A noble nature is indeed never so delighted as when
it finds something that may be lawfully reverenced; but all the
ignoble keep up their self-complacence by shutting their eyes to
all superiority.
I state the case strongly, as you will feel it bye and bye. Mind,
I am not a disappointed man; and have met as generous appreciation
as I ought to wish. I am not misanthropic, nor in the least
soured. I say all this, not /against/ the public, but /for/ you.
Now, then, as to the essay. It is rich in thought. Everywhere
are the traces of a penetrating and sincere intellect. Much of
the expression is also good. The faults of it, /me judice/, are
as follows: The introduction I think too long. I should nearly
throw away the first five pages. Your true beginning I think to
be near the bottom of the sixth page, though the /island/ in the
middle paragraph of that page is too fine to be lost. From the
sixth to about the twentieth I read with hearty pleasure. Then
begin subordinate essays in illustration of your main theme.
These are good in themselves, but their subordination is a little
obscured. I think careless readers--and most of your readers,
be sure, will be careless--will fail to perceive the connection.
You are younger than I, and will hope more from your readers; but
I find even superior men slow, /slow/, SLOW to understand--missing
your point so often! I think the relationship must be brought
out more strongly, and some very good sentences must be thrown
out because they are more related to the subordinate than the
commanding subject.
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