New-York daily tribune., 1854-07-18


able light his character, than the following, which
ddressed to his wife, on her birthday, from Wash
D, in the winter of 1907, and has never before ap
d in print. We copy it from bis autograph, pre-
d among the most curious and valued treasures il
ossessicn Of one of his surviving intimate friends:
WINTERS DAY. TO LOUISA.
FRIEND of my bosom wouldst thou know
How, far from thee. the days l spend,
And how the passing moments flow,
To this short, simple tale attend:
When first emerging from the East
The sunbeam flashes on my curtain,
start from slumber's ties, released,
And make the weather's temper certain.
Next ON the closets shelf seek
Ny pocket Homer, and compel
The man of many wiles, in Greek,
Again his many woes TO tell.
How true he points the scenes Of life
How sweet the poets honest prattle
Far sweeter than fierce Illium's strife,
And never-ending fields of battle.
At nine, comes Moses to my door,
And down stairs summons me with ease,
But on my neighbOr calls before,
And knocks, Miss Kitty breakfast please y
Again, he louder knocks, and stronger,
Till Kitty answers, "Comlng, Moses"
And then, in half an hour or longer,
Comes Kitty, just as breakfast closes
Then forth sally for the day,
And, musing politics and rhyme,
Take to the Capitol my way,
To join in colloquy sublime.
There, with the fathers Of the land,
mix in sage deliberation,
And lend my feeble voice and hand
With equal laws to bless the nation.
The labors of the Senate DER,
Again, with solitary pace,
Down TO Potomac's glossy floor
Ny mornings footsteps retrace;
And oft, detected or elate,
With painful or with pleased reflection,
IN thought renew the days debate,
And canvass votes for retrosPection
At home find the table spread,
And dinners fragrant steams invite
But first the two.told stairs tread
NY atmospheric tale to write;
Then, seated round the social board,
We feast till absent friends are toasted
Though sometimes my delays afford
The beef or mutton Over-rOasted.
In bounces johnson from his school,
A dog-eared Webster in his hand;
Repeats his daily studied rule,
And next his mother takes his stand
With looks of pure, maternal bliss,
Mamma says "JOhn, wilt have an appe!"
And on his cheek imprints kiss
His cheek, which rose and lilly dapple.
Soon little Mary, too, they bring;
And now, we practice every vile,
And clap our hands, and laugh and sing,
To catch that heaven, an infants smile.
Meantime, an apple pcaring whirIed
Thrice round the head, with mystic ditty,
A. <l... paf ia1
FOretells her future lord TO Kitty
Al eve approaches ascend,
And hours of solitude ensue;
To pubic papers l attend,
Or write, my bosom friend, to you.
Gaze at the fire with vacant stare,
Suspended pen and brow contracted:
Or, starting sudden from my chair,
The chamber pace, like one distracted
] see the partner of my sosl,
Ihear my darling children play
Before me airy visions roll,
And steal me from myself away
Not long the dear dclusiOns last,
Not long the lovely forms surround me;
Recovered, eyes too soon cast
And all is solitude--around me
Nv heart a short depression feels,
And, throwing straight aside my peh'
I take the volume that reveals
Their duties and their hopes 10 men.
Yes wherefore should not confess
This book, of sacred inspiration,
Yields to my bosom, in distress,
Both fortitude and consolation
Anon. the supper's bread and cheese
Begins, with grave and solemn iace'
Till silence, yielding by degrees,
The festive spirit takes its place;
Good humor comes, with waggish mein'
And shakes his sides with laughter hearty
And satire's face is not unsees,
Reflected from the last nights party
At last, dispensing, we retire;
Again, the glasss state learn,
Then, for the night, compose my hre,
And to my lonely couch return:
Then, for my wife, my boys, my friends
Imploring blessings without number
Even while the vow to heaven ascendS
My sense dissolves in peaceful slumoer'
Thus in succession, pass my days, :,
While Tine with hagging pnon Mes,
And still the promised hour delays
When thou shalt once more charm my eyes
Louisa, thus, remote from thee,
Still something to each joy is wanting
While thy affection can, 10 me,
Make the most dreary scene enchanting,
ssa's Birthday, February i2, 1871 J.