dreams which enter Halbert Melville’s long shut chamber, welcoming its old dreamer back again--dreams which float about Christian’s resting-place--above the fair head laid on Christian’s shoulder, calm as in the happy days of childhood; sweet, hopeful, cheering dreams, that open up long vistas of indistinct and dazzling brightness, all the brighter for their glad uncertainty before their eyes, and fill the hearts which tremble in their joy with a sweet assurance that calms their fears into peace. Even Ailie dreamed, and her visions were of a gay complexion, fitting the nature of her doings through this eventful day, and had various anticipations of bridal finery floating through them. Nay, the very wind which whistled past Mr. Melville’s roof-tree had a language of its own, and admirable gleesome chuckle, which said plain as words could speak that happy as this night had been beneath it, there would be merrier, happier doings here next new year’s day. [Illustration: text decoration] CHRISTIAN MELVILLE. EPOCH V. Sweet is the sunshine lacing with its light, The parting storm-cloud after day of sadness; That ere the even darkens into night O’erflows the world with glory and with gladness; But sweeter is the flood of pleasantness, That breaks at noonday through the clouds of morning, While yet the long glad hours have power to bless, And the earth brightens ’neath its warm adorning Of scattered sunbeams. So their fate excels In blessedness, upon whose noonday story The heavenly sunshine of God’s favour dwells, While yet their tongues are strong to speak His glory; And blessed they, O Lord! who, saved and free, Stretch out compassionate hands to draw men near to thee! [Illustration: text decoration] CHAPTER I. They thicken on our path, These silent witness years; A solemn tenantry, that still land hath Wherein were spent our bygone smiles and tears; Graven on their secret tablets silently, Stand deed, and thought, and word, Beyond the touch of change or soft decay, ’Stablished perpetually before the Lord! * * * * * Season of labour, time of hope and fear, Kind to our households let thy varyings be; With thee we give a sigh to the Old year, And do rejoice us in the New with thee.--Y.S.P.