January 1885

Dear friend -

Though no New Year be old - to wish yourself and your honored Father a new happy and happy one is involuntary and I am sure we are both reminded of that sacred Past which has forever hallowed us.

I trust the Years which they behold are also new and happy, or is it a joyous expanse of Year, without bisecting Months, untiring Anno Domini? Had we but one assenting word, but a Letter is a joy of Earth - it is denied the Gods.

Vivid in our immortal Group we still behold your Brother, and never hear Northampton Bells without saluting him.

Should you have any Picture of any Child of my friend, while we are both below, I hope you may lend it to me for his great sake, as any circumstance of him is forever precious.

Have you Blossoms and Books, those solaces of sorrow? That, I would also love to know, and receive for yourself and your Father, the forgetless sympathy of

Your Friend

E. Dickinson.