Men stop and smile to see her go; They gaze, they smile in pleased surprise; They ask her name; they long to show Some silent friendship in their eyes. She glances not; she passes on; Her steely footfall quicker rings; She guesses not the benison Which follows her on noiseless wings. Smooth be her ways, secure her tread Along the devious lines of life, From grace to grace successive led, A noble maiden, nobler wife! THE PROFESSOR AT THE BREAKFAST-TABLE. WHAT HE SAID, WHAT HE HEARD, AND WHAT HE SAW. I don't know whether our literary or professional people are more amiable than they are in other places, but certainly quarrelling is out of fashion among them. This could never be, if they were in the habit of secret anonymous puffing of each other. That is the kind of underground machinery, which manufactures false reputations and genuine hatreds. On the other hand, I should like to know if we are not at liberty to have a good time together, and say the pleasantest things we can think of to each other, when any of us reaches his thirtieth or fortieth or fiftieth or eightieth birthday. We don't have "scenes," I warrant you, on these occasions. No "surprise" parties! You understand these, of course. In the rural districts, where scenic tragedy and melodrama cannot be had, as in the city, at the expense of a quarter and a white pocket-handkerchief, emotional excitement has to be sought in the dramas of real life. Christenings, weddings, and funerals, especially the latter, are the main dependence; but babies, brides, and deceased citizens cannot be had at a day's notice. Now, then, for a surprise-party! A bag of flour, a barrel of potatoes, some strings of onions, a basket of apples, a big cake and many little cakes, a jug of lemonade, a purse stuffed with bills of the more modest denominations, may, perhaps, do well enough for the properties in one of these private theatrical exhibitions. The minister of the parish, a tender-hearted, quiet, hard-working man, living on a small salary, with many children, sometimes pinched to feed and clothe them, praying fervently every day to be blest in his "basket and store," but sometimes fearing he asks amiss, to judge by the small returns, has the first _rôle_,--not, however, by his own choice, but forced upon him. The minister's wife, a sharp-eyed, unsentimental body, is first lady; the remaining parts by the rest of the family. If they only had a play-bill, it would run thus:-- ON TUESDAY NEXT WILL BE PRESENTED THE AFFECTING SCENE CALLED THE SURPRISE-PARTY, OR THE OVERCOME FAMILY; WITH THE FOLLOWING STRONG CAST OF CHARACTERS: _The Rev. Mr. Overcome_, by the Clergyman of this Parish. _Mrs. Overcome_, by his estimable lady. _Masters Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Overcome_. _Misses Dorcas, Tabitha, Rachel, and Hannah Overcome_, by their interesting children. _Peggy_, by the female help.