Fed with the hate of men--betrayed by those whose kindness I compared to that of angels--attacked by an incurable disease, which has swept away my ancestors--tell me, man of truth, if murmurs excited by despair can characterize an Atheist, and bring upon him the anger of Heaven. Oh! unhappy Byron!! if after so many mortal trials thy last hope of salvation is taken from thee--well!!"--Here the voice of my lord faltered. His gloomy silence lasted nearly a quarter of an hour. All on a sudden he rose from his chair with eagerness, and walked round the room, stopping before the holy pictures which adorned it. A moment after he came to me, and said, "Do you remember that you promised a month ago to give me certain things which you possess?"--"I possess very little, and that little has nothing which can tempt you: however, speak!"--"I remember the words of your answer, and you can no longer refuse me anything." Then he advanced towards a corner of my room, and taking down a beautiful crucifix which I had brought from Rome, he placed it in my hands. I offered it to Byron, saying, "_This is the consoler of the unhappy_." He seized it with transport, and kissing it several times, he added, with eyes bathed in tears, "My hands shall not long profane it, and my mother will soon be the guardian of your precious relic!" * * * * * To griefs congenial prone, More wounds than nature gave he knew, While misery's form his fancy drew In dark ideal hues, and horrors not its own. _Goethe--Foreign Review_. * * * * * THE GATHERER. A snapper up of unconsidered trifles. SHAKSPEARE * * * * * ON LORD GROSVENOR'S ANNUAL INCOME. Our journals, which tell us of ev'ry one's matters, From the king on the throne, to the pauper in tatters; Say his lordship possesses, if rightly I scan 'em, Two hundred and seventy-two thousands per annum. On this statement I've latterly ventur'd to ponder, And deduc'd calculations, with diff'rence as under: I suppos'd was his income five thousand a week, (Of the surplus remaining I shall not now speak[2]) By close computation I found it came near To seven hundred and twenty, for each day's arrear. Intent on the subject reducing it lower I found thirty pounds was the draught for each hour. Pursuing my theme, for amusement was in it, There were ten shillings sterling for each fleeting minute, And for ev'ry pulsation of time, called a second, "According to Cocker," two-pence must be reckon'd. PERCY HENDON. [2] There remains the sum of £12,000 which I have not treated on in order to avoid fractional parts. * * * * * In the churchyard of Carisbrook is the following epitaph on a loving couple:-- Of life he had the better slice, They lived at once, and died at twice. * * * * *