And yet it never was in my soul To play so ill a part: But evil is wrought by want of Thought, As well as want of Heart!" She clasped her fervent hands, And yet, oh yet, that many a Dame PART II. 15 THE SONG OF THE SHIRT. WITH fingers weary and worn, In poverty, hunger, and dirt And still with a voice of dolorous pitch, "Work! work! work! While the cock is crowing aloof! And work-work-work! Till the stars shine through the roof! It's oh! to be a slave Along with the barbarous Turk, Where woman has never a soul to save If THIS is Christian work! "Work-work-work! Till the brain begins to swim ; Work-work-work! Till the eyes are heavy and dim! Seam, and gusset, and band, Band, and gusset, and seam, Till over the buttons I fall asleep, "Oh! men with sisters dear! Oh! men with mothers and wives! It is not linen you're wearing out, But human creatures' lives! Stitch-stitch-stitch! In poverty, hunger, and dirt, Sewing at once, with a double thread, A SHROUD as well as a shirt! "But why do I talk of death, Because of the fast I keep : Oh God! that bread should be so dear, "Work-work-work! My labor never flags; And what are its wages? A bed of straw, A shattered roof-and this naked floor- And a wall so blank my shadow I thank "Work-work-work! From weary chime to chime; Work-work-work! As prisoners work, for crime! Band, and gusset, and seam, Seam, and gusset, and band, Till the heart is sick and the brain benumbed, As well as the weary hand! "Work-work-work, In the dull December light; And work-work-work! When the weather is warm and bright: While underneath the eaves "Oh! but for one short hour! A little weeping would ease my heart- My tears must stop, for every drop With fingers weary and worn, In poverty, hunger and dirt; And still with a voice of dolorous pitchWould that its tone could reach the rich!She sung this "Song of the shirt!" Glimpses of the Wonderful. A book of interest and instruction for the youthful mind. 1 neat vol. 12mo., with 34 engravings very handsomely printed, and neatly bound. 75c. CONTENTS:-Ship-building-The Steam-ship-Eddystone Lighthouse-Comparative size of Public Buildings-The Churches of St. Peter and St. Paul-The Cave of Elephanta-Alnwick Cas tle-Ancient Punishment-The Chinese-Tiger Hunting-The Sperm-whale Fishery-The Narwhal-Crocodile Hunting--Pearl Diving-The Eagle-The Bat-The Flying-fish--The Lion and the Giraffe-The Boa Constrictor-Skeletons of the Boa and Elephant-The Rhinoceros-The Whale attacked by Fishes-The Greenland Whale-The Blood and Hair-The Porcupine-The Peter Botte Mountain-Icebergs-Astronomy-The Moon-Conclusion. "The author has moulded his work into that popular form which combines, in due proportion, amusement with instruction. The engravings are original and spirited."—Albany Argus. "There is so much sound sense and good advice in this pretty volume that we cannot be too earnest in recommending it. The engravings are remarkably clever."-Christian Remembrancer. "This is a most entertaining as well as instructive work. We strongly recommend it to parents and teachers as an excellent book for their juvenile friends."-New Haven Courier. "An excellent little work, which must soon become a favorite with our young friends. It has been tastefully got up, and the engravings are excellent." -N. Y. Courier. "The style of the author is remarkably forcible, chaste, and elegant."— N. Y. True Sun. TALES OF THE KINGS OF ENGLAND. Tales of the Kings of England: Stories of Camps and BattleFields, Wars and Victories; from the Old Historians. By Stephen Percy. 2 very neat volumes, 18mo., with engravings. Each, 50 cents. "These works are constructed on a plan which is novel, and we think well chosen; and we are glad to find that they are deservedly popular, for they cannot be too strongly recommended, as adapted for the perusal of youth."— Journal of Education. "The design of these pretty volumes is excellent."-Atlas. "We know of no other books which so charmingly blend amusement with instruction. No juvenile books have been published in our time more entitled to praise."-Examiner. "These pleasing and simple stories are well adapted to the capacity of children."-Christ. Mag. "As amusing as they are instructive."-N. Y Post. |