Oh, then we came to Italy, Where beggars swarm like bees; The Mole had to work like any Turk, While they sat at their ease. So the Mole and I came back again, etc. Then we went off to Austria, Where, much to our surprise, They tried to shut us up for life, And called us English spies. So the Mole and I came back again, etc. And next we got to Russia, Where we tried to look about; But we chanced to stare at the Russian Bear, And he order'd us the knout. So the Mole and I came back again, etc. *The words and music of this song, and of that which follows it, were composed by Miss Campbell for the amusement of the young. We started off to America, The land of the free and the brave, But they said the Mole was as black as a coal, And they'd sell him for a slave. So the Mole and I came back again, etc. We travell'd off to Africa, To see a wondrous lake, But turned our tail, and made all sail, So the Mole and I came back again, etc. Then last we went to Scotland, So the Mole and I came back again, That there's no place in all the world O, WHAT WILL WE DO IN THE MORNING. O, WHAT will we do in the morning- O what will we do in the morning- O, what will we do in the morning- Without smoothing our hair in the morning. O, what will we do in the morning- And never be cross in the morning. O, what will we do in the morning— O, what will we do in the morning? We must make it a rule to go early to school, And never be late in the morning. O, what will we do in the morning- ELIZA A. H. OGILVY. MRS ELIZA A. H. OGILVY was born in India, in January 1822. Her father, Abercrombie Dick, Esq., was many years a Judge in the East India Company's Civil Service. Her childhood was passed in Scotland, under the care of her uncle, Sir Robert Dick of Tullymett, who afterwards, at the head of his division, fell at the battle of Sobraon. In 1843, she married David Ogilvy, Esq., a cadet of the Ogilvys of Inverquharity, in Forfarshire. Several years of her married life were spent in Italy. She has long resided in London or its neighbourhood. Mrs Ogilvy has published "Highland Minstrelsy," 1848, 4to; "Traditions of Tuscany," 1851, 12mo; and "Poems of Ten Years," 1856, 12mo. She has extensively contributed to the periodicals both in prose and verse. THOMAS TOD STODDART. THOMAS TOD STODDART, well-known through his ingenious works on angling, was born on the 14th February 1810, in Argyle Square, Edinburgh. In the chamber of his birth Dr Robertson is believed to have written the "History of Scotland." His father, a rear-admiral in the navy, shared in several distinguished services: he was present at Lord Howe's victory; at the landing in Egypt; at the battles of the Nile and Copenhagen, and in many desperate encounters between Russia and Sweden. Young Stoddart was educated at the Moravian establishment at Fairfield, near Manchester, and subsequently passed through a course of philosophy and law in the University of Edinburgh. Early devoted to verse-making, he composed a tragedy in his ninth year; and at the age of sixteen was the successful competitor in Professor Wilson's class, for a poem on "Idolatry." He was an early contributor to the Edinburgh Literary Journal. Mr Stoddart studied for the Bar, and passed advocate in 1833. Finding the legal profession uncongenial, he soon relinquished it; and entering upon the married state in 1836, he has since resided at Kelso. For many years he has divided his time between the pursuits of literature, and the recreation of angling. In 1831, he published "The Deathwake, or Lunacy, a Poem;" in 1834, "The Art of Angling;" in 1836, "Angling Reminiscences ;" in 1839 "Songs and Poems;" and in 1844, " Abel Massinger, or the Aëronaut, a Romance." The second of these publications has been remodelled, and under the title of "The Angler's Companion," has exhausted several impressions, and continues in general favour. Living at Kelso, Mr Stoddart has every opportunity of prosecuting his favourite pastime in the Tweed, and enjoying scenery calculated to foster the poetic temperament. An' Gala, too, an' Teviot bright, Amang the braes o' bonnie Tweed. There's no a hole abune the Crook, Nor stane nor gentle swirl aneath, Nor drumlie rill, nor fairy brook, That daunders through the flowr'y heath, But ye may fin' a subtle troot, A' gleamin' ower wi' starn an' bead, An' mony a sawmon sooms aboot, Below the bields o' bonnie Tweed. Frae Holylee to Clovenford, A chancier bit ye canna ha'e, So gin ye tak' an' angler's word, Ye'd through the whins an' ower the brae, Yer birzy hackles black and reid; THE BRITISH OAK. Its hundred arms are brandish'd wide Our hearts shall never quail Below the servile yoke, Long as our seamen trim the sail, Then in its native mead The golden acorn lay, And watch with care the bursting seed, The island of the brave- ALEXANDER MACLAGAN. ALEXANDER MACLAGAN was born at Bridgend, Perth, on the 3d April 1811. His father Thomas Maclagan, was bred to farming, but early abandoning this occupation, settled in Perth as a manufacturer. Unfortunate in business, he removed to Edinburgh, with a young family of three children; the subject of this sketch being the eldest. Catherine Stuart, the poet's mother, was descended from the Stuarts of Breadalbane, a family of considerable rank in that district. At the period of his father's removal to Edinburgh, Alexander was only in his fifth year. Not more successful in his pursuits in Edinburgh, where three additional children were born to him, Thomas Maclagan was unable to bestow upon his son Alexander the liberal education which his strong natural capacity demanded; but acquiring the common rudiments of knowledge at several schools in the Old Town, he was at the early age of ten taken thence, and placed in a jeweller's shop, where he remained two years. Being naturally strong, and now of an age to undertake more laborious employment, his father rather against the son's inclinations, bound him apprentice to a plumber in Edinburgh, with whom he served six years. About this time he produced many excellent drawings, which received the approbation of the managers of the Edinburgh School of Design, but the arduous duties of his occupation precluded the possibility of his following his natural bent. His leisure time was chiefly devoted to the cultivation of literature. So early as his thirteenth year he entered the Edinburgh Mechanics' Library as a member; and from this early age he dates his taste for poetry. In 1829, while yet an apprentice, Maclagan became connected with the Edinburgh Literary Journal, edited by Mr Glassford Bell. As a contributor to that publication, he was introduced to the Ettrick Shepherd, Professor Wilson, and William Motherwell, who severally commended his verses. On the expiry of his apprenticeship he worked for some time as a journeyman plumber. He was married in his eighteenth year; and he has three surviving children. In 1831 he commenced on his own account, in a shop at the head of the Mound, Edinburgh; but finding he had inadequate capital, he proceeded to London in quest of employment in some managing department of his trade. In the metropolis he was well received by Allan Cunningham, and was, through his recommendation, offered an appointment under Mr Cubitt, the well known builder. A strike among Mr Cubitt's workmen unfortunately interfered with the completion of the arrangement, and the poet, much disappointed, returned to Edinburgh. He now accepted an engagement as manager of a plumbery establishment in Dunfermline, where he continued two years. He has since devoted himself to literary pursuits. In 1841 Maclagan published a collected edition of his poems, which attracted the favourable notice of Lord Jeffrey. He invited the poet to his residence, and on many occasions proved his benefactor. On the publication, in 1849, of another volume, entitled, "Sketches from Nature," the great reviewer wrote to the poet in these words, "I can remember when the appearance of such a work would have produced a great sensation, and secured to its author both distinction and more solid advantages." Among the last written of Lord Jeffrey's letters, was one addressed to Mr Maclagan in regard to the second edition of his Poems. Shortly after his patron's death, the poet found a new friend in Lord Cockburn, who procured him a junior clerkship in the office of the Inland Revenue, Edinburgh. This situation proved uncongenial; the poet found himself unsuited to the practice of lengthened arithmetical summations, and he resigned his post under the promise of being transferred to another department, more suitable to his habits. In 1851 he was, by a number of his admirers, entertained at a public dinner in the hall attached to Burns' Cottage, and more lately he received a similar compliment in his native town. Considerate attentions have been shown him by the Duchess of Sutherland, the Duke of Argyle, the Rev. Dr Guthrie, and other distinguished individuals. In the autumn of 1856 he had conferred on him a Civil List pension. Maclagan published, in 1854, "Ragged and Industrial School Rhymes." Imbued with a keen perception of the beautiful and pleasing, alike in the natural and moral world, his poetry is marked by refinement of thought, elegance of expression, and an earnest devotedness. He delights to depict the praises of virtue. The lover's tale he has told with simplicity and tenderness. CURLING SONG. HURRAH for Scotland's worth and fame, The pastime o' the free, boys. While head, an' heart, an' arm are strang, At the flinging o' the flee, boys. Wha glories in a brave bonspiel- In ancient days-faine tells the fact- And mak' the feckless flee, boys. May love and friendship crown our cheer |