The great difficulty in the way of the smooth working of the grist-tax was the impossibility of procuring the mechanical means of control contemplated by the law; and in point of fact, when it came into operation no effective instrument was in existence. By the end of August 1871, however, matters had changed, and no fewer than 78,250 registering instruments were supplied, and by 1874 the greater number of these _contatori_ were in active operation. The _contatore_, however, does not give universal satisfaction; and Mr Herries thinks that what is wanted to remove doubts as to fair treatment, is some instrument capable of recording the weight or the quantity of wheat ground. Best of all would be the abolition of the grist-tax; but in a country where the mass of the people consume no articles of luxury which can be taxed by revenue officers, and also from whom no direct impost could be exacted, the continuation of the grist-tax seems to be an absolute necessity. SWEET LOVE AND I. Sweet Love and I have strangers been These many years, So many years. He came to me when Life was green And free from fears, These present fears. He came, and for a little space My life was gladdened by his grace; But soon he fled, and joy gave place To grief and tears. 'O Love, come to me once again!' My lone heart sighs, So sadly sighs. 'Recall thy fearless nature, then, Sweet Love replies, Softly replies. 'Thou canst not? Then I cannot be The same that once I was to thee. There's no room in the heart for me, Where fears arise.' A. C. S. * * * * * Printed and Published by W. & R. CHAMBERS, 47 Paternoster Row, LONDON, and 339 High Street, EDINBURGH. * * * * * _All Rights Reserved._ End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Chambers's Journal of Popular Literature, Science, and Art,, by Various