JOHN GODFREY SAXE.

J. G. SAXE was born in Highgate, Franklin County, Vermont, June 2, 1816. We have not learned that his youth was marked by any points of interest. With habits of industry, and a desire for learning, he advanced steadily from the beginning to the end of his school work, "each day gaining and always retaining" valuable information.

In 1839 he completed a course of study in Middlebury College. In 1843 he was admitted to the bar at St. Albans. He practiced law in his native county till in March, 1850. During the next six years Saxe was editor and proprietor of the Burlington Sentinel. In the year 1856 he was State's Attorney. Three years later, in 1859-60, he was the candidate of his party for Governor of Vermont. From the time

of his admission to the bar, he was actively engaged in literary work, although his first published book did not appear till in 1846.

Saxe's books include Progress, a Satire, published in 1846; New Rape of the Lock, 1847; The Proud Miss McBride, 1848; The Times, 1849; The Money King, and other Poems, 1859; Clever Stories of Many Nations, 1864; The Masquerade and other Poems, 1866; Fables and Legends in Rhyme, 1872; and Leisure Day Rhymes, 1875. The collection of

poems, The Times, published in Boston in 1849, has passed through forty editions.

Saxe is one of our best humorous poets. In some respects he resembles Hood, "being remarkably quick in seeing the ludicrous side of things, and very felicitous in the use of puns and other oddities of speech."

At present he resides in Brooklyn, N. Y.

The Dapple Mare.

NCE on a time," as ancient tales declare,
There lived a farmer in a quiet dell

In Massachusetts, but exactly where,

Or when, is really more than I can tell-
Except that, quite above the public bounty,
He lived within his means, and Bristol county.

By patient labor and unceasing care,

He earned, and so enjoyed, his daily bread;

Contented always with his frugal fare,

Ambition to be rich ne'er vexed his head;
And thus unknown to envy, want, or wealth,
He flourished long in comfort, peace and health.

The gentle partner of his humble lot,

The joy and jewel of his wedded life, Discharged the duties of his peaceful cot

Like a true woman and a faithful wife;

Her mind improved by thought and useful reading, Kind words and gentle manners showed her breeding.

Grown old at last, the farmer called his son,

The youngest, (and the favorite, I suppose,) And said "I long have thought, my darling John, 'Tis time to bring my labors to a close;

So now to toil I mean to bid adieu,

And deed, my son, the homestead farm to you."

The boy embraced the boon with vast delight,

And promised, while their precious lives remained, He'd till and tend the farm from morn till night, And see his parents handsomely maintained; God help him, he would never fail to love, nor Do aught to grieve his generous old gov'nor!

The farmer said "Well, let us now proceed,
(You know there's always danger in delays,)
And get 'Squire Robinson to write the deed;

Come-where's my staff? we'll soon be on the way."