Lowell February 28, 1860.

 

My dear William,

                                    After a very long silence on my part I again attempt to address you. Your last letter I received in due time, and let me assure you that I was very glad to hear from you. Because you have not heard from me, I beg you will not think that I have forgotten you, or that the friendship which has so long and so firmly existed between us has grown cold upon my part for such is not the case.

 

            I am aware that I have grossly neglected my duty in not answering yours of October last, long ere this and I can frame no excuse sufficient for the negligence. I hope you will overlook it. I have sent you papers and pamphlets many times, some of which owing to the espionage exercised over the mails in southern parts, you may not have received, but those you did, I hope occasionally revived my memory. The fact of it is William that I am leading a very unhappy life, and I feel very little like writing or saying anything to anybody unless I am obliged to. I never admitted as much to anybody before, choosing to keep such matters to myself, for obvious reasons, but as you are sufficiently removed from the scene of action, I have said it to you, and with this the matter rests. I have nothing further to say.                   

 

I am very happy to know that you appreciate so well the biography of William Wirt. I think it a masterpiece. Boswell's Life of Johnson is quoted as a model work, but I have in vain attempted to work my way through it. You should now read the "British Spy" and Wirt's Life of Patrick Henry. Fresh from the life of the author you would be enabled to read them with a better relish than with any other preparation. I have read the Life of S.S. Prentiss some time ago; that is where I obtained my information about him. He was a rare specimen of a man. You are fortunate in being able to visit the scenes of his life. Choate's Law Library was not sold at auction. I was not able to attend the sale of his miscellaneous books and did not regret it much at the time as I supposed that I should obtain something for you and also myself at the sale of the latter, which was advertised to come off about four weeks later. The advertisement was with- / drawn about a week before the sale, and a note said that the books were withdrawn. I presume that some Law school or literary association took the whole. I am very sorry for your sake.

 

Warren sent me a short time after your departure for the South, a fine photograph of Choate and also of Everett which I prize very much. When you come home I will advise him to send you the same, as they will make fine ornaments for your office. I hope that you have fully determined to pursue the study of the law, and are already working like a Conestoga warhorse. I imagine that if you should read "Parkers Reminiscences of Rufus Choate" that it would stimulate you considerably to work with your might. I do not think that he was wise in relating all that he does, but still it is a first rate book. It is quite a late publication. Please inform me how you are situated in relation to intellectual food. I know all about that "Library" and I rejoice with exceeding great joy that you are with a "genuine old Whig"—venerable nomen—I trust that his silent influence even will do you much good. My friend you are a terrible democrat. I allow that much better things can not be expected / from one born and bred in New Hampshire, but certainly the influence of a liberal education and much travel—see adventures in New York, and among your own White Mountains—should do something to mollify them. But we will not quarrel about that, if you will get a nomination to any respectable office—say Governor or President—I will agree to stump any required locality, out of sincere regard to the "man" and not "measures". That reminds me of a pertinent saying of Canning the English Statesman, in regard to the very popular watchword of "Measures not men", said he "Away with the cant of measures not men, as if the praise should be given to the harness and not to the horses that draw the chariot on"

 

            Valpey wrote me in October from Middletown Ct. & I have not answered it, he was in Lawrence about the time of the accident on the Pemberton. He did not visit Lowell. I have in my possession a package from T D Anderson, and for Tho^s G Valpey Cleveland Ohio. It was left at the store for me one day when I was out. Who in the devil name T. D. Anderson is I am sure that I don't know. I can't say but that there is an infernal machine in the paper for it is of very suspicious shape. The young ladies and gentlemen in this vicinity of your acquaintance are all in good health. I had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. W^m Blanchard at a festival the other day, and she enquired very particularly after you. Your face is on exhibition on Merk St. Please write me as soon as you receive this.

 

Always Your friend Selwyn E Bickford

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