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THE MAN OF ROSS.

187. THE MAN OF ROSS. -- ALL our praises why should lords engross ? Rise, honest Muse! and sing the Man of Ross : Pleased Vaga echoes through her winding bounds, And rapid Severn boarse applause resounds. Who hung with woods yon mountain's sultry brow? From the dry rock who bade the waters flow? Not to the skies in useless columns tost, Or in proud falls magnificently lost, But clear and artless, pouring through the plain Health to the sick, and solace to the swain, Whose causeway parts the vale with shady rows? Whose seats the weary traveller repose ? Who taught the heaven-directed spire to rise ? “The Man of Ross!” each lisping babe replies. Behold the market-place, with poor o'erspread ! The Man of Ross divides the weekly bread. He feeds yon almshouse, neat, but void of state, Where age and want sit smiling at the gate : Him portion'd maids, apprentic'à orphans blest, The young who labour, and the old who rest. Is any sick ? the Man of Ross relieves, Prescribes, attends, and med'cine makes and gives. Is there a variance ? enter but his door, Balk'd are the courts, and contest is no more. Despairing quacks with curses fled the place, And vile attorneys, now an useless race. Thrice happy man, enabled to pursue What all so wish, but want the power to do! Oh! say, what sums that generous hand supply? What mines, to swell that boundless charity Of debts and taxes, wife and children clear, This Man possess'd-five hundred pounds a year! Blush, Grandeur! blush ! proud courts withdraw your

blaze! Ye little stars ! hide your diminish'd rays.

Pore.

TIE MOUSE AND THE CAKE.

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188. THE MOUSE AND THE CAKE.

A MOUSE found a beautiful piece of plum-cake,
The richest and sweetest that mortal could make :
'Twas heavy with citron, and fragrant with spice,
And cover'd with sugar all sparkling as ice.

“My stars !" "cried the mouse, while his eye beam'd

with glee; “Here's a treasure I've found ; what a feast it will be ; But, hark! there's a noise, 'tis my brothers at play ; So I'll hide with the cake, lest they wander this way.

“Not a bit shall they have, for I know I can eat
Every morsel myself, and I'll have such a treat;"
So off went the mouse as he held the cake fast,
While his hungry young brothers wentscamperingpast.

He nibbled, and nibbled, and panted, but still
He kept gulping it down till he made himself ill;
Yet he swallow'd it all, and 'tis easy to guess,
He was soon so unwell that he groan'd with distress.

His family heard him, and as he grew worse,
They sent fr the doctor, who made him rehearse
How he'd eaten the cake to the very last crumb,
Without giving his playmates and relatives some.

"Ah! me !" cried the doctor, “ advice is too late, You must die before long, so prepare for your fate; If you had but divided the cake with your brothers, 'Twould have done you no harm, and been good for the

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THE MOUSE AND THE CAKE.

“Had you shared it, the treat had been wholesome

enough; But all eaten by one, it was dangerous stuff; So prepare for the worst,” and the word had scarce fled, When the doctorturn'dround, and the patient was dead.

Now all little people the lesson may take,
And some large ones may learn from the mouse and

the cake;
Not to be over-selfish with what we may gain,
· Or the best of our pleasures may turn into pain.

ELIZA Cook.

189. DO A GOOD TURN WHEN YOU CAN. It needs not great wealth a kind heart to display,– If the hand be but willing it soon finds a way; And the poorest one yet in the humblest abode May help a poor brother a step on his road. Oh! whatever the fortune a man may have won, A kindness depends on the way it is done; And though poor be our purse, and though narrow our

span, Let us all try to do a good turn when we can, The bright bloom of pleasure may charm for a while, But its beauty is frail, and inconstant its smile; Whilst the beauty of kindness, immortal in bloom, Sheds a sweetness o'er life, and a grace o'er the tomb ! Then if we enjoy life, why, the next thing to do, Is to see that another enjoys his life too; And though poor be our purse, and though narrow our

span, Let us all try to do a good turn when we can.

SWAIN.

OLD CHRISTMAS.

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190. OLD CHRISTMAS.

Now he who knows old Christmas,

He knows a carle of worth;
For he is as good a fellow

As any upon the earth.
He comes warm-cloaked and coated,

And buttoned up to the chin,
And soon as he comes a-nigh the door,

We open and let him in.

We know that he will not fail us,

So we sweep the hearth up clean; . We set him the old armed-chair,

And a cushion whereon to lean. 1

And with sprigs of holly and ivy

We make the house look gay, Just out of an old regard to him,

For it was his ancient way.

We broach the strong ale barrel,

And bring out wine and meat; And thus we have all things ready,

Our dear old friend to greet.

And soon as the time wears round,

The good old carle we see, Coming a-near-for a creditor

Less punctual is than he !
He comes with a cordial voice

That does one good to hear;
He shakes one heartily by the hand,

As he hath done many a year.

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OLD CHRISTMAS.'

And after the little children

He asks in a cheerful tone,
Jack, Kate, and little Annie,

He remembers them every one!

What a fine old fellow he is !

With his faculties all as clear,
And his heart as warm and light

As a man's in his fortieth year !

What a fine old fellow, in troth !

Not one of your griping elves, Who, with plenty of money to spare,

Think only about themselves.

Not he! for he loveth the children;

And holiday begs for all ;
And comes with his pockets full of gifts

For the great ones and the small.

With a present for every servant;

For in giving he doth not tire;-
From the red-faced, jovial butler,

To the girl by the kitchen-fire.

And he tells us witty old stories ;

And singeth with might and main; And we talk of the old man's visit

Till the day that he comes again.

Oh! he is a kind old fellow;

For though the beef be dear,
He giveth the parish paupers

A good dinner once a year !