That quickness of feeling and disposition to abandon himself to its guidance, which made Parr an inconsistent man, made him also a benevolent one. Benevolence he loved as a subject for his contemplation, and the practical extension of it as a rule for his conduct. He could scarcely bear to regard the Deity under any other aspect. He would have children taught, in the first instance, to regard him under that aspect alone; simply as a being who displayed infinite goodness in the creation, in the government, and in the redemption of the world. Language itself indicates, that the whole system of moral rectitude is comprised in it--_[Greek: energetein], benefacere_, beneficencethe generic term being, in common parlance, emphatically restricted to works of charity. Nor was this mere theory in Parr. Most men who have been economical from necessity in their youth, continue to be so, from habit, in their age--but Parr's hand was ever open as day. Poverty had vexed, but had never contracted his spirit; money he despised, except as it gave him power--power to ride in his state coach, to throw wide his doors to hospitality, to load his table with plate, and his shelves with learning; power to adorn his church with chandeliers and painted windows; to make glad the cottages of his poor; to grant a loan, to a tottering farmer; to rescue from want a forlorn patriot, or a thriftless scholar. Whether misfortune, or mismanagement, or folly, or vice, had brought its victim low, his want was a passport to Parr's pity, and the dew of his bounty fell alike upon the evil and the good, upon the just and the unjust. It is told of Boerhaave, that, whenever he saw a criminal led out to execution, he would say, "May not this man be better than I? If otherwise, the praise is due, not to me, but to the grace of God." Parr quotes the saying with applause. Such, we doubt not, would have been his own feelings on such an occasion.--_Quarterly Review_. * * * * * THE GATHERER A snapper up of unconsidered trifles. SHAKSPEARE. * * * * * SONG FROM THE ITALIAN OF P. ROLLI. Babbling current, would you know Why I turn to thee again, 'Tis to find relief from woe, Respite short from ceaseless pain. I and Sylvio on a day Were upon thy bank reclin'd, When dear Sylvio swore to me, And thus spoke in accents kind: First this flowing tide shall turn Backward to its fountain head, Dearest nymph, ere thou shall mourn, Thy too easy faith betray'd. Babbling current, backward turn, Hide thee in thy fountain head; For alas, I'm left to mourn My too easy faith betray'd. Love and life pursu'd the swain, Both must have the self-same date, But mine only he could mean, Since his love is turn'd to hate. Sure some fairer nymph than I, From me lures the lovely youth, Haply she receives like me, Vows of everlasting truth.