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the globe. This, which frequently has been termed "shocks," has certainly been more or less sensibly felt in proportion to the solidity of that terra-firma with which we sympathised. Hence the made lands of the Mississippi have been prematurely hurried to that level from which they originally deserted. That, however, any lakes have been created by this cometary influence, is to me as yet a matter of doubt. I have only to state, that I have comfortably reposed in houses where newspapers have announced every disappearance of earth. As your attention to me while in Milledgeville, and the evidence I have noticed of your wish to be useful in the line of your business, have been the leading cause of these remarks, you shall shortly have a demonstration of the late comet, founded on the most attentive observations. In the interim, I hope your press will be open to any decent criticism on the preceding reflections. FRANCIS MHENRY.

THE BASILISK.

The serpent called the basilisk is represented, by Galen, to be of a color inclining to yellow; and that it has three little eminences upon its head, speckled with whitish spots, which have the appea. ance of a sort of crown.

Ælian says, that its poison is so penetrating, as to kill the largest serpents with its vapor only: and that if it but bite the end of any man's stick, it kills him! Pliny says, it kills those who look upon it. The generation of the basilisk is not less marvellous, being said to be produced from a cock's egg, brooded on by a serpent. These, and other things equally ridiculous, are related by Matthiolus, Galen, Discorides, Pliny, and Erasistratus. Hirchmayer, and Vander Weil, have given the history of the basilisk, and detected the folly and imposture of the traditions concerning it. In some apothecaries' shops there are little serpents shown which are said to be basilisks. But these seem rather to be a kind of small bird, almost like a cock, but without feathers its eyes large, and its neck very short. As to those which are shown and sold at Venice, and in other places, they are nothing but little thornbacks artificially put into a form like that of a young cock, by stretching out their fins, and contriving them with a little head and hollow eyes: and this, Calmet says, he has in reality observed in a supposed basilisk, at an apothecary's shop at Paris, and another at the Jesuits of Point-a-Mousson.

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Nymph of the ruddy cheek, and sparkling eye, Beneath whose airy footsteps pleasures spring, Will Spring's return, with balmy zephyrs, bring Thee, HEALTH, for whom I breathe the longing sigh?

Didst thou in mountain clime with shepherds dwell,
Where colds intense and chilling breezes blow,
Thy fix'd abode could I but surely know,
I'd seek thee far by grotto, wood or dell.

Thy magic smile drives pain and sorrow far,

To hide with sickness in their secret cell,
Thou bliss of life! oh, come with me and dwell,
And thou the gates of hope and joy unbar :

Within my grateful bosom live and reign,
And banish thence for ever torturing pain.

M. A. W.

FOR THE LUMINARY.

ON THE DEATH OF A DARLING CHILD.

"Twas hard to part! but, DGAR, thou art blest,
From ambush'd evils kindly call'd above,

By angels led, instructed and caress'd,
Thou leavest a parent's for thy Saviour's breast;

We lose a son's, but gain a cherub's love.

J. D.

FOR THE HALCYON LUMINARY.

Reflections on the occurrences of the last year, concluding with the last earthquake at Caraccas.

How awful are the times in which we live?
What serious warnings to our souls they give!
Signs in the heavens, the sea, and winds, conspire;
With quaking earth, and all-consuming fire.
Even here we've felt the earth rock to and fro,
Tho', spar'd by heaven, we yet are free from wo.

Let us endeavor in our minds to span
That burst of grief which thro' Caraccas ran,
When friend and foe in instant ruin hurl'd,
Entomb'd alive and hurried from the world.

The rising sun saw thoughtless thousands gay,
Rejoicing in their power, success, and sway;
But ere it set-in ruins cover'd o'er;

Its cheerful beams can glad their hearts no more!

May we be wise, nor may we merit here,
Those sad reproofs and threat'nings of the seer,
When he to Israel by the Lord was sent,
To urge them by past judgments to repent,
Reproach'd their hardness for his grace abused;
His warning and his mercies all refused;
Foretold those sufferings since they've truly known,
Which God's long suffering had kept back alone:
Entreating them to live nor feel that wo,
Which still obdurate they would surely know.
We read their fate, may we more wise improve,
Thro' these sad warnings which our sins reprove.
Implore our God his chastening hand to stay,
And give us grace to love Religion's way.

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Jane her own beauty sees, this gives her pride,
That she sees more than all the world beside.

280

[Since the following beautiful lines appeared in our first number, they have been set to an appropriate air, by Dr. Jackson of this city, with which we An apology for the re-appear are happy to enrich the present number. ance of the poetry will not, therefore, be necessary.

TO CONTENT.

Halcyon nymph, with placid smile,
Tranquil breast and heavenly eye!
Bless me, sweet CONTENT, awhile,
To my rural cottage fly.

Gaunt Ambition ne'er can vex thee,
Safe within my humble cell;
Nor can cankering care perplex thee,
Fiends that with me never dwell.
Come, sweet nymph, then let me greet thee,
Free from noise and proud parade,
Peace, thy sister, comes to meet thee,

See, her olive is my shade.

Cheer'd by thee, the laborer's flail
Loses half its weight and toil;
Love and joy thy presence hail,
Envy's baneful arts recoil.
Nature's charms, delight inspiring,
Deck'd in brighter colors glow;
Life's rude passions too retiring,

Years like ripling currents flow.

EDITORS]

[The two following songs, the production of Mr. M'Creery, of Petersburg, (Va.) were sung at the annual celebration of St. Patrick's day, by the "Juvenile Sons of Erin," on the seventeenth of March in the present year. The poetical effusions of this Hibernian bard are ever welcome to the friends of genius, taste and refinement. EDITORS.]

Tune-"Hermit of Killarney.”

When rolling orbs from chaos sprung,

A guide for the oppress'd;
One sparkling star kind nature flung
And fix'd it in the west;

Admiring millions view its flight,

And hail it from afar;

Enraptur'd, bless its cheering light

They call it FREEDOM'S STAR.

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