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JAMES M'COSH, LL.D.

ORIGIN OF THE AMERICAN FLAG.

THE stars, as a matter of course, repre

and emotion. The revelations of astronomy | dom lightened and warmed by an infinite awaken the feeling, because they carry out Love. the soul into far depths of space, but without carrying it to the verge of space. The discoveries in geology extend the mind in much the same way by the long vistas opened of ages which yet do not go back to the beginning. Every vast display of power evokes this overawing sentiment: we see effects which are great arguing a power which is greater. The howl of the tempest, the ceaseless lashing of the ocean, the roar of the waterfall, the crash of the avalanche, the growl of the thunder, the shaking of the very foundation on which we stand when the earth trembles, all these fill the imagination, but are suggest ive of something more tremendous behind and beyond. For a similar reason the vault of heaven is always a sublime object when serene; we feel, in looking into it, as if we were looking into immensity. Hence it is that a clear, bright space in the sky or in a painting always allures the eye toward it: it is an outlet by which the mind may, as it were, go out into infinity.

But, whatever may suggest the infinite, there is, after all, but one Infinite. The grandest objects presented to our view in earth or sky, the most towering heights, the vastest depths, the most resistless agencies, these are but means to help us to the contemplation of Him who is "high-throned above all height," whose counsels reach from eternity to eternity, and who is the Almighty unto perfection. They are fulfilling their highest end when they lift us above this cold earth and above our narrow selves to revel and lose ourselves in the height and depth, the length and breadth, of an infinite Wis

sent States. The origin of the stripes, I think, if searched out, would be found to be a little curious. All I know upon that point is that on the 4th day of July, 1776, after the Declaration of Independence was carried, a committee was appointed by Congress, consisting of Mr. Jefferson, Dr. Franklin and John Adams, to prepare a device for a seal of the United States. This seal, as reported, or the device in full, as reported, was never adopted; but in it we see the emblems, in part, which are still preserved in the flag. The stripes, or lines, which on Mr. Jefferson's original plan were to designate the six quarterings of the shield, as signs of the six countries from which our ancestors came, are now, I believe, considered as representations of the old thirteen States, and with most persons the idea of a shield is lost sight of. You perceive that by drawing six lines or stripes on a shield-figure it will leave seven spaces of the original color, and, of course, give thirteen apparent stripes; hence the idea of their being all intended to represent the old thirteen States. My opinion is that this was the origin of the stripes. Mr. Jefferson's quartered shield for a seal device was seized upon as a national emblem, that was put upon the flag. We have now the stars as well as the stripes. When each of these was adopted I cannot say; but the flag, as it now is, was designed by Captain Reid and adopted by Congress.

ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS.

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As I came up the valley whom, think ye, The honeysuckle round the porch has woven should I see

its wavy bowers,

But Robin leaning on the bridge beneath the And by the meadow-trenches blow the faint,

hazel tree?

sweet cuckoo-flowers,

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And the wild marsh marigold shines like fire | To night I saw the sun set: he set and left in swamps and hollows gray,

behind

And I'm to be queen o' the May, mother, I'm The good old year, the dear old time, and all

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It is the last New Year that I shall ever Upon the chancel casement and upon that

see;

grave of mine

Then you may lay me low i' the mound and In the early, early morning the summer sun

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Before the red cock crows from the farm | Good-night, good-night! When I have said upon the hill, "Good-night" for evermore, When you are warm asleep, mother, and all And you see me carried out from the thres

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But I would see the sun rise upon the glad
New Year;

I have been wild and wayward, but you'll So, if you're waking, call me—call me early,

forgive me now;

You'll kiss me, my own mother, and forgive

me ere I go.

mother dear.

CONCLUSION.

I am,

Nay, nay! you must not weep, nor let your I thought to pass away before, and yet alive grief be wild; You should not fret for me, mother: you And in the fields all round I hear the bleathave another child.

If I can, I'll come again, mother, from out my resting-place;

Though you'll not see me, mother, I shall

look upon your face;

ing of the lamb.

How sadly, I remember, rose the morning

of the year!

To die before the snowdrop came, and now the violet's here!

Though I cannot speak a word, I shall hearken Oh, sweet is the new violet that comes bewhat

you say,

neath the skies,

And be often, often with you when you think And sweeter is the young lamb's voice to me I'm far away.

that cannot rise,

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