THE CAIRNGORM;

▲ HIGHLAND HUSBAND'S GIFT.

Wear thy mountain's diamond, fairest!

In thy waving hair;

It will noblest seem, and rarest

If it sparkles there;

For only this dark gem can vie

With those brown tresses' burnished dye,

And well the elves that guard it know, If it might touch thy spotless brow,

For ever in thy memory

Thy wedded love would living be.

Or hanging on thy ear, dearest!

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A moment let it shine;

Then in every voice thou hearest

Shall seem a sound of mine.

Yet no;-for never by the tone
Of silver words was true love known;

I would not tax thy soul to give

The fondness that on words can live.

But place it on thy hand, sweetest,

Clasped with the holy gold,

And when a stranger's hand thou meetest,

Thine shall be winter-cold;

And thou shalt lute and tabret take

In bower or chamber for my sake;

And it shall teach thy pen to shew

How thought should speak where speech is true.

Then hide it in thy breast, dearest !

If it be pure as fair,

When to thy heart this gem is nearest,
My image shall be there;

For it has spells more deep and strong
When hid its native snows among;
And it shall have most power to bless
Where all is power and holiness.

'MUTUAL MATRIMONIAL HAPPINESS.

"When I upon thy bosom lean,

And fondly clasp thee a' my ain,

I glory in the sacred ties

That made us ane wha ance were twain

A mutual flame inspires us baith,
The tender look, the meltin' kiss:
Even years shall ne'er destroy our love,
But only gi'e us change o' bliss.
Hae I a wish? it's a' for thee!

I ken thy wish is me to please;
Our moments pass sae smooth away,
That numbers on us look and gaze;
Well pleased they see our happy days,
Nor envy's sel' finds aught to blame;
And aye when weary cares arise,

Thy bosom still shall be my hame.
I'll lay me there and tak' my rest;
And if that aught disturb my dear,

I'll bid her laugh her cares away,

And beg her not to drop a tear.

Hae I a joy it's a' her ain!

United still her heart and mine;

They're like the woodbine round the tree,

That's twined till death shall them disjoin."

JOHN LAPRAIK.

THE HUSBAND'S PRAYER.

"Oh! Thou whose merciful decree

Hath knit our hearts in bonds of love,

Our sure defence and safe guard be

Whate'er our wedded lot may prove.

Without thy blessing love is vain
The varied ills of life to bear;
But when bestowed few griefs remain
Beyond affection's healing care.

Avert from us the spirit's chill,

Each wandering thought and fickle mood;

Mould every feeling to thy will,

Incline our hearts to every good.

Implanting deep that perfect trust,

Of love's rich soil the flower most dear;

Turn all our promised joys to dust,

But leave that root unwithered here.

Blend with our love that gentleness
Which turns each angry word aside,
Which stifles wrath with tenderness,

And melts away the frost of pride.

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Nor let unkindness ever reach,

Nor harsh unfeeling thoughts impair

The tenderness of years: but teach

Our hearts to bear and to forbear.

Be ours a unity of mind,

A unity of sweetest love,

A unity of faith entwined

With the dear hope of joys above.

We know that in our hearts there lies,
With all their love, the germ of change;
The world can break the holiest ties,

A breath the tenderest thoughts estrange.

We pray, oh! God, that grief like this
Our earthly course may never see;
We'd make our love a lasting bliss,

By resting all its hopes on Thee."

KENNY MEADOWS.