And such the heart’s bad passions. Let Its greener laurels flourish yet--, Hope, friendship, ne’er let earth forget How sweet they are; For the poor heart’s not desolate When love is there. Love--tis earth’s holiest principle! From every thing we catch its spell! But more, from the sweet thoughts that dwell In woman’s breast-- Friendship and faith immutable By her possess’d. Then, lady! be it all thy care, To be as wise as thou art fair; Be wary--think each smile a snare-- Shun pleasure’s lure; Farewell! thou _hast_ the Minstrel’s prayer-- Be good--be pure. THE SISTER’S FAITH. ‘Our affections are Heaven’s influences, that by the good they do, Betray their origin. ‘So I have seen A frail flower that the storm has trampled on-- Lovely in ruins; for though broken quite With its affliction, ’twas a flow’ret still, And ask’d from me affection.’ The allotments of providence are as various as are our several necessities. To one is granted wealth, to another talents, to a third family; every man, however humble, finds himself the possessor of some separate good the which has not been equally vouchsafed to all, and in that particular good whatsoever it be is treasured his individual sum of human happiness. It is a beautiful thing that this is so, for hence a greater degree of comfort among men, as each is pleased with his own; and to a thinking man it is fraught with deep and powerful truths, that tell greatly both upon the understanding and the heart. In it is seen the kind plan of an ever present, ever watchful Deity, studious for our comforts; and the mind is at once fired with a nobler energy, and the heart is quickened with newer faith to works of obedience, and taught to look with renewed confidence and an unclouded eye through sorrows here, and rest on that star of hope beyond the grave. Among the blessings of providence, there is none which exceeds the rich love of a sister. He who has been blessed with such, whether he knows it or not, has ever had near him a fountain of sweet thoughts and gentle sympathies, that could have made the darkest day cheerful. Especially has he been blessed, if circumstances have contrived to break him from all other ties of consanguinity, and in joys and sorrows he has witnessed the development of those beautiful principles which enter so largely into the composition of her character, for the development of those principles must have been attended by such love and considerateness on her part, as only served to make them more beautiful, and bring them nearer the attributes of angels.