﻿238 PICTORIAL MISCELLANY. 



first let loose, the pigeon would rise high in the air, making a spiral 

 flight of observation. As soon as it gained sight of a known object 

 it would go off in a direct line to the point. It will fly thirty miles 

 an hour. One of them once took a message from London to Ant- 

 werp, a distance of one hundred and eighty miles, in six hours. 



These pigeons are used to some extent at present, but as I have 

 already intimated, the lightning has become a powerful competitor, 

 and will probably prove a successful one. It clears the track much 

 quicker than the dove, but its path is not so easily kept in order. 



MY young readers will take special interest in the following 

 touching lines, when they learn that Mr. Adams wrote them the day 

 preceding his fatal attack of illness, to accompany his autograph 

 signature, which had been requested by a young lady. 



WRITTEN FOR MISS C. L. EDWARDS, OF MASSACHUSETTS, THE DAY 



PRECEDING HIS DEATH. 



John Quincy Adams, 



Quincy, Massackusetss, 



In days of yore, the poet's pen 



From wing of bird was plundered, 

 Perhaps of goose, but, now and then, 



From Jove's own Eagle sundered. 

 But, now, metallic pens disclose 



Alone the poet's numbers ; 

 In iron inspiration glows, 



Or with the minstrel slumbers. 



Fair damsel ! could my pen impart, 



In prose or lofty rhyme, 

 The pure emotions of my heart, 



To speed the flight of time ; 

 What metal from the womb of earth 



Could worth intrinsic bear, 

 To stamp with corresponding worth 



The blessings thou shouldst share ? 



