CONSULTING THE STICKS OF FATE.

The Sticks of Fate are often consulted on occasions of moment; such as the undertaking of a journey, the building of a house, the purchasing of a new wife, or the burying of a deceased relation. The devotee, having paid the bonze in advance, takes up the vase, and continues to shake it with becoming timidity until a pair of Sticks fall out. The priest then examines the inscriptions, and, comparing them with the pages, or paragraphs, or number, in the prophetic volume, declares whether the applicant is likely to succeed in the undertaking which he has in view. The German mode of ascertaining the will of fate was almost identical with that now practised by the Chinese. The Jews also were upbraided for a not very dissimilar practice. The peasantry of England sometimes consult lots, but never with a serious confidence in their guidance. Oracles were consulted by the Greeks and Romans; and soothsayers, augurs, and attendant priests were attached to Apollo's temples, in several of the places most remarkable in classical antiquity. To oracular consultation succeeded a belief in the reality of the magic art.

BY LADY DUFFERIN.

CONTENT thee, sad Mortal!
Were the Future discern'd,-
Could we read in Life's volume,

The page yet unturn'd,—

So blurr'd with errata

The writing appears,

Who would finish the chapter,

Or wish for long years?

Could we know, that the Friendship

Which gladden'd our youth,

With its measureless fervour,

Its candour, and truth,—

Built of light, like the rainbow,

In tears, too, shall end;

Who would trust the sweet falsehood,

Or wish for a friend?

Could we know that the warm Love,

Which follows us now,

Like our shadow at noontide,

More deep for that glow

TOURNEY ON THE WATE R.

FÊTE OF JULY.

The French, naturally a mercurial people, are said to be punctual in nothing except in the observance of their various national fêtes. Ever since the memorable Revolution of 1830, the month of July has brought to them its THREE DAYS of public rejoicing; during which period, illuminations, popular games, theatrical and other amusements, supersede, among almost all ranks of the people, everything like serious occupation.

One of the most popular of the amusements provided for the people during these three days, is the Tourney which takes place upon the Seine. Every Parisian is proud of his river; which does indeed present a fine theatre for the joust which has of late years been performed upon it during this grand national Fête-we say, "of late years ;" for it is scarcely probable, that the actors in the recent revolution, which removed from his throne the monarch whose accession, as King of the People, was commemorated by the fêtes of July, will continue to observe a festival in honour of their exiled king. The annual TOURNEY ON THE SEINE, however, although it must henceforward be regarded as matter of history, can never be deprived of the interest which belongs to it as having been an important feature in the great national festival, which, for eighteen years, has annually been held in commemoration of

THE THREE-DAYS' REVOLUTION OF 1830.

THEY who sleep in summer-day,

When the sun is shining,

And wake up when skies are dark,

And their light declining;

When on seas that lay so calm,

Billowy waves are dashing,

Solemn thunder rolling round,

Vivid lightning flashing;

Wake they not in thrill and dread,
Gazing in mute sadness

At the forest-trees struck down

By the tempest's madness?

At the cedar and the pine
On the green moss lying,
And the terror-stricken herds,
To the covert flying?