" He did so: the meeting was held on Saturday and I
have received this (Monday) morning from him enclosed letter
and record.
It is very amiable and noble in you to have kept this surprise
for us in your older days. Did you mean to show us that you
could not be old, but immortally young? and having kept us all
murmuring at your satires and sharp homilies, will now melt us
with this manly and heart-warming embrace? Nobody could predict
and none could better it. And you shall even go your own gait
henceforward with a blessing from us all, and a trust exceptional
and unique. I do not longer hesitate to talk to such good men as
I see of this gift, and it has in every ear a gladdening effect.
People like to see character in a gift, and from rare character
the gift is more precious. I wish it may be twice blest in
continuing to give you the comfort it will give us.
I think I must mend myself by reclaiming my old right to send you
letters. I doubt not I shall have much to tell you, could I
overcome the hesitation to attempt a reasonable letter when one
is driven to write so many sheets of mere routine as sixty-six
(nearly sixty-seven) years enforce.
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