their measured steps to the meeting-house ;-the families of the minister, the squire, the doctor, the merchant, the modest gentry of the village, and the mechanic and laborer, all arrayed in their best, all meeting on even ground, and all with that consciousness of independence and equality, which breaks down the pride of the rich, and rescues the poor from servility, envy, and discontent. If a morning salutation is reciprocated, it is in a suppressed voice; and if, perchance, nature, in some reckless urchin, burst forth in laughter-"My dear, you forget it's Sunday," is the ever ready reproof. Though every face wears a solemn aspect, yet we once chanced to see even a deacon's muscles relaxed by the wit of a neighbor, and heard him allege in a half-deprecating, half-laughing voice, "The squire is so droll, that a body must laugh, though it be Sabbath-day." The farmer's ample wagon, and the little one-horse vehicle, bring in all who reside at an inconvenient walking distancethat is to say, in our riding community, half a mile from the church. It is a pleasing sight, to those who love to note the happy peculiarities of their own land, to see the farmers' daughters, blooming, intelligent, well-bred, pouring out of these homely coaches, with their nice white gowns, prunel shoes, Leghorn hats, fans and parasols, and the spruce young men, with their plaited ruffles, blue coats, and yellow buttons. The whole community meet as one religious family, to offer their devotions at the common altar. If there is an outlaw from the society—a luckless wight, whose vagrant taste has never been subdued-he may be seen stealing along the margin of some little brook, far away from the condemning observation and troublesome admonition of his fellows. Toward the close of the day, (or to borrow a phrase descriptive of his feelings, who first used it), "when the Sabbath begins to abate," the children cluster about the windows. Their eyes wander from their catechism to the western sky, and, though it seems to them as if the sun would never disappear, his broad disk does slowly sink behind the mountain; and, while his last ray still lingers on the eastern summits, merry voices break forth, and the ground resounds with bounding footsteps. The village belle arrays herself for her twilight walk; the boys gather on "the green;" the lads and girls throng to the " singing school;" while some coy maiden lingers at home, awaiting her expected suitor; and all enter upon the pleasures of the evening with as keen a relish as if the day had been a preparatory penance. BINGEN ON THE RHINE.-MES. NORTON. A soldier of the legion lay dying in Algiers, There was lack of woman's nursing, there was dearth of woman's tears, But a comrade stood beside him, while the life-blood ebbed away, And bent with pitying glance to hear each word he had to say. The dying soldier falter'd, as he took that comrade's hand, And he said: "I never more shall see my own-my native land! For I was born at Bingen-at Bingen on the Rhine! "Tell my brothers and companions, when they meet and crowd aroun "Tell my mother that her other sons shall comfort her old age, My heart leaped forth to hear him tell of struggles fierce and wild; I let them take whate'er they would, but kept my father's sword! "Tell my sisters not to weep for me, and sob with drooping head, When the troops are marching home again, with glad and gallant tread · But look upon them proudly, with a calm and steadfast eye, For their brother was a soldier, too, and not afraid to die! And if a comrade seek her love, I ask her in my name To listen to him kindly, without regret or shame; And to hang the old sword in its place-(my father's sword and mine,) For the honor of old Bingen-dear Bingen on the Rhine! "There's another-not a sister, in happy days gone by, You'd have known her by the merriment that sparkled in her eye; Too innocent for coquetry, too fond for idle scorning O, friend, I fear the lightest heart makes sometimes heaviest mourning! I dreamed I stood with her and saw the yellow sunlight shine I saw the blue Rhine sweep along-I heard, or seemed to hear, The echoing chorus sounded, through the evening calm and still; And her glad blue eyes were on me, as we passed, with friendly talk, Down many a path beloved of yore, and well-remembered walk; And her little hand lay lightly, confidingly in mine— But we'll meet no more at Bingen-loved Bingen on the Rhine! His trembling voice grew faint and hoarse, his grasp was childish weak, And the soft moon rose up slowly, and calmly she looked down THE DELAWARE WATER-GAP.-MRS. E. F. ELLET Our western land can boast no lovelier spot. Now, his waves Are vocal often with the hunter's song; The abodes of happy men, gardens, and fields, The time has been-so Indian legends say- To light their council-fires; while its dim height, 'Tis said, to scale; save one white-haired old man, Some few, who mourned Succor from Heaven, and mercy to implore. He labored slowly High up the steep ascent, and vanished soon A sight of dread was seen. The mount was rent Green boughs and blossoms, yawned a frightful chasm, The distant roar of waters then was heard; They came, with gathering sweep, o`erwhelming all That checked their headlong course; the rich maize Zeld, Were swept in speedy, undistinguished ruin! Of the Great Spirit's anger, and beheld Those bare and blackened cliffs were overspread Through his new channel; verdure graced his banks; In its beloved woods; and naught remained, Save the wild tales which hoary chieftains told, FAMILY PICTURES-MR. BRITAIN AND HIS SPOUSE.-DICKENS. Ir was a warm autumn afternoon, and there had been heavy rain. The sun burst suddenly from among the clouds: and the old battle-ground, sparkling brilliantly and cheerfully at sight of it in one green place, flashed a responsive welcome there, which spread along the country side as if a joyful beacon had been lighted up, and answered from a thousand stations. How beautiful the landscape kindling in the light, and that luxuriant influence passing on like a celestial presence, brightening everything! The wood, a sombre mass before, revealed its varied tints of yellow, green, brown, red; its different forms of trees, with raindrops glittering on their leaves and twinkling as they fell. The verdant meadow-land, bright and glowing, seemed as if it had been blind a minute since, and now had found a sense of sight wherewith to look up at the shining sky. Corn-fields, hedge-rows, fences, homesteads, the clustered roofs, the steeple of the church, the stream, the watermill, all sprung out of the gloomy darkness, smiling. Birds sang sweetly, flowers raised their drooping heads, fresh scents arose from the invigo rated ground; the blue expanse above, extended and diffused itself already the sun's slanting rays pierced mortally the sullen bank of cloud that lingered in its flight; and a rainbow spirit of all the colors that adorned the earth and sky, spanned the whole arch with its triumphant glory. At such a time, onc little roadside Inn, snugly sheltered be |