us;
Or on the plain of Austerlitz,
Breathed out their dying AVES!

Rare fame! rare name!--If chanted praise,
With all the world to listen,--
If pride that swells a nation's soul,--
If foemen's tears that glisten,--
If pilgrims' shrining love,--if grief
Which nought may soothe or sever,--
If THESE can consecrate,--this spot
Is sacred ground forever!

[A] In the month of June the singular spectacle was presented at
Lexington, Va., of two hostile armies, in turn, reverently visiting
Jackson's grave.

WHEN THE WAR IS OVER.

A CHRISTMAS LAY.

I.

Ah! the happy Christmas times!
Times we all remember;--
Times that flung a ruddy glow
O'er the gray December;--
Will they never come again,
With their song and story?
Never wear a remnant more
Of their olden glory?
Must the little children miss
Still the festal token?
Must their realm of young romance
All be marred and broken?
Must the mother promise on,
While her smiles dissemble,
And she speaks right quietly,
Lest her voice should tremble:--

"Darlings! wait till father comes--
Wait--and we'll discover
Never were such Christmas times,
When the war is over!"

II.

Underneath the midnight sky,
Bright with starry beauty,
Sad, the shivering sentinel
Treads his round of duty:
For his thoughts are far away,
Far from strife and battle,
As he listens dreamingly,
To his baby's prattle;--
As he clasps his sobbing wife,
Wild with sudden gladness,
Kisses all her tears away--
Chides her looks of sadness--
Talks of Christmas nights to come,--
And his step grows lighter,
Whispering, while his stiffening hand
Grasps his musket tighter:--

"Patience, love!--keep heart! keep hope!
To your weary rover,
What a home our home will be,
When the war is over!"

III.

By the twilight Christmas fire,
All her senses laden
With a weight of tenderness,
Sits the musing maiden:
From the parlor's cheerful blaze,
Far her visions wander,
To the white tent gleaming bright,
On the hill-side yonder.
Buoyant in her brave, young love,
Flushed with patriot honour,
No misgiving, no fond fear,
Flings its shade upon her.
Though no mortal soul can know