TURE.

Hail, disenthralled spirit;
Thou that the wine-press of the field hast trod:
On, blest Immortal, on, through boundless space,
And stand with thy Redeemer face to face,
And bow before thy God.

CHORUS OF MINISTERING SPIRITS.

'Tis done--'tis done;
Life's weary work is done;
Now the glad spirit leaves the clay,
And treads with winged ease
The bright acclivities
Of Heaven's crystalline way;
Joy to thee, Blessed one.
Lift up, lift up thine eyes,
Yonder is Paradise;
And this fair shining band
Are spirits of thy land;
And these, that throng to meet thee, are thy kin,
Who have awaited thee, redeemed from sin.
Bright spirit, thou art blest.
This city's name is Rest;
Here sin and sorrow cease,
And thou hast won its peace,
Joy to thee, Blessed One.

_New Monthly Magazine_.

* * * * *

NOTES OF A READER.

BONINGTON.

Mr. Allan Cunningham has completed his fifth volume of the _Lives of the
most eminent British Painters, Sculptors, and Architects_. It contains
Jameson, Ramsey, Romney, Runciman, Copley, Mortimer, Raeburn, Hoppner,
Owen, Harlow, and Bonington; all sketched in the author's most felicitous
style. The memoir of Bonington is of peculiar interest, since all our
readers must recollect the premature death of that promising artist. Mr.
Cunningham observes of his last days:

"I know not whether Bonington was at all aware in these days that a
visible decay had come upon him, and that in the regretful opinion of many
he was a man marked out for an early grave: whatever he might feel or
surmise, he said nothing, but continued to employ his pencil with all the
ardour of the most flourishing health. He rose early and studied late; nor
did he allow any piece to go hastily from his hand. The French, who are
quick in discerning and generous in acknowledging merit, not only
applauded his works from the outset, but watched his progress and
improvement, and eagerly compared the marine paintings of the young
Englishman with the standard works of the artists of their own country.
M. Gros, who, it seems, had for some unrecorded reason closed his _atelier_
against him, was so touched by his fine works, that he ere long recalled
him with commendations; and, in the presence of his pupils, said, he
considered it an honour to have him in his studio. A more moderate style
of rapture was to be expected from his own countrymen; neverthe