and People of Siam. He was also the author of some excellent hymns. A GEORGE CROLY. CLERGYMAN of the Anglican Church, Croly was a native of Dublin, Ireland, in which city he was born in the month of August, 1780. He became rector of St. Stephen's, Wallbrook, London, in 1835. He died on the 24th of November, 1860. A poet, a prose-writer and a pulpit-orator, the writings of Croly take a wide range in the domain of literature. Some of his published works are: Salathiel: A Story of the Past, the Present and the Future; History of George IV.; Poetical Works, Catiline: A Tragedy; Life of Edmund Burke; and Marston, a novel. WHAT CONSTITUTES A STATE? Not high-raised battlement or labored mound, Not cities proud with spires and turrets crowned; Not bays and broad-armed ports Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride; Not starred and spangled courts Where low-browed baseness wafts perfume to pride. No! Men, high-minded men, With powers as far above dull brutes endued, In forest, brake or den, As beasts excel cold rocks and brambles rude; Men who their duties know, But know their rights, and, knowing, dare maintain, Oh, the gallant knights of old, for their valor Oh, those blessed times of old, with their so renowned! chivalry and state! With sword and lance and armor strong they I love to read their chronicles which such scoured the country round; brave deeds relate; And whenever aught to tempt them they met I love to sing their ancient rhymes, to hear by wood or wold, their legends told; By right of sword they seized the prize, those But, Heaven be thanked! I live not in those gallant knights of old. Oh, the gentle dames of old, who quite free from fear or pain Could gaze on joust and tournament and see their champions slain ! blessed times of old. FRANCES BROWN. THE WAY OF THE WORLD.-The way of the world is to make laws, but follow customs. MONTAIGNE. |