The _avant-courier_ of the "Annuals" is of equal literary merit with its precursors; but not quite equal in its engravings--The _Sisters' Dream_, by Davenport, from a drawing by Corbould, is, however, placidly interesting; the _Bridal Morning_, by Finden, is also a pleasing scene; and the _Seventh Plague of Egypt_, by Le Keux, from a design by Martin, though in miniature, is terrific and sublime. In the literary department we especially notice the _Sun-Dial_, a pensive tale, by Delta, but too long for extract; and the _Sky-Lark_ by the Ettrick Shepherd, soaring with all the freshness and fancy of that extraordinary genius. The _Sword_, a beautiful picture of martial woe, by Miss Landon, is subjoined:-- 'Twas the battle field, and the cold pale moon Look'd down on the dead and dying, And the wind pass'd o'er with a dirge and a wail, Where the young and the brave were lying. With his father's sword in his red right hand. And the hostile dead around him, Lay a youthful chief: but his bed was the ground, And the grave's icy sleep had bound him. A reckless Rover, 'mid death and doom, Pass'd a soldier, his plunder seeking: Careless he stept where friend and foe Lay alike in their life-blood reeking. Drawn by the shine of the warrior's sword, The soldier paused beside it: He wrench'd the hand with a giant's strength, But the grasp of the dead defied it. He loosed his hold, and his English heart Took part with the dead before him, And he honour'd the brave who died sword in hand, As with soften'd brow he leant o'er him. "A soldier's death thou hast boldly died, A soldier's grave won by it: Before I would take that sword from thine hand, My own life's blood should dye it. "Thou shalt not be left for the carrion crow, Or the wolf to batten o'er thee: Or the coward insult the gallant dead, Who in life had trembled before thee." Then dug he a grave in the crimson earth Where his warrior foe was sleeping, And he laid him there in honour and rest, With his sword in his own brave keeping. * * * * * As a relief, we quote the following characteristic sketch by Miss Mitford:-- A COUNTRY APOTHECARY. One of the most important personages in a small country town is the apothecary. He takes rank next after the rector and the attorney, and before the curate; and could be much less easily dispensed with than either of those worthies, not merely as holding "fate and physic" in his hand, but as the general, and as it were official, associate, adviser, comforter, and friend, of all ranks and all ages, of high and low, rich and poor, sick and well. I am no despiser of dignities; but twenty emperors shall be less intensely missed in their wide dominions, than such a man as my friend John Hallett in his own small sphere.