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as well as pupils. A little circumstance occurred a few even-
ings after 1 became settled in my new home. While we were
sitting conversing, we were surprised with voices singing in the
passage just outside the parlor door; we instantly e2ased talking
and listened to one of the most beautiful hymns I ever heard,
commencing * We are on the ocean sailing.” When the voices
ceased we stepped to the door, and found several of the colored
people assembled to serenade us. It seems they had entered
through the servants’ apartments, taken off their shoes and as-
cended the stairs thus quietly, and we knew nothing of their
presence till the music burst upon us so solemnly and:so sweet
ly. I felt very deeply this tribute of love to their teachers.
Never, while memory lasts, can I forget the sensations of that
moment. Once again they came; again were the chords of har-
mony vibrated ’tween their souls and ours. No one need tell
me these are an ungrateful people, for I have evidence able to
refute any such assertions. ‘The colored people of this neigh-
borhood are said to be in much better circumstances than in
other neighborhoods, but there are some poor among them, very
poor. Those who are able pay 50 cents per month, and the
men who will come this winter are expected to pay $1 per
month. The school is assisted by a few Friends on Long Island ;
one of the principal of whom is Edmund Willets; they pay $25 —
per month now towards its support, and the rest of the salary
is made up by the colored people. The school-house is situated
about half a mile from where I board, and when the walking ise
very bad Bernard sends me, which is very kind in him. We
have had two snows this season, both heavy enough to sleigh on.
I had my first sleigh ride yesterday; another again to-day.
Snow does not last long here; soon thaws, the rays of the sun

shine out so warm.

From Isadore Brinkerhoff, Herndon, Va., Dec. 12, 1868:

‘‘ Your letter was received and read with much pleasure. Iam
always glad to hear from you and all other kind friends. With
the greatest rapidity the pupils are progressing in their studies,
and they take delight in keeping themselves tidy and clean.
This is very encouraging, but there is one great difficulty,—one
so great that with all my efforts I cannot apparently overcome ;
and this great, great difficulty is intemperance. Oh! if you can
devise some plan, some way by which I can reach them, how
thankfully would it be received! Cannot you help me in some
way to promote the cause? I have tried and tried, and could
not see any good arising from my many efforts, and, almost dis- _
couraged, would think nothing would do any good; and then,
ashamed, to work would go again. Had I not a kind and noble