'Twas bitter cold, indeed, he said,
At home no fire had he,

And therefore he had come abroad
To ask for charity.

We met a young bare-footed child,
And she begg'd aloud and bold;
I ask'd her what she did abroad-
The wind it blew so cold.

She said her father was at home,
And he lay sick in bed,

And therefore was it she was sent,
Abroad to beg for bread.

We saw a woman sitting down
Upon a stone to rest,
She had a baby at her back,
Another at her breast.

I ask'd her why she loitered there-
The wind it was so chill?

She turn'd her head and bade the child,
That scream'd behind, be still.

She told us that her husband serv'd
A soldier far away,
And therefore to her parish she
Was begging back her way.

I turn'd me to the rich man then,
For silently stood he,

You ask'd me why the poor complain,

And these have answer'd thee.

TO A YOUNG LADY,

WITH A NOSEGAY.

THOU canst not steal the rose's bloom,
To decorate thy face;
But the sweet blush of modesty
Will lend an equal grace.

These violets scent the distant gale,
(Beneath, in lowly bed)
So rising worth new merit gains,
By diffidence o'erspread.

Nor wilt thou e'er that lily's white
In thy complexion find;
Yet innocence may shine as fair
Within thy spotless mind.

Now, in the opening spring of life,
Let every flow'ret bloom;
The budding virtues in thy breast
Shall yield the best perfume.

This nosegay in thy bosom plac'd
A moral may convey;

For soon in brightest tints shall fade,
And all its sweets decay.

So short liv'd are the lovely tribes
Of Flora's transcient reign,
They bud, blow, wither, fall and die,
Then turn to earth again.

And thus, my dear, must ev'ry charm,
Which youth is proud to share,
Alike this quick succession prove,
And the same truth declare.

Sickness will change the roseate hue,
Which glowing health bespeaks;
And age will wrinkle with its cares,
The smile on beauty's cheeks.

But as that fragrant myrtle wreath
Will all the rest survive,

So shall the mental graces still
Through endless ages live.

BEAUTY.

A MORAL REFLECTION.

"The wind passeth over it, and it is gone."

HIGH on the splendid polish'd stem
A fragrant lily grew;
On the pure petals many a gem
Glitter'd a native diadem,

Of healthy morning dew:

A blast of lingering WINTER came,
And snapt the stem in two.

Fairer than morning's early tear,
Or lily's snowy bloom,

Shines BEAUTY in its vernal year,
Bright, sparkling, fascinating, clear,
Gay, thoughtless of its doom!
Death breathes a sudden poison near,
And sweeps it to the tomb.

THE END.

APPENDIX

ΤΟ

THE AMERICAN LADY'S PRECEPTOR.

PREPARED BY THE EDITOR.

A

CATALOGUE OF BOOKS,

FOR A

YOUNG LADY'S LIBRARY;

With occasional observations, designed to direct the female mind in a course of pleasing and instructive reading.

THE annexed catalogue of Books is prepared to enable a young lady, emulous of acquiring useful knowledge, to pursue a course of pleasing and instructive reading, so that she may obtain that kind of information, which will be useful to her at all times, and under all circumstances; that kind of knowledge, which may improve the heart, and strengthen the faculties of the mind, and be to her of practical benefit, both in polished society, and in domestick retire

ment.

In adopting a course of reading, as the choice of books is of the greatest importance, she should, in the first instance, select but few in each department of literature, and these should be chosen with the greatest care. She should always keep in mind, that a methodical and an attentive reading of a few books, will do more good, than an immethodical and a cursory perusal of many. Under this impression, but few books

ла

are noticed in the following catalogue. After a course of reading is adopted from it, and prosecuted, with method, the young lady's own judgment will become so enlightened, and so well informed, that she will be better able judiciously to increase her library, if she has a taste for general science and polite literature. And, indeed, it is most to be desired, after she has laid the foundation for general knowledge, that she should follow her own genius and inclination, in applying to particular branches of science and literature, and to particular authors.

This catalogue is divided into the following heads.

MORAL AND RELIGIOUS, MISCELLANY,

A certain number of chapters should be daily read, and strict attention paid to maps and dates. If the reader would adopt a course under the advice of a preceptor, who could direct her to such parts of the Old Testament, to be more particularly attended, she would pursue her biblical reading with much greater advantage; or she should consult Grey's Key to the Old Testament.

Grey's Key to the Old Testament, and Percy's Key to the New Testament.

Two books very valuable and important to those reading the sacred writings.

Jenk's Devotions.