2 Those days when a phantom of sorrow
Could hang on my eye-lids the tear,
And a mother's foud smile I would borrow,
To bid the dark cloud disappear:

Alas! like a feverish slumber,

Those times of sweet sorrows are flown,
And how few of the joys can I number,
Of the many I once deem'd my own.

3 For what is the world's vaunted pleasure?
But as mountain-snow tinged with the sun,
Compar'd to the mirth without measure,
That I knew ere life's cares had begun?
Yet still! tho' the bud that then flourish'd
Of most of its smiles bereft,

Grief shall ne'er in my bosom be nourish'd,
To canker the few that are left.

Sva.

THEATRICALS.

EDITORS' TABLE.

PARK.-After an unfinished season of the most medley character, composed of the drama, lectures, operas, dances, negro-performances, et sic de similibus, Mr. Simpson has been compelled to relinquish the reins of management to the enterprizing Rufus Welsh, who has converted Old Drury, as it is presumptuously designated, into an amphitheatre. We have no aversion to this species of amusement, but we desire to see it confined to its own peculiar province, and not introduced into the temple of the drama. With whom the blame rests, we will not say, but it has been clearly demonstrated both by practical and palpable illustration for many past seasons, the Park is a josing concern, and that ere it commences another campaign, a new system of tactics must be adopted. One great cause which has militated so powerfully against it, is the notorious system of bill puffing, which this theatre has lately resorted to. It is no uncommon thing to behold the bills announcing to the public an old play, with some three or four old actors, as it were an extraordinary epoch in the drama. The result of this injurious system has been, that the public puts no faith in the language of the announcements, and unless some extraordinary individual, some lusus naturae in the theatrical bemisphere appears, the theatre presents nothing but "a beggarly display of empty boxes." The reduction of prices has done more to show the true feeling of the public towards theatricals, than all the surmises and plans which have been afloat for these last three years. As we remarked in a former issue, thea-approved of by every just and patriotic citizen. tres are luxuries, and in these days of depression, they must be afforded at a moderate price. The secret, therefore, having been found out, all that remains is for the managers to select respectable and talented companies-to pay strict attention to the nature and production of the performances, and to abolish, entirely, the star trade, that most destructive of all systems in theatricals, and our word upon it, the stage will speedily become as in olden times, the resort of the enlightened and rational. At the Bowery, the company is excellent, and the pieces are marked for the correct manner in which they are produced. The performers are proficients in their art-there is no "alloy in the metal"-no striking contrast of good and bad, a general keeping of excellence pervades every scene, the action of each drama progresses systematically and effectively to the denouement, when the auditor rises with feelings of satisfaction and delight. The principal entertainments have been a series of our best legitimate pieces, for which Mr. Hamblin merits especial honor, thereby testifying his ardent desire to uphold and disseminate a true theatrical taste among our community. In several of the plays he has appeared himself, in conjunction with Mr. J. R. Scott, a valuable acquisition to the company, Mr. Wallack, Jr. and Mrs. W. Hunt a lady, who possesses considerable talent and is cordially approved of by the audience, but the principal feature has been the appearance of the greatest actress in America, Mrs. Shaw, who has performed a series of her favorite characters to houses filled to overflowing. The new play of Love's Sacrifice, has been produced in a manner worthy of all commendation, indeed the part of Margaret as depicted by Mrs. Shaw, is one of the most powerful dramatic pictures the stage has ever beheld. The reduction of prices has acted like magic upon the fortunes of the theatre, seldom a night passing without the house being filled from floor to ceiling. In this instance it is palpable to conviction that a lack of money alone was the cause of "bad business." One season of prosperity, (and the present bids fair to be one,) and this noble establishment will again become the temple of the dramatic muse, and the pride of our theatrical community. At the Chatham, there has been a falling off in numbers, doubtlessly caused by the lowering of prices at the Bowery. The star-stock actors of the Park, Placide and W. H. Williams, have been playing the legitimate at this house, but have created no sensation. At the Olympic, the management has produced some of our best operas in a highly respectable manner. pleased at this; it betokens a healthy state of the drama, and that burlesque is not alone needed to attract the public to this fashionable little theatre.

THE SOMERS.-It is seldom that we make our columns the vehicle for remark upon aught that pertains to matters not connected with letters; but the present tragical affair now creating so intense an interest in the community, and with which a gentleman allied to literature is one of the principal actors, we feel ourselves warranted in recording our sentiments in approval of his conduct. To us, it appears that Captain Mackenzie in every matter connected with the mutiny, acted calmly, deliberately, and justly, basing the performance of the act upon the necessity of the occasion, which in the mind of every christian and man of honor, is sufficient to justify him. If there was one error in the transaction committed by Captain Mackenzie, it was in not giving the mutineers the form of a trial, which would have gone far to soothe the puling philan thropy of certain cliques, who condemn a body of honorable and gallant gentlemen who conferred an invaluable and everlasting benefit upon the world at large for exterminating three lawless ruffians from society, and saving the flag of their country from desecration. Blest would be our navy, if it boasted many more such men of honor and decision, instead of individuals who hold their private interests paramount to their country's and whose every action is directed by political feeling and influence. We entertain no doubt whatever, but that before these remarks have met the eye of the public, Captain Mackenzie and his brother officers will have been honorably acquitted, and the act

We are

LECTURES OF THE MERCANTILE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.—It appears to us that there is a laxity of judgment exercised among those to whom the choice of speakers is entrusted, (we will not say an undue impartiality,) but certainly a more rigorous discretion and judicious taste should be manifested in the government of this very important department of the institution. The duty of the lecturer is not merely to compile a quantity of matter from the works of authors, relative to his subject, and pass it upon his audience as original, as is now too frequently the custom of the oratorical pretenders of the present day. Yet even this might be tolerated, were the matter judiciously selected, and constructed and delivered with effective utterance and proper intonation. The true orator can, by his art, make a bad theme appear eloquent, but a bad theme, with a poor orator, is an infliction beyond the endurance of humanity Too much is this important art neglected, and however melodious the voice and competent the other physical concomitants, without a proper knowledge of elocution—that great illustrator and enforcer of language, the public speaker, will never interest his hearers, impart instruction, nor acquire fame or reputation. We make these few remarks in the spirit of candor, and from a sincere wish for the success and welfare of the institution. We hope that the evil will meet with the deep consideration of the members, before the announcement of the next annual course.

THE FASHIONS.-These remain much the same as those of December and January, with the exception of a pelisse of silk, with loose open sleeves, worn in walking. Furs are much worn. Evening and Ball costumes vary in nothing from our last, but in the introduction of a new sleeve, which descends about three parts down the arm. The hair is generally dressed in ringlets. Little or no jewelry.

OBITUARY.-Died on the 7th December, Miss Josephine Snowden, aged nineteen years, daughter of Thomas Snowden, Esq. It has been our lot to behold the decease of many dear relations and friends but never did we witness so beautiful an illustration of the precepts of religion and a sincere belief in God, as in the death of this youthful Christian. Bound to earth by every social and domestic tie, with the most brilliant prospects; yet, when it pleased her Heavenly Father to call her hence, she meekly bowed her head in submission, cheerfully relinquished earth and its follies, and expired in the firm faith of a glorious immortality.