That we, through faith in CHRIST, might do the same;
Who died, that we the life divine might live;

Obedience to whose law of love shall give

Faith, confident as sight,

And asking no more light;

Who to the Soul's eternal needs shall bring
All its progressive destiny can crave;
Who takes from death the sting,

The victory from the grave!

The grave! the bound where mortal vision ends,
Which faith alone transcends!

Oh! well it is life's mortal goal should stand
Where Nature decks it with no sparing hand:
'Mid groves, and dells, and fair declivities,
Sacred to thought, and grateful to the eyes;
Here Meditation fondly shall retreat,

And measure every path with devious feet,
Winning, ANTEUS-like, new power from earth-
From death the promise of a second birth!

Up through embowering trees the eye shall glance,
Where clouds are floating on the blue expanse
Floating like sails that bear

Returning spirits through our upper air!
The oak shall wave aloft its varnished leaves,
And waft no discord to the heart that grieves :
These pines shall whisper only words of cheer:
The evergreen, beneath the winter snow,
Shall typify that inner prescience clear,

Which, underneath all thoughts of death and wo,
Confirms God's promise to the soul sincere.
The little Mayflower shall its head uprear

(Ere yet the wintry winds have ceased to blow,)

And make the sod all sweetness where it lifts

Its flushed corolla through the melting drifts,
And, in these woods, ere flowers and birds are rife,
Preach of the resurrection and the life!

* THE opigaa repens, sometimes called the ground-laurel, also the trailing arbutus, is known as the Mayflower in the neighborhood of Plymouth and Kingston, Massachusetts. It is often found blooming through a thin covering of snow, and is remarkably fragrant.

Then shall this hollow vale
Be luminous with glory to the eye

That looks beyond to immortality,

Where amaranths bend before the heavenly gale!
Then shall the soul, uplifted and serene,

Piercing the sensual screen,

Know that our lost ones find an ampler sphere:
We call they answer not-but they may hear!

And so shall hope be quickened, like the rose,
From roots that find their nurture in decay;
So shall the sepulchre itself disclose

A path all radiance to diviner day;

So shall we see in Death, as he draws near,
No threatening monster with an upraised spear;
But a kind pitying angel, with a palm
And sainted looks and calm;

Who, as he beckons, whispers of the dear
Departed ones, impatient to appear,
And lead us with our ever-marvelling eyes
Up to the purple hills of Paradise:
With whom it shall be ours to see revealed
All that the mortal senses have concealed:
To wander through the cities of our GOD,
By saints and seraphs trod;

To have the purpose of the INFINITE
Unfolded to the increase of our sight;
To find in countless worlds for evermore
New cause to love, to wonder, to adore.

THINE is an ever-changing beauty; now
With that proud look, so lofty yet serene
In its high majesty, thou seem'st a queen,
With all her diamonds blazing on her brow!
Anon I see, as gentler thoughts arise

And mould thy features in their sweet control,
The pure, white ray that lights a maiden's soul,
And struggles outward through her drooping eyes;
Anon they flash; and now a golden light

Bursts o'er thy beauty, like the Orient's glow,
Bathing thy shoulders' and thy bosom's snow,
And all the woman beams upon my sight!

I kneel unto the queen, like knight of yore:
The maid I love: the woman I adore!

HOMEWARD BOUND FROM CALIFORNIA.

DEAR reader! have you visited California, or listened to a truthful description of a trip to, or from, the golden shores of the El Dorado of the world? The voyage is so long, and attended with so many annoyances, if not actual dangers, that we never think of it as one of pleasure; yet one cannot take a more profitable tour, if desirous of learning the good and evil of human nature. Many travel in search of knowledge the world over; but few, however, visit California, except to retrieve a ruined fortune, or in search of gold. The Californians are also proverbially selfish, but where will you find on record such noble, self-sacrificing generosity, as exhibited on board the ill-fated Central America? Lion-hearted men perished, that those helpless beings, the women and children, might be saved. They did not leave them to their fate, as on the 'Arctic.' How great the contrast !

Now turn aside from this sad picture, and, in imagination, behold the beautiful Bay of San Francisco the most splendid harbor in the world. Before you lies the city-a city of hills, thickly studded with small white houses the wharfs lined with large and small vessels of every description, receiving and discharging cargoes. You see moored along-side, the commodious steamer, John L. Stevens,' advertised to sail. The effect is novel and pleasing.

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The day of our departure is pleasant, and not so hot as you sometimes find it in June, in New-York. We are somewhat surprised to find the crowd greater than usual, and, upon inquiry, learn that a number of those distinguished gentlemen, who have

rendered themselves obnoxious to the good and quiet citizens of San-Francisco, are to be honored by an escort of the Vigilance Committee, and sent home to their friends, with strict injunctions not to return, unless they aspire to a yet higher honor.

Time speeds on; the hour is at hand; yet no sign of leaving. The crowd increases, and every body begins to show symptoms of impatience at the delay. The clock strikes four, and a loud cheer announces the arrival of the captain. Soon a carriage is seen driving rapidly down on the wharf; out step two of the distinguished gentlemen, to whom we have referred; then another carriage, and another, until the number of fourteen completes the company. They walk in silence up the plank - each one under a special escort- and several of them ornamented with very pretty steel bracelets. When asked, 'If they will sign a paper, confessing a perfect readiness to come on board, and that they will behave properly until they reach New-York,' they give ready assent - who would not, with the pleasant prospective of a hemp-cravat in view? the bracelets are unclasped; they all sign their names; and now we are ready to depart.

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As we move out in the Bay, the loud-mouthed cannon boom out a farewell! Now, indeed, we feel that we are homeward bound! How many glad hearts throb with joy! long-absent ones returning to the loved home, to settle down in peace, and enjoy the rich reward of honest toil! The husband, perchance, going back to his devoted wife and darling children, to return with them, and cheer his humble ranch among the mountains. All seem happy. The view from the glorious Bay is imposing. Telegraph-Hill to the left rises from the surface of the water, bristling with cannon, and surmounted by a light-house, while beyond, Angel Island looms up to the height of nine hundred feet. We pass the Presidio, and are soon abreast of Fort Point. Passing the GoldenGate, we see Point Boneta and Lobos. On gazing back, old Monte Diablo rises up grandly from the distant waters. This is the highest point, and the most remarkable peak, of all the coastrange, having an elevation of almost four thousand feet. There is a curious old Spanish legend attached to this king of the mountains.

It is quite impossible to describe the scene of confusion on board the first night, and the ensuing day. If one happens to claim an acquaintance with the purser, and has the forethought to secure a seat at the captain's table, he is fortunate. Not that he fares any better, only (aside from the honor) he receives a little more attention from the waiters, who dare not show the slightest neglect under the keen eye of our captain.

Among the passengers we have some singular personages; for instance, a strong-minded woman, well known in our city - if one can judge from the glowing description of the lady herself. Next worthy of notice, is a clown-some think him 'a jolly good soul;' he is constantly displaying his wit at the expense of every one around him. We have an Ex-Governor a real Governor - not

one of those titled gentlemen, whom every body dubs as 'Governor' or 'Colonel. We have also among us missionaries, physicians, and a worthy divine. Lastly, those fourteen professional gentlemen of different grades, from the trifling occupation of relieving the pockets of loose change, to the accomplished and talented 'Faro Dealer.' They are genteel in appearance, some of them quite fashionable, sporting a long mustache of rather singular appearancea long, wiry appendage, with a graceful curl at the end, which seems to serve two purposes-one, the adornment of the upper-lip; the other, to keep the fingers busy, in cultivating an elongated style. But as they have signed the parole of honor, they are permitted to mingle freely with the upper ten' on board. The keen eye of our polite captain, however, takes note each day of their bearing.

It is really quite amusing to witness the drill of our amateur Fire Company. Out of politeness, we ladies must attend, as the most trifling amusement on board is sometimes very acceptable to break the monotony. To change the programme, now and then the fire-bell rings out a loud and startling yet false alarm; the cry of Fire!' is heard; up rush the firemen, with a large hose, and most manfully battle with an imaginary foe; while men labor hard at the pumps, others patrol the deck, and two are stationed near the life-boats, with drawn swords, to defend them against a rush, until they are lowered and ready to receive their precious freight.

Sometimes we have lectures. A strong-minded woman has given us one on Spiritualism: she is not only an enthusiast, but a strong devotee! Our clown follows suit, but lectures on a graver subject: The learned men of America! Only think of it! On Sabbath-days, our ecclesiastical friend reads that most beautiful and inspiring service, the Liturgy of the Episcopal Church.

When the weather is fine, the evening is the most charming part of the day. The little ones have frolicked all day, and, glad to seek their resting-place, soon sleep soundly, the noise of the machinery, and the surging of the waters, soothing them with a sweet lullaby. The company gather in groups, some promenading the decks; others smoking segars; others singing home-ballads; but all happy.

Among this multitude, we must not omit to notice a gentleman, who, from his dignified mien, is conspicuous among all those who surround him. He is well known at home, and noted, not only for his wealth, but urbanity of manner, and genuine benevolence. Many will recognize his noble bearing that frank and beaming countenance, on which the soul is stamped so plainly; in person tall, well-proportioned; dark hair and thoughtful eyes, that light up in conversation; lofty forehead; splendid teeth-the ladies pronounce him handsome; in truth, he is one of nature's noblemen, and numbers, perhaps, more warmly-attached friends than any other merchant in the mercantile community. Thanks to his great generous heart, he is one of the few who deem it a pleasure to contribute to any thing that will promote the good of others.