Year: 1877




Mr.. Clairmont's mansion, awaiting the
pleasure of its fair mistress. She soon
appeared, breathing fresh summer up
on the cheek of winter, and yet looking
like his youngest daughter, so be-furred,
and be-tippeted and be-cloaked was she.
Still, through all, you could see the
graceful outline of her shape, while her
happy face glowed through her world of
habilaments, like the sun through eve
ming clouds. The moon would, perhaps
be more appropriate, but the sun is
more splendid simile-so let it stand.
She was soon by the side of Ingram and
they were rapidly careering away to-
ward the North Square. A very few
minutes brought them to the TendezUOns
where they found large company of the
elite of the garrison and the towns peo-
pie, preparing for n merry scamper
round the town. There were large
sleighs drawn by two, and some by four
horses, containing parties, which, like
the family party of the Vicar of Wake
field, if they did not have great deal of
wit, they had great deal of laughing,
which answered hepurpose justas well.
There were not wanting modest single
sleighs, like that conveying our hero
and heroine, which, if not as well adapt
ed for frolic as their larger companions,
were better calculated for sentiment and
for Irritation. After the usual time had
been wasted in waiting for loiterers, and
adjusting where every one should go,
the procession set forward in due order,
the large sleighs taking the lead, and the
more unpretending vehicles followingin
due succession.


Aha! what merry jingling of bells
and ringing of laughter resounded
through the streets of Boston, as the
horses dashed through them making the
earth resound with their tread. 1t was
sound of merriment that Jared graf
ingly upon the ears of many an unwil-
ling listener, separated by the siege from
beloved hearts, and suffering, perhaps,
from cold in the depth of that dreadful
winter, or with hunger, within the
sound of the revelry of their oppressors.
To many an ear the sweet bells seemed
tangled, out of tune, and harsh" But
what was that to the jewellers? What
cared they for the pining of rebel heartsp
Away away up Hanover street, down
Queen street, through the succession of
streets now all amalgamated into Wash
ington street, up to the lines on the
Neck How the cracking snow gilt
ters in the light of the full moon What
a volcanic effect do the rebel watch-fires
give to the lonely hills in the distance
You can hear the very hum of the camp
SO near are you to it. And you have
the pleasing uncertainty as to how soon
battery of cannon may open upon
| you, or shell be sent to convey to you
the compliments of those who are knock
ing at your gates. But what of that?
| Away away! Back again to the Com
mon-round it-and then dash down to
the line of wharves that enclose the
harbor, look out over the frozen sea, and
| then round again across the desolate
fields, which are now all populous streets,
or crowded marts. Oh it was merry
drivel What though the hardships of a
seven years. wars, CHASTITY wounds and
grisly death, awaited some of the revel-
lers, and the bitterness of disappointed
hope, and of interminable exile, was the
appointed lot of Others? They knew it
notl That glittering night was theirs !
And who has more?


There are worse places for Irritation
or a tete-a-tete, let me tell you, than a
sleighing party. Especially where you
have sleigh to yourselves. The noise
and hustle isolates you so completely.
And then the bear-skins roll you up to-
gether so comically, that positively you
sometimes mistake your neighbours hand
for your own It's very odd--but oft is.
Poets may talk as much as they please
about summer moons, but have known
quite as much mischief done under win
ter moons. And if had daughter, L
would quite as soon trust her with q
detrimental in summer grove, be-
side murmuring stream, with the very
best moon that was ever manufactured
hanging over their heads, as / would in
a snug sleigh, behind good horse, max
ing good time over ringing road, in a
cold, clear, sparkling night.


" Now ponder well, ye parents DEAR"


And lay these, my words of wisdom, to
heart.


Helen and Ingram, you may be sure,