ined without such aid.

The following recipes, compiled from a careful analysis of the best
authors, will be found, we trust, efficient guides for the composition
of genuine poems. But the tyro must bear always in mind that there is no
royal road to anything, and that not even the most explicit directions
will make a poet all at once of even the most fatuous, the most
sentimental, or the most profane.

RECIPES.

The following are arranged somewhat in the order in which the student is
recommended to begin his efforts. About the more elaborate ones, which
come later, he may use his own discretion as to which he will try first;
but he must previously have had some training in the simpler
compositions, with which we deal before all others. These form as it
were a kind of palaestra of folly, a very short training in which will
suffice to break down that stiffness and self-respect in the soul, which
is so incompatible with modern poetry. Taking, therefore, the silliest
and commonest of all kinds of verse, and the one whose sentiments come
most readily to hand in vulgar minds, we begin with directions,

HOW TO MAKE AN ORDINARY LOVE POEM.

Take two large and tender human hearts, which match one another
perfectly. Arrange these close together, but preserve them from actual
contact by placing between them some cruel barrier. Wound them both in
several places, and insert through the openings thus made a fine
stuffing of wild yearnings, hopeless tenderness, and a general
admiration for stars. Then completely cover up one heart with a
sufficient quantity of chill church-yard mould, which may be garnished
according to taste with dank waving weeds or tender violets: and
promptly break over it the other heart.

HOW TO MAKE A PATHETIC MARINE POEM.

This kind of poem has the advantage of being easily produced, yet being
at the same time pleasing, and not unwholesome. As, too, it admits of no
variety, the chance of going wrong in it is very small. Take one
midnight storm, and one fisherman's family, which, if the poem is to be
a real success, should be as large and as hungry as possible, and must
contain at least one innocent infant. Place this last in a cradle, with
the mother singing over it, being careful that the babe be dreaming of
angels, or else smiling sweetly. Stir the father well up in the storm
until he disappears. Then get ready immediately a quantity of cruel
crawling foam, in which serve up the father dir