Her after life was something like this experience of her youth. It had its rainy season and its disappointments; it had its rainbow of hope and beauty; it had its winds and its storms; its sunshine and its calms; and it had, too, a still small voice within it singing like a magic bird. By listening to what it said and obeying it, she made it on the whole a life of happiness and beauty. [Illustration] The Electric Telegraph. Most wondrous specimen of art, With Nature’s laws combined, Thou actest an enchanter’s part, Unrivalled in its kind. United, at a moment’s date Two distant spots we see; Whilst time and space, annihilate, Are set at nought by thee. The fabled wonders, which of old Our childhood loved to read, Have scarcely equal wonders told, To match thy light’ning speed. The waive of the magician’s wand Bade distant scenes appear;— Whilst far off lands, at thy command, Obediently hear. O’er miles and miles the message flies; Yet scarcely it is said— When lo!—the listener replies Before a moment’s fled. When shall thy new-found influence cease?— How far will it extend?— Shall not its curious powers increase?— Remotest nations blend. Yet enemies thou needs’t must find— True merit raises spite— Then think of all the foes combined With which thou’lt have to fight: Ambassadors—who’ll be sent back From every foreign nation— With secretaries at their back, All dying of vexation. The post-office destroyed will be— For where’s the use of writing?— While answers will come back to us While queries we’re inditing. Let’s have a talk, then, quite at ease, And gossip while we may; Let’s chat awhile with the Chinese, And jest with Paraguay. We’ll ask a riddle in Peru— Tell tales in Ispahan,— Just speak a word in Timbuctoo— And whisper in Japan. As round the world thy influence rolls, For one, I shall not wonder To find, through thee, the very poles Cannot be kept asunder. [Illustration: A day at the Hall] Juvenile Day at the Hall. An old English Hall is one of the finest and most noble of mansions. Our country abounds with them; and happy may be, I will not say is, he who possesses one. Old Leckford Hall, in Suffolk, and Helmingham Hall, in the same place, have ever commanded my veneration; but there is one, which now shall be nameless, that I used, in my youth, to love to pay a visit to.