begun to decline its course more and more westward; the autumnal winds, stealing through the dark pine branches, breathed mournful and melancholy music; and nipping frosts had clothed nature in her mantle of sombre grey. Yes, it was then I saw her: but the lustre of her beaming eyes had become dim; her beauteous and delicate hands were wasted and transparent; the rich ruby lip was discoloured; a hectic flush covered her blue roseate cheek; the limbs, whose voluptuous contour and matchless symmetry had waked my deepest adoration-all, all had withered and changed; and few days had elapsed since my arrival, ere Myrza was no more!

Oh! I will not attempt to depict the anguish of my heart: but I recollect, even now, the frantic yells which escaped me in my first hours of utter desolation. Days and days did I hear, see, or listen to nothing;—

absorbed in the very bitterness of the bitterest gall ever distilled into sorrow for mortal man, I became insensible to all which the world could grant me of peace and comfort. Partial insanity succeeded: but at length it pleased a gracious Providence to heal the broken heart, and to soothe the desolate spirit: reason resumed her seat, and my frantic grief gave place to silent sorrow. Until this event I had been gay and light of mood. I had in the devotedness of my earthly passion forgotten Him, who made her and me; who in mercy had watched over me in dangers of storm and shipwreck, distress and sickness, want and woe I had forgotten Him, who thus loved me, that even his only Son became a sacrifice for my sins, and a ransom for my polluted soul. Oh! infinite and wonderful love! Thou didst take her away and gave her rest, who prepared by long

suffering and wasting sickness had found peace in Thee, and in thy holy Son. Thou didst spare and prove me by this deep and agonizing trial: yes, I bless Thee, Father! for in the knowledge of thee I have found peace such as earthly love can never give, and bliss such as the "clay which perisheth" can never grant.

May ye then who like me have been or are carried away by that mystic and dangerous passion, bordering on idolatry, when not kept in check-I mean ardent love; may you be preserved from the dangerous snare into which I fell; and, escaping the idolatry of which I was guilty, you will be spared the anguish I have felt at the recollection of the deep sinfulness of my heart, and of my ungratefulness to Him, the God who had framed the "clay which perisheth" into similitude of Himself; endowing us with a discerning spirit, that we might

love our fellow creatures, but adore only Him, through whose mercy I was checked in my ungodly course. Let that mercy, O my God! enable me to bear my lot without repining; and to say, with a meek and humble spirit, "the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord."

J. H. M.

THE FUNERAL.

BY A. ASHPITEL.

LAY we in earth our burden;

The earthy to its earth-the beauteous frame

That held encaged her heaven-aspiring

spirit,

Struggling for ever to be at its rest.

Though of as fair a mould as those who

drew

The cherubs down from heaven, to walk the earth;

And in their madness to forget the hours Of everlasting happiness-though fair, "Tis earth! And soon the twisted worm will writhe

Between the lips, whose early orisons Breathed many a warm thanksgiving to their God;

And the fair body, that contained a soul Like the translucent pearl from Omnu's gulf,

Whose pure and moonlight lustre far out

shines

The casket. Gorgeous gold must perish; though

Th' eternal spirit, tabernacling there,

Has cast its burden off, and mounts the

the skies;

[face, Even as the moon, when clouds obscure her