"A hap py new year for thee" is the birth of this morning of a new year– a greeting as old as the occasion, but its age is no proof that it is wanting in sincerity or that the wishes of the heart go not with it. Good wishes it is true, cost but little, therefore will I be most bountiful in giving them. May the good you would do others be yours— may thought of evil come not near you—may the lights and shades of life be so mingled that you may enjoy its pleasures without satiety—may know the "uses of adversity"Editorial Note: This is a reference to a quotation from William Shakespeare’s play, As You Like It: “Sweet are the uses of adversity, Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, Wears yet a precious jewel in his head;”. without its bitterness – be able to look into the "dim future" with cheerfulness— review the past without regret.
Alas that so little comes of wishing! else had my past year been one of blessings in answer to your very kind and friendly invocations of last new yearAs Written:new-year. They have not been useless.— to know that others feel pleasure in our prosperity or give their sympathy to our misfortune adds to the one and lessens the other.
As businessmenAs Written:business men at the end of each year adjust their accounts, take an inventory of property on hand and calculate profits or losses so we of the considerate class of mortals, imitate their worthy example. We take an account of our past year's As Written: years doing (insignificant is their sum in the eyes of others) take an inventory of good things in actual possession (may their number never be less!) and strike a balance for or against life according to circumstances. A most contemptable "balance sheet" does it present! Infinitely short of expectation does the result prove, save to those who have learned of that hard-heartedAs Written:hard hearted schoolmaster, Experience, to expect but little.
"Now I would not have you ignorant that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, but was let hitherto".Rom 1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. (For four successive weeks I have been a member of the Sunday school and you see I can quote.) In imitation of Boscawen economy As Written: econemy I have put out my horse for his keeping and am, myself engaged with commendable As Written: commendible industry, in a series of treadmill labors As Written: labours in the shop.
Burns, you know called the toothache "the hell of all diseases"Editorial Note: Scottish poet Robert Burns (1759-1796) called a toothache “thou hell o' a' diseases” in his poem, “Address to the Toothache.”— there is in my opinion one worse— a gripingAs Written:gripeing in the purse!! I, who flatter myself that, were I a millionaireAs Written:millionare, I should be a good citizen and philanthropist, with my name figuring As Written: figureing in all the popular charities of the day, with a long tail of figures attached to it, am likely to live & die unknowing and unknown— and all for want of a paltry million. Dame Fortune, with a perversity worthy her sex (beggingAs Written:beging your pardon) showers her favors on the undeserving, while modest merit (ahem) pines in obscurity. "Many a time" has the contribution box passed round minus the V I (of course) should have been glad to put in, but unfortunately As Written: unfortuneately (for the box) hadn'tAs Written:had'nt it!! "Sweet are the uses of adversity."Editorial Note: This is part of a quotation from William Shakespeare’s play, As You Like It: “Sweet are the uses of adversity, Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, Wears yet a precious jewel in his head;”. I now am satisfied that sawing wood in a winter's As Written: winters morning is conducive to health, and gives one an excellent appetite for breakfast!
.Ten miles' As Written: miles difference in latitude As Written: lattitude makes a world of odds in popular morality and newcomersAs Written:new-comers are obliged to conform. I, who formerly delighted in nothing more than a sleigh rideAs Written:sleigh-ride, a dancing party or game of whist, now discuss with young ladies, the merits of the Sunday preacher or the interests of "our society" Acts of politeness even, to say nothing gallantry, are viewed with suspicionAs Written:suspition. Like the old regulations at Northfield seminary, no young man is allowed to offer his umbrella to a lady in a shower unless he intends to call next day and propose marriage! "O! the times, O! the Customs!"Editorial Note: This is a translation of a Latin phrase, “O tempora, o mores!,” thought to have first been said by Marcus Tullius Cicero.
I received your letterEditorial Note: This letter is not extant. explaining your nonappearance at the time we expected you, and was much vexed at my stupidity in leaving you at Dr Morrills without asking in what train you intended to come. I went to the depot to meet the first train, feeling As Written: feeting quite confident of seeing you, but was disappointed. I turned about muttering– as usual. I still hope to live long enough to welcome you to Boscawen although that may be long enough to satisfy any reasonable person– an age patriarchal indeed.
This letter, commenced As Written: comenced at date has been writtenAs Written:writen journal-likeAs Written:journal lik and I hope you will excuse such a piece of nonsenses As Written: nonsences as other matter is scarce with me.
Let me hear from you whenever you have an hour to devote to