From the general tenor of your last letter
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as well as reputation.
I am happy to observe that my ambition has never been to accumulate wealth for my children, but to cultivate their minds in the best possible manner, and to imbue them with correct moral, political, and religious principles,—believing that a person thus educated will with proper diligence be certain of attaining all the wealth which is necessary to happiness.
With regard to your spending a year at Cambridge, I have always thought it might be beneficial; and if my health should not be impaired and my finances should allow, I should be very happy to gratify you. . . . In the “Advertiser” of the 18th, I observe some poetry from the “U. S. Literary Gazette,” which from the signature, I presume to be from your pen. It is a very pretty production, and I read it with pleasure.
But you will observe that the second line of the sixth verse has too many feet.
“Beneath the dark and motionless beech.”
I think it would be improved by substituting lonely for motionless. I suggest this for your consideration.
I have the pleasure of hearing frequently from home.
They complain that they have not heard a word from you since you left.
This is unpardonable.’
On January 24, 1825, the son wrote to his father again:—
Boston and New York, Hougton, Mifflin and company, 1902.
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