Volume V Part 15 (2/2)

As he roves through the tide, Then his clear glitt'ring side Is burnish'd with silver and gold; And the sweep of his flight Seems a rainbow of light, As again he sinks down in his hold.

With a soft western breeze, That just thrills through the trees, And ripples the beautiful bay; Throw the fly for a lure-- That 's a rise! strike him sure-- A clean fish--with a burst he 's away.

Hark! the ravel line sweel, From the fast-whirring reel, With a music that gladdens the ear; And the thrill of delight, In that glorious fight, To the heart of the angler is dear.

Hold him tight--for the leap; Where the waters are deep, Give out line in the far steady run; Reel up quick, if he tire, Though the wheel be on fire, For in earnest to work he 's begun.

Aroused up at length, How he rolls in his strength, And springs with a quivering bound; Then away with a dash, Like the lightning's flash, Far o'er the smooth pebbly ground.

Though he strain on the thread, Down the stream with his head, That burst from the run makes him cool; Then spring out for the land, On the rod change the hand, And draw down for the deepening pool.

Mark the gleam of his side, As he shoots through the tide!

Are the dyes of the dolphin more fair?

Fatigue now begins, For his quivering fins On the shallows are spread in despair.

CHARLES MARSHALL.

The Rev. Charles Marshall, author of ”Homely Words and Songs for Working Men and Women,” is a native of Paisley. In early life he was engaged in mercantile concerns. At the University of Glasgow he studied for two sessions, and in 1826 completed a philosophical curriculum at the University of Edinburgh. In the following year he was chosen governor of John Watson's Inst.i.tution, Edinburgh, where he remained for thirteen years. During that time the directors of the inst.i.tution expressed their approbation of his services by large pecuniary donations, and by increasing his official emoluments. In addition to these expressions of liberality, they afforded him permission to attend the Divinity Hall. In 1840, on the completion of his theological studies, he was licensed as a probationer of the Established Church. In 1841 he accepted a call to the North Extension Church, Dunfermline. At the Disruption in 1843, he adhered to the Free Church. He continues to labour as minister of the Free North Church, Dunfermline.

To the moral and religious reformation of the industrial cla.s.ses, as well as the improvement of their physical condition, Mr Marshall has long been earnestly devoted. In 1853 he published a small volume of prose and poetry, addressed to industrial females, with the t.i.tle, ”Lays and Lectures to Scotia's Daughters of Industry.” This work rapidly pa.s.sed through various editions. In 1856 he appeared as the author of a similar publication, ent.i.tled ”Homely Words and Songs for Working Men and Women,” to which his former work has been added as a second part.

For terse and homely counsels, and vigorous and manly sentiments, adapted to the peculiar feelings and condition of the Scottish peasantry, these _brochures_ are without a parallel. Mr Marshall proposes to add to the series two other parts, addressed to ”Husbands and Fathers,” and to ”Young Men.”

THE BLESSING ON THE WARK.

I like to spring in the morning bricht, Before the mill bell rings; When waukening blithe in gowden licht, My joyfu' spirit sings.

I like to hear, when the pearly tear Gems morning's floweret cup, The trumpet summons of chanticleer Pipe ”drowsy mortals up.”

I tread as lightly as silent puss, While a' the household sleep; And gird me to clean and redd the house Before the bairnies cheep.

I like to dress and mak me clean As ony winsome bride; And think na shame, though my face be seen, At morn or eventide.

I like to handle, before I rin, The word o' truth and love; And seek, or the daily wark begin, Gude counsel from above.

Then skipping wi' lichtsome heart, I hie To earn my bit o' bread; The wark spins on, and the time rins by, Wi' pleasant, blessed speed.

JEWEL OF A LAD.

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