But some of us must earn our own bread, that is plain. Poor Dick is doing so already, with all the cheerfulness in the world, as clerk to old Master Smith, the great stationer in Chester. He never complains, though all his hopes and projects are disappointed, and, why should I? Felicia is older and stronger than I am, 'tis true. But then, as mother says to me: "Who would ever live with her that could help it? She has such an unhappy temper!" So they all say. When "I" get vexed and in a fury, I have a "bad" temper. That is all the difference. As long as I can remember, every one in the house has given way to Felicia, on account of her "unhappy temper," but I don't see that it makes her any happier. "Felicia!" Never was any one more completely misnamed. That is the worst of these significant names which people are so fond of giving nowadays. A child is named Grace, Mercy, or Peace, and Grace grows up more awkward than a cow, Mercy takes delight in tormenting, and Peace keeps the whole house in an uproar from morning till night. I would not for the world say anything to reflect upon my honored father, especially now that he is gone from us, but it does seem a pity that he should have risked all his savings for so many years, and all mother's little fortune, in such an adventure as that ship to the Spice Islands. 'Tis true, no doubt, that some great fortunes have been made in that way, like that of Mr. Gunning in Bristol. But I believe it is also true that for one ship that comes home laden with pepper, mace, and nutmegs, at least four go to the bottom or are taken by pirates. Master Smith says, however, that no such wild scheme is got up, but the foremost to rush into it, and risk their little alls, are masters and fellows in colleges, country clergymen, and widows with a little property—just the people who have the least chance of understanding the matter. I will say that dear mother was as much against it as she could ever be against any scheme of my father's. But he was so sanguine, and he ever thought little of the opinion of women on any subject. But there is no use in going over all that now. What is done is done. What is "to do," is to make the best struggle we can to live decently and honestly, keep out of debt, and—I don't know what else, I am sure. _March 3._