There too, with the wand of a fairy,
I lavish good gifts on the poor,
I rear noble trophies of glory,
And the worthy to honour allure!
I rule in the councils of princes,
And pure are the laws they decree—
Oh, leave me my own little corner,
And from every dull care I am free.

And there, like a silken-winged seraph,
My fancy floats sportive and gay,
And ever around me is strewing

Bright garlands she wreathes by the way:
Ah yes, from the world and its pleasures,
My heart ever gladly would flee—
Oh, leave me my own little corner,
And from every dull care I am free.

With a patriot's love for my country,
I offer to Heaven my prayer,
That she may be ever protected,

And the richest of blessings may share:
Then do not, I pray thee, rebuke me,
Though musing alone I may be-
Oh, leave me my own little corner,
And from every dull care I am free.

THE BATTLE OF THE ALMA.

HE 20th of September, 1854, was a grand day for

European civilization; for on that day the power of Russia received a check from which it will take years to recover. On the 14th the troops of the English and the French, in close and friendly alliance, landed in the Crimea, and began to make immediate preparations for war in defence of the empire of Turkey. For six days the allies were busy in landing soldiers, arms, and ammunition; and on the evening of the 19th it was known that a battle would be fought with the Russians on the morrow. The day had been one of great trial. The soldiers of both armies had made long and toilsome marches over rough roads and rocks, and through pathless glens and tangled woods, and at last lay down to bivouac for the night on the banks of a small and not very clear stream. The Russians were encamped on the heights before them, and the soldiers of the British and French armies were waiting with impatience for the moment of encounter. Thus night closed around them.

At length day dawned, and the field of battle was before them. By six o'clock the attack was commenced by the ad