Powerful as may be the aid which the editor has received from the
_contributors_ to the "Friendship's Offering," we are bound
to distinguish one of his own pieces--_Glen-Lynden, a Tale of
Teviot-dale_, as the sun of the volume. It is in Spenserian verse, and
a more graceful composition cannot be found in either of the Annuals.
It is too long for entire extract, but we will attempt to string
together a few of its beauties. The scenery of the Glen is thus
described:--

A rustic home in Lynden's pastoral dell
With modest pride a verdant hillock crown'd:
Where the bold stream, like dragon from the fell,
Came glittering forth, and, gently gliding round
The broom-clad skirts of that fair spot of ground,
Danced down the vale, in wanton mazes bending;
Till finding, where it reached the meadow's bound,
Romantic Teviot on his bright course wending.
It joined the sounding streams--with his blue waters blending.

Behind a lofty wood along the steep
Fenced from the chill north-east this quiet glen:
And green hills, gaily sprinkled o'er with sheep,
Spread to the south; while by the brightening pen,
Rose the blithe sound of flocks and hounds and men,
At summer dawn, and gloaming; or the voice
Of children nutting in the hazelly den,
Sweet mingling with the winds' and waters' noise,
Attuned the softened heart with Nature to rejoice.