Notes On Literature, Science, And Art.

" I shall not ask Jean Jaques Rossean If birds confabulate or no ; 'Tis clear that they were also able To hold discourse , at least in fable ; And e ' en the child , who knows no better Than to interpret by the letter A story of a cock and bull , Must have a most uncommon skull . "

To all who wish to see the real causes of many common defects in drainage , I can confidently recommend Bro . Hoskins' little book . The first part , in which Mr . Rat is allowed a fair share of the conversation , is as interesting as a fairy tale , or as the fables ascribed to old iEsop . The second portion , though containing much useful information for the practical man , is dry as dust when compared with the former ; and I do not wonder that the rat should have

" made tracks , " as no one likes to be denied a fair share in the conversation ; and I strongly suspect the workman ' s dinner was not the sole cause of the sudden departure . Bro . Hoskins seems to me- to have scamped his work in this latter portion , and I strongly advise him to re-write it for the next edition ( which is sure to be called for ) in the same attractive form and st yle as the first part , and he will secure a larger circle of readers ; and hy spreading

broadcast his excellent ideas on drainage , he will thus , as every Freemason ought , make himself more serviceable to his fellow-creatures , for he not onl y has ideas to express , but knows how to express them . Rose Cottage , Stokesley . /

Light.

LIGHT .

THE day is fast declining , the sun is nearly set , Night ' s hours are closing o ' er the gay and sad ; One voice is heard , above the jar and fret , Which e ' en in warning soothes and makes us glad : " Night gives you rest , but life ' s best hours are those . 'Twixt dawn and eve—each moment bears a freight Of deeds and words , which at the evening ' s close Are past recall ; 'twill then be all too late . "

Sorrow comes , too , o ' er hearts both strong and weak ; Life ' s disappointments haug across our way ; Lov'd ones are taken ; joys for which we seek Shrink from onr grasp ; all hastens to decay . Still that sweet voice , above the noise and roar Of rushing storm-waves , bids us look to One Who waits to crown those who have learnt to soar Through strength in Him , their shelter and their sun .

" Let there be light "—and gladdening sunshine ' s ray , Beaming with joy and love ' s warm healing halm , Shall chase the hills which throng our path away , And give in grief ' s deep darkness peace and calm . And when life ' s evening closes , and our hearts Have learnt submission , strengthened by His might ,

We then shall hear , as soul from body parts , His voice in sweet command , " Let there be light . " ETOILE ,