ON A LADY'S SINGING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 49

ON A LADY'S SINGING.

When I have heard thee sing, and, singing, praise Thy Maker with 0 soft, low voice, whose tone "Was fresh and pure as it had newly flown From His high choir to tune these jarring days ; When I have looked on thee and seen thee raise Sweet tearful eye 3to heaven, whose stars tamed down A mild, approving light, seeming to own Theo songstress fit to sing immortal lays: Then have I wished that tender voice were mine, That I might hear it by my cottage fire, Breathing love, patience, peace, and household joy, Clear strains that never 011 mine ear should cloy, But, like tho spirit of a psalm divine, Keep from my heart all evil, vain desire!' — H. J. B. April 18D9.

! •• The Japanese never swear. Their lanKu&jje coutaixLß no blasDhomouc word*

LAUGHTER. The music of laughter— how varied its timbre ! How gaily its ripples of melody flow! Through infancy, childhood, bewitching its voices, A medley of sweetness all the world through. How gladly its innocent changes far echo, And waken fond memories dear to the past, And whisper that we once did swell the gay chorus, Unheeding, nor caring how long it would last. With cliildisli unconsciousness, happy, contented,

Entangled in maze of its mirth and delight ; Nor dreaming that bitterness lurked 'neath its laughter,

In bliss of life's morning, forgetful of night! What, sunshine doth laughter bestrew on life's pathway !

How coyly its brighter reflections beguile! Till dull care and sorrow, till anger and weeping. Are caught in its toils and soon Jost in a smile.

What charms ever lurk 'neath the dial elastic, Blest index- of the mindj of the heart, and the soul ! That hides mirth's emotion .'neath unruffled surface,

So ready with mystical ocean-like swell To break into ripples and bubbles and wavelets, That sparkle in sunlight of smiles soft and warm, Or burst into billows of rapturous laughter, Like elements lashed by the strength of its storm. "What is laughter? It is but the limpid, reflected, Invisible fountain o'erflowing the mouth, And running with silently rippling waters O'er {reahlr-traced coiuses, east, west, north, and sowtkl The mystical imprint of fairy-like graces, Revealed instantaneous, vanishing soon, After tracing the magic of innocent gambols Reflecting awhile midst the heavenly symbols Of sunlight invisible, save at its noon! The warmth cf a genial burning reflected From embers a-glowing, a-dying never, That, stirred by light breezes, awaken from slumbering, And burst into flame, obedient ever! A rapturous emotion of gladness vibrating The while in the depths of the great heart of joy, Tho great heart of lovo and its throbbing impatient,

Releases tho charm of its mcs&ages coy! The lightning flashes that gleam in their splendour,

Pent up 'neath tho forces of energy, will, Reflecting from c.\e-lakes of grey, brown, and violet, The courage to combat grave melancholy's chill.

What is laughter but echoes from voices asinging The song of bliss, gladness, and peaceful content? It is music — nay, better: the essence of laughter Hath charms in its potion of sweet fascination That nought but its fragrance could e'er supplement. Laugh on, then, ye mortals! In infancy, childhood, Laugh eoftly and loudly, nor care what comes after. Through gay youth, iv manhood, and hoary old ngo, Lend thy voice to the music and magic of laughter. — H. A. COBBLEDICK. April 1899.

— Assassins should give the Sultan of Turkey a wide berth. Hie Majesty, in fear for his personal safety, liac taken to revolver practice, and has become equally proficient with either hand. — A singular atmospheric phenomenon is a bank or band of cloud extending for 2000 miles, from Ecuador to the centre of Chili, and following the trend of the coast range of hills. Tho cloud-bank is between 10 miles, and 20 miles broad, floats at an elevation of between 2000 ft and 3000 ft, and has a vertical thickness of not less than 1000 ft. r Valuable Discovery fob the Hair. — If your hair is turning yrey or- white, or falling off, use the " Mexican Hair Renkwer," for it will •positively restore in every case Grey cr White Hair to its original colour without leaving the disagreeable smell of most " restorers." It makes the hair charmingly beautiful, as well as promoting the growth of the hair on bald spot? where the glands are not decayed. Ask your chemist for " The Mexican Hub Eehewer." Sold by chemists and perfumers everywhere ht 3s Gd \ cr bottle. Wholesale depot, ftg Farriagdon road, London, England.— Asvx.