quaintance with the habits and mental associations, and feelings of children; and above all, too pure, religious truth, in this book, to leave it devoid either of interest or effect. We do not doubt-we regret that it should he so; but we do not doubt that the taste which is being formed in the youthful mind, for what may emphatically be called dainty reading, will bar these valuable addresses from access to the perusal, and from influence upon the hearts of very many; but we still hope, nay, we feel confident, that they will be the means of stimulating and guiding many children in the successful pursuit of those divine beatitudes, whose value and the way to whose attainment they do most faithfully and intelligibly exhibit and commend. Maternal Instructions: or History of Mrs. Murray and her Children. 18mo. pp. 180. This little volume contains more instructive matter than is often to be met with in a single book designed for the use of children. It is an account of the manner, in which Mrs. Murray, a prudent, judicious, and pious mother, proceeded in the education of her children, whose minds she endeavoured to imbue with sentiments of piety and benevolence, both by her instructions, and her example. The narrative is given in a plain and simple style, and with the exception of a few passages, in which allusion is made to natural scenery, or something else, peculiar to Scotland, where the author resided, may be understood by many of even the youngest Sabbath school children; and if read with care, cannot fail to increase their knowledge and improve their minds and hearts. The Orphan Boy. By Mrs. Sherwood. 18mo. pp. 16. The truth that though all have not silver and gold, yet that few are destitute of talents of some kind or other which may be profitably employed in serving God, and promoting the welfare of our fellow men, is most happily illustrated in the story of a little orphan, who, provided with temporal goods by others of the villagers, was faithfully instructed and well furnished with the bread which endureth, divine truth, by an aged and pious widow, whose penury alone prevented her providing him with food and raiment. Many useful lessons are taught throughout the book, and pointed out in the addition. A Dictionary of important names, objects, and terms found in the Holy Scriptures. By Rev. Howard Malcom. 1 vol. 18mo. 1830. There are few books, if any, in existence, so well calculated as this to inspire the young with a taste for reading the Scriptures. The child, in reading the Bible, meets with many words and allusions to ancient customs which it is impossible for him to understand, and which considerably lessen the pleasure he would other wise take in this exercise. By referring to this book he finds all necessary explanations, and by its assistance gains a far greater knowledge of the Bible, and consequent love for it, than he possibly could do by reading six times the amount of matter with these difficulties unexplained. It is of convenient price and size, and though particularly useful to children will be found a valuable acquisition to adults. POETRY. ON THE SUMMIT OF AN EGYPTIAN PYRAMID. THRON'D on the sepulchre of mighty Kings, I gaze in sadness o'er the scenery wild,— On scatter'd groups of palms, and seas of sand,- On ruins made by time's destructive hand,- O Egypt! Egypt! how art thou debased!- Long, long beneath his iron rod shall groan O could thy princely dead rise from their graves, Where wisdom flourish'd and where sages taught,- How would they shrink with horror from the sight! Ancient of days! nurse of fair science, arts! All that refines and elevates mankind! Thy glorious cities, and thy men of mind? But why lament, since such must ever be The fate of human greatness, human pride? Ev'n those who mourn the loudest over thee, Are drifting headlong down the rapid tide That sweeps, resistless, to the yawning grave, All that is great and good, or wise and brave. Ev'n thou, proud fabric! whence I now survey The soul alone (the precious boon of Heaven) FIRST MORNING OF SPRING. BREAK from your chains ye lingering streams, Rise, blossoms, from your wintry dreams, Drear fields, your robes of verdure take, Birds, from your trance of silence wake, Glad trees, resume your leafy crown, Shrubs, o'er the mirror-brooks bend down, Bland zephyrs, wheresoe'er you stray, The Spring doth call you,-haste away. -Thou too, my Soul, with quicken'd force Pursue thy brief, thy measur'd course. With grateful zeal each power employ, Catch vigor from Creation's joy, Stamp love to God, and love to man, More deeply on thy shortening span, And still with added patience bear Thy crown of thorns, thy lot of care.-But Spring with tardy step appears, Chill is her eye, and dim with tears, Fast are the founts in fetters bound, The flower-gems sink within the ground, Where are the warblers of the sky? I ask and angry blasts reply. -It is not thus in heavenly bowers, Nor ice-bound rill, nor drooping flowers, Invade that everlasting Spring, Toward which we turn with wishful tear, While pilgrims in this wintry sphere. Hartford, March 1, 1830. TIME'S COLD HAND. HERE are visions to shine in the eye of the youth, Here are hopes that will beam with the splendor of truth, For tears on those hopes and those visions must fall; Here are perfumes to steal on the senses of wealth, Here's a harp whose soft notes will flow by as in stealth, Here is Fancy, the poet to crown with its bays, But tears upon feeling and fancy must fall; Time's cold hand will touch them and wither them all. AN EVENING IN JUNE. THE clouds were dispersed, and the tempest was o'er, Beside me the roses and lilies were spread, The pink and carnation of delicate vest, The columbine lifted the pride of its head, And the dial of the sunflower was turned to the west. The butterfly wantoned on wings of delight, To the main, to the mountains, with love-blooming eye, |