[139]
for putting into verse 1 an incident of his early life which a friend related to me. When I saw his name connected with it, in some of the papers that copied it, I felt fearful that I had wounded, perhaps, the feelings of one I love and honor beyond almost any other man, by the liberty I have taken.
I can only say I could not well help it-a sort of necessity was before me, to say what I did.
I wish I could tell thee how glad thy volume has made me. I have marked it all over with notes of admiration.
I dare say it has faults enough, but thee need not fear on that account.
It has beauty enough to save thy “slender neck” from the axe of the critical headsman.
The veriest “de'il” --as Burns says -“wad look into thy face and swear he could na wrang thee.”
With love to the Doctor and thy lovely little folk,
I am Very sincerely thy friend, John G. Whittier.
Emerson wrote:--
I am just leaving home with much ado of happy preparation for an absence of five weeks, but must take a few moments to thank you for the happiness your gift brings me. It was very kind in you to send it to me, who have forfeited all apparent claims to such favor, by breaking all the laws of good neighborhood in these years.
But you were entirely right in
