TUE BOY-HUNTER. 61 



mui'der on our red right hands, and fly from our darkened 

 brows, — that the archangel of our birth has been dethroned, 

 and that shining Presence, once uptui-ned over them in 

 blessings, as a God, become terrible in wrath ! Yet are we 

 monarchs still, and yearn towards our ancient subjects, though 

 it be in empty mockery of state. In our domesticated crea- 

 tures we call them around us once again to feed from our 

 hands, though they be rather as the captives of our will, the 

 slaves of our necessities, than as loyal subjects in the bonds 

 of love. 



What wonder that the man seeks savage compensation for 

 the loss of empire ? What wonder if, in the shadow where 

 he walketh now, those mighty memories turn his heart to gall, 

 when he looketh out upon his subjects, shining sleek, in beauty 

 and in strength, amidst their sun-lit plains ; and they regard 

 not his voice, lifted up as of old, to call them to his feet ? 

 Is it strange that, in the bitterness of quickened wrath, 

 his fierce pride turn upon them, glorying in the strife of 

 will with will, and strength with strength, to overtake them 

 in their vaulting freedom, and grimly laugh amidst their 

 slaughter ? 



Yet are they co-mates and sharers of the sun with us, and 

 dark, unnatural passions cannot always shut them out from 

 the full circle of our sympathies. Childhood has yet a birth- ' 

 right of innocent illusion ; and while its ethereal haze lingereth 

 over all things in enchantment, we may at least believe and 

 love ! 



We become curst and harsh with dwelling forever amidst 

 false hopes and care-weighed aspirations, and therefore is it 

 sad, indeed, when we outgrow that charming Faith of innocence, 

 since by it do we hold eternal youth. In its deathless happi- 

 ness it takes us forth into this marvellous outer world to grow 

 strong again in wondering, to freshen on the loveliness, and 

 grow mirthful Avith its gay and careless lives. Here are beings 

 infinitely numerous, who breathe and move by the same laws 



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