household was absent for the day; but I could easily perceive by the frequent and earnest inquiries of the children, and the delighted replies of the mother, that he was their all in all on earth, and their guide to heaven. Before leaving this blest abode, I gave one scrutinizing glance around. A well-earned competency was all they could boast, and that had taught them how to live, and had given them health to enjoy the reward of honest industry. Here it was I found content. From this place I bent my steps homeward, exclaiming, as I meditated on what I had seen, "Lord, give me neither poverty nor riches," but rather a grateful heart and contented mind.

Reader, my wish has been gratified. I have disclosed my secret, and my ring is gone forever.

WHAT A WORLD THIS MIGHT BE.

O, WHAT a world this might be,
If hearts were always kind;
If, friendship, none would slight thee,
And fortune proved less blind!

With love's own voice to guide us—
Unchanging e'er and fond
With all we wish beside us,
And not a care beyond.

O, what a world this might be !
More blest than that of yore:
Come, learn, and 'twill requite ye,
To love each other more.

O, what a world of beauty

A loving heart might plan,

If man but did his duty,

And helped his brother man!

Then angel guests would brighten
The threshold with their wings,

And love divine enlighten

The old forgotten springs.

A LADY'S VALENTINE.

The following was found in one of the streets of Boston, the sentiment of which is too good to be lost.

I WOULD be thine!

Ah! not to learn the anguish

Of being first a deity enshrined,

Then, when the fever-fit is passed, to languish, Stripped of each grace that fancy round me twined: Not such the lot I crave.

I would be thine!

Not in bright summer weather,
A sunny atmosphere to breathe,

But fear and tremble when the storm-clouds gather,
And shrink life's unrelenting frown beneath,
Failing when needed most.

I would be thine!

To lose all selfish feeling

In the sole thought of thee, far dearer one,
To study every look thy will revealing,
To make thy voice's ever-varying tone
The music of my heart.

I would be thine!

When sickness doth oppress thee,

With love's unwearied vigilance to watch;
Waking, to soothe, to comfort, to caress thee;
Sleeping, to list in dread, each sound to catch,
Thy slumbers that might break.

I would be thine !

When vexed by worldly crosses

To cheer thee with affection's constant care,
To stay thee, 'neath the burden of thy losses,
By showing thee how deeply thou art dear,
Most so in thy distress.

I would be thine!

Gently and unrepining

To bear with thee, when chafed and spirit-worn,
The hasty word, the quick reproach denying
But by the soft submission, which is borne
Of steadfast love alone.

I would be thine!

My world in thee to centre,

With all its hopes, cares, fears, and loving thought,
No wish beyond the home where thou shouldst enter,
Ever anew to find thy presence brought
My life's best joy.

I would be thine!

Not passion's wild emotion

To show thee, fitful as the changing wind,
But with a still, deep, fervent life-devotion,
To be to thee the help-meet God designed-
For this would I be thine !

HOW MUCH THERE IS THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.

How much there is that's beautiful
In this fair world of ours!
The verdure of the early spring,
The sweetly blooming flowers,
The brook that dances in the light,
The birds that carol free,
Are objects beautiful and bright,
That every where we see.

There's beauty in the early morn,
When all is hushed and still
And at the lovely sunset hour,
'Tis spread o'er vale and hill
It lives within the gorgeous clouds

It dwells in quiet stillness where
The glassy waters glide,

And wakes to awful grandeur 'neath

The cataract's foaming tide ;
'Tis throned in dark, stern majesty,
Where the tall mountain towers.

O, there is beauty every where

In this bright world of ours.