do so, I could linger for ever among those quiet and heavenly haunts of love and poetry) by transcribing a little metrical effusion, which I accidentally met with, and the authorship of which I understood is attributed to Col. Morris. It is "Lines for Music," and evidently written in the earthly paradise which I have attempted to describe.

O would that she were here,
These hills and dales among,

Where vocal groves are gayly mocked
By echo's airy tongue,―
Where jocund Nature smiles
In all her gay attire,
Amid deep-tangled wiles

Of hawthorn and sweet-brier.
O would that she were here,

That fair and gentle thing,
Whose words are musical as strains
Breathed by the wind-harp's string.

O would that she were here,
Where the free waters leap,
Shouting in their joyousness,
Adown the rocky steep,—
Where rosy Zephyr lingers
All the livelong day,
With health upon his pinions,

And gladness in his way.
O would that she were here,
Sure Eden's garden-plot

Did not embrace more varied charms

Than this romantic spot.

O would that she were here,
Where frolic by the hours,
Rife with the song of bee and bird,
The perfume of the flowers,-
Where beams of peace and love,
And radiant beauty's glow,
Are pictured in the sky above,
And in the lake below.

O would that she were here→→

The nymphs of this bright scene, With song and dance and revelry, Would crown BIANCA queen.

Yours.

LETTER XIII.

Strictures on Albany-The Clergy-Historical Sketch of Albany-Head-Quarters of Gen. Lafayette-Mrs. Grant's description of Albany in olden time-Manner of living there -Hermitage-Gentle treatment of slaves among the Albanians-Consequent attachment of domestics, ete.

Albany, May 20, 1836.

FRIEND P.-Albany, the crack city of the Hudson, is the oldest settlement save one in the United States. Considering its age and importance as a seat of government, the traveller expects to find a lion, but is soon undeceived, it being little more than a lion's whelp. There is an aristocracy founded upon two of the most contemptible of the instruments of power-money and party politics. Of the latter, I, as an administration man, would never complain, were it permitted to hold its appropriate place. But it is here the leaven affecting the whole lump. I object to it when it influences, in the least degree, the courtesies of life. Political opinion ought never to be the only passport to hospitality. The manners of the better classes are, at first, uniformly of the non-committal

* Jamestown, in Virginia, was settled in 1607, while Albany dates its origin in 1610.

sort.

They appear to suspect you of an intention to pick their pockets, or take sides with their political opponents. Coming as I did, from New York, where hearts, like the merchandise, are out of doors, it operated like a cold bath in the month of December. But, thank Heaven, they are as jealous of each other as of strangers. The starting of a new project is the alarm for a whole swarm of little big men to look out for their rights, that is, in the vernacular language, to hold on upon their carefully accumulated stock of money and political power. There would be more pale faces at the loss of a vote, or a few dollars, than could be produced in New York by a tenth exhibition of the great conflagration.

The step from the sublime to the ridiculous has long since been taken on every subject. Even religion, which ought to be free from every foreign influence, and be permitted to move unconstrained in her own simple dignity and grace, is made to minister to the men in power. The manner in which the Rev. is showed up, renders him a complete ****. To have heard and praised him, is the test both of your good sense and politeness. I have heard strangers, more than once, smart under the chafing given them on the subject, by a certain distinguished gentleman's family. Of the denomination to which he belongs, he is a truly

devoted minister. He possesses a simple and ear nest piety, that always commands respect and es teem. His prayers, for fervour and directness, exceed any I have ever heard. But having said thus, you have said all. His eloquence is like a river of oil flowing on before a thirsty man. He may please, but never satisfies. He does not possess what his admirers claim, originality of mind. His storehouse is well supplied, by his indefatigable industry, from the arguments of abler men. He has eloquence, but it is not classical. It has been spoiled by fondling, till it has almost lost, what I think it once possessed, the freedom and boldness of nature in her wildest mood.

The Rev. Dr. S―, both in and out of the pul pit, is a truly interesting man. Had his temperance defamer in Boston, that renowned purifier of the "Pigean Stables," and of acrostic memory, known the Doctor here, he would have restrained his powerful, but slanderous and malignant pen.* He has the artlessness of a child, with the learning that classes him with our most distinguished men. His contributions to our stock of religious literature are invaluable.

*This gentleman, who has lately distinguished himself as the reformer of Dr. S. and other as good men, is no novice in the business, as the Roxbury Pigery, removed by his eloquence, can testify.