[2] See "Select Biography," page 199, present Volume of the MIRROR.

* * * * *


ENGLAND IN 827, 1827, 2827.

(_For the Mirror_.)


One thousand years have now elapsed since Egbert laid the foundation of
England's glory, by uniting the kingdoms of the heptarchy. What was
England then? what is it now? what will it be in 2827?

In 827, how confined her empire, how narrow her limits, how few her
resources; the lord and his vassals the only classes of society. In
1827, she may exclaim with the Spanish Philip, "The sun never sets upon
my dominions." How difficult to mention the bounds of her empire, or to
calculate the vastness of her resources! and still more difficult task
to enumerate the gradations of society which modern refinement has
produced. Where will this extended sway, this power, these resources,
and these refinements be in 2827?

"Oh! for the glance of prophet's eye,
To scan thy depths, futurity."


Judging by the fate of nations, they will have passed away like a
morning cloud. Look at the fame of Nineveh levelled in the dust. Search