Oor cnrlers noo shout wi' richt heartsome dolieht As they keep tliu afcauca hurliu' £rao morniu.' till nicht; An' they crack an' they banter wi' hearty guid-wil!, Whilo they test pith an' patience, guid-nature an' skill. Somo think they're but fools that's gain gyte o'er tho game ; But o' gumption an' wisdom they ha'e Just tho sarao Aa they had tho last year ; ayo, an' maybe they've more, As some may And oot wha no'er kent it before. Bo that as it may, they moan to stick fast To the dainty bit laurel they won iu the past; An' should your chiels 'gain try tfieir liau's at tho mark, Let them gird up thoir loing for souio touch earnest wark. But, freen', tho* Dame Fortune whiles ficklo may be,- Liko. men like us bide by -hue rigid decree.; An* tho' whiles you or I may indulge in a craw, Lot friendship remain, an* koep rancourawa'. Then hero's to yoursel', toyor Dunstan chiel's a*. Oor bothers o' Nasehy, oor «iin curlers braw ; An* lang may they a' play in tho auld himoly stylo, An' th.- gran* " roarin gamo'" be well spread through oor isle. RAB Bohtson Little Kycburn, August 8, 1884

THE CONTRIBUTOR

HYDE TOPICS. Owing to Mr Piper leaving Hyde at an earlier date than had been anticipated, the soiree and ball spoken of in my last had to bo abandoned. On the evening prior to his departure the inhabitants of this town assembled at the Sehoolhouse, whore a very enjoyable evening was spent. All seemed to take an. unwonted interest in the matter, and it was fully proved that Mr Piper had not an enemy in the district. During tho course of the evening, Mr Lavorty, in a few appropriate remarks, handed Mr Piper, on behalf of the people of Hyde, a purse of sovereigns, accompanied with an address to this effect:— Hyde, August stli, 1884. Dear Sin,—On tho evo of your departure from among us we desire to express to you our hearty approval of the faithful and successful manner in which you have discharged the duties of Head master of the Hyde School during tho past twelvo months. 