[jack] ACADIAN MAGAZINES 181 



initials to it added those of another, is cautioned against trying his 

 plagiarisms in future. We had strong doubts as to the originality of 

 the piece when we gave it a j)lace on our pages." 



In April, 1842, the editor of The Amaranth welcomed to the ranks 

 of Acadian Literature The Nova Scotia New Monthly Magazine in 

 the following words: — 



" The first number of this work is now before us, and we hail its 

 appearance with pleasure, as a valuable addition to our Colonial Litera- 

 tnre. The contents of the present number are rich and varied — the ori- 

 ginal articles are written with good taste and judgment, and the selected 

 ones' are from the chodoest works of the day. From the energy and re- 

 sources of the publishers, we are led to believe that Tht Neiv Monthly 

 will become very popular." 



This magazine was 33 pages in extent, octavo in size, and published 

 by Simpson & Kirk of Halifax, the St. John agency being at " The Cir- 

 culating Library, Germain Street." The subscription price was 8s. 9d., 

 including postage. 



From the pages of the first number of the new magazine was repu- 

 blished in The Amaranth, a poem entitled "" The Fossil," addressed to 



, generally supposed to be to Dr. Abraham Gesner, a well known 



scientist who lived in St. John, and who left behind him valuable works 

 on the geogra,phy of New Brunswick and Acadian Geology, and who ga- 

 thered the nucleus of what was afterwards the Museum of the St. John 

 Mechanics Institute, now owned by the Natural History Society of St. 

 John. 



As the poem alluded to is not lengthy, and is of some merit, it may 

 perhaps be quoted at length. Unfortunately no clue is given as to the 

 identity of the writer. 



It reads as follows: — 



The Fossil. 



Once in the young- earth's golden prime, 

 'Ere care made grey the wing of time, 



There fell a green leaf on the shore; 

 And it floated away on the wandering wave. 

 And found in the deep green sea a grave, 



And ne'er was thought on more. 



Ages rolled on, and the rocking earth 

 Had seen a new creation's birth, 



And Empires rise and fall: 

 But none e'er thought how that green leaf slept, 

 Like a treasured thing hy Enchanter kept, 



'Neath the old earth's marble wall, — 



