THE SCULPTOR.

Before the noblest form his genius wrought
The Sculptor stood: with awe, but not with pride
He saw the image of his highest thought;

His inner self, transfigured, glorified.

He spoke with sad emotion, half concealed,
Like one who sorrows, but would fain rejoice;
No glad content was in his eye revealed,
Nor any thought of triumph in his voice.

"This is my grand ideal. 'Twas for this

I gave my strength, while yet an eager boy; Leaving fresh mirth for some diviner bliss, Trusting to Hope my fair estate of joy.

"But Hope is gone for ever. I am left

With this sublime fulfilment of my dreams; Not of the midnight loveliness bereft,

Yet clear and steadfast in the noonday beams.

"Oh, that some charm were wanting! that some stain
Marred the ideal grace my vision wore!
For I may live, but cannot hope again,
And I may toil but shall advance no more.

"I saw my rival frown, his cheek turn pale,
In envy of the fame so dearly bought;
But well I know, the hope of those who fail
Is better than the victory they sought.

"Yet in my heart some new delights may spring,
As humble flowers on lordly ruins live;
Still shall my work some tranquil pleasure bring,
Though not the ecstasy it once could give.

"I do not grieve that glowing youth is spent,

Nor would I quench the yet remaining fire; Since lofty joy dwells not with calm content, Nor peaceful happiness with strong desire."

C. C. W. N.

"AUDI ALTERAM PARTEM."

It is a trite saying that "one tale holds good till another is told," and it is as true as trite, that it is always well to hear both sides of the question. Certainly it is the general practice in public and private life, in connection with the most important affairs and even in minor matters, to seek the advice of others-to consider all points-to look all round the business in question-and thoroughly investigate all details-before we commit ourselves to any definite course. Prudence and common sense seem to require this; and it is doubtless carried out by most thoughtful and careful members of society. We do not wish however to dwell on the personal bearings of this subject-though they will allow serious discussion, and would afford ample scope for instructive illustration-nor will we linger now on its relation to local and municipal affairs, although our arguments will, we think, tell there with equal force, and might be applied to our own town, possibly, with peculiar profit. We only want in this paper to refer to our national parliament and men of the state, in their general connection with this subject: and then to certain special applications of the maxim in connection with the burning questions of the day, and with particular reference to two noted leaders of opinion on these questions.

Generally then, we find that it is our custom to carry on the government by parties, which provides at all times a more or less powerful opposition (so called) to watch, to criticise, and often to alter the proposed acts of the party in power. This is looked for as a matter of course, no matter which party may be in office; and it would be a thing unknown for any bill to be passed and become law without such criticism having been more or less freely indulged. The consequence is that the chances of enacting utterly bad laws are reduced to a minimum; and if evidently sound rules are sometimes hindered and apparently injured, the satisfaction remains of their having been carefully discussed, and made more likely to prove their value and endure.

It is not often that this political warfare, while most earnestly carried on, involves any personal antagonisms, or causes any severance of old ties and feelings; while, as a rule, the various leaders are heard with delight, and their strictures received as a simple necessity. Doubtless, party feeling at times runs high, and numerous instances might be cited of warm attack and temporary rupture. The attack however has been expected and prepared for-the duty of the opposition leader has been recognised and generally, motives have not been impugned-insinuations of disloyalty have not been uttered-and no ostracism has been imposed.

We fear however we have been getting into bad ways lately; and a few words may not be altogether thrown away in pointing out the evil,

and in pleading for a constant willingness to "hear the other side.” We have been passing lately through the most anxious times of this generation, and we do not deny that the Eastern question has brought to the front many most vital issues, and that our national honour and imperial interests have been very decidedly at stake. We need not discuss the action of the government throughout these trying times, nor do we desire now to call in question the most controverted points of their policy. We are even willing to allow, not simply that their position has been most difficult, but that they have been sincerely anxious to be equal to the occasion-to maintain peace-to preserve all our vast interests, and to keep our place and name among the nations secure and untarnished.

Must we not believe, however, that this has been equally the case with Mr. Gladstone? who has led such a powerful opposition, and has so earnestly pleaded for other measures, and for other views of honour and justice. And yet we have lived to see that such opposition is scarcely tolerated; while the leader himself is abused, hooted, attacked, and partially ostracised. Now there is danger here, and will be, if it is to be supposed that in periods of urgent national legislation all opposition is practically to cease. There are two sides to the most burning questions; and the more important they are, the more needful is it that any settlement should be anxiously watched and corrected. Otherwise, in the name of honour and justice, gross injustice may be done and great dishonour fall on our cherished name. There can be little doubt that in the absence of the persistent and passionate opposition we have witnessed, we should have been in great danger of having this great question settled in a much less satisfactory-much less honourable-and scarcely so peaceful a way as now seems possible. The leaders of such opposition should be honoured and trusted-even where they cannot be followed.

A word may be useful as to the "war or no war" side of the question. Once more Mr. Bright has given all his grand and lofty eloquence to the cause of peace, and again his voice is unheeded and his arguments remain unfollowed-as the words of a mere theorist, from a preacher of an impossible creed-and a place at the flogger's stake is accorded to the most consistent statesman of our time. Now this is in direct opposition to the principle "audi alteram partem;" and shows a painful unwillingness to arrive at a higher state of morality, and is a sad mockery to our boasted civilization. Surely peace is a cardinal point in the Christian creed-the good at which we should all aim. And although it may be that now, under special circumstances, it cannot be always followed; it must be useful to have at least a few men who will persistently preach the doctrine, and it should be our desire to honour and encourage them. War, at best, is a stern necessity; and we may rejoice when the powerful warning of righteous men prevents any government from rushing into it without due consideration, and because of irresistible provocation.

PAX.

"MOTHER HUBBERD'S TALE."*

THE POEM bearing this quaint title illustrates a phase of Edmund Spenser's genius, quite different from those chiefly displayed in the great works upon which his fame is usually held to rest. We have not here the boldest flights of imagination, but the poet takes up the lamp of his learning, and leads us through the devious ways of men. The veil of allegory is here, for where is the subject over which our author does not cast it; but while in many pieces it is a luminous robe, clothing with grace and tenderness a majestic presence; here it is a gauzelike covering, which serves to unite and harmonise, rather than to conceal, the changing realities of life.

In his dedication of the poem to the Lady Compton and Mounteagle, who seems to have been a distant relative, the writer speaks of the lines as "these my idle labours which, having long since composed in the raw conceit of my youth, I lately amongst other papers lighted upon, and was by others, which liked the same, moved to set them forth. Simple in the device, and the composition mean, yet carrieth some delight, even the rather because of the simplicity and meanness thus personated."

These words will perhaps serve as well for an introduction as any more extended preface. But in how many respects the modest claim of the poet is surpassed by his performance I may be able to show by means of a few brief extracts; yet I trust that what I am able to give will only awaken interest, and induce others to read the poem itself.

Edmund Spenser describes himself in a most curious allegorical manner, as being taken ill in the dog days. It is not the notorious Mother Hubberd's dog who has bitten him, for that ubiquitous animal, familiar to so many nurseries, and whose misfortunes have caused so much grief to infantile hearts, does not appear in the flesh. But he may have appeared in the spirit or among the stars, for says our poet."The hot Syrian dog on him awaiting,

After the chafèd Lion's cruel baiting,

Corrupted had th' air with his noisome breath,

And poured on th' earth, plague, pestilence and death."

Thus, in consequence of the evil influence of the Dog-star, his "Weak body, set on fire with grief, Was robbed of rest and natural relief."

• One of the series of papers read at a Meeting of the Central Literary Association, on the "Spenser Night," 26th April, 1878.

In this sad plight friends come to "comfort him in cheerful wise;""but seeing kindly sleep refuse to do his office," they seek "his troubled sense how to deceive, with talk that might unquiet fancies reave," and with pleasant tales to waste the weary hours.

"Among the rest a good old woman was
Hight Mother Hubberd, who did far surpass
The rest in honest mirth that seemed her well.
She when her turn was come her tale to tell,

Told of a strange adventure that betided

Betwixt the Fox and th' Ape by him misguided."

With this tale Spenser is so greatly pleased that he decides to write it "in terms, as she the same did say." So we learn that

"Before the world was civil,

The Fox and th' Ape disliking of their evil
And hard estate, determinèd to seek
Their fortunes far abroad, like with his like,
For both were crafty and unhappy witted;
Two fellows might nowhere be better fitted."

The Fox begins his sore complaint.

"Thus many years I now have spent and worn
In mean regard and basest fortune's scorn."

He concludes saying,

"I mean to turn the next leaf of the book." The Ape naturally responds.

"For I likewise have wasted much good time,
Still waiting for preferment up to climb,
While others always have before me stept,
And from my beard the fat away have swept."
"Therefore to me, my trusty friend, aread
Thy counsel! two is better than one head."

They then propose to disguise themselves as pilgrims, friars or gipsies, not to profess any trade or skill, but to vary their device at will.

"We will not be of any occupation,

Let such vile vassals born to base vocation,
Drudge in the world and for their living droil,
Who have no wit to live withouten toil,
But we will walk about the world at pleasure,
Like two free men, and make our ease a treasure.

Still after further consultation, and lest as rogues they should be reputed, they decided to go forth, one as a soldier and the other as his servant respectively. The Fox says to the Ape,

"Be you the soldier, for you likest are

For manly semblance, and small skill in war."

I wonder how the military profession will view the suggestion! The Ape liked it, and soon was clad

"In a blue jacket with a cross of red,

Upon his head an old Scotch cap he wore,
With a plume feather all to pieces tore,
And his hose broken high above the heeling,
And his shoes beaten out with travelling."