youth. Sometimes I think I would give all our gains for those times when young and old gathered in the feudal hall, listening with soul-absorbing transport to the romance of the minstrel, unrestrained and regardless of criticism, and when they worshipped nature, not as high-dressed and pampered, but as just risen from the bath.’
‘Cambridge, May 14, 1826. — I am studying Madame
de Stael, Epictetus, Milton, Racine, and Castilian
ballads, with great delight. There’s an assemblage for you.
Now tell me, had you rather be the brilliant De Stael or
the useful Edgeworth? — though De Stael is useful too,
but it is on the grand seale, on liberalizing, regenerating
principles, and has not the immediate practical success
that Edgeworth has. I met with a parallel the other
day between Byron and Rousseau, and had a mind to
send it to you, it was so excellent.’
‘Cambridge, Jan. 10, 1827. — As to my studies, I am
engrossed in reading the elder Italian poets, beginning
with Berni, from whom I shall proceed to Pulci and
Politian. I read very critically. Miss Francis[1] and I think
of reading Locke, as introductory to a course of English
metaphysics, and then De Stael on Locke’s system.
Allow me to introduce this lady to you as a most
interesting woman, in my opinion. She is a natural person,
— a most rare thing in this age of cant and pretension.
Her conversation is charming,—she brings all her powers
to bear upon it; her style is varied, and she has a
very pleasant and spirited way of thinking. I should
judge, too, that she possesses peculiar purity of mind. I
