more easily. Then they made a screw that was a gimlet, and that only required to be driven home with a screw-driver, the necessity for the use of a gimlet being obviated. Only a little time was saved in putting in one screw; but if a man can put in fifty screws now in the time that he then required to put in twenty, the benefit to all who use screws throughout the United States and the world over, must be very great. 4. And what must be the sum of the gain, in the abbreviation of these little processes, when it comes, not to one alone, but to all that belong to mechanic arts, making labor easier? What is it but emancipating man? There is a process of emancipation going on which lightens toil, shortens the period of work, gives more hours for study, and leaves a constitution that is not taxed and worn out. Such is the process of coupling manhood to knowledge and opportunity. And though they that invent do not know it, God knows it and means it—that mechanical and skilled labors are all working for the elevation of the race. CXX.-SCENE AFTER A SUMMER SHOWER. ANDREWS NORTON. 1. The rain is o'er.-How dense and bright Yon pearly clouds reposing lie! 2. In grateful silence earth receives As glad the common joy to share. 3. The softened sunbeams pour around The wind flows cool; the scented ground 4. Mid yon rich clouds' voluptuous pile, Then turn to bathe and revel there. 5. The sun breaks forth from off the scene With trembling drops of light is hung. 6. Now gaze on nature-yet the same,Glowing with life, by breezes fanned, Luxuriant, lovely, as she came Fresh in her youth from God's own hand. 7. Hear the rich music of that voice Which sounds from all below, above; She calls her children to rejoice, And round them throws her arms of love. 8. Drink in her influence: low-born care, CXXI.-PARTING OF HECTOR FROM HOMER, TRANSLATED BY POPE. 1. Hector, this heard, returned without delay; Swift through the town he trod his former way, Through streets of palaces, and walks of state, And met the mourner at the Scæan gate. With haste to meet him sprung the joyful fair, And Hypoplacus' wide extended shade.) The nurse stood near, in whose embraces pressed, 2. To this loved infant Hector gave the name Scamandrius, from Scamander's honored stream; Astyanax the Trojans called the boy, From his great father, the defense of Troy. 3. "Too daring prince! ah, whither dost thou run? Ah, too forgetful of thy wife and son! And think'st thou not how wretched we shall be, For sure such courage length of life denies, 4. "No parent now remains my griefs to share, No father's aid, no mother's tender care. The fierce Achilles wrapped our walls in fire, Stern as he was, he yet revered the dead,- Then raised a mountain where his bones were burned; A barren shade, and in his honor grow. 5. 66 By the same arm my seven brave brothers fell; In one sad day beheld the gates of hell: While the fat herds and snowy flocks they fed Amid their fields, the hapless heroes bled! My mother lived to bear the victor's bands, The queen of Hypoplacia's sylvan lands: Redeemed too late, she scarce beheld again Her pleasing empire and her native plain, When ah! oppressed by life-consuming woe, She fell a victim to Diana's bow. 6. "Yet, while my Hector still survives, I see Thrice our bold foes the fierce attack have given, Let others in the field their arms employ, But stay my Hector here, and guard his Troy." 7. The chief replied: "That post shall be my care, Nor that alone, but all the works of war. How would the sons of Troy in arms renowned, And Troy's proud dames, whose garments sweep the ground, Should Hector basely quit the field of fame? 8. "And yet no dire presage so wounds my mind, And woes, of which so large a part was thine! |