ere four men each bearing a large garland of flowers, and after them
followed the merry lads and smiling lasses in good order and arrayed
in their holiday kirtles. The vicar's house stands on a fine lawn
commanding a most enchanting view. On this verdant carpet, after a
promenade and general salute to their worthy pastor and his numerous
guests, dancing took place; for the time all distinctions were laid
aside, and the greatest gentry in the neighbourhood, taking the hand of
their more humble neighbours, led them through the mazy dance with a
feeling of kindness, friendship, and good humour such as I have seldom
witnessed. Two or three hours of as beautiful an evening as ever zephyr
kissed were thus spent, after which, drawing up before the house "the
King" was given, with three times three; next came "God save the King,"
and then "_Hurrah for the Bonnets o' Blue_" led the party off in
the order they came to witness the ceremony of "dressing" the May-Pole.
About five hundred yards brought us to the elevated object on which was
placed, with all due solemnity, the before-mentioned garlands, and the
pole being considered fully dressed, we all adjourned to a large barn,
where dancing was kept up with great spirit, until night drew her sable
curtain over the scene, and the company retired with light hearts and
weary feet to their peaceful homes.

Such, sir, is the Dorsetshire way of hailing the return of gentle skies
and genial seasons; a custom of the olden time, which is productive of
good feeling among all classes, and is at present conducted with good
order and respectability.

_Sturminster_.

RURIS.

* * * * *

Old Poets.

* * * * *

CUPID'S ARROWS.

At Venus' entreaty for Cupid, her son,
These arrows by Vulcan were cunningly done:
The first is Love, as here you may behold
His feathers, head, and body, are of gold.
The second shaft is Hate, a foe to Love,
And bitter are his torments for to prove.
The third is Hope, from whence our comfort springs,
His feathers are pull'd from Fortune's wings.
Fourth, Jealousy in basest minds doth dwell,
This metal Vulcan's Cyclops sent from Hell.

G. PEELE.

* * * * *

MIND.

It is the mind that maketh good or ill,
That makes a wretch, or happy, rich or poor,
For some that have abundance at their will,
Have not enough but want in gre