Dr. Parsons’s address is very fine, and makes me still more desire to see his volume; and the letter from Dr. Holmes is charming, so clear, so kind, and so good.  If I had been a boy, I would have followed their noble profession.  Three such men as Mr. May, Dr. Parsons, and Dr. Holmes are enough to confirm the predilection that I have always had for the art of healing.

I have no good news to tell you of dear Mr. K——.  His sweet wife (Mr. Ticknor will remember her) has been three times at death’s door since he saw her here, and must spend at least two winters more at Torquay.  But I don’t believe that he could stay here even if she were well.  Bramshill has fallen into the hands of a Puseyite parson, who, besides that craze, which is so flagrant as to have made dear Mr. K——­ forbid him his pulpit, is subject to fits of raving madness,—­one of those most dangerous lunatics whom an age (in which there is a great deal of false humanity) never shuts up until some terrible crime has been committed. (A celebrated mad-doctor said the other day of this very man, that he had “homicidal madness.”) You may fancy what such a Squire, opposing him in every way, is to the rector of the parish.  Mr. K——­ told me last winter that he was driving him mad, and I am fully persuaded that he would make a large sacrifice of income to exchange his parish.  To make up for this, he is working himself to death, and I greatly fear that his excess of tobacco is almost equal to the opium of Mr. De Quincey.  With his temperament this is full of danger.  He was only here for two or three days to settle a new curate, but he walked over to see me, and I will take care that he receives your message.  His regard for me is, I really believe, sincere and very warm.  Remember that all this is in strict confidence.  The kindness that people show to me is something surprising.  I have not deserved it, but I receive it most gratefully.  It touches one’s very heart.  Will you say everything for me to my many kind friends, too many to name?  I had a kind letter from Mrs. Sparks the other day.  The poets I cling to while I can hold a pen.  God bless you.

    Ever yours, M.R.M.

    Can you contrive to send a copy of your edition of “Atherton” to Mr.
    Hawthorne?  Pray, dear friend, do if you can.

    October 12, 1854

My Very Dear Friend:  I can hardly give you a greater proof of affection, than in telling you that your letter of yesterday affected me to tears, and that I thanked God for it last night in my prayers; so much a mercy does it seem to me to be still beloved by one whom I have always loved so much.  I thank you a thousand times for that letter and for the book.  I enclose you my own letter to dear Dr. Parsons.  Read it before giving it to him.  I could not help being amused at his having appended my name to a poem in some sort derogating from the fame of the only Frenchman who is worthy to be named after the