AN APPEAL

IN BEIIALF OF A SUBSCR1PTION FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OP THE ANCIENT CATHEDRAL OF BOULOGNE-SUR-MER.

Domine, dilexi décorera domus tuæ.

Upon this spot there stood a splendid Fane , Sonie scattered traces of its walls remain :

Whose shrines , the faith and zeal of former days Enriched, adorned , approached with pious praise Succeeding âges long admired the pile And heaped fresh offerings in each vaulted aisle.

Here Gallia’s monarchs oft in days of old ,

Their nobles round them, and their vassals bold,

A hallowed taper glimmering in their hand ,

Midst clouds of incense, and a reverend band Of priests, bent low the knee, with faith divine ,

To lay their crown upon the Virgin’s shrine,

Whose form, with rubies and with sapphires bright, Dispensed a sacred and effulgent light.

Who can describe thy countless relicks rare , Wliich pilgrims sought from far with pious care ; Thy gothic chapels rich with o’erlaid gold ;

Thy Greek and Roman altars, and thy bold

POÉSIES

But gTaceful pillars, and the lamps which gleamed With holy fire, the softened day that beamed Through the stained Windows on the marble floor, And sculptured tombs of those who dwelt of yore The valiant heroes Boulogne justly boasts ,

Who shed a lustre o’er hcr rugged coasts,

And many a holy pontiff , many a sage And upright judge, the beacon of his âge 1

At length disastrous days came o'er the land The temple fell beneath the Vandal’s hand.

Its tombs uptom, around the ruins spread ,

Nor spared were e’en the ashes of the dead.

Beneath the riven walls — oh dircful loss !

Lie fallen altars, and the fractured cross.

Avarice, of. scandai prodigal alone.

Respects not e’en the blessed Virgin's throne,

Ail, ail, alasl destroyed, unhallowed fell :

Such crimes convulse the land where christians dwell ! Religion, doomed to weep where late she reigned, Forsook awhile a country so profaned.

But when the storm subsided she returned ;

By law upheld again her altars bumed.

With her art, science, industry appear,

And near the ruined Fane a college rear.

Enlightened parents, with just praise proclaim The leamed and pious teacher’s well earned famé. Honor and glory, gratitude , esteem Be these thy meed, who first with zeal suprême ,

' The generous thought didst nurture in thy breast , To build this slirine, and be thy labours blest !

POÉSIES

Oh mayst thou aee thy fondes t wishes crowned , A splendid temple rise above the ground , Afglorious monument of Christian faith !

And be it hallowed by the heavenly breath Of piety and love, a bright array ,

Worthy the town where Bouillon saw the day !

And ye whom France has nursed, oh christi<uis, friends! On whom one ray of that bright sun descends That shone upon our fathers ; who adore The God they worshiped , — Ye we now implore ! Oh grant the succour still so much we need To make tire work , so well begun , succeed !

Let not my prayer be lost , by heaven inspired. Angels shall note the tributes thus acquired ,

And saints upon the book of life indite .

The gift of Cresus and the widow's mite.