EXERCISES. MY RUSSET GOWN. My russet gown is dear to me, Though years have passed away Since my young heart beat jealously No jewels hung around my neck, Or glitter'd in my hair; With lightsome steps I tripped along My spirits knew no care: The roses near my window crept, And shed their sweets around; Hard was my bed on which I slept, My russet gown I laid aside For one of rich brocade; I thought in my simplicity I left my aged father sad, My mother was in tears; I left them for a wealthy home To be a rich man' bride, And thought that splendour would atone For loss of all beside. Bards, patriots, martyrs, sages, The noble of all ages, Whose deeds crown History's pages, And Time's great volume make. I live to hold communion With all that is divine; To feel there is a union "Twixt Nature's heart and mine: To profit by affliction, Reap truth from fields of fiction, Grow wiser from conviction, And fulfil each grand design. I live to hail that season, By gifted minds foretold, When men shall live by reason, And not alone by gold; When man to man united, And every wrong thing righted, The whole world shall be lighted As Eden was of old. I live for those who love me, For those who know me true; For the Heaven that smiles above me, And awaits my spirit too: For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that I can do! ORIGIN OF THE EPITHET "TURNCOAT." The opprobrious term of "Turncoat" took its rise from one of the Dukes of Savoy, whose dominions lying open to the incursions of the two contending houses of Spain and France, he was obliged to temporise and fall in with that power that was most likely to distress him, according to the success of their arms against one another. So being frequently obliged to change sides, he humorously got a coat made that was blue on one side and white on the other, and might be indifferently worn either side out. While on the Spanish interest he wore the blue side out, and the white side was the badge of the French. Hence he was called the "Turncoat," by way of distinguishing him from other princes of the same name. ON GOD'S OMNIPOTENCE. When Egypt's host God's chosen tribe pursu'd, In crystal walls th' admiring waters stood; The rocks relented, and pour'd forth a sea. What limits can th' Almighty goodness know, Since seas can harden, and since rocks can flow! WATER, WINE. When Christ, at Cana's feast, by pow'r divine, THE WORLD. The world's a book, writ by the eternal art A TRUE CHARACTER. An easy mien, engaging in address, Looks which at once each winning grace express; A life where love and truth are ever join'd, A nature ever great, and ever kind. A wisdom solid, and a judgment clear, A mind where gen'rous pity stands confess'd, If these respect and admiration raise, They surely must demand our greatest praise. In one bright view the accomplish'd youth we see, BIBLE EXERCISES, EXAMPLES, &c. "These six things doth the Lord hate; yea, seven are an abomination to him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."-Prov. vi. 16-20. "The rich man's wealth is his strong city.-Prov. x. 15. "A false balance is abomination to the Lord."—Prov. xi. 1. "A gracious woman retaineth honour; and strong men retain riches."-Prov. xi. 16. 66 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin."-Prov. xxvi. 28. |