THE RANDALL FAMILY 1 5
SO forth. I do not know but I like better still the blended contemplative philosophy and poetry of such pieces as the "Ode to God, as he appears to the child," and so forth. Whether or not I was just in the mood for it, I cannot say, but I was charmed with the " Retrospect." I will not, however, refer to particular poems. I will only say in general that, in addition to other things, I am particu- larly impressed by the number of lines and stanzas I should be glad to retain in the memory, on account of their felicitous expression of some striking thought. I am greatly pleased at seeing your self-criticisms in the altera- tions you have made in words. It makes the copy as good as an "engraving before the letter" — is that the phrase } I wish that the admirable piece on " The Poet : Fourth Treatment" might be read, studied, and inwardly digested by our modern poets, and that they might then ponder the full meaning of "The Nuptials" of Beauty and Truth. But I am writing a letter instead of a note, and must close with again thanking you for your volume and the pleasure it has given me ; while I beg you to be- lieve me
Very respectfully and sincerely yours,
E. Peabody. J. W. Randall, Esq.
��The following two letters from Dr. Samuel Conant Foster, the poet's schoolfellow, classmate at Harvard, and lifelong friend, and one of the most distinguished physi- cians of his generation in New York City, written as they were eight years afterwards, throw great light on the rea- sons why the " Consolations of Solitude " were so little known at the time of publication : —
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