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Heads of buffaloes, bears, lions, and tigers, were mounted on every stage-coach, omnibus, and all sorts of vehicles that go on wheels or runners. I do not mean that these creatures were really abroad so uncaged, but lesser animals, you know, sometimes wrap themselves in the skin of the stronger, and go about like the sheep in wolf's clothing.

Among the many who called on my friends Mrs. Barnes and her sister, was the learned Professor Davies. Mathematicians are not always social in their feelings, fertile in imagination, or fluent in speech; but I have seldom met so cordial, warm-hearted, and happy man in conversation, as Professor Davies. Listening to him, you would think he numbers all the fine arts in his string, and his formulas and infinite series besides. By some association, the cause of my blindness was asked; whereupon I told the good Professor plainly, that I believed he had something to do with it; that I strove too hard to see the end of his mathematical course, and after passing many wearisome days and nights with his too fascinating Legendre, Bourdon, surveying, and calculus of radicals, an irritation by weeping and a slight cold darkened my eyes for ever. Now, Carrie, if I could only manage to demonstrate to the Professor, by one of his own formulas, that he was, in point of fact, the original cause of my blindness, I see no reason why I should not send in my bill to him; and how much should it be? Really, one could not think of asking less than a thousand dollars for a pair of hazel orbs, such as mine were, always bright with looks of gladness, to say nothing of their usefulness; and that sum, Carrie, would make me independently rich, -- for you must know, since Mr. Dean sent me to the water-cure establishment, I have learned to live without meat, butter, salt, tea or coffee; quenching my thirst always, as Kirke White says, "luxurious from the limpid wave." And according to Graham's computation, a true vegetarian can fare sumptuously as need be upon fifteen dollars per year; and, certainly, the difference between that and seventy would clothe one and pocket money beside. God grant that little fortune may yet be mine; then I shall be the happiest creature alive.

Well, we had other calls, too; the gallant, the brave, the young, the gifted, and fascinating, all pouring in pell-mell, by the score and dozens, with a "happy New Year" on their lips, music in their voices, and their brows clothed with smiles, new from the fair faces they had just left.

It is astonishing how many words and ideas can be exchanged in a little time when both parties are agreeably excited. Seemingly, in five minutes, Dr. Powers gave us a synopsis of the different modes of observing the day in all the countries of Europe. The polished Marquand introduced us to Paris scenes so familiarly, that we seemed almost enjoying her dazzling fetes. Mr. Humphrey, of Amherst, talked of paintings, then the classics, the land of marvels, and our genius, Powers, in Florence; and lastly, reference was made to the New England festival, where I believe he was toasted "orator of the day." Lawyer Burr had on his sunniest face; though emphatically a man of the world, a calculating and speculative disciple of Blackstone, yet no laugh was so merry as his, and no efforts to please more heartfelt. I envy you such an uncle; and why should I not? Just think of his holiday gifts, Mrs. B---'s hundred dollar ring, and Emma's pearl and feather fan, and splendid books beside.

Sunday morning we went to the Mission Sunday School, the children of which are gathered from the highways and hedges. Could you see these little ones in their cellar homes, and contrast them now in the cheerful Sunday School. The hand of benevolence has washed them from their filth, put on them comely garments, and set their feet in new shoes, and while I listened to them repeating the A, B, C, and reading stammeringly, verses of Scripture, they seemed a cabinet of unwrought jewels, and every lesson a touch from the hand of the polisher, revealing some new and heavenly beauty. The school at present numbers one hundred and fifty-seven, taught and sustained by those of all denominations, who, like the great Teacher of mankind, love to do good. Mr. Barnes, for a New Year's gift, presented each of them, one of Mrs. Sherwood's stories' for children. Poverty is a school, but her discipline is not always healthful to the mind and heart; too often her children become proficients in art and deceit, which they through life practise upon an unsuspecting world. Even there a child, too provident, was found smuggling a second book to sell on the morrow, as she said, for a penny to buy bread. Children can be drawn and kept in the right way only by the cord of love, and their waywardness should be checked by the same. My lips will never cease to whisper blessings on the members of the Mission Sunday School; and may God love and bless them too.

Friend Carrie, believe always, that I love you. With the compliments and good wishes of the season,