And is it night, so sit we only in a cooler shadow, from which we plainly discern the day-light on the northern horizon, and on the sweet, warm stars of heaven. Whithersoever I look, there do I find my beloved blue; on the flax in blossom, on the corn-flowers, and the godlike, endless heaven, into which I would fain plunge as into a river! And now if we turn homeward again, we find only fresh delight. The whole street is one great nursery; for in the evening after supper, the little ones, though they have but few clothes upon them, are again let out into the open air, and not driven to bed as in winter. We sup by day-light, and hardly know where the candle-sticks are. In the bed-chambers the windows are open day and night, and likewise most of the doors, without danger. The oldest women stand by the window without a chill, and sew. Flowers lie about every where; by the ink-stand, on the lawyer's papers, on the judge's desk, and the tradesman's counter. The children make a great noise, and one hears the rolling of nine-pin alleys. Half the night through, one walks up and down the street, and talks loud, and sees the stars shoot in the high heaven. The foreign musicians, who wend their way homeward toward midnight, go fiddling along the street, and the whole neighborhood runs to the window. The extra posts arrive late, and the horses neigh. One sits in the noise by the window, and drops asleep, and the post-horns awake him; and the whole starry heaven hath spread itself open. Oh, GOD! what a joyous life, on this little earth! _Cambridge, July 20._ LONGFELLOW. * * * * * The following we derive from the same source with the above. It is placed in type from the MS. of Mrs. FANNY KEMBLE BUTLER: THE PARTING PLEDGE. I. YET once again! but once, before we sever, Fill me one brimming cup--it is the last, And let those lips now parting and for ever, Breathe o'er this pledge 'The memory of the Past!' II. Joy's fleeting sun is set, and no to-morrow Smiles on the gloomy path we tread so fast; Yet in the bitter cup, o'erfilled with sorrow, Lives one sweet drop--the memory of the Past! III. But one more look from those dear eyes now shining Through their warm tears, their loveliest and their last. But one more strain of hands in friendship twining, Now farewell all, save memory of the Past!