The Wound of a Friend. 331 



affections, founded on intelligence and worth, are 

 perennial. Like pure streams flowing through the 

 valleys, they widen and deepen until they are puri- 

 fied and perpetuated in the wide ocean of eternitv. 



J. B.'' 



Copy of leaf dedicatory in " Wood's United States 

 Dispensatory y 



My Dear Wife — If I supposed 1 hat you were 

 fond of finery, I might have given you a silk dress, 

 or a Cashmere shawl — which you fully merit ; if 

 emulous of articles of taste and extravagance. I 

 would have selected books of engravings in gilded 

 and embossed binding. But, as your tastes are sim- 

 ple, practical and economical, allow me to present 

 you with a good family book, full of knowledge and 

 calculated for daily use. 



Your devoted husband, J. B.'" 



Dec. 25th, 1855. 



We have alluded to the mirth-provoking rhymes 

 that were frequently placed on the Pastor's plate at 

 table. These compositions were written at the insti- 

 gation of the younger members of the family — Mrs. 

 Bachman was generally the composer. If the liits 

 .were too hard, the Pastor's hlank verse was always 

 ready at hand. He would laugh and say, "In my 

 youth I indulged in waiting poetry, and sent my 

 early effusions to the village newspaper for publi- 

 cation. Then I waited, with no little interest and 

 curiosity, for the comments and criticism that were 

 sure to follow. One day I drew out a remark from 

 a gentleman whose opinion I valued on this subject. 

 Pointing to the paper, I said : ' What do you tliink 



