eems
a field-day in heaven; great bodies of artillery in motion, forming
themselves into solid phalanx, and giving more and more dreadful notes of
preparation. Volleys tell when divisions join, and the light that
announces them is as if the adamantine arch were riven, disclosing dread
splendors unspeakable Most grand, most beautiful storm! New music--that
of the delicious rain, and in such abundance that it washes away the very
memory of the parched and burning day. No wild commotion, no terror!
Sublime order and an awe which is like peace. One more proof of the
unfailing, tender love of our heavenly Father.

NO SONGS IN WINTER.

BY T. B. ALDRICH.

I

The robin and the oriole,
The linnet and the wren--
When shall I see their fairyships,
And hear their songs again?

II.

The wind among the poplar trees,
At midnight, makes its moan;
The slim red cardinal flowers are dead,
And all sweet things are flown!

III.

A great white face looks down from heaven,
The great white face of Snow;
I cannot sing or morn or even,
The demon haunts me so!

IV.

It strikes me dumb, it freezes me,
I sing a broken strain--
Wait till the robins and the wrens
And the linnets come again!

THE BENI-ISRAEL.

BY OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES.

Crammed--lobbies, galleries, boxes, floor;
Heads piled on heads at every door.
The actors were a painted group,
Of statue shapes, a "model" troupe,
With figures not severely Greek,
And drapery more or less antique;
The play, if one might call it so,
A Hebrew tale, in silent show.

And with the throng the pageant drew
There mingled Hebrews, not a few,
Coarse, swarthy, bearded--at their side
Dark, jewelled women, orient-eyed.
If scarce a Christian hope for grace,
That crowds one in his narrow place,
What will the savage victim do,
Whose ribs are kneaded by a JEW?

Close on my left, a breathing form
Sat wedged against me, soft and warm;
The vulture-beaked and dark-browned face
Betrays the mould of Abraham's race;
That coal-black hair--and bistred hue--
Ah, cursed, unbelieving Jew!
I started, shuddering to the right,
And squeezed--a second Israelite!

Then rose the nameless words that slip
From darkening soul to whitening lip.
The snaky usurer,--him that crawls,
And c