the Cock of the woods, various sorts of Falcons, Buzzards, and even Eagles have been observed. Loch Ness, as I before stated, never freezes in winter; and in that season presents a very animated picture, in consequence of the numerous tribes of aquatic fowl, which seek support there. Fish is very abundant; most of my readers have, I presume, heard of Scotch salmon and oysters. The number of islands which crowd the western coast of Scotland, present much sublime scenery; but as I shall consider these in a future paper, I shall take no further notice of them at present. I need hardly inform my readers that Scotland's heroes and bards will take rank even with those of England: and the education which is given to even the poorest, renders it less wonderful, that so many Scotch peasants have distinguished themselves by their genius, or their mechanical skill. Burns, Tannakill, Fergusson, among the lower orders, and Black, Stewart, Scott, and Playfair, among the higher, are a full proof of the native genius of the Scots. We are accustomed to think lightly of Scotland, because the peasants speak chiefly Gaelic, live on oat cakes, and run about with naked feet. Yet let us remember that the poorest Scotchman would sooner die than come to the parish; that crime is far less prevalent among them than in England, and that in short, there is more truth in Cowper's lines, than our national pride would lead us to suppose. To whose lean country, much disdain We English often show; But wantonness and woe EUGENIA. * The following anecdote was related in Mrs. Grant's residence in the Highlands, I think. A poor carrier lived near Mrs. G., whose only support was his horse. The animal died, and the man was nearly starved. The overseer heard of this, and came to offer kind assistance. "No, thank you, sir," said the poor fellow, with honest pride, "it is not come to that neither, for I have 8d. and the skin of the horse." 174 THE FLOWER OF TO-DAY. I SAW him whet his scythe anew, The tall, ripe grass, that many a day And many a night had grown, Through heat and cold its seed matur'd, Came in its fulness down The tender blade of yester morn, And there was one in midst of all, The colouring of its bud was like And Oh! it was a lovely thing; The mower did not raise his scythe The flower of to-day. I sighed-But O, had it stayed behind, When all about it died Had it stay'd to blossom there alone, When all was gone beside. Yet, lest he sink beneath the fears, We will come unto him and make our abode with him. ALONE-what is't to be alone? It is to think, to feel, Where none will question of the thought, To hope, to dread, to wish, to doubt, To have the heart o'erflow with love, On our own bosom to receive To sing our hymns of praise alone, And doubt if Heaven itself can hear Alone-and can I be alone, Where every thought I have ascends To Him who once on earth had thoughts, Ascends! Ah no! for He is here, He lists with sympathizing love To all my sorrow's tale ; And speaks to me when none are near, M. BLIND, weak, and restless, man by nature knows, Without a compass or a pilot, lost. Nor hath he power to repel the wave, Breaking with mighty force upon that shore, Where the frail bark once cast, its freight is seen no more. Amidst the elemental storm, Behold an angel form. She comes-but not with meteor light; She speaks-but not with syren voice; Her counsel sets the wanderer right, And leads him to rejoice. While peacefully the vessel glides along, Hers is the harp, and hers the song; And when the winds prevail, When the dark waters roll; She holds the helm, she furls the sail, And casts her anchor out to stay the soul. She bids the watchful mariner descry Dangers unnoticed by the careless eye, |