On the last day of 1853, Longfellow wrote in his diary, "How barren of all poetic production and even prose production this last year has been! For 1853 I have absolutely nothing to show. Really there has been nothing but the college work. The family absorbs half the time, and letters and visits take out a huge cantle." Yet four days later he wrote, January 4, 1854, "Another day absorbed in the college. But why complain? These golden days are driven like nails into the fabric. Who knows but they help it to hold fast and firm?" On February 22, he writes, "You are not misinformed about my leaving the professorship. I am 'pawing to get free.'" On his birthday, February 27, he writes, in the joy of approaching freedom, "I am curious to know what poetic victories, if any, will be won this year." On April 19 he writes, "At eleven o'clock in No. 6 University Hall, I delivered my last lecture--the last I shall ever deliver, here or anywhere."{80} The following are the letters explaining this, and hitherto unpublished, but preserved in the Harvard College archives. CAMBRIDGE, February 16, 1854. GENTLEMEN,--In pursuance of conversations held with Dr. Walker, the subject of which he has already communicated to you,--I now beg leave to tender you my resignation of the "Smith Professorship of the French and Spanish Languages and Literatures," which I have held in Harvard College since the year 1835. Should it be in your power to appoint my successor before the beginning of the next Term, I should be glad to retire at once. But if this should be inconvenient, I will discharge the duties of the office until the end of the present Academic Year. I venture on this occasion, Gentlemen, to call your attention to the subject of the salaries paid to the several Instructors in this Department, and to urge, as far as may be proper, such increase as may correspond to the increased expenses of living in this part of the country at the present time. With sentiments of the highest regard, and sincere acknowledgments of your constant courtesy and kindness, during the eighteen years of my connection with the College, I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your Obt. Servt. HENRY W. LONGFELLOW.{81} To the President and Corporation of Harvard University. [TO PRESIDENT WALKER.] CAMBRIDGE, Feb. 16, 1854. MY DEAR SIR,--I inclose you my note to the Corporation. Will you be kind enough to look at it, before handing it to them; for if it is not in proper form and phrase, I will write it over again. I also inclose the letters of Schele de Vere, and remain, Very faithfully Yours