A IIITERABY CURIOSITY. A REMARKABLE POEM

TO WHICH THIRTY-EIGHT POETS CONTRIBUTE A

LINE EACH. THE following very remarkable

little poem is a oontribution to the San

Franoisoo Times, from the pen of Mr. H.

A. Doming. The reader will see that eaoh

line is a quotation from some one of the

standard authors of England and America.

This is the result of years of laborious

search among the voluminous writings of

thirty-eight leading poets of the past

and present. The number of eaoh line

refers to its anthor below: 1. Why all

this toil for triumphs of an hour P 2.

Life's a short summer, man a flower. 3.

By turns we catch the vital breath and

die— 4. The oradle and the tomb, alas!

so nigh. 6. To be is better far than not

to be, 6. Though all men's lives may

seem a tragedy, 7. But light oares speak

when mighty griefs are dumb, 8. The

bottom is but shallow whence they 9.

Your fate is but the common fate of all;

10. Unmingled joys here no man can

befall ; 11. Nature to eaoh allots its

proper sphere; 12. Fortune makes folly

her particular care. 13. Cnstom does

often reason overrule, 14. And throws a

cruel sunshine on a fool. 15. Live well;

how long or short, permit to Heaven; 16.

They who forgive most shall be most

forgiven. 17. Sin may be clasped so dose

we cannot see its faoe— 18. Vile

intercourse where virtue has no plaoe.

19. Then keep eaoh passion down, however

dear, 20. Thou pendulum betwixt a smile

and tear. 21. Her sensual snares let

faithless pleasure lay 22. With craft

and skill to ruin and betray. 23. Soar

not too high to fall, but stoop to 24.

We masters grow of all that we despise.

25. Oh! then renounce that impious

selfesteem ; 26. RioheB have wings, and

grandeur is a dream. 27. Think not

ambition wise because 'tis brave; 28.

The paths of glory lead but to the grave

29. What is ambition f 'Tis a glorious

cheat, 30. Only destructive to the brave

and great, 31. What's all the gaudy

glitter of a crown ? 2. The way of bliss

lies not on beds of down. 3. How long we

live, not years but actions tell— 4.

That man lives twice who lives the first

life well. 5. Make, then, while yet you

may, your God .your friend, , 7 ..-.,.

6. Whom Christians woraMp. yet aiot

comprehend. . ' • •• 37. The trust

that's Rivett gna^i to yourself be just,

^ ; ' • 38. For live we how we oan„die

winuit. 1. Young; 2.-Dr. Jofas0n ;

3.^Pope ; 4. Prior; 5. Saw«41 ;