is read, and who determines to be as favorable as he can, consistent with his reputation--while they listened, Ralph opened his book and read some verses.
We regret that only a portion of the album of Mr.Ralph Ashley has come down to modern times--the rats having devoured a greater part of it, no doubt attracted by the flavor of the composition, or possibly the paste made use of in the binding.

We cannot, therefore, present the reader with many of the beautiful tributes to the character of Ralph, recorded in the album by his admiring friends.
One of these tributes, especially, was--we are informed by vague tradition--perfectly resplendent for its imagery and diction; contesting seriously, we are assured, the palm, with Homer, Virgil and our Milton; though unlike bright Patroclus and the peerless Lycidas, the subject of the eulogy had not suffered change when it was penned.
The eulogy in question compared Ralph to Demosthenes, and said that he must go on in his high course, and gripe the palm from Graecia's greatest son; and that from the obscure shades of private life, his devoted Tumles would watch the culmination of his genius, and rejoice to reflect that they had formerly partaken of lambs-wool together in the classic shades of William and Mary; with much more to the same effect.
This is lost; but a few of the tributes, read aloud by Mr.Ralph, are here inserted.
The first was poetic and pathetic: "MY DEAR ASHLEY: "Reclining in my apartment this evening, and reflecting upon the pleasing scenes through which we have passed together--alas! never to be renewed, since you are not going to return--those beautiful words of the Swan of Avon occurred to me: 'To be or not to be--that is the question; Whether 'tis better in this world to bear The slings and arrows of--' "I don't remember the rest; but the whole of this handsome soliloquy expresses my sentiments, and the sincerity with which, "My dear Ashley, "I am yours, "-- --." "No names!" cried Ralph; "now for another: Good old Bantam!" "Oh, Mr.Bantam writes this, does he ?" cried Fanny.
"Yes, Miss; for which reason I pass it--no remonstrances!--I am inflexible; here is another: "DEAR RALPH: "I need not say how sorry I am to part with you.

We have seen a great deal of each other, and I trust that our friendship will continue through after life.

The next session will be dull without you--I do not mean to flatter--as you go away.

You carry with you the sincere friendship and kindest regards of, "Dear Ralph, your attached friend, "-- -- -- --." "I like that very much, Mr.Ralph," said Redbud, smiling.
"You'd like the writer much more, Miss Redbud," said the young man; "really one of the finest fellows that I ever knew.