e of the inner world. A dozen yards in front of me,
beside a graceful tree, would stand 'the only.' We would gaze at each
other, with intense scrutiny, for some moments. Each would think, 'There
is plenty of time; it is to last forever.' We would even look about us,
still saying nothing. Being eternally modelled, fitted, fore-ordained,
and predestined for each other, love arrows would, of course, have
pierced our centres of palpitation at the first mutual glance. Still,
though quivering with emotion, neither would be disposed to lessen the
distance. Methought we would even seat ourselves on the mossy banks--the
dozen yards still intervening--and, each leaning back against a tree,
would 'face the enemy'--the eternal joy-sharer, sorrow-sharer, worship,
wisdom, love, pity, wonder, use, sport, hope-sharer; while,
occasionally, a premonitory, prophetic pang of rapture out of the coming
eternities of bliss would thrill through us. I had even a fancy that
there would be no interchange of words, no lessening of the coy distance
of space and manner, during this first interview. 'It is to last so
long! so long!' Again, I fancied that we might sit there only weeping,
as we looked and _loved_. 'So long! so long!' Tender, dewy eyes
wandering naively, innocently, over each feature of face and
form--inquiry, wonder, joy in them--pleased surprise, that such and such
points of the vision should be as they are. Indefinite longings becoming
definite, as all things longed for appear embodied, as faith is lost in
sight. Again, I imagined laconic speech might ensue--like the
single-line dialogue of Greek tragedies. But here the wings of
imagination drooped, and I could only see the separation. She would
glide toward me. Her warm finger-tips would touch my palm, her tender
azure eyes would beam once fully and closely upon me. One moment I would
see the inner heaven opened; and the next--the familiar furniture of my
room would be before me. Thus I imagined. The curious may learn what
actually befell, on a future occasion.

AMERICAN FINANCES AND RESOURCES.

LETTER NO. IV. OF HON. ROBERT J. WALKER.

LONDON, 10 Half Moon Street, Piccadilly,
_January 1st, 1864._

In my third and last letter on American Finances and Resources, the
effect of the substitution of free for slave labor in the United States
by the abolition of slavery was discussed. In that letter it was sho