Page images
PDF
EPUB

the severity of the weather, being extremely hardy. When loaded with fruit, it makes a most delightful appearance. There is another variety of this species of Service, that grows naturally in the south of France, in Italy, and in most of the southern countries of Europe, where its fruit is served up as a dessert."-Hunter.

"The wood is soft, tough, and solid-excellent for hoops and for bows next to yew. It is converted into tables, spokes for wheels, shafts, chains, &c. The roots are formed into handles for knives and wooden spoons. The berries dried and reduced to powder, make wholesome bread, and an ardent spirit may be distilled from them, which has a fine flavour, but it is small in quantity. The berries too, infused in water, make an acid liquor something like Perry, which is drunk by the poorer people in Wales. This tree appears to have been highly esteemed by the Druids, and is still found more frequently than any other in the neighbourhood of Druidical circles in the Scotch Highlands. Dr. Pulteney informs us that even in these more enlightened times, the natives of the north believe in the efficacy of a small branch carried about them as a charm against witchcraft and enchantment. In one part of Scotland the sheep and lambs are on May Day made to pass through a hoop of Roan-wood."

WITHERING.

HYMNS AND POETICAL RECREATIONS.

Come, for all things are now ready.-LUKE xiv. 17.

My soul, and why art thou so sad,

In moments that should seem so blest,
When He who spreads his bridal feast,
Has welcomed thee, his happy guest?

Why stand thus gazing on the door,
And listing to the storm without?
In shelter here, and safe from harm,
Its menaces can reach thee not.

His canopy is o'er thy head

His mantle is about thy breast

What would'st thou more? The board is spread-
Why not sit down and be at rest?

What would I more? O pardon, Lord,

That yet content I seat me not

The angry storm is raging loud,

And those I love are still without.

MY AIN FIRE-SIDE.

O, I hae seen great anes, and been in great ha's,
'Mang lords and 'mang ladies a' covered wi' braws;
At feasts made for princes, wi' princes I've been,
Whar the great shine o' splendour has dazzled my een.
But a sight sae delightfu' I trow I ne'er 'spied,
As the bonny blythe blink o' my ain fire-side,
My ain fire-side, my ain fire-side,

Oh, cheering's the blink o' my ain fire-side!

Ance mair, Guid be thankit! by my ain heartsome ingle,
Wi' the friends o' my youth I cordially mingle:
Nae form to compel me to seem wae or glad,

I may laugh when I'm merry, and sigh when I'm sad;
Nae fausehood to dreed, and nae malice to fear,
But truth to delight me, and friendship to chear.
Of a' roads to happiness that ever were tried,
There's nane half sae sure as ane's ain fire-side,
Ane's ain fire-side, ane's ain fire-side,
Oh, happiness sits by ane's ain fire-side.

[graphic]
[ocr errors]
[graphic]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

MY AIN FIRE-SIDE,

O, I hae seen great anes, and been in great ha's,
'Mang lords and 'mang ladies a' covered wi' braws;
At feasts made for princes, wi' princes I've been,
Whar the great shine o' splendour has dazzled my een.
But a sight sae delightfu' I trow I ne'er 'spied,
As the bonny blythe blink o' my ain fire-side,
My ain fire-side, my ain fire-side,

Oh, cheering's the blink o' my ain fire-side!

Ance mair, Guid be thankit! by my ain heartsome ingle,
Wi' the friends o' my youth I cordially mingle:

Nae form to compel me to seem wae or glad,

I may laugh when I'm merry, and sigh when I'm sad;
Nae fausehood to dreed, and nae malice to fear,
But truth to delight me, and friendship to chear.
Of a' roads to happiness that ever were tried,
There's nane half sae sure as ane's ain fire-side,
Ane's ain fire-side, ane's ain fire-side,
Oh, happiness sits by ane's ain fire-side.

When I draw in my stool on my cozie hearth-stane,
My heart loups sae light, I scarce kent for my ain;
Care's flown on the winds-its clean out o' sight,
Past sorrows they seem but as dreams o' the night;
I hear but kent voices-kent faces I see,
And mark fond affection glint saft frae ilk ee.
Nae fleechings o' flattery-nae boastings o' pride,
'Tis heart speaks to heart, at ane's ain fire-side ;
My ain fire-side, my ain fire-side,

Oh! there's nought to compare to my ain fire-side.
SUPPOSED ELIZABETH HAMILTON.

Romans v. 2.

COME, O my soul, and for a while retreat

From this poor world, and raise thy thoughts on high:

Come and bow down before Jehovah's feet,

And lift to Him thy supplicating eye; And watch till thou his beaming glory see, Shine from between the cherubim on thee.

« PreviousContinue »