must be some good reason
for the present state of things, and that civilians had better not
meddle with it. I see them sinking down covered with confusion when some
red-faced old 'regular' bursts out upon them with 'Stuff, sir! What do
_you_ know about military matters?' The best answer to this is, that
other nations, like the French, have set us the example, though by no
means so well provided with intelligent material to draw from in the
ranks; and that in fact England and the United States are about the only
countries in which the evil is allowed to exist. In both of these it has
remained from the fact that the body of the citizens have never been
interested in the rank and file of the army. In this country we have now
an entirely new state of things to provide for; and Yankee ingenuity
must hide its head for shame if a very few years do not give us a
republican army better organized and more efficient than any the world
has yet seen.

TAMMANY.

And at their meeting all with one accord
Cried: 'Down with LINCOLN and Fort Lafayette!'
But while jails stand and some men fear the LORD,
How _can_ ye tell what ye may chance to get?

IN MEMORIAM.

In the dim and misty shade of the hazel thicket,
Three soldiers, brave Harry, and Tom with the dauntless eyes,
And light-hearted Charlie, are standing together on picket,
Keeping a faithful watch 'neath the starry skies.

Silent they stand there, while in the moonlight pale
Their rifle barrels and polished bayonets gleam;
Nought is heard but the owl's low, plaintive wail,
And the soft musical voice of the purling stream;

Save when in whispering tones they speak to each other
Of the dear ones at home in the Northland far away,
Each leaving with each a message for sister and mother,
If he shall fall in the fight that will come with the day.

Slowly and silently pass the hours of the night,
The east blushes red, and the stars fade one by one;
The sun has risen, and far away on the right
The booming artillery tells that the fight is begun.

* * * * *

'Steady, boys, steady; now, forward! charge bayonet!'
Onward they sweep with a torrent's resistless might;
With the rebels' life-blood their glittering blades are wet,
And many a patriot falls in the desperate fight.

The battle is ended--the victory won--but where
Are Harry and Charlie, and Tom wit