their
laws and edicts, had them graven on brass. But what is the perpetuity
even of brass itself, when opposed to the irresistible advance of
Time? Even in the very infancy of the world, this question might have
been answered, as it was, some few thousand years after its creation,
by Old Simonides:

"Who so bold
To uphold
What the Lindian sage[16] has told?
Who will dare
To compare
Works of man, that fleeting are,
With the smooth perennial flow
Of swift rivers, or the glow
Of the eternal sun, or light
Of the golden orb of night?

Spring renews
The floweret's hues
With his sweet refreshing dews;
Ocean wide
Bids his tide
With returning current glide;
The sculptured tomb is but a toy
Man may fashion, man destroy--
Eternity in stone or brass?
Go, go! who said it was an ass."

_Fragm_. 10. BRUNCK, _ Analect_, tom. i. p. 122.

[16] Cleobulus.

(From a striking paper entitled "Correction, Melioration, Reformation,
Revolution," in _Blackwood's Magazine_.)

* * * * *

OLD PARLIAMENTS.

There is nothing in our history more uncertain than their nature and
the extent of their power. Blackstone says, that "the original or
first institution of parliaments is one of those matters which lie so
far hidden in the dark ages of antiquity, that the tracing of it out
is a thing equally difficult and uncertain; and how members were
returned to the _Michel-Synoth_, or _Michel-Gemote_, or
_Wittena-Gemote_, of our Saxon ancestors, it would doubtless puzzle
the learning even of Lord John Russell to ascertain." In the simple
days of good King Alfred, parliaments were not summoned for "the
dispatch of business"--that is, to discuss regulations touching the
taxes and the public debt--the Bank affairs--the East India
affairs--the West India affairs, and a thousand other concerns of
national moment, then lying unborn in the womb of time. In those days,
the great council was ordained to "meet twice in the year, or oftener,
if need be, to treat of the government of God's people, how they
should keep themselves from, sin, should live in quiet, and should
receive right."--_Blackwood's Mag_.

* * * * *

LENDING BOOKS.

To lend a byeuck is to lose it--and borrowin's but a hypocritical
pretence for stealin', and shou'd be punished wi' death.--_Ettrick
Shepherd_.