Poems of James Russell Lowell: With biographical sketch by Nathan Haskell DoleLowell, James Russell
General
Poems of James Russell Lowell: With biographical sketch by Nathan Haskell Dole
Lowell, James Russell
American poetry
"I would simply add, that I continue to fit ingenuous youth
for college, and that I have two spacious and airy sleeping
apartments at this moment unoccupied. _Ingenuas didicisse_,
&c. Terms, which vary according to the circumstances of the
parents, may be known on application to me by letter, post
paid. In all cases the lad will be expected to fetch his own
towels. This rule, Mrs. W. desires me to add, has no
exceptions.
"Respectfully, your obedient servant,
"|Homer Wilbur|, A.M.
"P.S. Perhaps the last paragraph may look like an attempt to
obtain the insertion of my circular gratuitously. If it
should appear to you in that light, I desire that you would
erase it, or charge for it at the usual rates, and deduct
the amount from the proceeds in your hands from the sale of
my discourse, when it shall be printed. My circular is much
longer and more explicit, and will be forwarded without
charge to any who may desire it. It has been very neatly
executed on a letter sheet, by a very deserving printer, who
attends upon my ministry, and is a creditable specimen of
the typographic art. I have one hung over my mantelpiece in
a neat frame, where it makes a beautiful and appropriate
ornament, and balances the profile of Mrs. W., cut with her
toes by the young lady born without arms. H. W."
I have in the foregoing letter mentioned General Scott in
connection with the Presidency, because I have been given to
understand that he has blown to pieces and otherwise caused
to be destroyed more Mexicans than any other commander. His
claim would therefore be deservedly considered the
strongest. Until accurate returns of the Mexicans killed,
wounded, and maimed be obtained, it will be difficult to
settle these nice points of precedence. Should it prove that
any other officer has been more meritorious and destructive
than General S., and has thereby rendered himself more
worthy of the confidence and support of the conservative
portion of our community, I shall cheerfully insert his
name, instead of that of General S., in a future edition. It
may be thought, likewise, that General S. has invalidated
his claims by too much attention to the decencies of
apparel, and the habits belonging to a gentleman. These
abstruser points of statesmanship are beyond my scope. I
wonder not that successful military achievement should
attract the admiration of the multitude. Rather do I rejoice
with wonder to behold how rapidly this sentiment is losing
its hold upon the popular mind. It is related of Thomas
Warton, the second of that honored name who held the office
of Poetry Professor at Oxford, that, when one wished to find
him, being absconded, as was his wont, in some obscure
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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