your whole frame,
and make you vehemently anathematize all benevolent institutions for the
relief of deafness.

Verily your violin is an exclusive instrument, and approachable by none
but the eldest born of Apollo, who, in all the majesty of hereditary
prerogative, calmly sway the dominions of their sire; while usurpers (as
is the meed of all who grasp unrighteous rule) are plunged in utter
confusion and ruin.

Warming with our theme, and impatient to manifest our royal descent, in
a paroxysm of enthusiasm we clutch our Cremona, clasp him lovingly to
our shoulder, and high waving in air our magical bow, which is to us a
sceptre, bring it down with a crash, exulting in the immortal harmony
about to gush, like a mountain torrent, from the teeming strings; when
lo! to our unmitigated disgust, it glides noiselessly along its hitherto
resounding path, for--ye gods and little fishes!--some murderous wretch,
at the instigation of we know not what evil sprite, has _greased_ the
horsehair, for which we solemnly devote him to the "bowstring," the
first time he is caught napping.

Well, it is over now, and we find ourselves once more on earth, after
knocking our head gainst the stars; and, ---- ---- bless us! we have sat
the fire out, having precisely one inch of candle left to go to bed by.

Good night, dearest reader. Can you find your way in the dark?

M. J.

THE PURPLE CLOAK; OR, THE RETURN OF SYLOSON TO SAMOS.

HEROD. III. 139.

I.

The king sat on his lofty throne in Susa's palace fair,
And many a stately Persian lord, and satrap proud, was there:
Among his councillors he sat, and justice did to all--
No supplicant e'er went unredrest from Susa's palace-hall.

II.

There came a slave and louted low before Darius' throne,
"A wayworn suppliant waits without--he is poor and all alone,
And he craves a boon of thee, oh king! for he saith that he has done
Good service, in the olden time, to Hystaspes' royal son."

III.

"Now lead him hither," quoth the king; "no suppliant e'er shall wait,
While I am lord in Susa's halls, unheeded at the gate;
And speak thy name, thou wanderer poor, pray thee let me know
To whom the king of Persia's land this ancient debt doth owe."

IV.

The stranger bow'd before the king--and thus began to speak--
Full well, I ween, his garb was worn, and with sorrow pale his cheek,
But his air was free and noble, and proudly flash'd his eye,
A