future than in the past (although the
war will be prosecuted with much more vigor), their numbers would be
diminished at the rate of at least 12,000 a month. Therefore, as there
are no means of obtaining new recruits, it is clear that the rebellion
must soon fail for want of troops to meet our immense armies. It is true
no allowance has been made for recruits from the Border States; but
these (greatly overestimated) would be more than counter-balanced by the
inability to obtain troops from that large portion of the Rebel States
occupied by our forces, such as all the coast from New Orleans to
Norfolk, nearly all the Mississippi River, and considerable sections of
West and Middle Tennessee, North Alabama, North Mississippi, and
Arkansas. The days of the rebellion, then, are numbered.

* * * * *

Sharpsburg is a name which will be long remembered, and is destined to
be found in many a lay and legend. Among the earliest written
commemorating it, we have the following, from one whose lyrics are well
known to our readers:

THE POTOMAC AT SHARPSBURG.

BY H. L. SPENCER.

Once smiling fields stretched far on either side,
Where bowed to every breeze the ripening grain;
But now with carnage are those waters dyed,
And all around are slumbering the slain.
Patriots and heroes! unto whom in vain
Ne'er cried the voice of Right,--their names shall be
Graved on a million hearts, and with just pride
Shall children say, 'For Truth and Liberty
Our fathers fought at SHARPSBURG, where they fell--
They _bravely fought_, as history's pages tell.'
Not for the fallen toll the funeral bell,--
_Their_ rest is peaceful--_they_ the goal have won.
Let the thinned ranks be filled, and let us see
Complete the glorious work by them begun.

Yes--forward! onward! Let it be complete. _Scripta est_--it is written,
and it will be done. After going so far in the great cause which has
become our religion and our life, it were hardly worth while to retreat.
Life and fortune are of small account now in this tremendous opening of
new truths and new interests. And we are only at the beginning! With
every new death the cause grows more sacred, and the North more grandly
earnest. 'Hurrah for the faithful dead!'

* * * * *

MRS. H. BEECHER STOWE AND THE DUCHESS OF SUTHERLAND.

MY DEAR MRS. STOWE:

Your great work, 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,' will n