In the afternoon I was in about the middle of the tent. Mr. Lowell stood under Hollis at nearly the same table. I heard very distinctly as he read “Those love her best.” I felt that something was coming which was familiar, and as he ended the line I felt that I could repeat the next one, and I did so, ahead of him. But as we proceeded I was confounded with the fact that apparently my line would not rhyme with his. As I said “die for,” he said “do.” I spent some minutes in trying to determine whether I liked his sentiment or mine the most. That is all. After twenty-one years, details are dim. Some years ago, just before Mr. Lowell sailed for England, I sent him a statement, more detailed probably than this; but no doubt it became carbonic acid and water before he left the house. The second letter is from Lowell, to whom Mr. W.’s letter had been sent by Dr. James:-- 17th Feb., 1888. DEAR DR. JAMES,--My Commemoration Ode was very rapidly written, and came to me unexpectedly, for I had told Child, who was one of the committee (I suppose), that he must look for nothing from me. I sat up all the night before the ceremony, writing and copying out what I had written during the day. I think most of it was composed on that last day. I have no doubt the verse quoted by Mr. W. came to me in a flash, but whether during that last night or not I cannot say. Perhaps my MS. would show, if I had kept it, or if anybody else has. Child will remember my taking him apart under an elm, between Massachusetts and the Law School, that morning, that I might read him a part of the Ode, to see if it would do, for ’twas so fresh that I knew not, having probably not even had time to read it over. It was such a new thing in more senses than one. I recollect Mr. W.’s letter, and think it was substantially like that to you. I did not burn it, I am sure, and ’twill, no doubt, turn up somewhere in my hay-stack of letters when I am “up back of the meetin’-house,” as Yankees used to say while there were any Yankees left.... There is one painful suggestion in the fact of Mr. W.’s anticipation, which I hardly venture to speak of. Was the verse already _do_? Did I steal it? Not to my knowledge; but perhaps it might be well to set a literary detective on my trail. I return the letter. Faithfully yours, J. R. LOWELL. [18] Quoted by A. V. G. Allen in his _Life and Letters of Phillips Brooks_, i. 552. [19] An interesting venture was made by Little, Brown & Co. in the summer of 1864, which unfortunately proved too uncertain to be carried through. Lowell was to have edited a series of volumes illustrative of the Old Dramatists, from Marlowe down. He prepared one volume, which was put into type but never published. A set of proofs is in the library of Harvard University.