ORIGINAL POETRY.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 68, 27 December 1871, Page 3

ORIGINAL POETRY.

CHRISTMAS. Hark ! the heaveuly hosts are singing, Loudly swell the joyful strains ; Angel throngs their flight are winging From the bright, seraphic plains,— To this world of degradation, To the nations wrapt iu night, Bringing tidings of salvation, Bringing news of life and light. “ Glory iu the highest Heaven," Bursts the uew seraphic song ; “ Peace ou earth, good-will is given," Angels carol loud and long : Christ, the promised Son and Saviour, Unto us a child is born. Life, and love, and joy, and favour, Crown this bright, auspicious morn. Lowly at the stable’s manger, Where the Sou of God is aid, With the Eastern Magi stranger, Let our frankiuceuse be paid ; Let us worship aud adore him, To his name salvation give ; Bow, ye nations, bow before him, Soon the dying world shall live. Jameb Hosking. Shortlaud, December 2oth, 1871. At the recent prorogation of Parliament, n ludicrous scene is reported to have occurred. Mr Gladstone, so the report goes, had taken unusual paius in making up for her Majesty an effective speech, which was entrusted, to Lord Chancellor Hatherly for delivery, with instructions to deliver it well and according to the best of his abilities as au elocutionist. The speech was written upon separate sheets of pa|x;r, but the clerk who made the copy forgot to attach them together with eyelets. Mr Gladstone, it is reported, stationed himself at the bar of the House of Commons, waiting to ooserve the effect of his composition. aud particularly the effect of the conclusion, which he had elaborated aud filled with rhetorical ornamentation. The usual bustle and confusion having subsided. Lord

Chancellor Hathcrley, began t* deliver the ‘•speech” with his accustomed caso and gracefulness, but soon became nervous and fidgety iu maimer, and, after a short time, ceased to read altogether, and sat clown in a state of confusion. On examination, it appeared that the sheets of the “ speech” had becomo transposed, and licfore the Lord Cbnneellor had gone over the body of the dccumeut, lie plunged suddenly into the rhetorical conclusion, alluding iu glowing terms to matters which had not been previously referred to at all.