[43] Mr. Evert A. Duyckinck, in March, 1846, replying to a suggestion by Lowell of “specimens of old translators” for Wiley & Putnam’s Library, doubts the practicability, but adds, “You will, I hope, not lose sight of so good a topic which might provoke a new conversation between yourself and your Mrs. Harris (Philip and John) very profitably.”
[44] Letters, i. 69.
[45] See Appendix B.
[46] Editor of Graham’s Magazine.
[47] Nathaniel Hawthorne and his Wife, i. 283.
[48] The circumstances pertaining to the close of Mr. Briggs’s connection with The Broadway Journal are detailed with some particularity in letters from Mr. Briggs to Lowell, printed in Mr. G. E. Woodberry’s Edgar Allan Poe in the American Men of Letters series. See pp. 234-239.
[49] Lowell’s letters to Poe may be found in an article with that title, edited by Mr. Woodberry, and printed in Scribner’s Magazine, August, 1894. Those of Poe to Lowell appear in Mr. Woodberry’s volume on Poe in the American Men of Letters series. Lowell’s letters, which run from 19 November, 1842, when he was beginning his Pioneer venture, to 12 December, 1844, just before his marriage, are occupied mainly with solicitation of contributions, interest in Poe’s work, and efforts at obtaining opportunities for Poe to lecture in Boston. They have slight value as illustrations of Lowell’s life, save as they show his eagerness to help a brother author, and his keen interest in letters.
[50] It may be noted that at the New England Anti-Slavery Convention held in Boston, 28 May, 1844, the issue of disunion was plainly presented in a set of resolutions. The vote stood 250 in favor to 24 in dissent. Among the number who voted “nay” were James Russell Lowell and Maria White. See William Lloyd Garrison, iii. 111, 112.
[51] For a striking use of the poem, see infra, vol. ii. p. 137.
[52] But his talk went on as unrestrictedly as ever. Longfellow records in his diary under date of 23 October, 1845: “Lowell passed the morning with me. Amiable enthusiast! He proposes to write a book in favor of fanaticism.”