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James - you, as a "matter of fact man" ought to know. I have an impression I thought it a little strange but supposing it used by you a "matter of fact man, of course should not have dared to dispute it, any way. There was certainly a connection between War and the opening & shutting of the Temple of Janus, perhaps that would enough to justify a poets' use. I rather think if I had plenty of Big Goods around me to consult, "Authorities," I could find the facts and establish it.

For your account of your journeyings I was very much obliged. Such a trip must be n many accounts a truly pleasant. I think you must have enjoyed it a good deal. Was it principally for business or for pleasure? You mentioned nothing that your objects were, or what you were about in the different places you visited. How much would your expenses arrange per diem during such a trip. $3 to 5 probably travelling expenses & after I believe my expenses were about $30 last winter in a six days trip to New Haven. Providence I have never seen. The arcade which you mentioned, I have read & seen engravings of. A more particular description of places & objects, and recital of incidents would have been extremely interesting. As for the Blues or Hypochondria - I enjoy perfect health. To be sure I may not feel quite so well at some times as at others, but then my complexion never depends in any great degree upon that of the atmosphere or that of my dinner. Perfect Independence of "accidents" of all extremes is my rule: rather perhaps of all disagreeable, with keenest practicable susceptibility to all agreeables & beauties of nature v art mind, matter and heart. Of course, with the great prerequisite health, I enjoy myself constantly. Theodore Parkers sermon on J.L Adams I have read twice. What do you think of it? Newburyport I was never in. In Salem I spent about half an hour some dozen years since and have since been under it once or twice. Ambition. I believe I am not very ambitions as men count ambition, perhaps not enough so for my own interests. To be sure no one can help having some certain aspirations; - and now I think of it perhaps it is only sluggishness of soul, that one has formed or even established the habit of not being more thereby. However, I believe our philosophies approve the wisdom of discarding ambition. In fact though I do regard it as every ones duty to rise, to use as much as fact & as far as possible, that is without sacrificing anything else for it. Not a mere ill in wealth: of itself is worth little or nothing. to elevate ones position in society, if it be the right kind of society, is worth more. To increase in wisdom, true wisdom, and in happiness, that is the great thing. To increase oneself, not his property or his standing, or any of those mere accidents: to increase the man himself. Those ambitious men, most men, perhaps all men, fail, err more or less is in buying things too dear, terrible mean dirty paltry things too they pay prices for. Scripture speaks of the folly of selling the soul for the whole world, yet how many lose it for really less than nothing? how many for a few petty grains of glittering dust, which in the end only burns their fingers and corrodes their hearts? What object of ambition is wroth purchasing at the expense or the risk of peace of conscience? Or even at the expense of social enjoyments, and the happiness God has designed and ordered that we should enjoy even in this world? You say "the road is open, the means at hand, they may be discerned" I wish if you see & understand# them you would state & explain. Likely enough, after all my preaching & practice too, I have only been in the condition of the fox under the grape vines: and should like to climb up "a piece", to wobble "less a little" if it did not cost too much. Finally I agree with you pretty well, that we are rather a smart set of fellows. I doubt you sometimes thing though more better more smarter and might get a cog or two higher, Providence resisting, if we tried hard enough. only see that the whistle does not cost too much: or not to pay the piper too much to dance. You mention where you go to hear preaching in Boston. Do you never find your way far enough up North to hear Dr Beecher? or up on state house hill to hear the celebrated and eloquent Kirk? Or into Marlboro Chapel to hear Matthew Hale Smith? 31 Brattle Street and you like the place on I like Marlboro very well, everything is in shape. Our temperance folks from this region usually stop at Quincy House, which would therefore be advantageous for me, if I should remain hereabout. However, if one is spending days in the city 75 or 100 per diem is well worth saving. Russian language I never heard. German I am somewhat acquainted with & like much. Russian is much more harsh. I do certainly & really think of going to Milo in May: tell them here I am going whether or no. To be sure it is rather a different business for one to leave a load during constructive for a week or fortnight: but if they let me go, I shall run no risk of losing my place. I believe I got a pretty firm hold here, considering especially the comparatively short term of my service. Marriage - "the most important of worldly subjects" - I believe I am not disposed to trifle with the subject. Of course, I think of the matter - if I think of anything. I think I am unfortunately not exactly just in proper condition to get married at present, probably not so well situated for it as my brothers, and moreover do not as yet know any person in all respects just what I should wish in a person for me to marry. (By the way there is a young lady of this town, of whom from all I hear, I have formed just about the right opinion, but unfortunately I never had the honor of an introduction, and the lady in question has gone south to teach school! In fact, I have not been able to arrive really at any conclusion. You have at several. I pray you communicate them to me. they might be extremely beneficial and serviceable to me. I'm writing the previous pages, and since the arrival of the Caledonia with further particulars my opinion of the present Travel Revolution has somewhat improved. It appears to have been characterized by extraordinary unexpected moderation, and those who appear to have taken the lead in it are men of such character as apparently to secure success as long as the power may remain in their, or such hands, the "Aragos you know and some of the others are of worldwide renown as scientific men, Lamartine is also among the greatest as Historian, Orator, Poet. Most of them are better than that little uneasy Thiers