We have not only wished to recognize the fact of this struggle as an interior struggle in the individual, but also as passing from the individual to society, and manifesting itself in the perpetual struggle between Rome and the world, which ceases, and can cease, only in proportion as men and society become converted to God, and voluntarily submissive to his law. ------ With Christ. "Having a desire to be dissolved and be with Christ-- a thing by far the better." To die and be with Christ! far better 'tis Than all this world of sin and strife can give, Whose highest boon to those who easiest live Compares not with one moment of heaven's bliss! And to earth's suffering ones, whose hearts are torn With anguish, while their bodies writhe in pain, What joyous sounds are these: "To die is gain!" To leave a world where weary souls forlorn In sinful murmuring wish they ne'er were born. To be with Christ! O words of solemn power To hush the heart-cry! let me hold them fast. If haply I may reach thee, Lord, at last, And, this strange world with all its sorrows past, May learn the meaning deep of each sad, suffering hour! ------ {20} The Managers Dilemma. "I Tell you, child, you can do it; and I say you shall!" The speaker was the fat hostess of a hotel in one of the principal streets of Naples; the time was the summer of 1812. The lady waddled back and forward with an air of importance, her hands on her hips. The person she addressed was a lad apparently sixteen years of age, and very tall and stout for his years. His beardless chin and boyish features, combined with a shuffling bashfulness in his deportment, did not tend to inspire confidence in any great achievement to be expected from him. "But, buona mia donna--" he began deprecatingly. "I am a judge!" persisted the hostess. "Master Benevolo shall find you a treasure, and the jewel of his company! Such a company! The princess is magnificent! Did not the Duke of Anhalt--swear she was ravishing in beauty as in acting, with eyes like diamonds, and a figure majestic as Juno's?" "Superb!" exclaimed the lad. "And such an admirable comic actor; a figure that is one laugh, and a wit like Sancho Panza's; a genius, too, for the pathetic; he weeps to enchantment, and will bring tears to your eyes after a convulsion of mirth. An unrivalled troupe! a coronet of gems--wanting only an actor of tragedy!" The boy sighed, and cast his eyes on the ground. "And you must travel," pleaded the landlady. "You are not safe here in Naples. You may be taken, and carried back to the conservatorio." This last argument had effect. The lad sprang to his feet. "Back to school, to be punished for a runaway--when you might do such wonders! Come, you are ready, I see. There is no time to be lost."