32 THE VENUS VICTRIX OF CANOVA. 



might as well place tHe back of one picture beside the front of 

 another, and call that a contrast of pictures. Did our author never 

 read of the old mode of establishing country fairs ? Did he never 

 hear of "matrimonial drumsticks" — of "squalling brats" — of 

 weary days and restless nights? So much for the question of 

 " greatest happiness." And if he wishes to consider the utiliti/ of 

 the matter, let him read Miss Martineau's " Ella of Garveloch." 

 You know the old song, — 



" We bachelors lead an easy life, 



Few Folks that are married live better ; 



A man mai/ live well with a very good wife. 

 But the puzzle is, how to get her. " 



Yours, &c. 



A BACHELOR. 



— ^ ♦ » 



THE VENUS VICTRIX OF CANOVA. 



Exquisite Sculptor • did the Queen of Love 

 Show thee her beauty in a dream, and stamp 

 The glowing image of Uranian grace 

 Deep in thy brain till it came forth, as now. 

 Embodied in the marble ? Did she wreathe 

 A vision round thee, till thy fancy deemed 

 The semblance real, like the Provence girl, 

 Who saw the King Apollo while she slept, 

 And woke, Hyperion's priestess ? 



Ah ! she seems 

 Majestically conscious of the charms 

 That wrought upon thy ardent youth, fond boy. 

 Whose word pronounced her " fairest." Wert thou not 

 Blinded while gazing on that lovely form. 

 So like a sun before thy quailing eye ? 

 — Did not thy brain swim, reeling like a cloud 

 That lost its way in wandering through heaven. 

 When gently pressing thy enraptured lips 

 With her etherial kiss, she Smiled and told 



So blandly of her bribe ? O ! what a bribe 



For thy young judgment; Paris, could the boon 



Of Juno's kingdom or Minerva's fame 



Equal its priceless worth. 



