In procuring his food, he displays, in a very singular manner, the genius and energy of his character, which is fierce, contemplative, daring, and tyrannical; attributes not exerted save on particular occasions, but when put forth, overpowering all opposition. Elevated on the high, dead limb of some gigantic tree that commands a wide view of the neighbouring shore and ocean, he seems calmly to contemplate the motions of the various feathered tribes that pursue their busy avocations below; the snow-white gulls slowly winnowing the air; the busy quails coursing o'er the sands; trains of ducks streaming over the surface; silent and watchful cranes intent and wading; clamorous crows; and all the winged multitudes that subsist by the bounty of this vast liquid magazine of nature. High over all these, hovers one whose action instantly arrests his whole attention. By his wide curvature of wing, and sudden suspension in air, he knows him to be the fish-hawk, settling over some devoted victim of the deep. His eye kindles at the sight, and balancing himself with half-opened wings on the branch, he watches the result. Down, rapid as an arrow from heaven, descends the distant object of his attention, the roar of its wings reaching the ear as it disappears in the deep, making the surges foam around. this moment the eager looks of the eagle are all ardour ; and, levelling his neck for flight, he sees the fish-hawk once more emerge, struggling with his prey, and mounting in the air with screams of exultation. These are the signal for our hero, who, launching into the air, instantly gives chase, and soon gains on the fish-hawk; each exerts his utmost to mount above the other, displaying the most elegant and sublime aerial evolutions. The unencumbered eagle rapidly advances, and, is just on the point of reaching his opponent, when, with a sudden scream, probably of despair

At

and honest execration, the latter drops his fish; the eagle, poising himself for a moment, as if to take a more certain aim, descends like a whirlwind, snatches it in his grasp ere it reaches the water, and bears his ill-gotten booty silently away to the woods.-ALEX. WILSON.

THE DOG AND THE CRANE.

A mongrel dog, a surly elf,

Who ne'er loved aught except himself,
As once, half chew'd, he gorged his prey,
He found a bone obstruct the way;
Then to the crane, in feeble tone,
He made the dire disaster known;
Adding (to make assurance sure)
That vast rewards should pay the
The crane at once complied, and drew
The latent splinter forth to view.
The savage, freed from pain and fear,

cure.

Beheld his friend with scornful sneer;

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What! now, no doubt, you want your hire,
Thou mercenary fool-retire,"

(The graceless ruffian taunting said),

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And thank me that you wear your head."

The generous bird reply disdained,

And spurn'd the ground the wretch profaned,
Look'd up with yet unanger'd eye,

And clapp'd her wings, and sought the sky.
The dog meantime, with inward pain,
Her careless air and just disdain
Beheld he cursed the glorious sight
With all the rage of thwarted spite;
The keen remorse assail'd him sore,
And gave a pang unfelt before;

With persevering feet, behind
Him justice traced, though lame and blind;
When next he tasted living food

He found his late mischance renew'd,
Another bone his throat retains,
And doubles all his former pains:
At once a thousand thoughts combined,
Like lightning flash'd upon his mind;
They stung, they blasted, as they came,
With conscious guilt, reproach, and shame:
Cursed dog-to guile more cursed a prey,
He groan'd—as stretch'd on earth he lay.
A bird who heard him thus complain,
Flew straight and told her friend the crane,
She hastes th' expiring wretch to find,
Who thus display'd his rankling mind:

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Comest thou to blast my dying ear?

Why! take thy wish,-I'm bound to bear
Reproach and insult, storm and hate;
Come all, and urge the hand of fate."
Conscious of worth superior, smiled
The crane, and thus his fears beguiled:
"Learn better thoughts-look up and trace
The marks of mercy in my face;

I court the nobler task to show

That virtue still resides below;

To make thy stubborn soul believe

There still are those who, wrong'd relieve;
Thy life again I come to give,
And more, a pattern how to live."
The cur, who, still of guile afraid,
Knew death at hand without her aid,
Since now his death could be but sure,

He thought it best to risk a cure.
Again the crane exerts her art,

The splinter leaves the wounded part:
The dog, astonish'd, dumb with awe,
The exalted bounty felt and saw ;
Grovelling in dust, he durst not meet
Her eye, and crawl'd and lick'd her feet;
Contempt itself and just disdain

Had given but half the shame and pain.
The crane with mildness raised her head,
Whilst thus the vanquish'd sinner said;
"Oh! let me find some happy way
One mite of my vast debt to pay;
Make me henceforth your faithful slave,
And deign to use the life you gave;
So shall I dare once more to rise,
Once more to meet those friendly eyes."
The bird replied, "you owe me nought;
I've gained the sole reward I sought,
The joy, the glory to impart

The virtue that first warm'd the heart;
To heaven thy adoration pay,

Its servant I, who, pleased, obey:

Be virtuous then, and blessed" she said,
Exulting clapp'd her wings, and fled.
The dog arose, resolved no more
A thief to prowl the forest o'er,
Was ever at his master's side,
A faithful servant till he died.

-NORTHCOTE'S FABLES.

THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE

At ten minutes past eleven our light cavalry brigade

advanced. The whole brigade scarcely made one effective regiment, according to the numbers of continental armies, and yet it was more than we could spare. As they rushed towards the front, the Russians opened on them from the guns in the redoubt on the right with volleys of musketry and rifles. They swept proudly past, glittering in the morning sun in all the pride and splendour of war. We could scarcely believe the evidence of our senses! Surely that handful of men are not going to charge an army in position! Alas! it was but too true! Their desperate valour knew no bounds, and far indeed was it removed from its so-called better part-discretion. They advanced in two lines, quickening their pace as they closed towards the enemy. A more fearful spectacle was never witnessed than by those who beheld these heroes rush into the arms of death.

At the distance of 1,200 yards the whole line of the enemy belched forth from thirty iron mouths a flood of smoke and flame, through which hissed the deadly balls. Their flight was marked by gaps in our ranks, by dead men and horses, by steeds flying wounded or riderless across the plain. The first line is broken-it is joined by the second -they never halt, or check their speed an instant-with diminished ranks, thinned by those thirty guns, which the Russians had laid with the most deadly accuracy-with a halo of flashing steel above their heads-and with a cheer which was many a noble fellow's death-cry, they flew into the smoke of the batteries; but ere they were lost from view, the plain was strewed with their bodies, and with the carcases of horses. They were exposed to an oblique fire from the batteries on the hills on both sides, as well as to a direct fire of musketry. Through the clouds of smoke we could see their sabres flashing as they rode up to the guns and dashed between them, cutting down the gunners as they