THE LAST YEAR.

Tender lights on sky and sea;

Milkwhite blossoms on the tree;

Lull of storms and tempest bleak;

Faint bloom on a wan young cheek.

‘Spring, the blessèd Spring, is nigh!’

Said my darling hopefully.

Violets’ breath and primrose rays;

Sunshine threading leafy ways;

Gentle steps, that, weak and slow,

Through the woodland pathways go.

‘It were sad in Spring to die,’

Said my darling wistfully.

Glorious Summer, crowned with flowers;

Dreamy days of golden hours;

Sunset-crimsoned hills afar;

Dewy eve, and silver star.

‘Strength may come with by-and-by,’

Said my darling patiently.

Glowing fruits and ripening grain;

Languid days and nights of pain;

Fields so golden, earth so glad,

And a young life doomed! ‘’Tis sad

Through the bright days here to lie,’

Said my darling wearily.

Sighing winds and falling leaves;

Yearning love, that vainly grieves;

Patient eyes, with farewell gaze,

Greeting the wan autumn days.

‘Happy world, fair world, good-bye,’

Said my darling tenderly.

Wailing storms and weeping skies;

Soft wings spread for Paradise;

Solemn whispering accents thrilled

With the awe of Hope fulfilled.

‘Life! O blissful life on high!’

Breathed my darling rapturously.

Wreathing snow-drifts, far and wide,

Mantling o’er the lone hill-side.

Purer than that stainless veil—

Like a folded lily pale,

While the moaning blast goes by,

Sleeps my darling peacefully.

C. I. Pringle.

The Conductor of Chambers’s Journal begs to direct the attention of Contributors to the following notice:

1st. All communications should be addressed to the ‘Editor, 339 High Street, Edinburgh.’

2d. For its return in case of ineligibility, postage-stamps should accompany every manuscript.

3d. To secure their safe return if ineligible, All Manuscripts, whether accompanied by a letter of advice or otherwise, should have the writer’s Name and Address written upon them IN FULL.

4th. Offerings of Verse should invariably be accompanied by a stamped and directed envelope.

If the above rules are complied with, the Editor will do his best to insure the safe return of ineligible papers.

Printed and Published by W. & R. Chambers, 47 Paternoster Row, London, and 339 High Street, Edinburgh.