The tears of widows and other afflicted mortals , who have received comfort during the last twelve months , are preserved in some dozens of essence-bottles , well corked and sealed . I have several bundles of love-letters , eloquently breathing an eternity of burning passion , which grew cold and perished , almost before the ink was dry . Moreover , here is an assortment of many thousand broken promises , and other broken ware , all very light and packed into little space . The heaviest articles in my possession are a large parcel of disappointed hopes , which , a little while ago , were buoyant enough to have inflated Mr. Lauriat 's balloon . '' `` I have a fine lot of hopes here in my basket , '' remarked the New Year . `` They are a sweet-smelling flower , -- a species of rose . '' `` They soon lose their perfume , '' replied the sombre Old Year . `` What else have you brought to insure a welcome from the discontented race of mortals ? '' `` Why , to say the truth , little or nothing else , '' said her sister , with a smile , -- `` save a few new Annuals and Almanacs , and some New Year 's gifts for the children . But I heartily wish well to poor mortals , and mean to do all I can for their improvement and happiness . '' `` It is a good resolution , '' rejoined the Old Year ; `` and , by the way , I have a plentiful assortment of good resolutions , which have now grown so stale and musty , that I am ashamed to carry them any farther . Only for fear that the City authorities would send Constable Mansfield , with a warrant after me , I should toss them into the street at once . Many other matters go to make up the contents of my bandbox ; but the whole lot would not fetch a single bid , even at an auction of worn-out furniture ; and as they are worth nothing either to you or anybody else , I need not trouble you with a longer catalogue . '' `` And must I also pickup such worthless luggage in my travels ? '' asked the New Year . `` Most certainly ; and well , if you have no heavier load to bear , '' replied the other . `` And now , my dear sister , I must bid you farewell , earnestly advising and exhorting you to expect no gratitude ` nor goodwill from this peevish , unreasonable , inconsiderate , ill-intending , and worse-behaving world . However warmly its inhabitants may seen to welcome you , yet , do what you may , and lavish on them what means of happiness you please , they will still be complaining , still craving what it is not in your power to give , still looking forward to some other Year for the accomplishment of projects which ought never to have been formed , and which , if successful , would only provide new occasions of discontent . If these ridiculous people ever see anything tolerable in you , it will be after you are gone forever . '' `` But I , '' cried the fresh-hearted New Year , -- `` I shall try to leave men wiser than I find them .
I will offer them freely whatever good gifts Providence permits me XXXXX distribute , and will tell them to be thankful for what they have , and humbly hopeful for more ; and surely , if they are not absolute fools , they will condescend to be happy , and will allow me to be a happy Year .
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