will regain its color if placed on the 

 finger of a new and healthy master. 



In Germany the Turquois is said to be 

 in much favor for engagement rings, 

 owing to the belief that if either party 

 prove inconstant the stone will make the 

 fickleness known by weakening in col- 

 or. It is curious that of the two non- 

 crystallized gems, Turquois and Opal, 

 one should be considered lucky and the 

 other unlucky. Both are more liable to 



changes of color than other gems, and 

 this fact has probably led to the ascrip- 

 tion of good or ill fortune to them. In 

 the folk lore of the months Turquois is 

 connected with the month of December, 

 as the following rhyme bears witness : 



If cold December gave you birth, 

 The month of snow and ice and mirth, 

 Place on your hand a turquois blue, 

 Success will bless whate'er you do. 



Oliver Cummings Farrington. 



TO THE MEf\DOW LARK. 



Up from dewy grass, 



while yet 'tis dark — 



On trembling pinions, 



soars the meadow lark; 



His brilliant vest 



like ruddy orange glows; 



From slender throat, 



the liquid music flows. 



Dear flute-like warbler 



of the wood and field, 



Before him all his rivals 

 bow and yield! 



The ambient air, with 



fluttering wing he beats; 



With song ecstatic, 



early morn he greets. 



High, high he 



rises; and his peans float, - 



While listening Nature 



revels in his note. 



-J. Mayne Baltimore. 



174 



