has, I
very much fear, by a too eager pursuit of small profits, disturbed the
equanimity of a mind that ought to be easy and happy. "Had I stood out,"
he thinks, "I might have had the hat for threepence," and he doubts
whether, having given fourpence for it, he will ever get back his money.
My good Shadrach, if you go through life passionately deploring
the irrevocable, and allow yesterday's transactions to embitter the
cheerfulness of to-day and to-morrow--as lief walk down to the Seine,
souse in, hats, body, clothes-bag and all, and put an end to your
sorrow and sordid cares. Before and since Mr. Franklin wrote his pretty
apologue of the Whistle have we not all made bargains of which we
repented, and coveted and acquired objects for which we have paid too
dearly! Who has not purchased his hat in some market or other? There
is General M'Clellan's cocked hat for example: I dare say he was eager
enough to wear it, and he has learned that it is by no means cheerful
wear. There were the military beavers of Messeigneurs of Orleans:* they
wore them gallantly in the face of battle; but I suspect they were glad
enough to pitch them into the James River and come home in mufti. Ah,
mes amis! A chacun son schakot! I was looking at a bishop the other day,
and thinking, "My right reverend lord, that broad-brim and rosette
must bind your great broad forehead very tightly, and give you many a
headache. A good easy wideawake were better for you, and I would like to
see that honest face with a cutty-pipe in the middle of it." There is
my Lord Mayor. My once dear lord, my kind friend, when your two years'
reign was over, did not you jump for joy and fling your chapeau-bras out
of window: and hasn't that hat cost you a pretty bit of money? There, in
a splendid travelling chariot, in the sweetest bonnet, all trimmed with
orange-blossoms and Chantilly lace, sits my Lady Rosa, with old Lord
Snowden by her side. Ah, Rosa! what a price have you paid for that hat
which you wear; and is your ladyship's coronet not purchased too dear!
Enough of hats. Sir, or Madam, I take off mine, and salute you with
profound respect.

* Two cadets of the House of Orleans who served as Volunteers under
General M'Clellan in his campaign against Richmond.

ON ALEXANDRINES.*

A LETTER TO SOME COUNTRY COUSINS.

* This paper, it is almost needless to say, was written just
after the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales in
M