NEWTON."

The second runs:--

"DEAR MISS ---, i hope you are both quite well in health & your
Leg much better i am happy to say i am getting quite well again i
hope Amandy has reached you safe by this time i sent a small
parcle by Amandy, there was half a dozen Pats of butter & the
Cakes was very homely and not so light as i could wish i hope by
this time Sarah Ann has promised she will stay untill next monday
as i think a few daies longer will not make much diferance and as
her young man has been very considerate to wait so long as he has
i think he would for a few days Longer dear Miss --- I wash for
William and i have not got his clothes yet as it has been delayed
by the carrier & i cannot possiblely get it done before Sunday
and i do not Like traviling on a Sunday but to oblige you i would
come but to come sooner i cannot possiblely but i hope Sarah Ann
will be prevailed on once more as She has so many times i feel
sure if she tells her young man he will have patient for he is a
very kind young man

"i remain your sincerely

"ELIZABETH NEWTON."

The last letter in my collection seems written almost within
measurable distance of the Christmas-card era. The sheet is headed
by a beautifully embossed device of some holly in red and green,
wishing the recipient of the letter a merry Xmas and a happy new
year, while the border is crimped and edged with blue. I know not
what it is, but there is something in the writer's highly finished
style that reminds me of Mendelssohn. It would almost do for the
words of one of his celebrated "Lieder ohne Worte":--

"DEAR MISS MARIA,--I hasten to acknowledge the receipt of your
kind note with the inclosure for which I return my best thanks.
I need scarcely say how glad I was to know that the volumes
secured your approval, and that the announcement of the
improvement in the condition of your Sister's legs afforded me
infinite pleasure. The gratifying news encouraged me in the hope
that now the nature of the disorder is comprehended her legs
will--notwithstanding the process may be gradual--ultimately get
quite well. The pretty Robin Redbreast which lay ensconced in
your epistle, conveyed to me, in terms more eloquent than words,
how much you desired me those Compliments which the little
missive he bore in his bill expressed; the emblem is sweetly
pretty, and now that we are again allowed to felicitate each
other on another recurrence of the season of the Christian's
rejo