I am a Stranger, &c.-To the Subscribers, &c.

For the Microcosm.

I AM A STRANGER IN THE EARTH.

"I am a stranger in the earth." Psalm cxix. 19.

AND thus it is-from spot to spot,
Our weary footsteps go-
By few beloved, by more forgot,
And homeless here below.

No spot so calm-no scene so sweet,
That we may linger there;

Our stay is brief, our pleasures fleet,
For we are strangers here.

The friends that aid our toilsome way,
And cheer its deepening gloom,
Too bright for earth, pass day by day,
Before us to the tomb.

While robb'd of rest, condemned to rove,

We tread life's weary path,

We raise our fainting eyes above,

As "strangers in the earth.”

By ills beset, by dangers press'd,

By fearful tempests driven,
Our cheering hope is promised rest-
A HOME prepared in Heaven!

191

J. D. T.

TO THE SUBSCRIBERS AND READERS OF THE MICROCOSM.

Ir is with peculiar feelings of interest, pleasure and gratitude, that we address the readers of the Microcosm as a company of friends, made acquainted by communion of mind and thought, and in bringing our year's labors to a close, thank them for their kindness, their courtesy, and their assistance. The relation of Editor and Reader becomes one of intimate and confidential bearing. We fancy ourselves acquainted with the principles and tastes of our readers-we judge with confidence of what will please them-and in sending off our monthly message, trace its arrival among our many subscribed, as well as our many personal friends, with the feelings attending a private epistle. While we return our cordial and hearty thanks to these friends for their generous and disinterested efforts in behalf of the Microcosm, we venture to cumber our benediction with another appeal. We

have a specific request to make-viz. that each subscriber and reader of the Microcosm, will get us one additional subscriber. We of course can have no objection to as many more as they may please to send; but if each will procure one it will be the means of doubling our subscription list--which can well bear doubling. Every body surely has influence enough to induce one among all his acquaintance to look with interest on this little pilgrim-especially when it comes with so humble a claim as a one dollar bounty. They would not probably hesitate ten minutes in a decision for ten times the sum in relation to a fashionable article of dress, to last a less number of weeks, or by the attraction of a jeweled ornament. True, we cannot promise them any thing so brilliant as the sparkling gem-nor perhaps so varied as the proteus arts of fashion,-but we can honestly and confidently say we have endeavored to set forth the value and beauty of that "white stone" which shall be given to all who in singleness of heart seek to know and walk in the path of duty. We have aimed at something better than mere entertainment for the thoughtless and indolent. We have labored to show the dignity of our natures, and the importance of our stations, as designed by the creation and ordinances of God. We have desired to lead the mind to a discovery of the happiness and blessedness of our home circumstances—so often unknown and unappreciated, if not destroyed by our own perverseness-while over all and through all, we would preserve the fair and bright and beautiful things so plenteously bestowed by the hand of our Creator. We can promise too, by the character and talent of our correspondents, much that will be worth the attention and consideration of our readers. We are proud and happy to number among our contributors, many of our most talented and popular writers;—and we still hold in reserve the promised assistance of many others. While we respectfully solicit the continuance of their interest, we trust their efforts in the cause of the " Little world of Home," will never prove a thankless or unproductive labor.

It is important that the names of new subscribers should be put in the way to reach their destination by direction to the publishers or the Editor, and the address given with precision and accuracy. All will be considered subscribers for the second volume who do not give directions to the contrary before the third number is issued.

The "Little World" was established in its "revolution," from motives of necessity; and the same necessity demands its continuance. We have engaged in the enterprise unaided and alone-except in the voluntary and grateful assistance of friends and correspondents-and the Editor finds herself not enough of an ATLAS to support even a "little world" without the continuance of that favor and patronage. We would not say a word to constrain one to follow us through another year unwillingly, but if any are disposed to take leave of us, we hope they may also be disposed to consider our request in transferring their interest to some other person. We would remind those who have forgotten to forward the amount of their subscriptions, that while the sums individually are so inconsiderable as to escape their recollection, they constitute the "mites" which go to make up "all the living" of those dependent on them.