Say, did you give the thrilling transport way? Like the fond dove, from fearful prison freed, Though frantic ewes may mourn the savage deed, And drives them bleating from their sports and food. Spring, 1. 309. Giles, having fatigued himself by his endeavors to frighten a host of sparrows from the wheat-ears, retires to repose beneath the friendly shelter of some projecting boughs; and, while with head upon the ground he is gazing upon the heavens, he suddenly hears THE SKYLARK. Just starting from the corn she cheerly sings, And forms a friendly telescope, that lends Her form, her motion, undistinguish'd quite, Delicious sleep! From sleep who could forbear, Summer, 1. 63. THE BLIND CHILD. Where's the blind child so admirably fair, Beyond yon cottage wall, or on the green "The most beautiful part in the description of this bird, and which is at once curiously faithful and expressively harmonious, I have copied in italics. Milton and Thomson have both introduced the flight of the skylark, the first with his accustomed spirit and sublimity; but probably no poet has surpassed, either in fancy or expression, the following prose narrative of Dr. Goldsmith, in his History of the Earth and Animated Nature:- Nothing,' observes he, 'can be more pleasing than to see the lark warbling upon the wing, raising its note as it soars, until it seems lost in the immense heights above us; the note continuing, the bird itself unseen; to see it then descending with a swell as it comes from the clouds, yet sinking by degrees as it approaches its nest, the spot where all its affections are centredthe spot that has prompted all this joy. This description of the descent of the bird, and of the pleasures of its little nest, is conceived in a strain of the most exquisite delicacy and feeling."-DR. DRAKE. Creeps on the warm green turf for many an hour, News from the Farm. THE DISTRACTED FEMALE. -Naught her rayless melancholy cheers, Clasping her knees, and waving to and fro; Her head bow'd down, her faded cheek to hide; A piteous mourner by the pathway side. Some tufted molehill through the livelong day She calls her throne; there weeps her life away: And pangs quick springing muster round his heart; And fain would catch her sorrow's plaintive sound: Fair promised sunbeams of terrestrial bliss, To stay the tottering step, the features trace; "When we consider the circumstances under which the early poetry of Bloomfield was composed-in a bare grim garret, by a feeble-constitutioned man approaching middle life, and amid the fatigues of mechanical labor, which yet scarcely sufficed to satisfy the clamant necessities of a wife and three children- The Farmer's Boy' ought not to be regarded otherwise than as a wonderful production. Few are its errors in taste, either as to matter or manner; and its style is simple, chaste, unaffected, nay, occasionally elegant."-D. M. MOIR. It presents as finished a specimen of versification as can be extracted from the pages of our most polished poets; and its pathos is such as to require no comment of mine."DRAKE's Literary Hours, ii. 467. O Thou! who bidst the vernal juices rise, Thou, on whose blasts autumnal foliage flies! Let Peace ne'er leave me, nor my heart grow cold, "From the review we have now taken of the 'FARMER'S BOY,' it will be evident, I think, that, owing to its harmony and sweetness of versification, its benevolence of sentiment, and originality of imagery, it is entitled to rank very high in the class of descriptive and pastoral poetry, and that, most probably, it will descend to posterity with a character and with encomia similar to what has been the endeavor of these essays to attach to it.”—DR. DRAKE. THOMAS ERSKINE, 1750-1823. THOMAS (Lord) ERSKINE, third son of the Earl of Buchan, was born in the year 1750, and was educated at the University of St. Andrews. After serving six years in the navy and army, he was induced, at the earnest request of his mother, who saw his talents, and jestingly said "he must be Lord Chancellor," to quit the military profession and prepare himself for the law. In 1778, he was called to the bar, where his success was immediate and remarkable. In a case of libel, in which he advocated the cause of the defendant, Captain Baillie,' he displayed so much eloquence and talent that the legal world was astonished, and nearly thirty briefs were put into his hands before he left the court. In 1781, he appeared as counsel for Lord George Gordon, in what was called a case of constructive treason, and by his wonderful skill, and eloquence, and legal learning, procured the acquittal of his client, and thus, for the time, gave the deathblow to the tremendous doctrine of constructive treason. But there is nothing in the life of this eminent man which reflects so much honor on his memory as his exertions in defence of the privileges of juries. The rights of those pro tempore judges he strenuously maintained upon all occasions, particularly in the celebrated trial of the Dean of St. Asaph for libel, in 1784, when Justice Buller refused to receive the verdict of "guilty of publishing only," as returned by the jury.2 In 1789, he again displayed his wonderful powers in the defence of Mr. Stockdale, a bookseller, who was tried by the government for publishing what was charged as a libellous pamphlet in favor of the celebrated Warren Hastings. This is one of the very best, if not the best of all his speeches; and, "whether we regard the wonderful skill with which the argument is conducted, the soundness of the principles laid down, and their happy application to the case, the vividness of fancy with which these are illustrated, and the touching language in which they are conveyed, it is justly to be regarded as a consummate specimen of the art of addressing a jury." This masterly defence procured an acquittal for Stockdale, though the fact of publication was admitted. But the most arduous effort of his professional life arose out of the part he On this occasion, he showed that the courage which marked his professional life was not acquired after the success which rendered it a safe and a cheap virtue; but, being naturally inherent in the man, was displayed at a moment when attended with great risks. In the course of his eloquent argument, he was inveighing very strongly against a certain "noble lord," when the judge, Lord Mansfield, interrupted him, and remarked that "the Lord was not before the court." "I know he is not," was the bold reply, "but, for that very reason. I will bring him before the court. I will drag him to light who is the dark mover behind this scene of iniquity." The following is a part of the spirited dialogue that ensued when the jury returned their verdict. It shows the noble daring and courage of Erskine. Mr. Erskine.-Is the word only to stand part of your verdict? A Juror. Certainly. Mr. Justice Buller-Then the verdict must be misunderstood; let me understand the jury. Mr. Erskine (With great spirit.) The jury do understand their verdict. Mr. Justice Buller-Sir, I will not be interrupted. Mr. Erskine.—I stand here as an advocate for a brother citizen, and I desire that the word only may be recorded. Mr. Justice Buller.-Sit down, sir; remember your duty, or I shall be obliged to proceed in a ther manner. Mr. Erskine. Your lordship may proceed in what manner you think fit. I know my duty as well as your lord. hip knows yours. I shall not alter my conduct. |