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one to M. Érard.1 I received from him this morning a ticket to one of the concerts at his salon, which I attended, and heard most delicious melody.
I regretted that some of my friends with ears better attuned to harmony were not in my place.
To George S. Hillard, Boston.
Paris, March 8, 1838.
my dear Hillard,—A month has passed since I have written you; and your two letters have been running through my mind every day. How I long for news of distant Boston, and how I picture all its clean streets, its sensible people, and my dear friends!
Stands my office where it did; and all Court Street, is it still firm on its foundations? . . . I rejoice to hear from various quarters of the reception of Prescott's book in our country.
I have seen a copy and glanced through it. By the way, the American edition is every whit as well printed as the English, and has some plates more appropriate than those prefixed to the English.
The book reads beautifully, and I am glad that we have produced a work with so much of research, learning, suavity, and elegance.
A few days since, at dinner at the Baron de Gerando's, I met the Procureur-General of Spain.
I was full of Prescott's book, and took the occasion to endeavor to scatter some seed in Spanish ground.
I described the work and the labors of Mr. Prescott to the Spaniard, who appeared particularly interested and inquired the name of the author.
He was quite astonished when I told him that the historian had drawn from unpublished manuscripts and documents.
Ticknor has placed a copy of the book in the hands of one or two French litterateurs, who have promised to review it in some of the French journals.
Ticknor leaves for London in a few days.
I am sorry to lose him and his family. . . . Write me about the ‘Jurist’ and all other things.
I shall stay in Paris till the middle of April.
I find ten times as much here to interest me as I anticipated.
The lectures, the courts, the arts,—each would consume a year, to say nothing of the language which I am trying after very hard.
Love to all.
As ever, affectionately yours, To Dr. Francis Lieber, Columbia, S. C.
Paris, March 9, 1838.
my dear Lieber, —I was longing to hear from you when your agreeable letter of Jan. 18 came upon me. Here at Paris I have to satiety the richest fare for mind, and body also; that is, when I choose to extend my hand for it: but that does not make me wish any the less for a cup of refreshing drink 