13 DECEMBER 1884, Page 13

Wild cries of stormy petrels on the wave, Skies clouded

o'er, that e'en the wise and brave Shrank, as in dread of great npheavings near : So was it with us, when there met the ear The words that came of old from prophet's lips, As 'mid the lurid light of dim eclipse, " Wail, wail the past ; a brighter dawn is near."* So is it with us : see, in council met, Statesmen grown grey in internecine strife ; And the work speeds apace, with none to let, And the strong nation breathes a nobler life : This is thy work, let those revile who list, Our king of men, our great protagonist.

* ablY0Y, alityom zOr Ia rotaT(4.—./Esch , Agam.