[1] Indecipherable footnote in original text.

[2] The highest Russian decoration.


SKATING

By Theodore Winthrop.

[Never before printed.]
A BOUNDING gallop is good
Over wide plains;
A wild free sail is good
'Mid gales and rains;
A dashing dance is good
Broad halls along,
Clasping and whirling on
Through the gay throng.
But better than these,
When the great lakes freeze,
By the clear sharp light
Of a starry night,
O'er the ice spinning
With a long free sweep,
Cutting and ringing
Forward we keep!
On 'round and around,
With a sharp clear sound,
To fly like a fish in the sea!—
Ah, this is the sport for me!


THREE SMART LITTLE FOXES.