'Twas in the merry month of May,
When nature laughed o'er earth and main,
That after three long years delay,
That jocund troop returned again.
The trumpet's tones that erst rang out
So gaily through the wild-wood dell,
Now mingled with the village shout,
And sent a gayer, wilder swell!
Whose is the form, with haggard cheek,
That madly joins the rushing throng,
Whose rout she swells with clamorous skriek,
And drags two ragged boys along?

Her eye is fierce, her cheek is tanned,
Both long unwashed by nature's tear-

She seeks the leader of the band,

And wildly asks-" Is Edward here?"

Alas poor Ellen long on thee

The ills of life have sorely weighed,
Since 'neath the spreading willow tree
Thy Edward's sire in dust was laid.
Happy for him! for he sleeps well-
He did not live to hear the sound
Of battle's savage tocsin swell
Along the valley's peaceful ground.
He did not, happily, live to know
All desolate that formed his pride,
And feel, alas! the fatal blow,
That laid his partner at his side,

O! how shall Heaven the wretch reward
That doomed poor Ellen thus to roam,
Who, past all human, fond regard,
Decreed the forest path her home!
The wasted form, the pallid cheek,
The flashing of her wild dark eye-
O! these a thousand curses speak
On man's untamed barbarity.
Better for thee the undreaming rest,
E'en where thy household all are lain-
Better on thee the cold turf prest,
With Edward on the battle plain,
A home of comfort reft and lorn-
Gray hairs sent sorrowing to the grave-
Poor reason from her station torn-
Life quenched within a bosom brave
The fruitful field, the flowery brake,
Made paths where desolation gleans,
Alas! that war should ever wake
Man's passions to such saddening scenes!

GATHERING SNOW-DROPS.

I HAVE been upon the mountain,
I have trod its pathway rude;
I have gathered the pale snow-drops,
Which clustered in the wood;

Their lily-cups bent meekly,
Greeting the lulling shower,
Then rose in modest triumph,
Each graceful fairy flower.

Dark doubts were thronging round me,
My love was cold and dim;
But those frail, fearless snow-drops
Recalled my thoughts to HIM
Who loves his human flowers,
And fosters them with care,
Dispensing showers and sunshine,
To each its fitting share.

1000001

LONDON FASHIONS FOR THE MONTH.

COMFORT Seems to be more considered than shew in out door dress, at least in walking costume, for cloaks are more generally worn than they have been during several seasons past. The materials are so various, that we can scarcely say what predominates; but we observe that those of a dark twilled ground, an imitation of Cashmere figured in detached patterns in colours, seem to be coming a good deal into general use. They have no trimming, but a velvet collar of the colour of the ground of the cloak, they are comfortable and appropriate envelopes for plain walking dress, but much less gentlewomanly, in our opinions, than rich plain silk cloaks. Black bonnets are coming very much into favour in walking dress, they are principally velvet, a material which seems to be in equal favour for the plainest as well as the most elegant bonnets; different new materials of the corded kind have become fashionable for bonnets; they are as we happen to know of French origin, they have a glossy rich appearance, but wear very badly, and not at all likely to continue fashionable. They are trimmed with ribbons, the grounds of the same colour as the bonnet, but with rich patterns in various hues and flowers. Furs, with the exception of boas, are little seen in walking dress. Muffs, which at this time of year were during some seasons back universally adopted, are now only partially so, and the new ones are so small that one would be tempted to think the ladies had taken their children's by mistake. Chenille fringe is generally substituted for fur on the dew shawls that are worn, and it, or fancy silk trimming, is trequently employed to ornament cloaks.

However, if furs are little seen in plain walking dress,

they are decidedly in vogue in carriage costume; that is to say, sable is, and Chinchilla it is expected will be; in fact we know that already several élégantes of distinguished taste, have ordered muffs, boas, and cloak or shawl trimming, of this beautiful and delicate fur. Although cloaks of various forms are adopted in carriage dress, yet the Arabian mantle still maintains its ascendancy. We have seen a good many lately, composed of coloured velvet, and trimmed with sable satin, pelisses also ornamented with fur or fancy silk trimming, are much in favour, as are velvet shawls of a large size, and made with sleeves.

Velvet and terry velvet are almost the only materials adopted for carriage bonnets. The trimmings composed of velvet of the colour of the bonnet, intermingled with another hue, continue their vogue, but with the addition of flowers, or feathers. Lace is no means so generally employed as it was last month, but it is still fashionable. We may cite among the most admired bonnets that have appeared since our last number, those composed of only velvet, the bottom of the crown encircled with a twisted rouleau of black, and ruby velvet; a bouquet of Argus feathers, only spotted with black, is placed on one side; a fall of black lace set on rather deep, and very full, replaces the curtain at the back of the crown, it turns up on the inside of the brim, but is much narrower, and gradually diminishes in width till it ends quite in a point, under a small tuft of red flowers on each side.

Some of the most novel dinner dresses are composed either of velvet, or satin of full colours, the trimming consists of three rows of muslin or Brussels lace disposed at some distance from each other, down one side of the skirt; the corsage rather high behind, but very open in front, is also trimmed with three rows of lace disposed in the shawl style, and the last row falling sufficiently low to trim the top of the sleeve, which is of the Victoria form, and finished with a lace cuff to correspond. Short trains are a great deal adopted, and we think the fashion will continue, but there does not appear any likelihood of long ones coming into vogue. Some of the new dresses have the draperies of the corsage full before, but not disposed in regular folds; they are retained either by jewelled ornaments, or else by a loop of ribbons, gold cord, or even a flower. This is a very pretty style of drapery, it is advantageous to the shape, which it forms very gracefully, and it has not the formality of the regular folds.

We may cite among the most novel evening head-dresses,

the pretty little velvet caps called Bonnet à l'Alsacienne, they are very small, and cover only the back part of the head, descending very low on the ears, they are ornamented with large knots of velvet edged with gold, terminating in ends falling on the neck. Some of these caps have the foundation composed of gold net, it is encircled with a torsade of black velvet, and ornamented with nœuds of black velvet and gold. Fashionable colours continue the same as last month, but we observe that pensée and full shades of red are predominant; Victoria blue is also very much in request in evening dress.

THE reign of balls and fetes is now at its height, consequently promenade dress is a secondary consideration with our fair fashionables; that is to say, as far as regards actual novelty, for we never remember it more elegant and appropriate than it is at present. Paletots, and bournouss are the order of the day; they are composed of velvet, lined with satin, and trimmed either with Canadian or Siberian sable. If the cloak is of satin, as is sometimes the case, it is frequently lined and bordered with peluche, which, though not so rich as sable, has an elegant effect. The new chapeaux are mostly of velvet, there are some it is true of satin, and several capotes of peluche, but velvet is in a decided majority. Black, violet, purple, and deep blue are the favourite colours; they are trimmed with velvet flowers of the same colour, and nœuds of lace in the interior of the brim. Several capotes are composed of white peluche, they are trimmed with white satin ribbon crossed upon the brim, and a bouquet of white, short ostrich feathers issuing from the ribbons on one side; the interior is decorated with Easter daisies of a very small size. We may cite as the most distinguished of the satin chapeaux, those of citron colour, trimmed with twisted rouleaus of satin, surmounted by a tufted wreath of violets; the interior of the brim is decorated with coques of violet velvet intermingled with point d'Angleterre.

Velvet and satin are the materials for evening dress, except for balls, for which light materials as crape, tulle, lace &c. &c., are employed. We should observe that lace, particularly guipure, is also adopted over satin in evening dress. The make of dresses continues the same, but we see some alteration in trimmings, fancy silk ones begin to be used to decorate velvet robes, but they are not yet so generally employed as fur or

lace; the latter is in particular request. Satin dresses are upon the whole rather more numerous than velvet ones, the favourite colours are white, rose, and aboveall, blue. Lace is so generally adopted as the trimming of these robes, that we may safely venture to say five out of six are decorated with it: it is disposed in flounces, in tabliers and in échelles. We have seen in several instances an English point lace veil, disposed en tablier upon plain silk dresses, the sides are trimmed with lace set on full, or else with wreaths of flowers, or coques of ribbon. If the veil is too short, it is lengthened by a lace flounce which turns round the border of the skirt.

Turbans composed of English point lace are coming very much into request in evening dress, they are ornamented with flowers or gems. . We observe that the form of turbans has varied a little, they do not descend so low on the ears, they are something more in the Turkish style. A good many are decorated with red roses of the most delicate hue, so light, we might almost say so ethereal, that they seem nearly as transparent as the lace itself. Speaking of turbans, we must not forget those just made up for the Court, they are composed of gold tissue, or of rich gauze, figured so beautifully in coloured silks, that they appear as if they were strewed with gems of various hues.

A new style of ball dress has appeared which promises to be very successful, it is composed of white crape, the skirt turns in a spinal direction round the figure, forming three skirts of unequal lengths, the last terminates on the side near the ceinture, under a knot of ribbon, with floating ends fringed with gold. Each skirt was trimmed with a biais of crape, surmounted by a gold cord. No change in fashionable colours this month.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATES.

Binner Bress.

CRIMSON velvet robe, low corsage, looped down a little in the centre by a gold ornament. The corsage is trimmed in the pelerine style with a row of point d'Alençon. Short sleeve formed of two moderate sized bouffants, and terminated by a lace ruffle looped with an ornament corresponding with that on the breast. A single lace flounce of great depth and beauty encircles the bottom of the skirt. Lace apron, of the same pattern.