THE SEALS.
Written at the suggestion of a Lover who inferred the decline, of his mistress's affections from her changing the seals of her letters.
BY THE AUTHOR OF THE HUNCHBACK.
You've changed the seal—you've changed it thrice:
Your first implied you loved:
How welcome was the dear device,
A thousand kisses proved.
Your next was love—it spoke the flame,
Yet scarce so plain methought—
I kiss'd it, wishing it the same
Your first sweet letter brought
The second change, was change indeed—
To friendship—Judge my bliss—
And did I kiss that seal—I did—
But 'twas a farewell kiss.
The third—nor love, nor friendship—There
Indeed love's dream should end—
As coldest stranger better far
Than lover turn'd to friend.
No kiss I gave that seal—no name—
Still dear—of thine it bore—
The signet, whence the impress came,
Perhaps a rival wore.
I smil'd to think 'twas so—'twas strange—
And have such cause to sigh—
How couldst thou—fairest creature—change?
O, wherefore could not I.
Monthly Mag.
By a Parliamentary return it appears, that Kensington Palace cost the public in 1828, 2,412l. 8s. 11d.; in 1829, 4,638l. 8s.; in 1830, 6,203l. 5s. 11d.; and in 183l, 3,921l. 15s. Hampton Court in 1828, cost 4,430l. 19s. 5d.; in 1829, 5,964l. 13s. 1d.; in 1830, 4,144l. 2s. 4d.; and in 183l, 3,994l. 15s. 11d.—Times.