JOHN STERLING. DURING the last five or six years the readers, WORDSWORTH, without the mannerism of of Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine have been from time to time delighted by the appearance in that popular miscellany of various papers under the signature of ARCHEUS. Among them has been a series in prose, entitled "Legendary Lore," from which "The Onyx Ring," a story of thrilling interest, and several other essays and tales, have been reprinted in this country. But superior to the prose articles-beautiful and highly wrought as these are-are the author's poetical writings, distinguished alike for purity of thought, delicacy of fancy, and depth and tenderness of feeling. "They have the pleasing tone of phrase and imagery by which the imitators of that poet are distinguished." A collection of these poems, with one much longer than any that had appeared in Blackwood's Magazine, entitled "The Sexton's Daughter," was published in London, in 1839, and it was then discovered that they were written by JOHN STERLING, in early life a clergyman, and latterly a student in philosophy and man of letters. He subsequently wrote "Hymns of a Hermit" and "Strafford, a Tragedy." Since the first edition of this work was published we have heard of his death, which occurred in September, 1844. TO A CHILD. DEAR child! whom sleep can hardly tame, That shout proclaims the undoubting mind, In spite of all foreboding fear, Or blackbird's hidden serenade: Thou art a flash that lights the whole; And yet, dear child! within thee lives PROSE AND SONG. I LOOK'D upon a plain of green, I look'd upon a stately hill That well was named the mount of song, But most this fact my wonder bred, It was the mountain streams that fed |