"I had occasion to tell the principal of a college, who tried to tempt my vanity with the offer to call an edifice by my name, that I should regard it as a calamity to be published as a philanthropist--having discovered that a dim suspicion of that character is scarcely consistent with the repose of a retired life. "Nevertheless, I am open to consider the case to which you call my attention. Would it be convenient to you, some day when I am in New York, to call upon me, or to send some well-informed person to explain to me your scheme--what it needs and what your plans are? If so, I will make an appointment not earlier than next week. "Very truly yours, "S. J. TILDEN." TILDEN TO MRS. LOWELL "_January 2, 1883._ "DEAR MRS. LOWELL,--I have received your note containing some account of the subscriptions for the Charity Organization Society. "Herewith is the speech which I promised to send. "My subscription, which was to be paid after the beginning of the New Year, will be ready whenever you may come, in person, to collect it. Since almost seven years elapsed without my having the pleasure to see you, I do not like to throw away this occasion. "Very truly yours, "S. J. TILDEN. "_Mrs. J. S. Lowell._" TILDEN TO CHARLES A. DANA "YONKERS, N. Y., _January 2, 1883_. "DEAR MR. DANA,--I reciprocate your good wishes for the New Year for both yourself and Mrs. Dana. "I fear there is some danger that the unsettling of the established system in regard to the canals may lead to projects for enlargements which will be of no real utility, but mere pretences for a renewal of abuses. "I send herewith a copy of my speech on the canals in the convention of 1867, which, I think, you once expressed a wish to see; and also a copy of my first Message which contains a passage on the same subject.[27] [27] See _Tilden's Public Writings and Speeches_, Vol. I., p. 348. "It is sad to think of Louis Blanc and Gambetta, who have just passed away. In September and October, 1877, when Mr. Bigelow and I were in Paris, we saw something of them. Louis Blanc was an intelligent, mild man of gentle manners, and with the air of a scholar or professor. Gambetta seemed to be an impersonation of great forces. I brought back a magnificent photograph of him, which I have been examining with fresh interest to-day. Both knew enough of American politics to sympathize with the view you take of the electoral transaction of 1876-7. "Very truly yours." TILDEN TO PARKE GODWIN "GREYSTONE, _January 11, 1883_. "DEAR MR. GODWIN,--I intended to answer your first letter in respect to the foundation of the Statue of Liberty, although it expressly waived a reply. My thought then was to have a conference which should explain to me the scheme proposed; but, in the progress of time, that result came about of itself....