A future which we can desire for her, can be only indirectly and partially dependant upon any commercial considerations whatever. This fashion of prosperity is after all but, at the best, a convenient soil, in which the foundations of true greatness may be laid. It is curious to observe how the real elements of greatness remain intact, when all the mere surroundings which so impressed the vulgar mind have utterly perished. The true grandeur of Greece remains undisturbed by centuries of poverty, slavery, and littleness. The consequences of the superb force and order of Rome at its best, were going on all the while that Rome was at its worst-a mere jumble of ruins and rottenness. It is remarkable that men who profess to be convinced of their own immortality, should be so prone to regard as visionary, ambitions which a few short years may reveal as the most really lasting and practical portions of our lives. Trade, and the proceeds of trade, can scarcely be conceived of as following us into the mysterious land to which we are surely tending, however much they may concern our present lives. Brassfoundry and electro-plated wares, block-tin and cast-iron holloware will be but of a dubious value in Elysium. It is surely a dangerous and imprudent step to limit our work and our hopes entirely to this world; to make the end of life the striking of a final balance, and to carry nothing forward to eternity. Let us spare no diligence to associate ourselves with work which may be helping to make Birmingham great in the twentieth century, whether we are here to assist in that work any longer or not. The true grandeur and prosperity of our town is such as no competition can diminish, no jealousy malign, and no lapse of time make dim-the greatness of a community whose citizens are bound together in mutual watchfulness and consideration, whose poor are cared for, whose ignorant are taught, whose wealth is liberal, and whose acquisitions are public and magnanimous. It might appear ungenerous to press particular claims upon a town which has already, within the last four years, so nobly contributed out of its own comparative poverty, to special calls. But we must remember that these calls can never cease, except with the cessation of all true advance, and that they must be met, not dutifully only, but with enthusiasm by all who really desire the true prosperity and dignity of our Municipality. Art Gallery, which is the immediate claimant for our help-the Midland Institute, which must probably make the next appeal-these should be fostered, nourished, and supported by all who can honestly afford to help in what is for the good of all, and supported in no grudging spirit, but with the wise munificence which becomes greatness. the Municipality of Florence gave orders to the architect Arnolfo, as to the building of their Duomo, the instructions were that he should make it "the loftiest, most sumptuous, and most magnificent pile that human wit could conceive, or human labour execute; the wisest of the city being of common counsel and consent that the Republic should undertake nothing, unless with the intent to carry it forth from idea into performance commensurate with the grandeur of a soul composed of the minds of the whole community, united and resolved into one single The When will and purpose.' These are glorious words, fit enunciations of a glorious spirit which has made Florence great in defiance of misfortune, and which is competent to make us great in defiance of failing trade and increasing competition. During the years when the very heavens rained prosperity upon us, we have had enough of public meanness and of private ostentation. The taste of them is yet bitter in our mouths, and we shall not easily rid from our memories the remembrance of the multiplied instances in which they resulted in a ruin, which is, at any rate, very seldom to be laid to the charge of a too fervent public spirit. Let us try the other course, and see if we cannot find in uniting private simplicity with public magnificence, more calm, more satisfaction, and more elevation. I can only venture to remind you, in the very briefest terms, that there are still higher paths to greatness than those which depend upon any local consideration whatever. We, who love our town, would pray that she may not only be increasingly prosperous and honoured, but that her prosperity and her honour may arise in large measure from an influence for good, which shall extend far beyond the limits of our own borders. And remembering that they who labour-pray, we would use every effort, and strain every nerve to keep Birmingham still in the forefront of all truly liberal and enlightened progress. Over and over again our town has struck firmly and heavily against some festering form of corruption and tyranny. Over and over again she has flung aside some obstacle which impeded the path of advancing freedom. Were it only that in this town our fellow citizens met to form the forlorn hope of that army which succeded in storming the very citadel of ignoranceand whose victory will soon ensure that every English boy and girl shall at least have their eyes opened to distinguish between good and evil--some greatness would ever attach to Birmingham. But the work is not done while one abuse remains uncorrected, nor are our responsibilities ended while we possess the same means to employ in the cause of right as were possessed by our fathers. Day after day, questions which affect the comfort and the well-being of millions press eagerly for solution, and offer to us fresh fields for honourable distinction. Will the twentieth century find us still without a tribunal whose authority shall be accepted in trade disputes, rather than the idiotic and wasteful arbitrament of a strike or a lock-out? Will it, too, have to confess itself powerless to amend a set of bankruptcy laws, which are little better than an ingenious series of helps to rascality? Will it submit to undertakings which amount practically to monopolies, and the profits of which should be for the public weal, being in the hands of private adventurers? Will it, with calm equanimity, allow the adoption of appliances for the greater security of human life to remain a mere question of dividend between a body of Railway Directors and their shareholders? Will its inventive faculties also be hampered by a patent law, of which it is impossible to predicate whether it be more stupid or more mischievous? One would fondly hope not; and how earnestly would one hope that it may be a Birmingham hero that shall deal the death blow to some of these follies, and a company of Birmingham men who shall rally to his first call. It may be urged that in all this there is a certain amount of narrowness and selfishness after all. I admit it; but the narrowness and the selfishness have, at least, risen far above the foul atmosphere of personal self-seeking. There is a certain esprit de corps which is quite near enough to purity for an imperfect mortal such as myself, and it is to this that I confidently appeal. It has raised the Central Literary Association from the mere dream of four ardent young men to be a great influence in the town, and to be a very nursery of honour and usefulness. It could keep this town great, though all material prosperity forsook it; it is capable of carrying it to a height which is as yet undreamed of. I have no sympathy for that miserable sham, cosmopolitanism, which adopts the phrase of "universal brotherhood" as a diplomatic expression of the fact that it cares for no one in particular. It is possible to dilute the milk of human kindness till there is enough in quantity to splash over a continent, and not enough in quality to nourish a very babe. It is possible to beat out the gold of human love until it is so thin that it is no longer possible even to steal it to a profit. I confess that I, for one, see too much reason to fear that my philanthropy would never be able to breathe at an altitude so lofty, and in an atmosphere so rarified. I must leave the universe at large to take care of itself, so that I can achieve my little share in helping my own town to rise to the spirit of its motto, and to go "Forward"-ever "Forward." Right or wrong, my own "C.L.A.," and my own old town of Birmingham, shall ever find a warmer corner in my heart than any other association, society, or city which earth can boast. God grant that in the twentieth century they may be great, and fair, and flourishing. God grant that you and I may have been here to help, and may be there to see. THE TRYSTING PLACE. O meet me where the willows droop, When in the far-off western heaven, You needs must know that bower, sweet maid, Beside the old mill's shattered wheel, 'Twas there one golden summer's eve, You fondly pledged your troth to me, In vows none else might know. Environed by each other's arms, What ecstacies of bliss Possess'd each breast, as mine to thine That scarce in twain would part, Since then perchance affection's fount Or other lips excite its glow With tender pleadings bold; But mine for thee from frailty free, And I would know if thine as mine Doth yet unchanged remain. Then meet me at the tryst, sweetheart, The trysting place of yore, When slowly sinks the fire-crown'd sun, C. THE QUEEN OF THE FAIRIES. It was good old-fashioned Christmas weather, there was no mistake about it. The snow which had fallen at intervals during the day, and had long ago lost its virgin whiteness from the tread of the countless thousands who daily throng the streets of crowded London, was hardening on the pavement under the influence of the keen night air. Overhead the stars shone bright and clear, and the moon by its very brilliancy made darkness deeper on that side of the road where its beams failed to fall. Here in these side streets comparative silence also reigned, save that from the public-house at the corner you caught the occasional "swish, swish," of the swinging doors, as some customer entered or passed out. Further off still could be heard the rattle of cab and omnibus, as they passed along the Strand; in which thoroughfare business was brisker than usual, for it was not much past ten o'clock, and on Christmas Eve there are presents to be purchased, shop windows, resplendent with gaslight and colours, to be looked at. At some of the theatres it is the opening night of the Christmas Pantomime; in others it is the last night of Pantomime rehearsal, where after to-morrow (Christmas Day) the already overworked fairies will don their glittering spangles and high-heeled boots, tripping once more in full dress splendour through those sylvan glades, which to the eyes of children, and often too, to those of more staid and older people, seem so gloriously real. And in this engrafting of the real upon what is but an optical delusion I do not think there is anything for us to be ashamed of, for I feel sure that that man, woman, or child enjoys himself, or herself, best who goes home with the idea that the prince is an enviable being, or the queen of the fairies, whose head lies not uneasy for the crown she wears, is a sovereign who knows no care. As I pass along, across this hitherto quiet street a bright stream of light flashes, as a door opens, and out pours a troop of noisy children, the fairies of the Pantomime; for this is the stage entrance to one of our great theatres, and these are the Liliputian actors. Sadly miserable little objects some of them looked too, their garments telling a tale of neglected homes, drunken fathers and mothers, or orphanhood and poverty. One little maid, with bright brown eyes and hair, seems to be an object of especial envy on the part of the others, and from the chatter which is going on around her, I gather that she is to be the Fairy Queen. She is very excited herself, and no wonder, for when to-morrow is past and she trips lightly forward amidst the applause of the crowded house, she is to sing a new song, wear a white snowy dress, and best of all, she |