MY DEAR GIRLS,

For if I were to write "young friends," it would look like a
schoolmaster; and if I were to write "young ladies," it would look like
a schoolmistress; and worse than that, neither form of words would look
familiar and natural, or in character with our snowy ride that
tooth-chattering morning.

I cannot tell you both how gratified I was by your remembrance, or how
often I think of you as I smoke the admirable cigars. But I almost think
you must have had some magnetic consciousness across the Atlantic, of my
whiffing my love towards you from the garden here.

My daughter says that when you have settled those little public affairs
at home, she hopes you will come back to England (possibly in united
states) and give a minute or two to this part of Kent. _Her_ words are,
"a day or two;" but I remember your Italian flights, and correct the
message.

I have only just now finished my country readings, and have had nobody
to make breakfast for me since the remote ages of Colchester!

Ever faithfully yours.

OUR LETTER.

By M. F. ARMSTRONG.

"From among all my treasures--to each one of which some pleasant history
is bound--I choose this letter, written on coarse blue paper.

The letter was received in answer to cigars sent from America to Mr.
Dickens.

The 'little public affairs at home' refers to the war of the Rebellion.

At Colchester, he read 'The Trial' from 'Pickwick,' and selections from
'Nicholas Nickleby.'

The lady, her two sisters, and her brother were Mr. Dickens's guests at
the queer old English inn at Colchester.

Through the softly falling snow we came back together to London, and on
the railway platform parted, with a hearty hand-shaking, from the man
who will for ever be enshrined in our hearts as the kindest and most
generous, not to say most brilliant of hosts."

[Sidenote: M. de Cerjat.]

16, HYDE PARK GATE, SOUTH KENSINGTON GORE,
_Sunday, March 16th, 1862._

MY DEAR CERJAT,

My daughter naturally liking to be in town at this time of year, I have
changed houses with a friend for three months.

My eldest boy is in business as an Eastern merchant in the City, and
will do well if he can find continuous energy; otherwise not. My second
boy is with the 42nd Highlanders in India. My third boy, a good steady
fellow, is educating expressly for engineers or artil