rds of the greatest
importance, as they furnish, in certain seasons of the year, in many
extensive districts, almost the only article of food that can be
procured. The arrival of the water-fowl, it is said, marks the
commencement of spring and diffuses as much joy among the wandering
hunters of the Arctic regions, as the harvest or vintage in more genial
climates. The period of their emigration southwards again, in large
flocks, at the close of summer, is another season of plenty bountifully
granted to the natives, and enabling them to encounter the rigour and
privations of a northern winter.

Dr. Richardson acknowledges the liberal assistance afforded him by the
Hudson's Bay Company, in the collection of specimens. Indeed, to this
public-spirited body are we indebted for our earliest systematic
knowledge of the Hudson's Bay birds. The reader may likewise witness a
few living evidences of the Company's liberality, in the fine collection
of eagles and owls presented by them to the Zoological Society, and
exhibiting in the Gardens in the Regent's Park. Such devotion to the
advancement of science cannot be too proudly perpetuated in the history
of a society established for commercial objects.

* * * * *

SONNET.

TO H----C. ON MY FRIEND H---- S---- BEING IN LOVE WITH HER.

(_For the Mirror._)

Thou that art like the sun, that on its way,
Across the cloudless distance of the skies
Gives pleasure to us all--no rivalries
Lessen'ng the love we bear it--as a day
Of shower-glad April or the month of May,
Thou that art cheerful--see yon youth that lies
Weeping for want of sunshine from thine eyes,
And hope that thou canst only give him--say:
"Sweet youth, and art thou weeping for a heart
All passion, joy, and gladness--come unto me,
Oft by the evening sunset thou shalt woo me,
And as thou hast the gentleness and art
Or rather truth-kind nature thou mayst tear it
From all its other likings, win and wear it."

J.H.H.

* * * * *

MRS. HEMANS.

(_To the Editor._)

I have just been perusing in No. 16, of Chambers's _Edinburgh Journal_,
a short and incorrect sketch of that highly-gifted and moral poetess,
Mrs. Hemans, "who," the writer says, "first came into public notice
about twelve or fourteen years ago;" whereas, her literary career
commenced as far back as the year 1809, in an elegantly printed quarto
of poems, which w