THE LOVE-LETTER "J'ai vu les mœurs de mon tems, et j'ai publié cette lettre." -LA NOUVELLE HÉLOÏSE. IF F this should fail, why then I scarcely know What could succeed. Here's brilliancy (and banter), Byron ad lib., a chapter of Rousseau ; If this should fail, then tempora mutantur; Style's out of date, and love, as a profession, Acquires no aid from beauty of expression. "The men who think as I, I fear, are few," (Cynics would say 'twere well if they were fewer); "I am not what I seem,"-(indeed, 'tis true; Though, as a sentiment, it might be newer); "Mine is a soul whose deeper feelings lie More deep than words "-(as these exemplify). "I will not say when first your beauty's sun Illumed my life,”—(it needs imagination); "For me to see you and to love were one,❞— (This will account for some precipitation); "Let it suffice that worship more devoted Ne'er throbbed," et cetera. The rest is quoted. "If Love can look with all-prophetic eye,”(Ah, if he could, how many would be single!) "If truly spirit unto spirit cry," (The ears of some most terribly must tingle !) "Then I have dreamed you will not turn your face." This next, I think, is more than commonplace. "Why should we speak, if Love, interpreting, Forestall the speech with favour found before? Why should we plead? it were thing, an idle If Love himself be Love's ambassador!" Blot, as I live! Shall we erase it? No ;'Twill show we write currente calamo. "My fate, my fortune, I commit to you," (In point of fact, the latter's not extensive); "Without you I am poor indeed," — (strike through, 'Tis true but crude-'twould make her apprehensive); "My life is yours-I lay it at your feet," "Give me the right to stand within the shrine, Where never yet my faltering feet intruded; Give me the right to call you wholly mine," (That is, Consols and Three-per-Cents included); "To guard your rest from every care that cankers,― To keep your life," (and balance at your banker's) 66 Compel me not to long for your reply; Suspense makes havoc with the mind "(and muscles); Winged Hope takes flight"-—(which means that I must fly, Default of funds, to Paris or to Brussels); "I cannot wait! My own, my queen PRISCILLA ! Write by return." And now for a Manila ! Blank." "Miss Blank," at "C Jemima, let it go; And I, meanwhile, will idle with "Sir Walter"; Stay, let me keep the first rough copy, though— 'Twill serve again. There's but the name to alter ; And Love, that starves,—must knock at every portal, In formâ pauperis. We are but mortal! 1872. A VIRTUOSO BE seated, pray. "A grave appeal”? The sufferers by the war, of course ; Ah, what a sight for us who feel,— This monstrous mélodrame of Force! We, Sir, we connoisseurs, should know, On whom its heaviest burden falls; Collections shattered at a blow, Museums turned to hospitals! "And worse," you say; "the wide distress!" Alas, 'tis true distress exists, Though, let me add, our worthy Press Have no mean skill as colourists; Speaking of colour, next your seat There hangs a sketch from Vernet's hand; Some Moscow fancy, incomplete, Yet not indifferently planned; |