1827.] OH Disagreeable People. J37 



their hopes vanish, and they feel themselves on firm ground once more. 

 From want of spirit or of habit, their imaginations cannot rise above the 

 low ground of humility -cannot reflect the gay, ffaunting tints of the fancy 

 flag and droop into despondency and can neither indulge the expecta* 

 tion, nor employ the means of success. Even when it is within their reach, 

 they dare not lay hands upon it ; and shrink from unlooked-for bursts of 

 prosperity, as something of which they are both ashamed and unworthy. 

 The class of croakers here spoken of are less delighted at other 

 people's misfortunes than their own. Their neighbours 'may have some 

 pretensions they have none. Querulous complaints and anticipations of 

 pleasure are the food on which they live ; and they at last acquire a passion 

 for that which is the favourite theme of their thoughts, and oap no more 

 do without it than without the pinch of snuff with which they se~ason their 

 conversation, and enliven the pauses of their daily prognostics. W. H. 



THE FIRST OF SPRING. 



To me how welcome are these vernal airs 



Which bid long drooping nature bloom again, 



For now in thought I tread my native plain, 



And transient hope breaks through the cloud of cares, 



Which years have wrapped around me, and repairs 



In one bright moment half the wreck which time 



Hath made of my enjoyments ere my prime 



I have been left without one breast that snares 



With me a kindred feeling but to-day 



Nature seems full of social sympathies, 



Twining around the heart a thousand ties, 



And chacing all its loneliness away. 



I of creation seem a part once more, 



While the glad spirit diffuses itself o'er, 



And mingles with its kindred purities. 



Mountain and valley, sun, and flower, and breeze, 



Seem with fresh health impregnated, as if 



The angel of life, with healing in his wings, 



Had flown to day o'er all created things, 



Making the reign of death and sorrow brief, 



And pouring pleasure thro' a thousand springs. 



For every wounded heart there flows a balm 



E'en sickly hues forsake the pallid cheek, 



And half affection's anxious cares grow calm 



At the bright promises these symptoms speak. 



And shall 1 droop while all things round me flourish? 



While even the very weed (which now is seen 



Lifting itself, so stately and so green, 



Above the earth) Heaven sends its breath to nourish 



Shall I not own to the bland influence, 



And drink the health its healing powers dispense ? 



I have and find my energies restored, 



The brightness of my spirit which was blenched, 



The ray which many clouds so long had quenched, 



Revive again and all that I deplored 



As gone for ever, marshal thick around 



Poetic dreams and visions of delight, 



Even forms which the dark grave long hid from sight, 



Visit me spiritually pure and bright, 



And I can smile to feel my long-lost peace is found. R. B. 



M. M. New Series. \OL, IV. No. 20. T 



