There is a perceptible increase of oyster-shops , and other establishments for the accommodation of a transitory diurnal multitude . But a more important change awaits the venerable town . An immense accumulation of musty prejudices will be carried off by the free circulation of society . A peculiarity of character , of which the inhabitants themselves are hardly sensible , will be rubbed down and worn away by the attrition of foreign substances . Much of the result will be good ; there will likewise be a few things not so good . Whether for better or worse , there will be a probable diminution of the moral influence of wealth , and the sway of an aristocratic class , which , from an era far beyond my memory , has held firmer dominion here than in any other New England town . '' The Old Year having talked away nearly all of her little remaining breath , now closed her Book of Chronicles , and was about to take her departure . But her sister detained her awhile longer , by inquiring the contents of the huge bandbox , which she was so painfully lugging along with her . `` These are merely a few trifles , '' replied the Old Year , `` which I have picked up in my rambles , and am going to deposit , in the receptacle of things past and forgotten . We sisterhood of Years never carry anything really valuable out of the world with us . Here are patterns of most of the fashions which I brought into vogue , and which have already lived out their allotted term . You will supply their place , with others equally ephemeral . Here , put up in little China pots , like rouge , is a considerable lot of beautiful women 's bloom , which the disconsolate fair ones owe me a bitter grudge for stealing . I have likewise a quantity of men 's dark hair , instead of which , I have left gray locks , or none at all . 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 , '' XXXXX the sombre Old Year .
afflicted breathing grew inflated inquiring picked replied sisterhood supply sway