it.  Never was my mind so active; and the subjects are God, the universe, immortality.  But shall I be fit for anything till I have absolutely re-educated myself?  Am I, can I make myself, fit to write an account of half a century of the existence of one of the master-spirits of this world?  It seems as if I had been very arrogant to dare to think it; yet will I not shrink back from what I have undertaken,—­even by failure I shall learn much.’

* * * * *

’I am shocked to perceive you think I am writing the life of Goethe.  No, indeed!  I shall need a great deal of preparation before I shall have it clear in my head, I have taken a great many notes; but I shall not begin to write it, till it all lies mapped out before me.  I have no materials for ten years of his life, from the time he went to Weimar, up to the Italian journey.  Besides, I wish to see the books that have been written about him in Germany, by friend or foe.  I wish to look at the matter from all sides.  New lights are constantly dawning on me; and I think it possible I shall come out from the Carlyle view, and perhaps from yours, and distaste you, which will trouble me.

* * ’How am I to get the information I want, unless I go to Europe?  To whom shall I write to choose my materials?  I have thought of Mr. Carlyle, but still more of Goethe’s friend, Von Muller.  I dare say he would be pleased at the idea of a life of G. written in this hemisphere, and be very willing to help me.  If you have anything to tell me, you will, and not mince matters.  Of course, my impressions of Goethe’s works cannot be influenced by information I get about his life; but, as to this latter, I suspect I must have been hasty in my inferences.  I apply to you without scruple.  There are subjects on which men and women usually talk a great deal, but apart from one another.  You, however, are well aware that I am very destitute of what is commonly called modesty.  With regard to this, how fine the remark of our present subject:  “Courage and modesty are virtues which every sort of society reveres, because they are virtues which cannot be counterfeited; also, they are known by the same hue.”  When that blush does not come naturally to my face, I do not drop a veil to make people think it is there.  All this may be very unlovely, but it is I.’

CHANNING ON SLAVERY.

’This is a noble work.  So refreshing its calm, benign atmosphere, after the pestilence-bringing gales of the day.  It comes like a breath borne over some solemn sea which separates us from an island of righteousness.  How valuable is it to have among us a man who, standing apart from the conflicts of the herd, watches the principles that are at work, with a truly paternal love for what is human, and may be permanent; ready at the proper point to give his casting-vote to the cause of Right!  The author has amplified