346 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPEDIA. 



manner in which you have discharged the onerous and responsible duties appertaining 

 to your position. Your high character, integrity, and zeal have notonly won the esteem 

 and confidence of your friends, and of those brought into immediate contact with you, 

 but have radiated far and wide, so that you have reached the position one that is not 

 only a credit to yourself but to the country at large. 



That you may long continue in the service which you so admirably adorn is the wish 

 of the many to whom your virtues are as household words. With this souvenir let me, 

 on the part of those whom I represent, wish you health, happiness and prosperity. 



Reply. 

 MR. AND GENTLEMEN : 



I need hardly say with what gratitude I accept, this splendid gift a gift which is 

 dearer to me than all the "gold of Ind," since it comes from a set of friends whose 

 endorsement on a bad bill no amount of treasure could purchase. 



Gentlemen, my aim in life has been to do what is right, to labour with earnestness, 

 to win on the merits. My efforts have been crowned with success, and in this superb 

 souvenir, I recognise my crown of victory. 



Gentlemen, your too flattering recognition will but serve as a greater impetus to 

 exertion, and, rest assured that no effort on my part shall be wanting to repay in the 

 fullest measure of my capacity the compliment it has pleased you this day to bestow 

 upon me. 



Presentation to a Teacher by the Young Lady Pupils. 



DEAR TEACHER : 



It devolves upon me to offer you, in the name of the young ladies of this school, a 

 slight token of our esteem and regard. To myself it is a source of immense pleasure to 

 be made their mouthpiece on this occasion, since my sincere delight may make some 

 amends for my many shortcomings. I am not now addressing you as our teacher, but 

 as our friend, our dear, trusted, and very much tried friend ; for how often have we 

 not tried your temper and your forbearance ! Dear Teacher, we will ever keep your 

 image enshrined in our hearts, and shall look back to the school, not as an abode of 

 penance, but rather of pleasure, since your kindness and your amiability have so rend- 

 ered it our studies having been illuminated by your patient graciousness. The little 

 gift we offer you is of no intrinsic value, but it is rich in love, and gratitude, and res- 

 pect. Please accept it, and with it our united hopes that your life will ever be as happy 



as you have made ours. 



Reply. 

 MY DEAR PUPILS : 



I find that my heart is so anxious to speak that it has almost paralyzed my lips. Yes, 

 it is indeed my heart that returns thanks to yours, for I know how pure, gentle, gener- 

 ous, strong, and true your hearts are, and my heart says to yours, " Oh, how deeply 

 grateful I am for this tender mark of your affection ! " My dear pupils, if you have 

 been a little inclined to what shall I call it ? not idleness no, no well, a word from 

 me ever brought you back from the plucking of the flowers of fancy, and a rebuke was 

 but a reminder that you should tread the path of study for yet a little while. My life 

 has been rendered doubly pleasant in the sunshine of your youth, and that I shall hold 

 a place in your esteem and affection is indeed a delightful reward. That I thank you 

 for your gift it is needless to say, Ah ! would that one spark of eloquence of some of 

 the masters over whom we have studied together were given to me now, to let you 



