Seek for a younger mind—a lighter soul; Seek one who has not been what I have been. I would not that around thy home should roll A cloud surcharged with gloominess and pain; Seek one who hath not from her childhood seen Her inmost thoughts—the best and brightest gold; Seek one who smiles—one who yet dares to dream— Who has not ‘hardened to a crystal cold!’ “And now, being quite sure that I have outwearied you, and believing that you will gladly let the remainder of your interrogatories to-day pass unanswered, I will conclude, with the earnest hope that _you_ may never be tempted to barter the sacred affections of your heart for any more alluring, but less, oh, far less satisfying prize—in the name of our childhood. “Always yours, “LILY REEVE.” * * * * * Dear reader, it may be proper to state, that despite this most emphatic disclaimer on the part of Lily, a western paper I have recently received, contains a notice of the marriage of the distinguished poetess, Lily Reeve, with the Hon. —— ——. Had it not been for this, one other proof of what is called the fickleness of woman’s nature, you perceive I should have been enabled to end my story without a marriage; but you will bear in mind that this repetition of the almost invariable climax, is not _my_ fault! * * * * * A SONNET. BY FAYETTE ROBINSON. [SEE ENGRAVING OF MAY MORNING.] Read on, young maiden. I will gage a kiss The page so earnestly thou porest o’er, To be the record of the ecstasies Of some great bard, or it may be the lore Of wild adventure by Armida’s shore— Or how Diana wooed the Hunter-boy, Or how to Dido erst Æneas swore Unmeasured love. Read while thou may’st enjoy, For certainly as this bright morn of May Will lose its zest, thy happiness will fade. As Orient smiles of Spring too soon decay, As clouds o’ershadow all the happy glade, Now smiling in the early morning’s ray, Thy peerless beauty e’en will pass away. * * * * * [Illustration: _DRAWN BY PASTORINI_ MAY MORNING.] * * * * * PASSAGES OF LIFE IN EUROPE. By J. BAYARD TAYLOR. I.—HEIDELBERG IN SEPTEMBER.