Thus sang the tortured spirit, while the chant Of the new bridal filled the quivering air. The ring of gold upon the finger placed, The girlish blushes, the groom's joyous smile, Told all was over, and the crowd dispersed: But the high face of the wrung spirit pressed Upon my heart, haunting me with its woe. What was her doom? Was she midst penal fires, Whose flames must burn away the sins of life, The hay and stubble of idolatrous love? Ah, even in its root crime germs with doom! Must suffering consume our earthly dross? Is't pain alone can bind us to the Cross? She worshipped _man_; true to his nature, he Remained as ever fickle, sensuous, weak. 'Love is eternal!' True, but God alone Can fill the longings of an immortal soul: _The finite thirst is for the Infinite!_ JEFFERSON DAVIS AND REPUDIATION. LETTER OF HON. ROBERT J. WALKER. LONDON, 10, Half Moon Street, Piccadilly, _June 30th, 1863._ Soon after my arrival in London from New York, my attention was called, by some English, as well as American friends, to an article which had appeared more than a month previously in the London _Times_ of the 23d of March last. In the money article of that date is the following letter from the Hon. John Slidell, the Minister of Jefferson Davis at Paris. 'MY DEAR SIR: I have yours of yesterday. I am inclined to think the people of London confound Mr. Reuben Davis, whom I have always understood to have taken the lead on the question of repudiation, with President Jefferson Davis. I am not aware that the latter was in any way identified with that question. I am very confident that it was not agitated during his canvass for Governor, or during his administration. The Union Bank bonds were issued in direct violation of an express constitutional provision. There is a wide difference between these bonds, and those of the Planters' Bank, for the repudiation of which, neither excuse nor palliation can be offered. I feel confident that Jefferson Davis never approved or justified that repudiation. What may have been his private opinions of the refusal to consider the State of Mississippi bound to provide for the payment of the Union Bank bonds, I do not know. Yours truly, 'JOHN SLIDELL.'