3-070-495 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The End of the Year: Striking Twelve, 1881. 'For the sake...of one of the greatest blessings of family life... - namely, the genuine sentiment of a heartfelt communion in the highest and holiest affections of which humanity is capable - it is assuredly well that parents and children should be able to partake together, in the sweet quiet of their home converse, some communication of worthy thoughts and devout aspirations, when the clock strikes at midnight to announce the passing of the full-spent year. This appears to be the situation of the amiable domestic party, the father, the mother, somewhat younger than her husband, and the daughters by her side, who have been reading, and sometimes exchanging comments or questions, in the most appropriate and profitable study, till their common occupation is stopped - or is rather suddenly directed to thinking of the solemnity of the present moment - by the sound of the midnight chimes. As in the days long since gone by, The ancient timepiece makes reply, "For ever - never..." Never here, for ever there, Where all parting, pain, and care, And death, and time, shall disappear! For ever there, but never here, The horologe of Eternity Sayeth this incessantly, "For ever - never! Never - for ever!".' From "Illustrated London News", 1881.