Stoke Newington,
Oct. 25, 1823.
1. ..... The enigma you do me the honour to ask for will accompany this; but I have
first to find it; for though I have looked a good deal, I have not yet been able
to lay my hands on it. I beg to make proviso that if I should want myself to
insert it in any publication, I may be at liberty to do it. Though, truly, that
is not very likely; for well do I feel one faculty after another withdrawing,
and the shades of evening closing fast around me; and be it so! What does life
offer at past eighty (at which venerable age I arrived one day last June); and I
believe you will allow that there is not much of new, of animating, of inviting,
to be met with after that age. For my own part, I only find that many things I
knew, I have forgotten; many things I thought I knew, I find I know nothing
about; some things I know, I have found not worth knowing; and some things I
would give -- O what would one not give to know? are beyond the reach of human
ken. Well, I believe
this is what may be called prosing, and you
can make much better use of your time than to read it.
2. I saw yesterday two boys, modern Greeks, in the costume of their country,
introduced by Mr. Bowring, who has the charge of them -- "du Grec
-- ah, ma soeur, du Grec; ils parlent du Grec!" I have been
reading one or two American novels lately. They are very well, but I do not wish
them to write novels yet. Let them explore and describe their new country; let
them record the actions of their Washington, the purest character perhaps that
history has to boast of; let them enjoy their free, their unexpensive
government, number their rising towns, and boast that persecution does not set
her bloody foot in any corner of their extensive territories. Then let them
kindle into poetry; but not yet, -- not till the more delicate shades and nicer
delineations of life are familiar to them, -- let them descend to novels. But,
tempted by writing to you, I am running on till my eyes are tired, and perhaps
you too. Compliments to Mrs. ----, and all your family. If I find the riddle, I
will send it to you; meantime I am, with the truest esteem and friendship,
3. Your affectionate friend.