ed in
mercantile business when quite young, leaving school for that purpose. In
1825, he was elected cashier of the Globe Bank of Boston, which position
he held until 1864. Mr. Sprague has not been a prolific writer; but his
poems, though few in number, are deservedly classed among the best
productions of American poets. His chief poem is entitled "Curiosity."

1. Gay, guiltless pair,
What seek ye from the fields of heaven?
Ye have no need of prayer,
Ye have no sins to be forgiven.

272 ECLECTIC SERIES.

2. Why perch ye here,
Where mortals to their Maker bend?
Can your pure spirits fear
The God ye never could offend?

3. Ye never knew
The crimes for which we come to weep;
Penance is not for you,
Blessed wanderers of the upper deep.

4. To you 't is given
To wake sweet Nature's untaught lays;
Beneath the arch of heaven
To chirp away a life of praise.

5. Then spread each wing,
Far, far above, o'er lakes and lands,
And join the choirs that sing
In yon blue dome not reared with hands.

6. Or, if ye stay
To note the consecrated hour,
Teach me the airy way,
And let me try your envied power.

7. Above the crowd,
On upward wings could I but fly,
I'd bathe in yon bright cloud,
And seek the stars that gem the sky.

8. 'T were Heaven indeed,
Through fields of trackless light to soar,
On Nature's charms to feed,
And Nature's own great God adore.

DEFINITIONS.--2. Perch, to light or settle on anything. 3. Pen'-ance,
suffering for sin. 4. Lays, songs. 5. Choir (pro. kwir), a collection of
singers. Dome, an arched structure above a roof; hence, figuratively, the
heavens. 6. Con'se-crat-ed, set apart for the service of God. 8.
Track'less, having no path.

NOTE.--This little poem was addressed to two swallows that flew into
church during service.

LXXXVIII. THE PEEVISH WIFE.

Maria Edgeworth (b. 1767, d. 1849) was born near Reading. Berkshire,
England. In 1782 her father removed with his family to Edgeworthtown,
Ireland, to reside on his estate. She lived here during the remainder of
her life, with the exception of occasional short visits to England,
Scotland, and France. She was educated principally by her father, and they
were colaborers in literary productions, among which were "Essays on
Practical Education," and the "Parent's Assistant." Her novels and tales
were written without assista