leaf to read them," is considered so indispensable in these photographic days, that I make no apology for sending you an album in which to enshrine them. The styles of photographic albums are so various, that it is difficult to make a selection, but I hope my choice will please you. Hoping that you will soonfill the leaves with friendly physiognomies -(shall mine be one of them ?)—I remain, with best wishes for your health and happiness,

TO MISS ALICE MALTON, Germantown, Pa.

Truly yours,

ALFRED WRIGHT.

Reply to the Above.

GERMANTOWN, Jan. 3d, 18--.

MY DEAR SIR,-Shall I say that the photographic album with which you have presented me is the very thing I was longing for? I will say so, for it is the simple truth. A thousand thanks for the handsome volume, and be assured that I shall take great pleasure in placing the likeness of the donor on one of its leaves.

What a satisfaction it is to have the shadows of friends who are scattered hither and thither in different parts of the world, all grouped together in a book! Really it is the next thing to having them with one in their own proper persons. Again thanking you, I remain, with best wishes,

Your sincere friend,

TO ALFRED WRIGHT, ESQ., Philadelphia, Pa.

ALICE MALTON.

Another Answer, from the Father of the Young Lady.

GERMANTOWN, Jan. 3d, 18-.

MY DEAR MR. WRIGHT,-Alice is delighted with her album, and has embellished the first page with your photoDoubting her ability to give adequate expression

graph.

in words, to the sense of the obligation, she has charged me to use all my eloquence, in tendering to you her thanks. When a woman doubts her powers of language, you will readily understand that her sense of the obligation is quite overwhelming. Yours very sincerely,

TO MR. ALFRED WRIGHT,

HERBERT MALTON.

No. Chestnut St., I'hiladelphia, Pa.

Friendly Congratulation on the New Year.

OAK HILL, Jan. 1st, 18-.

DEAR MRS. DONNELLAN,-Though there is no day in the year in which one does not wish all happiness to one's friends, this is the day in which the heart goes forth in particular vows and wishes for the welfare of those we love. It is the birth of a new year, whose entrance we would salute, and hope auspicious. Nor is this particular mark of time of little use; it teaches us to number our days, which a wise man thought an incitement to the well spending of them. and indeed, did we consider how much the pleasure and profit of our lives depend upon the economy of our time, we should not waste it, as we do, in idle regret or reflection on the past, or in a vain, unuseful regard for the future. In our youth, we defer being prudent till we are old, and look forward to a promise of wisdom as the portion of latter years when we are old, we seek not to improve, and we scarcely employ ourselves; we look backward to our youth, as to the day of our diligence, and take a pride in our laziness, saying, we rest, as after the accomplishment of our undertakings. We ought to ask for our daily merit, as for our daily bread. The mind, no more than the body, can be sustained by the food taken yesterday, or promised for to-morrow. Every day ought to be considered as a period apart; some virtue should be exercised, some knowledge improved, some pleasure comprehended, in it. Many

look upon the present day as only the day before to-morrow, and wear it out with a weary impatience of its length. I pity those people who are ever in pursuit, but never in possession. I would wish myself as little anxious as possible about the future; for the event of things generally mocks our foresight, eludes our care, and shows us how vain is the labor of anxiety.

May the sun every day this year, when it rises, find you well with yourself; and, at its setting, leave you happy with your friends! I am sorry you have been low-spirited, but I can never like you the less for it. Mutual friendships are built on mutual wants; were you completely happy, you would not need me; imperfection wants and seeks assistance. I am, dear madam, etc.,

TO MRS. SARAH DONNELLAN,

ELIZABETH ROBINSON,

"The Priory," Hackensack, N. J.

A Young Lady congratulating an Aunt on her Birthday.

MADISON SQUARE, NEW YORK, Jan. 10th, 18-. MY DEAR AUNT,-To-morrow will be the fiftieth anniversary of your natal-day, and I should do injustice to my feelings were I to permit the occasion to pass without expressing my sincere congratulations, and wishing you many happy returns of the joyous day. Aside from the near tie of relationship which exists between us, I shall ever cherish, with feelings of gratitude and affection, the remembrance of the very many favors and kindnesses I have receeived at your hands. Consequently, it is only natural that I should feel a grateful interest in each return of this happy anniversary. Fortunate, indeed, shall I esteem myself if, at your age, I can review my past life with equal satisfaction; for after all, there is no happiness so complete as that afforded by looking back upon a well-spent life. Birthdays are the milestones which mark the progress of

the traveler along the difficult high-road of life, and happy is the individual who can pass each one without a sigh of regret, or a feeling of mistrust in the future. best wishes for your future happiness, I remain, Your affectionate niece,

With my

KATE MASON.

TO MRS. CHARLOTTE TEMPLE, Tarrytown, N. Y.

To a Friend, on the Anniversary of his Birthday.

WEST THIRTY-FOURTH ST., NEW YORK, Oct. 16th, 18—. MY DEAR HARRY,-Birthdays may be called the milestones in life's journey, and as you reach another of these anniversary land-marks to-day, permit me to congratulate you on having traveled thus far in safety, and to wish you, with all my heart, many similar opportunities of receiving the good wishes of your friends. That your future years may glide happily away, without care or sorrow, is the sincere prayer of, Yours most sincerely,

TO MR. HENRY WARWICK, Yonkers, New York.

ARCHIBALD GLENN.

Reply to the Above.

YONKERS, Oct. 18th, 18

DEAR ARCHY,-Congratulations that come from the heart, as I am sure yours do, are always welcome. I scarcely know, however, whether we ought to be complimented on growing older, unless we grow wiser and better as well. Nevertheless the custom of receiving the felicitations of one's friends and acquaintances, on having made another step toward the goal, is decidedly an agreeable one, and I thank you most cordially for your kind note.

Your obliged friend,

HENRY WARWICK.

TO MR. ARCHIBALD GLENN,

No.

West Thirty-fourth St., New York.

To a Friend, on a Sudden Accession of Fortune.

WALNUT ST., PHILADELPHIA, June 1st, 18~

MY DEAR HARPER,—Sometimes Fortune bestows her favors on the undeserving; but nobody will venture to say that she has made such a mistake in your case. I congratulate you on the possession of your newly acquired wealth. It could not be in better hands. Long may you live to enjoy it and do good with it. The esteem in which I have always held you could neither be increased nor diminished by any change in your pecuniary circumstances, but I am glad to have such a pleasant opportunity of subscribing myself, as heretofore,

WEST TWENTY-THIRD ST., NEW YORK, June 5th, 18—. DEAR WILL,-Your friendly letter has just reached me, and I hasten to thank you for the sentiments it expresses. A sudden accession of fortune is certainly not an unpleasant surprise, but after all I would much rather have warmhearted friends than riches. Affection and sympathy are better than gold, and they are blessings which gold cannot purchase. I hope that I shall never use unworthily the means which Providence has placed at my disposal kindest regards,

I remain, dear Will,

With