Ou Drawing. By many, the art of drawing is considered a useless accomplishment, having no practical value or importance. No opinion could be more erroneous. On the contrary, its utility makes it worthy of a prominent place among the pursuits of every class of people. To the mechanic and the man of science, the art of drawing is indispensable. The artisan must first draw his model if he would ensure success to his labour, and it is only the practised eye that can define the "little more or less" that is necessary to perfect the line of beauty, and none but a practised hand, can, by the slightest variation of a curve, add grace and effect to the whole contour. By the same means the scientific student demonstrates the result of his researches. Without the aid of the pencil how limited would be our knowledge of natural history, and the position and productions of the various countries with which we are now made familiar! But regarding it merely as a pursuit of pleasure, it is a source of the most refined enjoyment. And is there nothing gained by the influence of such a pursuit on the mind? Is not every pursuit valuable that is in itself elevating, whether its influence is limited to individuals or extended to communities? Another advantage not to be overlooked in this pursuit, is, the increase it gives to our sources of pleasure and in enumerating those that are most desirable, we would rank as the highest, that derived from the beauties of Nature. No one can take delight in them and be indifferent to their source. The lover of nature is not always a lover of art—but the true lover of art is always a lover of nature; and as a lover of nature, his pleasure is much increased by the habit of close observation that is necessary to the practice of art. The form of every leaf, the colour of every flower, and the hue of every cloud, then catch his attention, and by the admiration they ELIZABETH FRY. 69 excite, the pleasure of the general view is much enhanced. It is truly said that, a habit of watchfulness of the outward world, is a pretty certain assurance of a well-informed man: and I would recommend a practice of the art if it were only for the nice discrimination it requires: for the application of this habit is invaluable in every other pursuit. M. A. DWIGHT. Elizabeth Fry. THE felon's bewailing, Records of love. Look down from on high,- Elizabeth Fry! She entered the cell, A priestess of Heaven, On the threshold of Hell,— An angel of mercy, Wherever she went, Calling, like Peter, On mén to repent. 70 ELISABETH FRY. Wearisome nights, And wearisome days, Unmindful of praise- There was she found. She looked upon there, Of sorrow and care: Like Aaron she stood, "Twixt the living and dead, A stranger to doubting The courage of man, Are shrouded in gloom; Weep over her tomb! WM. NICOMB. Ir wisdom's ways you wisely seek, five things observe with care, To whom you speak, of whom you speak, and how, and when, and where. Bridges. I. I HAVE a bridge within my heart, And when upon this bridge I stand, To watch life's tide below, Sad thoughts come through the shadowy land, And darken all its flow. Then as it winds its way along A song which breathes of blessings dead, And hearing thus, beleaguering fears. Oh often then will deeper grow Or never found its rise! 72 BRIDGES. II. I have a bridge within my heart, It spans, by a mysterious art, The streams of life and death. And when upon this bridge I stand, Sweet thoughts come from a sunny land, And brighten all its flow. Then, as it winds its way along, Oh pleasant is the spirit-song, A song of blessings never sere Of love "beyond compare," Of pleasures flowed from troublings here, And hearing thus-a peace divine Oh often then will brighter grow |