Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Harvard Memorial Biographies

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[319] to classical studies and to belles-lettres. He was an attractive speaker, with unusual grace of manner, an easy dignity, and a full, rich voice. He had prominent parts at the public exercises of the College, and gave the Salutatory when he was graduated. Though we sometimes desired him to act more with reference to his nominal rank in the Class than he was inclined to do, yet he always stood among the highest, and was conscientious in the discharge of his duty. The following are extracts from his letters while at College.

October, 1859.

Our rank-list was published the other day. There is nothing that troubles or discourages me so much as to have father and mother disappointed in and ashamed of me, when I ought to work so hard that they would try to hold me in rather. No one knows what I have to contend against. If it were not for pleasing my friends, I think I should not try to stand high; but, if I could be energetic enough, would pursue my studies in a different way.

March, 1860.

The Communion, if rightly employed, is one of the highest privileges granted to a Christian, and one of the most efficacious means for Christian advancement. We are all in great danger of falling away from our principles and highest intentions; and for this. reason we need a certain portion of each day for self-examination and communion with God and the study of holy books, which must be scrupulously observed, for by these means the religious part of our nature is developed and a higher tone given to our whole life.

When we look at a life like——, and consider that we are all of us living over again the same threescore years and ten, a feeling of weariness comes over us which passes away when we consider what lies before us,—the bright earth, kind friends, battles to be fought and won, and the death to be died.

May, 1861.

My dear father,—Knowing your patriotism, I was not surprised to hear that you had joined the Veterans.

Dr. Peabody, in a sermon a short time since, said that the three principal causes of this war were, “a general decline in virtue, neglect of the preliminary duties of citizenship, and a mutual spirit of recrimination and abuse.” The first I think is vague, and in general