On the 13th of April, 1854, Hawthorne wrote to me this characteristic letter from the consular office in Liverpool:—­

“I am very glad that the ‘Mosses’ have come into the hands of our firm; and I return the copy sent me, after a careful revision.  When I wrote those dreamy sketches, I little thought that I should ever preface an edition for the press amidst the bustling life of a Liverpool consulate.  Upon my honor, I am not quite sure that I entirely comprehend my own meaning, in some of these blasted allegories; but I remember that I always had a meaning, or at least thought I had.  I am a good deal changed since those times; and, to tell you the truth, my past self is not very much to my taste, as I see myself in this book.  Yet certainly there is more in it than the public generally gave me credit for at the time it was written.

“But I don’t think myself worthy of very much more credit than I got.  It has been a very disagreeable task to read the book.  The story of ‘Rappacini’s Daughter’ was published in the Democratic Review, about the year 1844; and it was prefaced by some remarks on the celebrated French author (a certain M. de l’Aubepine), from whose works it was translated.  I left out this preface when the story was republished; but I wish you would turn to it in the Democratic, and see whether it is worth while to insert it in the new edition.  I leave it altogether to your judgment.

“A young poet named ——­ has called on me, and has sent me some copies of his works to be transmitted to America.  It seems to me there is good in him; and he is recognized by Tennyson, by Carlyle, by Kingsley, and others of the best people here.  He writes me that this edition of his poems is nearly exhausted, and that Routledge is going to publish another enlarged and in better style.

“Perhaps it might be well for you to take him up in America.  At all events, try to bring him into notice; and some day or other you may be glad to have helped a famous poet in his obscurity.  The poor fellow has left a good post in the customs to cultivate literature in London!

    “We shall begin to look for you now by every steamer from Boston. 
    You must make up your mind to spend a good while with us before
    going to see your London friends.

“Did you read the article on your friend De Quincey in the last Westminster?  It was written by Mr. ——­ of this city, who was in America a year or two ago.  The article is pretty well, but does nothing like adequate justice to De Quincey; and in fact no Englishman cares a pin for him.  We are ten times as good readers and critics as they.

    “Is not Whipple coming here soon?”