When Russia shall have more completely filled up the measure of her civilization, and general intelligence shall have secured the liberty of the subject, and laid forever the ghost of political absolutism, it may become the mission of the younger nation to infuse new life into the political system of Europe. With such a nation on the East, and a great continental policy well advanced in the Western World, Middle and Western Europe could hardly maintain its present divided, discordant, and consequently feeble condition: there must be union then, if not before. With Europe thus united, having outgrown the diplomatic intrigues and exhausting wars of jealous and ambitious rulers, the dream of 'universal peace' may realize the inauguration of its fulfilment, and civilization come to have a meaning which, as yet, is folded up in the bosom of prophecy--the clearer prophecy, we believe, of science and history. We are confident that the prestige of the past and the earnest of the future are for us and our cause; that our nation will not be torn to pieces and sunk to the dead level of political imbecility, but will victoriously avouch the integrity of American unity, and gradually gain the advance in the grand march of civilization, and lead the nations for hundreds of years to come! We may well be proud that we are Americans, and that our lot is cast in these times. Let us never abase our position by the least approach to ignoble compromise; let us shrink from no responsibility; but acquit ourselves as becomes an intelligent people conscious of a noble destiny! THE BIRTH OF THE LILY. The Rose had bloomed in Eden. Odors new Entranced the groves; and iridescent birds, At this new birth of beauty, sudden rose In richest chorus, bearing up the balm Upon their beating wings. The bee had learned The place of golden sweets, the butterfly Loved well to dream within those crimson folds, And Eve had made a garland delicate, Of feathery sprays and leaves and drooping bells, And placed the Rose, the queen of bloom, above The centre of her brow. Thus she bound up The golden ripples that fell down and broke O'er her white breast, hiding the bosom buds, That never yet had yielded up their sweets To the warm pressure of an infant's lip. And Eve had bent above the glassy lake, Smiling upon her picture, pressing close The soft cheek of the Rose upon her own, And praising God for beauty and for life.