Part 16 (1/2)

THE EKKALAEOBION is the name given to an establishment opposite the Was.h.i.+ngton Hotel, in Broadway, where the formation of chickens, _ab initio_, is 'practised to a great extent.' And really, it is in some respects an awful exhibition, to a reflecting mind. It is as it were a visible exposition of the source of life. You see the pulse of existence throbbing in the yet unformed ma.s.s, which a.s.sumes, day after day, the image of its kind; until at length the little creature knocks for admittance into this breathing world; steps forth from the sh.e.l.l in which it had been so long 'cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in;' and straitway walks abroad, 'regenerated, disenthralled,' and ready for its 'grub.' By all means, reader, go and see this interesting and instructive exhibition.

It is provocative of much reflection, aside from the mere contemplation of it as a matter of curiosity. THE correspondent who sends us the following, writes upon the envelope containing it: 'I have endeavored to preserve the measure of the original, and at the same time to present a literal translation.' It will be conceded, we think, that he has been successful in his endeavor. Perhaps in some lines (as in '_Pertransivit gladius_') the translation is a little _too_ literal:

STABAT MATER.

I. I.

Stabat mater dolorosa, Near the cross the Mother weeping Juxta crucem lacrymosa, Stood, her watch in sorrow keeping Dum pendebat filius: While was hanging there her SON: Cujus animam gementem, Through her soul in anguish groaning, Contristantem et dolentem, O most sad, HIS fate bemoaning, Pertransivit gladius. Through and through that sword was run.

II. II.

O quam tristis et afflicta Oh how sad with woe oppressed, Fuit illa benedicta, Was she then, the Mother blessed, Mater unigeniti: Who the sole-begotten bore: Quae moerebat, et dolebat, As she saw his pain and anguish, Et tremebat, c.u.m videbat She did tremble, she did languish, Nati poenas inclyti. Weep her holy Son before.

III. III.

Quis est h.o.m.o qui non fleret, Who is he his tears concealing, Christi matrem si videret Could have seen such anguish stealing In tanto supplicio? Through the Saviour-mother's breast?

Quis posset non contristari, Who his deepest groans could smother, Piam matrem contemplari, Had he seen the holy Mother Dolentem c.u.m filio? By her Son with grief oppressed!

IV. IV.

Pro peccatis suae gentis Christ for Israel's transgression Vidit Jesum in tormentis, Saw she suffer thus oppression, Et flagellis subditum; Torment, and the cruel blow: Vidit suum dulcem natum Saw Him desolate and dying; Morientem, desolatum, Him she loved, beheld Him sighing Dum emisit spiritum. Forth His soul in deepest woe.

V. V.

Eja mater, fons amoris, Source of love, thy grief, O Mother, Me sentire vim doloris Grant with thee to share another-- Fac, ut tec.u.m lugeam. Grant that I with thee may weep: Fac ut ardeat cor meum, May my heart with love be glowing, In amando Christum Deum, All on Christ my G.o.d bestowing, Ut sibi complaceam. In His favor ever keep.

VI. VI.

Saneta mater, istud agas, This, oh holy Mother! granting, Crucifixi fige plagas In my heart the wounds implanting Cordi meo valide: Of His cross, oh let me bear: Tui nati vulnerati, Pangs with which thy Son when wounded Jam dignati pro me pati, Deigned for me to be surrounded, Poenas mec.u.m divide. [] Grant, oh grant that I may share.

VII. VII.

Fac me vere tec.u.m flere, Be my eyes with tears o'erflowing, Crucifixo condolere, For the crucified bestowing, Donec ego vixero: Till my eyes shall close in death: Juxta crucem tec.u.m stare, Ever by that cross be standing, Te libenter sociare Willingly with thee demanding In planctu desidero. But to share each mournful breath.

VIII. VIII.

Virgo virginum praeclara, Thou of virgins blest forever, Mihi jam non sis amara Oh deny I pray thee never Fac me tec.u.m plangere; That I may lament with thee: Fadut portem Christi mortem, Be my soul His death enduring, Pa.s.sionis ejus sortem, And His pa.s.sion--thus securing Et plagas recolere. Of His pains the memory.

IX. XI.

Fac me plagis vulnerari, With those blows may I be smitten, Cruce hac inebriari, In my heart that cross be written, Ob amorem filii: For thy Son's dear love alway: Inflammatus et accensus Glowing, burning with affection, Per te, virgo, sim defensus Grant me, Virgin! thy protection, In die judicii. In the dreaded judgment-day.

X. X.

Fac me cruce custodiri, May that cross its aid extend me, Morte Christi praemuniri, May the death of Christ defend me, Confoveri gratia: With its saving grace surround; Quando corpus morietur, And when life's last link is riven, Fac ut animae donetur To my soul be glory given, Paradisi gloria. That in Paradise is found.

_St. Paul's College._ G. H. H.

'_A Story of Sorrow and Crime_' is an affecting monitory sketch, devoid of that mawkishness which is sometimes the characteristic of kindred performances. The writer's reflections upon the career of his hero, remind us of that beautiful pa.s.sage in one of BLAIR'S essays: 'Life is short: the poor pittance of seventy years is worth being a villain for. What matters it if your neighbor lies in a splendid tomb? Sleep you with innocence!

Look behind you through the track of time; a vast desert lies open in the retrospect; through this desert have your fathers journeyed on, until wearied with years and sorrows, they sunk from the walks of men. You must leave them where they fell, and you are to go a little farther, where you will find eternal rest. Whatever you may have to encounter between the cradle and the grave, every moment is big with innumerable events, which come not in slow succession, but bursting forcibly from a revolving and unknown cause, fly over this...o...b..with diversified influence.' 'F.

P.'s '_Western Adventures_' have good _points_ about them, but if published entire, would we think disappoint himself perhaps as much as his readers. Here is an anecdote, however, which is worth 'jotting down' in types: 'I met not long after in New-York a man who had just been induced to rent the very hotel in Kentucky which was the scene of the reverses I have been describing. Aware that I had at one time kept the establishment, he was anxious to know my opinion of its pecuniary promise. 'I don't expect to make much the first year,' said he; 'I shall be satisfied if I 'realize' all expenses. But do you think I shall clear myself the first year?' 'I haven't the slightest doubt of it,' I replied; '_I cleared myself_ before the first six months were up, and was d--d _glad_ to get off so; and I rather guess that _you'll_ be too, in about half that time.'