The men who manned the _Monitor_ made a grand fight, and her commander upheld the best traditions of the American navy; but history must bear witness to the fact that, if not overmatched or defeated, she at least withdrew to shallow water, where the _Virginia_ could not follow her; and later, under the guns of Ft. Monroe, she declined the subsequent battle challenges of the refitted _Virginia_. All honor to Capt. Worden and the _Virginia-inspired_ invention of the Swede; but "America's glory for Americans." Let all Americans honor the name of JOHN MERCER BROOKE, the inventor and designer of the first armored war vessel of the world.--Ed. _Battle between the "Virginia" and the "Monitor," 1862_ March Tenth AN AFTERTHOUGHT "Say, Judge, ain't you the same man that told us before the war that we could whip the Yankees with pop-guns?" "Yes," replied the stump-orator, with great presence of mind, "and we could, but, confound 'em, they wouldn't fight us that way." March Eleventh TWO VIEWS OF VIRGINIA (The latter is taken from a witty parody on the original poem. Presented to a Virginia girl, it was indignantly tossed into the wastebasket. Later, however, she copied it and sent it around for the amusement of many--_in the family_!) I. The days are never quite so long As in Virginia; Nor quite so filled with happy song As in Virginia; And when my time has come to die Just take me back and let me lie Close where the James goes rolling by, Down in Virginia. II. Nowhere such storms obscure the sun As in Virginia; Nowhere so slow the railroads run, As in Virginia; And when my time has come to go Just take me there, because, you know, I'll longer live, I'll die so slow, Down in Virginia. March Twelfth A HUMOROUS VIEW OF "THE HUB" For the native Bostonian there are three paths to glory. If his name be Quincy or Adams, nothing more is expected of him. His blue blood carries him through life with glory, and straight to heaven when he dies. Failing in the happy accident of birth, the candidate for Beacon Hill honors must write a book. This is easy. The man who can breathe Boston air and not write a book is either a fool or a phenomenon. One course remains to him should he miss fame in these lines. He must be a reformer. SHERWOOD BONNER (_In Letters to Dixie_) March Thirteenth FIRST ENGLISH LITERATURE OF THE NEW WORLD Your gracious acceptance of the first fruits of my travels ... hath actuated both Will and Power to the finishing of this Peece: ... We had hoped, ere many years had turned about, to have presented you with a rich and wel-peopled Kingdom; from whence now, with my selfe, I onely bring this Composure, ... bred in the New-World, of the rudeness whereof it cannot but participate; especially having Warres and Tumults to bring it to light in stead of the Muses.... Your Majesties most humble Servant GEORGE SANDYS