Folded hands, saying prayers;
Understands not, nor cares;

Thinks it odd, smiles away;
Yet may God hear her pray !

Bed-gown white, kiss Dolly;
Good-night!--that's Polly.

Fast asleep, as you see;

Heaven keep my girl for me!

-"Lilliput Levee."

MY GOOD-FOR-NOTHING.

"WHAT are you good for, my brave little man?
Answer that question for me, if you can,
You, with your fingers as white as a nun,
You, with your ringlets as bright as the sun.
All the day long, with your busy contriving,
Into all mischief and fun you are driving;
See if your wise little noddle can tell
What you are good for. Now ponder it well."

Over the carpet the dear little feet

Came with a patter to climb on my seat;
Two merry eyes, full of frolic and glee,
Under their lashes looked up unto me ;
Two little hands pressing soft on my face,
Drew me down close in a loving embrace;
Two rosy lips gave the answer so true,
"Good to love you, mamma, — good to love you."
Emily Huntington Miller.

"Hey! Willie Winkie,
Are you coming then?
The cat's singing purrie
To the sleeping hen;

The dog is lying on the floor
And does not even peep;
But here's a wakeful laddie
That will not fall asleep."

Anything but sleep, you rogue!
Glowering like the moon;

Rattling in an iron jug

With an iron spoon ;

Rumbling, tumbling all about,
Crowing like a cock,

Screaming like I don't know what,

Waking sleeping folk.

"Hey! Willie Winkie,
Can't you keep him still?
Wriggling off a body's knee
Like a very eel;

Pulling at the cat's ear,
As she drowsy hums;
Heigh, Willie Winkie!
See-there he comes!"

Wearied is the mother
That has a restless wean,
A wee, stumpy bairnie,
Heard whene'er he's seen
That has a battle aye with sleep

Before he'll close an e'e;

But a kiss from off his rosy lips

Gives strength anew to me.

-William Miller.

CHOOSING A NAME.

I HAVE got a new-born sister.
I was nigh the first that kissed her.
When the nursing-woman brought her
To papa, his infant daughter,

How papa's dear eyes did glisten !-
She will shortly be to christen;
And papa has made the offer

I shall have the naming of her.

Now, I wonder what would please her-
Charlotte, Julia or Louisa?

Ann and Mary they're too common;
Joan's too formal for a woman;
Jane's a prettier name beside;
But we had a Jane that died.

They would say, if 'twas Rebecca,
That she was a little Quaker.

Edith's pretty, but that looks

Better in old English books

Ellen's left off long ago;

;

Blanche is out of fashion now.
None that I have named as yet
Are so good as Margaret.
Emily is neat and fine;

What do you think of Caroline?
How I'm puzzled and perplexed
What to choose or think of next!

I am in a little fever

Lest the name that I should give her
Should disgrace her or defame her : —
I will leave papa to name her.

Mary Lamb.