This is not a history of the Hamilton family. In num bers the Hamiltons may be compared to the drops of water in the ocean, or to the grains Of sand on its shores; and we will confine ourselves to the Hamiltons of Burnside, North Caro lina. And Of them we know some things, and many things, which we would like to know, we do not know. Such is doubtless the experience of every seeker after truth. The tom of the mountains, bathed in sunshine we see, but there are many rich valleys shrouded in shadow, which our vision can not penetrate. But true philosophy teaches us to make the best of what we have, and not to lose that in vain regret for what we have not.