Willis, the American traveller, in his "Famous Persons and Famous Places," observes that, when visiting Kenilworth, he noticed with surprise that in one place the swelling root of a creeper had lifted one arch from its base, and the protruding branch of a chance spring tree (sown, perhaps, by a field-sparrow) had unseated the keystone of the next. And so perish castles and reputations--the masonry of the human hand, and the fabrics of human thought--not by the strength which they feared, but by the weakness of trifling things which they despised. Little did John O'Gaunt think, when these rudely-hewn blocks were heaved into their seats by his herculean workmen, that, after resisting fire and foe, they would be sapped and overthrown at last by a vine-tendril and a sparrow! THE PRIEST AND THE LADY; OR, TRANSUBSTANTIATION EXPOSED. A lady once, a Protestant, in ignorance was led To think she might with comfort live, though to a Papist wed: But Rome decrees no peace they'll have who marry heretics, Until their households have been made submissive to her tricks. It sorely grieved this husband that his wife would not comply To join the "mother Church" of Rome, and heresy deny: Day after day he flattered her, but still she held it good That man should never bow his knee to idols made of wood. The Mass, the priest, and miracles, were made but to deceive; And transubstantiation, too, she never could believe. He went unto his clergy, and told him his sad tale-- "My wife's an unbeliever, sir; try if you can prevail. "You say you can work miracles--she says it is absurd-- Convince her and convert her, and great is your reward." The priest went with the gentleman--he thought to gain a prize-- He says, "I will convert your wife, and open quite her eyes." So when they came unto the house, "My dear," the husband cried, "The priest is come to dine with us." "He's welcome," she replied. The dinner being ended, the priest to teach began, Explaining to the lady the sinful state of man. The kindness of the Saviour (which no one can deny), Who gave Himself a Sacrifice, and once for sin did die. "He by His priest still offers up Himself a Sacrifice." The lady only answered this by expressing great surprise. "I will return to-morrow--prepare some bread and wine-- And then dispense the Sacrament to satisfy your mind." "I'll bake the cake," the lady said. "You may," replied he, "And when you see this miracle, convinced I'm sure you'll be." The priest returned accordingly--the bread and wine did bless-- The lady said, "Sir, is it changed?" His reverence answered, "Yes, It's changèd now from bread and wine to real flesh and blood; You may depend upon my word, that it is very God." Thus, having blessed the bread and wine, to eat he did prepare. The lady said unto the priest, "I would have you take care; For one half ounce of arsenic I have mixed in that cake, But as you have its nature changed, it can no difference make."