We have then a wonderful estate to be inherited
by an inspired will, and administered upon by infallible
executors, and witnessed by prophets and holy men,
all down in an unbroken line ever since "Abraham
saw Christ's day and was glad." Is not this suffi-
cient for human reason, enough for human hope ?
When divine wisdom deigns to make us partners in
the work of our own redemption, shall we attempt
by our own vain cavils to lock the wheels of bound-
less love ? When we review every system of ethics
or religion which the world has conceived, we fail to
find a parallel to the unity of the provisions and the
administration of this wonderful will. When we



Poetry and Prose of Marie R. Butler. 2oy



think of the compHcations of time and place, and
the varied sl<ill of the many workmen, reverence is
forgotten in a vast surprise that even in the room of
God's providence human hands could have woven so
perfect a fabric, "a garment without seam" from
top to bottom.
2oS Poetry and P7'ose of Marie R. Butler.
LATEST FROM PARIS.
"The very latest from Paris," whether a bulletin,
a bombshell, or a bonnet, becomes at once an object of
paramount interest, a sort of center for the earnest
and intense regard of this young Republic.
With all our American independence and boastful
self-assertion, it is marvelous to behold the humility
with which we lay our convenience, our morals and
our taste, at the feet of Paris.
"The very latest from Paris" is an argument
aeainst which neither wit, wisdom nor religion can
prevail. The most they can hope to do is, to effect
a respectful compromise.
