pers again one after the other very
deliberately. He read the sporting intelligence and the fashionable
news. But he did not read very attentively, as he afterwards discovered.
Then he looked at the clock again, and was almost angry at the
imperturbable monotony of its face. Then he took out his pocket-book to
amuse himself by reading his memorandums, but they were very few, and
very unintelligible. Then he rose up from his seat, and went to the
window; and looked at the people in the street; he thought they looked
very stupid, and wondered what they could all find to do with
themselves. He looked at the carriages, and saw none with coronets,
except now and then a hackney-coach. Then he began to pick his teeth,
and that reminded him of eating; and then he rang the bell, which
presently brought a waiter; and he took that opportunity of drawling out
the word "waiter" in such lengthened tone, as if resolved to make one
word last as long as possible.--_Rank and Talent_.

* * * * *

THE BATTLE OF GIBEON.

VERSES ILLUSTRATIVE OF MARTIN S JOSHUA.

"For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise and garments
rolled in blood but this with burning and fuel of fire."--ISAIAH ix. 5.

From Gilgal's camp went forth, at dead of night,
The host of Israel: with the rising sun
They stood arrayed against the Amorite,
Beneath the regal heights of Gibeon,
Glorious in morning's splendour! Lebanon,
Dim in the distance, reared its lofty head;
Light clouds o'erbung the vale of Ajalon,
And the Five Armies, by their monarchs led,
Not to mere mortal fight, but conflict far more dread.

How beautiful, at matin's early prime,
Valley, and mountain, and that city fair!
Magnificent, yet fearfully sublime,
In few brief hours the scene depicted there!
Below the battle raged, and high in air
The gathering clouds, with tempest in their womb,
A supernatural darkness seem'd to wear;
As heralding, by their portentous gloom,
Victory to Israel's host, her foes' impending doom!

Upon a jutting crag, below the height
Where stands the royal city in its pride,
The ark is rested! in the people's sight
The priests and Joshua standing by its side;
Awhile the chief the sea of battle eyed,
Which heaved beneath:--in accents undismayed,
"Sun, stand thou still on Gibeon!" he cried,
"And thou, O Moon, o'er Ajalon be stayed!"
And holiest