the globe. This, which frequently has been termed "shocks," has certainly been more or less sensibly felt in proportion to the solidity of that terra-firma with which we sympathised. Hence the made lands of the Mississippi have been prematurely hurried to that level from which they originally deserted. That, however, any lakes have been created by this cometary influence, is to me as yet a matter of doubt. I have only to state, that I have comfortably reposed in houses where newspapers have announced every disappearance of earth. As your attention to me while in Milledgeville, and the evidence I have noticed of your wish to be useful in the line of your business, have been the leading cause of these remarks, you shall shortly have a demonstration of the late comet, founded on the most attentive observations. In the interim, I hope your press will be open to any decent criticism on the preceding reflections. FRANCIS MHENRY. THE BASILISK. The serpent called the basilisk is represented, by Galen, to be of a color inclining to yellow; and that it has three little eminences upon its head, speckled with whitish spots, which have the appea. ance of a sort of crown. Ælian says, that its poison is so penetrating, as to kill the largest serpents with its vapor only: and that if it but bite the end of any man's stick, it kills him! Pliny says, it kills those who look upon it. The generation of the basilisk is not less marvellous, being said to be produced from a cock's egg, brooded on by a serpent. These, and other things equally ridiculous, are related by Matthiolus, Galen, Discorides, Pliny, and Erasistratus. Hirchmayer, and Vander Weil, have given the history of the basilisk, and detected the folly and imposture of the traditions concerning it. In some apothecaries' shops there are little serpents shown which are said to be basilisks. But these seem rather to be a kind of small bird, almost like a cock, but without feathers its eyes large, and its neck very short. As to those which are shown and sold at Venice, and in other places, they are nothing but little thornbacks artificially put into a form like that of a young cock, by stretching out their fins, and contriving them with a little head and hollow eyes: and this, Calmet says, he has in reality observed in a supposed basilisk, at an apothecary's shop at Paris, and another at the Jesuits of Point-a-Mousson. Nymph of the ruddy cheek, and sparkling eye, Beneath whose airy footsteps pleasures spring, Will Spring's return, with balmy zephyrs, bring Thee, HEALTH, for whom I breathe the longing sigh? Didst thou in mountain clime with shepherds dwell, Thy magic smile drives pain and sorrow far, To hide with sickness in their secret cell, Within my grateful bosom live and reign, M. A. W. FOR THE LUMINARY. ON THE DEATH OF A DARLING CHILD. "Twas hard to part! but, DGAR, thou art blest, By angels led, instructed and caress'd, We lose a son's, but gain a cherub's love. J. D. FOR THE HALCYON LUMINARY. Reflections on the occurrences of the last year, concluding with the last earthquake at Caraccas. How awful are the times in which we live? Let us endeavor in our minds to span The rising sun saw thoughtless thousands gay, Its cheerful beams can glad their hearts no more! May we be wise, nor may we merit here, Jane her own beauty sees, this gives her pride, 280 [Since the following beautiful lines appeared in our first number, they have been set to an appropriate air, by Dr. Jackson of this city, with which we An apology for the re-appear are happy to enrich the present number. ance of the poetry will not, therefore, be necessary. TO CONTENT. Halcyon nymph, with placid smile, Gaunt Ambition ne'er can vex thee, See, her olive is my shade. Cheer'd by thee, the laborer's flail Years like ripling currents flow. EDITORS] [The two following songs, the production of Mr. M'Creery, of Petersburg, (Va.) were sung at the annual celebration of St. Patrick's day, by the "Juvenile Sons of Erin," on the seventeenth of March in the present year. The poetical effusions of this Hibernian bard are ever welcome to the friends of genius, taste and refinement. EDITORS.] Tune-"Hermit of Killarney.” When rolling orbs from chaos sprung, A guide for the oppress'd; Admiring millions view its flight, And hail it from afar; Enraptur'd, bless its cheering light They call it FREEDOM'S STAR. |