Accustomed to analyse my feelings, and bring to full sunlight review my motives, on all occasions, those I have had this night, I have mastered and unfolded as does the antiquarian the charred scrolls of that city, buried eighteen hundred years ago beneath the lava of Vesuvius; and I find my feelings, perhaps, too much like the scroll.

My spirit, good night! for my body, wearied with the day's occupations, my mind with the night's excitement, will soon be lulled to sleep, and my soul keeping watch through the wakeful memory in dreams, shall bear the night's sweet maiden to the land of the Houries.

DECEMBER 19th.-The universal emotion, hope, in its nature, and effects, appears to me very queer; for, observe its influence on different individuals. With some, for instance, it is a mere pleasurable elevating of the spirit, and partakes of the nature of the warm bath to the body; with others it is violent, it is a hot-bath feeling; and, with others again, it is a cold bath. Some, from their peculiar nature, indulge it for a short time; others, again, for a length of time. With the former, it is a sudden concussion; with the latter, soothing in its effects: and while it takes hold on the man, is so diffused through his nature, as not to consume him entirely. I have always been uncertain as to which sort my emotion belongs. The hot I esteem too potent-the cold too revulsive; therefore, I have decided that mine must be of another and very different kind— perhaps the vapor-bath order. But, like all else about myself, to myself this is not plainly understood, and it becomes necessary that I go to the moral bagnio physicians for an explication of my hopeful nature; and when I find it out, I will notch it down here in my "confessions," that should I recognize a vari

ation from the decision of these physicians, I may surmise that all they say tends not to the pale of truth. Physicians are great humbugs; and they show it sadly when they attempt tn explain moral diseases, of which there are the greater number on physical grounds, and still more when they endeavor to render evident that which they do no more comprehend than we, the poor patients about to be experimented on. On the occasion of calling in one of these, if you will observe, they look very wise and thoughtful; and when comes forth, with a serious air, the result of their great cogitation, and their profoundly hidden ratiocination, the very important word, "CALOMEL!" there must be no wag by, neither one who appreciates the profoundly serious air of folly, of dogmatism, of empiricism, or there will be shrewd and doubting glances and smiles, if there be not a roar set up. But, perhaps physicians are not greater humbugs than men engaged in other pursuits. Merchants are great humbugs; lawyers and priests are acknowledged humbugs; and what man, when stript of art, is not a humbug? Therefore, I do not argue against humbugs, because I consider humbugging the ground of success in all trades, professionsin everything.

But hope! sweet hope! why it is, I cannot say, but to-day, I have thought more than ever of the pleasure thou hast afforded me; which is surely of no ordinary kind; to-day I can freely forgive thy frequent deceptions, the realization of thy promises reflects so brightly, that I can even forget the disappointments thou hast given me, and am willing to be thy idolater even after thou hast caused me much pain! Who ever deserted thee, oh hope? have not men rather, at times when thou wert most unkind, invited thee to return again, and take command of

their souls. Thine is the only shrine at which I ever bent the knee in fervor-thou art the only one from whom I would receive more than one repulse. What a world of idolaters thou hast! and in their constancy through reverses, they remind me of the fond wife who clings to her drunken husband, through all his unkindness; who is still looking forward to the time when he may become sober, and reward with an heavenly kindness her madly sacrificing devotion.

Many, Hope, are the votaries of thee I have had the good fortune to meet, and converse with; and how I have admired their devotion-I say it, that up to this time, no such fidelity, no such pure fondness and adherence have I known equal to that paid to thee.

very little boy, when I go

I once asked a little factory boy, whom I met on his way to his home, from the labors of the day, if his wages were sufficient to support and make him happy? The little fellow said, "My wages are very little, but I am a older I shall receive more and more, and when I become a man I shall make enough to help father and mother; and sister shall not work; and I will get married and live in a great house, and be happy." Said I, to myself, thou art blessed, little boy, for thou hast found a great friend in hope; and I turned to him, and that I might in no degree mar his prospects-though I always doubt the realization of hopes-small though they be even as this little boy's-and said "You will enjoy all of these, if you are a good and honest boy"—and he left me, saying Yes, sir, when I am a man, I will be very happy." Ah! thought I, to myself, you may be very miserable too; though I would not tell you I thought so for the world. Farewell, little

fellow.

At another time, I sat on the bench of a little dwarfish shoemaker, while he mended my shoe, and I conversed with him concerning his trade" I do a good business," said he, "but what a hateful life is a shoemaker's? always confined to his bench-a slave to every creature who wants his worn out soul mended." I said to myself, thou art a wit, and can laugh, or make others do so, if you are not pleased with your vocation : then, said I to him, "can you find no other occupation, more suitable to your taste and feelings." Yes," said he, "I had thought I would remain at my trade and study and become like some of my brother cordwainers, a great man.” Said I, "have you a desire to become great?" "I shall be more than I am now, sir, if I am only a magistrate—it is true, I can wish but hardly hope to be a scholar or a statesman. Your shoe is done,

sir, and you are going to be great sir, are you not?" I replied, 66 No, sensible shoemaker, I never expect to be great; I used to indulge such hopes when a boy.” Why," said he, "you have

a better chance for becoming great than I, and I am certainly going to be so if I can." Said I, "Of late, I have been disappointed, and disappointment alters very much a man's mind as regards hopes and expectations-but do not let anything or the kind cast you down-it is a frailty with me; my misfortune it is to despair—but I see, and gladly, too, that it is not so with you. You have succeeded as a shoemaker, and, perhaps, your efforts may avail in any calling; though chance, as it is called, and change may for a time depress you. Because I fail, it is no reason that should." you No," said he, “I have made up my mind to succeed." "Then," said I, "you will succeed, for a man may do anything he firmly and decidedly resolves to do." Said I, to myself, as I stepped from his door, good bye! shoe

maker; I envy you for you are unlike myself—you are made happy by the anticipation of that which you may never realize —and happiness is the end of life.

not," said I,

On another occasion, I called a boy to me, whom I observed smiling very joyously as he passed by a large trading establishment-I said to him, "little fellow, will you not tell me what you are smiling at?" "Ah!" said he, "I cannot tell you." Said I, "I do not ask you through idle curiosity; I am a strange man, and like, if persons are not positively averse to it, to participate in their joys or their sorrows; now tell me, and I will be your friend." "But said he, you will tell somebody." "I will "do you imagine me so mean as to betray you, when it can do me no good, and it would be a pleasure to have and keep his secret "You must excuse my speaking so,” said he, "for you are a stranger and might mistake me--but I will tell you; but I do hate to tell though." "Do not fear,” said I, “I can feel with you, and perhaps advise you." "Then," said he, "I was thinking that one of these days that large house, filled with rich goods, might possibly be mine, or if not that, some other one like it was not that a strange thought, sir, for a little poor boy like myself for I am poor." "How," said I, "do you think it may become yours-I do think it may myself." "Well," said he, "I run errands, and do such little duties in a store, though not so large as this; and I have been often told, by my master, that little store boys frequently, when they get to be men and are industrious, and make money, may come to own such a store." "I will not tell your secret," said I, "and if you do right you will doubtless have what you wish when you become a man. Good-bye! I will see and talk with you again, little fellow." We parted, and I said to myself, fare