Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors][graphic]

JANUARY.

ON a fine, clear, new year's morning, a happy family assembled around the breakfasttable. The residence of Mr. Milton was at a considerable distance from a large town, and every thing out of doors was covered with snow. But bright eyes, and kind hearts, and cheerful fires within, deprived the country of all its solitude, and winter of every thing disagreeable. The evening before, the young people, in imitation of a German custom, had written a number of wishes on small scraps of paper. Of these, each of the family had taken three, and after they had been deposited with care under the pillow, to be dreamt on, they were now produced at the breakfast-table. Each person drew one from his bundle, and this scrap was to be prophetic of his fate for the year. Some of these consisted of the simple good wishes customary at this season; others, of some particular gift, adapted to the wants of the receiver; and some, of a more

refined character, were clothed in poetry. Mr. Milton received the following:

[ocr errors]

"A clear and competent estate,

Enough for every comfort, but not great;
As much as you can comfortably spend ;
A little more, sometimes, t'oblige a friend.”

This was pronounced a very good wish by the whole company; and, Mrs. Milton being desired next to read hers, it proved to be the following:

"He, good to all, who good deserve, shall give
Thy flock to feed, and thee at ease to live."

George, who was of a studious temperament, was not ill pleased to find his paper contained the following lines:

"A silent study, placed

Fitly, with all the noblest authors graced:
For sure no minutes bring us more content
Than those in peaceful, useful studies spent."

Cousin Grace, who lived in the city, but was now enjoying her visit in the country highly, notwithstanding the season, found her wish expressed in this manner:

"Gay hope be yours, by fancy led,
Less pleasing when possessed;
The tear forgot as soon as shed,
The sunshine of the breast."

« AnteriorContinuar »