l the others wrong.

_Portsmouth, (N. H.)_ J. K. Jr.

LINES SENT WITH A BOUQUET.

BY PARK BENJAMIN.

I.

I've read in legends old of men
Who hung up fruits and flowers
Before the altar-shrines of those
They called Superior Powers:
It was, I think, a blessed thought
That things so pure and sweet
Should be esteemed an offering
For gods and angels meet.

II.

I imitate that charming rite
In this our sober day,
And, when I worship, strew sweet flowers
Along my angel's way:
And, if my heart's fond prayer be heard,
The offering I renew;
For flowers like books have leaves that speak,
And thoughts of every hue.

III.

They are Love's paper, pictured o'er
With gentle hopes and fears;
Their blushes are the smiles of Love,
And their soft dew his tears!
Ah! more than poet's pen can write
Or poet's tongue reveal
Is hidden by their folded buds
And by their rosy seal.

IV.

Mute letters! yet how eloquent!
Expressive silence dwells
In every blossom Heaven creates,
Like sound in ocean shells.
Press to my flowers thy lips, beloved,
And then thy heart will see
Inscribed upon their leaves the words
I dare not breathe to thee!

THE ALMS HOUSE.

BY A NEW CONTRIBUTOR.

It is not my purpose in the following narrative to point out all the evils
arising from the modern practice of relieving the wants of the poor and
destitute which prevails in this country and in England, where the arm of
the law compels that pittance which should be the voluntary donation of
benevolence; one consequence of which system is, that the poor claim
support as a _debt_ due from society at large, and feel no gratitude
toward any of the individuals paying the tax. The payer of the tax, on the
other hand, feeling that he can claim no merit for surrendering that which
is wrung from him by force, and expecting no thanks for the act, and
knowing that in many cases it operates as a bounty on idleness, hates the
ungrateful burthen thus imposed upon him, and strives to reduce it to the
least possible amount. In this way the ties which should bind together the
poor and the rich are sundered. The benevolence of the patron and the
gratitude of the dependent, which formerly existed, is changed to dislike
and suspicion on the one part, and envy and ingratitude on the other.

Doubtl