Thinks it odd; smiles away;
Yet may God hear her pray!

Bed-gown white; kiss Dolly;
Good-night that's Polly.

Fast asleep, as you see;

Heaven keep my girl for me!

-"Lilliput Levee "

MY GOOD-FOR-NOTHING.

"WHAT are you good for, my brave little man?
Answer that question for me, if you can,
You, with your fingers as white as a nun,
You, with your ringlets as bright as the sun.
All the day long, with your busy contriving,
Into all mischief and fun you are driving;
See if your wise little noddle can tell
What you are good for. Now ponder it well."

Over the carpet the dear little feet

Came with a patter to climb on my seat;
Two merry eyes, full of frolic and glee,
Under their lashes looked up unto me;
Two little hands pressing soft on my face,
Drew me down close in a loving embrace;
Two rosy lips gave the answer so true,

Good to love you, mamma, - good to love you." -Emily Huntington Miller.

"Hey! Willie Winkie,
Are you coming then?
The cat's singing purrie
To the sleeping hen;

The dog is lying on the floor
And does not even peep;
But here's a wakeful laddie
That will not fall asleep."

Anything but sleep, you rogue !
Glowering like the moon;

Rattling in an iron jug

With an iron spoon;

Rumbling, tumbling all about,

Crowing like a cock,

Screaming like I don't know what,

Waking sleeping folk.

"Hey! Willie Winkie,
Can't you keep him still?
Wriggling off a body's knee
Like a very eel ;

Pulling at the cat's ear,
As she drowsy hums;
Heigh, Willie Winkie!
See-there he comes!"

Wearied is the mother
That has a restless wean,
A wee, stumpy bairnie,
Heard whene'er he's seen
That has a battle aye with sleep
Before he'll close an e'e;

But a kiss from off his rosy lips

Gives strength anew to me.

William Miller.

CHOOSING A NAME.

I HAVE got a new-born sister.
I was nigh the first that kissed her.
When the nursing-woman brought her
To papa, his infant daughter,

How papa's dear eyes did glisten!—
She will shortly be to christen;
And papa has made the offer

I shall have the naming of her.

Now, I wonder what would please her --

Charlotte, Julia or Louisa?

Ann and Mary they're too common ;

Joan's too formal for a woman;

Jane's a prettier name beside ;
But we had a Jane that died.
They would say, if 'twas Rebecca,
That she was a little Quaker.
Edith's pretty, but that looks
. Better in old English books ;
Ellen's left off long ago;
Blanche is out of fashion now.
None that I have named as yet
Are so good as Margaret.
Emily is neat and fine;

What do you think of Caroline?
How I'm puzzled and perplexed
What to choose or think of next!
I am in a little fever

Lest the name that I should give her
Should disgrace her or defame her :
I will leave papa to name her.

-Mary Lamb

Look at me with thy large, brown eyes,

Philip, my King!

For round thee the purple shadow lies

Of babyhood's regal dignities.

Lay on my neck thy tiny hand

With Love's invisible sceptre laden;

I

am thine Esther, to command

Till thou shalt find thy queen hand-maiden,

Philip, my King!