His prudence is commendable, and we appreciate it all the more, that in this poem there are indications of powers which would produce some work more worthy of them even than the present poem, if they had the better cultivation which would be a certain result of entire freedom from manual labour. By saying so, there is no disparagement meant to this work; for it has great merit, both in its conception and in its execution. The leading idea is, that the human race will ultimately shake off the fetters of tyranny, and become free. In a comprehensive glance, the poet takes in all the bearings of this idea; the cause of political slavery-the historical instances of the downfall of Freedom, and of its erection upon the ruins of Tyranny— the vision of perfect emancipation, and the means to be taken to secure it. The cause of man's subjection to unjust power is made out to be War, and war is traced to Satan's fall, which, amongst other things, makes Cain slay Abel, the first instance of murder, and the prototype of all war. The conception which the poet has thus had in his mind is a lofty one; and the poem, which is the realization of this conception, is, in point of poetical treatment, decidedly superior. For an example of powerful description, the reader has only to consult the first page of Mr. Bruce's book, and there he will find a magnificent passage, descriptive of the creation. The following stanza is also very good : "How calm and placid-like a silver stream- Or young first love, as yet untaught to sigh. But, hark!-a scream! Whose arms are wildly tossed, 'Tis he, Alexius!-he!-he sinks,-he's lost! A bubble floats-he's gone !-to meet yon murdered host.' This is really a picture drawn by Nature's own hand. How vivid, real, and terrible it is! No true lover of poetry can avoid perceiving the genuineness of Mr. Bruce's inspiration, and will welcome him to a place among the men whose names are famous in the annals of literature."-Strathearn Herald. “That a man should, in hours snatched from business, write so clearly and ably on such an abstruse and difficult subject as 'Destiny' is a fact which should of itself recommend the author to the favourable notice of the public. The plan of his present work is at once simple and evident. It is but the tracing through the world's history the existence of an over-ruling Power. Before the writer could con template the working out of the poem in such a way as he has, he must have felt confident that he had acquired, by extensive research, sufficient materials for the purpose. From the beginning of the poem to its end, it is one vast testimony that, in point of attainment in historical and political literature, he is abundantly able to cope with his subject. From tracing the workings of the law of Destiny in nations, he, in the latter part of the poem, shows evidence of its having been the directing influence in individual careers. And after frequently lamenting that Fate should apparently side so often with Oppression, he concludes the canto with two verses, where he shows the origin of the greatness of Britain, and almost goes the length of foretelling her future downfall."-St. Andrews Citizen. INTRODUCTION. "I byde my time." THE spirit of Freedom and Love of Country are innate, and form an integral element of the Poetic temperament-they bubble up, and well out of,-even the coldest poet,-like the hot springs from the Geysers of Iceland ;-so, however lame these poor, abortive attempts at writing poetry may be,-they have wriggled into existence-simply because the writer could not keep them back; still, for all their faults, he likes them, as one often becomes attached to a worthless cur-just because it is his own,— but, which any true dog-fancier would have no compunction in getting a string tied to his neck-and, with the help of the stone of criticism-sunk in the bottom of the sea. He speaks the conscientious convictions of his mind, when saying that they do not—nor reasonably can pretend to lay any claim to true poetry, at least to the conception which he has of genuine Poetry; for however strong the love has been-and still is, for scribbling, his position in life has been so diametrically opposed to it and his character too evenly balanced to allow any inherent love for writing to interfere with his sterner duties,— which, ever-like a hungry wolf kept dogging at his heels to warn him that if he wished to preserve the prized soul of his existence the spirit of Independence,-and to "owe no man anything" the pen should be hurled aside,-nor persist in stringing bad poema together against his interest-his time, and even his ability,-besides, any musician knows that he cannot play well-even upon an instrument,-(far less upon the spirit of the Muse herself) unless the joints-keys-or strings of it be kept in playing order by constant use. Scott truly says, "Though the blast of the bellows, and the clatter of the anvil make but coarse company to lays of Minstrelsy-yet I can afford them no better, since I must mend my fortune though I mar my verses,"-although, the true feelings, of the winter-in respect to Trade,-of all kinds, stands very much upon the same footing as honest Slender had towards Mrs. Anne Page, who consoled himself, with saying, "There was no great love between us at the beginning-and it has pleased Heaven to decrease it on farther acquaintance." It has some. times amused, often pained him, to see people of his own sphere of Life,-hurrying and worrying, in competition-cunningly scrambling-with every nerve strained-like cords, after their One selfish aim,—while he was running the same race with not one third of his mind and energies devoted to the same pursuitnay, hampered with the other two-thirds-dreaming about poetry-the Drama,-leading Bands of Music-anything-and everything but the sober, jog-trot of Business. He has also been deeply amused hearing others condemn him as being a Sceptic in matters of what they call Religion-when his whole soul, and mind were at the very time, devoted to trying to find out Truth-walking-or musing along the streets with a Living Faith-silently, but earnestly praying to God to enlighten his soul with true knowledge, and understandingnot only for his own welfare, but for the benefit of others-and to be able to instil into the young, and susceptible minds of his children true conceptions of God and Truth. Emerson says, “Our tokens of love are, for the most part, barbarous, they do not represent our Life, the only gift,-is a portion of thyself; therefore, let the Farmer give his corn, the Miner, a gem,—the Sailorcoral and shells: the Painter his picture--and the Poet his poem." And Adelaide Proctor truly says, "No real poet ever wove in numbers All his dream;-but, the Divine part,-hidden from all the world spake to him only in the voiceless silence of his heart." Reason bids him get this volume out, as he has material for another (chiefly prose) which, should Time, Will, and Opportunity pull well together-may also crawl into print,-for, whatever adverse Criticism may say regarding these-honestly admitted crude productions, the spirit and soul which animated them are quite indifferent to,—and hope to be above the malevolence of the mere canting critic,-because, whatever faults they have the writer stands accountant to Him alone-who knows all, as being influenced by a sincere desire to do good-and a conscientious belief that the views expressed are right, he therefore wishes to inculcate what he believes to be true!-This feeling has,-long since, armed his mind with a spiritual coat of -- armour which makes him invincible to the opinions of those whom he believes to be in error regarding the true Religion of Man-as promulgated by his spiritual instinct, and his Reason,-by the Bible-Jesus-Nature, and what is known-as God and Truth or the Soul of nature. His firm belief, is, that God has thoroughly revealed Himself-quite sufficient for Humanityboth in what is known as His Word,-and what we know of His Works-that the Bible,-when read with the twin eyes of Reason and Common Sense, is true-that the Redemption of this world-by His Son Jesus Christ-the "Comforter "-as the "Spirit of Truth," is also true, and so, if anything in this volume seems to jar with these rooted Faiths, it is because of a sincere aversion to Priestcraft-and Intolerance of all kinds that would dare to interfere with the Individual Freedom of the Human Soul. Therefore, as it is almost impossible to thoroughly digest, and give clear expression to such a momentous subject as Truth-in matters of true Religion-amid the turmoil of Business, the author humbly hopes he will be so far excused for the many seeming discrepancies, as the ideas were hastily penned at different times, often merely to preserve them. If his readers knew the many perplexing vexations and disappointments he had to suffer while this collection of unfinished trifles were passing through the press, they would be inclined to be charitable. However, he has faithfully and fearlessly endeavoured to use his Reason and his Will-to regulate his Hope and Caution-and to cultivate a wise spirit of Independence to give energy and buoyancy to fight the Battle of Life—reverently -truthfully-and he hopes enlightenedly-trusting in God alone for support. Any allusion to the deeper portions of the volume is unnecessary as they bear their own arguments; and, on a clear examination will not be found to contain the slightest vestige of Infidelity or Scepticism,-but, very much the reverse indeed!—as no man-worthy of the name, dare be a sceptic of the instinctive reverence for Religious feeling, and its paramount necessity in the world. But, what is termed a Religious character in the present age, is but too often the character of a selfishdesigning, though purblind hypocrite-who uses the ample cloak of Religion, merely to advance his own worldly interests-this style of religion is not current in Heaven-and ought not to be so, much longer, on earth,-and every one who lifts his pen against such an abuse of true religious feeling, is doing Society the service of a mental physician. Because many a poor man |