THE RAINBOW.-Our readers will think with us that Mr. Jones has succeeded in getting up one of the neatest little gems imaginable for our title page. The earth has just received a fresh baptism of "the sweet rain" from the heavens. But the storm-cloud is now rolling away in the distance, and the bald mountain peaks come forth appearing more grand than ever. The surface of the deep lake is still mottled by the falling rain-drops. And now the bow, God's own witness that the earth shall be destroyed by water no more, constructs its wondrous arch in the sky. There it stands just as we have seen it a thousand times in nature, its arch lifted up against the dark background of retiring cloud, its hither limb, to which hangs the veritable "pot of gold," reaches down till we see the very spot where it touches the water this side of the distant hills. Few have rendered the poetic beauty of the rainbow more truthfully than our own Mrs. Amelia B. Welby

"Far up the blue sky a fair rainbow unrolled
Its soft tinted pinions in purple and gold;

'T was born in a moment, yet quick at its birth
It had stretched to the uttermost ends of the earth,
And fair as an angel it floated as free

With a wing on the earth and a wing on the sea."

Its significance has been touched by the poet Campbell with a master hand

"

"And yet, fair bow, no fabling dreams, But words of the Most High

"

Have told why first thy robe of beams
Was woven in the sky;

As fresh in yon horizon dark,
As young thy beauties seem,
As when the eagle from the ark
First sported in thy beam;
For, faithful to its sacred page,
Heaven still rebuilds thy span,
Nor lets the type grow pale with age
That first spake peace to man."

A FEW NOTES TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS.-We find it impossible to respond by private communication to the many letters addressed to us. It results not from indifference or carelessness, but the consumption of time it would require places it beyond our power. One says, Please write and let me know if my article is accepted." Impossible thus to accommodate contributors. Another "Did you receive my article sent three months ago?" Very likely, and if so it has taken the regular course. Another-" Please return the article on which I sent you three years ago." Bless you, it was burned up long ago. If you wish to preserve your articles when not published retain a copy. Another Please insert this article in your next number." Can not do it; the last page of the next number is already in type. Another-"I have sent you eleven articles and only two have been published." Yes, and if you had put all the labor bestowed upon the eleven upon the two it would not have hurt them. It is easy to cover page after page with mere commonplace thought, but labor only will make a good writer. Another "Why do you never publish my articles?" Most of them are too long, and all of them are too prosy. Articles for a magazine must have point, pith, "snap" in them, or ten to one they will not be read. Then, too, long articles must be the rare exception. Another-but we must stop.

We have reason, however, to thank our many contributors for their kind consideration. We disappoint none willingly, and we are glad to know that disappointment on their part is rarely taken unkindly.

ARTICLES DECLINED.-The following articles are respectfully declined:

Prose. The End of Human Greatness; A Tempest on the Sea; Love, Fame, and Immortality; God Watcheth Over All; The Poetry of Nature; The Poetry of the Germans; The Girl Infidel; Dreams and Gold; A Memorial Paper; Angel Whispers; Night Brings out the Stars; The Lessons Practiced; A Life Sketch; Marrying a Widower; The Two Pictures, or Taking Down the Old Home; and Wilson Lee. Edgar Allan Poe is a fervid apology for one whose bad life is in sad contrast with his brilliant endowments.

Poetry-Over Half-Way Heavenward; Son, Give me thy Heart; A Dream; The Beautiful World; Gone from Me Forever; My Wife; Sweet Land of Liberty; Watching for Pa; The Soldier's Dream of Home; Thoughts on a Bouquet of Flowers; The Author of my Frame; Alice-a Story; Soldier's Farewell; Passing Away; Grandma's Grave; Jael; Be of Good Cheer; The Angel Flower Gatherer; How Near is Heaven; Music of Spring; On the Death of Rev. Robert M'Reynolds; Lost; Dead; Les Saisons; A Harvest Hymn; The Lost Pearl of Life; The Beautiful Home.

The above is a long list. It shows how large an interest is centered in the Repository. Some will feel afflicted; but we trust none will be discouraged.

BE PATIENT.-Many articles, both in prose and poetry, have passed the ordeal of examination, and are on file for publication. Their number precludes the early appearance of many of them.

MARY E. WILCOX.-This sweet singer and genuine poet is a great favorite with our readers. Two significant cards make the announcement that Mary E. Wilcox is no more- -Mary E. Wilcox, but Mrs. Mary E. Alvord. May new and brighter joys attune the heart and tongue to new and sweeter melodies!

DR. TEFFT A CONTRIBUTOR TO THIS VOLUME.- Our

predecessor, now Consul of the United States at Stockholm, will be a regular contributor to this volume. His situation affords him rare opportunities for a rich series of articles on Scandinavian life and literature. Our readers will welcome him again to the columns of the magazine he edited so long and so well.

PROFESSOR WINCHELL'S ARTICLES.-The lovers of

good reading will be glad to see that Professor Winchell, of Michigan State University, resumes his series

in this number. No one can read those articles without profit. They are written not only in an elevated style, but by one who is master of his subject.

A SPECIMEN NUMBER will be sent to each traveling preacher, to be used in procuring subscribers. Dear brother, if you can not use it thus yourself, do not throw it aside, but put it into the hands of some lady, or other member of the Church, who will canvass your charge. Give them the commission for their labor. There is a general concurrence in fixing the price at $2.50. Now, if we can secure an equally-unanimous concurrence in filling up the subscription lists, the Repository will outride the storm gloriously.