Shall steep me in Elysian reverie, A momentary dream, that thou art she. My mother! when I learn'd that thou wast dead, Say, wast thou conscious of the tears I shed? Hover'd thy spirit o'er thy sorr'wing son, Wretch even then, life's journey just begun? Perhaps thou gav'st me, though unfelt, a kiss; Perhaps a tear, if souls can weep in blissAh that maternal smile! it answers-Yes. I heard the bell toll'd on thy burial day, I saw the hearse, that bore thee slow away, And, turning from my nurs'ry window, drew A long, long sigh, and wept a last adieu ! But was it such?-It was.-Where thou art gone Adieus and farewells are a sound unknown. : May I but meet thee on that peaceful shore, The parting word shall pass my lips no more! Thy maidens, griev'd themselves at my concern, Oft gave me promise of thy quick return. What ardently I wish'd, I long believ'd, And, disappointed still, was still deceiv'd. By expectation ev'ry day beguil'd, Dupe of to-morrow even from a child. Thus many a sad to-morrow came and went, all my stock of infant sorrow spent, Till, I learn'd at last submission to my lot, , But, though I less deplor'd thee, ne'er forgot. Where once we dwelt our name is heard no more, Children not thine have trod my nurs❜ry floor; And where the gard'ner Robin, day by day, That thou mightst know me safe and warmly laid; The fragrant waters on my cheeks bestow'd By thy own hand, till fresh they shone and glow'd: Thy constant flow of love, that knew no fall, Adds joy to duty, makes me glad to pay Not scorn'd in Heav'n, though little notic'd here. I prick'd them into paper with a pin, (And thou wast happier than myself the while, Thou, as a gallant bark from Albion's coast My boast is not, that I deduce my birth And, while the wings of Fancy still are free, ERASMUS DARWIN. BORN 1732.-DIED 1802. ERASMUS DARWIN was born at Elton, near Newark, in Nottinghamshire, where his father was a private gentleman. He studied at St. John's college, Cambridge, and took the degree of bachelor in medicine; after which, he went to Edinburgh, to finish his medical studies. Having taken a physician's degree at that university, he settled in his profession at Litchfield; and, by a bold and successful display of his skill in one of the first cases to which he was called, established his practice and reputation. About a year after his arrival, he married a Miss Howard, the daughter of a respectable inhabitant of Litchfield, and by that connexion strengthened his interest in the place. He was, in theory and practice, a rigid enemy to the use of wine, and of all intoxicating. liquors; and, in the course of his practice, was regarded as a great promoter of temperate habits among the citizens: but he gave a singular instance of his departure from his own theory, within a few years after his arrival in the very place, where he proved the apostle of sobriety. Having one day joined a few friends, who were going on a water party, he got so tipsy after a cold collation, that, on the boat approaching Nottingham, he jumped into. the river, and swam ashore. The party called to |