These comets of their day
        Have passed away,
  Their dust is now to kindred dust consigned;
    Down at death’s knees e’en they were forced to bow,
  Yet each has left an honour’d name behind—­
    And so, old bridge, hast thou;
  Thou hast outlasted many a generation;
    And well nigh to the last looked well and hearty;
  Thou hast seen much of civil perturbation,
    And hast supported many a different party. 
        Yet think not I deride: 
  Many great characters of modern days,
  (The worthy vicars of convenient Brays)
        Have thought it no disgrace to change their side. 
  And yet now many a luckless boat,
  How many a thoughtless, many a jovial crew,
  How many a young apprentice of no note;
  How many a maiden fair and lover true—­
  Have passed down thy Charybdis of a throat,
  And gone, Oh! dreadful Davy Jones, to you! 
  The coroner for Southwark, or the City,
    Calling a jury with due form and fuss,
  To find a verdict, amidst signs of pity,
    In phrase poetic—­thus:—­
        “Found
         Drown’d!”

Monthly Magazine.

* * * * *

TRUE STORIES OF MAGIC IN THE EAST.

By Charles Macfarlane, Esq.

When that enterprising, intelligent, and inquisitive traveller, Mr. R——­ was travelling in Egypt some few years ago, his curiosity was excited by the extraordinary stories current about magic and magicians, and by degrees, despite of a proper Christian education, he became enamoured of the secret sciences.  He even made some advances in them, under proper masters, and would have made more, had he not met an Italian who was supposed to be a proficient in the learning of Egypt.  But this worthy bade him look at his worn body, his haggard, harrowed countenance, and awfully warned him, as he valued quiet days, and slumbering nights, to shun the dangerous pursuits in which he had engaged.  Mr. R——­ took his advice, and thought little more of the matter, until some time after when he was staying with his friend Mr. S——­ at the ——­ consulate at Alexandria.  Mr. S——­ almost as intelligent a gentleman as Mr. R——­, had lost some silver spoons, and it was determined perhaps to frighten the servants of the house into confession, or perhaps, (and what is just as likely,) for a frolic and the indulgence of Mr. R——­’s well known curiosity, to summon a conjuror, or wise man.  There happened to be a famous magician, lately arrived from distant parts of Africa, then at hand, and he came at their call.  This man asked for nothing but an innocent boy under ten years of age, a virgin, or a woman quick with child.  The first of the three was the easiest to be procured, and a boy was brought in from a neighbouring house, who knew nothing at all of the robbery; in case his age should not be guarantee sufficient, a sort of charm