A STUDENT IN YALE COLLEGE. 39 



has come in town with his family. There has been a fire 

 at New York which has consumed several houses, but was 

 fortunately extinguished. The -weather is clear and very 

 moderate for the season. As I do not feel very well, I 

 believe that I must retire to bed. Good night ! (half-past 

 eight.) 



Dec. 8. I have almost finished a piece which I expect 

 soon to exhibit before the Society. It is my first attempt 

 of the kind, and I am very diffident of success. After sup- 

 per, as Selleck was absent with the keys of the room, I 

 went into Belden's room, where we had some conversation 

 upon the ladies, &c., a number of whom we toasted. I do 

 not conceive that they are very highly honored by it, but it 

 affords us amusement, and it is not probable that the affair 

 will eVer come to their ears. 



Dec. 24. President Dwight gave us a very good dis- 

 course from this text : " Praise ye the Lord." Soon after 

 meeting, according to a previous invitation, I went with 

 my brother to dine at Dr. Dana's, where we were very 

 agreeably entertained with good company and good food. 

 After dinner, we employed our time in conversation upon 

 politics until prayer-time. Speaking of the division of 

 the German empire by the King of Prussia, Dr. Dana 

 observed that if such an event should take place, that 

 Prussia, Sweden, and Denmark would form a very good 

 barrier against that " Old She-bear of the North." He 

 appears, notwithstanding his misfortunes, to be almost as 

 cheerful as ever, and makes himself agreeable to his friends. 

 How much better is his conduct than that of many, who 

 sink under the weight of misfortune, and seem to think 

 that there is no other source of joy except that which they 

 have lost. 



Dec. 28. Clear and pleasant I rose to prayers this 

 morning. My forenoon was principally employed in read- 

 ing Paley. At the eleven-o'clock recitation, Dr. Dwight 

 gave us his ideas upon a number of bad habits to which 



