies seems to hǎllow' it there,
Which, go through the world, you'll not meet with elsewhere,
Home, home, sweet home!

There's no place like home!

7. An exile from home, pleasure dazzles in vain :
Ah! give me my lowly thatch'd cottage again;
The birds singing sweetly, that came to my call-
Give me them, and that peace of mind, dearer than all.
Home, sweet, sweet home!

There's no place like home!

27. THE OLD FAMILY BIBLE.

WHOEVER has traveled among the Scottish hills and dales,

can not have failed to observe the scrupulous' fidelity' of the inhabitants to the old family Bible. A more honorable trait of character than this can not be found; for all men, whether Christians or infidels,5 are prone to put reliance in those who make the Bible their companion, the well-thumbed pages of which show the confidence their owners repose in it.

Hål' low, to make sacred, or holy.- Scrupulous (skrå' pu lus), care ful; conscientious; faithful.-Fi del' i ty, loyalty; faithfulness.-'Trait, mark; line or feature.-'In' fi dels, unbelievers.place, as in confidence.

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THE OLD FAMILY BIBLE.

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2. A few years ago, there dwelt in Ayrshire' an ancient couple, possessed of this world's gear2 sufficient to keep them independent from want or woe, and a canny3 daughter to bless their gray hair and tottering steps. A gal'lant of a farmer became enamored of the daughter, and she, nothing lōth, consented to be his. The match being every way worthy of her, the old folks gave their approval, and as they were desirous to see their child comfortably settled, the two were made one. In a few short years, the scythe of time cut down the old people, and they gave their bodies to the dust, and their souls to the Creator.

3. The young farmer. having heard much of the promised land beyond the sea, gathered together his property, and, selling such as was useless, packed up what was calculated to be or service to him at his new home. Some neighbors, having the same desire for adventure, sold off their homes and homesteads, and, with the young couple, set sail for America.

4. Possessed of considerable property in the shape of money, this company were not like the generality of emigrants, poor and friendless, but happy, and full of hope of the future. The first thing done after the landing, was the taking out of the old family heir-loom, the Bible, and returning thanks and praise to Him who had guided the vessel to a safe haven.

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5. The farmer's object in coming to this country was to purchase a farm and follow his occupation; he therefore spent but little time in the city at which he arrived; and as his fellowpassengers had previously determined on their destination, he bid them farewell, and, with a light heart, turned his face toward the setting sun. Indiăn'a, at this time, was fast becoming settled, and, having heard of its cheap and fertile lands, he determined on settling within its borders.

6. He fixed on a farm on the banks of the Wabash, and

'Ayrshire (år' sher), a county in the southwest part of Scotland, bordering on the sea.—2 Gear, goods; furniture.—3 Cân' ny, skillful; dexterous; prudent.— Gål' lant, a brave, high-spirited man; a wooer; one who is polite to ladies. En åm' ored, in love with.- Loth, unwilling. Em' i grants, persons who leave their own country, to settle in another." Heir-loom (år' lom), a thing which has long been in the family, or which descends to the heirs. Therefore (thår' for).

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