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sailing for Europe.
Otherwise I present myself as any private individual whatever.
But if I go as one of your professors, I carry with me in that very circumstance my best letter of recommendation.
It gives me a character—and a greater claim to attention abroad, than I can otherwise take with me. Judge Story is ready to consent to this arrangement—so is Mr. Gray—so is Mr. Ticknor.
If you could bring the subject once more before the corporation, I think the objections suggested by you when I saw you this morning will be found to give way before the good results, which I think may be reasonably anticipated from change in your vote where respectfully suggested.
Very respect'y yr Obe Ser.t
Sir,—Placing entire confidence in the assurances of the President and Fellows of Harvard University in reference to my election to the Smith Professorship of Modern Languages and Belles Lettres in that institution, which assurances were communicated to me in yr favor of 1st January, together with their Vote upon the