The wind comes rushing swift by me, Still wearing something of their ancient brilliancy. Yet why complain? --for what is wrong, And life already made too long, To one who walks with bleeding feet Over its paths?—it will but make Death sweeter when it comes at last, And though the trampled heart may ache, Its agony of pain is past, And calmness gathers there, while life is ebbing fast. Perhaps, when I have passed away, There may be some one found to say Here, in this lone, unpeopled spot, To breathe away this life of pain, I murmur not. Albert Pike. Sacramento, the River, Cal. RIO SACRAMENTO. ACRAMENTO! Sacramento, SACRAM Down the rough Nevada foaming, For thy valley's fairest daughter Sacramento! Sacramento! From the shining threads that wove thee, From the mountain woods that darken All the mountain heaven above thee, Teach her ear thy song to hearken, And, for what it says, to love thee! Sacramento! Sacramento! Lead me downward to the glory Sacramento! Sacramento! Every dancing rainbow broken When thy falling waves are shattered, Is a glad and beckoning token ST. GEORGE AND ST. PAUL, THE ISLANDS. 185 Of the hopes so warmly scattered Sacramento! Sacramento! She, beside thee, waits my coming; Bayard Taylor. St. George and St. Paul, the Islands. Alaska. CHRISTMAS CHIMES IN DISTANT ISLES. A CHIME of nine bells, and another of six, cast in Boston, have been hung in the belfries of the little Greek churches on the isles of St. Paul and St. George, situated in the Behring Sea, not far from the straits, off Alaska. BRO ROAD paddles uplifting, the spray from the Behring Baptized all the bells under lee of the isle ; Their Boston inscription glad Russians were spelling, As the vessel that bore them dipped colors the while. The Arctic sun setting, for happy leave-taking, With red hand anointed each slumbering tongue, Till, sweeter than song-birds at early morn waking, The first chime of bells in that distant clime rung! And lo! the sea-eagle, broad pinions just poising, O'er Yukan's calm waters their light baider guiding, Low whispered: "I hear the great Spirit's footfall ! ” Their oars drip apeak, and they wait for strange vision; Aurora her magical banners unrolls; As statue sits helmsman, while borne from far mission, The silvery music enraptures all souls! And leader of dog-sledge, his furry ears raising, As flies the long yourt over deep-crusted snow, Hears echoed carillon the Son of God praising, And pauses, unmindful of whip's cruel blow! His hood of rich sable the voyageur loosens; Like sword-hilt that slippeth from paralyzed hand, The lash leaves his grasp, while he eagerly listens, His keen glances roving o'er sea and o'er land. E'en St. Michael's sentry, the melody hearing, A New England homestead before him is dawning; He sees the red cottage in flowery dell; The group at the doorway one still summer morning, And dear mother waving her sailor farewell! His pent-up emotion no longer restraining, The musket clangs earthward, and cheer upon cheer With white wine and biscuit the fishermen hardy Said priest, draining goblet with rapturous smile. Ring on, thou sweet Angelus! the old story telling! A St. Louis, Mo. UP THE RIVER-SIDE. SABBATH hush pervades the summer day, That weed-besprinkled westward stretch away; |