riendship is paramount! Months of
reverses and cares and disappointments are lost in that initial day, whose
span is golden from sun to sun; a lapse to be remembered with quiet
satisfaction in trials to come. Indeed, a moment's reflection will assure
any contemplative mind that resentment is the most pitiful passion that
can agitate the human breast. True, there is such a thing as '_spirit_,'
but how often is it ill-directed! How often magnified by little causes
into an importance wholly incommensurate with the object desired! It is
the province of new-year visits to crush these poisonous weeds of our
path, to quench their noxious tendrils, and to substitute in their stead
the balm of friendship and good-will. For such an object the morning of
the year is most auspicious. The grand festival of our SAVIOUR'S nativity
has but lately ended, and a preservation of the era of good feeling is
enjoined both by Precept and Hope. Who can resist such appeals to that
kindness which increases the happiness of its possessor? With these
reiterated words of counsel and of affection, let us take present leave of
our readers, by wishing them in hackneyed phrase, but with unhackneyed
spirit, a HAPPY NEW-YEAR!

THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN.--We wish it were possible to transfer to this printed
page the beautiful chirography of the annexed communication, which
proceeds from the pen of a lady who, with a few others of her gentle sex,
sat out the reading of the lecture upon the '_Rights of Women_,' by Mr.
JOHN NEAL, at the Broadway Tabernacle last winter, and which was so
heartily laughed at by the press and the town for a day or two after. It
is gratifying to remark that _women_ themselves have been the prominent
satirists of the characteristic absurdities put forth on the occasion
alluded to. But to our fair correspondent: 'APPEAR, bright Spirits of the
ancient Nine! (for you were women, and can well appreciate my appeal)
arrayed in all the panoply of your charms! Thou, MINERVA! aid me with thy
wisdom! Ye, most lovely GRACES! attend me with the power of honey-like
persuasiveness! And thou, JOHN NEAL! arrayed in the drapery of the softer
sex, gracefully to maintain the lofty eminence whereon thou standest,
assist me with the glorious power of thy overwhelming eloquence, while I
assert the high prerogative of Woman! Yet when I dwell on the brilliant
efforts accomplished by thy mighty genius in our behalf, the pen falls
powerless from my despairing ha