Popular Delusions.

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FAITH’S GUIDING STAR.

[Illustration:  Letter W.]

    We find a glory in the flowers
      When snowdrops peep and hawthorn blooms;
    We see fresh light in spring-time hours,
      And bless the radiance that illumes. 
    The song of promise cheers with hope,
      That sin or sorrow cannot mar;
    God’s beauty fills the daisyed slope,
      And keeps undimm’d Faith’s guiding star.

    We find a glory in the smile
      That lives in childhood’s happy face,
    Ere fearful doubt or worldly guile
      Has swept away the angel trace. 
    The ray of promise shineth there,
      To tell of better lands afar;
    God sends his image, pure and fair,
      To keep undimm’d Faith’s guiding star.

    We find a glory in the zeal
      Of doating breast and toiling brain;
    Affection’s martyrs still will kneel,
      And song, though famish’d, pour its strain. 
    They lure us by a quenchless light,
      And point where joy is holier far;
    They shed God’s spirit, warm and bright,
      And keep undimm’d Faith’s guiding star.

    We muse beside the rolling waves;
      We ponder on the grassy hill;
    We linger by the new-piled graves,
      And find that star is shining still. 
    God in his great design hath spread,
      Unnumber’d rays to lead afar;
    They beam the brightest o’er the dead,
      And keep undimm’d Faith’s guiding star.

    ELIZA COOK.

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QUEEN ELIZABETH’S ADDRESS TO HER ARMY AT TILBURY FORT, IN 1588.

My loving people! we have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit ourself to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but, I assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people.  Let tyrants fear:  I have always so behaved myself, that, under God, I have placed my chief strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects.  And, therefore, I am come among you at this time, not for my recreation or sport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die among you all, and to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and for my people, my honour and my blood—­even in the dust.  I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart of a King, and the heart of a King of England, too! and think foul scorn, that Parma, or Spain, or any Prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realms; to which, rather than dishonour should grow by me, I myself will take up arms—­I myself will be your general, your judge, and the rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.  I know already,