THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



ns 



the matters excreted by the roots, so as to keep the soil free from the putrefying 

 substances which are ofcen the cause of the deatli of the spongioloe. Its porosity, as 

 well as tlie power which it possesses of absorbing water with rapidity, and after the 

 saturation of allowing all other water to sink through it, are causes also of its 

 favourable effects. Tliese experiments show what a close affinity the component 

 parts of cliarcoal have to all plants, for every experiment was crowned with success 

 although plants belonging to a great many different families were subjected to 

 trial. 



SHADOWS. 



Ali things earthly vanish and pass — 



Vanish as hues o' the morn ; 

 All pass away as the glimmer of day, ^ 



While others as lleet are born. 



Hush, hush ! thou too must fall 



Under the cofllu shroud ; 

 Stay, stay ! thy funeral pall 

 Is imaged in yonder cloud ! 

 All things vanish and jjass away, 

 Like shadows, that flit at the close of day. 



The flowers that bloom in the azure deeps — 



The golden stars — must fall ; 

 There is ever a time they cease to climb 

 O'er the steeps of heaven's blue wall. 

 Hush, hush ! one now goes down 



Into the soundless sea ; 

 Fleet, fleet, as that star hath flown 

 Are the days of thy destiny ! 

 Like autumn's shadow, or evening's sigh, 

 Each star of darkness but gleams to die. 



The blossoms that shine in the fields of spring, 



Like jewels sown in the grass, 

 Have a fate like stars which their glory fling, 

 And bloom but to wither and pass. 



Look, look ! as the leaves grow white, 



And buds but wither and fade, 

 The flowers which glimmered in spring so bright 

 Have perished in autumn's shade. 

 As the voice of the sick when they sink to die, 

 So feeble and faint do the blossoms lie. 



Look down on the infant, whose laughing eyes 



Seem mirrors of heavenly bliss ; 

 Look down at him now, as he sickens and dies 

 'Neath the breath of a parent's kiss ! 

 Hush, hush ! we are hasteuing fast 

 O'er ripples of time's dark wave ; 

 And, ere we arrive where our hopes are cast, 

 We are deep in the sdent grave ! 

 So pause, and consider, nor tread so fast ; 

 The moment which follows may be — your last ! 



