This is about all that I have to say. Sometimes
your sentences are a little heavy, but you will find, little by
little, happier terms of expression. I do not in the least believe
that you cannot in time write as well as I. What I have done to
earn expression I know better than you The crudities that I have
outgrown or outlabored, I also know.
You must be a little less careless about your spelling, simply
because these slips will discredit your thought in the eyes
of superficial critics.
You understand, of course, that I speak above of the general
public--not of the finer natures, who will welcome you with
warm hands.
I fear that the results of my reading will not correspond to
your wishes, and that it was hardly worth your while to send me
your MS. But I am obliged to you for informing me of your
existence, for I augur good for my country from the discovery
of every such intelligence as yours, and I pledge to you my
warm interest and regard.
Very cordially yours,
David A. Wasson
Worcester, Sept. 29, 1862,
My Dear Mr. Burroughs,--
To the medicine proposition I say. Yes. A man of your tastes
and mental vigor should be able to do some clean work in that
profession. I know not of any other established profession that
allows a larger scope of mind than this.
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