the bride, on the way to the bridegroom's house. In a free translation it runs something like this:—

"Her eyelids are not stained with blue,
'' Her red cheeks are her own;
Her hair hangs waving as it grew,
, Her grace were wealth, alone!"

2. In the house of the bridegroom's father, which was, for a time, the home of the young couple, things went merrily, for a feast was provided, to which all the friends and neighbours were invited. It was an essential part of the ceremony, for even so early as Jacob's day, "to make a, feast" had become the common expression for the celebration of a marriage.

3. The bride did i not sit at this' feast, however, but remained apart, among the women, shrouded in the long white veil of betrothal; unseen, as yet, even by her husband. Nor did she take any part in the festivities, or appear at all. It was only when husband and wife were finally alone, that the veil was, for the first time, removed.

4. Meanwhile, the family rejoicings went on apace. The feast was provided at the cost of the bridegroom, and continued, usually, for seven days, with the greatest mirth. The bridegroom wore a crown, often of flowers—the crown with which, in the Song of Solomon, it is said, '' his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, in the day of the gladness of his heart,"—and 3at "decked, like a priest, in his ornaments;" the bride sitting apart among the women, "adorned with her jewels." Singing, music, and dancing, merry riddles, and the play of wit amused the house, night after night, virile the feast was prolonged, and it was only after it had worn itself out, that life settled down again into colourless monotony.

'., . , ^ NOTES., , 1 Day of Atonement, a solemn day 'appointed by Hoses.—Ley. xvl. 1—24. of public confession among the JoWa,

'i 'SPELL AND PRONOUNCE—'

propri'ety, what is be- ■ Tal'mud, Jewish com- with a view to marriage,

coming. mentaries on the Books' to be troth, or truth; or

sym'bol, emblem. of Moses. faithful to each other.

BUbjec'tion.tho holding essen'tlal, vita'. festivity, a rejoicing.

a lower place. cer'emony, rite. espous'al, marriage,

indispens able, not to expression, a phrase. prolong', to lengthen

be done without. celebra'tion, perform- out.

prescribed', appointod. ance. monot'ony, sameness,

Rab'bi,a Jewish teacher, betroth al, pledging lit., of one tone.

THE BRIDGE OP SIGHS.— Thomas Hood.

Thomas Hoon, an English poot of cxquisito humour and path*, was born in London in 179ft. After a good middle-class education, he was apprenticed as an engraver, but in 1821, began a litorary life as Sub-Editor of tho "LondonMagazine." Fromthia time ho devoted himself to the pen. His poems are markod by very opposite qualitiea; soma abounding in wit and humour ; others arresting by their deep and tender pathoa. Hia "Song of the Shirt," and "Bridge of Sighs," are examples of his more tender strain. He wrote a number of novels, but they are mostly forgotten. After a lifo of feeble health, he died in 1845, and was buried in Kensal Green.

One more Unfortunate,

Weary of breath,
Eashly importunate,

Gone to ho- death!

Take her up tendcvlr,

Lift her with rare;
Fashion'd so slenderly,

Young, and so fair.

Look at her garments
Clinging like cerements;
Whilst tho wave constantly

Drips from her clothing;
Take her up instantly,

Loving, not loathing.

Touch her not scornfully;
Think of her mournfully;

Gently and humanly;
Not of the stains of her;
All that remains of her

Now is pure womanly.

Make no deep scrutiny
Into her mutiny

Rash and undutiful;
Past all dishonour,
Death has left on her

Only the beautiful.

Still, for all slips of hers,

One of Eve's family,
Wipe those poor lips of hers,

Oozing so clammily.

Loop up her tresses,

Escaped from the comb, Her fair auburn tresses; Whilst wonderment guesse3

Where was her home? Who was her father?

Who was her mother?
Had she a sister?

Had she a brother?
Or was there a dearer one
Still, or a nearer one

Yet, than all other?

Alas! for the rarity
Of Christian charity

Under the sun!
Oh! it was pitiful,
Near a whole city full

Home she had none!

Sisterly, brotherly,
Fatherly, motherly,

Feelings had changed;
Love, by harsh evidence
Thrown from its eminence.
Even God's Providence

Seeming estranged.

When the lamps quiver
So far in the river,

With many a light
From many a casement,
From garret to basement,
She stood, with amazement,

Houseless by night.

The bleak wind of March

Made her tremble and shiver, But not the dark arch

Or the black flowing river.
Mad from life's history,
Glad to death's mystery.

Swift to be hurl'd:
Anywhere! anywhere

Out of the world!

In she plunged boldly,
No matter how coldly

The rough river ran;
Over the brink of it,
Picture it—think of it

Dissolute man!
Lave in it—drink of it.

Then, if you can.

Take her up tenderly,

Lift her with care;
Fashion'd so slenderly.

Young, and so fair.

Ere her limbs frigidly
Stiffen too rigidly,

Decently, kindly
Smooth and compose them;
And her eyes close them,

Staring so blindly!

Dreadfully staring

Through muddy impurity,
As when with the daring,
Last look of despairing,

Pix'd on futurity

Perishing gloomily,
Spurn'd by contumely,

Bold inhumanity,

Burning insanity,
Into her rust;

Cross her hands humbly,

As if praying dumbly.
Over her breast!

Owning her weakness,

Her evil behaviour,
And leaving, with meekness,

Her sins to her Saviour.

SPELL AND PRONOUNCE—

import'unate, eager. which the mummies of scro/tiny, ft close in

cer ements, cloths dip- Egyptians were tightly quiry. ped in melted wax, in wrapped. con'tumely, contompt.