Love and letters

Preface

The farmer who requested to be buried in Petrarch's grave that his dust might mingle with that of the poet, could not secure to himself so great an honor even though he offered one hundred crowns of gold for the privilege. He sought for himself a distinction that in no way belonged to him, and that could not under any possible circumstances be other than offensive to all lovers of art and letters. But when Lafayette sent for earth from Bunker Hill that it might be placed over his body after its interment, the selectmen of Boston saw at once the beauty and propriety of his request. They took earth from the spot where General Warren fell, and with it forwarded to Lafayette's agent a certificate stating that it was earth from one of the most sacred of places. The certificate was signed by three of the oldest men in Boston, all of whom felt that their names were honored by being thus associated with the glory of the new republic.

In these pages I seek for myself no foreign distinction to which I may lay no rightful claim. I endeavor only to associate my name with those friendly studies which are natural to all lovers of good books who delight in quiet evenings spent in the library with such volumes as dear old Charles Lamb used to touch with reverence and kiss with tenderness. Fletcher said this for me and for all who love good books long ago when he wrote:

PREFACE

"That place that does Contain my books, the best companions, is To me a glorious court, where hourly I Converse with the old sages and philosophers."

With some consciousness of my many limitations and of the imperfections in my work, I yet offer to my readers a literary fare that has filled for me many a long winter evening with delight, and that I truly hope may bring pleasure to others.

Contents

PAGE

I. LOVE AND LETTERS ..... 1

II. THE GOOD NEIGHBOR ... 93