Reviews.

REVIEWS .

Notes from Paris ; or , Why are Frenchmen and Englishmen different ? Edinburgh : Edmonston and Douglas . 1865 . 12 mo ., 46 pp . This is not only a very agreeable , pleasantly-written little book , but , moreover , capable of imparting much information as well as amusement . It consists of a series of notes , all of which , except the first and last ,

purport to be written from Paris—the first being from London , and apparently inserted to afford an opportunity of criticising the large metropolitan hotels and their comestibles , especially their butter — "streaked lard , parcel salted . " Upon the sombre background thus established our correspondent sets forth , in bright colours , the comforts and domestic felicity of a " second-class

hotel of moderate size " in Paris , and , after some further light , descriptive matter , launches forth into the political and social peculiarities of our French neighbours—in the last note giving an account of the return home to Edinburgh . We feel sure that , whoever , having any taste for literature , begins to rend these " Notes , " -will assuredly finish them ; and wo strongly advise every one to begin them .

Masonic Boys' School . Photographed by Messrs . MOIRA and HAIGH , 1 , Lower Seymour-streec , Portmansquare , W . Au excellent photograph of this Institution has been published by the well-known firm of Messrs . Moira and Haigh ( see advertisement ) , the views having been taken on the occasion of the late inauguration

festival , under the immediate superintendence of Bro . Haigh . Not only is the splendid edifice at Wood Green displayed to advantage , but the view is rendered the more interesting b y the introduction of a group of boys and girls from the Masonic Schools , surrounded by a number of well-known friends of the Institution . As a work of art , the photograph is really axlmirablo .

Poetry.

Poetry .

EIST TRATJMBILD . By H . S . Freely translated by F . B . The evening sun went slowly down , Tbe West with crimson blazed ; I stood beside our ancient tower , And o ' er the valley gazed .

The rapid river winding , swept , Like rosy tinted wine , By rocky plilfe and castles grey , To mingle with the Rhine , Like some fair maiden firm in faith , Whose love with strength of will ,

Makes even opposition help Her wishes to fulfil . With steady aim she holds her course The Nahe must wed the Rhine ; He is her pride , and whispering sighs , " Come ! he for ever mine . " While deepening shadows gather here ,

The mountain summits bum ; The vanes upon the turrets high Keep flashing as they turn . Beneath me lies that little isle Within Najada ' s breast , Whose circling waters guarded w-e ! l The sailor boy at rest .

That isle once waste and desolate Is now a garden fair With lofty walls , and gentle folk From every land are there ! And wheresoe ' er I turn my eyes I mark my MAKEB ' S skill—In shady grovesin running streams

, , In vale , and wood , and hill . A horn of plenty has been poured , Of flowers , and fruit , and wine : In other lands they taste of earth , But here they are divine . His bounties here a temple make

, Wherein we see his face . My heart is lull , it offers praise , My lips confess His grace . . " Almighty Father , Lord of all , Thou fillcst still my cup With plenteousness -. my heart to Thee In thanks is lifted up .

" Thou stillest sorrow , soothest pain , And spveadest all the Earth With beauty—and tbe heart of man O'erflows witli highest mirth . " Thou at the first created us , Thou guidest us with care ;

We praise Thee for Thy excellence—We praise Thee everywhere . " Thou ' st planted in our secret hearts The strong desire'of good ; Thou ' st given faith , thou ' st given hope , And Love , and Brotherhood .

" When Adam from the Earth arose In likeness , Lord , of Thee , 'Twas Thj * free gift of mind to Earth—Thou meant it to be free ! " Thou , madesfc not the various sects Of Christian , Jew , or Turk ! Thy laws were few—OBEDIENCELOVE :

, The rest was human work . " Thou God of peace Thou hatest strife , Yet , in preserving Faith , Permittest man his brother man To scourge , or hunt to death . " O you who blindly thus rebel

Think of th'avenging rod ! Be warned in time , before ye rouse A just and angry God ! It may be you have never looked Fair Nature in the face , ~ Sov learnt God's glory there to find , And there his goodness trace .

In need of life , you trembling stand , And welcome words of death ; The Holy Spirit you drive away Through lack of loving Faith . On Sinai's mount Jehovah spoke The Laws by which we live !

And JESUS on the Cross besought The Father to forgive . As fairest flowers will often breed The poisonous canker worms , So Hatred ' s tooth is often nursed By seeming angel forms .

O ^ for a place of peaceful calm Amid life ' s stormy weather , Where man might meet his fellow-man , And joyous live together .