[185] and of its conquest. I have felt humbled at my inability to speak French, and also to understand what I hear spoken. To-morrow (Tuesday, Sept. 13, anniversary of Wolfe's great victory and death), I shall leave Montreal for the South, commencing or rather continuing my journey homeward.
. . .In a paper which I have just found on board the boat I have read with infinite delight the debate in the British Parliament on Texas. A blow has been struck which will resound. Yours,Chas. S.P. S. I have studied Gray's poetry during my wanderings. His fame is a tripod, resting on those three wonders,—the ‘Elegy,’ ‘Bard,’ and ‘Progress of Poesy.’ The ode on ‘Eton’ and ‘Hymn to Adversity’ are fine, but comparatively inferior. How my blood boils at the indignity to S. E. Sewall!1
To Charles S. Daveis.
4 Court St., Oct. 13, 1836.my dear Mr. Daveis,—Behold me again in my office, ‘returned from the wars’ of a long journey, and listening to the cases of clients and the dull whisper of law books. Work is pleasant after play; as most certainly play is precious after work. I have had a long play-time, and must now embrace labor as my mistress. My recollections of my long journey are tipped, as with silver and gold, by its last scenes at Portland. Your kindness and hospitality have deeply tinged my reminiscences of the place.... Rand has received a long and cordial letter from Lord Denman, thanking him for books which he sent, and proposing to him for his answer a question upon which the King's Bench have divided, and judgment is suspended.2 . . . Believe me, very faithfully yours,
To Dr. Francis Lieber, New York.
Boston, Nov. 17, 1836.my dear friend,—I thank you for remembering me so cordially after so absorbing an event as your letter spoke of; and I congratulate you and your wife, ex imo pectore, upon your deliverance from the perils of the sea. . . . I congratulate you, and wish I could take you by the hand and tell you my joy.3
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1 Mr. Sewall had been assaulted in Boston by a Southern slaveholder, on account of his appearing as counsel for fugitive slaves, ante, p. 25.
2 A question of the measure of damages on the breach of warranty in the sale of a horse. The other omitted parts of the letter are an answer to inquiries of Mr. Daveis as to points of law arising in his practice.
3 Dr. Lieber had just returned from a visit to the West Indies.
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