It is difficult to select from a poem of which the parts make one harmonious whole; but the history of “The Sinless Child” is illustrated all through with panel pictures which are scarcely less effective when separated from their series than when combined, and the reader will be gratified with a few of those which serve to exhibit the author’s graceful play of fancy, and the pure vein of poetic sentiment as well as her manner and style in treating this masterpiece of its author. THE STEP-MOTHER. (FROM “THE SINLESS CHILD.”) YOU speak of Hobert’s second wife, A lofty dame and bold: I like not her forbidding air, And forehead high and cold. The orphans have no cause for grief, She dare not give it now, Though nothing but a ghostly fear Her heart of pride could bow. One night the boy his mother called: They heard him weeping say―― “Sweet mother, kiss poor Eddy’s cheek, And wipe his tears away!” Red grew the lady’s brow with rage, And yet she feels a strife Of anger and of terror too, At thought of that dead wife. Wild roars the wind, the lights burn blue, The watch-dog howls with fear; Loud neighs the steed from out the stall: What ♦form is gliding near? No latch is raised, no step is heard, But a phantom fills the space―― A sheeted spectre from the dead, With cold and leaden face! What boots it that no other eye Beheld the shade appear? The guilty lady’s guilty soul Beheld it plain and clear! It slowly glides within the room, And sadly looks around―― And stooping, kissed her daughter’s cheek With lips that gave no sound! Then softly on the stepdame’s arm She laid a death-cold hand, Yet it hath scorched within the flesh Like to a burning brand; And gliding on with noiseless foot, O’er winding stair and hall, She nears the chamber where is heard Her infant’s trembling call. She smoothed the pillow where he lay, She warmly tucked the bed, She wiped his tears, and stroked the curls That clustered round his head. The child, caressed, unknowing fear, Hath nestled him to rest; The mother folds her wings beside―― The mother from the blest! ♦ ‘from’ replaced with ‘form’ * * * * * GUARDIAN ANGELS. (FROM “THE SINLESS CHILD.”) WITH downy pinion they enfold The heart surcharged with wo, And fan with balmy wing the eye Whence floods of sorrow flow; They bear, in golden censers up, That sacred gift a tear―― By which is registered the griefs Hearts may have suffered here.