MODERN INSTANCES FROM " FESTUS."
[TO TIM EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]
Ifm,--The Spectator gives every week such admirable articles on war subjects, and inspiring, stimulating words and quotations, that I hope sr few lines from Festus may find an echo in many minds and hearts. The centenary of its author, Philip James Bailey, will be on Saturday, April 22nd :— " Earth is growing ! Bound to march, Stand ye liberators forth ; Wide as Heaven's God-builded arch,
Freedom claims her rule on out?, "—§cene six.
"14911 whom build our love round like an arch
Of triumph, as they pass us on their way To glory, and to immortality ; . . . whose words Haunt us, as eagles haunt the mountain air ; Whose thoughts command all coming times and minds, As from a tower, a warden ; . . . Whose names are ever on the world's broad tongue, Like sound upon the falling of a force;
Whose words, if winged, are with anges' wings ;
Who play upon the heart as on a harp, And make our eyes bright as we speak of them: Whose hearts have a look southwards, and are open To the whole noon of nature."—Scene xvi.
"But no ! the brave Die never. Being deathless, they but change Their country's arms, for more, their coinitry's heart."
—Scene v.
And countless lines in the "Universal Prayer."—I am, Sir, &c., F. C. C.
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