Edward L. Pierce, Memoir and letters of Charles Sumner: volume 2

[271] cannot promote your views on the subject more effectually than by putting them in the hands of Milnes. He is a most amiable gentleman, of various accomplishments and elevated tastes,—preserving his purity of heart amidst all the attractions of London life.

I do not think Mary is better; she is very cold and pale. She is always charmed by kindness, and does not forget yours.

Choate is entirely uncommitted on the subject of international copyright. He has never looked at it; and if he sees his way clear to be its advocate, he will enter into it. He asked me to state to him, in a few words, the arguments on both sides. I thought of Madame de Stael and Fichte,— “Donnez moi vos idees en dix mots.” I did it; and he muses still.

To Dr. Lieber he wrote, Sept. 13, 1843:—

I have only a moment for a single line. The sun is bright; the day is fair. The ‘Orpheus’ arrived this morning; so did Mackenzie. I have been to ask the latter to join me in dining with Longfellow, and now go to superintend the landing of the former.

‘At the Inglises' last night we talked of you, and listened to beautiful music, which Miss Harper very much admired.’

To Professor Mittermaier.

Boston, Sept. 15, 1848.

my dear friend,—Your letter of Jan. 22 now lies open before me, and its date seems to rebuke me for my negligence in postponing, for so long a time, to let you know how sensible I am of your friendship and kindness. Your hospitality to poor Wheeler has awakened the liveliest gratitude among his numerous friends. You have doubtless heard of his lamented death at Leipsic, on the 13th June last. He was thus removed at the beginning of a career which afforded the promise of great usefulness. I saw his aged father quite recently, and tears streamed down his cheeks while we spoke of his son. Wheeler was only twenty-six, and in those few years had accomplished a great deal. His amiable nature and his sunny countenance awakened attachment, while his talents and attainments inspired the highest respect. His letters to his friends at home abound in expressions of sensibility and gratitude for the kindness and privileges he enjoyed in Heidelberg and throughout Germany.

You will be glad to hear that Judge Story has most happily recovered his health, and is now resuming his accustomed avocations. During the last eight months he has been seriously ill, so as to excite the fears of his friends with regard to his life. During this period I have lectured in the Law School at Cambridge. His last work was on ‘Partnership.’ I have now a copy of this book and of the work on ‘Agency’ from the author, for your acceptance. I shall send these and several other publications (including some copies of the last ‘Report of the Prison Discipline Society’) by the earliest opportunity.