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She has laid him down in his russet gown And his tabor pipe put by , Tho berries red hang o'er his head But his eye ' s towards the sky ; And his bed with leaves and straweu sheaves She has made ' neath the oaken tree ,

For the hectic flush like a summer blush Tells the spirit soon will flee . — . But to soothe her grief as the ebb of life Is departing strong with emotion rife He cries , while the birds still near him sing " Why ween ? I shall return with spring . " D . M . E .

Summary Of News For December.

SUMMARY OF NEWS FOR DECEMBER .

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT . ON the 12 th of December the parliamentary session was openedsome six or seven weeks earlier than usual , by her Majesty in person . The Queen ' s speech stated , that parliament was called together in order that by its assistance measures might be taken for carrying on the war with vigour and effect . The exertions of the army and navy hitherto had been beyond all praisethough unexpected difficulties had been met with

, in the Crimea , The hearty aud effective co-operation of the French troops could not fail to cement more closely the union between France and England . A treaty had been entered into with Austria , from which important advantages were anticipated . A treaty had also heen concluded with the United States , by which subjects of long and difficult discussion had been happily adjusted . Although the prosecution of the war would naturally occupy the principal attention , of parliament , it was hoped that other

matters of interest and importance to the national welfare would not be neglected . The speech concluded by expressing her Majesty ' s gratification at the continued prosperity of the country , and stated that in the estimates to be presented to parliament it was hoped that ample provision would be found to have been made to meet the exigencies of the public service . On the same evening the addresses of the two houses of parliament , in reply to the speech , were agreed to without a division .

In the House of Lords on the 14 th , the duke of Newcastle brought in a bill to authorise the enlistment of foreigners into the British service , and stated that after the expression of opinion elicited on Tuesday evening , he did not anticipate any objection to the measure . A general conviction was then expressed , that the country had not a sufficient body of troops in the Crimea to carry on the war with vigour , and that there was not a sufficient reserve . In 1794 the first act was passed to effect the same object as that proposed by the present bill . In 1804 and 1806 , and at other periods as occasion arose , similar measures were passed . By the act of 1794 , the number of foreigners

authorised to serve in the British army was limited to 5 , 000 . The number was extended by a subsequent act to 10 , 000 , and then to 16 , 000 , at which it continued until the termination of the war in 1815 . It was now proposed that these foreign troops should be placed in separate depots , and that the number should not exceed 15 , 000 . The bill was read a first and second time , and on tlie following evening passed through committee , on the 15 th , fifty-five voting for and forty-three against the bill . Votes of thanks were also unanimously given to the commanders , officers , and men concerned in the military and naval operations in the Crimea , and a similar compliment ; to the forces of our ally , the Emperor of the French . On the 18 th , the Foreign Enlistment Bill was read a third time and passed . On the 19 th , the Militia Bill was