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From the day
Dana took charge the paper was successful.
Its circulation fell off at first, but shortly afterwards began to increase.
On June 2, 1868, in writing to his friend
Huntington, after saying that his brain and hand were so used up with other writing and other work that he had but little strength or time for private correspondence, he added:
... Professionally I may be called prosperous.
Since I have had the Sun, now five months, it has not failed to make money, and its subscription lists steadily increase.
The profits are not very large, but that they should exist at all is surprising.
I did not expect it. I have revolutionized the character of the paper, and as a matter of course increased expenses and lost readers in the process.
The cost of making the paper is more than double what it was under its former proprietor, but its income from advertisements has increased also.
When its sales are seventy-five thousand daily, as I think they are bound to be, its profits will be handsome, and the fellows who own stock will think themselves lucky.
In politics I maintain entire independence of party relations, but I am going to help elect Grant President.
In the same letter he gives an attractive sketch of his family life, of the growth, character, and education of his children, and of his abstention from society, partly because of the exactions of his calling, and partly because “we can't afford to entertain.”
He gives news of their common friends and classmates, and winds up with pleasant assurances of the hospitality which his friend should hasten home to enjoy.
In conclusion he says:
... Perhaps you are waiting till I am rich enough to spend a few weeks in coming to fetch you. What a jolly time that would be, to be sure!
And how you would endeavor, all in vain, to lead me into useless disputations on all matters
