is own life, will never draw a sword except in a cause that is
just and right.' The sailor became afterwards Admiral Nesham, who lived
to serve his country for many years, and died at Exmouth in 1853.

THE PIONEERS.

A crocus peeped out from its snow-covered bed,
In a wood where the red robins sing,
And sighed, 'I could fancy, where brown leaves are spread
I heard the first footfall of Spring.'

And e'en while it spoke, from a tree-top above
There fluttered the song of the Wind:
'I come from the south, with a message of love,
And the Spring follows closely behind.'

Then while the soft echo was stealing along,
The snow melted gently away,
And over the meadow a bee's early song
Told stories of April and May.

The bluebell and primrose are blossoming fast,
And see, where the snow-drifts still cling,
The Sun his rich mantle has gallantly cast
At the feet of her Majesty, Spring.

SMITHFIELD TOURNAMENTS.

Many _Chatterbox_ readers have, no doubt, visited Smithfield, and others
have seen pictures of it as it was in the olden time, when it was known
by its executions and burnings. Upon St. Bartholomew's Eve, 1305, Sir
William Wallace was put to death under the elms, a large clump of which
then stood on one side of the open space. At Smithfield, too, Wat Tyler
met King Richard II. on June 15th, 1381, when he received his death-blow
from the Lord Mayor of London. In more recent years it was familiar to
the public as a big cattle market, now fortunately removed to a better
spot north of London. Evidently, too, it was for centuries a very
favourite resort with the citizens, the name at first, so historians
think, being 'Smoothfield.' The level open space was turfed, and made
suitable for horse exercise and a variety of sports.

During the Middle Ages our kings had a palace in the city, and many of
the nobles built themselves houses within the walls, or not far off. For
some centuries tournaments were forbidden on account of their danger,
and they were seldom held in England till after the reign of Richard I.
The position of Smithfield was very convenient for holding jousts and
tournaments. None but those who were esquires or knights were allowed to
take part in these contests, which usually celebrated some important
event, such as a royal marriage or a great victory. These tournaments
gave an opportunity for a display of cou