to speak, held firmly between his own the hand of his daughter who was by his side, and turned his eyes, already half-closed, towards her with an expression of tenderness:  with her other hand she supported his head on a pillow until he breathed his last, without convulsion or suffering."[5] His daughter closed the fine eyes of the poet, and summoning her children to behold their grandfather for the last time, she rushed from the chamber of death, and gave vent to a flood of grief.  Another account states that Goethe growing weaker and weaker, his hand dropped on his knee, where it still moved as if in the act of writing, till the angel of death summoned him.

    [5] Monthly Magazine, July.

The remains of the poet, after lying in state in the hall of his mansion for five hours, were deposited, on March 26, in the grand ducal family vault at Weimar near to those of Schiller.  On the same day, the theatre which had been closed from respect to his memory, was opened with the representation of his Tasso.  An epilogue was composed for the occasion by Chancellor Muller, the intimate friend of Goethe.  Its last stanza produced a profound impression upon the audience:—­“The spot where great men have exercised their genius remains for ever sacred.  The waves of time silently efface the hours of life; but not the great works which they have seen produced.  What the power of genius has created, is rarified like the air of the Heavens,—­its apparition is fugitive,—­its works are eternal.”

Goethe has left several MSS. for publication.  Among them is a volume of his early life in Weimar, a volume of poems, the second part of “Faust,” interesting letters, &c.

* * * * *

NOTES OF A READER.

* * * * *

BEAR-HUNTING IN CANADA.

(From a Backwoodsman’s Sketches.[6])

    [6] Published by Murray, Albemarle Street. (To a Correspondent,
    J.F., Lambeth Terrace.)

When a bear runs away with one of your pigs, there is no use in going after him, hallooing, without a gun.  You may scare him away from the mutilated carcass, but it will make but indifferent pork; since not being bred in Leadenhall or Whitechapel, he has but a slovenly way of slaughtering.  But trace to where he has dragged it, and near sunset let self and friend hide themselves within easy distance, and he will be certain to come for his supper, which, like all sensible animals, he prefers to every other meal.  Nay, it is highly probable, if he possesses the gallantry which a well-bred bear ought to have, he will bring Mrs. Bruin and all the children along with him, and you can transact business with the whole family at once.  In hunting the bear, take all the curs in the village along with you.  Game dogs are useless for this purpose; for, unless properly trained, they fly at the throat, and get torn to pieces