May I also add the satiety of writing, which a man
who has just published a book may be supposed to be
experiencing? For I have published a book, a
copy of which, with the heart of the author, pressed
but not dried between the blank leaves, you should
have had immediately but for my absence from New York.
It is called “Nile Notes of a Howadji,”
and has thus far, being only a week old, received
as flattering notice as any tremulous young author
could have wished. One or two chapters are considered
somewhat broad, I hear; but the whole impression
is precisely what I wished.
I am here because I was invited to repeat my lecture
here; and, as I was not back in New York when the
“Notes” were issued, I preferred to tarry
in the “ambrosial retirement,” as Rev.
Osgood calls it, and not serve as foot-notes to my
Readers.
I shall go home soon, and I trust by way of Boston.
If so, I shall of course see you and—yours,
I must now say. Will you present my warmest regards
and pleasantest recollections to your wife, and believe
still in your friend
George W.C.
My dear John,—The Lady Emelyn swears by
Venus and all the Goddesses that our party at your
house must be postponed until Friday evening, that
she may bring with us Miss Anna Loring and Miss Augusta
King. What can mere men do? They submit.
And they walk across the fields to look at a beautiful
woman, at a Poet’s wife.
We are all very hot and very happy down here, and
wonder if your ashes are white or quite invisible,
for of course, in the city, you have become ash.
Present us most kindly to your wife, and forget not
that our coming will be much more enchanting with
Mrs. S.’s proposed addition.
Yours aff.,
G.W.C.
NAHANT, Wednesday morning Aug 12, ’51.
My dear John,—We are tapering off.
Mrs. Story is not well, and we have not our young
ladies yet. Also C.P. Cranch goes to Quincy,
where his wife is. So I fear you will have only
William and me, and very probably his proof-sheets
will retain him. I expect Cranch to come, but
he is quite unwell.
Yours aff.,
G.W.C.
Friday, Aug. 15, ’51.
PROVIDENCE, Friday, Sep. 26, 1851.
My dear John,—This morning I received the
enclosed. If you can shed light upon the darkness
it indicates will you please do so, sending me what
information you have.
I am up to my ears in a book I am writing in continuation
of the “Notes,” “Syrian Sketches”;
and shall stay here perhaps two months. I shall
hope to slip down to Boston occasionally and see you
all. I was there a few hours on Monday, and saw
William by chance. Burrill has reached England,
and is very much pleased with Malvern.
