`` O , I have it all recorded here in my Book of Chronicles , '' answered the Old Year , in a heavy tone . `` There is nothing that would amuse you ; and you will soon get sufficient knowledge of such matters from your own personal experience . It is but tiresome reading . '' Nevertheless , she turned over the leaves of the folio , and glanced at them by the light of the moon , feeling an irresistible spell of interest in her own biography , although its incidents were remembered without pleasure . The volume , though she termed it her Book of Chronicles , seemed to be neither more nor less than the Salem Gazette for 1838 ; in the accuracy of which journal this sagacious Old Year had so much confidence , that she deemed it needless to record her history with her own pen . `` What have you been doing in the political way ? '' asked the New Year . `` Why , my course here in the United States , '' said the Old Year , -- `` though perhaps I ought to blush at the confession , -- my political course , I must acknowledge , has been rather vacillatory , sometimes inclining towards the Whigs , -- then causing the Administration party to shout for triumph , -- and now again uplifting what seemed the almost prostrate banner of the Opposition ; so that historians will hardly know what to make of me , in this respect . But the Loco Focos -- '' `` I do not like these party nicknames , '' interrupted her sister , who seemed remarkably touchy about some points . `` Perhaps we shall part in better humor , if we avoid any political discussion . '' `` With all my heart , '' replied the Old Year , who had already been tormented half to death with squabbles of this kind . `` I care not if the navies of Whig or Tory , with their interminable brawls about Banks and the Sub-Treasury , Abolition , Texas , the Florida War , and a million of other topics , -- which you will learn soon enough for your own comfort , -- I care not , I say , if no whisper of these matters ever reaches my ears again . Yet they have occupied so large a share of my attention , that I scarcely know what else to tell you . There has indeed been a curious sort of war on the Canada border , where blood has streamed in the names of Liberty and Patriotism ; but it must remain for some future , perhaps far distant Year , to tell whether or no those holy names have been rightfully invoked . Nothing so much depresses me , in my view of mortal affairs , as to see high energies wasted , and human life and happiness thrown away , for ends that appear oftentimes unwise , and still oftener remain unaccomplished . But the wisest people and the best keep a steadfast faith that the progress of Mankind is onward and upward , and that the toil and anguish of the path serve to wear away the imperfections of the Immortal Pilgrim , and will be felt no more , when they have done their office . '' `` Perhaps , '' cried the hopeful New Year , -- `` perhaps I shall see that happy day ! '' `` I doubt whether it be so close at hand , '' answered the Old Year , gravely smiling . `` You will soon grow weary of looking for that blessed consummation , and will turn for amusement -LRB- as has frequently been my own practice -RRB- to the affairs of some sober little city , like this of Salem . Here we sit on the steps of the new City Hall , which has been completed under my administration ; and it would make you laugh to see how the game of politics , of which the Capitol at Washington is the great chess-board , is here played in miniature .
Burning Ambition finds its fuel here ; here Patriotism speaks boldly in the people 's behalf , and virtuous Economy demands retrenchment in the emoluments of a lamplighter ; here the Aldermen range their senatorial dignity around the Mayor 's chair of state , and the Common Council feel that they have liberty XXXXX charge .
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