_Mr. Gryll._ As for the tribulation coming on the earth, I am afraid there is some ground to expect it, without looking for its foreshadowing exclusively to the Apocalypse. Niebuhr, who did not draw his opinions from prophecy, rejoiced that his career was coming to a close, for he thought we were on the eve of a darker middle age. _The Rev. Dr. Opimian._ He had not before his eyes the astounding march of intellect, drumming and trumpeting science from city to city. But I am afraid that sort of obstreperous science only gives people the novel 'use of their eyes to see the way of blindness.'{1} Truths which, from action's paths retired, My silent search in vain required,{2} 1 Gaoler. For look you, sir: you know not which way you shall go. Posthumus. Yes, indeed do I, fellow. Gaoler. Your death has eyes in's head, then: I have not seen him so pictured... . Posthumus. I tell thee, fellow, there are none want eyes to direct them the way I am going, but such as wink, and will not use them. Gaoler. What an infinite mock is this, that a man should have the best use of eyes to see the way of blindness! --Cymbeline: Act v. Scene 4. 2 Collins: Ode on the Manners. I am not likely to find in the successive gabblings of a dozen lecturers of Babel. _Mr. Gryll._ If you could so find them, they would be of little avail against the new irruption of Goths and Vandals, which must have been in the apprehension of Niebuhr. There are Vandals on northern thrones, anxious for nothing so much as to extinguish truth and liberty wherever they show themselves--Vandals in the bosom of society everywhere even amongst ourselves, in multitudes, with precisely the same aim, only more disguised by knaves, and less understood by dupes. _The Rev. Dr. Opimian._ And, you may add, Vandals dominating over society throughout half America, who deal with free speech and even the suspicion of free thought just as the Inquisition dealt with them, only substituting Lynch law and the gallows for a different mockery of justice, ending in fire and faggot. _Mr. Gryll._ I confine my view to Europe. I dread northern monarchy, and southern anarchy; and rabble brutality amongst ourselves, smothered and repressed for the present, but always ready to break out into inextinguishable flame, like hidden fire under treacherous ashes.{1} 1 ----incedis per ignes suppositos cineri doloso. --Hor. Carm, 11. i. _Mr. MacBorrowdale_. In the meantime, we are all pretty comfortable; and sufficient for the day is the evil thereof; which in our case, so far as I can see, happens to be precisely none. _Miss Ilex._ Lord Curryfin seems to be of that opinion, for he has flitted away from the discussion, and is going down a country dance with _Miss Niphet._.