The New Morality, 1874.

They oft recall in haste a happier state , And as the charms of evil on them grow , Sigh vainly for a better " long ago 1 " Many are old time's changes , one by one—The scenes have faded , and the sands which run , From that great hour-glass of earthly life , Bear with them all its joys and all its strife . New viewsnew hopesnew doubts to-day ;

, , appear New creeds confront us with that dinmer ray , AVhich in the shifting feelings of the age In blest confusion fill each dubious page 1 And as their novel views and claims prevail Alike in mythic lay—as startling tale , A new morality proclaims its laws , Unfurls its standard , and asserts its cause .

0 happier days of good old common sense , Of simple truth , devoid of vain pretence , 0 peaceful time , when men could still receive A better law , and in those Words believe , Which in the ages of the mighty past Have ou our world ennobling sanctions cast , Falling in brightening gleams and happy trust ,

Alike on earthly scenes , and graves of human dust And thus it comes to pass that all the while , Tho' wise men listen with a mournful smile , We hear it often said—all means which tend , However bad , to gain a long'd-for end Are just and proper , and that for some good Evil is justified . Thus understood None of the olden great , and ivith a sigh The muse remembers better times gone bye , When neither specious quirk nor gloss debased

Had from the heavenly law its life erased ; But sacred truth , the unfaltering voice of right , Unfailing justice , with its solemn might , Still swayed us all , in loving faith and trust , And men deemed laws were made to make us just Is that the case to-day ? Ah ! who can say , That this delineates our wiser day ? Law still abides in this our happy land ,

Ou vice still censure casts its warning brand , But is there not with many ready heed To new morality ' s all dangerous creed ? AVhich loud affirms that men may now pursue What they profess they think it right to do ? That some may undertake for other ' s now Illegal service , with a smiling broAV , And coolly saywhen men their wrong proclaim

, That principals and not agents are to blame ? Have we not heard , in words that do belong To Sophist school ? that even contract wrong Is justified by subtle pleas which serve to show How knaves and rogues can flourish here below ? And how amid the great eternal scheme , Tho sage ' s wonder and the poet ' s theme , Tho only Basis safe of human laws

, Of holy enterprise , of righteous cause , 'Neath which unfaltering justice has unfurl'd Its sacred banner in this struggling world , There are no limits here to craft or ill The treacherous enterprise , the tainted will , But men will strive enactments to evade , And claim a franchise for each sinful trade , And many a sinful plan and deed of shame

AYill still from others approving sanction claim . MENTOE . [ To be continued . )

Rookstone Priory.

ROOKSTONE PRIORY .

( From Keystone . ) CHAPTER IV . AND LAST . " Heaven bless you both !" Thus spoke aunt Jem , Avith tears in hel * kind old eyesAvhenafter dinnerduring

, , , the evening of that same day , Lowndes told her , Avith a epiiet gladness in his voice , all that had happened in the afternoon by the meandering brook . No thought of a social gulf seemed to enter Mrs . Lorrimore ' s head . Even if it

did , hi the goodness of her heart she said nothing at all about it , more than content that LoAvndes should have chosen a ivife at last , and that the . Avife of his choice should he a lady in every acceptation of the Avord , and also a very dear little girl

into the bargain . Aunt Jem Avas really devotedly attached to the girl Avho had come to Rookstone as her companion ; she had never treated her as a paid dependent , for she had knoAvn from Miss West ' s references that her birth and education had been good , and that she Avas not one Avhit less a lady because she

Avas compelled by necessity to face the u-orld alone , and to earn an honest living in the best Avay she coidd . Aunt Jem found it an easy matter to take the motherless orphan girl hi her arms and AAdiisper hi her ear , " Heaven bless

you , Alice . " With Mrs . Lorrimore's sanction and thorough approval , Alice Avas doubly happy . LoAvndes forgot his terrible affliction in his noAvly-found joy ; and , HOAV that the engagement Avas acknoAvledged ,

he Avould have none but Alice to guide him about . She alone AATIS his constant companion—she alone his staff every-Avhere . Old John Barnes , in the servants' hall , grumbled'finelyabout throAving overboard

, old friends for IIBAV . "But then , " said he , " she ' s a sAveet young creature , and as Avinsome as a sunbeam . No Avonder Mr . LoAvndes prefers to be helped along by her . Yes , bless her heartthe change has made a

, different man of him already . " «• s * * . * * * "Dear Lowndes , " Alice said , timidly , one evening in the Availing summer , Avhen