THE RANDALL FAMILY 37
warm weather enables you to go out again. Please con- sider this point, my dear sir, solely with a view to your own comfort, remembering that it will put me to no trouble to bring them, because I can as well take my daily walk in your direction as elsewhere, and you will not be obliged to fatigue yourself in seeing me. I understand the neces- sity of quiet to those who are unwell. Do not plague yourself with answering this — note, I would have said, but I perceive it is a long letter. I will call at your door when I return from Beverly, whither I go for a few days, and then shall be glad if you can find use for any services
of mine. r i
[J. w. R.]
The subjoined letter to Rev. Dr. Andrew P. Peabody, at that time editor of the " North American Review," suf- ficiently explains itself.
[Boston, 1856.] My dear Sir,
I received a note some days since from Mr. Abbot, of Beverly, stating that he wished to prepare for the N. A. Review an article on a late book of mine, for which he feels a partiality. He says that he has stated his wish to you, and that you have courteously expressed a desire to gratify both him and me, provided there should be room to spare in the Review.
I know not whether you are a reader of poetry, nor do I know how far an editor feels responsible for the opinions of others as expressed in his pages. But it seems to me natural that he should like to possess a copy of every book concerning which he publishes a criticism. This motive will, I think, justify me in asking your acceptance of the accompanying volume. I think you are not likely to have
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