--Enough of it now: only let all my silences and other
shortcomings be explained thereby. I am now off for the North
Country, for a snatch still at the small remnants of Summer, and
a little free air and sunshine. I am really far from well,
though I have been riding diligently for three months back, and
doing what I could to help myself.
Very glad shall I be, my Friend, to have some new utterances from
you either in verse or in prose! What you say about the vast
_imperfection_ of all modes of utterance is most true indeed.
Let a man speak and sing, and do, and sputter and gesticulate as
he may,--the meaning of him is most ineffectually shown forth,
poor fellow; rather _indicated_ as if by straggling symbols,
than _spoken_ or visually expressed! Poor fellow! So the great
rule is, That he _have_ a good manful meaning, and then that he
take what "mode of utterance" is honestly the readiest for him.--
I wish you would take an American Hero, one whom you really love;
and give us a History of him,--make an artistic bronze statue (in
good _words_) of his Life and him! I do indeed.
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