his own features, led into the cavern of Introspection (or Metaphysical Thought). In the Second Part, a youth, in whose features the sleeper again recognizes his "own lineaments," has fallen from a precipice over a raging sea, and, in his fall, has grasped an overhanging branch: the precipice is Scepticism, the sea the "godless deep." While the sleeper is suffering terror at the thought that the youth's hold is loosening as his strength gradually fails, the scene changes; and the interior of a beautiful cathedral unfolds to the view. There a marriage is about to be solemnized, and the sleeper recognizes again his own features in those of the Bridegroom. The Bride is the New Philosophy which is to serve in place of Religion. She is very beautiful to look upon, but, when the ceremony is concluded, she, like Sir Gawain's lady, changes into a mass of loathsome ugliness; and, as the Bridegroom flies from her in horror, she pursues him with hideous laughter, summoning him to return to the embraces of his "wedded wife." Darkness again veils the sleeper's eyes; and the last scene opens, displaying an aged warrior kneeling in adoration within a "ruined crypt." Again the sleeper recognizes, in the warrior's face also, his own features, aged and worn; and, as the old man lifts up his hands towards heaven, he hears the words of prayer rise slowly, embodying a pure and peaceful creed. As a strange unconscious forecast of the course of the writer's own mental life, this poem, whatever its immaturity of style may be, has for me, at least, a deep and abiding interest. But he was still far from any formulated religious creed; far indeed from accepting the theological doctrines of any of the Christian sects or churches. A few days later, he records-"Walked through the Necropolis.' Came to the conclusion that annihilation is more likely to be the end of man than resurrection, at least according to natural analogy; and wrote in consequence the sonnet, 'Yet how is this?" -a sonnet which I here transcribe as it appears after a subsequent revision: "A world of Death! The milky flower-bell, Perish the doubt! Ask thou thy longing soul, With sin, thy yearning for a final goal Where none shall ever droop, or fail or grieve! And the next day, being Sunday, he writes"Went to Church, and exercised the most praiseworthy self-restraint." 1 A neighbouring cemetery.—ED. Self-restraint indeed was necessary in such a place, at such a moment; for his note-book shows that, just about the same time, he and the youngest of the little confraternity of unbelievers were exercising themselves by reducing to a mathematical absurdity, by means of algebraic symbols, the Creed of St. Athanasius. His creed was indeed without form, and void; the exhortation to build upon the basis of the "immortal longing " he had described, was itself a confession of wavering; and the words with which he concludes his journal on the 30th of June, exhibit the utmost point to which he had yet advanced— "END OF THE FIRST HALF YEAR. BLESSED BE THE POWER OF GOOD." CHAPTER VI. 1860, ÆT. 18-19. Continued Convalescence.-Letter II.: Projected Retirement to the County Wicklow; An Idyllic Retreat.-Letter III. : Description of the "Lowland Paradise" of Wicklow.-Delightful Saunterings.-Altadore: Dunran.-Poetical Activity. Letter IV.: More Description.—“ The Ladye's Rock: A Ballad."-Happier Views of Life.-Welcome Change in Character of Poetry.-Letter V.: Good Accounts of Health; Courses of Reading.-On the Mountaintops again.-A Happy Passage of Life Closed.—“Adieu!” [IS physical strength now gradually improving, HTS he could take a short walk almost daily when the rain was not falling, or a cold wind blowing. But the weather had been rather against him. "My health improves almost every day," he writes to his uncle on the 12th May; "but I am still very delicate, as the least breath of sharp wind throws me back. The inclemency of the weather is very much against a speedy recovery; however, in this respect I suffer in common with invalids in every part of Europe, and even in Egypt-if we believe the article in the Times of Tuesday. While I write the rain is pouring down in torrents, shattering the blossoms of the fruit-trees which I view from my window, and creating oceans of sludge on the roadside-miserabile dictu! We hardly have a fine day here in six weeks, and even then the sun hides himself in clouds long before nightfall." But now the summer was brightening as it advanced, and his physician thought it time the patient should move away somewhere, not far off, for change of air. The dear old County Wicklow was the first place in his thoughts, and a pleasant retired spot being chosen there, he writes gaily in anticipation of the move :— LETTER II. (To the Rev. J. E. Armstrong, D.D.) "July 7, 1860... Summer has at last thought fit to make his appearance in this 'ultimate dim Thule,' and is emptying his golden horn on hill and dale. Mr Punch's theory, therefore, about the Zodiacal signs has proved fallacious; at least the celestial tinkers have 'executed their repairs with great expedition,' as the handbills have it. The Doctor has ordered me change of air; he will not, however, allow me to cross the Channel, so I regret there is no prospect of my seeing you this summer. We have fixed upon a spot situated in the most luxuriant region of the County Wicklow ... The surrounding scenery is exquisite, embracing within a [radius] of some ten or twelve miles the Glen-o'-the-Downs, the Devil's Glen, the Seven Churches, &c.—Yours, E. J. ARMSTRONG." In his Diary he marks the day of his removal with a picture of a rose in full bloom, to signify that it was a day of exquisite happiness to him; |