So changes the world, and the men that are in it, That those whom we hail as our equals, one minute, We pass by the next with a very cold stare, And gruffly inquire who the d--ickens they are. From the past to the present--to close our review-- From the pawnbroker's shop to the Fifth Avenue, To the parlors so full of _objets de vertu_, And furniture most undeniably new, Where on tapestry carpets the foot softly falls, And family portraits look down from the walls, Of martial old grandsires and stately old dames; Which, bought cheap at auction, and set in new frames, And dubbed with high-sounding and fanciful names, At peace after many of Fortune's mutations, Look impressively down on their new-found relations. There's Sir Arthur Fitz-Herbert, an old English knight, Who won his gold spurs in a hardly-fought field, Where he rescued the life of the gallant Black Prince By receiving a blow meant for him--on his shield; Of which glorious action, so well worth attention, Not a single historian makes any mention; Though by family documents amply attested, In possession of those who are most interested. Then there's Lady Fitz-Herbert--a Queen's maid of honor, Who spent her chief time in attendance upon her; And when the Queen left on a visit to Calais, Remained in sole charge of--the plate and the palace. All which, the Fitz-Herberts may justly lay claim, Invests with proud honor the family name. There is something that puzzles me, let me confess-- Why these rare old antiques wear so modern a dress! Unless, like the comet which now reappears, For the first time, I think, within hundreds of years, So fashions in dress run through regular courses, And strictly obey the mechanical forces. Let me hereby suggest that some almanac-maker, In his very next issue but one, undertake a Brief record of Fashions that may reäppear In the course of the next or the following year. With what eager eyes would our wives read, be sure, About--this--time--expect--a--new--style--of--coiffure, A black lace Fichu under dark satin loops; Or, more ominous still, a recurrence of hoops! Attended, perhaps, by the brief intimation, Based upon strict and exact calculation, That the first would enjoy but a limited reign, as It was looked for next year in far-distant Uranus; While the last had intended to visit us sooner, But tarried a while with the ladies of Luna.