Fig. 2 has two bands of insertion, surrounded by embroidered muslin frills; the small collar is also edged in the same way. This may be worn with the ordinary V front, or with the square front boddice we have alluded to.
Figs. 3 and 4 are some of the new fashionable undersleeves. It will be noticed that they are very full, and edged with double frills. For further description, see Chit-Chat in December number.
See, in that ray of light that child reposes, Calmly as he a little angel were; And now and then his eyes he half uncloses, To see if his bright visions real are.
But what his visions are God only knoweth, For that sweet child forgets them day by day; Like breeze of Eden, that so gently bloweth, They leave no trace when they've passed away.
'Tis thus that innocent childhood ever sleepeth. With half closed eyes and smiles around its mouth, At sight of which man's sunken heart upleapeth, Like chilléd flowers when fanned by the sweet south.
Sleep on, sweet child, smile, as thou sleepest, brightly, For thou art blest in this thy morning hour; And, when thou wakest, thou shalt walk more lightly Than crownéd king, or monarch throned in power.
One perplexing question is settled, viz., that ninety-nine does not make a hundred. Those transcendentally erudite men who contended that the nineteenth century commenced on the 1st of January, 1800, have at last learned to count correctly. So we may venture to affirm, with fear of raising an argument, that this New-Year's Day, 1851, begins the last half of this present century.
Here, then, we stand on the dividing ridge of Time, the topmost pinnacle of humanity; and, looking backward over the vast ocean of life, we can discern amidst the rolling, heaving, struggling surges, which have engulfed so many grand hopes, and towering aims, and strong endeavors during the world's voyage of half a century, that important victories have been won, wonderful things discovered, and great truths brought out of the turmoil in which power, pride, and prejudice were contending fifty years ago. At the beginning of the century, the stirring themes were deeds of war. Now, the palm is won by works of peace. In 1801, the Old World was a battle-field, the centre and moving power of destruction being placed in London. Now, 1851 finds "the whole world kin," as it were, busy in preparing for such an Industrial Convention as was never held since time began: and this, too, centres in London. What trophies of mind and might will be there exhibited! Not victories won by force or fraud, with their advantages appropriated to exalt a few individuals; but real advances made in those arts which give the means of improvement to nations, and add to the knowledge, freedom, and happiness of the people!