One of the most admirable characteristics of Miss Larcom’s life and her writings is the marked spirit of philanthropy pervading every thing she did. She was in sentiment and practically the working woman’s friend. She came from among them, had shared their toils, and the burning and consuming impulse of her life was to better their condition. In this, she imitated the spirit of Him, who, being lifted up, would draw all men after Him. * * * * * HANNAH BINDING SHOES. POOR lone Hannah, Sitting at the window, binding shoes! Faded, wrinkled, Sitting stitching, in a mournful muse! Bright-eyed beauty once was she, When the bloom was on the tree: Spring and winter Hannah’s at the window, binding shoes. Not a neighbor Passing nod or answer will refuse To her whisper, “Is there from the fishers any news?” Oh, her heart’s adrift with one On an endless voyage gone! Night and morning Hannah’s at the window, binding shoes. Fair young Hannah Ben, the sunburnt fisher, gayly woos; Hale and clever, For a willing heart and hand he sues. May-day skies are all aglow, And the waves are laughing so! For the wedding Hannah leaves her window and her shoes. May is passing: Mid the apple-boughs a pigeon coos. Hannah shudders, For the mild south-wester mischief brews. Round the rocks of Marblehead, Outward bound, a schooner sped: Silent, lonesome, Hannah’s at the window, binding shoes. ’Tis November. Now no tears her wasted cheek bedews. From Newfoundland Not a sail returning will she lose, Whispering hoarsely, “Fisherman, Have you, have you heard of Ben?” Old with watching, Hannah’s at the window, binding shoes. Twenty winters Bleach and tear the ragged shore she views. Twenty seasons;―― Never has one brought her any news. Still her dim eyes silently Chase the white sail o’er the sea: Hopeless, faithless, Hannah’s at the window, binding shoes. Illustration: (‡ decoration) Illustration: (‡ decoration) ALICE AND PHOEBE CARY. “THE SISTER SPIRITS OF POESY.” IT would be difficult to treat the two poetic Cary sisters separately. Their work began, progressed through life and practically ended together. Few persons have written under the circumstances which at first appeared so disadvantageous. They had neither education nor literary friends, nor was their early lot cast in a region of literary culture――for they were reared in Cincinnati, Ohio, during the formative period of that Western country. But surely in the wild hills and valleys of their native West, they found