On our own wish'd for couch recline,

And taste the bliss of sleep divine!"

Is not the larem ad nostrum here fully equal to our own abode, and almost equal to our home?

But Montgomery, I remember, has remarked, that even these sweet lines of the Roman have been excelled by those of an English poet on a similar theme, "as every one," he says, "must feel who can compare the pure egotism of Catullus," (in the lines quoted from him,) "with the nobler sympathies of Coleridge," in the following strain

And now, beloved Stowey! I behold

Thy church-tower, and methinks the four huge elms,
Clustering, which mark the mansion of my friend,
And close behind them, hidden from my view,
Is my own lowly cottage, where my babe,
And my babe's mother dwell in peace!—with light,
And quickened footsteps thitherward I tread.

Yes I admit that these lines are "beautiful exceedingly," and triumph easily over the others; but it is only because a purer faith and consequent finer morality has enabled the writer to bring in the associations of church and marriage, which the poor Pagan bachelor knew nothing about, and so to cr vn the charm and finish the picture of his cottage home.

After all, however, I must agree, and even maintain, that with these associations, fairly embraced in our term, the Latin domus cannot fully render our English home.

LOST IDEAS.

The ideas, as well as children, of our youth, often die before us; and our minds represent to us those tombs to which we are approaching, where, though the brass and marble remain, yet the inscriptions are effaced by time, and the imagery moulders away.-Locke.

THOUGHTS.

"Conscience," says St. Austin, "is like a wife; the best of comforts, if good; the worst of naughts, if bad."

"Old Age," says Chateaubriand, " is a traveller in the nighttime; the earth is hidden from sight, and he can see nothing but the heavens shining above his head."

ON A PORTRAICTURE OF POCAHONTAS.

(In the style of her time.)

This maiden of the Indian race
Had but a copper-colour'd face;

But hear her storie trulie tolde,

You'll saye her hearte was virgin golde.-MS.

IMPROMPTU.

To a young Lady who gave me a sprig of Yew.

Ah! what do you mean by your gift?
Ah! what do you mean, pretty Sue?
O-now I discover your drift :—

You mean that I ought to have you.

Martial Minor.

TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS.

We have received the interesting communication of our new correspondent, J. L. P., and will publish it as soon as we can. We hope he will pursue the inquiries he mentions, and furnish us with the results as he proposes.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, IN 1736.

[We take the following account of the opening of the General Assembly in 1736, from the Virginia Gazette of Friday, August the 6th, of that year, (the first number of the first newspaper ever issued in our Colony,) and submit the Speeches of Mr. Speaker Randolph, and Governor Gooch, with the Addresses of the Council and House of Burgesses, &c., on the occasion, at full length; which we think our readers will find valuable and interesting for the illustrations which they furnish of the state of our civil polity under the royal government, and the tone of public opinion, at that early period-so different from what we have before and about us at the present time.]

WILLIAMSBURG, August 6.

Yesterday the General Assembly of this Colony, met at the Capitol; and 60 of the Members of the House of Burgesses appearing, it being the first Session of this Assembly, they were qualified, by taking the several Oaths appointed to be taken, and subscribing the Test.

The House having attended the Governor in the Council-Chamber, and being return'd, Mr. Conway put them in Mind of the Governor's Commands to make Choice of a Speaker; and did nominate and recommend Sir John Randolph, as having given undeniable Proofs of his Abilities, In

tegrity, and Fitness, to execute that important Trust; and several other Members spake to the same Purpose. Then Mr. Harrison propos'd Mr. Robinson for Speaker, and with him, Mr. Carter, and Mr. Berkely agreed: But Mr. Robinson standing up in his Place, declared, That he did not expect to be made a Competitor with the Gentleman that was named; that he was no ways qualified; and pray'd, that Sir John Randolph might be chosen without any Opposition: And he was accordingly chosen by all the rest of the Members, and conducted to the Chair by Two Members; and being there plac'd, made a Speech to the House; as followeth:

Gentlemen,-The Testimony you give, to the Probity and Integrity of the Person whom you think fit to chuse for your Speaker, must be a considerable Addition to any Man's Character; and to make Excuses for refusing it, which we hope may not be accepted, were only to make a false Shew of Modesty, that can be of no more Worth than Ostentation.

In me it would be an absurd Hypocrisy, since my Willingness to continue in the Service of this House has been well known among you; tho' I have not endeavoured to anticipate any Man's Judgment, by soliciting his Vote: Therefore I shall not hesitate in owning the Satisfaction with which I accept the Honour you now bestow upon me; and I do it with the greater Pleasure, seeing many worthy Gentlemen, experienced Members of the House of Burgesses, who have been long Witnesses of my Behaviour, still retain a good Opinion of it. I am very sensible of your Favour, and that the Obligations you lay me under, are too great to be satisfied with the Ordinary Returns of Thanks and Compliments; which would be paying a vast Debt with a small Matter: But it will require a great Degree of Circumspection and Prudence, Labour and Dili

THE VIRGINIA HISTORICAL REGISTER.

And

gence, Steadiness and Impartiality, to acquit me. when so many Qualities must concur in the right Execution of an Office, the Difficulties which must attend it cannot but be very obvious. And if all this shall not be sufficient; if Action shall be construed with the utmost every Rigour and Severity; no Allowances made for common Mistakes; and That which upon due Examination may appear to be just, shall be equally censured, with what is apparently not so; who can withstand so great Discouragements.

But I rely upon your Candour, not doubting but your Animadversions upon me will always be just, and my Conduct interpreted with some Indulgence.

Gentlemen,-We must consider ourselves chosen by all the People; sent hither to represent them, to give their Consent in the weightiest of their Concerns; and to bind them by Laws which may advance their Common Good. Herein they trust you with all that they have, place the greatest Confidence in your Wisdoms and Discretions, and And surely, a testify the highest Opinion of your Virtue. Desire of pleasing some, and the Fear of offending others; Views to little Advantages and Interests; adhering too fondly to ill-grounded Conceits; the Prejudiees of Opinions too hastily taken up; an Affectation to Popularity; Private Animosities or Personal Resentments, which have often too much to do in Popular Assemblies, and sometimes put a Bias upon Mens Judgments, can upon no Occasion, turn us aside in the Prosecution of this important Duty, from what shall appear to be the true Interest of the People: Tho' it may be often impossible to conform to their Sentiments, since, when we come to consider and compare them, we shall find them so various and irreconcileable.