"To Gen. HENRY WHITING, U. S. A., Fort Hamilton, N. Y.
"MY EARLY FRIEND: Forty years and more ago, we used to talk over together the dismemberment of Poland and the scenes that followed, and to pour out together our feelings for those martyrs of liberty. At the present moment, my feelings are deeply moved by taking by the hand Colonel P. and Major F., just landed here, and driven from their country, martyrs to the same cause. I need only say to you that they are strangers among us, and any attentions from you will be grateful to them, and duly felt by your old friend,
"_December 24, 1849._--I have been daily employed, of late, in accompanying visitors to our public institutions; among these, Mr. Charles Carroll, of Maryland, to the Mather School and the Perkins Asylum for the Blind. The effect of kindness upon the character of children is more strikingly illustrated in the Mather School than in any other I know of. Three fifths of the pupils are children of foreigners,--English, Irish, Scotch, German, Swiss, and the like,--mostly very poor. Two fifths are American; and these foreign children, after a few months, are ambitious to look as well and do as well as the best. The little Irish creatures are as anxious to have their faces clean, their hair smooth, their clothes mended, and to learn to read, write, and explain their lessons, as the upper children. These upper children, to the number of about one hundred, belong to the Lawrence Association."
"_December 25, Christmas afternoon._--The following beautiful little note, accompanied by a silver cup, almost unmanned me. Forty-three girls signed the note; two others engaged in it are sick; and one died, and was buried at Mount Auburn by her particular request,--making forty-six of these children, who, of their own motion, got up this token. Their note is dated to-day, and runs thus:
"'RESPECTED SIR: The misses of the Lawrence Association, anxious to testify their gratitude for the kind interest which you have ever manifested towards them, would most respectfully request your acceptance of this small token of their gratitude.'" (Signed by forty-three girls.)
"_26._--We had great times with the children last evening at Sister M.'s. It really seemed to me that the entertainment gave me as much pleasure as any child among them; beside which, I went to the house of my old friend Dr. Bowditch (where I used to visit twenty-five years ago on like occasions), for a few minutes, and there found seventeen of his grandchildren enjoying the fruits of the Christmas-tree in the best manner possible."