Chapter 4

I burn--I die--I cannot fly-- Too late, and all in vain: The glow--the light--charmed sense and sight-- Now naught is left but pain. That wicked flame, no pencil's aim, No pen can e'er depict on paper; My waltz embraced that taper waist, Till I am wasted like a taper.

Worthy the brightest hours of Greece Was that pure fire, or so _I_ felt it; Its feeder towered in steadfast peace, While I believed for me it melted. No use in heighos! or alacks! My cure is past the power of money; Too sure that form of virgin wax Retained the bee's sting with the honey.

Its eye was blue, its head was cold, Its round neck white as lilied chalice; In short, a thing of faultless mould, Fit for a maiden empress' palace. So round and round--I knew no better-- I fluttered, nearer to the heat; Methought I saw an offered letter-- Now I but see my winding-sheet.

Some pearly drops fell, as for grief--- Oh, sad delusion;--ah, poor Moth! I caused them not; 'twas but a thief Had got within to wrong us both, Now I am left quite in the dark, The light's gone out that caused my pain; Let my last gaze be on that spark-- Kind breezes, blow it in again.

Then snuff it well, when once rekindled, Whoe'er about its brilliance lingers, But though 'twere to one flicker kindled, Be careful, or you'll burn your fingers. It sought not me; and though I die, On such bright cause I'll cast no scandal-- I fled to one who could not fly-- Then blame the Moth, but not the Candle.

_Ibid._

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THE GATHERER.

"A snapper-up of unconsidered trifles." SHAKSPEARE.

THE LAST FRIEND.

A respectable character, after having long figured in the gay world of Paris, was at length compelled to live in an obscure retreat in that city, the victim of severe and unforeseen misfortunes. He was so indigent that he subsisted on an allowance from the parish every week; a quantity of bread was sent to him sufficient for his support; and yet, at length, he demanded more. On this the curate sent for him--he went. "Do you live alone?" said the curate. "With whom, sir," answered the unfortunate man, "is it possible I should live? I am wretched, you see that I am, since I thus solicit charity, and am abandoned by all the world." "But, sir," continued the curate, "if you live alone, why do you ask for more bread than is sufficient for yourself?" The other was quite disconcerted, and at last, with great reluctance, confessed that he had a dog. The curate did not drop the subject; he desired him to observe "that he was only the distributor of the bread that belonged to the poor, and that it was absolutely necessary that he should dispose of his dog." "Ah! Sir," exclaimed the poor man weeping, "and if I lose my dog, who is there then to love me?" The good pastor melting into tears, took his purse, and giving it to him, "Take _this_, sir," said he, "this _is_ mine; this I _can_ give you."

W.G.C.

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ELECTIONEERING PIETY.

In the year 1768, the following printed notices were stuck upon the doors and walls of the churches in the City of London, one Sunday morning:--"The prayers of this congregation are earnestly desired for the restoration of liberty, depending on the election of Mr. Wilkes."

J.R.S.

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FAZIO.

"They have brought out _Fazio_ with great and deserved success at Covent Garden: that's a good sign. I tried during the directory, to have it done at Drury Lane, but was overruled."--_Byron's Letters_.

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THE DEVIL AMONG THE PRINTERS.

In the year 1561, a work was printed, entitled the _Anatomy of the Mass._ It contained one hundred and seventy pages, accompanied with errata of fifteen pages! The author, a monk, in an advertisement prefixed to the errata states, that the devil, to ruin the fruit of his work, employed two very malicious frauds, by first drenching the manuscript in the kennel, reducing it to a most pitiable state, and rendering some parts altogether illegible, and then obliging the printers to commit such numerous blunders, never before equalled in so small a work. To combat this double machination of Satan, he was obliged carefully to reperuse the work, and to form this singular list of the blunders of printers working under the influence of the devil.

W.A.R.

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CHARTER.

_Translation of "a Charter, originally written in Saxon, and granted by William the Conqueror to the Inhabitants of London:"_

"William, King, greets William, Bishop, and Godfrey Portgrave" (the same in office as Lord Mayor) "and all the Borough of London, French and English friendly. And I now make known to you, that you are worthy to enjoy all those laws and privileges which you did before the decease of King Edward. And it is my will that every child be his father's heir after his father's decease. And I will not suffer any man to do you wrong. God you keep."

J.H.N.

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A "SPECTATOR" NEWSPAPER.

"P.S. If you thought of a middle plan between a _Spectator_ and a newspaper, why not?--only not on a _Sunday_. Not that Sunday is not an excellent day, but it is engaged already. We will call it the 'Tenda Rossa,' the name Tassoni gave an answer of his in a controversy, in allusion to the delicate hint of Timour the Lame, to his enemies, by a 'Tenda' of that colour, before he gave battle. Or we will call it 'Gli,' or 'I Carbonari,' if it so please you--or any other name full of 'pastime and prodigality,' which you may prefer. * * * Let me have an answer. I conclude poetically, with the bellman, 'a merry Christmas to you!"'--_Lord Byron to Mr. Moore, in his Life of the Noble Poet_, vol. ii. p. 387.

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FOR ALL FAMILIES.

In a closely-printed volume, price 5_s._ the

FAMILY MANUAL,

AND SERVANTS' GUIDE.

"This little volume contains much useful information upon every subject in which a domestic servant ought to be well versed. From the housekeeper to the scullery-maid, and from the butler to the groom, advice, cautions, receipts, and general hints, are given to each and all. They are written in a plain and sensible manner, and appear, as far as we are able to judge, the results of practical experience. To the master and mistress, as well as to those whose duties are of a more humble nature, the book may be strongly recommended. It is one from which the high and low may derive much benefit, and should find a place in the kitchen or servants'-hall of those who desire to blend comfort with elegance, and prudence with luxury."--_New Monthly Magazine for the present month._

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_Printed and Published by J. LIMBIRD, 143, Strand, (near Somerset House,) London; sold by ERNEST FLEISCHER, 626, New Market, Leipsic; and by all Newsmen and Booksellers_.

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