The Republican journal., 1874-12-31
Letter From Rockland.


Correspondence of the Journal
RoCKLAND, Dec 2sth.
Since my last, which was your first,
have been solely exercised in divers ways.
IT'S enough for one to stand the strain of
the holiday amusements, such as making
up balance sheets, and answering polite
epistles closing with please remit" that,
like snow flakes, fall gently with the clos
ing year. It's too much OF draught upon
ones nervous system to become the target
for cross fire of holiday gifts, literally
discharged at him by a loving wife (you
know with the consciousness born of ex-
perience, that they are "down in the bill"
Then again ones friends are apt to appear
about this time, with fearful distinctness-
some haven't been visible for year, by
the almanac. IT'S more blessed to give
than to receive" and ones friends are al
ways liberal about their blessings. Bank
accounts don't feel the blessedness.
IT'S with no ordinary feelings that we
step within the charmed circle of holt
day bazaar, and are blinded for moment
by the glittering array of tin horses and
things, that prance in Stannic tableaux be-
fore the bewildered gaze. We hesitate
we are lost. We enter with the determi-
nation of blessing ourselves to the extent
OF seventy-tive cents. We come out, re-
presenting Santa Claus in his picturesque
act OF assuming the general delivery of
the entire sales Of whole toy shop. Ex-
pense, S27.1l But there is something
pleasant after all in a holiday experience.
The selfish crust of society is broken,
acidity becomes neutralized smiles take
the place OF trowns, and we all uncon-
sciously glide into the adagio movement.
What little there is of haste seems only a
spirited leisure. Everybody radiates sun
shine. Even the grave cid Doctor be-
comes .olly-in visions of physc dispensed
after holiday irregularities. Holidays are
the safety valves OF the year-their abuse
only shows them to have been too heavily
loaded The American people have too
few OF them. Their temperate use is a
thing of vital economy, and even the abuse
OF Christmas holidays leads to good re-
sults-the forming of good resolutions
New ears. | have known some thus
formed to be broken, but they don't affect
the merits OF the argument, any more than
the resolution does the one who makes it,
| have had some experience in the manu-
tacture of the aforesaid, and the only eau
ton necessary is that generally given to
Committees on resolutions. by the chief
fugler of political convention, frame
them so they look we'll and don'tmean any
thing. am getting ready to make some
annual resolutions. shall make them
New ears. made them last New Y ears.
| have kept them sacredly-in my diary.
| have been laying in my new stock since
Christmas. As rectifed, they now stand +:
Whereas, in the course of human events
etc. Resolved: that | will abstain from
the Incorporate use OF anything stimulat-
ing, Except red pepper for the year 1875,
unless used as medicine.
Annexation first: The inter probation of
the above is, that in some cases stimulat-
ing remedial agents are allowable Ditto
second Some remedial agents are m ore
| palatable than others A mans own taste
should dictate his choice Mine will. This,
on the reform question, will be quite sutti-
cent Armed with this | can stand upon
my virtuous ''that settles it, and wait
for the Doctor
My second, although not quite IN con-
ventonal shape, refers to my discounten-
ancing any traffic in the above, by refusing
to rent any Of my buildings for its sale
This will be decidedly unmoditied l shall
be firm. immovable, radical | dont't own
any buildings
| think these two resolutions will be
sufficient for years stud y-to thoroughly
understand them. Upon these hang the
law, and the profits accrung therefrom
and upon these have q great many men
hung all their lives, being unable to get
another idea by them. they were wedged
into their intellect SO closely But my
spirits are getting low. When you hear
from me again, Joshua and | will be on
the same footing. What kind of field is
Belfast for temperance lecturer? d.