LIFE AND DEATH.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 199, 26 August 1874, Page 2

LIFE AND DEATH.

We stood on the brink of a river, And that river’s name was Life, And on its dark waters floated Grim vessels of war and strife. We stood on the brink of the river, And my darling whispered to me, “ Hark to the wail of the river As it hastens'on to the sea!” We walked by the side of that river, And I laughed at the water’s moan, For my darling was beside me, And in his heart my home. The river grew wider and stronger, As it flowed with its ceaseless moan, And my love crossed over the water, And left me—forlorn—alone. I will follow that river sadly, Through the chain of weary years, Till I gain the far-off ocean, With bitter blinding tears. For I know that when the river Is hushed on the sea’s blue tide I shall see my lost love waiting For me by the ocean’s side. And so I hasten onward With feeble failing breath, Longing to meet the ocean, For the ocean’s name is Death!

WINTER HOUSE GARDENS. A pretty mantle-piece ornament may be obtained by suspending an acorn, by a piece of thread tied round it, within half an inch of the surface of some water contained in a vase, tumbler, or saucer, and allowing it to remain undisturbed for several weeks. It will soon burst open, and small roots will seek the water; a straight and tapering stem, with beautiful glossy green leaves, will shoot upward, and present a very pleasant appearance. Chestnut trees may be grown in the same manner, but their leaves are not so beautiful as those of the oak. The water should be changed once a month, taking care to supply water of the same warmth; bits of charcoal added to it will prevent the water from souring. If the little leaves turn yellow, add one drop of ammonia to the water, and they will renew their luxuriance.

Another pretty ornament is made by wetting a sponge and sprinkling it with hemp, grass, canary, and other seeds. The sponge should be refreshed with water daily so as to be kept moist. In a few days the seeds will germinate, and the sponge will soon be covered with masses of green foliage.

Unbounded patience is necessary to bear not only with ourselves, but with others, whose various tempers and dispositions are not congenial to our own. Suspicion is not less an enemy to virtue than to happiness; he that is always corrupt is naturally suspicious, and he that becomes suspicious will quickly be corrupt. It may serve as a comfort to us in all our calamities and afflictions, that he who loses anything and gets wisdom, is a gainer by the loss.

The married ladies of a certain town have formed a “ Come Home Husband Club.” It is about 4ft. long, and has a brush at the end of it.

Life is a book, in which we every day read a page. We ought to note down every instructive incident that passes. A crowd of useful thoughts cannot but flow from self-converse. Hold every day a solitary conversation with yourself. This is the way in which to attain the highest relish of existence ; and, if I may so say, to cast anchor in the river of life.