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

[299] English. I wonder that you have been able to obtain such command of our language, to write it with such fluency and correctness. What is the mystery of this?

The death of poor Wheeler brought great grief to his family and his friends. We can hardly believe that his sunny countenance and his great attainments have been removed from us. The favorable opinion which you expressed with regard to him has helped to console many of his friends.

I have been pained to hear of your illness, and especially that Madame Mittermaier is not so well as when I had the pleasure of seeing her. It gave me great joy to hear of the happiness of the rest of your family.

I have already despatched to you a large parcel containing two works of Judge Story, several numbers of my most amiable and intelligent friend Chandler's law journal; also, the first volume of his ‘Criminal Trials.’ Mr. Chandler desires me to present his compliments to you, and to say that he shall have the honor of asking your acceptance of the second volume of his ‘Criminal Trials’ as soon as it shall be published, which will be in the course of a few weeks. You will find in the ‘Law Reporter’ apt notices of new publications in jurisprudence, and a great deal of intelligence with regard to this subject in the United States. You will be astonished to learn that there are at this time no less than seven law journals published in the United States. Of these I think the ‘Law Reporter’ is by far the best.

The commission on the codification of the criminal law in Massachusetts has nearly completed its report. As soon as it is printed, I shall have the pleasure of sending you a copy. In the parcel I have already sent, you will find several copies of the last two ‘Reports of the Prison Discipline Society.’ I thought that you might be willing to distribute among your friends the copies which you do not desire for your own library. I suppose you have already received Mr. Greenleaf's admirable work on ‘Evidence.’ Enclosed is a letter from him which I promised to send with mine.

Give my best regards to Grosch. I was truly grateful for his kindness to my friend, Dr. Howe,—the most truly distinguished American who has ever visited Heidelberg. You have heard of the happiness of Longfellow, who is married to a most beautiful lady possessing every attraction of character and intelligence. My brother George has passed the last summer and autumn in Spain, and I presume is now in Paris. Adieu, my dear friend, make my compliments to all your house, and believe me

Ever most sincerely yours,

Charles Sumner.

To his brother George, Paris.

Boston, Feb. 1, 1844.

dear George,—I owe you many thanks for your long and interesting letters from Spain. They filled me with longing to visit that country, and regrets that I did not embrace it within my travels. Longfellow's reminiscences of Spain conspire with your letters to increase my longings and regrets.