1872.1.52

To the Editor of Merry’s Museum : Dear Sir: When, as a child, I read and enjoyed Merry’s Museum, though I indulged in dreams of writing, I was not practical enough about it to think of ever seeing my stories within its treasured pages; but now, as a woman, I sit before my fire, and when some thought or fancy begins to shape itself in my brain, I think, “That is just the thing for Merry’s Museum”—“dear old Merry’s Museum,” as I call it. Therefore I send this little story, “What Ben and the Twins did for Chicago,” hoping it will please you and the little readers of your magazine.

How well I remember the stories I used to pore over, and which I have told to so many children, to their great delight! As I write now, I feel an almost irresistible impulse to get an old volume and read the tale of the Black Tulip.

I have not seen many of the late numbers, for no children’s feet have pattered in our home for a long time; but I have no doubt many boys and girls read and read, until father bids them, “Put up the book, for it is too dark to see.” We used to do that, I well remember. I hope you will esteem it for the welfare of your magazine to give me the pleasant link to my childhood it would be to see one of my stories, which perhaps I owe to that by-gone impulse, in its pages. If not,—for in this practical world we must make many calculations,—will you kindly return the MS.?

Yours respectfully,
S. C.

1872.1.243-244

Williamsburg, March 23, 1872.

Dear Uncle Robert:—I have been an interested reader of your Museum for nearly three years. My grandfather sends it to me. Will you please accept the answers to the puzzles in the March number? you will find them on the next leaf. Seeing Percy V. R.’s question in reference to the oldest copy of the Bible, knowing that Rev. John Davies, of this city, had an ancient copy, I called on him yesterday, and saw the book. It was printed in Germany in 1608, and then smuggled into England. He has lately had it bound; but before it was bound anew, he says there were between the leaves bits of mortar, lime, dirt, and [p. 244 ] straw, from the walls and holes where the persecuted Christians had hid it. This is one of the oldest copies. He also has a Greek book (the oldest in Brooklyn), from the library of Melanchthon, who was connected with Martin Luther, the great reformer. This book was printed in 1556, and is in a very good state of preservation. Who can tell of an older book?

[Hercules.]

1872.1.244

[Editor: ] I sometimes wish that those boys and girls who have parents able and willing to supply them with everything essential to their comfort and well-being could see some of the letters received by our publisher. “My father is dead,” says a little boy, “and mother tells me we cannot afford to take your magazine any longer. Dear Merry, how I shall miss you!”

“The man I worked for did not pay me; so I cannot pay you now, but will as soon as I can earn the money,” writes another little fellow.

A little girl says, “Father has been sick a long time, so that he could not earn the money to send for your good magazine for me. I shall miss it so much! I think your picture, ‘First Love,’ must be very pretty.”

A kind lady sent this little girl the picture and a receipt for a year’s subscription.

1872.1.294

Milwaukee, May 11, 1872.

Robert Merry, Esq.:—Dear Sir: The solution of some, at least, of the enigmas contained in your valuable juvenile publication gives useful employment to older minds. Myself and “better half” last night, during a spare hour, attacked successfully, we think, two of those in your last number; and herein you will find our answers. Too much praise can hardly be given to the conductors of Merry’s for the taste shown in the selection of the articles. Where all are good, it is difficult to discriminate; but we think those entitled “Iceland” and “The Voyage of the Salt Mackerel” especially noteworthy. The publisher certainly deserves success.

Yours truly,
Milwaukee.

1872.2.148

Lee County, Va.

[excerpt ] About sixteen miles below here is Cumberland Gap, the point where the three states, Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky, come together. There is there, near the top of the mountain, a small, upright stone, one third of which is said to be in each of the states mentioned. When there last I sat down on this stone, and can now say that I have been seated in three states at the same time.

[boy ]

1872.2.November cover

September 27, 1872.

“Friend Merry: Circumstances do not allow —— to write this month, and so I enclose our answers and a few puzzles, some of which I hope you can use. The child always waits impatiently for the coming of her magazine—her own—paid for out of a little fund accumulated by her labor, and by self-denials which have saved money. I do not expect to outgrow my own liking for it in my lifetime, and I cannot be grateful enough for the help it gives me with my child. A year or two ago strong influences were drawing her away from me towards a lower level. Our work together upon the puzzles and mutual interest in the stories help me keep her, and I bless the heads and hearts that devise so wisely and kindly for the children.

[anonymous ]

[The following note was stitched into the November, 1872 issue, facing the letter printed above: ]

Boston, Nov. 1, 1872.

The Publisher of Merry’s Museum announces its discontinuance with the issue of the present number. He has made an arrangement by which it will be merged into the Youth’s Companion, and the subscribers will be furnished for their unexpired terms with that paper. The price of the Companion is the same as that of the Museum. [ … ]

We have labored hard to improve the character of Merry’s Museum, and shall always hold in kind remembrance the many commendations which we have received from its readers.

By our new arrangement all are to be benefited, and this thought lessens the sorrow of saying to one and all,

FAREWELL!