S58 LINKS. 



Psyche in form, the interest would have been, proportionally, greater : at present 

 the belle resembles a matured matron of portly dimensions, who having laid aside 

 her weeds and her sorrow, is snufjly expecting? a visit from some " grave elderly 

 gentleman," who has .cast an eye at tlie widow and considered the benefits of a union. 

 The engraving is by C. Rolls. 



Having commented on the graphic attractions of the Forget-me-not individually, 

 we may conclude by remarking that while there is much to admire, and much that 

 will charm the host of bright eyes that may eagerly beam on its pages, there is, 

 perhaps, a declension of merit and interest in the execution and subjects. In the 

 choice of the latter the annuals too frequently err ; a piece of maudlin sentiment is 

 absolute assafcetida when put in comparison with the representation of some vivid 

 historical event, some incident in real life, or some stirring catastrophe appertaining 

 to fiction. A single figure, a mere head, a maiden laughing at her lover, or a 

 plump enchantress glancing out for an Adonis of forty-five, are not, after all, the 

 grand desiderata : the stream of sentiment has been swollen until a complete inun- 

 dation has taken place, rushing into all the printsellers, porte-feuilles, albums and 

 drawing books of the kingdom. Ladies looking up, and down, sighing, or tearful, 

 or thoughtful ; gentlemen mustachioed and whiskered, with scowling brows and 

 curled up lips, or staring most tenderly at the moon — or nothing ; a maiden in the 

 pouts, or a cavalier troubled with a tit of ill-humour, have long been the staunch 

 favourites of the pencil and graver, but it is, surely, time to do away with such 

 bagatelles— such sickly exotics, and to introduce something more noble — something 

 worthier of the genius of the arts. The Forget-me-not, however, stands not alone ; 

 it is fashioned upon the taste of the times, and shares in the character common to all 

 the " Annuals'" of which it was the precvu*sor, and is one of the most beautiful. A 

 better feeling may yet be awakened in the mind of the public, and these much- 

 admired volumes be found far more deserving of sober criticism than they can, 

 possibly, be at present. As it is, they do well for elegant cadeaux, in which 

 mechanical excellence in the engraving, a certain taste in the design, and a light 

 fanciful exterior, are the principal points of attention. The binding is elegant and 

 substantiuL dark crimson morocco. 



LINES. 



Oh bright in life's spring was the sunshine around. 

 And Hght were the links of affection we bound ; 

 But fetters so light. Time too often will sever. 

 And our spring and our hearts are clouded for ever. 



The friends that we love too often deceive. 

 And grief breaks the web of enchantment we weave. 

 While the hopes that escape the first blight of our sorrow 

 Are blooming to-day, to be scorched on the morrow. 



Yet when autumn leaves wither, and winter has laid 



His mantle of frost o'er affections decayed. 



Still, as hope fades away, shall soft memory stealing 



O'er our thoughts and our hearts, wake the current of feeling. 



Then our fancy reviving. Death's fetters shall break. 

 And bid all the joys of our spring-tide awake ; 

 The joys of our youth shall pass brightly before us. 

 And people our thoughts witli the friends who adore us. 



