INDEPENDENCE. Churchill. HAIL, Independence!—by true reason taught, Nor know they had thee in their reach at home! Nor have the resolution to produce In these bad times, and bring thee forth for use. Hail, Independence !—though thy name's scarce known, Nor live one moment longer than I prize Bow'd down, and almost crush'd, thou cam'st though late, Thou cam'st upon me like a second birth, And made me know what life was truly worth. Hail, Independence! never may my cot, Till I forget thee, be by thee forgot. THE BATTLE OF WATERLO0. Sir Walter Scott. PALE Brussels! then what thoughts were thine, Continued thunders came! Each burgher held his breath, to hear What ghastly sights were thine to meet, How often in the distant drum, Heard'st thou the fell invader come, Shook high her torch and gory brand! Cheer thee fair city! From yon stand, While maddening in his eager mood, "On! On!" was still his stern exclaim,- Loud answer'd their acclaiming shout, Came like a beam of light; On came the whirlwind-like the last, Beneath their fire in full career, Rush'd on the ponderous cuirassier; The lancer couch'd his ruthless spear, And hurrying as to havoc near, The Cohorts' eagles flew. In one dark torrent broad and strong, The advancing onset roll'd along; For harbinger'd by fierce acclaim, 'That from the shroud of smoke and flame, Peal'd wildly the imperial name. But, on the British heart, were lost Till from their line, scarce spears' length three, Then down went spear and lance; Wheel'd full against their staggering flanks, Then to the musket knell succeeds Horsemen and foot a mingled host, Their leaders fall'n, their standards lost. THE ASSISTANT DRAPERS' PETITION. 1 "Seven's the main."-Crockford. Hood. Or all the agitations of the time-and agitation is useful in disturbing the duckweed that is apt to gather on the surface of human affairs-the ferment of the assistant shopmen in the metropolis is perhaps the most beneficial. Many vital queries have lately disturbed the public mind; for instance, ought the fleet of the Thames Yacht Club to be reinforced, in the event of a war with Russia, or should the Little Pedlington Yeomanry be called out, in case of a rupture with Prussia? But these are merely national questions; whereas the Drapers' movement suggests an inquiry of paramount importance to mankind in generalnamely, "When ought we to leave off?" It is the standard complaint against jokers, and whist-players, and children, whether playing or crying-that they "never know when to leave off." It is the common charge against English winters and flannel waist coats-it is occasionally hinted of rich and elderly relations-it is constantly said of snuff-takers, and gentlemen who enjoy a glass of good wine-that they "do not know when to leave off." It is the fault oftenest found with certain preachers, sundry poets, and all prosers, scolds, parliamentary orators, superannuated story-tellers, she-gossips, morning callers, and some leave-takers, that they "do not know when to leave off." It is insinuated as to gowns and coats, of which waiting-men and waiting-women have the reversion. It is the characteristic of a 'Change Alley speculator-of a beaten boxer of a builder's row, with his own name to it—of Hollando-Belgic protocols of German metaphysics-of works in numbers-of buyers and sellers on credit-of a theatrical cadence of a shocking bad hatand of the Gentleman's Magazine, that they "do not know when to leave off." A romp-all Murphy's frosts, showers, storms and hurricanes-and the Wandering Jew, are in the same predicament. As regards the Assistant Drapers, they appear to have arrived at a very general conclusion, that their proper period for leaving off is at or about seven o'clock in the evening; and it seems by the following poetical address that they have rhyme, as well as reason, to offer in support of their resolution. THE DRAPER'S PETITION. Pity the sorrows of a class of men, Who, though they bow to fashion and frivolity; But wrongs ell-wide, and of a lasting quality. Oppress'd and discontented with our lot, We do revere Her Majesty the Queen, We venerate our Glorious Constitution; We joy King William's advent should have been, By Tax or Tithe our murmurs are not drawn ; We love her ministers-but curse the lawn! That serve the very cheapest shops in town? But has not Hamlet his opinion given O Hamlet had a heart for Drapers' servants! "That custom is" say custom after seven More honour'd in the breach than the observance." O come then, gentle ladies, come in time, But let us have the remnant to ourselves! We wish of knowledge to lay in a stock, And not to go bewilder'd to our beds; For oh! the brain gets very dull and dry, Selling from morn till night for cash or credit; Or with a vacant face and vacant eye, Watching cheap prints that Knight did never edit. Till sick with toil, and lassitude extreme, We often think, when we are dull and vapoury, The bliss of Paradise was so supreme, Because that Adam did not deal in drapery. A SOLDIER'S DREAM. Richardson. THE foe has fled-the fearful strife has ceased- Yet on the battle-plain how many lay In their last dreamless sleep! And there were those Who vainly struggled in the mighty grasp Of that stern conqueror-Death. The fitful throes Of parting life, at intervals, would ring, E'en from the proudest heart, the piercing cry |