106 CHILDREN AND FLOWERS. 



melancholy picture of human life ; " 'tis true, 

 'tis pity, pity 'tis, 'tis true," in the generality 

 of cases, and where there is one, whose heart is 

 unscathed by the burning finger of affliction, 

 there are thousands who might exclaim, with 

 LADY RANDOLPH : , 



" Have you not sometimes seen an early flower 

 Open its bud, and spread its silken leaves, 

 To catch sweet airs, and odours to bestow ; 

 Then by a keen blast nipt, pull in its leaves, 

 And though still living, die to scent and beauty ? 

 Emblem of me ; Affliction, like a storm, 

 Hath killed the forward blossoms of the heart." 



HOME'S DOUGLAS. 



Let it not be supposed by this, that we are 

 unaware of the truth of the scripture proverb, 

 which saith, " whom the Lord loveth he 

 chasteneth," or that we would advocate the 

 indulgence of a morbid feeling of regret for 

 past-away pleasures. We humbly acknow- 

 ledge the wisdom and justice of the Supreme 

 Disposer of events, and firmly believe that 

 adversity, 



" Though like the toad, ugly and venomous, 

 Bears yet a precious jewel in his head." SHAKSPEARE. 



