Part 6

O weary heart! O heart of wo! raise up thy toil-worn brow; The fields, the trees, the very breeze--they all are resting now: The air is still, there is no sound, save that unceasing hum, That insect song of summer-time that from the woods doth come.

And even that seems fainter now, like voices far away, As though they only sang of rest, and laboured not to-day; The hum of bees seems softer, too, from out the clear blue heaven, As if the lowliest creatures knew this day for rest was given.

The spacious tracts of meadow-land, of bean-fields, and of wheat, And all the glebe, are undisturbed by sound of Labour's feet; The cotter in his Sunday garb, with peace within his breast, Roams idly by the garden-side, and feels himself at rest.

The streams, the trees, the woods, the breeze, the bird, and roving bee, Seem all to breathe a softer sound, a holier melody; Yon little church, too, tells of rest, to all the summer air, For the bell long since has ceased to peal that called to praise and prayer.

But while I stand 'mid these tall elms, a sound comes creeping near, That falls like music heard in dreams upon my charmèd ear; Like music heard in dreams of heaven, that sacred sound doth steal From where the old church aisles repeat the organ's solemn peal.

Now Heaven be praised! a gracious boon is this sweet rest to me-- How many shall this truth repeat to-day on bended knee! How many a weary heart it cheers, how many an aching breast: Now Heaven be praised, a gracious boon is this sweet Day of Rest!

PICTOR.

TORQUAY.

'THE BIRKBECK MAGAZINE.'

Some numbers have been sent to us of a cheap London periodical with this title. Its peculiarity is, that the promoters and contributors are young men, members of the Mechanics' Institution, Southampton Buildings, who intend throwing open their columns to unknown writers connected in a similar way with the other Mutual Improvement Societies. A considerable circulation might be secured by this plan; and perhaps such a work may be as well calculated to elevate the aspirations, and excite wholesome emulation, as the productions of more practised pens.

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Printed and Published by W. and R. CHAMBERS, High Street, Edinburgh. Also sold by W. S. ORR, Amen Corner, London; D. N. CHAMBERS, 55 West Nile Street, Glasgow; and J. M'GLASHAN, 50 Upper Sackville Street, Dublin.--Advertisements for Monthly Parts are requested to be sent to MAXWELL & CO., 31 Nicholas Lane, Lombard Street, London, to whom all applications respecting their insertion must be made.

End of Project Gutenberg's Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 458, by Various