This is the one hundred and tenth anniversary of the birthday of Washington; we are met to celebrate this day.  Washington is the mightiest name of earth long since mightiest in the cause of civil liberty, still mightiest in moral reformation.  On that name no eulogy is expected.  It cannot be.  To add brightness to the sun or glory to the name of Washington is alike impossible.  Let none attempt it.  In solemn awe pronounce the name, and in its naked deathless splendor leave it shining on.

TO JOSHUA F. SPEED.

Springfield, February 25, 1842.

Dear speed:—­Yours of the 16th instant, announcing that Miss Fanny and you are “no more twain, but one flesh,” reached me this morning.  I have no way of telling you how much happiness I wish you both, though I believe you both can conceive it.  I feel somewhat jealous of both of you now:  you will be so exclusively concerned for one another, that I shall be forgotten entirely.  My acquaintance with Miss Fanny (I call her this, lest you should think I am speaking of your mother) was too short for me to reasonably hope to long be remembered by her; and still I am sure I shall not forget her soon.  Try if you cannot remind her of that debt she owes me—­and be sure you do not interfere to prevent her paying it.

I regret to learn that you have resolved to not return to Illinois.  I shall be very lonesome without you.  How miserably things seem to be arranged in this world!  If we have no friends, we have no pleasure; and if we have them, we are sure to lose them, and be doubly pained by the loss.  I did hope she and you would make your home here; but I own I have no right to insist.  You owe obligations to her ten thousand times more sacred than you can owe to others, and in that light let them be respected and observed.  It is natural that she should desire to remain with her relatives and friends.  As to friends, however, she could not need them anywhere:  she would have them in abundance here.

Give my kind remembrance to Mr. Williamson and his family, particularly Miss Elizabeth; also to your mother, brother, and sisters.  Ask little Eliza Davis if she will ride to town with me if I come there again.  And finally, give Fanny a double reciprocation of all the love she sent me.  Write me often, and believe me

Yours forever,
Lincoln.

P. S. Poor Easthouse is gone at last.  He died awhile before day this morning.  They say he was very loath to die....

L.

TO JOSHUA F. SPEED—­ON MARRIAGE CONCERNS

Springfield, February 25,1842.

Dear speed:—­I received yours of the 12th written the day you went down to William’s place, some days since, but delayed answering it till I should receive the promised one of the 16th, which came last night.  I opened the letter with intense anxiety and trepidation; so much so, that, although it turned out better than I expected, I have hardly yet, at a distance of ten hours, become calm.