"Head-quarters Army of the United States,
"Washington, D.C., April 21, 1877.
"MASTER BERNIE M.
"Indianapolis:
"I have received the handsome photograph sent me, and recognize
the features of a fine young lad, who has before him every
opportunity to grow up a man of fine physique, with a mind
cultivated to meet whatever vicissitudes and opportunities the
future may present. Many boys in reading history have a feeling
of regret that their lives had not fallen in some former period,
replete with events of stirring interest, such as our
Revolutionary War, or that in Mexico, or even the Civil War,
wherein they feel that they might have played a conspicuous part.
"Don't you make this mistake. The next hundred years will present
more opportunities for distinction than the past, for our country
now contains only forty millions of people, which will probably
double every thirty-three years, so that if you live to three
score years and ten you will be a citizen of a republic of two
hundred millions of people. Now, all changes are attended by
conflict of mind or of arms, and you may rest easy that there will
be plenty for you to do, and plenty of honor and fame if you want
them. The true rule of life is to prepare in advance, so as to be
ready for the opportunity when it presents itself.
"I surely hope you will grow in strength and knowledge, and do a
full man's share in building up the future of this country, which
your fathers have prepared for you.
"Truly your friend,
"W.T. SHERMAN, General."
* * * * *
No doubt many of our readers have read some of the poems of Charles
and Mary Lamb, and all who have will be interested in the following
news concerning one of their books. In 1809 they published a little
volume of "Poetry for Children," but only a few copies were printed,
and these were soon out of print, so that the book has long been
considered lost to the world. It was recently discovered, however,
that the little book had been reprinted in Boston in 1812, and the
only two copies of this edition known to exist in this country have
lately come into possession of Messrs. Scribner, Armstrong & Co.,
who intend to republish the volume this fall. The book contains many
delightful little poems for boys and girls, prettily rhymed, and full
of the quaint humor and conceits which mark the other writings of the
authors. We should like to print several of them, but have only room
for these: