Tell me, little rain-drops,
Is that the way you play,
Pitter patter, pitter patter,
All the rainy day?

They say I'm very naughty,
But I've nothing else to do
But sit here at the window;
I should like to play with you.

The little rain-drops cannot speak;
But "pitter patter pat

Means, "We can play on this side,
Why can't you play on that?”

AUNT EFFIE'S RHYMES.

TO A CHILD EMBRACING HIS MOTHER.

LOVE thy mother, little one!
Kiss and clasp her neck again,-
Hereafter she may have a son
Will kiss and clasp her neck in vain.
Love thy mother, little one!

Gaze upon her living eyes,

And mirror back her love for thee,—
Hereafter thou may'st shudder sighs
To meet them when they cannot see,
Gaze upon her living eyes!

Press her lips the while they glow
With love that they have often told,-
Hereafter thou may'st press in woe,
And kiss them till thine own are cold.
Press her lips the while they glow!

Oh, revere her raven hair!
Altho' it be not silver-grey;

Too early Death, led on by Care,
May snatch save one dear lock away.
Oh, revere her raven hair!

Pray for her at eve and morn,

That Heaven may long the stroke defer,— For thou may'st live the hour forlorn, When thou wilt ask to die with her.

Pray for her at eve and morn!

HOOD.

THE SEASONS.

BLOWY, breezy March, brings Spring,
When the birds begin to sing;
Showery April, flowery May,
Come, and quickly pass away.

Summer comes with leafy June,
When the nice sweet hay is mown;
Hot July brings August on,

Then the Summer's past and

gone.

September fruit, October grain,
Then November's pattering rain
Finishes the Autumn time,

And the year has seen its prime.

Spring, Summer, Autumn, all are past;
Shivering Winter comes at last;
Sharp December winds will blow,
Scattering hail, and rain and snow.

January's ice will sparkle,
February's frost will darkle;

Then, good-by frost, and snow, and rain,

Charming Spring will come again.

ANONYMOUS,

TO THE CUCKOO.

O BLITIE new-comer! I have heard,
I hear thee and rejoice :
O Cuckoo! shall I call thee bird,
Or but a wandering voice?

While I am lying on the grass,
Thy loud note smites my ear!
From hill to hill it seems to pass,
At once far off, and near!