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Jan 1st 1848. I wish you a happy new year. According to Johnson, 'happiness consists in a constant employment, for a desired end, with the consciousness of continued progress.' I wish you a year of improvement to yourself and usefulness to others. It seems to me it would be unwise to give up if you can avoid doing so, mental cultivation and refinement by means of books or society, while no doubt you will be gaining the strength and improvement of mind derived from an increase of practical knowledge from the various sources within the range of your experience. A week ago this eve (Sat.) Joseph and Eliab spent the evening with me, in my chamber; we had a fine time, - a bright fire on the hearth, some nuts and raisins to regale ourselves, and sweet converse for 'the feast of reason be.' J. brought some poetry for me to see, cut out of the 'Whig' which I am convinced he wrote, though he would not say so, it was upon the Mexican war and was fine, but do'nt you allude to it to him, for he will think I had no right to mention it as his: It appears to me sometimes that he is not in his right vocation, the one best fitted to employ or develop the powers with which he is endowed, perhaps by his failure in his present pursuits, Providence will prepare the way for some other place: he would do well as a lawyer and possibly may be one yet; I do'nt know that there is danger of his failing, but it is a very dull time in business, some heavy firms here have lately failed. Do you write some good long letters to Eliab, he feels backward about writing, probably because of early deficiency in spelling, writing &c and especially because generally you have written your letters chiefly to J. and only to him with perhaps only a message to I. E. is a noble hearted fellow is going to make a 'first' man: in his manners and deportment universally pleasing, and when as old as his older brothers, bids fair to make a man as truly valuable as they though unlike it may be. I take much satisfaction in all my brothers, as well as sisters,