t go into the history of the ladies' objections to accepting
these costly testimonials. Mr. Blake pleaded almost as eloquently as
Franklin had done, till at last Franklin "put his foot down," as I
recommend all young husbands to do on such occasions, and showed Mr.
Blake who was master.

Nor was this all either.

A number of years afterward, when Mr. and Mrs. Franklin had returned
to New York, and while the fond wife and happy mother was one day
profoundly engaged in arranging a highly ornamented and curious little
cap, her husband entered with a letter, and read as follows:

TO MRS. CAROLINE FRANKLIN.

_London, Feb_. 10, 184-.

MADAM,--It has become my duty to inform you, that,
by the will of the late Mr. Blake, of the firm of
Blake, Blanchard & Co., you have become entitled to
his blessing, and a legacy of L2500 sterling,
which, upon proving your identity, you can either
draw for on me, at thirty days, or have remitted in
any other way you desire.

I have the honor to be, madam, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
JOHN LOCKLEY,

Solicitor, No. ---- Russel Square.

A FUNERAL THOUGHT.

BY J. BAYARD TAYLOR.

When the pale Genius, to whose hollow tramp
Echo the startled chambers of the soul,
Waves his inverted torch o'er that wan camp
Where the archangel's marshaling trumpets roll,
I would not meet him in the chamber dim,
Hushed, and o'erburthened with a nameless fear,
When the breath flutters, and the senses swim,
And the dread hour is near!

Though Love's dear arms might clasp me fondly then,
As if to keep the Summoner at bay,
And woman's wo and the calm grief of men
Hallow at last the still, unbreathing clay--
These are Earth's fetters, and the soul would shrink,
Thus bound, from Darkness and the dread Unknown,
Stretching its arms from Death's eternal brink,
Which it must dare alone!

But in the awful silence of the sky,
Upon some mountain summit, never trod
Through the bright ether would I climb, to die
Afar from mortals, and alone with God!
To the pure keeping of the stainless air
Would I resign my feeble, failing breath,
And with the rapture of an answered prayer
Welcome the k