BRIC-A-BRAC. 287 Hcro-Worship. A LITTLE maiden read her books, And only loved the more Sir Philip Sidney every day, Than even the day before. And when her suitors came to woo She matched them in her mind With Philip Sidney, one and all, But far they fell behind. For this one lacked the courtliness, And this, the perfect grace, And this, the learning rare and wide, And this, the handsome face. And so she sent them all away, But only loved the more Sir Philip Sidney every day, Than she did the day before. O, maiden of the fancy bright, If it could only be, Sir Philip should himself o'erleap For you the centuries three, And come upon his doughty steed A-riding to your gate, And for your favor crave and sue, And for your answer wait, I ween you'd look him through and through. But never bid him stay; In favor of his fancied self You'd send himself away. S. W. P. The Hour and the Man. THERE was a man, he had a clock; His name was Matthew Hears : Which he wound it regular every night For almost twenty years. Until at length, his favorite clock An eight-day proved to be; And a madder man than Mr. Mears You needn't expect to see ! J. A. T. NOTE. The three accompanying historical sketches are from "A Comic History of the United States. Hopkins. Illustrated by the author from sketches taken at a safe distance. New York: G. W. Carleton & Co." By L.