.

THE FALLEN STAR; OR THE HISTORY OF A FALSE RELIGION.
AND the STARS sat, each on his ruby throne, and watched with sleepless eyes upon the world.

It was the night ushering in the new year, a night on which every star receives from the archangel that then visits the universal galaxy its peculiar charge.

The destinies of men and empires are then portioned forth for the coming year, and, unconsciously to ourselves, our fates become minioned to the stars.

A hushed and solemn night is that in which the dark gates of time open to receive the ghost of the Dead Year, and the young and radiant Stranger rushes forth from the clouded chasms of Eternity.