Songs of their own, and the great pine trees laid
On warm noon-lights the masses of their shade.

And she was with us, living o'er again
Her life in ours, despite of years and pain--
The Autumn's brightness after latter rain.

Beautiful in her holy peace, as one
Who stands at evening, when the work is done,
Glorified in the setting of the sun!

Her memory makes our common landscape seem
Fairer than any of which painters dream--
Lights the brown hills and sings in every stream.

For she whose speech was always truth's pure gold
Heard, not unpleased, its simple legends told,
And loved with us the beautiful and old.

FIELD'S APPRECIATION.

(Dedication to His Sister, Mary Field French, from His "Little Book of
Western Verse." Copyrighted, 1889, by Eugene Field, Published by
Charles Scribner's Sons.)

A dying mother gave to you
Her child a many years ago;
How in your gracious love he grew,
You know, dear, patient heart, you know.

The mother's child you fostered then
Salutes you now and bids you take
These little children of his pen
And love them for the author's sake.

To you I dedicate this book,
And, as you read it line by line,
Upon its faults as kindly look
As you have always looked on mine.

Tardy the offering is and weak;
Yet were I happy if I knew
These children had the power to speak
My love and gratitude to you.

The Personal Character of the Czar.

BY FRANK MARSHALL WHITE.

Trained Observers of Men Describe the Impressions Made Upon Them by the
Ruler of the Russian People, But No Two Agree in Their
Estimates of the Man Behind the Mask.

_Compiled and edited for_ THE SCRAP BOOK.

In the present crisis in Russia the actual character of the Czar is a
matter of unusual interest to the world at large, since he is one of the
factors to be considered in predicting the outcome of the most tremendous
social and political upheaval of the time.

It is difficult enough for the person whose acquaintance with the rulers
of the earth is through the public prints to obtain an idea of the
individuality of any one of the reigning monarchs, though we appraise many
of them with confidence--if not with accuracy.

For instance, the popular conception of Edward of England is that of an
affable gentleman, with a fondness for pageantry and show, and tastes that