mv. f LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. Shelf. y-s^ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. OKIGINJIIi POEMS. Sentiniental, Patriotic, Humorous and Autobiographic, E. H. S. HOLDEM, M.D., Holbrook, Long Island. COPYRIGHTED 1886. 'A youth, (that's borrowed, as you all may know;^si,®^ Wasm:nS"^ If he means me, 'tis seventy years ag'O), ' To fortune and to fame unknown," T.his, I affirm, though borrowed, is my own, ■PS IfZf NEW YORK: The Bedell Press 3DAV.& 175THST- TO THE HON. WILLARD BARTLETT, JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, ^This Volume is Dedicated. 1^ WITH SENTIMENTS OF DUE ESTEEM AND RESPECT. BY THE AUTHOR. Preface. NO two persons are precisely alike. Although no one is perfect, every one possesses some talent. We all desire happiness. The question arises, What is Happiness ? The Great Benefactor has so ordained that liajipiness is reaUy but another name for the perform- ance of duty. The querulous may parry this by the question. Are we not happy when we believe ourselves so ? I suppose we may be so infatuated by our passions as to delude ourselves that the possession of what we desire, though by dishonest means obtained, will a£ford us happiness. By such delusions are not all vices strengthened and encouraged till, by frequency and the companionship of kindred spirits, though in the practice of dreadful crimes, we satufy ourselves with the belief that we are at least as good as our fellow-men ? As I have already said, every man has some talent ; it is his pleasurable duty to use them for the benefit of his fellow-man. In the exercise of a busy life for the support of the physical element of man, when advancing age disables him from such pursuit, he must feel immeasurably grate- ful if he finds, as it were, an undercui'rent come to the Preface. surface whereby he can contribute to the happiness of man. When the Author was in his eighty-second year a friend expressed a >pish that he would compose and pub- lish a book of poems ; although some of them were written before, the "Autobiography," " Boiled Boots, or the Sportsman's Pride," and several others, were written subsequently. As the Author's sight disables him from reading or writing but through an amanuensis, he begs the indulgence of his readers for the inaccuracies un- avoidable in such case, especially as they do not aflfect the meaning. nd ex. On Books, 3 On Beading, 4 Lines Addressed to a Young Friend, .5 On Happiness, 7 Ode to AVoman, s On Charity of the Heart 10 On the Devotion of the Heart, 11 On Seeking Knowledge, . . . 12 The Fall of Fort Sumpter, 13 Boiled Boots ; or, The Sportsman's Pride 20 Benevolent Institutions, 31 The Infidel Eebuked, 36 On Friendship, 38 On Music, 39 On Faith 40 Evening Prayer, .... 41 Be Kind to the Fallen, . 43 Human Hopes and Wishes, . 44 Lines on a Rug, 45 I Know That My Redeemer Liveth, . 46 Lucubration, 47 A Riddle, 49 On the Futility of this Life, . .50 The Old Man's Apology, . 52 Symbolical Tax, . 54 The Drunkard's Lament, . . 57 On the Death 58 Testium Sat Est, , . . .60 Lines Written in a Lady's Album, . . .62 Written for a Boy, 63 Autobiography, 65 Lines Written in an Album, 73 Poem on a Railroad Accident, 75 Introduction. WITH wrinkled brow and surly look, One asks why did you Avrite tins book ; Such might with reason surely be suspected When told an introduction is expected. Some would-be wag may say the phrase is stale. Write, why, of course, as you may know for sale This worthy prose, I'll parry it in verse- So is it with the cradle and the hearse. If long or short our course of hfe extend, The first the preface is, the last, the end ; If for man's Hfe a simile you'd look. In some degree you'd find it in a book ; But to the question thinking I'm ot age, I'll answer for myself or will engage ; The question's one, but I'll give answer two : The first is this, I've nothing else to do. The other's of incalculable weight, The moral things of man's eternal state. On Books. On Books. OF BOOKS, as men, variety we find ; Some good, some bad, some coarse and some re- fined. In some you'll surely find a wealthy mine Of Heaven-born Science (laws of God Divine). A youth, devoted to the classic page. Provides a Solace for advancing age- Emitting lustre o'er life's evening day, And cheering onward with her peaceful ray. Which, (like the Sun declining in the West) More radiant glows before his final rest ; They who, for mere amusement only read, Of vain repentance sow the bitter seed ; Their tastes demoralize, their mind decays, Their conversation ignorance betrays. He, whose preferments ribald writings crave To groveling vice succumbs a willing slave ; Who spurns the treasures of a well-stored mind. In worthless trash his pleasure seeks to find, Like the shoal brook enfed by slimy slums, Though more deceiving, shallower becomes. On Reading. On Reading. THOUGH GREAT the author, and though true the fact, 'Tis worthless if the reader lack the tact To rightly judge between the false and true. This to accept, the former to eschew. In other words, the ground must be survey'd On which the author's mental tracks were laid, And traced the steps of his investigation, To find the cause of his determination ; If with our reason clearly it agi'ees. The knowledge is our own, if not, 'tis his ; We yield submissively servile assent, And with our ignorance remain content. Lilies Addressed to a Young Friend. Lines Addressed to a Young Friend on His Leaving Home for College, AS BEES, disporting through the sunny hours, Sweet honey gather from promiscuous flowers Of vivid scarlet, or cerulean blue, Unsullied whiteness or of sable hue. So thou (as from a friend), from bitter foe, Spurn not the anger which thy vices show ; For friends, too oft, in this all may agree. Virtues o'erpraise and fail defects to see. Choose those as fit companions for thy youth, Who think no sacrifice too great for truth ; But shun the man whose taste is so perverse That him who's bad, will vilify as worse. Be sin thy hate, but let the veil be drawn Of charity for sinners, though the thorn Of sin may be by condemnation wrought. Through penitential tears to virtue brought. If calumny assail thy friend or foe. Quickly the last defend, the first more slow. Thy words will prove more heavy through thy hate Than eloquence of a friend, however great ; The charge of partiality would lay 'Gainst all the approving words a friend could say. But when defends his foe the generous youth. All naust admit the potency of truth. Lines Addressed to a Young Friend. Shun as a viper, with disdain extreme, The man who holds not woman in esteem ; Abhor the man who would so took or speak That blush would tingle on fair woman's cheek ; And may'st thou be to other beauties blind But those reflecting excellence of mind. Kemember, " Time's a talent only lent," Let not the moments of thy youth be spent In wasteful idleness, or wanton thought. But with sound learning and with virtue fraught ; Such will a source of happiness unfold, When you arrive at years considered old. Few be the years, at most, before the head That framed these lines is pillowed with the dead ; But may the lessons which I here impart Receive a welcome in your geaerous heart. Such is my wish, your ever-faithful friend, Till life and all its joys and sorrows end. On Happiness. On H appmess. H E, who'd have happiness at heart, To others must that bliss impart ; For, 'tis a fact, as all men know, What man would reap, he first must sow. No selfish motives can impart The riches of a generous heart ; But who'd possess the precious treasure, Must reap his joys in others' pleasure ; Must freely on himself impose The burthen of another's woes ; For the afflicted sorrow feel, Assuaging wounds he cannot heal. No frown should e'er deform his face. But, full of every Christian grace, His heart must bound with generous love (The fruit of virtue from above). Smoothing with peace throughout his hfe The wrinkles of discordant strife ; For others' grief must sympathize, And dry tie tears of Sorrow's eyes ; Though seeming paradox and strange. We can, for gladness, grief exchange. By lightening another's care. Evoke a blessing each may share. Ode to Woman. Ode to Woman. W HO knows the depth of woman's love, To man in mercy given ? No sordid offering of the Earth, A boon vouchsafed by Heaven. II. There is a heaven in woman's smile, A sadness in her tear, A sting more withering in her scorn Than all beside I'd fear. m. There is a witchery divine, To cheer Life's dreary spau. In woman's heart doth gently twine Aionnd the heart of man. IV. Thy presence, Woman, cheers the gloom, Edges with sheen the clouds of earth ; Thy sympathies our joys enhance, In our griefs thou prov'st thy worth. V. Did I, as some affect, opine Fair woman but for dalliance born. My happiest hours had thwarted been Of earth's most precious treasures shorn. Ode to Woman. VI. No happier moments e'er I know Than those which from her accents flow, No fitter means my soul prepare To kneel before my God in prayer. vn. He, of base villains is the worst, Who, projects vile doth make, By arts to win (the wretch acciu-st) A woman's heart to break. vm. A hero's fame were cheaply earned My blood's last drop to pour. To rescue Woman from the toils Of the destroyer's jjower. On Charity of tJie Heart. On Charity of the Heart; or, True Philan- thropy. N O cause to call all men unkind If you possess a generous mind, The world is, as a mirror, true, As others pass reflecting you. If with a smile you others greet, The same return from all you'll meet. You'll find the world will never brook, An angry tone or surly look. All have not means the poor to feed. Or kindness prove by generous deed, But a kind look and gentle word The very poorest can afford. If we against our neighbor rail Our prayers but little will avail. Condemn not others too severe, But thy shortcomings rather fear ; Our TKUEST friend and spiteful foe Our grievous sins will freely show. Though THIS from hate and that from love. Our use discreet, will wisdom prove. On the Bemtimi of the Heart. On the Devotion of the Heart. w HEN I compare the fervent zeal That glows within the Pagan's heart Bowing to senseless stone, My languid lips deserve reproach When I Thy sacred courts approach And kneel before Thy throne. Though metaphoric flowers of speech, (The coinage of the brain). May soothe an earthly monarch's ear, They're idle words and vain. Anthems harmoniously composed. Melodiously sung. Are nought but empty sound unless The heart attune the tongue. On Seeking Knowledge. On Seeking Knowledge. YOU'LL sometimes meet a man that wherever he goes Seems to think that his eyes were to see but his nose ; But such, mark ! is not the rule but exception ; For copy let wisdom direct your selection. If you wish another's opinion to know, Avoid by all means your own knowledge to show, For, if he suppose that you know more than he, He may not feel disposed to communicate free. From one who in learning is far you behind, You much information may frequently find, There's hardly a man, be he noble or mean, From whom you may not some intelligence glean. Interrogate Nature ; she's ever at hand, In the star-spangled heavens, broad ocean and land, What the insect minute from our eyes may conceal, The vast megatherium may clearly reveal. Tli£ Fall of Fart Sumpter. The Fall of Fort Sumpter AMEEICA ! land of the Free ! Well may thy sous be proiul of thee! May no dark cloud The brightness of thy t-ky enshroud, And may, Oh ! may it e'er be thine To kneel at Liberty's and Virtue's shrine. Here heathful Labor spreads her ample store, That honest Industry need ne'er be poor. Here bright-eyed Science and all-busy Art Will find their worthy meed— a ready mart— Her heathful climate and her generous soil Repay the husbandman's laborious toil ; Her Eastern cities' work of busy hands, The wealth of the community expands, Her whiten'd sails wide- spreading to the breeze. Bring home the products of the distant seas. To favored sons of luxury and ease ; Thus silken fabrics curiously wrought, From Eastern India's swarthy shores are brought. And from the land of sempiternal Spring Her vessels odoriferous spices bring ; Thus did the ships of her prolific shores Into the lap of Commerce pour their stores ; Thus did Prosperity her country woo, Which, in Arts, Wealth and Science, proudly grew, Her rise so rapid, such applause she drew, 13 The Fall of Fort Sumpter. That older nations wonder'd at tbe view ; Her cities fabled history outvied Of Arts and Science in the rapid stride. The plan matured on which her genius laid Her broad foundation and her liberal trade ; All men, as brothers, welcomed to her shore, Who love mankind and who their God adore ; The outcast Patriot and the exiled King May rest beneath her Eagle's sheltering wing. She the last link of bondage lately broke. When the slave groaned beneath the galling yoke, When Superstition's foot shall touch her talismanic shore, His rankling shackles fell and he is slave no more. Last, though not least, throughout her broadcast land, She rears her temples for her infant band. Modest in look, not formed for pride or show, Built to help her tender plants to grow ; For all these favors, bounteously given. Hymns redolent of praise ascended heaven ; But as no human knowledge e'er can bind The uncertain veerings of the fickle wind. So can no mortal e'er presume to know The coming morrow's weight of weal or woe : Thus, as in Heaven, erst foul Eebelliou rose, Passions malignant impious rage disclose, So Earth, most favored, less content contain. Nor over all do Truth and Virtue reign. But scowl-eyed Treason and her impious band, With rage demoniac, tried to subvert the land, A deed so monstrous and so foul a blast 14 The Fall of Fort Sumpter. On History's page made Nature stand aghast ; Benignant Nature at the aspect frowu'd, In dismal darkness draped the scene around, As mothers fondly o'er their infants close The sable curtain to invite repose. Grim is the picture when embitter'd strife Gluts with another's blood the reeking knife, When diflferent nations, in discordant jar, Conflicting troops oppose in hostile war ; But when by brother brother's life is sought, The blood encurdles at the dreadful thought. Fain would I drop the curtain o'er the scene. Or interpose apology between. How oft we mortals give an honor'd name Where Christianity would blush for shame ! 'Tis sad to think how oft the slightest flaw Will cause a nation to engage in war. When passion leads we argue wrong is right. And each prepares to organize the fight, To wounded honor claim the battle due, And each with equal rancor each pursue. The madd'niug wine-cup or the bigot's hate, Foul Envy or Kevenge insatiate, Relentless Rage, malicious-hearted Spite, The blood may seethe and cruel deeds incite. Such spurious courage, when the deed is done. Will wilt as herblets in the morning sun ; But genuine courage such base means refuse ; Then sing his praise aloud, admiring Muse ! Who, in a noble cause, so nobly stood ; 15 Tlie Fall of Fort Sumpter. True courage dwells but with the just and good. At Major Anderson's heroic name A nation's breast should glow with generous flame. His courage, such as heaven alone supplies, All human power, all human force defies. Below the golden west had gone the sun, The weary lab'rer's toilsome work was done. Silence and darkness their mUd vigils keep, Quiescent Nature woo'd the world to sleep. The silent air, the stUlness of the ocean, Might soothe the pensive soul to calm devotion, And seem to speak, (as the Creator's wiU), To seas and human passions, "Peace ! Be still ! " Happy had man obeyed the just decree. And, with due reverence, bent the suppliant knee. 'Twere easier to roll back the ocean's tide Than stem the impetuous course of human pride. Eight bells proclaim'd the hour. No ripple stirr'd The bosom of the deep. No sound was heard. But soon, how changed ! Ere thirty minutes passed, The booming cannon with its deaf 'ning blast. Awoke the slumb'rers from their soft repose. And lurid glare around the scenery throws. A pause ensued, as if the conscious thought (Reflecting) grieved the mischief she had wrought ; Such might, sweet Charity, be thine apppeal ; No such regret such miscreants ever feel. But, lost to all that's generous, good or great, Would sap a nation for a small estate. Now, with redoubled fury, near and far, TJve Fall of Fort Sumpter. Gleamed the artillery of tumultuous wax-, That, like volcanoes from the uplifted|sea, The explosive blasts appear that rend the air ; As though Creation's vault wide opened there. Their furious verberations rock the shore ; With ghastly flashing and tumultuous roar, A ponderous avalanche of bursting shell Against the liberty-devoted fortress fell. 'Twas thus without. The fortress wall within, The heroic band their morning meal begin, As if preparing for a grand parade ; They leisiu-ely repast, and then obey'd Their valiant chief ; and thus his orders ran : "In quick succession answer gun for gun !" Resembling a continuous clap of thunder, As if the very earth were riven asunder, The gallant band, although in number few. Were, every soul a hero, tried and true ; Soon finding that their cartridges were spent. As an expedient their sleeves they rent. Theh' midday meal at noon they took, Yet not one man his post forsook. But, each one, standing by his gun. His scanty dinner thus begun, ■ The last hard biscuit and salt pork, And calmly then resumed their work. So kept they on till night came round. When wearied Nature comfort found. In the calm slumber Duty knows In midst of dangers, death and foes. 17 The Fall of Fort Sumpier. The morning breaks ; now see within, Unruffled by the cannons' din, In si^irit unsubdued and undismay'd, True, noble-hearted courage there disj^lay'd 'Mid fire and smoke and smoth'ring smell, And bolts and balls and show'ring shell, (Now ent'ring in, in fitful gust) Explosive coals and cinder- dust ; The conflagration fore and aft. In spiral columns skyward waft ; Yet did that band, that valiant band, True heroes, nobly, proudly stand ; Could human power such force combined withstand ? To human force must yield the work of human hand ; Strong waUs must crumble, stubborn stone must yield ; The oft-repeated blows at last revealed A breach, and in that embrasure One, bearing flag of truce, appear'd and said : "Why madly rush into the arms of death ? Your bravery deserves exalted praise. Which we accord you with the greatest pleasure ; But all things have a limited duration ; It were impossible to hold out longer. If e'en your armaments were ten times stronger ; My General sends his compliments ; yoii'll state The terms on which you will capitulate ; " Now, Major Anderson was of that sort Whose actions synchronize his thought ; He there in pride of manhood firmly stood, Above the wreck of matter vile and rude. 18 The Fall of Fort Sumpter. A man, indeed, was lie : for, that name The titles "Patriot," "Christian," "Hero" claim; A trusty soldier in his country's cause, A firm defender of her rights and laws ; "But two days since, your General heard My terms. I go not now behind my word ; Whether or death or danger, wounds or scars. I do insist upon the Stripes and Stars ; And from these terms before I'll falter, I'll spill my life's blood on my country's altar." Boiled Boots; or, The Sportsman's Pride. " A little nonsense now and then, Is relished by the wisest men." That sense is sens 3 you must allow, When'ere the sense is— sound ! And Where's the man that dare affirm. That nonsense is not— sound ! ! And here an argument I'll raise : Where nonsense doth abound, If you withhold all other praise. You must admit 'tis sound ! ! ! Boiled Boots ; or The Sportsman's Pride. I'LL tell you of a certain man, ('Tis since tliis century began). It happened that this sorry wight, Was footman to a certain knight ; This knight (I know the story's true) Was Sir John F , as I tell you ; Sir John, in hunting pleasure found. In scamp'ring briskly o'er the ground ; With boots and spur, and bit and bridle, He, in the chase, was never idle. As Sir John dress'd in Fashion's height, His boots must certainly shine bright. So, of Sam's duties 'twas a part. In polishing, to show his art. Boiled Boots; or, The Sportsman's Pride. One evening, Sam, as he ought, The bootjack to his master brought ; With boots in hand, away he went, On his next duty then intent. Some things we do, so prompt's the act, The mind seems not to note the fact. An instance this : Sam, in his haste. The boots upon the copper placed. It so occurr'd that, the next morn, The maiden rose before the dawn. The reason why, I here will say : It happened to be washing day, And as the maiden raised the lid. The boots into the copper slid. Sam soon arose, with calm composure, Not dreaming of the day's disclosure ; His duty first the horse to groom, And clean the stall with fork and broom. And then, with brush and blacking. He sought the boots, but they were lacking : He paced the scull'ry round and round, And yet could not the boots be found. "Where are the boots ? " he oft rei)eated, But no response his audist greeted. While thus employed he heard a shout, And ran to see what 'twas about ; Soon as the maiden stirr'd the clothes Quickly a queer quidest arose ; Sam little time could spare to wait And of its nature judicate. 21 Boiled Boots; or. The Sportsman's Pride. What color 'twas 'twere hard to say, If grayish brown or brownish gray ; If shape belonged to such a being, It only could be known by seeing ; It surely seem'd to bid defiance To laws of mathematic science ; To worship it no prohibition Was found on decalogue condition. 'Twas long since Sam believed in witches. That words could be trausform'd to riches, If by a sprite or fairy uttered, Or by a muzzled monkey mutter'd, That boots could through a key hole creep, And stray from home while good folks sleep So, stole they were was his conclusion. Or lost, which caused him great confusion. Concluding it a fruitless chase, Sam now had given tap the race ; While thus perplexed in rumination, He heard a boisterous exclamation ; The cause of this omniferous sound. Another quidest had they found. Enslaved by Superstition's chain. To terror Reason yields the rein. Submit one sense to terror's sway. The others passively obey ; She has the rising bubble broke. Declared the heteropodos spoke. Sam followed in the sound's direction, Resolved to make a close inspection. Boiled Boots; oi\ The Sportsman's Pride. Now, as the Eoman poet sings, Fear once to boots appended wings ; Had he been there upon that day, ' He might averted much dismay. Sam weiit, he saw and asked the maid, Who all her rhetoric displayed — With blanched lips and features pale, Told at full length her doleful tale, With long words of exhausted sense. In multiverbal eloquence. Sam might have laughed if not oppress'd But too much grief upou his breast. The solemn footman bent his head ; Some minutes passed ; no Avords he said ; Then, as if from a dream just woke. With languid lips these few words spoke. In hollow words of deep despair, ' 'Tis Sir John's boots, I do declare." Sam, now in awful trepidation, (Fearing he'd lose his situation) Knowing the lady's tender heart, He would to her his woes impart. Or else (pardon the digression), He'd read of Eve and learnt a lesson ; So, when the lady came down stairs, He thus began to explain affairs : With face of most lugubrious pattern, As if he had been chased by Satan, He thus began his doleful ditty In tones of soul- exciting pity : 23 Boiled Boots; or. The Sports7nan's Pride. " Your ladyship, I've lived with you And, as a footman, served you true. Was present when you were united. Lived with you when Sir John was knighted, Bewailing now my sad estate, I'd ask of you a favor great ; " " WeU, Sam, don't be afraid to say— I've guessed it long, so, don't delay ; The prompt attentions you have paid To Sal, the pretty chamber-maid, Although Sir John and I, I know, Would sorry be for you to go, But. as you both have so agreed, For my part I will not impede, But Avill a friendly present make, And fruit provide for wedding-cake. " "Sorrow and grief besiege my heart, And leave not room for Cupid's dart ; Love's empire claims the sole domain — No other can admittance gain ; The troubles that assail my heart Are quite remote from Cupid's dart ; Last night I calmly went to rest ; No cares or grief my heart oppress'd. In peaceful slumber pass'd the night, And gladly hail'd the morning's light, But now the issues of the fall O'erpower my senses like a pall. " "Why, Sam! you were not there, you know — How could it then affect you so ? " 24 Boiled Boots; or. The Sportsman's Pride. "Oh, yes ! your ladyship ; had I been there, I'd have i^revented all this sad aflfaii- ; When I this morn the earliest dawn beheld. Had I arose this trouble I'd dispell'd. I quake with horror at the very sound ; My master's boots were in the boiler found. Madam's reflections on the footman's speech : — (Minds, when disordered, Reason overreach) Yet there seems something of more recent date, As intermingling in the poor man's pate— By which she gets an inkling of the truth. And, tender-hearted, tries his grief to soothe. "Now, Sam, explain to me, so I see clear — So I'll present it to my husband's ear ; You say, I understand, the boots were drown'd ; But, has not yet the coroner b >en found? But, as 1 read, they sit upon the body, not the sole ; Over the latter they have not control ; Now, Sam, you don't seem well, go take your ease. And I will try his anger to appease ; Bid Sue directly take the best tureen, And let the boots be nicely placed therein ; When Sir John at the table takes his seat. In due accordance with so rare a treat ; With gravity of face and due decorum, Place the tureen immediately before him. " Now, Sue was such a merry-hearted soul, 'Twas hard her facial muscles to control ; And, as she left the grinning kitchen-folks 'Midst peals of laughter and hilarious jokes, Boiled Boots; or. The Sportsman's Pride. (If anything than measles is More catching by contagion, It surely is. you must admit, A fit of cachinnation). So, Nature being overtax'd, The muscles of her face relax'd. " Now let the breakfast be brought in, 'Tis time, I think, we should begin ; Your knife, perhaps, you'll need to whet ; The steel is there, now don't forget ;" On saying this, she shamm'd a cough. In hope to smother up a laugh ; " Sir John, you've often banter'd me On the time I take to dress ; And that it takes some time, of course, I'm willing to confess ; You do not wish your loving wife As a dowdy to appear. To be of every one the butt. And of all the town the jeer. Where then would be your compliments, So dainty and so rare As when you on yovu* pony ride With such a jaunty air ? But I will fifty guineas bet, And put the money down. That I will dress from head to foot, And every garment don, Before you can (though smart you are). Your hunting boots put on ; Boiled Boots; or, The Sjwrtsman's Pride. ' ' Well, Madam, if that is your whim, Resolved to be so rash, I certainly shall not object To pocketing the cash. " " Done !" said the Lady, "there they are ; Just take them out and try ; Perhaps you'd better wait a while And give them time to dry. Besides if you should try them now. No doubt they might be tight. And then, af course, the work indeed, You'd find, would not be light ; " My boots ! Now, really ! are they ? — Or is all this but idle play ? If so, (according to my mind,) He'll find it an expensive kind ; He shall (of course 'tis Sam I mean) No longer in my house be seen : For, no such lazy, careless hound Must on my premises be found. " ' ' Sir John, I've pleasant news to tell : The Post — you just now heard the bell— The Newspaper— just fresh from town— His Lordship soon is coming down ; His eldest son is now of age. As country sports are all the rage, A race upon a scale much higher Than ever known within the shire ; And there's no doubt that in the race Your steed will take the highest place. 27 Boiled Bo'>U; or. The Sportsman's Pride. Through all the county 'tis confessed Your stud and kennel are the best, Your hounds sagacious, fiery steed, His Lordship's even far exceed." "For horse that suits me, brown or gray, I'm -willing a round price to pay. Some slowly barter for a groat. The bargain's by another bought ; In such a case I have no play, But purchase make without delay, And without grudge the money pay. My Hberality is known. So by that means the best I own ; Now that procedure (you'll agree) To have the best entitles me." "You're surely lavish in the matter, That some have said, ' You money scatter. All this I certainly admit. But a short question I'll submit : Your cash would not be well espended If, after, they were ill-attended ; Perhaps you'll find, on due reflection. Not cause enough for Sam's rejection. Now, think awhile upon your plan ; Find (if you can) a better ^man. He's honest, faithful, upright, true, This praise to him is justly due ; And, more — his place to fitly suit — His kindness he extends to brute. " -The Lady paused : A milder grace Boiled Boots; or. The Sportsman's Pride. Relaxed the muscles of his face : ' The praise that has been paid to you, By truest right to Sam is due ; Your Ladyship makes things so plain, I certainly will Sam retain ; I'll see the Doctor on my way, And bid him due attention pay, But, first of all, before I go, I'd of Sam's obvious symptons know : Though to nosology a stranger, I do not think his life in danger ; His mind showed symptoms evident obvious and erratic. His body is beyond a doubt inclined towards room- attic ; Perhaps a little rest and treatment kind Will soothe the trouble of his minil, I hope his malady will be of short duration, And vigor leave to fill his situation." Benevolent Institutions. Our Benevolent Institutions the Best Nurseries of Religion. WHEREVER we cast our eye, or direct our sense, we find displayed before us in characters so forcible, as to prohibit either our denial or disre- gard of the mutability of all terrestrial objects. As the passing cloud reflected on the undulating bosom of the rippled wave, so are the phenomena which continually meet us in our daily observation. As the robust and sturdy oak of the present is but the j^rogeuy of the pigmy acorn, so is it typical of that universal law that pervades all created objects. The plant having vegetated its destined course, is mostly contributory to the benefit of man in administering to his necessities or his happiness. Amidst this universal progress shall man alone remain inactive? Alas! how many or how few of us after our earthly pilgrimage will leave the mere shadow of a mark of having lived to any useful purpose to our fellowman. Man, like an amphibious animal, may be said to partake of two natures in many respects opposite to each other. Perhaps the greatest mistake of mankind is their prone- ness to overestimate the importance of the body to that nobler nature, the mind. This illusion may be partly accounted for by the fact that, as the body requires con- stant exertion for its necessities it engrosses too large a portion of our thoughts, thus binding us to the fact to which I have adverted. A little reflection will satisfy Benevolent Institutions. most persons that something is necessary to act as a cor- rective or counterpoise to such delusion. The preacher will point -with bold confidence to the sacred edifices dedicated to the sublime purpose of the worship of the Great and Beneficent Rector of the Universe. That such slioukl be sufficient I do not deny ; but if we take men as they are, considering the extreme degree of zealous devotion worthy of the true worshipper, how few can leave the temple of the Deity without a sense of their unfitness to have entered the sacred edifice, or a sense of shame from the consciousuess of their imperfect devotions. If I Judge harshly of others, it is from my own self condemnation. The question then arises, how shall we be prepared for the proper exercise of that important duty ? When we consider m the present state of man, the conflicting circumstances by which he is surrounded, the mercenary spirit of commerce, the enthralling and imperious demands of labor are so many militations against the moral amenities that characterize the man of benevolence and the true Christian. Opposed to the gradual advancement that prevails in all other departments is the belief entertained by some, that they can vault, as it were, by a single V)ound, from the depths of depravity into the jirecincts of Heaven. The proper counterpoise, I believe, will be found in those associations which inculcate the exercise of the virtue of Benevolence, which may be justly called the twin sister of Religion. Whatever tends to link the duties that spring from Religion with the every day business of life is beyond all earthly value. What can Benevolent Institutions. more exalt the human character than the exercise of a benevolent spirit ? As in the company of the wicked, vicious propensities are strengthened and encouraged, so in the society of a moral community, the moral facul- ties are invigorated and supported. To meet at stated periods to carry out practically the heavenly virtue of retrieving a fellow-being from the slavish chains of a degrading passion, of breaking asunder the fetters that bind with unyielding desijotism the mind and body of its victim to be engaged in such an enterprise, must en- list the noblest sentiments and carry us above the sel- fishness of our ordinary avocations. The strict perfor- mance of duty calls for a daily sacrifice of selfish desires, whilst the consciousness of the fulfilment of duty carries with it so pleasing a gratification, it might be thought strange that after experiencing its delight, we should fail to be constantly engaged in its practice. The truly moral would avoid doing anything to annoy another. Such a principle would tend to harmonize the human family by a strict adherence to the laws that should re- gulate our intercourse with each other. The noJ)ility of such a character may be shown by contrasting it with the opposite. Itus pleasing to reflect that few are so lost to a proper sense of what is due to their fellowbeings as singly to disturb the harmony of the meeting, but when two or three kindred spirits are present they are bold in their disturbance and annoyance. The moral sense of the community and the respect which the good always entertain for the fair sex, is generally sufficient to pre- serve a due decorum in their presence. The whispers 33 Benevolent Institution^,. of conscience may be likened to a silken thread of subt- lest fibre, inviting us to Heaven, whilst the human passions may be compared to cords of trij^le strand to drag us hellward. Religion without morality, love of Ood and indifference to the welfare of our fellowman, is a shadow without a substance, or a dismasted vessel without rudder or compass, drifting into the gulfs of bigotry and superstition. Although morality is not the fulness of religion, the cultivation of it may be regarded as the surest and safest introduction to it. To be associ- ated with a brotherhood whose object is to raise the fallen, to strengthen and encourage the weak in extricat- ing them from the despotic toils of an infatuated passion, to sympathize with the afflicted and exult at the cheering progress of the subjugation of vicious temptations, can- not fail to be morally profitable to all engaged therein. It is my belief if ever that blissful period shall come on ■earth, that man will be actuated solely by principles of benevolence and virtiie, it will be mainly attributable to such an association as that to which we have had the honor to enrol our names. Let us ever bear in mind and cherish the principles of