In 1852 I went to Europe, and while absent had frequent most welcome letters from the delightful dreamer.  He had finished the “Blithedale Romance” during my wanderings, and I was fortunate enough to arrange for its publication in London simultaneously with its appearance in Boston.  One of his letters (dated from his new residence in Concord, June 17, 1852) runs thus:—­

“You have succeeded admirably in regard to the ‘Blithedale Romance,’ and have got L150 more than I expected to receive.  It will come in good time, too; for my drafts have been pretty heavy of late, in consequence of buying an estate!!! and fitting up my house.  What a truant you are from the Corner!  I wish, before leaving London, you would obtain for me copies of any English editions of my writings not already in my possession.  I have Routledge’s edition of ’The Scarlet Letter,’ the ‘Mosses,’ and ‘Twice-Told Tales’; Bohn’s editions of ‘The House of the Seven Gables,’ the ‘Snow-Image’ and the ‘Wonder-Book,’ and Bogue’s edition of ’The Scarlet Letter’;—­these are all, and I should be glad of the rest.  I meant to have written another ‘Wonder-Book’ this summer, but another task has unexpectedly intervened.  General Pierce of New Hampshire, the Democratic nominee for the Presidency, was a college friend of mine, as you know, and we have been intimate through life.  He wishes me to write his biography, and I have consented to do so; somewhat reluctantly, however, for Pierce has now reached that altitude when a man, careful of his personal dignity, will begin to think of cutting his acquaintance.  But I seek nothing from him, and therefore need not be ashamed to tell the truth of an old friend....  I have written to Barry Cornwall, and shall probably enclose the letter along with this.  I don’t more than half believe what you tell me of my reputation in England, and am only so far credulous on the strength of the L200, and shall have a somewhat stronger sense of this latter reality when I finger the cash.  Do come home in season to preside over the publication of the Romance.”

He had christened his estate The Wayside, and in a postscript to the above letter he begs me to consider the name and tell him how I like it.

Another letter, evidently foreshadowing a foreign appointment from the newly elected President, contains this passage:—­

“Do make some inquiries about Portugal; as, for instance, in what part of the world it lies, and whether it is an empire, a kingdom, or a republic.  Also, and more particularly, the expenses of living there, and whether the Minister would be likely to be much pestered with his own countrymen.  Also, any other information about foreign countries would be acceptable to an inquiring mind.”

When I returned from abroad I found him getting matters in readiness to leave the country for a consulship in Liverpool.  He seemed happy at the thought of flitting, but I wondered if he could possibly be