The Visit to America, alas, alas, is pure Moonshine. Never had
I, in late years, the least shadow of intention to undertake that
adventure; and I am quite at a loss to understand how the rumor
originated. One Boston Gentleman (a kind of universal
Undertaker, or Lion's Provider of Lecturers I think) informed me
that _"the Cable"_ had told him; and I had to remark, "And who
the devil told the Cable?" Alas, no, I fear I shall never dare
to undertake that big Voyage; which has so much of romance and
of reality behind it to me; _zu spat, zu spat._ I do sometimes
talk dreamily of a long Sea-Voyage, and the good the Sea has
often done me,--in times when good was still possible. It may
have been some vague folly of that kind that originated this
rumor; for rumors are like dandelion-seeds; and _the Cable_ I
dare say welcomes them all that have a guinea in their pocket.
Thank you for blocking up that Harvard matter; provided it don't
go into the Newspapers, all is right. Thank you a thousand times
for that thrice-kind potential welcome, and flinging wide open
your doors and your hearts to me at Concord.
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