it a sturgeon, or a negro's head, or a stove pipe ? a village near Laracor, the residence of Dr. Swift, The question was one of great personal interest- whence they removed to his personage-house at curiosity took the alarm-my evil star had provided a cane-I plunged into the boiling ocean before me, and raised to the fair light of the laughing morn, an old hat. Heavens! what a discovery; even now I tremble at the horrid recollection. The same junior class was composed of as many reckless dare devils as were ever congregated under the roof; they cared nothing for thunder claps, or stages in the process of being capsized, they had once set at defiance all the militia of the town; but this discovery was too much for them; every one was appalled, and they all left the room muttering execrations. That night the cook was tarred and feathered, and rode on a rail, and the keeper of the hall was burnt in effigy. I never took another cup of college coffee. Reader, if you are inclined to inquietude-if you live in an after-dinner dread of apoplexy-in three weeks you will be as thin as Cassius without his hungry look.' But if you wish to enjoy the good things of life, seek not to be wise, but above all things keep out of the kitchen. Stella, a Heroine. S. STELLA was perhaps guilty of more murders than those attributed to her eyes. The organs of destructiveness and combativeness are, I believe, not far asunder; and the same propensities, differently developed, may produce a Joan of Arc, or a Madame de Brinvilliers. Thus meditating, I exclaimed, like Archimedes, “I have found it!"—as I recalled to mind the only incident in Stella's life that could give the slightest color to the imputation,-one which has not, to my knowledge, been noticed by any of Swift's biographers, although communicated to the writer by indisputable authority. When Mrs. Johnson (Swift's celebrated and unfortunate Stella,) removed, by his advice and recommendation, with her friend Mrs Dingly, to Ireland, these ladies took up their abcde at Trim, Laracor during the Doctor's visits to England, but immediately vacated it on his return. It may be easily supposed that the deep solitude of the country parts of Ireland, was not very agreeable to two unprotected females, accustomed to the luxury and security of Moor Park, the seat of Sir William Temple; and accordingly we find the resolute Stella not unprepared to meet the exigencies of her present change of condition. There having been frequent reports of robbery in the neighborhood, she provided herself with pistols, with the use of which Ler lonely state made it necessary she should be acquainted. Shortly after those precautions had been taken, one night Stella, when about to step into bed, was alarmed by the appearance of an armed ruffian at the window, one of the gang that had been long lurking in the neighborhood. But Stella never learned the art, At proper times, to scream and start, and she was now to reap the benefits of her habits of self-control. Stealthily and fixedly his eye was applied to the pane, watching her every motion, and evidently waiting to effect his entrance when she should have retired to rest. Stella was perplexed: she knew not whether he might not have many more followers shrouded in the darkness. To alarmthe house was worse than useless. What could unprotected females do? Cautiously, therefore, she avoided giving the least indication of her fearful discovery; and, as unconcernedly as she could, approached the bed near which her trusty pistol was deposited ;-then, sinking down on her knees, she began her nightly orisons to that Being whose peculiar watchfulness is over the destitute and afflicted. The ruffian, seeing her thus engaged, had no idea that she was aware of his vicinity. The undaunted Stella, meanwhile, had managed, unperceived by him, to secure the pistol. Thus armed, she arose from her knees, returned to the window, and fired at the glass with deliberate aim. A groan, a fall, a shout, and a muttered curse followed, all was over for that eventful night. Next morning, blood was to be tracked to a considerable distance. The intended robber, perhaps murderer, had evidently accomplices who had borne him off; but, although an inquiry was instituted, his ultimate fate remained uncertain. Thus did Stella by her presence of mind, courage, and collectedness, probably preserve the life of her more helpless female friend and her own. But whether she was most indebted for these qualities to the lessons of her "beloved preceptor," or to the "bump of destructiveness," developed among the organs of her skull, I leave it to greater philosophers than myself to determine. A. L. MODESTY is not only an ornament, but also a guard to virtue. It is a kind of quick and delicate feeling in the soul, which makes her shrink and withdraw herself from every thing which has danger in it. It is such an exquisite sensibility that it warns her to shun the first appearance of every thing that is hurtful. tread of the armed thousands fell subdued and sti-Written on board the ship Huntsville, on the Bahama fled at times by martial and exulting music. As they swept on, Adrian descried at length the stately and towering form of Montreal upon a black charger, distinguished even at that distance from the rest, not more by his gorgeous armor than his lofty stature. So swept he on in the pride of his array-in the flush of his hopes-the head of a mighty armament-the terror of Italy-the hero that was the monarch that might be! Three little months afterward, and six feet of ground sufficed for all that greatness."-Bulwer's Rienzi. banks and addressed to our associate passenger, the eminent tragedianess, Miss PHILLIPS. I PROFESS not to know how women's hearts are wooed and won. To me, they have always been matter of riddle and admiration. Some have but one vulnerable point, or door of access, others have a thousand different ways. It is a great trial of skill to gain the former, but still greater proof of generalship to keep possession of the latter, for a man must battle for his fortress, at every door and window. He that conquers a thousand hearts is therefore entitled to some renown; but he who keeps undisputed sway over the head of a coquette, is indeed a hero.-Irving. My Own Epitath! STRANGER, who lingerest passing by, The soul's the thing; then seek not here But mark-for time goes on- And linked in chain of sympathy, Felt human griefs, and joys like thee, And "dust to dust" again returned, Though love and friendship strew thy way, They may not tarry: thou and they, As dancers for a night, Join hands and tread the flow'ry space, Heart full of hope and glee, Go, then, make peace with all the world, A bark with all her sails unfurl'd, Look not behind, but steer away, To gain "the promised land," Led by that Star,* whose polar ray That Star that sentinels man's grave, God's scattered flock, o'er land and wave, To Paradisian bowers, His own, alas! and who are they? Of all that tread the green earth, say, Who claims that title dear? Not wealth, not wisdom, not renown, But love for Him, who wore the crown, * The blessed Redeemer. C. DRESS cannot ease pain, promote health, assist the needy, or sooth the afflicted; but, on the contrary, it often robs them of their just dues. BEHOLD that scene, yon trembling main, On whose smooth brow soft breezes sleep, No breath disturbs the azure plain, Or moves the surface of the deep. Fond o'er the tide the vessels run Nor fear the rocks, nor dread the wind Unfold their canvass to the sun, Regardless of the storms behind. But hark-from yonder bursting clouds, The tempest breaks, loud thunders roar, Which split the masts, tear the shrouds, And dash them headlong on the shore. By flattering gales too soon betrayed, Those billows where they lately played Became at last too soon their grave, In this sad scene thyself behold, Nor does the bless, the image wrongThe rocks that dash our hopes as bold, The storms that vex our life as strong, Opening by fortune's smile to dayOur fame books fair, our honors bloom, To morrow withering-all decay Shadowed by envy or the tomb. JULIA, |