All this and more can I shew thee; but I cannot shew thee the nature and origin of the mental conditions, feelings, and affections, of which, directed by a controlling power, I dispose. Seek, then, if thou wilt, what thou wouldst learn, from the messengers of the Most High; with me thou hast no farther concern.'

say

"Thus rebuked, but rebuked in vain, I knelt on the lofty floor and poured out my prayer. O spirits-mighty, immutable, hear ye me— if I may realize the object of my wishesmy inquiries, can they be satisfied-or must I grovel on, ignorant for ever of the knowledge which I would obtain ?" Here a clarion voice pealed from highest heaven-Immortal, yet vain, arrogant, unwitting, thou like others must wait thy time. Whether thy wishes shall eventually be granted, the lapse of countless ages alone can decide. Meanwhile, thou must work, struggle, strive-above all, perform thy allotted task. Ally thyself with one of the busy bands which thou hast witnessed, which thou wilt,

each and all if thou dost choose it, in succession; and as thou dost fulfil thy duties, as thou dost perform thy task, so shall be thy eventual progress and success. Wisdom, by mortal or immortal, cannot be gained short of progressive efforts and experience. Be humble, persevering, strenuous, ambitious of knowledge as much as thou wilt, and each revolving age as it passes by, will leave thee richer in gathering stores than thou wast before. What lies for thee in the fruition of time, it is not for us to declare. Do thou thy part, and the Great Ruler of Events, cannot fail in his, nor we his humble instruments, in ours.'

"I heard the sonorous voice, and bowed in mute submission to its mandates. Again, the silken pinions waved along my shoulders—immortal melodies thrilled through my heart. Without seeking vain, because impracticable, acquirements, I have learnt to content myself with those best suited to my allotted powers. I perform with strenuous energy, my several

duties; and realize, not only comfort and selfapplause, but fragments, genuine though small, of the information I was fain to compass. And I look forward with subdued, although constant hope, that the time, however remote, may come, when all that I have ventured to ask, but more fully and perfectly than I am able to devise, may be yielded to my earnest and chastened prayer."

CHAPTER XVI.

PERKINS' DREAM.

"And they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

"I WAS returning home pretty late, from a visit some miles from Thornley Hall. The shades of evening were closing fast, with a thick drizzling rain and murky atmosphere. I spurred my horse rapidly onward, with the view of escaping the wetting which threatened me, when I was aware of sounds of sobbing and

woe, and looking in the direction, beheld a woman with one child clasped to her bosom, another drawn close to her feet, trying, under the imperfect shelter which a tree afforded, to shield them from the pitiless storm. I instantly reined up my horse. The poor creature whom I now accosted, was decently, but thinly clad. Her gown, which she had drawn up to cover the weeping innocent at her breast, betrayed no flannel garment beneath; while the scanty shawl and bonnet were completely saturated with the dripping moisture.

'Poor woman, who are you, here and alone; and how have you happened to pitch on SO comfortless a refuge for yourself and little children?'

'I am a soldier's widow, Sir. My husband died of dysentery on his way home from the Indies; and I have been inquiring at the nearest post-town whether I could not obtain his arrears of pay. I could not leave my infants behind; they are now hungry, foot-sore, and