Or do ye mourn in mockery for the beings frail as fair, Whose lives, like golden evening clouds, have melted into air? Yet such, alas, is human life; woe for the haughty breath! To-day in health and power 'tis raised, tomorrow stilled in death. One voice proclaims our joy and grief, our wishes, hopes, and fears; The eye that brightly beams to-day, to- A few short years, a few brief suns, in E. CARRINGTON. Miscellaneous. THE EFFECTS OF TIME.-The traveller, however brief his sojourn at Basle, cannot fail to remark the solid battlements which THE MICHAELMAS DAISY.-There is scarcely any flower which more than the Michaelmas daisy seems identified with autumn. The chrysanthemums linger through a part of the winter, and may in fact be considered, with the laurustinus, as winter flowers; but the Michaelmas daisy is the last of the summer wreath, and smiles upon a garden left almost desolate. More than a hundred species of this flower are cultivated in England, and some of them may be found during the latter part of the year in almost every garden, growing sometimes as tall as shrubs, and covered with blossoms, which are called stars (aster) from their numerous rays, varying from a pale delicate lilac to a darkish purple colour; they are generally too sombre or too pale to be very ornamental, yet they are clad in a proper dress for the last flower of the season, and may seem to wear a slight mourning for their departed companions. When all flowers save themselves are gone, and the and the bright butterfly is bright no longer, summer birds have winged their way afar, and the brittle brown leaves are crushed by the footsteps, then this large family of plants is an acquisition to the garden bed. wards of two-thirds of their number have been introduced into England from different parts of North America, where they grow so abundantly among trees, that "the aster in the wood" is as familiar to the schoolboy as to the poet; or, their small stars contrasting with the immense rayed blossom of the yellow sunflower, adorn some of the vast prairies of that country. They are found, too, on the muddy shores of rivers, and scattered about upon dry and sunny places. Some species are brought from the Cape of low swampy grounds, or about the pasture Good Hope, where they are numerous on lands. Up A few species are derived from China, and others from the South of Europe. -Flowers and their Associations. CONSOLATIONS OF MIDNIGHT PRAYER. crown the opposite shore of the Rhine, and the mass of buildings within, surmounted by a dilapidated church of extremely beautiful architecture. Should his curiosity tempt him to cross the fine old bridge which spans the wide and rapid Rhine, and then turn up a dark narrow street to the left, he will find at its extremity, the mouldering, but most extensive remains of a religious house, now in part converted into a hospital for invalid soldiers. Mullioned windows, from which hang files of shirts and stockings-Gothic doorways, half blocked up by bricks, and turf, and faggots-fragments of stone of exquisite workmanship; on which the skilful sculptor had lavished long days of painful labour, profusely scattered over the well-trodden dirty court-yards -tell a lesson of fallen grandeur, and present a picture of bygone splendour not to be mistaken. Reader, that desolate dwell--Many Christians have been enabled to ing was once the home of the noblest ladies of Europe! The silent aisles of that deserted church, converted into stables and granaries, yet enclose the dust of princes, nobles, prelates, abbesses, and titled damsels, whose well authenticated gentle blood could alone have procured them the honour of reposing within its hallowed precincts. A society of Dominican nuns were the possessors of this once sacred edifice. Here, for many centuries, their Superior reigned in sovereign power, independent of all control, but that of the supreme head of the Romish church. What a lesson on the mutability of life-on the evanescent nature of earthly pomp and worldly grandeur-may be learned from these crumbling ruins! Of all the noble ladies who lived and died within their holy enclosure, not a namenot a trace exists in this their seat of empire.-Historical Pictures of the Middle Ages. convert their trials into blessings, by gradually bringing themselves to devote the hours of wakeful and even painful nights to devout meditation and prayer. By doing, at first, some violence to their inclinations, they have afterwards found in it both profit and pleasure. CONTENTS. PAGE Season of Lent 74 79 79 THE sun was bursting through the clouds of the East, turning them to purple and gold as they fled before him; and all nature, living and inanimate, freshened in his beams; as little Christian trod once again the haunted forest. He had said to the Lady, with tears, after the Service in the temple, “O would that I might always remain with you, and serve the King with His people;" but the Lady answered, "Nay, my child, not so; your lot is otherwise cast; you must return to dwell with your Parents, and be subject to them. But sometimes return to me-they will not forbid you. Learn of us the paths of peace, and worship with us in the temple of our King." The Priest had blessed the child, and the Lady kissed him tenderly; so he walked forth gladly, and the little white dove fluttered before him. Never had the murmur of streams, and the singing of birds, sounded so sweetly in the Boy's ear, and when he emerged from the narrow path, the wild wood seemed all alive with gladness. Christian had been thinking hitherto of the good words he had heard in the castle, and the warblings of the wild birds who sang in the arching boughs of the path, and the trickling of its brooks, had harmonized with his holy thought; but now a tide of rich perfume filled all his senses, loud voices of laughter and song drove away his quieter thoughts; and he ran forward, in wild delight, amid the flowers and odours. Suddenly, as he ran, he came upon an armed warrior, leading a caparisoned war-horse. The sun shone bright on his steel casque; and at first Christian thought it was his valiant Godsire, but when he looked closer, he saw that the Knight bore not the same crest as the brave Sir Eifert. On his shield, for the broad red cross, was a silver crescent, and for the cross-handled sword, he wore at his girdle a crooked scimitar. His vizor was unlaced, because of the heat, so that his features were partly disclosed, and Christian thought that he had seen before those bright dark eyes; but the strange Knight spoke to him, and his words were soft and gentle. "Good sooth," said he, "thou art a fair boy, and wouldst make a goodly page, and a valiant warrior in time, I doubt not. Where dwellest thou, and what is thy business in the wood ?" "I am a poor fisherman's son," said the innocent child. "I go to my Father's cottage, from the castle of the good Lady my Godmother, who teacheth me truth and wisdom." G "Thou answerest discreetly," said the Knight. ""Tis pity thou shouldst waste thy years thus. Tell me, Boy, wouldst thou like to wear a rich suit of blue and silver, and to rein a fair palfrey in the train of a gallant Knight?" Christian's heart bounded within him; he did not quite understand the strange Knight's offer, but he looked on the noble horse as it pawed the ground, and tossed its graceful head, and he longed to ride on such an one. The Stranger noted his looks of admiration. "Come, child," said he, "thou shalt ride on my war steed to my castle, for the morn is hot, and see how thou likest my proffer." Then the little white dove fluttered close by the Boy, in the way that led to his father's dwelling, chanting in her low sweet voice From the wild world's vanities, Then Christian would have paused; but the strange Knight had taken him in his arms, and he set him on the noble war-horse. So he was borne forward, and there was pleasure in the free, bold movement, and the child feared not. Yet he was not happy the words of his little companion sounded in his ear, and at every step the wild wood grew brighter, and stranger for its very brightness. Once he prayed to be let down, but the Knight only asked him jeeringly if he were afraid, so he was ashamed to repeat the request. At first Christian had not perceived that they had left the road that led to his father's home, but he soon found himself riding through a part of the wood where he had never been before; and pleasing sights, and glad sounds, multiplied as he passed along. Now, through the breaking trees he caught a view of a stately mansion embowered in shade, with pleasant gardens round about. Now, it was a group of children of his own age, playing in the meadows, while the echoes rang to their laughter. Here, a troop of maidens, dancing to the sound of their own sweet voices, or the melodious lute. There, a band of youthful warriors, with prancing steeds, and lances gleaming in the Sometimes the child would catch a glimpse of a huge golden idol, with censers burning before it, and many votaries worshipping; the most assiduous of these were men weary and toilworn, as with some long and difficult pursuit. sun. Christian, looking on these things, felt more and more unhappy as he was borne along. True, there was a certain brilliance shed over all, that reigned not in the Lady's castle; but he felt that the things there were truer and better. He remembered the vow that he had made against the witchcrafts of the forest, and he looked round earnestly for his little dove. She was winging her way slowly beside him, with ruffled crest, and drooping plumes. Just then, a band of young men and boys, some riding, some sauntering idly along the path, came up to the twain; and Christian could perceive, as they scanned him carefully, that they looked with admiration on the beau tiful horse, and with envy on its rider. So his heart was elated, and he rode on, his bosom swelling with pride and conscious triumph. But the little dove sang sorrowfully He Who won the Christian's grace These are things His children dear So Christian felt more sad and frightened, and tears dropped from his eyes. Weep not, my Boy," said the strange Knight; "you shall presently have rest and refreshment." As he spoke, they paused before the gate of a stately dwelling; it was built like a castle, but the walls were unguarded, and the portcullis unraised; and through the gateway Christian saw that the court was filled with fragrant trees and blooming flowers, and the people who loitered about had not the air of earnest energy that he had seen at Sir Eifert's castle. A maiden who stood on the battlement-looking anon down the forest path, and anon adjusting her gaudy and fantastic attire at a mirror which she held in her hand-came down in haste to receive them; she was shortly followed by another, proud of mien and step, who was far more gorgeously dressed, being loaded with many jewels, and wearing a golden coronal. "Eitta," said the Knight, to the first maiden, "I have found a new page. You must prepare his dress; and you, Prachte, must teach him how to behave when he rides in my train on state occasions." The Ladies received Christian with caresses, but he liked them not; he saw that they observed his white garment, and whispered together with looks of intelligence; and ever as they stroked his head, and passed their fingers through his bright golden curls, they avoided carefully the cross on his forehead; and that cross grew dimmer and dimmer every moment in that enchanted air. Christian had never said he would be the Knight's page; but it seemed to be considered a thing agreed, and he knew not how to deny it. The ladies had lifted him from his horse; and Eitta, running into the castle, returned presently with a page's dress of blue and silver; while Prachte spoke to an attendant, and he led forth a light palfrey, swift as the south wind, and gentle as its perfume. Eitta began to dress the child in his new attire; and ever as she did so, she paused now and then to praise his beauty, and held her mirror before him; till Christian's little heart swelled with gratified vanity. But looking again, he started, for he perceived the rich attire had entirely covered his little white garment that he had vowed to keep so clean; and it seemed to him as if the touch of the embroidered silk would stain it; and with the thought of his vow chimed in the little dove's voice, singing Pride, and pomp, and vain delight, So Christian took courage, and said, "I cannot be your page, Sir Knight; I serve another Master." Prachte smiled scornfully, and Eitta laughed aloud, so that the child trembled at his own boldness. "And who is your Master?" asked the Knight. "He is The Great Deliverer, The Son of the Mighty King, who has ransomed me from hard slavery to the Lord of the forest." "I know Him," said he hastily, and his brow lowered, and his fierce eyes rolled; "but what can He give you bright and joyous as the things I offer you? Do the flowers grow as brilliantly in your narrow path, as in my beautiful domain? The Lady Liebe's rules are stern, her joys are dull and lifeless; there are no pleasures like mine, amid that sad and solemn people. Would you forsake the glorious ride, and the gay revel, to dwell with the psalm-singing Lady, and her mean-spirited Lord, who fights indeed to defend the white-robed people, but never was known to strike a good blow in his own quarrel ?" "And the Knight's armour," said Prachte," hath no ornaments of gold, or silver, it is not even embossed." "And the Lady's attire," said Eitta, with the light laugh which usually accompanied her speeches, "Surely her tire woman hath not much of skill or taste." "What do you expect of her?" continued the armed Knight: "If learning, there are men in my castle well versed in every lore, and whole chambers full of books and parchments. They shall teach your mind to soar above the trammels of its present mean condition; and the Lady Liebe would leave you in your peasant state, without a hope of rank, or fame, or distinction." Again the thoughts of pride, of covetousness, swelled in Christian's breast; he compared in his mind that beautiful palace and the gorgeous vesture prepared for him, with his Father's mean cottage, and the daily labour at his lowly trade; and he looked longingly into the perfumed court, and felt almost inclined to take service with the Lord of the place. But, even then, he remembered what the peasant Maiden had said of The Great Deliverer dwelling with the poor and lowly; an image was on his mind of His Own Redeeming Lord, living a little child for long years with poor men, fishermen, and peasants. Why should man despise their state? Was he not sworn to follow Him? and had not the Lady whispered that he must follow in the place the Great King had appointed for him? So he turned again, and listened gladly as the white dove sang Round thy Father's dwelling low, The blue waters music make, |