“30 September. Captain L. reappeared on the deck, having only been below to oversee the storage of ballast, whereof on this trip the lading mainly consists. What was thought to be his brains turned out on closer examination to be pumpkin pie, though the second officer was unconvinced and the Captain himself could not make up his mind. “The fact is I was cross, and did not quite like being brought up with such a round turn at my time of life. I had done all I could, and was hoping that the literary notices would make up for the rest. I had been disappointed in three body articles by Bigelow, Poole, and Willard (on von Bismarck). Gurney will take hold of the next number and it will all go right. Say beforehand how many sheets you are willing to allow, and we will keep as near the wind as we can, but don’t--well, never mind, but I am as touchy as if I were even poorer than I am.” The publication of “Under the Willows” brought Lowell some of those expressions of admiration and affection for which the friends of a writer gladly use such occasions. The publishing of a book is like an announcement of an engagement,--an opportunity for one’s friends to show their affection unreservedly. Among the notes which pleased Lowell was one from Mr. Aldrich who had lately come to Boston to edit _Every Saturday_, and in his pleasure he sent a copy of the special edition of the Commemoration Ode with this letter. ELMWOOD, 23rd December, 1868. MY DEAR SIR,--That note was so pleasant to an old fellow who doesn’t think too well of himself, that I can’t help (with a very good will and a very balky pen) telling you how much pleasure it gave me. That I don’t deserve all the fine things you say of me doesn’t make it any the less friendly in you to say them, and I, for one, frankly confess that I like a little _lubrication_ now and then. It makes our machine (as they used to call it in the last century) run easier for a day or two, till its general ramshackliness reproduces the familiar friction. Now lest the twins should repeat the tragedy of Eteocles and Polynikes, and the house of Aldrich be extinguished in an internecine duel for the possession of that other fatal volume, I send what will enable your paternal anxiety to make a fair division between them. If they are proper twins (I am a kind of twins myself divided between grave and gay) they will be the one sentimental and t’other humorous. Bequeath one sacred tome to each, and keep for yourself the cordial feeling that sends both.