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-U^r*- U.. UIjL THE ATTEMPT A LITERARY MAGAZINE CONDUCTED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE EDINBURGH ESSAY SOCIETY VOLUME I. “ AUSPICIUM MELIORIS vEVI.” PRINTED FOR THE EDINBURGH ESSAY SOCIETY. REID & SON, SHORE, LEITH. MDCCCLXV. CONTENTS. PAGE Hints to our Readers, by Incognita ..... 5 Halcyon Days, by Elfie ...... 6 Training tbe Little Ones, by M. L. , 11 Lines on Resignation, by E. H. 13 On making a Noise in the World, by des Eaux . 14 Address to the Ramsheugh, by Megaig Bheg . 16 A Christmas Tale, by Agatha ...... 18 The Sailor’s Wife, a Ballad, by Euterpe . , . 19 Tha Shoehorn, by des Eaux ...... 20 The Little Foundling, by Una ...... 22 Katie, by Veronica ....... 23 The Royal Hospital for Sick Children, by C. E. M. , . 24 A New-Year’s Hymn, by Una ...... 26 Sketches from the Reign of Louis XIV., by Z. .... 27 Lorelei—From the German, by Veronica . , , 30 Highland Homes, by Incha ...... 30 Shadows, by J. I. L. , . # _ 32 On Quotations and Misquotations, by des Eaux .... 33 Light in Darkness, by Megaig Bheg ..... 36 Psalm LV. 6., by Agatha • • . 39 A Funeral at Sea, by Euterpe .... 39 A Tale of the Last Century, by Ladybird ..... 40 My Dog, by Sirius ....... 42 A Plea for Authors, by Fides ..... 43 Epitaphs, by Veronica ..... 45 Wishing, by Elfie ..... 47 11 CONTENTS PAGE Flowers, by J. I. L. 48 Bible Incidents.—Tbe Widow’s Mite, by Ineha .... 49 Sketches from tbe Reign of Louis XIY., by Z. 51 The Precious Diamond, an Allegory, by Incha .... 56 King Robert’s Bowl, a Ballad, by Megaig Bheg .... 58 Tbe Old Times and the New, by M. L. 61 On Punctuality, by E. H. 65 The Sleep of the Wayfarer, by J. I. L. 68 A Tale of the Last Century, by Ladybird ..... 69 The Legend of St Christopher, by Veronica . 72 Double Acrostic, by F. B. 73 Information for “ des Eaux ” . 74 On Madame de Seyigne, by des Eaux . 75 Eel Fishing on a Highland Loch, by M. L. 79 The City of Tears, by J. I. L. 81 More about Epitaphs, by Incognita ..... 83 Moonlight Scenery, by The Little War Eagle .... 86 A Plea for the Scottish Language, by Agatha .... 87 The Blind Girl, by Euterpe ...... 91 A Tale of the Last Century, by Ladybird . , . 92 The Exhibition, by Stella ...... 95 Misquotation . 97 Acrostics and Answers, by F. B. 98 Some Thoughts on Writing, and its Tone and Style, by Hilda . 99 Red Riding Hood, by J. I. L. 194 The General Assembly, by C. M. C. T. 105 Thomas the Rhymer, by Incognita ..... 107 “ Call upon Me in the Day of Trouble,” by Megaig Bheg . , . Ill On Conventionalities, by des Eaux . 112 A Rhyming Epistle, by S. 115 A Tale of the Last Century, by Ladybird , . 117 Something to think of in a Picture Gallery, by Ina . 120 Answer to Acrostic, by F. B. • • 122 John Knox and his Times, by Elsie Strivelyne . 123 CONTENTS 111 PAGE On Mixed Metaphors, by Yeronica ..... 125 The Sleeping Beauty, by J. I. L. 127 On Sunday Reading, by des Eaux ..... 129 The Little Flame, from the German, by Megaig Bheg . 133 A Visit to the Highest Village in Scotland, by Agatha . 135 A Ghost Story, from the German, by No Name .... 137 The Ebony Cabinet, by J. I. L. 139 A Chatty Paper, by Elfie ...... 140 A Tale of the Last Century, by Ladybird ..... 143 The Writers of the Age of Queen Elizabeth, contrasted with those of the Age of Queen Anne, by Enid ....... 147 Something about Everything, by Elsie Strivelyne .... 151 The True Friend, by Megaig Bheg . 152 Parting, by Incha . .154 The Dead Warrior, by Euterpe . .158 The Proper Extent of a Musical Education, by Hilda , . 158 On Rising in the World, by Cara ..... 162 Merlin, by Incognita ....... 163 A Tale of the Last Century, by Ladybird . 166 Acrostic, by Elsie Strivelyne . , . , 170 On the Railway, from the German, by N. E. L. 171 Bmntfield, a Ballad, by Megaig Bheg ..... 178 Chapter from the Chronicles of an Old House, by J. I. L. 1 SO Nationality, by Agatha . , igl Something about_Everything (In Town), by Elsie Strivelyne . , 184 Adieu to Seventeen, by Elfie . , L . 186 King Arthur and Chivalry, by Incognita ..... 187 The Victor, by Veronica ...... 190 A Tale of the Last Century, by Ladybird . , . 191 Double Acrostic and Answers, by F. B. 194 Thackeray, by Enid ....... 195 The Gift of the Sabbath, by M. L. , . , 199 Disagreeable Things, by Anon ...... 201 The Sailor’s Dirge, by Megaig Bheg ..... 206 IV CONTENTS PAGE Something about Everything (In the Country), by Elsie Strivelyne 207 Tableaux Vivants in the Country, by Incha . 211 A Tale of the Last Century, by Ladybird 216 Chaucer, by Enid .... 219 Parting Thoughts, by J. I. L. 223 Something about Everything (Friendship), by Elsie Strivelyne 223 On Epigrams, by Veronica 226 Tide-Pools and their Beauty, by M. L. » 228 Good Fairies, by Agatha 230 On Quiet, by des Eaux 232 A Tale of the Last Century, by Ladybird 234 Sir Henry de Bohun, by Megaig Bheg 237 Procrastination, by J. M. W. 239 Voices, by Anon .... 240 Double Acrostic, by F. B. 242 Recollections of some of the Early Poets, by des Eaux 243 November,'by J. I. L. 248 Vanitas, by Elsie Strivelyno 249 On Needles, by Euterpe 250 Something about Everything (On Change), by Elsie Strivelyne 252 The Dream of Home, by Mas Alta 255 Autumn Thoughts under the Beech Trees, by Beta 257 Song of Praise, by Megaig Bheg . 259 Hallowe’en, by Elfie .... 261 The Story of a Purse, by Agatha 263 Recollections of some of the Early Poets, by des Eaux 267 Christmas Carol, by Megaig Bheg 272 Novel Reading, by M. E. M. 273 The Home of the Moss, by Mas Alta 274 The Story of a Purse, by Agatha . 275 The Old Year, by J. I. L. 282 December, by Incha 283 Answer to Acrostic, by F. B. 286 THE ATTEMPT. Pints In mtr “ The Attempt ” again has just begun, And don’t just read it for yourself, And if you look alone for fun, Then lay the paper on a shelf, Please close the book. But lend the hook; Of sober sense it has its share, That so we may more readers get, A partial friend might e’en say mair,— For we have just begun as yet So read the hook. To print our hook. You must not too severely try And if you glaring faults shall find, Our pieces, though they do aim high, We ask you once for all to mind In this our book. ’Tis young our book. We all our very best shall do To please as well as profit you With this our hook. Incognita. Jan. 1865. A G THE ATTEMPT Iklrgcrtt Dags. The most complete idea of the nature of man’s earthly sojourn is that of a pilgrim’s progress. Life is indeed a weary pilgrimage. To the ungrateful it is a dreary wilderness of dissatisfaction, whose cloudy sky is scarce illumined by one cheering ray; hut happier constituted minds, when tossed about by cares and diffi- culties, will often arrive at delightful spots of relaxation and refreshment, where they may for a little “ rest and be thankful.” Oh, these oases in the desert ! to sit in whose shade it were worth while to undergo all one’s share of the fagging, and tearing, and wearing of the work-a-day world, are surely blessings that cannot enough be appreciated; and we cannot too warmly welcome L’Allegro, when, to brighten us by her “ fair and free ” companionship, she comes attended by mirth and youthful jollity— “ Quips and cranks and wanton wiles,— Nods and becks and wreathed smiles,— Such as hang on Hebe’s cheek, And lore to live in dimples sleek ; Sport that wrinkled Care derides, And Laughter holding both his sides.” Perhaps some one of my readers may think she has enjoyed very little of the happiness I am talking about. What! my friend, say I, Is it possible you know nothing of the joys of Midsummer and Christmas Holidays 1 Have you never gone pic-nicing, fern-hunting, or boating excursions in the country, or climbed to the top of Arthur’s Seat, and admired the beauties of Edinburgh when in town 1 Have you never seen a Christmas tree, tasted plum-pudding, or played blind-man’s buffi If not, poor little dear! you have indeed missed considerable enjoyment; but, unless you were an old woman in your cradle, you have known innocent happiness as intimately as have any of Euphrosyne’s darling little cherubs of attendants. You have been a child. Eresh from the hands of our great Creator, not undimmed, though scarce tarnished by the common corruption, “ a heaven lies round us in our infancy; ” and while we bask in the bright sunshine of our childhood, handling our toys and enjoying our game at romps, innocence brightens every enjoyment, and makes life | indeed a succession of Halcyon Days. Ah! darling childhood, thine were the happy days. But though as we get up the aged ladder the pleasures of childhood satisfy not, we girls who are past childhood have our Halcyon Days still, and enjoy them too,— THE ATTEMPT 7 witness tlie ardour of youth, or other cause unknown to the writer, making us view the country in such a pretty rose-pink colour, that we are sorry to leave it for loved Edina, even to write for “ The Attempt,” in whose pages I am sure I had no idea of moralising about doing so.

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