faint and sweet, diffused through those ample rooms.  There was good reason, indeed, for the children of the generation to which my wife belonged to speak of the generous relative whom they had never seen as “Our Aromatic Uncle.”  There were other uncles, and I have no doubt they gave presents freely, for it was a wealthy and free-handed family; but there was no other uncle who sent such a delicate and delightful reminder with every gift, to breathe a soft memory of him by day and by night.

I did my courting in the sweet atmosphere of that house, and, although I had no earthly desire to live in Boston, I could not help missing that strangely blended odor when my wife and I moved into an old house in an old part of New York, whose former owners had no connections in the Eastern trade.  It was a charming and home-like old house; but at first, although my wife had brought some belongings from her father’s house, we missed the pleasant flavor of our aromatic uncle, for he was now my uncle, as well as my wife’s.  I say at first, for we did not miss it long.  Uncle David—­that was his name—­not only continued to send his fragrant gifts to my wife at Christmas and upon her birthday, but he actually adopted me, too, and sent me Chinese cabinets and Chinese gods in various minerals and metals, and many articles designed for a smoker’s use, which no smoker would ever want to touch with a ten-foot pole.  But I cared very little about the utility of these presents, for it was not many years before, among them all, they set up that exquisite perfume in the house, which we had learned to associate with our aromatic uncle.

“Foo-choo-li, china, January-, 18-.

“Dear nephew and niece:  The Present is to inform you that I have this day shipped to your address, per Steamer Ocean Queen, one marble and ebony Table, six assorted gods, and a blue Dinner set; also that I purpose leaving this Country for a visit to the Land of my Nativity on the 6th of March next, and will, if same is satisfactory to you, take up my Abode temporarily in your household.  Should same not be satisfactory, please cable at my charge.  Messrs. Smithson & Smithson, my Customs Brokers, will attend to all charges on the goods, and will deliver them at your readiness.  The health of this place is better than customary by reason of the cool weather, which Health I am as usual enjoying.  Trusting that you both are at present in possession of the same Blessing, and will so continue, I remain, dear nephew and niece,

“Your affectionate
“Uncle.”

This was, I believe, by four dozen words—­those which he used to inform us of his intention of visiting America—­the longest letter that Uncle David had ever written to any member of his family.  It also conveyed more information about himself than he had ever given since the day he ran away to sea.  Of course we cabled the old gentleman that we should be delighted to see him.