ALWAYS LEARNING.

WASTE not your precious hours in play,
Nought can recall life's morning;
The seed now sown will cheer your way,
The wise are always learning.

Nor think when all school days are o'er,
You've bid adieu to "learning;"
Life's deepest lessons are in store,
The meek are always learning.

When strong in hope, you first launch forth,

A name intent on earning,
Scorn not the voice of age or worth,
The great are always learning.

-C. C.

When right and wrong within you strive,
And passions fierce contending,

Oh, then you'll know, how, while they live,
The good are always learning.

JOHN GILPIN was a citizen

Of credit and renown;
A train-band captain eke was he
Of famous London town.

John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, Though wedded we have been These twice ten tedious years, yet we No holiday have seen.

To-morrow is our wedding-day,
And we will then repair
Unto the Bell at Edmonton,
All in a chaise and pair.

My sister and my sister's child,
Myself and children three,

Will fill the chaise, so you must ride

On horseback after we.

He soon replied, I do admire

Of womankind but one;

And you are she, my dearest dear,

Therefore it shall be done.

I am a linen-draper bold,

As all the world doth know, And my good friend the calender, Will lend his horse to go.

Quoth Mistress Gilpin, that's well said;
And, for that wine is dear,

We will be furnished with our own,
Which is both bright and clear.

John Gilpin kissed his loving wife;
O'erjoyed was he to find,

That, though on pleasure she was bent,

She had a frugal mind.

The morning came, the chaise was brought,

But yet was not allowed

To drive up to the door, lest all
Should say that she was proud.

So three doors off the chaise was stayed,
Where they did all get in;

Six precious souls, and all agog,

To dash through thick and thin.

Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, Were ever folks so glad:

The stones did rattle underneath,

As if Cheapside were mad.

John Gilpin at his horse's side,
Seized fast the flowing mane;
And up he got in haste to ride,

But soon came down again.

For saddle-tree scarce reached had he,
His journey to begin,

When, turning round his head, he saw
Three customers come in.

So down he came; for loss of time,
Although it grieved him sore,

Yet loss of pence, full well he knew,
Would trouble him much more.

'Twas long before the customers Were suited to their mind;

When Betty, screaming, came down stairs, "The wine is left behind!"

"Good lack!" quoth he-" yet bring it me, My leathern belt likewise,

In which I bear my trusty sword

When I do exercise."

Now Mrs Gilpin, careful soul!

Had two stone bottles found,

To hold the liquor that she loved,
And keep it safe and sound,

Each bottle had a curling ear,
Through which the belt he drew;
And hung a bottle on each side,
To make his balance true.

Then over all, that he might be
Equipped from top to toe,

His long red cloak, well brushed, and neat,
He manfully did throw.

Now see him mounted once again
Upon his nimble steed,

Full slowly pacing o'er the stones,
With caution and good heed.

But finding soon a smoother road
Beneath his well-shod feet,
The snorting beast began to trot,
Which galled him in his seat.

So, fair and softly, John he cried,
But John he cried in vain ;
That trot became a gallop soon,
In spite of curb and rein.

So stooping down, as needs he must,

Who cannot sit upright,

He grasped the mane with both his hands,

And eke with all his might.