ea. Perhaps the little one, the idol of
the household, whose chirruping voice was wont to set us all
laughing with droll remarks, expressed in baby dialect. How we miss
the little high-chair that was always drawn up 'close by papa!' How
our eyes will swim and our hearts swell up and choke us when we see
it pushed back into the corner, now silent and vacant! Hast thou
not wept thus? Be grateful. Thou hast been spared one of life's
keenest pangs.

Thou speakest well. Dr. Doran has pleased us with his _Table Traits_,
but a great book yet remains to be written on the social power of meals.
The immortals were never so lordly as when assembled at the celestial
table, where inextinguishable laughter went the rounds with the nectar.
The heroes of Valhalla were most glorious over the ever-growing
roast-boar and never-failing mead. Heine suggests a millennial banquet
of all nations, where the French are to have the place of honor, for
their improvements in freedom and in cookery, and Master Rabelais could
imagine nothing more genial than when in the _Moyen de Parvenir_, he
placed all the gay, gallant, wise, brave, genial, joyous dames and
demoiselles, knights, and scholars of all ages at one eternal supper.
Ah! yes; it matters but little what is 'gatherounded,' as a quaint
Americanism hath it, so that the wit, and smiles, and good-fellowship be
there.

* * * * *

It is stated in the newspapers--we know not on what authority--that
Charles A. Dana, late of the New-York _Tribune_, will probably receive
an important appointment in the army. A man of iron will, of indomitable
energy, undoubted courage, and of an inexhaustible genius, which
displays itself by mastering every subject as by intuition, Dana is one
whom, of all others, we would wish to see actively employed in the war.
We have described him in by-gone days as one who was 'an editor by
destiny and a soldier by nature,' and sincerely trust that his career
will yet happily confer upon him military honors. No man in America--we
speak advisedly--has labored more assiduously, or with more sterling
honest conviction in politics, than Charles A. Dana. The influence which
he has exerted has been immense, and it is fit that it be recognized.
Men who, like him, combine stern integrity with vigorous practical
talent, have a claim to lead.

* * * * *

Among the most striking songs whi