NATURE AND HER HARMONIES. 51 



be traced to the unceasing antagonism of these two opposite 

 elements of man's nature. Each successive generation marks 

 the victorious progress of the spiritual in the declension of 

 mere animal bulk ; the more delicate and sensitive texture 

 of nervous tissue, and greater frontal development, a falling 

 off in the actual numerical span of life, but a corresponding 

 accession in that which constitutes its true measurement the 

 number, variety and intensity of emotions and thoughts in 

 short, an every-day and increasing recognition of all higher 

 truths. 



Men are beginning now to appreciate the true offices of Im- 

 agination, and to separate them from the monstrous and un- 

 natural paternity of mere machine rhyming ! and to know 

 and feel that 



" A drainless shower 



Of light is Poesy ! 'Tis the Supreme Power 

 'Tis might half slumbering on its own right arm. 

 The very arching of its eye-lids charm 

 A thousand willing agents to obey ; 

 And still she governs with the mildest sway !" 



Now, while we write, in a retired corner of the great city, 

 at a late hour of the night, there is an entire lull of the rum- 

 ble of dray, hack and omnibus wheels, and the glance of the 

 large-eyed moon reflexes coldly from the white cathedral 

 spire that copples sharp in the distance before our window. 

 It ought to be the hour of profound repose when the puls- 

 ings of this mighty heart should be quiet. 



It ought to be, but is it so? We hear through the open 

 windows of the marble palace opposite the favorite air of 

 " Miss Lucy Long," fashionably parodied and a cultivated, 

 clear, manly voice accompanies the soft, shrill treble of some 

 fair warbler. In the street beneath, an unwashed, ragged 

 loafer whistles a vehement " third," and thrums the interlude 

 with his bare heels upon a pine box, which will probably be 

 his roosting-place for the night ! 



